Improved genome editing in human cell lines using the CRISPR method

The Cas9/CRISPR system has become a popular choice for genome editing. In this system, binding of a single guide (sg) RNA to a cognate genomic sequence enables the Cas9 nuclease to induce a double-strand break at that locus. This break is next repaired by an error-prone mechanism, leading to mutation and gene disruption. In this study we describe a range of refinements of the method, including stable cell lines expressing Cas9, and a PCR based protocol for the generation of the sgRNA. We also describe a simple methodology that allows both elimination of Cas9 from cells after gene disruption and re-introduction of the disrupted gene. This advance enables easy assessment of the off target effects associated with gene disruption, as well as phenotype-based structure-function analysis. In our study, we used the Fan1 DNA repair gene as control in these experiments. Cas9/CRISPR-mediated Fan1 disruption occurred at frequencies of around 29%, and resulted in the anticipated spectrum of genotoxin hypersensitivity, which was rescued by re-introduction of Fan1

The use and measurement of communication self-efficacy techniques in a UK undergraduate accounting course

This research contributes to helping educational establishments across the world develop self-efficacy techniques to improve communication skills within an accounting course design and other disciplines. This paper asks the research question: Does self-efficacy enhances accounting students’ communication ability? Previous research has identified the business community requiring accountants to display high levels of communication ability. However, despite many deliberate pedagogical interventions over the years, communication skills are lacking in graduating accounting students. This paper describes a new approach of deliberate self-efficacy interventions in one UK university’s undergraduate accounting curriculum to improve accounting students’ communication ability. In addition, a self-efficacy framework of Stone and Bailey [(2007). Team conflict self-efficacy and outcome expectancy of business students. Journal of Education for Business, 82(5), 258–266. https://doi.org/10.3200/JOEB.82.5.258-266.] is developed to model communication self-efficacy, outcome expectancy and behavioral intentions of the students. The data consists of the results of 131 first-year accounting students, and this paper contributes by helping to pinpoint two self-efficacy techniques to improving students’ communication skills: ‘personal mastery’ and ‘mentor support’

Model Predictive Control Guidance with Extended Command Governor Inner-Loop Flight Control for Hypersonic Vehicles

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106501/1/AIAA2013-5028.pd

Recent Trends, Opportunities and Challenges in 3D Printing Technology for Personalize Medicine

The scrutiny of medical devices industry as well as pharmaceutical industry for its application in health care industry on different platform is captured the 3D printing technique.  3D printing technology withstand for a very long duration only because of the approval of medical devices, 3D printed tablets and also with the advent of USFDA guideline on technical consideration. This technology is specific to devices utilizing preservative manufacturing. Many thoughts are triggered by 3D printing this technology and for successful delivery of intended product which is necessarily take into a consideration. In this review paper expectation limitations of some regulatory companies, Advantages, disadvantages, what type problems are arises while establishing this setups for drug product production, method, application, and manufacturing risk are represented. It also gives information about the current status of 3D printing technology in research and development of drug products.  For the fabrication of novel solid dosage form a number of 3D printing technology have been developed. This review is mainly focused on describing different technology used for the application of 3D printing in pharmaceutical industry.  Keywords: - 3D printing technology, recent trend, Opportunities, personalize medicine, challenges, future

A Review on Life Cycle Management Approach on Asset Qualification

All equipment’s used in the production of products shall be properly Validated, Qualified and Calibrated to demonstrate that it is suitable for its intended purpose. Qualification is an important aspect of the pharmaceutical quality system. When the equipment is properly qualified, verified and maintained, there is the possibility of Consistent performance of the equipment. A well designed qualification program saves valuable time and cost. Qualification is called a cyclic process because it is a never ending process. Appropriate documentation of the qualification program is very important as lack of the documented evidence does not give any meaning to qualification (Not documented it means not done).  The current programs and procedures of equipment qualification used within any pharmaceutical and bioscience industry are based on ‘regulatory requirements’, ‘voluntary standards’, ‘vendor practices’, and ‘industry practices’. The output is considerable variation in the way any pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies approach for the laboratory equipment. The lifecycle management approach of equipment qualification covers entire life cycle for the specification, design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, qualification (4Qs Model DQ, IQ, OQ, PQ), operation & maintenance of equipment in a risk based life cycle management approach. The goal of any regulated pharmaceutical and bioscience company is to provide reliable and valid data suitable for its intended purpose. Main goal of equipment qualification is to form the basis for written procedures for production and process control which are designed to assure that the drug products have the SISPQ (Safety, Identity, Strength, Purity and Quality) Keywords: Validation, Calibration, Life cycle management approach, Qualification (4Qs Model- DQ, IQ, OQ & PQ), SISPQ (Safety, Identity, Strength, Purity and Quality

POTENTIAL OF CARBON DIOXIDE ABSORPTION IN CONCRETE

Abstract: Cement industry contributes to 5% of global CO2 emissions. To mitigate pollution, there is a need of CO2 sequestration into stable forms. Present research focusses on CO2 being channelized towards an important construction practice. This paper summarizes the potential of CO2 absorption in concrete. To verify CO2 absorption in concrete, an artificial CO2 environment for curing of concrete cubes using dry ice was created. Considering concrete of M20 grade, a comparative experimental study of water cured concrete cubes, CO2 cured concrete cubes, for penetration (using phenolphthalein indicator), and compressive strength was carried out. The result analysis of the tests indicated that CO2 cured concrete cubes showed 22.125% higher compressive strength than water cured concrete cubes and CO2 penetration of 13.5 mm after 2 hours. The rate of CO2 penetration and strength gain in concrete was found to be rapid in the early hours. It is shown that CO2 can prove to be a useful resource in the construction scenario, especially in the precast

Ovicidal effect of four plant extracts on the eggs of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton)

Extracts from Four plants, leaves of Argemone mexicana Euphorbia tirucalli, Nerium oleander and cotyledons of Semecarpus ancardium tested against eggs of Corcyra cephalonica. In contact toxicity test of different concentration of plant extract i.e 1ml, 2ml, 3ml and 4ml were applied on the freshly laid eggs. The inhibition of egg hatching increased with increased in concentration of plant extracts. It was observed that at 4 ml concentration of chloroform extract of Argemone mexicana exhibited 60.02 % ovicidal action whereas at the same concentration cotyledons of Semecarpus anacardium, phylloclade of Euphorbia tirucalli, Nerium oleander exhibit 45.72%, 34.64%, 39.83% respectively

Sharp change over from compound nuclear fission to shape dependent quasi fission

Fission fragment mass distribution has been measured from the decay of $^{246}$Bk nucleus populating via two entrance channels with slight difference in mass asymmetries but belonging on either side of the Businaro Gallone mass asymmetry parameter. Both the target nuclei were deformed. Near the Coulomb barrier, at similar excitation energies the width of the fission fragment mass distribution was found to be drastically different for the $^{14}$N + $^{232}$Th reaction compared to the $^{11}$B + $^{235}$U reaction. The entrance channel mass asymmetry was found to affect the fusion process sharply.Comment: 4 pages,6 figure

Diazoxide-responsive hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia caused by HNF4A gene mutations

Objective: The phenotype associated with heterozygous HNF4A gene mutations has recently been extended to include diazoxide responsive neonatal hypoglycemia in addition to maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). To date, mutation screening has been limited to patients with a family history consistent with MODY. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of HNF4A mutations in a large cohort of patients with diazoxide responsive hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH). Subjects and methods: We sequenced the ABCC8, KCNJ11, GCK, GLUD1, and/or HNF4A genes in 220 patients with HH responsive to diazoxide. The order of genetic testing was dependent upon the clinical phenotype. Results: A genetic diagnosis was possible for 59/220 (27%) patients. KATP channel mutations were most common (15%) followed by GLUD1 mutations causing hyperinsulinism with hyperammonemia (5.9%), and HNF4A mutations (5%). Seven of the 11 probands with a heterozygous HNF4A mutation did not have a parent affected with diabetes, and four de novo mutations were confirmed. These patients were diagnosed with HI within the first week of life (median age 1 day), and they had increased birth weight (median +2.4 SDS). The duration of diazoxide treatment ranged from 3 months to ongoing at 8 years. Conclusions: In this large series, HNF4A mutations are the third most common cause of diazoxide responsive HH. We recommend that HNF4A sequencing is considered in all patients with diazoxide responsive HH diagnosed in the first week of life irrespective of a family history of diabetes, once KATP channel mutations have been excluded

Combining ability studies in restorer lines of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The restorer lines are used to get fertile hybrids in hybrid seed production system of sunflower. Improve-ment of R-lines for fertility and oil content of sunflower is required to get desirable hybrids upon crossing. In the pre-sent study, 6 restorer lines were crossed in full diallele and both direct and reciprocal crosses along with parents were evaluated for their combining ability. The analysis of variance revealed higher magnitude of SCA variance than GCA variance for all the characters studied except for days to 50 per cent flowering. Among six parents, GMU -520 and R-GM-41 were best general combiner for plant height, head diameter, test weight and leaf size in the desired direction. However, GMU-520 has advantage of yield per plant and oil content. From 15 direct crosses R-GM-41 x R -GM-49 exhibited significant specific combining ability for viz., days to 50 per cent flowering (-1.08), plant height (13.69), head diameter (4.79), leaf size (0.74), yield per plant (17.14), volume weight (2.54), test weight (1.75) and oil content (0.34) followed by RCR-630 x GMU-520, R-GM-41 x EC-602060, R-GM-49 x GMU-520 and EC-602060 x GMU-520 each exhibiting good specific combining ability for majority of characters. Among reciprocal crosses R-GM -41 x RCR-8 exhibited a high reciprocal effects for head diameter (4.57), yield per plant (15.16), test weight (2.02) and leaf size (0.75)