Replicable quality across every channel: the Busara research agenda on methods in the Global South

Any act of measurement brings with it concerns about data quality and replication. Yet very little of this work has focused in detail on the specific measurement and data quality concerns related to conducting research in the Global South. Busara operates both remote and in-person data collection, employing everything from photovoice to laboratory ‘games’ to list experiments. Across both of these domains, we will build on our long tradition of careful testing of measures and techniques to ensure high levels of access, response, attention and comprehension. We will examine what methodological practices work best for various populations, especially those with the least social power, in the Global South, to maintain data quality (this differs from our closely related program of work on cross-cultural validation of behavioral science constructs). Busara is well-positioned to do this, and to disseminate protocols for the use of these methods.

High-sensitivity workflow for LC–MS-based analysis of GalNAc-conjugated oligonucleotides: a case study

Aim: Mass-selective quantitation is a powerful attribute of LC–MS as a platform for bioanalysis. Here, a sensitive LC–MS approach has been validated for an oligonucleotide having chemical modifications (e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine [GalNAc] conjugated), to distinguish between the conjugated and unconjugated forms of the oligonucleotide, thereby enabling a nuanced view of the pharmacokinetic profile. Results: A high-sensitivity methodology for mass-specific measurement of AZD8233, a GalNAc-conjugated 16-mer oligonucleotide, using LLE-SPE with optimized LC conditions and detection of a low-mass fragment ion was successfully validated in the range of 0.20–100 ng/ml in human plasma. Conclusion: The AZD8233 LC–MS methodology adds valuable insight on the GalNAc linker’s in vivo stability to the program and should be broadly applicable to oligonucleotides requiring high sensitivity and mass-selective measurement for quantitative discrimination from metabolites and endogenous interferences.

Interpersonal Wishes and Fears with Regard to Internalized Attachment Figures: Differing Focus of Two Case Formulation Methods that use SASB

This commentary is organized in parallel with Westerman’s (2021b) comparison to include focus on (1) the formulation methods used by IRT and Interpersonal Defense Theory, and then (2) their treatment implications. In each major section, comments center first on comparison of the approaches in general, and then turn to a focus on the details of Sharon’s case. In sum, we wish to underscore the need for continued empirical work in both IRT and Interpersonal Defense Theory traditions as ways to advance our field. We see each method as offering a different scope and focal areas of concern. With a mind toward the advancement of research and application along both lines of thought, our commentary provides an overview of how we see areas of alignment, divergence, and their potential meaning for theory and practice. The two methods share a great deal in terms of assumptive worldviews, prioritization of relational material, and even specific measurement methodology (SASB). Where the methods diverge, we believe it is primarily because they seek answers to different kinds of questions.

Minimal setup for neutron background measurements - summary of the BSUIN project

<p>The BSUIN project conducted pilot measurements to test methods for characterizing underground laboratories for natural background radioactivity (NRB). One of the components of NRB that requires specific measurement methods is the neutron background.<br>The goal of our team was to developing a reference setup for neutron background measurements.</p><p>Our idea was to build a setup for measuring neutrons as simple as possible, but not simpler. The price and<br>universality of the measurement setup are important parameters, but the reliability of the result is also very<br>important. It is because the neutron flux in underground laboratories is usually very low and it is easy to<br>make a mistake in interpreting of the results.</p><p>The basics of our method will be presented, as well as the assessment of possible measurement errors and the transactional experience gained during measurements at six different locations in four mines.</p>

Survey Mode Effects on Objective and Subjective Questions: Evidence from the Labour Force Survey

Web questionnaires are increasingly used to complement traditional data collection in mixed mode surveys. However, the utilization of web data raises concerns whether web questionnaires lead to mode-specific measurement bias. We argue that the magnitude of measurement bias strongly depends on the content of a variable. Based on the Luxembourgish Labour Force Survey, we investigate differences between web and telephone data in terms of objective (i.e., Employment Status) and subjective (i.e., Wage Adequacy and Job Satisfaction) variables. To assess whether differences in outcome variables are caused by sample composition or mode-specific measurement bias, we apply a coarsened exact matching that approximates randomized experiments by reducing dissimilarities between web and telephone samples. We select matching variables with a combination of automatic variable selection via random forest and a literature-driven selection. The results show that objective variables are not affected by mode-specific measurement bias, but web participants report lower satisfaction-levels on subjective variables than telephone participants. Extensive supplementary analyses confirm our results. The present study supports the view that the impact of survey mode depends on the content of a survey and its variables.