Activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 226Ra 137Cs and 40K radionuclides in honey samples from Romania. Lifetime cancer risk estimated.

Romania is on the first place in Europe with an annual production of honey of 30.9 thousand tons in 2018, while the European Union is on the second place in the world with a total of 283 thousand tons. The most part of the honey production from Romania is exported. The aim of this study was to estimate internal radiation doses and lifetime cancer risk from honey ingestion sampled from several locations on the Romanian territory. The activity concentration of 137Cs and 238U is found to be below the detection limit of the method. The activity of 226Ra ranged from lower than the minimum detectable value (<1.08 Bq·kg-1) to 7.35 ± 1.73 Bq·kg-1. For 232Th and 40K the average recorded values were 1.51 ± 0.74 and 24.08 ± 4.37 Bq·kg-1, respectively. The annual effective dose due to the intake of 232Th, 226Ra, 40K has been assessed ranging from 0.08 to 0.47 (µSv·y-1), 0.35 to 1.65 (µSv·y-1) and 0.04 to 0.33 (µSv·y-1), respectively. 26Ra gives the largest contribution (56-82%) to the total annual effective dose due to ingestion received by consumption of honey, in the samples where it was identified. In the other samples (where 226Ra was below the detection limit), the largest contribution to annual effective dose is due to 232Th (45-85%). The values obtained from the lifetime cancer risk calculation range in the domain from 2.85·10-7 to 1.78·10-6 for 232Th, 1.33·10-6 to 6.22·10-6 for 226Ra and 1.38·10-7 to 1.25·10-6 for 40K. For 137Cs, only one value was recorded 2.20·10-8. The 232Th, 226Ra, 40K and 137Cs activities measured in the present work were comparable with completion of others activated values of honey samples around Europe.

Using Integrative Data Analysis to Investigate School Climate Across Multiple Informants.

Survey research frequently involves the collection of data from multiple informants. Results, however, are usually analyzed by informant group, potentially ignoring important relationships across groups. When the same construct(s) are measured, integrative data analysis (IDA) allows pooling of data from multiple sources into one data set to examine information from multiple perspectives within the same analysis. Here, the IDA procedure is demonstrated via the examination of pooled data from student and teacher school climate surveys. This study contributes to the sparse literature regarding IDA applications in the social sciences, specifically in education. It also lays the groundwork for future educational researchers interested in the practical applications of the IDA framework to empirical data sets with complex model structures.

From Extraction to Advanced Analytical Methods: The Challenges of Melanin Analysis.

The generic term "melanin" describes a black pigment of biological origin, although some melanins can be brown or even yellow. The pigment is characterized as a heterogenic polymer of phenolic or indolic nature, and the classification of eu-, pheo- and allo- melanin is broadly accepted. This classification is based on the chemical composition of the monomer subunit structure of the pigment. Due to the high heterogeneity of melanins, their analytical characterization can be a challenging task. In the present work, we synthesized the current information about the analytical methods which can be applied in melanin analysis workflow, from extraction and purification to high-throughput methods, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass-spectrometry or pyrolysis gas chromatography. Our thorough comparative evaluation of analytical data published so far on melanin analysis has proven to be a difficult task in terms of finding equivalent results, even when the same matrix was used. Moreover, we emphasize the importance of prior knowledge of melanin types and properties in order to select a valid experimental design using analytical methods that are able to deliver reliable results and draw consistent conclusions.

Examination of Item Quality in a State-Wide Music Assessment Program using Rasch Methodology.

Students' academic performance has been routinely assessed in various subjects, including arts education. The current study uses Rasch methodology to investigate item quality for an annual state-wide arts assessment program administered to 4th grade students. All multiple-choice items were previously analyzed through the true score theory (TST) framework to examine item difficulty, differential item functioning (DIF), and distractor quality. However, these traditional methods are sample-specific, and score interpretations are limited to the particular group being tested. Rasch methodology provides a sample-free framework for item analysis. This approach has the advantage of producing sample-invariant item parameters and using goodness-of-fit criteria to detect problematic items, leading to more accurate item analysis results. Study results suggest that majority of the items performed well and the test was appropriate to its intended audience and evaluation purpose. It also validates the test score interpretation and the use of this assessment program.

In Vitro Human Microbiota Response to Exposure to Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized with Mushroom Extract.

The ability to orally administer silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in enteric capsules implies a direct interaction with the colon microbiota. The in vitro effect provides a portrayal of the functional properties under in vivo conditions. The purpose of this study was to describe a green AgNP synthesis process, using aqueous extract from Lactarius piperatus mushroom, and to characterize the nanomaterial. We determined its antimicrobial and antioxidant effects in vitro in the microbiota of healthy individuals via the GIS1 system-a colon transit simulator. Per the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results, the antimicrobial properties of the AgNPs affected the initial share of different enteric species by decreasing the Bacteroides, Enterobacteriaceae, and Lactobacillus populations and favoring the Bifidobacterium group. The association between AgNPs and wild mushroom L. piperatus extract had a synergistic antibacterial activity against various pathogenic microorganisms while the mushroom extract reduced biofilm formation. Administration of AgNP maintained its constant antioxidant status, and it was correlated with a reduction in ammonium compounds. The physicochemical characterization of these NPs complemented their biochemical characterization. The maximum ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS) absorbance was observed at 440 nm, while the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum reached a peak at 3296 cm⁻1, which was correlated with the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis (HPLC). The major phenolic compound was homogentisic acid. The size (49 ± 16 nm in diameter) and spherical shape of the NPs were correlated with their biological effects in vitro.

Teacher ratings of child behavior in preschool: A MIMIC investigation of the BESS TRS-P.

The purpose of this study was to conduct further investigations of the latent structure underlying the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System Teacher Rating Scale-Preschool (BESS TRS-P) by examining latent variable differences due to demographic factors of the preschool children being rated. A U.S. representative sample of teacher ratings of more than 1,200 preschoolers was used to examine the latent structure of the BESS TRS-P. A multiple indicator-multiple causes (MIMIC) model used with a bifactor model showed differences on selected latent factor means relative to a child's age and gender, but no relationship with child's race. Use of age and/or gender scoring norms may produce a more accurate estimate of a child's latent score. (PsycINFO Database Record

Th17 and IL-17 immunity in chronic hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most important etiologic agents of postransfusional hepatitis and a common cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. T helper (Th)17 cells are a newly discovered Th cell subset with implications in both host defense and autoimmunity. Th17 implications in chronic HCV infection are not well characterized. Given the important role in multiple other immune and inflammatory conditions, they are of obvious interest. Specific HCV-Th17 cells are implicated in immune response modulation, correlated with fibrosis severity and intrahepatic inflammatory status. Serum IL-17 levels are higher in chronic HCV infected patients and Th17 cytokines are modulated within the therapeutic response at anti-viral treatment. However, novel intriguing data indicate that Th17 boost could be associated with spontaneous HCV clearance. It is possible that Th17 could play a dual role (both beneficial and harmful) and that an unbalance of regulating factors (chemokines, transcription factors, receptor expression, etc.) rather than the lymphocyte itself could tip the Th17 immune response one way or another. The role of Th17 cells in host anti HCV defense is beginning to emerge and one has to focus upon its potential beneficial aspects and not only on its destructive potential.