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The Science Teaching Experience Program--Working in Science Education (STEP-WISE) provides teaching experience for postdoctoral scholars holding full-time research appointments. Through a combination of mentorship, deliberate practice, and feedback, the postdocs learn and apply inclusive, evidence-based pedagogies. STEP-WISE is integrated into postdocs' demanding schedules and is sustainable for institutions to run. Here, we assess the effectiveness of STEP-WISE. We used the Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM instruction to quantify instructor and student behaviors in 20 STEP-WISE class sessions from seven courses designed and taught by postdocs in the program. We found that all of the postdocs used student-centered teaching strategies. Also, using a design-based research framework, we studied the program to identify the salient components of its design. Four interconnected key elements contribute to the program's success: (1) two training sessions, (2) a precourse meeting with the mentor, (3) implementation of active-learning strategies with support, and (4) debriefing with the mentor after each class session. STEP-WISE is a replicable model to support postdocs seeking training and experience in evidence-based teaching practices geared to improving undergraduate education and transforming pedagogical practice. We conclude that high-impact teaching can be learned early in a career with streamlined training and intensive mentoring.

Objective: Pesticide use is disseminated worldwide. It plays a major role in expanding agribusiness and poses a serious threat to the health of the population through various forms of exposure (nutritional, occupational, environmental). In this review, we summarize and evaluate the scientific evidence available on toxicity and pesticides in humans. Materials and Methods: We researched the databases of PubMed and Embase by combining a few search terms. Only studies on human beings of both sexes over 18 years of age were included, evaluating the toxicity of pesticides in human beings from 2010 to 2023. This systematic review was performed according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE). The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with the number CRD42023408863 in April of 2023. The search strategy used to search for articles in PubMed was (("Pesti- cides"[Mesh]) AND "toxicity" [Subtitle]) NOT "Animals"[Mesh]). Results: The electronic search produced 247 potentially relevant articles based on the search in the databases (PubMed/MEDLINE=187 and EMBASE=82). After the removal of the duplicates, 241 articles were identified. Additional research (until January 15, 2024) identified 2 studies. Fifteen articles were selected for review of the full text, and 9 articles were included. Conclusions: This review identified that there is no gold standard or single biomarker for exposure to agricultural pes- ticides that can determine their toxicity, and it is indicated that tests and associated methods, as available, should be used for a careful anamnesis. It is also strongly suggested that damage to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) appears as an alternative for an early biomarker of alterations of agricultural pesticides in the human body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we present results from a study investigating the impact of three state exit exam systems on teaching and learning in college-preparatory schools. The study compares one state with a traditionally more centralized exam regime, one state that is more de-centralized and one state that has recently switched to more centralized testing. The German Abitur is a cognitively rather complex exam that is largely unstandardized as measured by the standards of international testing regimes. Moreover, performance differences in system monitoring tests between states with different exam regimes can only be found for mathematical literacy. Therefore, centrally regulated topics and grading criteria--as opposed to exams that are locally designed and reviewed centrally--make little difference in softer subjects with a more open canon, but seem to have a stronger impact in mathematics. Against this background and taking an international perspective, we argue that an overall low stakes testing regime might be the first step towards a good compromise between local flexibility for students' interests on one hand, and rigor as well as a healthy dose of performance motivation on the other hand. (Contains 1 figure, 7 tables, and 7 footnotes.)

Einat Fireman Klein,1 Yochai Adir,1 Amir Krencel,2 Regina Peri,2 Bella Vasserman,2 Elizabeth Fireman,3,4 Aharon Kessel2 1Pulmonary Division, Carmel Medical Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; 2Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; 3Institute of Pulmonary Diseases, National Laboratory Service for Interstitial Lung Diseases, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; 4Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel Purpose: Ultrafine particles (UFP) are toxic due to their small size and penetration into deeper lung compartments. We aimed to evaluate the exhaled breath condensate (EBC)-UFP content as a reflection of inflammation and oxidative stress status in COPD patients and as an exacerbation risk marker.Methods: EBC was collected by conventional methods. Particles were analyzed with NanoSight LM20. EBC carbonyl and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were measured using ELISA kits. Study population (58 COPD patients and 40 healthy smoker and non-smoker controls) underwent spirometry, diffusion capacity, EBC testing, and blood sampling.Results: Absolute eosinophil count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and lactate dehydrogenase in serum were elevated in the COPD group compared with the controls (224 U/L, 5 mg/L, and 391 U/L vs 154 U/L, 3 mg/L, and 330 U/L, P=0.009, P=0.05, and P=0.004, respectively). COPD patients had lower UFP concentrations in EBC compared with controls (0.24 E8/mL vs 0.51 E8/mL, P≤0.001). A mirror image was detected in serum: COPD patients had higher UFP concentrations compared with controls (9.8 E8/mL vs 6.7 E8/mL, respectively, P=0.03). EBC carbonyl and 8-OHdG levels were higher among COPD patients compared with controls (5.1 per 1 µg/mL protein and 0.036 ng/mL vs 0.41 per 1 µg/mL protein and 0.003 ng/mL, P=0.001 and P≤0.001, respectively). EBC UFP concentrations were negatively correlated with pack years (R=-0.44, P≤0.001) and positively correlated with FEV1 and diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (R=0.46, 0.23, P≤0.001 and P=0.04, respectively). Low EBC UFP concentrations (≤0.18 E8/mL) and CRP levels ≥5 mg/L were independent predictors of the frequent exacerbator phenotype (OR 3.6; 95% CI: 1.06–7.97; P=0.04 and OR 4.4; 95% CI: 1.24–10.2; P=0.02, respectively).Conclusion: UFP content in EBC reflects the inflammatory state of airways. Low UFP concentrations in EBC and high in serum of COPD patients support our hypothesis that increased epithelial permeability could be the mechanism behind those findings. Keywords: exhaled breath condensate, EBC, oxidative stress, COPD

Reliable moisture measurement during drying is key to ensuring that grain is dried adequately to meet market requirements and be safe from spoilage by fungi in storage. While simple hand-held moisture meters are available for use by farmers in industrialized countries, smallholder farmers in developing countries cannot afford these devices and rely on subjective methods based on touch and feel to determine grain moisture. In this study, a simple, low-cost method to determine whether maize is dry enough for storage was developed based on the use of an affordable hygrometer and EMC/ERH relationship for maize. The Mini Digital hygrometer, the lowest cost hygrometer of 5 types tested, was the best based on its accuracy, device-to-device variability and ability to clearly distinguish various moistures of maize. A simple illustrated information-card was developed to guide farmers on using the device and for testing its accuracy.

The 2015 moment magnitude M w = 8.3 Illapel earthquake is the largest mega-thrust earthquake that has been recorded along the Chilean subduction zone since the 2010 M w = 8.8 Maule earthquake. Previous studies indicate a rupture propagation from the hypocentre to shallower parts of the fault, with a maximum slip varying from 10 to 16 m. The amount of shallow slip differs dramatically between rupture models with some results showing almost no slip at the trench and other models with significant slip at shallow depth. In this work, we revisit this event by combining a comprehensive data set including continuous and survey GNSS data corrected for post-seismic and aftershock signals, ascending and descending InSAR images of the Sentinel-1A satellite, tsunami data along with high-rate GPS, and doubly integrated strong-motion waveforms. We follow a Bayesian approach, in which the solution is an ensemble of models. The kinematic inversion is done using the cascading capability of the AlTar algorithm, allowing us to first get a static solution before integrating seismic data in a joint model. In addition, we explore a new approach to account for forward problem uncertainties using a second-order perturbation approach. Results show a rupture with two main slip patches, with significant slip at shallow depth. During the rupture propagation, we observe two regions that are encircled by the rupture, with no significant slip, westward of the hypocentre. These encircling effects have been previously suggested by back-projection results but have not been observed in finite-fault slip models. We propose that the encircled regions correspond to zones where the yield stress largely exceeds the initial stress or where fracture energy is too large to be ruptured during the Illapel earthquake. These asperities may potentially break in the future and probably already broke in the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-nine as yet unreported ring chromosomes were characterized in detail by cytogenetic and molecular techniques. For FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) previously published high resolution approaches such as multicolor banding (MCB), subcentromere-specific multi-color-FISH (cenM-FISH) and two to three-color-FISH applying locus-specific probes were used. Overall, ring chromosome derived from chromosomes 4 (one case), 10 (one case), 13 (five cases), 14, (three cases), 18 (two cases), 21 (eight cases), 22 (three cases), X (five cases) and Y (one case) were studied. Eight cases were detected prenatally, eight due developmental delay and dysmorphic signs, and nine in connection with infertility and/or Turner syndrome. In general, this report together with data from the literature, supports the idea that ring chromosome patients fall into two groups: group one with (severe) clinical signs and symptoms due to the ring chromosome and group two with no obvious clinical problems apart from infertility.

Fibroblasts have a considerable functional and molecular heterogeneity and can play various roles in the tumor microenvironment. Here we identify a pro-tumorigenic IL1R1+, IL-1-high-signaling subtype of fibroblasts, using multiple colorectal cancer (CRC) patient single cell sequencing datasets. This subtype of fibroblasts is linked to T cell and macrophage suppression and leads to increased cancer cell growth in 3D co-culture assays. Furthermore, both a fibroblast-specific IL1R1 knockout and IL-1 receptor antagonist Anakinra administration reduce tumor growth in vivo. This is accompanied by reduced intratumoral Th17 cell infiltration. Accordingly, CRC patients who present with IL1R1-expressing cancer-associated-fibroblasts (CAFs), also display elevated levels of immune exhaustion markers, as well as an increased Th17 score and an overall worse survival. Altogether, this study underlines the therapeutic value of targeting IL1R1-expressing CAFs in the context of CRC. IL1 signalling pathway has been shown to shape cancer associated fibroblast (CAF) heterogeneity. Here the authors identify a pro-tumorigenic CAF subtype in colorectal cancer characterized by high IL1R1 expression and associated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]