Gamification Through Algebraic Coding

From an urban high school in upstate New York, gamification was introduced through coding to teach an Algebra I unit. The Value Instrumentality Expectancy (VIE) Theory was used to measure motivation to determine if learning coding by gamifying a unit and applying it in the computer lab motivated students to learn Algebra I content. There was a significant increase in each motivational construct. This implies that if teachers dedicate themselves to learn coding and the pedagogical knowledge needed to teach a gamified unit, then there can be an increase in motivation to learn Algebra I content

In-house validation of chromatographic speciation methods for arsenic in fishery products

The relatively high concentrations of arsenic found in shellfish in recent years have contributed to raise the threshold of attention of European Union, in terms of food security. Among the various factors that influence the toxicity of arsenic, the chemical form is of particular significance, given the high toxicity of the inorganic form in respect of the organic that frequently contaminates fishery products. The Expert Committee of FAO / WHO defined a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 15 mg/kg b.w. only for the inorganic form and, in view of definition of residual limits for arsenic in fish, it becomes necessary to have analytical methods able to differentiate inorganic form from the organic ones (e.g. monomethyland dimethylarsenic acid, arsenobetaine, arsenocholine). The purpose of this study was to optimize and validate an analytical method for the speciation of arsenic in fishery products, that could identify and quantify the organic forms of arsenic. Screening of organic forms of arsenic was carried out using HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) coupled to a tandem mass spectrometry detector, while determination of total arsenic was carried out using the atomic absorption spectroscopy. The validation procedure was conducted according to the requirements of the European Community to allow the use of the present method by the Official Control laboratories. The matrices considered for method optimization and validation have been fish, molluscs and crustaceans from the coasts of southern Italy. Obtained results allowed the method to enter within the routinely activities of the laboratory and require method accreditation

Environmental Regulation of Dormancy Loss in \u3cem\u3eLomatium dissectum\u3c/em\u3e (Apiaceae) Seeds

Background and aims Lomatium dissectum (Apiaceae) is a perennial, herbaceous plant of wide distribution in Western North America. At the time of dispersal, L. dissectum seeds are dormant and have underdeveloped embryos. The aims of this work were to determine the requirements for dormancy break and germination, to characterize the type of seed dormancy, and to determine the effect of dehydration after embryo growth on seed viability and secondary dormancy. Methods The temperature requirements for embryo growth and germination were investigated under growth chamber and field conditions. The effect of GA3 on embryo growth was also analyzed to determine the specific type of seed dormancy. We tested the effect of dehydration on seed viability and induction of secondary dormancy in seeds where embryos had elongated about four fold their initial length. Most experiments examining the nature of seed dormancy were conducted with seeds collected at one site in two different years. To characterize the degree of variation in dormancy breaking requirements among seed populations, we compared the stratification requirements of seeds collected at eig different sites. Key results Embryo growth prior to and during germination occurred at temperatures between 3 and 6 °C and was negligible at stratification temperatures of 0.5 and 9.1 °C. Seeds buried in the field and exposed to natural winter conditions showed similar trends. Interruption of the cold stratification period by eight weeks of dehydration decreased seed viability by about 30% and induced secondary dormancy in the remaining viable seeds. Comparison of the cold stratification requirements of different seed populations indicates that seeds collected from moist habitats have longer cold stratification requirements that those from semiarid environments. Conclusions Seeds of L. dissectum have deep complex morphophysiological dormancy. The requirements for dormancy break and germination reflect an adaptation to trigger germination in late winter

PP118—In vitro study of sonodynamic and photodynamic treatment on human cancer cell lines

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Preclinical models in oncological pharmacology: limits and advantages

A wide range of experimental tumor models, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages, is nowadays available. Due to the inherent differences in their complexity and functionality, the choice of the model is usually dependent on the application. Thus, to advance specific knowledge, one has to choose and use appropriate models, which complexity is largely dependent on the hypotheses to test, that is on the objectives. Whatever the model chosen, the complexity of cancer is such that none of them will be able to fully represent it. In vitro tumor models have provided important tools for cancer research and still serve as low-cost screening platforms for drugs. The improved understanding of cancer as "organ system" has pushed for increased accuracy and physiological relevance of in vitro tumor models that have in parallel increased in complexity, diversifying their output parameters as they progressed in view to recapitulate the most critical aspects such as the dimensionality of cell cultures (2D versus 3D), the mechanical stimuli, the multicellular interactions, the immune interactions and the soluble signaling. Animal models represent the in vivo counterpart to cell lines and are commonly used for studies during the preclinical investigation of cancer therapy to determine the efficacy and safety of novel drugs. They are super to in vitro models in terms of physiological relevance offering imitation of parental tumors and a heterogeneous microenvironment as part of an interacting complex biochemical system. In the present review we describe advantages and limits of major preclinical models used in Oncological Pharmacology