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The effect of fluctuations of the electron temperature on the population kinetics of a reduced atomic system is investigated in the case of a low density plasma, where the coronal approximation can be used. An exponential correlation function is assumed for the electron temperature fluctuations. A resonance of the average population as a function of the correlation time is observed and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vesicovaginal fistula secondary to obstructed labor continues to be an all-too-common occurrence in underdeveloped nations throughout Africa and Asia. Vesicovaginal fistula remains largely an overlooked problem in developing nations as it affects the most marginalized members of society: young, poor, illiterate women who live in remote areas. The formation of obstetric fistula is a result of complex interactions of social, biologic, and economic influences. The key underlying causes of fistula are the combination of a lack of functional emergency obstetric care, poverty, illiteracy, and low status of women. In order to prevent fistula, some strategies include creation of governmental policy aimed toward reducing maternal mortality/morbidity and increasing availability of skilled obstetric care, as well as attempts to increase awareness about its prevention and treatment among policymakers, service providers, and communities. Whereas prevention will require the widespread development of infrastructure within these developing countries, treatment of fistula is an act which can be done 'in the now.' Treatment and subsequent reintegration of fistula patients requires a team of specialists including surgeons, nurses, midwives, and social workers, which is largely unavailable in developing countries. However, there is increasing support for training of fistula surgeons through standardized programs as well as establishment of rehabilitation centers in many nations. The eradication of fistula is dependent upon building programs that target both prevention and treatment. © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Information transfer is fundamental to all life forms. In the third domain of life, the archaea, many of the genes functioning in these processes are similar to their eukaryotic counterparts, including DNA replication and repair, basal transcription, and translation genes, while many transcriptional regulators and the overall genome structure are more bacterial-like. Among halophilic (salt-loving) archaea, the genomes commonly include extrachromosomal elements, many of which are large megaplasmids or minichromosomes. With the sequencing of genomes representing ten different genera of halophilic archaea and the availability of genetic systems in two diverse models, Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 and Haloferax volcanii, a large number of genes have now been annotated, classified, and studied. Here, we review the comparative genomic, genetic, and biochemical work primarily aimed at the information transfer system of halophilic archaea, highlighting gene conservation and differences in the chromosomes and the large extrachromosomal elements among these organisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Excitation-contraction coupling involves the faithful conversion of electrical stimuli to mechanical shortening in striated muscle cells, enabled by the ubiquitous second messenger, calcium. Crucial to this process are ryanodine receptors (RyRs), the sentinels of massive intracellular calcium stores contained within the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In response to sarcolemmal depolarization, RyRs release calcium into the cytosol, facilitating mobilization of the myofilaments and enabling cell contraction. In order for the cells to relax, calcium must be rapidly resequestered or extruded from the cytosol. The sustainability of this cycle is crucially dependent upon precise regulation of RyRs by numerous cytosolic metabolites and by proteins within the lumen of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and those directly associated with the receptors in a macromolecular complex. In addition to providing the majority of the calcium necessary for contraction of cardiac and skeletal muscle, RyRs act as molecular switchboards that integrate a multitude of cytosolic signals such as dynamic and steady calcium fluctuations, β-adrenergic stimulation (phosphorylation), nitrosylation and metabolic states, and transduce these signals to the channel pore to release appropriate amounts of calcium. Indeed, dysregulation of calcium release via RyRs is associated with lifethreatening diseases in both skeletal and cardiac muscle. In this paper, we briefly review some of the most outstanding structural and functional attributes of RyRs and their mechanism of regulation. Further, we address pathogenic RyR dysfunction implicated in cardiovascular disease and skeletal myopathies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the results of sling procedures for stress incontinence after repair of vesicovaginal fistulae at the National Hospital in Niamey, Niger. Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of 701 women surgically treated for vesicovaginal fistulae. One hundred forty women subsequently underwent a sling procedure for stress incontinence after fistula repair. Results: The demographics among the groups were similar. No significant difference was seen in results between the sling types except the risk of erosion was significantly greater in the synthetic sling group. There was a trend towards greater sling success in the fascia lata group. Conclusions: Correction of incontinence is a common and difficult challenge following repair of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula. Compared to published studies on sling procedures, these patients have higher rates of continued incontinence. This is likely due to the frequent loss of a urethral sphincter as well as high prevalence of detrusor overactivity and decreased bladder capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a great deal of critical discussion of Harry Frankfurt’s argument against the Principle of Alternative Possibilities (PAP), almost all of which has focused on whether the Frankfurt-style examples, which are designed to be counterexamples to PAP, can be given a coherent formulation. Recently, however, David Widerker has argued that even if Frankfurt-style examples can be given a coherent formulation, there is reason to believe that an agent in those examples could never be morally blameworthy for what she has done. Therefore, such examples do not undermine a version of PAP restricted to blameworthiness. Widerker refers to his argument for this claim as the W-defense. I examine the W-defense in some detail, along with three recent replies to it by defenders of Frankfurt’s argument. I contend that each of these replies is problematic and, indeed, that two of them play directly into the hands of those seeking to defend PAP. I then develop my own reply to the W-defense by calling into question an assumption which is at the heart of that argument regarding the nature of moral blame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complete genome sequencing together with post-genomic studies provide the opportunity for a comprehensive 'systems biology' understanding of model organisms. For maximum effectiveness, an integrated database containing genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data is necessary. Description: To improve data access and facilitate functional genomic studies on haloarchaea in our laboratory, a dedicated database and website, named HaloWeb, was developed. It incorporates all finished and publicly released haloarchaeal genomes, including gene, protein and RNA sequences and annotation data, as well as other features such as insertion element sequences. The HaloWeb database was designed for easy data access and mining, and includes tools for tasks such as genome map generation, sequence extraction, and sequence editing. Popular resources at other sites, e.g., NCBI PubMed and BLAST, COG and KOG protein clusters, KEGG pathways, and GTOP structures were dynamically linked. The HaloWeb site is located at http://halo4.umbi.umd.edu, and at a mirror site, http://halo5.umbi.umd.edu, with all public genomic data and NCBI, KEGG, and GTOP links available for use by the academic community. The database is curated and updated on a regular basis. Conclusions: The HaloWeb site includes all completely sequenced haloarchaeal genomes from public databases. It is currently being used as a tool for comparative genomics, including analysis of gene and genome structure, organization, and function. The database and website are up-to-date resources for researchers worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Members of the calcin family, presently including imperatoxin A, maurocalcin, opicalcins and hemicalcin, are basic, 33-mer peptide activators of ryanodine receptors (RyRs), the calcium channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) that provide the majority of calcium for muscle contraction. Here we describe hadrucalcin, a novel member of this family.Experimental Approach: Hadrucalcin was isolated from the venom of Hadrurus gertschi. Amino acid sequence and mass were determined by Edman degradation and mass spectrometry respectively. A cDNA library was constructed to generate clones for DNA sequence determination. Biological activity of native toxin was confirmed with [(3)H]ryanodine binding, by using SR vesicles from cardiac and skeletal muscle, and with single skeletal (RyR1) and cardiac (RyR2) channels reconstituted in lipid bilayers. Hadrucalcin was applied to intact ventricular myocytes to investigate effects on calcium transients. The secondary structure of hadrucalcin was computer-modelled by using atomic coordinates from maurocalcin, a structurally similar peptide.Key Results: Hadrucalcin is distinguished from previously described congeners by two additional amino acids in its primary sequence and the lack of prominent amphipathicity. Hadrucalcin activated RyRs with high affinity (EC(50)= 37 nmol.L(-1)), induced a long-lasting subconductance state on RyR1 and RyR2, and rapidly (lag time approximately 2 s) penetrated ventricular cardiomyocytes, eliciting discharge of internal calcium stores and spontaneous contractions.Conclusions and Implications: Hadrucalcin is a cell-permeant, powerful activator of RyRs, which has translational potential for targeted delivery of drugs to RyR as novel therapeutic intervention in arrhythmogenic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intramolecular iodo-aldol cyclization of -substituted enoate aldehydes and ketones is described. Using prochiral starting materials, the reaction produces hetero- and carbocycles containing quaternary centers adjacent to secondary or tertiary centers. The reactions occur in good yields and are highly selective for the trans-products, having the hydroxyl and iodomethyl groups on opposite faces of the ring system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystallization of the metastable polymorph of paracetamol has been shown to occur around the edge of an evaporating aqueous solution. Conditions at the edge of a meniscus during evaporation led to an increase in solution concentration that allowed the nucleation of metastable crystals. This form was then unable to transform to the more stable polymorph via a solvent-mediated phase transformation because the crystals were removed from the solvent as the level of the solution dropped. These observations have been explained by analogies with previous reports of ring-shaped deposition, for example, salt crystallization and particle deposition from colloidal suspensions. This selective crystallization phenomenon is unlikely to be specific to paracetamol and may be applicable to the selective crystallization of metastable polymorphs of not only other pharmaceuticals but also other organic and inorganic materials. The conclusions drawn have particular relevance in the analysis of high-throughput crystallization experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an evaporating aqueous paracetamol solution, crystallisation of the metastable orthorhombic polymorph can occur at the solution-substrate contact line due to a favourable meniscus geometry and enhanced evaporation rates at the edges. Upon the addition of polymers or other common excipients to these systems, it was found that crystallisation of this form was suppressed. This was attributed to the polymer blocking the nucleation sites at the edge of the meniscus, altering the evaporation rate or disrupting the flow of solution to the edges. These results are in contrast to previous conclusions by other groups suggesting that the addition of certain polymers may aid in the selective crystallisation of the orthorhombic polymorph from solution via the formation of specific interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we investigate the influence of low frequency turbulence on Doppler spectral line shapes in magnetized plasmas. Low frequency refers here to fluctuations whose typical time scale is much larger than those characterizing the atomic processes, such as radiative decay, collisions and charge exchange. This ordering is in particular relevant for drift wave turbulence, ubiquitous in edge plasmas of fusion devices. Turbulent fluctuations are found to affect line shapes through both the spatial and time averages introduced by the measurement process. The profile is expressed in terms of the fluid fields describing the plasma. Assuming the spectrometer acquisition time to be much larger than the turbulent time scale, an ordering generally fulfilled in experiments, allows to develop a statistical formalism. We proceed by successively investigating the effects of density, fluid velocity and temperature fluctuations on the Doppler profile of a spectral line emitted by a charge exchange population of neutrals. Line shapes, and especially line wings are found to be affected by ion temperature or fluid velocity fluctuations, and can in some cases exhibit a power-law behavior. These effects are shown to be measurable with existing techniques, and their interpretation in each particular case would rely on already existing tools. From a fundamental point of view, this study gives some insights in the appearance of non-Boltzmann statistics, such as Lévy statistics, when dealing with averaged experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

City of York Council has been at the forefront of developments in the UK's Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) programme, which aims to exploit the latest developments in communications and information technology to improve traffic management in cities. A major focus of the programme is the employment of a common database to enable the sharing of data between information sources and applications. In York the common database is the heart of the system, not only used for data storage but for the implementation of control algorithms and data processing. The York approach provides an improved service to council officers responsible for network management, for other council officers and members, and for the public at large. The York UTMC system is fully integrated with other council information technology systems and assists in meeting wider e-government targets. The impact of this on the design is significant and raises issues not normally encountered in traditional traffic management systems, particularly in the areas of security and audit, while offering savings through the shared communications infrastructure. A comparison is made between the approach being taken in the UK and similar systems overseas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In low frequency turbulent plasmas, the profile of a Doppler broadened line shape is linked to an effective velocity distribution function (VDF) of the emitters. This distribution is obtained through both a spatial and time average of the local velocity distribution. We study the case of the Balmer α line of deuterium (Dα), in typical conditions encountered in ionising edge plasmas (N e =1018–1019 m−3 and T e−T i =10–100eV). We focus this analysis on ion temperature fluctuations, and assume that the acquisition time of the spectrometer is much larger than the typical turbulent time scale. The resulting expression of the effective VDF involves the temperature probability distribution function (PDF). Temperature fluctuations are found to strongly affect the tails of the effective VDF (i.e. line wings), especially when their PDF has a heavy tail. This opens the way for a new spectroscopic analysis of edge plasma turbulence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Transcription factors play important roles in regulating cell growth and differentiation. In this study, treatment of the MTC cell line, TT, with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was shown to reduce neurite outgrowth which may be associated with de-differentiation and loss of the transformed phenotype. Northern blotting revealed that PMA transiently induced early growth response gene 1 (Egr-1) expression and decreased RET expression. Transient transfection analyses using 5′-deletion constructs of the basal RET promoter, demonstrated the requirement of a region between −70 and −33 bp for PMA-inducible expression. Gel shift and supershift studies demonstrated that PMA induced Egr-1 formed part of a complex capable of binding to the RET minimal promoter. Overexpression of Egr-1 displaced both sephacryl and phosphocellulose protein 1 (Sp1) and Sp3 from a GC-box element previously found to be important for RET basal expression. Furthermore, use of a raf-1 inducible TT cell line, that has been previously shown to downregulate RET expression, revealed that this downregulation may be linked to the induction of Egr-1. Our data suggest that regulation of RET expression during development and in medullary thyroid carcinoma may be determined, at least in part, by this complex of Sp and Egr-1 proteins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: A health and lifestyle advisor service embedded within primary care was piloted in Kingston-upon-Hull from January 2021. We aimed to evaluate the first two years of service delivery by identifying patient demographics referred to the service, reason for referral, determine uptake and retention rates, and monitor individual lifestyle-related risk factor changes following discharge. Methods: Anonymised data were extracted from the SystmOne database for all patients referred to the service between January 2021 and January 2023. Results: In the initial two years of the service, 705 unique patients were referred at a mean rate of ∼29 per month. Each unique patient received a median (robust median absolute deviation; [MAD]) of 3 (Steel N, et al 2018) planned consultations prior to discharge over this period. The majority of referrals were for symptom management and health promotion purposes (95%). Of those referred, 69% attended their appointments, and 14% did not attend. The majority of referrals were white British (55%), however, the service did receive a substantial number of referrals from minority ethnic groups, with only 67% of referrals speaking English as their main language. Eighteen distinct languages were spoken. Most referrals were classified as class I obese (59.4%). Across initial and final appointments, median (robust MAD) systolic blood pressure was 130 (15) mmHg and 130 (15) mmHg, and median (robust MAD) waist circumference was 103.0 (13.3) cm and 101.0 (13.3) cm. Conclusion: The evaluation highlighted the demand for this service embedded within primary care settings in Kingston-upon-Hull. Service engagement was evident, and a large proportion of those who engaged were from minority ethnic groups. A high proportion of referrals presented with obesity and/or hypertension which requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines whether extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stimulates regulatory volume decrease in Necturus maculosus red blood cells. Reversal of the inhibitory effect of apyrase with the nonhydrolyzable analog adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate); Indication that extracellular ATP stimulated cell volume decrease via a calcium-dependent step that led to potassium efflux.

Investigates whether extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stimulates volume decrease in Necturus red blood cells. Decrease in osmotic fragility with extracellular ATP; Influence of extracellular ATP on cell volume after hypotonic shock; Contribution of apyrase to regulatory volume decrease.

Radial particle transport is considered in a plasma with ergodic and stochastic flux lines. The self-consistent electric field is neglected and the particle flux is due to a succession of mass convections along flux lines, in series with very small-scale-length transverse diffusion between neighboring flux lines. The dependence of the average radial flux on the thermodynamic forces, namely the pressure gradient that controls the parallel convection, and the density gradient that controls the small-scale transverse diffusion is investigated. The conditions for which the average radial flux is driven by the average pressure or density gradient are derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifurcations between thermal equilibria are studied in a slab radiating plasma at constant pressure. The thermal stability is discussed in connection with the behavior of the equilibrium solutions when the input power flux in the radiating layer is varied. A general necessary and sufficient stability criterion is demonstrated. In the case of a constant impurity concentration it leads to a simple stability condition in terms of the edge temperature only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The divergence that occurs at large impact parameters in Stark collision operators is examined for low-density hydrogen plasmas. In a previous work [J. Rosato, H. Capes, and R. Stamm, Phys. Rev. E 86, 046407 (2012)], we showed that the correlations between a radiating atom and the charged particles surrounding it affect the mean evolution of the atom, resulting in a mitigation of the Stark broadening near the line center. In this work, we examine the physical mechanism underlying this mitigation with an approach inspired from the standard semiclassical impact model. Our approach accounts for the atom-perturber correlations in a simple fashion, through a cutoff at large impact parameters, and embraces the impact model in the weakly coupled plasma limit. Comparisons with numerical simulations are performed and indicate a good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc (Zn2+) is released by platelets during a hemostatic response to injury. Extracellular zinc ([Zn2+]o) initiates platelet activation following influx into the platelet cytosol. However, the mechanisms that permit Zn2+ influx are unknown. Fluctuations in intracellular zinc ([Zn2+]i) were measured in fluozin-3-loaded platelets using fluorometry and flow cytometry. Platelet activation was assessed using light transmission aggregometry. The detection of phosphoproteins was performed by Western blotting. [Zn2+]o influx and subsequent platelet activation were abrogated by blocking the sodium/calcium exchanged, TRP channels, and ZIP7. Cation store depletion regulated Zn2+ influx. [Zn2+]o stimulation resulted in the phosphorylation of PKC substates, MLC, and β3 integrin. Platelet activation via GPVI or Zn2+ resulted in ZIP7 phosphorylation in a casein kinase 2-dependent manner and initiated elevations of [Zn2+]i that were sensitive to the inhibition of Orai1, ZIP7, or IP3R-mediated pathways. These data indicate that platelets detect and respond to changes in [Zn2+]o via influx into the cytosol through TRP channels and the NCX exchanger. Platelet activation results in the externalization of ZIP7, which further regulates Zn2+ influx. Increases in [Zn2+]i contribute to the activation of cation-dependent enzymes. Sensitivity of Zn2+ influx to thapsigargin indicates a store-operated pathway that we term store-operated Zn2+ entry (SOZE). These mechanisms may affect platelet behavior during thrombosis and hemostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major reason for biomarker failure is the selection of candidate biomarkers based on inaccurate or incorrect published results. Incorrect research results leading to the selection of unproductive biomarker candidates are largely considered to stem from unintentional research errors. The additional possibility that biomarker research may be actively misdirected by research fraud has been given comparatively little consideration. This review discusses what we believe to be a new threat to biomarker research, namely, the possible systematic production of fraudulent gene knockdown studies that target under-studied human genes. We describe how fraudulent papers may be produced in series by paper mills using what we have described as a 'theme and variations' model, which could also be considered a form of salami slicing. We describe features of these single-gene knockdown publications that may allow them to evade detection by journal editors, peer reviewers, and readers. We then propose a number of approaches to facilitate their detection, including improved awareness of the features of publications constructed in series, broader requirements to post submitted manuscripts to preprint servers, and the use of semi-automated literature screening tools. These approaches may collectively improve the detection of fraudulent studies that might otherwise impede future biomarker research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The population balance of atoms or ions in an edge plasma is calculated in the presence of fluctuating density or temperature. We have used a stochastic model taking advantage of the knowledge of the plasma parameter statistical properties, and assuming a stepwise constant stochastic process for the fluctuating variable. The model is applied to simplified atomic systems such as three level hydrogen atoms or the ionization balance of carbon affected by electronic temperature or density fluctuations obeying a gamma PDF, and an exponential waiting time distribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) are capable of producing large quantities of dust, with strong evidence that ejecta dust masses can grow significantly over extended periods of time. Red–blue asymmetries in the broad emission lines of CCSNe can be modelled using the Monte Carlo radiative transfer code damocles , to determine ejecta dust masses. To facilitate easier use of damocles , we present a Tkinter graphical user interface (GUI) running damocles. The GUI was tested by high school students through the Original Research By Young Twinkle Students programme, who used it to measure the dust masses formed at two epochs in Type IIP CCSNe, SN 2012aw and iPTF14hls, demonstrating that a wide range of people can contribute to scientific advancement. Bayesian methods quantified uncertainties on our model parameters. From the red scattering wing in the day 1863 Hα profile of SN 2012aw, we constrained the dust composition to large (radius >0.1 μm) silicate grains, with a dust mass of |$6.0^{+21.9}_{-3.6}\times 10^{-4}~\mathrm{ M}_\odot$|⁠. From the day 1158 Hα profile of SN 2012aw, we found a dust mass of |$3.0^{+14}_{-2.5}\times 10^{-4}$|  M⊙. For iPTF14hls, we found a day 1170 dust mass of 8.1 |$^{+81}_{-7.6}\times 10^{-5}$| M⊙ for a dust composition consisting of 50 per cent amorphous carbon and 50 per cent astronomical silicate. At 1000 d post-explosion, SN 2012aw and iPTF14hls have formed less dust than the peculiar Type II SN 1987A, suggesting that SN 1987A may have formed a larger dust mass than typical Type IIP's. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate whether 'low sugar' and related claims influence consumers' perceptions of the healthiness or other attributes of alcoholic drinks, promote greater consumption or impact diet and activity behaviour intentions. Method N  = 501 Australian women aged 18–35 viewed and rated six images of alcoholic drinks in a randomized online experiment with a 2 (claim: low sugar claim, no claim control) × 2 (drink type: cider, ready-to-drink spirits) between-subjects design. Results Participants who viewed drinks with low sugar claims rated them as healthier, less harmful to health, lower in sugar and kilojoules, and more suitable for weight management and a healthy diet than participants who viewed identical drinks with no claim (P  < 0.001- P  = 0.002). Drinks with low sugar claims were also perceived as being lower in alcohol (P  < 0.001) despite being of equivalent alcohol content. There were no significant differences in anticipated social approval associated with consumption or in hypothetical intended consumption of the drinks, but participants who viewed drinks with low sugar claims were less likely to indicate they would compensate for consumption of the drink by modifying food intake or physical activity (P  = 0.01). Conclusions Low sugar and related claims on alcoholic drinks can generate a health halo: consumers generalise from a specific favourable attribute (low sugar) to misperceive other favourable health- and nutrition-related attributes, including lower alcohol content. Findings support calls to reconsider the permissibility of low sugar claims on alcoholic drinks as they may mislead consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In lithium-wall-conditioned tokamaks, the line radiation due to the intrinsic impurities (Li/Li+/Li++) plays a significant role on the power balance. Calculations of the radiation losses are usually performed using a stationary collisional–radiative model, assuming constant values for the plasma parameters (Ne , Te ,…). Such an approach is not suitable for turbulent plasmas where the various parameters are time-dependent. This is critical especially for the edge region, where the fluctuation rates can reach several tens of percents [e.g. J.A. Boedo, J. Nucl. Mater. 390–391 (2009) 29–37]. In this work, the role of turbulence on the radiated power is investigated with a statistical formalism. A special emphasis is devoted to the role of temperature fluctuations, successively for low-frequency fluctuations and in the general case where the characteristic turbulence frequencies can be comparable to the collisional and radiative rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Stark profiles of high-members (n [?] 7) of the helium triplet diffuse series 1s2p 3Po-1snd 3D are calculated for tokamak divertor conditions using dipole reduced matrix elements obtained with a hydrogenic approximation. It is shown that the so-called standard model of Stark broadening is particularly suited to the description of the isolated lines 1s2p 3Po-1snd 3D with n = 8-10. Applications to spectroscopic diagnostics in existing and future magnetic fusion-oriented devices like ITER are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poem "Franchise" by Ashley Capes is presented. First line: Driving through a home town; Last line: And looking like the copy of a copy.

The article presents comments on a study on the effectiveness of glargine insulin dose titration by patients and physicians for preventing severe hypoglycemia. The initiation of insulin glargine led to an improvement in glycemic control. The trial however did not include a comparison group treated with neutral protamine hagedorn insulin.

Immortalized or continuous cell lines are invaluable tools in basic and preclinical research. However, the widespread use of misidentified cell lines is a serious threat to scientific reproducibility. Based on the experiences of mandatory cell line authentication at the International Journal of Cancer (IJC), we provide an overview of the issues pertinent to misidentified cell lines and discuss available solutions. We also summarize the lessons learned, revealing that at least 5% of the human cell lines used in manuscripts considered for peer review are misidentified. About 4% of the considered manuscripts are rejected for severe cell line problems, and most are subsequently published in other journals. In order to diminish such malpractice and its consequences for the scientific record, we postulate that strict multi‐layered quality control is essential. Besides journals and publishers, we encourage scientists, research institutions, and funders to take action on the matter and revise their respective policies. Hence, we provide concrete recommendations on introducing regular authentication schemes and staff training, and discuss future steps for enhancing good cell culture practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The action of electric and magnetic fields on atomic species results in a perturbation of the energy level structure, which alters the shape of spectral lines. In this work, we present the Zeeman-Stark line shape simulation method and perform new calculations of hydrogen Lyman and Balmer lines, in the framework of magnetic fusion research. The role of the Zeeman effect, fine structure and the plasma's non-homogeneity along the line-of-sight are investigated. Under specific conditions, our results are applicable to DA white dwarf atmospheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]