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Gadolinium chelates are employed worldwide today as clinical contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. Until now, the commonly used linear contrast agents based on the rare-earth element gadolinium have been considered safe and well-tolerated. Recently, concerns regarding this type of contrast agent have been reported, which is why there is an urgent need to develop the next generation of stable contrast agents with enhanced spin-lattice relaxation, as measured by improved T 1 relaxivity at lower doses. Here, we show that by the integration of gadolinium ions in cerium oxide nanoparticles, a stable crystalline 5 nm sized nanoparticulate system with a homogeneous gadolinium ion distribution is obtained. These cerium oxide nanoparticles with entrapped gadolinium deliver strong T 1 relaxivity per gadolinium ion (T 1 relaxivity, r 1 = 12.0 mM-1 s-1) with the potential to act as scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The presence of Ce3+ sites and oxygen vacancies at the surface plays a critical role in providing the antioxidant properties. The characterization of radial distribution of Ce3+ and Ce4+ oxidation states indicated a higher concentration of Ce3+ at the nanoparticle surfaces. Additionally, we investigated the ROS-scavenging capabilities of pure gadolinium-containing cerium oxide nanoparticles by bioluminescent imaging in vivo, where inhibitory effects on ROS activity are shown. Published version The authors acknowledge the Swedish Research Council VR (Grant No. 2019−02409, Grant No. 2020-05437), the Swedish Government Strategic Research Area in Materials Science on Functional Materials at Linköping University (Faculty Grant SFO-Mat-LiU No. 2009−00971), Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation KAW (2014.0276), CTS (18:399), (19:379), and the Centre in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at LiTH (CeNano) at Linköping University for financial support. The Knut and Alice Wallenberg’s Foundation is also acknowledged for support of the electron microscopy laboratory in Linköping. The authors also acknowledge Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) research infrastructure fellow program no. RIF 14- 0074.

AT A CONFERENCE OF ADULT EDUCATORS DESIGNED TO BRING INTO FOCUS NEW PERSPECTIVES OF THE ROLES OF ADULT EDUCATION, PAPERS WERE PRESENTED ON THE CHANGING CONCEPTS OF PRODUCTIVE LIVING AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONCERN FOR PRODUCTIVE LIVING AND ADULT EDUCATION. AN OVERVIEW PROVIDED A WORKING ORIENTATION AND DESCRIBED THE BASIC FORCES AND PROBLEMS IN THE CHANGING ROLE AND CONCEPTUALIZATION OF WORK AND INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTIVITY. A SCHEMATIC MODEL WAS DEVELOPED OF THE INDIVIDUAL IN SOCIETY TO EXPLAIN THE EVOLUTIONARY, FEEDBACK, AND SYNTHESIS MECHANISMS OF INDIVIDUALS DYNAMICALLY INTERACTING IN SOCIETY. A PAPER DISCUSSES THE PROBLEM OF LEISURE IN MODERN SOCIETY. OUTDATED AND UNREALISTIC CONCEPTS OF COMMUNITY LIFE WERE IDENTIFIED AS FRUSTRATING AND BLOCKING PROGRESS TOWARD MORE PRODUCTIVE LIVING. THE PAPERS CONCLUDED WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE CHANGING SEX ROLES IN THE AMERICAN FAMILY AS REFLECTED IN VARYING NORMS FOR FAMILY LIVING, AND THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE ADULT EDUCATOR IN RELATION TO THESE CHANGING CONCEPTS OF SEX ROLE DIFFERENTIATION. THIS DOCUMENT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE BOOKSTORE, UNIVERSITY EXTENSION, THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, 432 NORTH LAKE ST., MADISON, WISCONSIN 53706, FOR $2.50. (EB)

A transactional theory which views interpersonal behavior as being communicated simultaneously on 3 channels was tested. Forty dyadic groups were composed which ranged from compatibility to incompatibility through all possible combinations on the 3 channels. The groups tested the hypothesis that there would be a linear relationship between intra-group compatibility and a set of 5 dependent variables. Each of the dyads was scheduled for a half-hour discussion period in which members worked together to solve a case study problem. Following the discussion sessions, each member completed a post-meeting test instrument. Results of 3 of the linear relationships were in the predicted direction; the fourth set of data provided conflictual results; and the fifth set of data gave results not supportive of the theory. (Author/RS)

This pilot study was a limited exploratory investigation of certain aspects of visual symbolization ability in matched pairs of literate and illiterate adults. It was asserted that written symbolization serves as an economical means of reality comprehension and testing. This basic function of symbolization must be learned and accepted psychologically as an essential operational premise if symbols are to be employed profitably. It was argued that the failure of the illiterate to accept this premise may account in part for his illiteracy. The performance level was first tested on symbol items which were visually tied to "real" things. The attention span of the two samples were tested on a paper-and-pencil task. Finally, an instrument using abstract symbols was administered. The results were in the direction predicted. Further studies seem warranted to differentiate the several factors involved. (Nine tables and 16 references are included.) (author/ly)

THIS STUDY OUTLINES A SMALL GROUP INTERACTION MODEL WHICH CAN BE APPLIED TO SUPERVISION. IT CONSISTS OF THREE CHANNELS -- (1) THE MOTIVATIONAL CHANNEL IN WHICH THE MOTIVATIONAL ASPECT OF AN UTTERANCE (I.E. QUESTIONS, EXCLAMATIONS, ASSERTIONS) IS IDENTIFIED ACCORDING TO THE PARTICULAR EGO CRISIS (TRUST VS. MISTRUST, AUTONOMY VS. SHAME DOUBT, INITIATIVE VS. GUILT, INDUSTRY VS. INFERIORITY, IDENTITY VS. ROLE DIFFUSION, INTIMACY VS. ISOLATION, GENERATIVITY VS. STAGNATION, INTEGRITY VS. DISGUST DESPAIR) WHICH IS BEING EXPRESSED THROUGH IT, (2) THE DELIVERY CHANNEL IN WHICH THE STYLE OF DELIVERY IS ANALYZED TO SEE WHICH OF THE SIX EMOTIONAL STATES (HOSTILITY AND AGGRESSION, AVOIDANCE AND WITHDRAWAL, WARMTH AND INTIMACY, FORMALITY AND ALOOFNESS, RELIANCE ON AN AGENCY OR AUTHORITY EXTERNAL TO THE MEMBERSHIP, AND CONCERN OVER A THREAT TO PERSONAL AUTONOMY) IT EXPRESSES, AND (3) THE INFORMATION CHANNEL IN WHICH AN INFORMATION CODING SYSTEM CONSISTING OF 4 CATEGORIES -- (A) HAS POSSESSION OF INFORMATION, (B) DOES NOT HAVE POSSESSION OF INFORMATION, (C) INFORMATION IS IN CONFLICT WITH SOME OTHER PIECE OF INFORMATION, OR (D) INFORMATION IS NOT IN CONFLICT WITH ANY OTHER PIECE OF INFORMATION -- IS PRESENTED. PAPER REPRINTED FROM RATHS, JAMES AND LEEPER, ROBERT R. (EDS.) THE SUPERVISOR - AGENT FOR CHANGE IN TEACHING, ASCD PUBLICATION, WASH., D.C.

The mitochondrial and chloroplast mRNAs of the majority of land plants are modified through cytidine to uridine (C-to-U) RNA editing. Previously, forward and reverse genetic screens demonstrated a requirement for pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins for RNA editing. Moreover, chloroplast editing factors OZ1, RIP2, RIP9 and ORRM1 were identified in co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) experiments, albeit the minimal complex sufficient for editing activity was never deduced. The current study focuses on isolated, intact complexes that are capable of editing distinct sites. Peak editing activity for four sites was discovered in size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) fractions ≥ 670 kDa, while fractions estimated to be approximately 413 kDa exhibited the greatest ability to convert a substrate containing the editing site rps14 C80. RNA content peaked in the ≥ 670 kDa fraction. Treatment of active chloroplast extracts with RNase A abolished the relationship of editing activity with high-MW fractions, suggesting a structural RNA component in native complexes. By immunoblotting, RIP9, OTP86, OZ1 and ORRM1 were shown to be present in active gel filtration fractions, though OZ1 and ORRM1 were mainly found in low-MW inactive fractions. Active editing factor complexes were affinity-purified using anti-RIP9 antibodies, and orthologs to putative Arabidopsis thaliana RNA editing factor PPR proteins, RIP2, RIP9, RIP1, OZ1, ORRM1 and ISE2 were identified via mass spectrometry. Western blots from co-IP studies revealed the mutual association of OTP86 and OZ1 with native RIP9 complexes. Thus, RIP9 complexes were discovered to be highly associated with C-to-U RNA editing activity and other editing factors indicative of their critical role in vascular plant editosomes.

In an initial test of a theory of increasing content, forty experimental dyads ranging from compatibility to incompatibility were composed and studied. The three channels are identified as the motivation, delivery, and information channels. A linear relationship between intra-group compatibility and a set of five dependent variables was hypothesized. (AG)

In this collection of ten papers, information and ideas are presented on the roles of university adult educators as change agents in urban America. The first paper places certain issues of urban extension and change in a historical and sociological perspective. Another paper urges stronger ties between nonprofessional and professional workers in order to help meet the massive service needs of society. Problems and issues of a political nature are also examined. The next three papers call for a commitment to comprehensive continuing education while attacking the problems of urban ghettos; suggest attributes for change agents; discuss financial and other operational problems; and question the existing balance between education and action. A social worker and a political scientist provide other perspectives on the challenge of mobilizing community resources through urban extension. Another author asserts that human resources are central to socioeconomic development, that change agents must be able to work freely and flexibly as part of a nonpartisan legal and political process, and that they must equip themselves for maximum effectiveness. Finally, a need is seen for improved communication, interaction, and administrative support. (ly)