Identifying general reaction conditions by bandit optimization.

Reaction conditions that are generally applicable to a wide variety of substrates are highly desired, especially in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries1-6. Although many approaches are available to evaluate the general applicability of developed conditions, a universal approach to efficiently discover these conditions during optimizations is rare. Here we report the design, implementation and application of reinforcement learning bandit optimization models7-10 to identify generally applicable conditions by efficient condition sampling and evaluation of experimental feedback. Performance benchmarking on existing datasets statistically showed high accuracies for identifying general conditions, with up to 31% improvement over baselines that mimic state-of-the-art optimization approaches. A palladium-catalysed imidazole C-H arylation reaction, an aniline amide coupling reaction and a phenol alkylation reaction were investigated experimentally to evaluate use cases and functionalities of the bandit optimization model in practice. In all three cases, the reaction conditions that were most generally applicable yet not well studied for the respective reaction were identified after surveying less than 15% of the expert-designed reaction space.

Differential Interactions of the Proteasome Inhibitor PI31 with Constitutive and Immuno-20S Proteasomes.

PI31 (Proteasome Inhibitor of 31,000 Da) is a 20S proteasome binding protein originally identified as an in vitro inhibitor of 20S proteasome proteolytic activity. Recently reported cryo-electron microscopy structures of 20S-PI31 complexes have revealed that the natively disordered proline-rich C-terminus of PI31 enters the central chamber in the interior of the 20S proteasome and interacts directly with the proteasome's multiple catalytic threonine residues in a manner predicted to inhibit their enzymatic function while evading its own proteolysis. Higher eukaryotes express an alternative form of the 20S proteasome (termed "immuno-proteasome") that features genetically and functionally distinct catalytic subunits. The effect of PI31 on immuno-proteasome function is unknown. We examine the relative inhibitory effects of PI31 on purified constitutive (20Sc) and immuno-(20Si) 20S proteasomes in vitro and show that PI31 inhibits 20Si hydrolytic activity to a significantly lesser degree than that of 20Sc. Unlike 20Sc, 20Si hydrolyzes the carboxyl-terminus of PI31 and this effect contributes to the reduced inhibitory activity of PI31 toward 20Si. Conversely, loss of 20Sc inhibition by PI31 point mutants leads to PI31 degradation by 20Sc. These results demonstrate unexpected differential interactions of PI31 with 20Sc and 20Si and document their functional consequences.

Ηigh-resolution structure of mammalian PI31-20S proteasome complex reveals mechanism of proteasome inhibition.

Proteasome-catalyzed protein degradation mediates and regulates critical aspects of many cellular functions and is an important element of proteostasis in health and disease. Proteasome function is determined in part by the types of proteasome holoenzymes formed between the 20S core particle that catalyzes peptide bond hydrolysis and any of multiple regulatory proteins to which it binds. One of these regulators, PI31, was previously identified as an in vitro 20S proteasome inhibitor, but neither the molecular mechanism nor the possible physiologic significance of PI31-mediated proteasome inhibition has been clear. Here we report a high-resolution cryo-EM structure of the mammalian 20S proteasome in complex with PI31. The structure shows that two copies of the intrinsically disordered carboxyl terminus of PI31 are present in the central cavity of the closed-gate conformation of the proteasome and interact with proteasome catalytic sites in a manner that blocks proteolysis of substrates but resists their own degradation. The two inhibitory polypeptide chains appear to originate from PI31 monomers that enter the catalytic chamber from opposite ends of the 20S cylinder. We present evidence that PI31 can inhibit proteasome activity in mammalian cells and may serve regulatory functions for the control of cellular proteostasis.

Molecular mechanism of GPCR-mediated arrestin activation.

Despite intense interest in discovering drugs that cause G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to selectively stimulate or block arrestin signalling, the structural mechanism of receptor-mediated arrestin activation remains unclear1,2. Here we reveal this mechanism through extensive atomic-level simulations of arrestin. We find that the receptor's transmembrane core and cytoplasmic tail-which bind distinct surfaces on arrestin-can each independently stimulate arrestin activation. We confirm this unanticipated role of the receptor core, and the allosteric coupling between these distant surfaces of arrestin, using site-directed fluorescence spectroscopy. The effect of the receptor core on arrestin conformation is mediated primarily by interactions of the intracellular loops of the receptor with the arrestin body, rather than the marked finger-loop rearrangement that is observed upon receptor binding. In the absence of a receptor, arrestin frequently adopts active conformations when its own C-terminal tail is disengaged, which may explain why certain arrestins remain active long after receptor dissociation. Our results, which suggest that diverse receptor binding modes can activate arrestin, provide a structural foundation for the design of functionally selective ('biased') GPCR-targeted ligands with desired effects on arrestin signalling.

Maternal and Fetal Radiation-Induced Cancer Risk From Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography During Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study Across a Multihospital Integrated Health Care Network.

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) is important to evaluate suspected pulmonary embolism in pregnancy but has maternal/fetal radiation risks. The objective of this study was to estimate maternal and fetal radiation-induced cancer risk from CTPA during pregnancy. METHODS: Simulation modeling via the National Cancer Institute's Radiation Risk Assessment Tool was used to estimate excess cancer risks from 17 organ doses from CTPA during pregnancy, with doses determined by a radiation dose indexing monitoring system. Organ doses were obtained from a radiation dose indexing monitoring system. Maternal and fetal cancer risks per 100,000 were calculated for male and female fetuses and several maternal ages. RESULTS: The 534 CTPA examinations had top 3 maternal organ doses to the breast, lung, and stomach of 17.34, 15.53, and 9.43 mSv, respectively, with a mean uterine dose of 0.21 mSv. The total maternal excess risks of developing cancer per 100,000 were 181, 151, 121, 107, 94.5, 84, and 74.4, respectively, for a 20-, 25-, 30-, 35-, 40-, 45-, and 50-year-old woman undergoing CTPA, compared with baseline cancer risks of 41,408 for 20-year-old patients. The total fetal excess risks of developing cancer per 100,000 were 12.3 and 7.3 for female and male fetuses, respectively, when compared with baseline cancer risks of 41,227 and 48,291. DISCUSSION: Excess risk of developing cancer from CTPA was small relative to baseline cancer risk for pregnant patients and fetuses, decreased for pregnant patients with increasing maternal age, and was greater for female fetuses than male fetuses.

National Projections for Clinical Implications of Race-Free Creatinine-Based GFR Estimating Equations.

BACKGROUND: The National Kidney Foundation and American Society of Nephrology Task Force on Reassessing the Inclusion of Race in Diagnosing Kidney Disease recently recommended a new race-free creatinine-based equation for eGFR. The effect on recommended clinical care across race and ethnicity groups is unknown. METHODS: We analyzed nationally representative cross-sectional questionnaires and medical examinations from 44,360 participants collected between 2001 and 2018 by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We quantified the number and proportion of Black, White, Hispanic, and Asian/Other adults with guideline-recommended changes in care. RESULTS: The new equation, if applied nationally, could assign new CKD diagnoses to 434,000 (95% confidence interval [CI], 350,000 to 517,000) Black adults, reclassify 584,000 (95% CI, 508,000 to 667,000) to more advanced stages of CKD, restrict kidney donation eligibility for 246,000 (95% CI, 189,000 to 303,000), expand nephrologist referrals for 41,800 (95% CI, 19,800 to 63,800), and reduce medication dosing for 222,000 (95% CI, 169,000 to 275,000). Among non-Black adults, these changes may undo CKD diagnoses for 5.51 million (95% CI, 4.86 million to 6.16 million), reclassify 4.59 million (95% CI, 4.28 million to 4.92 million) to less advanced stages of CKD, expand kidney donation eligibility for 3.96 million (95% CI, 3.46 million to 4.46 million), reverse nephrologist referral for 75,800 (95% CI, 35,400 to 116,000), and reverse medication dose reductions for 1.47 million (95% CI, 1.22 million to 1.73 million). The racial and ethnic mix of the populations used to develop eGFR equations has a substantial effect on potential care changes. CONCLUSION: The newly recommended 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine-based eGFR equation may result in substantial changes to recommended care for US patients of all racial and ethnic groups.

Systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis (eczema): Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin condition with multiple systemic treatments and uncertainty regarding their comparative impact on AD outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to systematically synthesize the benefits and harms of AD systemic treatments. METHODS: For the 2023 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters AD guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and GREAT databases from inception to November 29, 2022, for randomized trials addressing systemic treatments and phototherapy for AD. Paired reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Random-effects network meta-analyses addressed AD severity, itch, sleep, AD-related quality of life, flares, and harms. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach informed certainty of evidence ratings. This review is registered in the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/e5sna). RESULTS: The 149 included trials (28,686 patients with moderate-to-severe AD) evaluated 75 interventions. With high-certainty evidence, high-dose upadacitinib was among the most effective for 5 of 6 patient-important outcomes; high-dose abrocitinib and low-dose upadacitinib were among the most effective for 2 outcomes. These Janus kinase inhibitors were among the most harmful in increasing adverse events. With high-certainty evidence, dupilumab, lebrikizumab, and tralokinumab were of intermediate effectiveness and among the safest, modestly increasing conjunctivitis. Low-dose baricitinib was among the least effective. Efficacy and safety of azathioprine, oral corticosteroids, cyclosporine, methotrexate, mycophenolate, phototherapy, and many novel agents are less certain. CONCLUSIONS: Among individuals with moderate-to-severe AD, high-certainty evidence demonstrates that high-dose upadacitinib is among the most effective in addressing multiple patient-important outcomes, but also is among the most harmful. High-dose abrocitinib and low-dose upadacitinib are effective, but also among the most harmful. Dupilumab, lebrikizumab, and tralokinumab are of intermediate effectiveness and have favorable safety.

Analysis of Arc/Arg3.1 Oligomerization In Vitro and in Living Cells.

Arc (also known as Arg3.1) is an activity-dependent immediate early gene product enriched in neuronal dendrites. Arc plays essential roles in long-term potentiation, long-term depression, and synaptic scaling. Although its mechanisms of action in these forms of synaptic plasticity are not completely well established, the activities of Arc include the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, the facilitation of AMPA receptor (AMPAR) endocytosis, and the regulation of the transcription of AMPAR subunits. In addition, Arc has sequence and structural similarity to retroviral Gag proteins and self-associates into virus-like particles that encapsulate mRNA and perhaps other cargo for intercellular transport. Each of these activities is likely to be influenced by Arc's reversible self-association into multiple oligomeric species. Here, we used mass photometry to show that Arc exists predominantly as monomers, dimers, and trimers at approximately 20 nM concentration in vitro. Fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy revealed that Arc is almost exclusively present as low-order (monomer to tetramer) oligomers in the cytoplasm of living cells, over a 200 nM to 5 µM concentration range. We also confirmed that an α-helical segment in the N-terminal domain contains essential determinants of Arc's self-association.

Mimicking Protein Kinase C Phosphorylation Inhibits Arc/Arg3.1 Palmitoylation and Its Interaction with Nucleic Acids.

Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) plays essential roles in diverse forms of synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP), long-term depression (LTD), and homeostatic plasticity. In addition, it assembles into virus-like particles that may deliver mRNAs and/or other cargo between neurons and neighboring cells. Considering this broad range of activities, it is not surprising that Arc is subject to regulation by multiple types of post-translational modification, including phosphorylation, palmitoylation, SUMOylation, ubiquitylation, and acetylation. Here we explore the potential regulatory role of Arc phosphorylation by protein kinase C (PKC), which occurs on serines 84 and 90 within an α-helical segment in the N-terminal domain. To mimic the effect of PKC phosphorylation, we mutated the two serines to negatively charged glutamic acid. A consequence of introducing these phosphomimetic mutations is the almost complete inhibition of Arc palmitoylation, which occurs on nearby cysteines and contributes to synaptic weakening. The mutations also inhibit the binding of nucleic acids and destabilize high-order Arc oligomers. Thus, PKC phosphorylation of Arc may limit the full expression of LTD and may suppress the interneuronal transport of mRNAs.

Aggregation of Size-Selected Oxide Clusters Deposited onto Au(111).

Kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations along with density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to investigate the aggregation of size-selected Nb3Oy (y = 5, 6, 7) clusters deposited onto the Au(111) surface. Recent STM experiments showed that the cluster binding sites and sizes of the cluster assemblies on the Nb3Oy/Au(111) surfaces strongly depend on the stoichiometry of the clusters, i.e., the oxygen-to-niobium ratio. To better understand the origins of these differences, kMC simulations of the nucleation and growth of cluster assemblies were performed using energy barriers for diffusion and intercluster interactions estimated from DFT calculations of cluster binding and dimerization energies, respectively. Comparisons of the kMC simulations with STM images of the as-deposited Nb3Oy/Au(111) surfaces at RT and after high temperature annealing were used to further optimize the energetics and gauge the importance of nearest neighbor interactions. The kMC simulations demonstrate that the assembly of Nb3Oy clusters on Au(111) are largely controlled by the magnitude of the barriers for diffusion and interparticle-bond formation, while changes at higher temperatures are sensitive to the binding energies between nearest neighbors. Simulations for the Nb3O5 and Nb3O6 clusters, which exhibit smaller cluster assembly sizes in STM, required larger diffusion barriers as well as different barriers for interparticle binding, which reflected differences in DFT calculated dimerization energies. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of combined DFT and kMC calculations for understanding how the stoichiometry affects the aggregation of small oxide clusters on a metal surface.

Lessons Learned: Utilization of a Reference Laboratory for Targeted Sequencing of Pediatric Tumors at a Single Institution.

Our study aims to report the prevalence of potentially actionable oncogenic variants in a sample of pediatric tumors from a single institution using a reference laboratory for tumor profiling. We investigated genomic alterations and immunotherapy biomarkers such a tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability, and programmed death-ligand 1. Patients treated in the Cook Children's Health Care System who had tumor profiling performed by Foundation Medicine between January 1, 2013, and May 1, 2019, were included. Demographic variables, results of tumor profiling, and subsequent use of targeted therapies were captured. Eighty-one patients were in our final data set; patients had diagnoses of central nervous system tumors (n=5), leukemia and lymphoma (n=4), neuroblastoma (n=32), and other solid tumors (n=40). One or more genomic alterations were identified in 68 (84%) of patients, 34 of which had potential targeted therapies available. In all, 44/51 patients tested for tumor mutation burden had low tumor burden, and the rest had intermediate burden. All 41 patients tested for microsatellite instability status were microsatellite stable. Six of 34 patients tested for programmed death-ligand 1 status were positive. Twelve patients received targeted therapy. This study highlights a subset of pediatric tumors harboring targetable genetic alterations and describes the use of a reference laboratory for tumor profiling.

Structure-Reactivity Relationships of Buchwald-Type Phosphines in Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Couplings.

The dialkyl-ortho-biaryl class of phosphines, commonly known as Buchwald-type ligands, are among the most important phosphines in Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling. These ligands have also been successfully applied to several synthetically valuable Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling methodologies and, as demonstrated in this work, are top performing ligands in Ni-catalyzed Suzuki Miyaura Coupling (SMC) and C-N coupling reactions, even outperforming commonly employed bisphosphines like dppf in many circumstances. However, little is known about their structure-reactivity relationships (SRRs) with Ni, and limited examples of well-defined, catalytically relevant Ni complexes with Buchwald-type ligands exist. In this work, we report the analysis of Buchwald-type phosphine SRRs in four representative Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Our study was guided by data-driven classification analysis, which together with mechanistic organometallic studies of structurally characterized Ni(0), Ni(I), and Ni(II) complexes allowed us to rationalize reactivity patterns in catalysis. Overall, we expect that this study will serve as a platform for further exploration of this ligand class in organonickel chemistry as well as in the development of new Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling methodologies.

Development of 18F-Labeled Vinyl Sulfone-PSMAi Conjugates as New PET Agents for Prostate Cancer Imaging.

Radiolabeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligands have been rapidly adopted as part of patient care for prostate cancer. In this study, a new series of 18F-labeled PSMA-targeting agents was developed based on the high-affinity Glu-ureido-Lys scaffold and 18F-vinyl sulfones (VSs), the tumor uptake and tumor/major organ contrast of which could be tuned by pharmacokinetic linkers within the molecules. In particular, 18F-PEG3-VS-PSMAi showed the highest tumor uptake (12.1 ± 2.2%ID/g at 0.5 h p.i.) and 18F-PEG2-VS-PSMAi showed the highest tumor-to-liver ratio (T/L = 3.7 ± 1.0, 4.8 ± 1.2, and 6.3 ± 1.1 at 0.5, 1.5, and 3 h p.i. respectively). Significantly, compared with the FDA-approved 68Ga-PSMA-11, the newly developed 18F-PEG3-VS-PSMAi has an almost double tumor uptake (P < 0.0001) when tested in the same animal model. In conclusion, 18F-VS-labeled PSMA ligands are promising PET agents with prominent tumor uptake and high contrast. The lead agents 18F-PEG2-VS-PSMAi and 18F-PEG3-VS-PSMAi warrant further evaluation in prostate cancer patients.

Online personal ads and its implication for sexual health risks: an observational analysis of posts.

BACKGROUND: People use online personal advertisements (ads) to solicit sexual partners. Data from online ads are often publicly available, allowing researchers to better understand the topics discussed and potential role of online ads in sexual health and risk behaviours. This study aims to examine those research questions. METHODS: We collected posts on ClassifiedAds.com from the US (August 2019- February 2020). Gender identity was abstracted from post title, when available. HIV risk-related terms were abstracted from post title and content and were used to dichotomise the following variables: (1) ads describing sexual risk behaviours; (2) ads mentioning concerns over substance use or sexually transmitted infections/HIV; and (3) ads mentioning an interest in substance use. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: A total of n =12866 unique ads were posted; 72.4% posted by men. Most posts came from the southern US (34.7%) and from urban areas (89.6%). Few ads contained images (21.9%) or words associated with substance use (1%), while 26% mentioned substance use or STI/HIV concern. Logistic regression models indicated that ads in the South were less likely to contain substance use or STI/HIV concern than ads from the Midwest. Also, women were less likely than men to post about substance use or mention substance use or STI/HIV concern. CONCLUSIONS: Personal ads offer a glimpse into Internet-mediated sex encounters and sexual health risks among those who seek sex online. The real-time data collected has potential to highlight elevated prevalence of sexual risk behaviours that may put individuals at risk for STI/HIV or substance use.

Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio is Associated with Stroke Mechanism in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio (HIR), defined as Tmax >10s/Tmax >6s on computed tomography perfusion (CTP), and stroke mechanisms have been independently correlated with angiographic collaterals and patient outcomes. Slowly developing atherosclerotic stenosis may foster collateral development, whereas cardioembolic occlusion may occur before collaterals mature. We hypothesized that favorable HIR is associated with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) stroke mechanism and good clinical outcome. METHODS: Retrospective study of consecutive endovascularly-treated stroke patients with intracranial ICA or MCA M1/M2 occlusions, who underwent CTP before intervention, between January 2018 and August 2021. Patients were dichotomized into LAA+ or LAA- based on presence of LAA on angiography. HIR was dichotomized into favorable (HIR+) or unfavorable (HIR-) groups based on published thresholds. Good early outcome was defined as discharge mRS of 0-2. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: 143 patients met inclusion. 21/143 were LAA+ (15%) and 65/143 (45%) were HIR+. HIR+ was significantly more frequent in LAA+ patients (67% vs. 42%, p= 0.035). Controlling for demographics, stroke severity, imaging findings, and medical comorbidities, LAA+ remained independently associated with HIR+ (OR 5.37 [95% CI 1.43 - 20.14]; p=0.013) as did smaller infarction core volume (<30 mL of CBF <30%: OR 7.92 [95% CI 2.27 - 27.64]; p = 0.001). HIR+ was not associated with good clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Large artery atherosclerosis was independently associated with favorable HIR in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. While favorable HIR was associated with smaller pre-treatment core infarcts, reflecting more robust collaterals, it was not associated with good clinical outcome.

Clinical Outcomes and Costs of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent stroke patients suffer significant morbidity and mortality, representing almost 30% of the stroke population. Our objective was to determine the clinical outcomes and costs of recurrent ischemic stroke (recurrent-IS). METHODS: Our study protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020192709). Following PRISMA guidelines, our medical librarian conducted a search in EMBASE, PubMed, Web-of-Science, Scopus, and CINAHL (last performed on August 25, 2020). INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) Studies reporting clinical outcomes and/or costs of recurrent-IS; (2) Original research published in English in year 2010 or later; (3) Study participants aged ≥18 years. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) Case reports/studies, abstracts/posters, Editorial letters/reviews; (2) Studies analyzing interventions other than intravenous thrombolysis and thrombectomy. Four independent reviewers selected studies with review of titles/abstracts and full-text, and performed data extraction. Discrepancies were resolved by a senior independent arbitrator. Risk-of-bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: Initial search yielded 20,428 studies. Based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, 9 studies were selected, consisting of 24,499 recurrent-IS patients. In 5 studies, recurrent-IS ranged from 4.4-56.8% of the ischemic stroke cohorts at 3 or 12 months, or undefined follow-up. Mean age was 60-80 years and female proportions were 38.5-61.1%. Clinical outcomes included mortality 11.6-25.9% for in-hospital, 30-days, or 4-years (3 studies). In one study from the U.S., mean in-hospital costs were $17,121(SD-$53,693) and 1-year disability costs were $34,639(SD-$76,586) per patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the paucity of data on clinical outcomes and costs of recurrent-IS and identifies gaps in existing literature to direct future research.

Systematic analysis of bypass suppression of essential genes.

Essential genes tend to be highly conserved across eukaryotes, but, in some cases, their critical roles can be bypassed through genetic rewiring. From a systematic analysis of 728 different essential yeast genes, we discovered that 124 (17%) were dispensable essential genes. Through whole-genome sequencing and detailed genetic analysis, we investigated the genetic interactions and genome alterations underlying bypass suppression. Dispensable essential genes often had paralogs, were enriched for genes encoding membrane-associated proteins, and were depleted for members of protein complexes. Functionally related genes frequently drove the bypass suppression interactions. These gene properties were predictive of essential gene dispensability and of specific suppressors among hundreds of genes on aneuploid chromosomes. Our findings identify yeast's core essential gene set and reveal that the properties of dispensable essential genes are conserved from yeast to human cells, correlating with human genes that display cell line-specific essentiality in the Cancer Dependency Map (DepMap) project.

Surface structure of mass-selected niobium oxide nanoclusters on Au(111).

The structures formed by the deposition of mass-selected niobium oxide clusters, Nb3Oy(y = 5, 6, 7), onto Au(111) were studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. The as-deposited Nb3O7clusters assemble into large dendritic structures that grow on the terraces as well as extend from the top and bottom of step edges. The Nb3O6cluster also forms dendritic assemblies but they are generally much smaller in size. The assemblies are composed of smaller discrete structures (<1 nm) which are likely to be single clusters. The dendritic assemblies for both the Nb3O7and Nb3O6clusters have fractal dimensions of about 1.7 which is very close to that expected for simple diffusion limited aggregation. Annealing the Nb3O7,6/Au(111) surfaces up to 550 K results in changes in assembly sizes and increases in heights, while heating to 700 results in the disruption of the assemblies into smaller structures. By contrast, the as-deposited Nb3O5/Au(111) surface at RT exhibits compact cluster structures which become 3D nanoparticles when annealed above 550 K. Differences in the observed surface structures and thermal stability are attributed to differences in metal-oxygen stoichiometry which can influence cluster binding energies, mobility and inter-cluster interactions.

Using community priorities and misconceptions about asthma as a vessel for community-led education among Hispanics.

OBJECTIVES: In New York City, asthma prevalence is greater in Hispanics than non-Hispanics for both children (10.9% vs. 7.4%) and adults (9.0% vs. 6.3%). Disparities in asthma management among Hispanics are found to arise, in part, from a limited education about asthma. Using elements of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), we worked with the community to identify asthma priorities and misconceptions among Hispanics and used that information to develop a tailored asthma educational tool-the Asthma Training Modules (ATMs). METHODS: Over the past 3 years (2016, 2017, and 2018), we conducted educational asthma workshops to collect and analyze information to develop the ATMs and a summary of the ATMs in an Asthma Educational Card (AEC). We trained 6 Asthma-Community-Leaders using the ATMs, who assembled community members for teaching sessions using the AEC. Participants completed a pre-and-post asthma knowledge questionnaire. RESULTS: We identified asthma priorities and misconceptions themed on: culturally relevant resources for Hispanics, symptom and trigger recognition, and treatments. A total of 104 participants attended the teaching sessions led by Asthma-Community-Leaders and participants' mean knowledge score increased from 64% pre-teaching to 85% post-teaching, (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our community-led education, which included a tailored asthma educational tool and trained Asthma-Community-Leaders, successfully improved asthma knowledge among Hispanics. Further studies are warranted to determine whether these results are reproducible among a larger cohort and what the comparative effectiveness of our intervention as compared to other education-based interventions.

Sociodemographic predictors and transportation patterns of COVID-19 infection and mortality.

BACKGROUND: The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-sanctioned prevention strategies have included frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering the mouth and nose with a mask when around others, cleaning and disinfecting maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others, etc. Although many of these recommendations are based upon observation and past infection control practices, it is important to combine and explore public data sets to identify predictors of infection, morbidity and mortality to develop more finely honed interventions, based on sociodemographic factors. METHOD: Cross-sectional study of both states in the US and counties in NY state. RESULTS: Population density was found to be significantly associated with state-level coronavirus infection and mortality rate (b = 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34, 0.64, P < .0001). States that have lower socioeconomic status, lower mean age and denser populations are associated with higher incidence rates. In regard to NY state, counties with a higher percentage of minority residents had higher COVID-19 mortality rates (b = 2.61, 95% CI: 0.36, 4.87, P = 0.023). Larger population cohorts were associated with lower COVID-19 mortality rates after adjusting for other variables in the model (b = -1.39, 95% CI: -2.07, -0.71, P < 0.001). Population density was not significantly associated with COVID-19 mortality rates after adjustment across counties in the NY state. Public ridership was not indicative of cases or mortality across states in the USA; however, it is a significant factor associated with incidence (but not mortality) in NY counties. CONCLUSION: Population density was the only significant predictor of mortality across states in the USA. Lower mean age, lower median household incomes and more densely populated states were at higher risk of COVID-19 infection. Population density was not found to be a significant independent variable compared to minority status and socioeconomic factors in the New York epicenter. Meanwhile, public ridership was found to be a significant factor associated with incidence in New York counties.