East Tennessee State University Research Articles

Tennessee Academy of ScienceDistinguished Secondary School Science Teacher Award 2022

President President Amy Thompson called the meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science (TAS) Executive Committee to order at 3:03 PM CST via Zoom video conferencing. Attendees were President-elect Greg Vieira, Past President Darlene Panvini, Secretary Marcia Schilling, Treasurer C. Steven Murphree, Managing Editor Justin Oelgoetz, Collegiate Division Director Fred Matthews, Junior Academy Director, AAAS Representative, and Chair-Resolutions Preston MacDougall, Annual Meeting Coordinator and Chair-Nominating J. Allyn Smith, Members-at-Large Aruna Kilaru (2019-2021), Nikki Glenn (2020-2022), and Maryam Farsian (2021-2023), Chair-Auditing and Financial Oversight Committee Tommy Wooten, Chair-Membership Karen Kendall-Fite, Electronic Communications Director and Chair-Electronic Communications Gilbert Pitts, and Local Meeting Coordinator Jeffry O. Boles representing the host institution for the November 2021 meeting at Tennessee Tech University. After President Amy Thompson welcomed all, with special introductions for Member-at-Large Maryam Farsian, Chair-Auditing and Financial Oversight Tommy Wooten, and Local Meeting Coordinator Jeffry O. Boles, President-elect Greg Vieira made a motion to accept the minutes from the 20 November 2020 meeting. Treasurer Steven Murphree seconded the motion, and the motion carried.President Amy Thompson thanked all those who supported the 2020 TAS Virtual Annual Meeting success, and she sent letters of appreciation to members of the Virtual Annual Meeting committee (Past President Darlene Panvini, Electronic Communications Director Gilbert Pitts, Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith, Treasurer Steven Murphree, Local Meeting Coordinators Gary Henson & Rico Ignace, Secretary Marcia Schilling, and President Amy Thompson), as well as the plenary speaker, Dr. Lev Yampolsky. Past President Darlene Panvini was gathering information from committee chairs and others to clarify roles for each TAS committees, to add to the TAS Operations Manual. President Amy Thompson was focused on recruiting more people for involvement in TAS, especially at universities who are not as heavily involved. Maryam Farsian from Volunteer State Community College was recruited to serve as 2021-2023 Member at Large, hoping to increase VSCC student involvement at future Annual Meetings.Past President Darlene Panvini reported working with Electronic Communications Director Gilbert Pitts to update the TAS website, as well as President Amy Thompson to finish committee descriptions. Darlene responded to emails regarding the Journal, the upcoming fall Annual Meeting, and other TAS details. Furthermore, she proposed clarifications to the TAS Awards process (detailed in New Business).President-Elect Greg Vieira reported that the Local Arrangements Committee Chairperson is Jeff O. Boles (TTU) for the 2021 Annual Meeting. The Program Coordination Committee has considered that the theme for the meeting would be either “emergence” or “re-emergence”, depending on the state of the world regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Candidate speakers include Barry Wilmore (TTU graduate, astronaut), Adam Holley (TTU Physics recent NSF CAREER Award Winner), Justin Murdoch (TTU Ecology), Ismail Fidan (TTU, Manufacturing Technology, 3D printing, food printing), Lori Bruce (TTU Provost, VP Academic Affairs, Electrical and Computer Engineering, remote sensing UAVs and applications in agriculture). While Barry Wilmore was supported, Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith cautioned that members of NASA and possibly Boeing needed approval from their organizations before accepting speaking engagements. President-Elect Greg Vieira, Local Meeting Coordinator Jeffry Boles, and Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith will work together to finalize the decision for the plenary speaker. Future locations for meetings are Tennessee State University (2022) and Rhodes College (2023). Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith planned to meet with the dean at TSU in the future to secure a commitment. In a meeting on April 8, 2021, President-Elect Greg Vieira proposed to hold the 2023 Annual Meeting at Rhodes College to Associate Provost Tim Huebner and Senior Director of College Events and Leadership Projects Nikki Moore.Secretary Marcia Schilling shared that the Annual Report required by the State of Tennessee was filed for TAS for reporting year 2020 (always due by April 1 of the following year), but needed a revised list of Board of Directors on the form. She appreciated continued patience during transitioning between secretaries, as past-secretary Teresa Fulcher sent her a written note that she had not yet returned to Pellissippi State Community College since the COVID-19 pandemic social distancing measures were enacted. A construction project has continued to exclude past secretary Teresa Fulcher from accessing the physical TAS files that need to be passed forward.Treasurer Steven Murphree discussed the Treasurer's report provided below:Treasurer Steven Murphree noted that the Journal printing was most costly. He admitted that splitting payments for meetings and renewal fees via PayPal remains an accounting challenge. Steven Murphree reported that TAS has 468 members (114 life memberships, 354 non-life memberships that include students and JTAS). Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith questioned whether TAS honors those with lifetime memberships, and Steven noted only the overall monetary savings for long term membership if paid early in a person's membership. Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith made a motion to approve the Treasurer's report and the motion was seconded by Collegiate Division Director Fred Matthews. The motion carried.Managing Editor Justin Oelgoetz reported that the Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science was now officially converted to processing via Allen Press beginning with Volume 95 Issue 1, with plans to work historically backwards (starting with Volume 94 Issue 4) to eventually have all prior volumes online as well. In response to a query by Treasurer Steven Murphree, Justin indicated that hard copies were still being printed, but a process for diminishing printed copies would be pursued. Preference for hard copies or digital versions may need unique member numbers to keep such records in Excel to make that transition. Justin reported that 3 articles were currently under review, as more reviewers for the journal were found. In the process of building a stable group of reviewers, email requests for reviewing articles generated by the system were in many cases being directed to spam emails.Collegiate Division Director Fred Matthews reported that in 2019 meetings were held, but not in 2020 due to COVID-19, and none were held/planned for 2021 as there was no interest in holding virtual student meetings. He questioned whether the meetings should resume, but deferred the decision to the Executive Committee as he requested to be released from the position of Collegiate Division Director. He planned to share prior correspondence during his time of service in the position to ease transitioning in a new Collegiate Division Director. President Thompson thanked him for his time of service, and Collegiate Division Director Fred Matthews acknowledged his support from Treasurer Steven Murphree, as well as the Tennessee Academy of Science.Electronic Communications Director Gilbert Pitts reported regular updates to the website. Website visits were monitored using MidPhase. He found a mis-scanned article from March 1960, but also indicated that our past publications of the Journal were used to support other publications. Historic issues of the Journal were scanned according to their starting page. The social media platform FaceBook indicated a peak of interest in November suggesting interest in the Annual Meeting. No new email accounts were needed on the website for executive committee members. A Google business account was created with folders to store files, but to verify the file, it required postal services (“snail mail”). At some point the account was suspended for suspicious activity, but then the suspension was removed as of 7 April 2021.Director Pitts was working on a Past Presidents page, but pictures were needed. President-Elect Greg Vieira was thanked for a noncopyrighted generic female icon that could be used for our web page, but pictures of all females relevant to the current TAS web page had submitted photos. Director Pitts also plans to create both Instagram® and Youtube® accounts.Director Preston MacDougall reported that the meeting of the Tennessee Junior Academy of Science winners and runners-up were announced via Facebook, Twitter, and the JTAS web page.Director Tony Johnston was absent and did not submit a report. However, Managing Editor Justin Oelgoetz and Electronic Communications Director Gilbert Pitts suggested the use of unique member numbers supporting publication in the Journal might also be useful for requests for the Visiting Scientist Program.Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith reported Tennessee Tech University was the intended location for the November 2021 meeting. He was yet seeking a commitment from Tennessee State University for the November 2022 meeting. President-Elect Greg Vieira was speaking with administrators at Rhodes College for the November 2023 meeting. An Engineering Technology section chair was needed. Daniel Mayo, coordinator and section chair for Math & Computer Science, experienced and continued to experience severe health issues over the past year.The chair remained vacant.Chair Mandy Carter-Lowe sent a publicity report. In her report she reminded Local Arrangement Committee Chair(s) of the need for a printer at the upcoming 131st Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science, so certificates could be printed and given to presentation winners.No report was submitted.Liaison Brian Caine submitted no report and was absent.Director Preston MacDougall reported that the 2021 meeting of the American Association for the Academy of Science was held through virtual video conferencing in February and hosted by Haverford College. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, gave the plenary address. The National Association of Academies of Science (NAAS) announced changes per the Executive Director of the Junior Academy, but the detailed changes would be shared once clarified in the fall of 2021.Chair Tommy Wooten reported that an audit of the financial records of the Tennessee Academy of Science revealed just one outstanding check of small monetary value written to Director Preston MacDougall as the sole issue for full reconciliation.position remained vacant.Chair Charles McGhee submitted no report and was absent.Past President Darlene Panvini requested job clarifications for committee members. Collegiate Division Director Fred Matthews clarified the cycle for meetings has been historically East – Middle – Middle – West – Middle – Middle – East – Middle – Middle – West -….. Both Tennessee Tech University and University of the South in Suwanee are classified as Middle Tennessee institutions. The Cumberland Mountains and the Tennessee River were notable geographical dividers for classifying participating colleges and universities.Chairs Gary Henson and Richard Ignace of East Tennessee State University, site of the 2020 Annual meeting, deferred their report to New Business.Chair Karen Kendall-Fite requested a list of consistent members and section chairs. The committee wished to outreach to colleges with diminished membership in TAS. Director Preston MacDougall suggested outreach at the Tennessee Science Teachers Association Meetings. President Amy Thompson offered to work with Chair Karen Kendall-Fite on this endeavor. The Kentucky/Tennessee virtual meeting(s) would be held one week after this meeting of the TAS (that is, the second week in April).Chair Martin Stewart was absent.Past President Darlene Panvini indicated development of the processes to streamline TAS Awards was in the works.Mandy Carter-Lowe sent a report.Director Preston MacDougall indicated nothing new to report, but invited suggestions for potential resolutions for fall.Electronic Communications Director Gilbert Pitts indicated no additional information to report from this committee.President Amy Thompson reminded all that a vote to amend the Constitution would occur at the November 2021 meeting to clarify current practices of publishing the Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science.Managing Editor Justin Oelgoetz suggested the process of publishing the Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science using Allen Press alleviated responsibilities indicated for an Assistant Editor. He suggested establishing an editorial board for the appeals process in lieu of the Assistant Editor, since the Journal currently published only about 10 papers per year. Electronic Communications Director Gilbert Pitts clarified the Assistant Editor needed to be an executive committee member, and the Managing Editor is an officer for TAS, but that did not necessarily mean that the managing editor was an executive committee member. Managing Editor Justin Oelgoetz also suggested that by moving the Journal online, no page charges would incur as a result of classification as a 3rd tier journal, and eliminating page charges may increase the number of articles submitted.Past President Darlene Panvini worked on edits for the Operations Manual and Consitution amendments, particularly the criteria for selection onto committees, as well as defining the roles. For instance, Chair Karen Kendall-Fite mentioned that the role of the Education & Research Chair was left open for interpretation in the Operations Manual, so President Amy Thompson and Past President Darlene Panvini were working on descriptions. Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith suggested Dr. Soma Banerjee to fill the Necrology Committee Chair role since he has a background in science and history. Director Preston MacDougall was working on reporting the next generation science standards.The protocol for submitting abstracts intended for presentation that might quickly translate to journal publication after the meeting. A subcommittee consisting of Mandy Carter-Lowe, Managing Editor Justin Oelgoetz, Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith, and Past President Darlene Panvini would meet to work through issuing doi's using a specific URL, a formal time line, and a protocol for rejecting an abstract. This approach would streamline publishing abstracts following the Annual Meeting.Local Meeting Coordinator Jeffry O. Boles discussed the planning for the November 2021 Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science at Tennessee Tech University.Treasurer Steven Murphree shared a note of appreciation from past secretary Teresa Fulcher after recognition by resolution and award of the gift of binoculars at the November 2021 Annual Meeting.Treasurer Steven Murphree requested guidance for providing a TAS donation to Tennessee Conservationist Magazine. Collegiate Division Director Fred Matthews moved to approve $250, Chair Karen Kendall-Fite seconded the motion, and the motion carried with unanimous approval.President Amy Thompson requested clarification regarding our involvement in the National Association of Academies of Science (NAAS). Director Preston MacDougall attended their meeting along with a collection of state academics who assisted junior scientists. He served on the board and helped with the American Junior Academy of Science in planning and recruiting, as well as worked fundraising for assisting state junior scientists to attend national meetings. Treasurer Steven Murphree noted we pay $225 for annual dues, and that contact information for TAS should be modified from past secretary Teresa Fulcher to current secretary, Marcia Schilling.Secretary Marcia Schilling requested clarification regarding names that could be eliminated from the State of Tennessee Annual Report for TAS. Names that had carried over past their duties with TAS included Sandy Melhorn, Dan Swartling, Kim Sadler, Rachel Rigsby, and Linda Jordan.Past President Darlene Panvini solicited nominations for Distinquished College Professor and received three: Aruna Kilaru (self-nominated), Gore Ervin, and Steven Wright. These nominations would be considered via Google form with the options of yes, no, or I'd like to discuss with the Executive Committee. Awards will be determined by majority vote unless discussion is requested.Past President Darlene Panvini proposed to clarify the process for awards in the Operations Manual, to include the following: 1) The Past President would receive applications for awards by March to present at the April meeting, with approved honors awarded at the November meeting in the same calendar year; and 2) Promotion and collection of applications for awards would be added to the duties of the Chair of the Nominations Committee. Electronic Communications Director Gilbert Pitts moved to accept these changes to the process and Operations Manual, Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith seconded the motion, and the motion carried by unanimous vote.Past President Darlene Panvini shared that Liaison Brian Caine recommended a K-12 education leader from our academy. Director Preston MacDougall requested to defer additional conversation on this business until Liaison Brian Caine could clarify his recommendation.The current guidelines for term limits for individuals serving on committees is clear only for the Nominating Committee. Treasurer Steven Murphree suggested that defined term limits might not be in the academy's best interests at this time.Executive and subcommittee meetings should be held, which include Local Meeting Coordinator Jeffrey O. Boles to prepare for the November meeting. These would be conducted on a more regular basis.Electronic Communications Director Gilbert Pitts suggested TAS could become more relevant in the state by improving its visibility using public science talks, similar to Science On Tap series in Clarksville presented by APSU scientists. He suggested, for examples, a talk about entymology by Dr. Steven Hamilton or the Southern Grasslands Initiative by Dr. Dwayne Estes (and others from our institutions) for public outreach.President Amy Thompson entertained a motion to adjourn, made by Director Gilbert Pitts and seconded by Member-at-large Aruna Kilaru. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 5:11 PM CST.Respectfully SubmittedMarcia M. SchillingAustin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN

Heidegger on Being Self-Concealing

Journal Article Heidegger on Being Self-Concealing Get access Heidegger on Being Self-Concealing, by Katherine Withy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022. Pp. 192. Leslie Macavoy Leslie Macavoy East Tennessee State University, USA macavoyl@etsu.edu Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Mind, fzad022, https://doi.org/10.1093/mind/fzad022 Published: 21 June 2023

Intergenerational Associations of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescent Engagement in High-Risk Behaviors

Purpose: While the association between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and negative health outcomes in adulthood is well established, very few studies have examined the cumulative impact of ACEs across generations (intergenerational ACEs – caregiver and youth) on health outcomes in adolescence. The purpose of this study is to examine whether intergenerational ACEs are associated with an increased likelihood of participation by youth in high-risk behaviors including tobacco use, vaping, alcohol use, engagement in sexual activity, or result in higher rates of affective disorders such as depression. Methods: 234 caregiver-youth dyads were recruited via a convenience sample from pediatric clinics at East Tennessee State University and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. Participant dyads completed a survey assessing both caregiver and youth ACEs, youth depression, and youth participation in high-risk behaviors. Caregiver-youth dyads were sorted into an ACEs matrix with the following groups: Low Caregiver-Low Youth ACEs (LC-LY), Low Caregiver-High Youth ACEs (LC-HY), High Caregiver-Low Youth ACEs (HC-LY), and High Caregiver-High Youth ACEs (HC-HY). Results: HC-HY dyads were 11.4 times more likely to report moderate to severe depression compared to LC-LY dyads (p<0.01). HC-HY dyads were 4.5, 3.3, and 7.5 times more likely to have youth participate in alcohol use (p<0.05), vaping (p<0.05), and sexual activity (p<0.01), respectively, compared to LC-LY dyads. Conclusions: Intergenerational ACEs exposure was related to greater youth engagement in high-risk behaviors and risk of depression. Assessing both caregiver and youth ACEs would better identify youth at risk for alcohol use, vaping, sexual debut, and depression.

Mask Adherence to Mask Mandate: College Campus Versus the Surrounding Community.

Adherence to masking recommendations and requirements continues to have a wide variety of impacts in terms of viral spread during the ongoing pandemic. As governments, schools, and private sector businesses formulate decisions around mask requirements, it is important to observe real-life adherence to policies and discern subsequent implications. The CDC MASCUP! observational study tracked mask-wearing habits of students on higher-education campuses across the country to collect stratified data about mask typologies, correct mask usage, and differences in behaviors at locations on a college campus and in the surrounding community. Our findings from a single institution include a significant adherence difference between on-campus (86%) and off-campus sites (72%) across the course of this study as well as a notable change in adherence at the on-campus sites with the expiration of a county-wide governmental mandate, despite continuance of a university-wide mandate. This study, completed on and around the campus of East Tennessee State University in Washington County TN, was able to pivotally extract information regarding increased adherence on campus versus the surrounding community. Changes were also seen when mask mandates were implemented and when they expired.

Meet the First Authors.

HomeCirculation ResearchVol. 132, No. 1Meet the First Authors Free AccessIn BriefPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessIn BriefPDF/EPUBMeet the First Authors Originally published5 Jan 2023https://doi.org/10.1161/RES.0000000000000588Circulation Research. 2023;132:3–6is related toDivergent Actions of Myofibroblast and Myocyte β2-Adrenoceptor in Heart Failure and Fibrotic RemodelingACE2 in Gut Integrity and Diabetic Retinopathy (p e1)Download figureDownload PowerPointDr Ram Prasad is a Scientist-I in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB). He earned his PhD in India in 2010 and joined UAB, chasing his dreams of becoming a successful scientist. His research focuses on deciphering the molecular signaling linked with disease progression and its clinical manifestation so that an efficient interventional approach can be achieved. The primary area of his research is diabetes and its microvascular complications in the retina and heart. He is interested in exploring key mechanism(s), initiated by disturbed gut axis, which result in aberrant angiogenesis in retina and development of retinopathy and perivascular and interstitial cardiac fibrosis in diabetes. Outside the lab, he likes to spend time with his family and participate in indoor and outdoor activities. He can be found on Twitter @ramprasadUAB.Download figureDownload PowerPointJason L. Floyd is a PhD candidate in the Graduate Biomedical Sciences program at UAB. Originally from Huntsville, AL, Jason attended the University of North Alabama where he earned his BS in Cellular and Molecular Biology. At UAB, he joined the group of Maria B. Grant, where he studies the role of aberrant intestinal inflammation in the development and progression of microvascular complications in diabetes, particularly diabetic retinopathy. Following completion of his PhD and subsequent postdoctoral training, Jason intends to pursue scientific discovery in academia. He can be found on Twitter @jasonlfloyd_uab.Epsins Regulate Lipid Metabolism and Transport (p e22)Download figureDownload PowerPointDr Kui Cui is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr Hong Chen’s Lab in the Vascular Biology Program of Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. Kui earned his MS at Soochow University (mentor, Dr Zhenghong Qin) and PhD at East Tennessee State University (mentor, Dr Valentin Yakubenko). Dr Cui is interested in lipid metabolism and therapies for cardiovascular diseases and lymphatic dysfunction using nano-therapy, computational science and cell molecular biology. His recent work investigates the role of macrophage epsins in cholesterol transport during the regression of atherosclerosis. His longterm goal is to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve human vascular health. Outside of the lab, he enjoys traveling, tennis and photography.Download figureDownload PowerPointDr Beibei Wang is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Dr Hong Chen’s Lab in the Vascular Biology Program of Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, focusing on the mechanism of lipid metabolism dysfunction and cell phenotypic switching in atherosclerosis and the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Dr Wang earned her MD and PhD at Tianjin Medical University. In 2014, she completed her PhD with a focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and gained her National Natural Science Foundation funding, under the supervision of Dr Lijun Zhang. She is passionate about the lab. Outside of the laboratory, she loves to bake, ski and spend time with her family.15-PGDH Inhibition Blocks Cardiac Fibrosis (p 10)Download figureDownload PowerPointDr Marcello Rubino is an Italian molecular biologist. During his undergraduate and PhD training, Marcello focused on epigenetic modifications regulating inflammatory responses in tumors. He spent three years of postdoctoral work studying how lncRNAs affect cardiac hypertrophy with Dr Gianluigi Condorelli in Milan. Marcello then transitioned to Dr Timothy McKinsey’s lab in Colorado to study molecular mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis, with an eye toward developing novel antifibrotic therapies. The move to the USA also facilitated Marcello’s passion to study primary human cardiac fibroblasts and, beyond the bench, to expand his scientific network. Marcello recently returned to Italy to begin his transition to an independent investigator working on the intersection between epigenetics, inflammation and cardiac fibrosis. In his free time, Marcello enjoys hiking, cooking and spinning vinyl classic rock records.Praliciguat Promotes Ischemic Limb Reperfusion (p 34)Download figureDownload PowerPointDr Ninon Foussard is a diabetologist and nutritionist. She earned her MD from the University of Bordeaux in 2021. She began a PhD program in 2021 at the University of Bordeaux and the Inserm U1034 laboratory. Her clinical and research interests are currently focused on diabetic complications, especially lower-extremity arterial disease. Supervised by Dr Marie-Ange Renault, she is investigating new pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for peripheral arterial disease. Outside of science, she is a sports fan, especially volleyball. She can be found on Twitter @FoussardNinonTXNIP Regulates Atherosclerotic Calcification (p 52)Download figureDownload PowerPointSang-Ho Woo is a PhD student in Veterinary Pathology at Seoul National University, where he earned his BS and DVM. As a research project for his PhD thesis, in collaboration with the pathophysiology lab of Hanyang University, he discovered a novel function of TXNIP as a checkpoint inhibitor for atherosclerotic calcification by suppressing the osteochondrogenic transition of VSMCs. He plans to extend his research experience in the cardiovascular system to other disease areas, and is interested in research that can combine his histopathological expertise with NGS data (e.g. spatial transcriptomics). Outside the lab, he enjoys exercises and sports, especially badminton.Download figureDownload PowerPointDr Dongsoo Kyung earned his PhD in the interdisciplinary program in Bioinformatics from Seoul National University in 2021. For his thesis, he studied the genomic factors related to communication between the adipogenic stem cells and surrounding cells in obesity-related metabolic diseases through single cell transcriptomics and bioinformatics techniques under the supervision of Dr Je Kyung Seong. He is now a senior researcher at IMBDx, Inc., Seoul, where he is developing algorithms for companion diagnosis of solid cancer through cell-free DNA from metastasis cancer patients. He also serves as an Industry Advisory Board (IAB) member in the Department of Life Science at Hanyang University, Seoul. His major interest is understanding how genetic alteration affects epigenetic nature in disease state.Tropoelastin Therapy for Myocardial Infarction (p 72)Download figureDownload PowerPointDr Robert Hume earned his BS and MS in Biomaterial Science and Tissue Engineering from the University of Sheffield in 2012. Robert then earned his PhD at the University of Cambridge, developing a tissue engineered model of breast cancer for therapeutic testing. After a change of heart, Robert switched to cardiac research and began postdoctoral training with Dr Chong at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research (University of Sydney, Australia). Robert’s main area of research interest is heart failure and developing therapies to combat its adverse effects on the body.Robert utilized perseverance, determination and the help of his colleagues to produce the exciting discoveries integral to this publication’ success, including a collaboration formed with Dr Tony Weiss and a Vanguard grant from the Heart Foundation. As Robert is driven by how research can improve patients’ lives, he is excited that this publication provides preclinical data for a potential new therapy for myocardial infarction.Robert has recently started a Postdoctoral Fellowship under the mentorship of Dr Sean Lal, Dr John O’Sullivan and Dr Paul Bannon at the University of Sydney and the Baird Institute, where he will be investigating different forms human heart failure and aortic disease, utilizing the impressive collection of human cardiac samples within the Sydney Heart Bank.Phase Separation of DDR1 Promotes YAP Activation (p 87)Download figureDownload PowerPointJiayu Liu is a PhD candidate at Peking University Health Science Center. She earned her BS in Basic Medical Sciences in September, 2020 and joined Dr Jing Zhou’s laboratory. Because of her interest in mechanobiology, her research focuses on the mechanosensing and mechanotransduction in vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. Her longterm goal is to deepen the understanding of the mechanical regulation of vascular homeostasis. Outside of work, she enjoys reading novels and listening to music.Download figureDownload PowerPointDr Jin Wang earned her PhD at Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, where she studied the impact of vessel mechanical properties on vascular function, and the mechanism of vascular smooth cells in sensing extracellular matrix stiffness. She is currently employed at Capital Medical University Beijing Ditan Hospital. She plans to continue her academic research focusing on the cross-talk between cell and extracellular microenvironment. Outside of the lab, she enjoys playing drums and snowboarding.Lineage-Restricted β2AR Action in Cardiac Fibrosis (p 106)Download figureDownload PowerPointDr Bingqing Deng is an associate professor in cardiology at Sun Yat-Sen University, China. She completed her internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital. She started this project as a visiting scholar after joining Yang Kevin Xiang’s lab at UC Davis in 2017. Her major research interests are in diverged actions of beta2-adrenoceptor in different heart cells and cardiac adrenergic signaling in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Besides that, she is an excellent interventional echocardiologist. She can be found on Twitter @bingqing_deng.Download figureDownload PowerPointDr Yu Zhang is an assistant research fellow in the Department of Pharmacology at Guangzhou Medical University. She earned her BS and PhD from Sun Yat-Sen University. She was trained in Dr Kevin Xiang’s lab at UC Davis as a visiting scholar, where she started her career in the mechanism study of cardiac diseases. She is interested in understanding the mechanism of cardiac fibrosis and the role of β2 adrenergic receptors in cardiovascular diseases. Her next plan is to expand her current research and develop potential therapeutic strategies for cardiac fibrosis. Outside of work, she enjoys music, reading and traveling. Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesDivergent Actions of Myofibroblast and Myocyte β2-Adrenoceptor in Heart Failure and Fibrotic RemodelingBingqing Deng, et al. Circulation Research. 2023;132:106-108 January 6, 2023Vol 132, Issue 1 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics © 2022 American Heart Association, Inc.https://doi.org/10.1161/RES.0000000000000588PMID: 36603065 Originally publishedJanuary 5, 2023 PDF download Advertisement

Introduction from the Editorial Team

Introduction from the Editorial Team Selima Sultana, Paul Knapp, Ridwaana Allen, and Tyler Mitchell Our Editorial Team is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Southeastern Geographer, the flagship journal of the Southeastern Division of the American Association Geographers (SEDAAG). We are pleased to report that the 2021 Annual SEDAAG Meeting in Florence, Alabama during November 20–22 was well attended following the virtual-format platform arrangement for the 2020 conference. The success of the SEDAAG Conference is made possible by the extensive work of numerous division members. We recognize the outstanding contributions of Lynn Resler and Jennifer Rahn for their roles as SEDAAG President and SEDAAG Vice-President, respectively, and Local Arrangement Chair, Michael Pretes during this unprecedented and challenging time. We were pleased that AAG President Emily Ye attended the meeting and presented the Keynote Address at the Awards Banquet. SEDAAG meetings offer a suite of professional development benefits and have excelled in distinguishing exceptional contributions in scholarship, instruction, and service. The recognition of awards is judged by the members of the Honors Committee, who must decide on recipients of nominated awards prior to the meeting and then spend much of the meeting evaluating student presentations. We applaud the efforts of the Committee, especially committee chair Douglas Allen, for their dedication. We note that while we list some of the 2021 awardees below, there were no nominations for the prestigious Research Honors Award. 2021 Awardees • Southeastern Geographer Award for Best Paper: Thomas Saladyga and Stockton Maxwell (A Multi-Century Fire History from the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia) and Gabe Schwartzman (POWER and the Future of Appalachia: Discursive Framings of an Economic Transition) • Southeastern Geographer Cover Art: Yin-Hsuen Chen, Old Dominion University • Lifetime Achievement Award: Bobby Wilson (posthumous) • Outstanding Service Award: Heidi J.L. Lannon, Santa Fe College • Excellence in Teaching: Ingrid Luffman, East Tennessee State University • John Fraser Hart Award, Best Ph.D. Student Paper: Savannah Collins-Key, University of Tennessee • Best Master's Paper: Avery Catherwood, University of North Carolina Greensboro [End Page 89] The conclusion of the annual meeting marks the transition of SEDAAG Officers. We thank Lynn Resler for her excellent work as President during 2019–2021 while navigating the numerous issues associated with the onset and continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Treasurer, Amy Potter of Georgia Southern University. We congratulate newly elected President William (Bill) Graves of the University of North Carolina Charlotte, and Treasurer Paul McDaniel of Kennesaw State University for their two-year appointments as SEDAAG Officers. SEDAAG also welcomed newly elected State Representatives Jordan Cissell (Samford University), Johanna Engström (University of Florida), Michele Abee (Bellarmine University), Dean Hardy (University of South Carolina), and Thomas Saladyga (Concord University). We extend our warm thanks to the outgoing state representatives Caroline McClure (University of Alabama), Cynthia Simmons (University of Florida), Peggy Gripshover (Western Kentucky University), Conor Harrison (University of South Carolina), and Jamison Conley (West Virginia University) for their commitment and contributions to SEDAAG during the past two years. Please consider Southeastern Geographer as a publication outlet for work that relates to the American South. As an Editorial Team, we try to process manuscripts in a timely fashion with an average initial decision time of approximately six weeks. Manuscript submissions during the past four years have been from authors located from many locations outside of the SEDAAG region and SEDAAG membership is not a requirement to submit work to the journal. We are thankful for the contributions of authors and external reviewers that make Southeastern Geographer an outstanding journal. We are also grateful for the contributions of Joseph Weber of the University of Alabama for his role as Book Editor. Issue 62.2 (Summer) contains four papers, which we summarize below, and two book reviews. Biggs builds on cultural geography and the geographies of memory to explore how the managers at three historic sites in Durham, North Carolina attempt to manage the interests of historic preservation with present-day use and enjoyment of these sites. Rather than viewing the landscapes surrounding these sites as racially neutral backdrops, Biggs maintains that they are racialized spaces with their own histories. Specifically, the trees and grass at these sites are not...

Project EARTH: Lessons from 10 Years of Teaching Public Health Skills for Resource-Limited Settings.

The College of Public Health at East Tennessee State University started a program in 2011 to teach the skills needed to protect and promote health and well-being in resource-limited settings. The need to provide public health services in resource-limited settings exists in both wilderness and isolated settings and when a disaster disrupts basic societal infrastructure. In these settings, lives may depend on the ability to provide water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter, first aid, and other basic services. Over the last decade, the college expanded the program considerably into what is now known as Project EARTH (Employing Available Resources to Transform Health) that now includes several different academic courses as well as programs designed to develop innovative solutions to address the needs of people in resource-limited settings. Working in a resource-limited setting requires effectively utilizing locally available resources to improve and protect people's health and well-being. Project EARTH focuses on teaching students to design and create specific products for these situations while progressively honing those cross-cutting skills necessary to work effectively in these settings-notably teamwork, creativity, and resilience. To this end, Project EARTH implements a sequential learning process that includes significant hands-on training and simulatedexperiences with debriefing opportunities at the end of each activity. Project EARTH may serve as a useful model for others considering a similar training program.

The other side of professionalism

opinion Share on The other side of professionalism: accentuate the positive Author: Don Gotterbarn East Tennessee State University East Tennessee State UniversityView Profile Authors Info & Claims ACM InroadsVolume 13Issue 2June 2022 pp 30–32https://doi.org/10.1145/3533771Online:17 May 2022Publication History 0citation20DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations0Total Downloads20Last 12 Months20Last 6 weeks2 Get Citation AlertsNew Citation Alert added!This alert has been successfully added and will be sent to:You will be notified whenever a record that you have chosen has been cited.To manage your alert preferences, click on the button below.Manage my Alerts New Citation Alert!Please log in to your account Save to BinderSave to BinderCreate a New BinderNameCancelCreateExport CitationPublisher SiteGet Access

Relationship Between Reception of Low-Dose Computed Tomography Screening, Tobacco Cessation Attempt, and Reception of Pneumococcal Vaccine.

The stage at diagnosis is the single most important predictor of lung cancer outcome. Therefore, detecting lung cancer early is of utmost importance. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has proven beneficial in the early detection and mortality reduction of lung cancer. Despite this, very few of the high-risk population get annual LDCT done. Patients' attitudes towards tobacco usage and preventive care can be a factor in getting LDCT. We analyzed the relationship between the willingness to undergo LDCT and a person's readiness to try tobacco cessation medication or get the pneumococcal vaccine. We also analyzed the relationship between patients who had tobacco cessation counseling and their willingness to get LDCT and pneumococcal vaccine. Medical records of high-risk patients seen in the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) clinics between January 1, 2016, and November 30, 2020, were analyzed retrospectively. In the data obtained, a total of 2,834 patients were current smokers and were included in the research. The study subjects were assessed in two ways, which from here on will be referred to as method one and method two. In the first method, patients who underwent LDCT were assessed, and the outcome investigated was tobacco cessation counseling, tobacco cessation medication prescription, and pneumococcal vaccination. In the second method, patients who had tobacco cessation counseling were assessed, and the outcome evaluated was LDCT, tobacco cessation medication prescription, and pneumococcal vaccination. In the first method, out of 2,834 total population, 570 had undergone at least one LDCT screening during the study period. Of the 570 patients who underwent LDCT, 22.8% tried one of the tobacco cessation medications at least once during the study period (vs. 9.8% in patients who did not get the LDCT). Also, 71.5% of patients who had LDCT received at least one dose of pneumonia vaccine (vs. 35.5% in patients who did not get the LDCT). In the second method, 1,673 out of 2,834 patients received at least one tobacco cessation counseling, and out of those, 27.5% had LDCT screening (vs. 9.5% among those who never received counseling). Also, 54.9% received a pneumococcal vaccine (vs. 45.1% among those who did not receive counseling). The study demonstrates a relationship between getting LDCT and getting a pneumococcal vaccine or tobacco cessation medications. It also reveals that tobacco cessation counseling increases the odds of getting LDCT, tobacco cessation medications, and pneumococcal vaccine.

Wary and StrangeCast-Iron Pansexual

When I was invited to write an album review for this issue, I perused several volumes of JAS media reviews. Many thoughtful and well-written reviews highlighted albums readily legible as “Appalachian” through repertoire, style, and genre. Reflecting on this issue's focus on queerness, I decided to cover the work of two artists whose work invites audiences to listen carefully to the subtleties and nuances of queerness in and from the region. Yet both, in their own ways, also elide, bend, and “queer” canonic styles, genres, and aesthetics commonly associated with Appalachia and Appalachian studies.Over the past decade, Amythyst Kiah's work has implicitly centered the sounds and voices of African American musicians elided in canonic “Appalachian” music, while subtly opening space for queer performance and listening. Born in Chattanooga and an alumnus of East Tennessee State University's Bluegrass program and Old-Time Pride Band, Kiah's debut acoustic album Dig (self-released 2012) curated a “southern gothic” aesthetic that spanned traditional Appalachian ballads to songs by Dink Roberts and Son House. Here, Kiah's covers of these songs and her original tunes frequently invite queer readings through ambiguous representations of gender and narratives that subtly avoid heteronormative tropes. Her second album, Amythyst Kiah & Her Chest of Glass (Soul Step Records 2017), pushes these avenues further, using an electric blues and rock and roll sound (inspired by Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton and Sister Rosetta Tharpe) to re-invigorate tunes by Veera Hall (for example, “Troubles So Hard”), and less opaquely queer lyrics in Kiah's original songs like “Wildebeest.”An album comprised of original material, Wary and Strange (2021) more stridently articulates these intersectional priorities through new facets of Kiah's genre-bending sound. Kiah's Grammy nominated “Black Myself” signals the album's bolder songwriting through an anthem of black feminist resilience, liberation, and solidarity. Originally written and recorded for the acoustic roots Songs of Our Native Daughters project (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings 2019), Kiah's electrified and pop-produced version on Wary and Strange infuses the anthem with new energy and urgency. These political overtones resonate with more subtle songs that critique empty political rhetoric (“Soapbox”) as well as complacency in contemporary Western culture (“Fancy Drones [Fracture Me]”). However, Kiah continues to open space for queerness in narratives about relationships through including a country-influenced song about unrequited love (“Ballad of the Lost”) and rock ballads that address the difficulties of ending a fraught relationship (“Sleeping Queen” and “Opaque”). In these songs and others (“Firewater” and “Wild Turkey”), Kiah squarely addresses the importance of attending to mental health, particularly unresolved trauma.A self-proclaimed non-binary country singer based in northeast Tennessee, Adeem the Artist's 2021 album Cast-Iron Pansexual presents a similar queer ethic and politics. As an experienced singer-songwriter whose recorded output spans a decade and nearly as many styles, Cast-Iron Pansexual represents a more recent turn toward queerness in their work. Adeem explains in the album's visually and poetically beautiful lyric ’zine that they wrote the songs while reading gender theory, reflecting on their sexuality, and exploring their “divine femininity” in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic (2021, 1). This led to their coming out as non-binary and “drifting with the waters pace towards wholeness” (Adeem 2021, 1).In this spirit, most songs on Cast-Iron Pansexual work through unacknowledged and unarticulated queer experiences and desires. The album's lead track “I Never Came Out” describes not having words to say you're “not straight or gay” in order to reflect on recognizing and overcoming internalized misogyny. While personal, inward-facing reflections on gender and sexuality permeate the album (“Apartment,” “Honeysuckle Hipbilly Homoerotica”), Adeem's songs leverage commentaries on social, cultural, and political norms in contemporary Appalachia and the South. Sentiments about religion and spirituality range from ambivalence and gender-bending re-imagination (“Fervent for the Hunger”) to slapstick queer humor (“Going to Heaven”). “I Wish You Would've Been a Cowboy” moves beyond the parody the title implies, to launch a critique of masculinity and nationalism in both Toby Keith's music and the politics of early 2000s commercial country music. The album's titular track delivers the most direct political statement within an already queer Appalachian world replete with interdimensional pansexuals, Marxists, a restaurant where you don't pay anything, tarot readings, and plenty of barbeque and cornbread. However, accompanied by pithy banjo picking, the song's final verse calls for a “radical movement towards equity (and justice) to dismantle white supremacy entirely, brick by brick, by hand, together.”The works of Amythyst Kiah and Adeem the Artist stand out for constructing musically compelling spaces that call listeners to imagine and build intersectional queer solidarities, healing, community, and activism. Their albums also implicitly ask us to listen to the numerous queer musicians and performers in the region who work within and against narrow definitions of Appalachia and, in so doing, re-imagine queerness more expansively.

Orient international students for success

When international students arrive on campus, they encounter an educational system that might be very different from what they are used to. And some struggle to navigate cultural differences in the United States. Just because they have made the decision to study abroad doesn't mean they have a strong skill set to do that, said Karen Tarnoff, Associate Dean of Assessment and International Programs in the College of Business and Technology at East Tennessee State University. Tarnoff explained the International Student Seminar her college created at a session at the Assessment Institute. If you're looking for ways to support your institution's international students, read on for tips on how to plan and host a successful seminar.

“Is This Okay?” Adaptation, Accommodation, and Lessons Learned for Field Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Field experience is a critical component of human services curriculum (see Council for Standards in Human Service Education Standards, 2021). At East Tennessee State University, it is embedded throughout major courses. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift in how field experience was coordinated. Five colleagues share their experience of innovation during this time.

ACIP issues recommendations for zoster, pneumococcal vaccines

At a recent meeting of CDC’s Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP), the group recommended recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) for adults 19 years and older who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed as well as the routine use of select pneumococcal vaccines in adults 65 years and older and those aged 19 to 64 years with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors. The pneumococcal vaccine recommendation only applies to those who have not yet received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or those whose vaccination history is unknown. Data presented at the ACIP meeting on October 20, 2021, revealed the complications of herpes zoster (e.g., post-herpetic neuralgia, hospitalizations), and how the risk of zoster infection is heightened for those who are immunocompromised. The ACIP group recommended that adults (19 years and older) who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed due to disease or therapy receive 2 doses of RZV for the prevention of herpes zoster and its complications. Clinicians may be challenged, however, in identifying those who are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed, as conditions in this group of patients might not appear as straightforward as those who have cancer or a transplant. “I don’t think a Medrol Dose Pack is immunosuppressive, but dispensing software may flag it as such—so the pharmacist needs to be able to work through that decision-making,” said Adam Welch, PharmD, MBA, FAPhA, associate dean for assessment and academic affairs at East Tennessee State University’s Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. “Pharmacists should review guidance from ACIP on altered immunocompetence to help them.” This guidance can be found on CDC’s website at apha.us/ACIPrecs Another consideration is the timing and spacing of the 2 doses. “It’s best to give RZV prior to the next cycle/dose of an immunosuppressive drug if it can’t be given in anticipation of immunosuppression,” said Welch. Additionally, the second dose can be given 1 to 2 months after the first dose (minimum of a 4-week spacing period) for immunocompromised adults, whereas those who are immunocompetent can continue to receive the 2 doses 2 to 6 months apart. Welch also noted that RZV has been studied concomitantly with other vaccines (e.g., Fluarix, PPSV23, and Boostrix) with no evidence of immune response interference or safety concerns and it can be administered with COVID-19 vaccines. The new ACIP recommendations state that eligible patients should receive a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, either the PCV20 (20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) or PCV15 (15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine). If PCV15 is used, this should be followed by a dose of PPSV23 (23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine). Based on these new recommendations, PCV13 is no longer recommended for use in adults. This is the first time any pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been routinely recommended for certain risk populations ages 19 to 64, such as those with diabetes and asthma. The table below lists certain medical conditions and other risk factors for those 19 to 64 years. “Based on this new recommendation it’s important to note that if a patient already received PCV13, it looks like they wouldn’t need PCV15/PPSV23 or PCV20,” said Welch. “Also, clear documentation is essential, using the correct abbreviations.” He said it will be important for clinicians to not call it pneumococcal vaccine, since that is now too vague. It should be identified more specifically as either PPSV23, PCV15, or PCV20. The ACIP recommendations are not final until they receive approval from CDC and HHS. Underlying medical conditions or other risk factors▪Alcohol use disorder▪Chronic heart/liver/lung disease▪Cigarette smoking▪Diabetes mellitus▪Chronic renal failure▪Nephrotic syndrome▪Immunodeficiency▪Iatrogenic immunosuppression▪Generalized malignancy▪HIV▪Hodgkin disease, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma▪Solid organ transplants▪Congenital or acquired asplenia▪Sickle cell disease or other hemoglobinopathies▪CSF leak or cochlear implant ▪Alcohol use disorder▪Chronic heart/liver/lung disease▪Cigarette smoking▪Diabetes mellitus▪Chronic renal failure▪Nephrotic syndrome▪Immunodeficiency▪Iatrogenic immunosuppression▪Generalized malignancy▪HIV▪Hodgkin disease, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma▪Solid organ transplants▪Congenital or acquired asplenia▪Sickle cell disease or other hemoglobinopathies▪CSF leak or cochlear implant

Orient international students for a successful experience

When international students arrive on campus, they encounter an educational system that might be very different than what they are used to. And some struggle to navigate cultural differences in the United States. Just because they have made the decision to study abroad doesn't mean they have a strong skill set to do that, said Karen Tarnoff, Associate Dean of Assessment and International Programs in the College of Business and Technology at East Tennessee State University. Tarnoff explained the International Student Seminar her college created at a session at the Assessment Institute. If you're looking for ways to support your institution's international students, read on for tips on how to plan and host a successful seminar.

Tennessee Academy of Science Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, May 2020

President Darlene Panvini called the meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science (TAS) Executive Committee to order at 1:00 PM CST via Zoom® video conferencing. Attendees were President-Elect Amy Thompson, Past President and Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith, Managing Editor of the Journal Justin Oelgoetz, Electronic Communications Director Gilbert Pitts, Treasurer Steve Murphree, Secretary Teresa Fulcher, Junior Academy of Science Director Preston MacDougall, Visiting Scientist Director Tony Johnston, Collegiate Division Director Fred Matthews, Publicity Chairperson Mandy Carter-Lowe, Membership Chairperson Karen Kendall-Fite, Necrology Chairperson Martin Stewart, State Department of Education Liaison Brian Caine, Chairs of the ETSU Local Arrangements Committee Gary Henson and Richard Ignace, guest Marcia Schilling, and Members-at-Large Gregory Vieira, Aruna Kilaru and Nikki Glenn. Following a welcome and introductions, Director Johnston made a motion to accept the minutes from the 22 November 2019 meeting with corrections. President-Elect Amy Thompson seconded the motion and the motion carried.Dr. Marcia Schilling, faculty member at Austin Peay State University, was welcomed to the meeting. Upon the resignation of Teresa Fulcher as Secretary, J. Allyn Smith made a motion to accept Dr. Schilling as Secretary. Director Gilbert Pitts seconded the motion and the motion carried by acclamation. Dr. Schilling will assume the position of Secretary following this meeting.J. Allyn Smith reported that the November 2020 meeting scheduled for East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is still planned but recommended considering contingencies based on COVID-19. The 2021 meeting is scheduled for Tennessee Tech University (TTU) and inquiries are out to Tennessee State University (TSU) for 2022. Past President Smith also reported that he contacted the Kentucky Academy of Science regarding a potential joint meeting and is waiting on a response. As Annual Meeting Coordinator, Smith is working to confirm the list of section chairs and gathering changes from the 2019 meeting (withdrawn or added papers). He is considering adding a form to be completed by section chairs following the technical sessions to report program meeting changes. Past President Smith noted that he will have a slate of potential 2021 officers ready for presentation at the 2020 Annual meeting.Amy Thompson reported that Dr. Lev Yampolsky, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at ETSU, will be the keynote speaker for the 2020 meeting. His presentation will be titled “Detecting Selection: What Can Amino Acid Changes Tell Us about Evolution?”. The local arrangement chairs are Dr. Gary Henson and Dr. Richard Ignace. President-Elect Thompson suggested that the meeting might have a special emphasis on COVID-19 with a possible panel discussion. She also recommended considering an article or special edition of JTAS regarding COVID-19 with a historical summary of case trends and challenges in Tennessee. President-Elect Thompson proposed drafting a TAS statement or resolution regarding the importance of scientific data.After Executive Committee discussion, President Panvini and President-Elect Thompson agreed to draft a statement to present to the Executive Committee for approval regarding the importance of scientific inquiry during this pandemic. It was noted by Chairperson Stewart that the Academy held meetings in 1918 during the H1N1 influenza pandemic and it might be interesting to check the historical transactions of the Academy for details.Steve Murphree discussed the Treasurer's report provided below:Treasurer Murphree reported that a meeting to discuss the logistics of moving the Journal online will be happening soon with Past President Sandy Mehlhorn, Managing Editor Oelgoetz and Treasurer Murphree. Director Fred Matthews made a motion to approve the Treasurer's report and the motion was seconded by Chairperson Stewart. The motion carried.Fred Matthews reported that all three Collegiate Division meetings scheduled for April 2020 were canceled due to COVID-19 and there were no expenditures. President Panvini inquired regarding spring 2021 plans. Director Matthews indicated a preference for the Collegiate meetings to occur face-to-face. Managing Editor Oelgoetz stated that he is participating in the planning for the Computing Conference 2020 (which has moved online) and he will be able to report on best practices for online conferencing after the meeting (to be held July 17-18, 2020).Gilbert Pitts reported on updates to the Academy website including abstract submission forms for Collegiate meetings, payment pages for on-line registrations, banner and seal on the homepage, AJAS information and status of meetings. Director Pitts also shared website traffic data indicating a total of over 3000 unique visitors to the site since January, and over 100 hits on Journal articles since May. Director Pitts continues to work on building the online archive of past Journal articles which requires scanning individual pages from print issues. Director Pitts also reported plans to update the TAS Fellows list, create both Instagram® and Youtube® accounts.Justin Oelgoetz reported on behalf of Past Managing Editor Rachel Rigsby that JTAS 94:3, the Reelfoot Lake issue was published in early January. The final issue for 2019 (94:4) is set to be mailed in May. Managing Editor Oelgoetz indicated that plans for electronic publication of JTAS issues beginning 2020 are progressing, with manuscripts being published in print once a year. Managing Editor Oelgoetz noted the need for an Assistant Editor, preferably someone interested in working with meeting abstracts. Managing Editor Oelgoetz noted the upcoming meeting with Allen Press scheduled for the following week and indicated the following issues would be addressed: mechanism for purchase of individual articles for download and printing, mechanism of access for institutional members, advertising considerations, archival of online issues, log in protocol for members, and restructuring of page charges. President Panvini, Treasurer Murphree, and Electronic Communications Director Pitts will join Managing Editor Oelgoetz in this virtual meeting and will report to the Executive Committee at the next meeting.Preston MacDougall reported that the meeting of the Tennessee Junior Academy of Science was held via Zoom® video conferencing on 17 April 2020, continuing an unbroken series of meetings since 1942. Director MacDougall reported that 36 papers were submitted, and 24 outstanding papers were accepted for presentation. Judges included Dr. Gore Ervin, Dr, Paul Koehler, and Dr. Dorothy Phillips. Twelve schools were represented. Director MacDougall reported that both parents and students expressed gratitude that this event was not canceled, as were most other capstone senior events for high school students amidst COVID-19 concerns. Winning presentations were by Daniel Chizikov of White Station High School in Memphis on “The Effect of Different Dietary Fats on the Development of Obesity-related Health Problems and Lipid Metabolism Gene Expression in Drosophila” and Lydia Guertin of Fred Page High School in Franklin on “Dielectric Elastomer Actuators: Impact of Foam Tape Density on Flexibility and Feasibility of Future Prosthetics.” Director MacDougall noted that 2020 winners would not be traveling to the American Junior Academy of Science meeting originally scheduled for Phoenix in February 2021. That meeting will not be held in person, but virtually. Director MacDougall noted that this development may present the opportunity for additional attendees. Director MacDougall reported that student winners from the 2019 meeting from Weakley County were unable to attend the February 2020 meeting in Seattle, and he was unable to attend. Thus, there were no travel expenses for this meeting.Tony Johnston reported with increase use of virtual conferencing via Zoom® or Team® technology as a result of COVID-19, opportunities for revitalization of the Visiting Scientist program are presented. It is now feasible for scientists to “travel” into the K-12 classroom without traveling. TAS members from across the state could virtually step into any classroom and present their research, tips for science fair projects, and be available for question and answers periods or discussions with students on current topics. Director Johnston noted that our database of members willing to participate needs to be updated and we need to work on web-based mechanisms for promoting this among K-12 educators. President Panvini recommended that Director Johnston meet with Brian Caine of the Tennessee Department of Education to discuss opportunities for engagement with teachers.Brian Caine submitted no report.Preston MacDougall noted that the 2021 meeting of the American Association for the Academy of Science would be held through virtual video conferencing.Gary Henson and Richard Ignace of East Tennessee State University, site of the 2020 Annual meeting, deferred their report to New Business.Allyn Smith reported that a slate of officers for 2021 would be presented at the November meeting of the Executive Committee.vacant. President-Elect Thompson offered to coordinate recruitment of an individual to serve as chair of this committee but asked for guidance on the specific role of the committee and the committee chair, which is a member of the Executive Committee per TAS constitution. Secretary Fulcher agreed to research from past TAS minutes.Dr. Charles McGhee submitted no report.Treasurer Murphree noted that due to suspension of on-ground classes at Belmont due to COVID-19, Professors Wooten's accounting class audit of the TAS books was not completed.Karen Kendall-Fite submitted not report but asked for feedback on the role of the membership committee moving forward.Martin Stewart noted the passing of Dr. Curtis Mason, and Dr. James Cook, both retired physics professors from Middle Tennessee State University and asked that Treasurer Murphree check the membership records for these individuals. Chairperson Stewart encouraged members to contact him at mstewart@mtsu.edu with information on the passing of Academy members.Mandy Carter-Lowe reported that certificates for student winners of the 2019 November meeting at Columbia State Community College were printed on site and delivered to section chairs for distribution. One request was received after the meeting for a certificate to be mailed. Pictures of student winners were posted on Facebook® by TAS members and some were widely shared. Chairperson Carter-Lowe suggested increased use of social media for sharing meeting photos, speakers, and student presenters to increase engagement on the site and publicize TAS events. Chairperson Carter-Lowe reminded ETSU local arrangement committee members of the need for space with a printer for preparation of certificates on site should the meeting be held in person.Preston MacDougall invited suggestions for potential resolutions for fall.President Panvini invited reflections on the 2019 Annual meeting. It was agreed that the option for online registration continued to work well, and the roll out of online abstract submission was largely a success. President Panvini inquired as to the desire for T-shirt sales at the Annual meeting. It was suggested that this might occur on a biannual basis. President Panvini inquired as to the status of the publication ethics statement for the Journal and membership in COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics). Secretary Fulcher indicated that the publication ethics statement had been approved by the Executive Committee and suggested that Managing Editor Oelgoetz investigate membership in COPE.President Panvini also asked for input on the proposal to host a continuing education program for health and medical science professionals. No action was taken.President Panvini introduced Dr. Gary Henson and Dr. Richard Ignace of ETSU, serving as Local Arrangement Chairs for the 21 November 2020 meeting. Dr. Henson indicated that ETSU has not yet formally announced fall campus plans though research labs would be opening in June. Dr. Henson noted that space at ETSU to host the meeting has been identified along with a commitment to host the Executive Committee dinner. However, space cannot be reserved until July 2020. Brown Hall has adequate space to host afternoon technical sessions and the Student Center has an area for a luncheon. A firm location for the plenary address is still under discussion. The largest auditorium on campus seats 650. Managing Editor Oelgoetz noted that with potential budget cuts, funding for student travel could be unavailable. Contingency plans for hosting a virtual meeting were discussed. President Panvini appointed a task force to investigate the logistics of hosting a 2020 virtual meeting. Members of the task force include Local Arrangement Chairs Dr. Henson and Dr. Ignace, President Panvini, Annual Meeting Coordinator Smith, President-Elect Thompson and Electronic Communications Director Pitts. Secretary Fulcher made a motion to authorize the task force to determine the nature of the fall meeting based on fall access to the ETSU campus, the health and safety concerns of TAS members and guests, and information available regarding COVID-19. The motion was seconded by Chairperson Stewart and carried. Annual Meeting Coordinator Smith stated that development of protocols for placement of presentations into specific technical sections continues. Managing Editor Oelgoetz asked to be included in these efforts. President Panvini appointed an ad hoc committee to work on these protocols as well as protocols for submitting and accepting abstracts and identifying minimum qualifications for section chairs. Members of this ad hoc committee include President Panvini, Annual Meeting Coordinator Smith, Past President Sandy Melhorn, Managing Editor Oelgoetz and Publicity Chairperson Carter-Lowe.President Panvini entertained a motion to adjourn, made by Managing Editor Oelgoetz and seconded by Director Matthews. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 3:04 CST.Respectfully SubmittedTeresa L. FulcherPellissippi State Community CollegeKnoxville, TN

Commentary on "The Influence of Maternal Cognitions Upon Motor Development in Infants Born Preterm: A Scoping Review".

“How could I apply this information?” This scoping review affirms what we as physical therapists already know but sometimes forget that, in order to truly care for an infant, we must also care for the mother. Mothers of preterm infants may view their child as fragile long after they are critical, thus offering their infants less mature or varied toys and experiences. Focusing interventions with families understanding their infants' strengths perhaps more than the infant's challenges and scaffolding their learning builds confidence with mothers. This review highlights the maternal stress of having a preterm infant, and evidence presented in this scoping review validates that interventions should include working to understand and positively influence maternal cognition regarding her infant as we know this impacts infant development. Pediatric physical therapists are specialists in infant movement, yet this is never isolated and must be considered within the environment. Further research in this field could focus on intervention for mothers and infants, as certain neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) settings (private room vs open bay) or routines (the presence of support groups, frequency of therapy sessions) impact maternal cognition at hospital discharge. “What should I be mindful about when applying this information?” From a parent's perspective, this article provides useful information for parents of preemies. Having a preterm infant can feel like such a helpless time. Hearing “your child has an increased risk of developmental problems” can leave you fearful for the future and uncertain of what you can do for your child. This scoping review provides hope that parents can improve their child's development, in ways that intuitively make sense but aren't obvious in the NICU. It is encouraging that so many studies point toward this conclusion, but more research is certainly needed. This article can be helpful in collaborating with parents on things they can easily do in helping their child develop. Kara Boynewicz, PT, DPT Department of Physical Therapy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee Karen Speropulos, PT Niswonger Children's Hospital, Johnson City, Tennessee Jen Hollinger Johnson City, Tennessee Shawn Hollinger, MD Department of Pediatrics, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee

One change, different effects: the impacts of reducing clerkship length

BackgroundMedical school curricula are constantly evolving and change has potential positive and negative effects. At East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine, a broader understanding of the effects of a curriculum change (reduction in clerkship length for one transitional year) was explored.MethodsA broad, system-wide evaluation was used to evaluate impacts on all stakeholders. Curriculum management data, including qualitative and quantitative data and short-term and follow-up perspectives of stakeholders, were used for evaluation.ResultsStudents evaluated the change positively. Academic performance in the transitional year was similar to the prior year. Differences in students’ clerkship evaluations were not statistically significant. Clerkship directors were concerned that students’ clinical experience suffered and noted that implementing changes was time consuming but recognized the benefits for students. Administrators dedicated a significant amount of time to planning the transitional year; however, the additional weeks at the beginning of fourth year made the scheduling process easier.ConclusionThis article demonstrates an overall positive result with this tool for curriculum change but also indicates the impacts differed across stakeholders. Knowledge gained from this experience can help other schools successfully anticipate challenges and prepare for a variety of outcomes in implementing necessary curriculum change.

Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resiliency among College Students

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with negative outcomes, however, there are factors that can mitigate the effects from exposure to ACEs. This study examined the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), characteristics of resilient individuals and the association between ACE scores, resiliency and other factors among college students.     Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional survey was completed in 2018. Frequencies were calculated for the number and types of ACE experienced by participants. Bivariate relationships between characteristics of parti­cipants and resilience were examined using Chi-square tests.  The independent relationship between ACE scores and resiliency factors was examined using ordinal logistic regression. The dependent variable was ACE score. An ordinal logistic regression model examined the relati­onship between conventional ACE scores and resilience levels and other factors. Results: There were 570 study participants. Seventy-one percent of study participants had experienced at least one conventional ACE, and 98% had experienced at least one expanded ACE. Individuals with high resilience had lower conventional ACE scores and better health. Females (OR= 1.67; 95% CI= 1.14 to 2.45) were more likely to have higher conventional ACE scores. Participants living in suburban areas compared to rural areas (OR= 0.61; 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.85), and children raised with both parents compared to single parents (OR= 0.17; 95% CI= 0.12 to 0.25) were less likely to have higher conventional ACE scores. Gender (OR= 0.54; 95% CI= 0.35 to 0.82) and general health status (OR= 1.50; 95% CI= 1.05 to 2.13) were the only significant predictors of the expanded ACE scores. Conclusion: Findings identify important resilient traits such as relationships, self-control, internal beliefs, and initiative,. as well asportray the high prevalence ofACEs and the importance of resilience as a protective factor in reducing ACEs. Keywords: adverse childhood experiences, resilience, mitigate  Correspondence :  Glory Okwori. East Tennessee State University. 1276 Gilbreath Dr., Box 70300, Johnson City, TN. Email: okwori@etsu.edu. Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health (2021), 06(01): 83-97 https://doi.org/10.26911/jepublichealth.2021.06.01.09

Shared clinical decision making important for MenB vaccines

CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has published its 2020 recommendations for meningococcal vaccination, which cover use of the three quadrivalent conjugate vaccines—meningococcal serotypes A, C, W, and Y (MenACWY)—and two available meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccines. The recommendations call on shared clinical decision making for the MenB vaccine for adolescents and young adults ages 16 to 23 years and highlight the importance of these vaccines for patients at increased risk. Shared clinical decision making allows providers and patients an opportunity to discuss the risks of infection and the benefits of vaccination suitable to each individual's needs. For the MenB vaccines, ACIP recommends a shared clinical decision making approach for those ages 16 to 23 years, with considerations given to the serious nature of meningococcal infections; the increased risk among college students, especially first-year students attending a 4-year university; and the protection provided by the MenB vaccines against most strains of serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis. “Pharmacists are in a unique position to have a shared clinical decision conversation with patients about the risks of serogroup B meningococcal disease,” said Adam C. Welch, PharmD, MBA, FAPhA, associate professor of pharmacy practice at East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. “Pharmacists can use the strong relationships they have with their patients to inform MenB shared clinical decision making. They’ll know if someone's son or daughter is joining a fraternity or sorority and therefore will be at higher risk.” Shared decision making in health care is not a new concept. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) developed The SHARE Approach: Essential Steps of Shared Decisionmaking, which can be applied to vaccinations. This tool outlines five steps health professionals can take to ensure that they are using shared decision making effectively with patients during clinical encounters (see sidebar at right). If patients decide to receive the MenB vaccination series, clinicians should be aware that two vaccines are available: MenB-FHbp (Trumenba—Pfizer) and MenB-4C (Bexsero—GlaxoSmithKline). Each requires two doses to be given at different times. The MenB-FHbp is given at 0 and 6 months, and the MenB-4C is given as two doses at least 1 month apart or longer. The preferred age for vaccination is between 16 and 18 years, and it is important to note that the MenB-FHbp and MenB-4C are not interchangeable. ACIP also recommends the use of MenB vaccines for patients ages 10 years or older who are at increased risk for MenB disease. These patients include those who have persistent complement component deficiencies, those receiving a complement inhibitor, those who have anatomic or functional asplenia, microbiologists routinely exposed to isolates of N. meningitidis, and those at high risk because of an outbreak. Both MenB vaccines are FDA approved for use in patients ages 10 years to 25 years. The ACIP recommendations also cover the appropriate use of MenACWY vaccination, with routine vaccination recommended for adolescents at age 11 or 12 years and a booster at age 16. In addition, routine vaccination is recommended for patients ages 2 months or older who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease. Three quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines are FDA-approved: MenACWY-D (Menactra—SanofiPasteur), MenACWY-CRM (Menveo—GlaxoSmithKline), and MenACWY-TT (MenQuadfi—Sanofi Pasteur). The three MenACWY vaccines are interchangeable, but use of the same vaccine is recommended (not required) for all doses. The SHARE Approach: Essential Steps of Shared Decisionmaking▪Step 1: Seek your patient's participation.▪Step 2: Help your patient explore and compare treatment options.▪Step 3: Assess your patient's values and preferences.▪Step 4: Reach a decision with your patient.▪Step 5: Evaluate your patient's decision. The SHARE Approach: Essential Steps of Shared Decisionmaking ▪Step 1: Seek your patient's participation.▪Step 2: Help your patient explore and compare treatment options.▪Step 3: Assess your patient's values and preferences.▪Step 4: Reach a decision with your patient.▪Step 5: Evaluate your patient's decision. “It is important to maintain complete documentation, preferably in an immunization information system [like a registry], as many of the meningococcal vaccines have timing considerations with other vaccines such as DTaP and PCV13 [pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine],” said Welch. He also noted that special care should be taken in documenting which MenB vaccine was administered, as the two formulations are not interchangeable.

Two new species of Tardigrada from moss cushions (Grimmia sp.) in a xerothermic habitat in northeast Tennessee (USA, North America), with the first identification of males in the genus Viridiscus.

BackgroundThe phylum Tardigrada consists of over 1,300 species that inhabit terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments throughout the world. In terrestrial habitats they live primarily in mosses, lichens, leaf litter and soil, whereas tardigrades in freshwater and marine environments are mainly found in sediments and on aquatic plants. More than 65 species have been previously reported in the state of Tennessee, USA.MethodsTardigrades present in moss cushions (Grimmia sp.) collected from a xerothermic habitat on the East Tennessee State University campus, Johnson City, TN, USA, were extracted, mounted on slides, identified, and counted. Additional samples of fresh dried moss were used for integrative analyses, including morphological analysis with phase contrast (PCM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as molecular analyses of COI, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and ITS-2 of the Macrobiotus and Milnesium species.ResultsFive species were found, including two species new to science: Viridiscus miraviridis sp. nov. and Macrobiotus basiatus sp. nov. Viridiscus miraviridis sp. nov. differs from other members of the genus mainly by having a different type of dorsal cuticle and some other, more subtle, morphometric characters. In addition to the two new species, Viridiscus perviridis and Viridiscus viridissimus were present, and males of Vir. viridissimus were found for the first time, the first record of males in the genus Viridiscus. Macrobiotus basiatus sp. nov. is most similar to Macrobiotus nelsonae, but it differs from Mac. nelsonae mainly by the stylet supports being situated in a more anterior position, shorter and narrower egg processes, and a smaller number of areoles around the egg processes. Moreover, the identification of Milnesium inceptum was confirmed as the first record for the USA by analysis of COI.