Students' Reports of Challenges, Experiences, and Perceptions of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Veterinary Colleges in Canada and the United States.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in veterinary medicine affects veterinarians, students, clients, and the regional availability of veterinary services. Veterinary students from 5 colleges in Canada and 5 colleges in the United States were surveyed about their challenges, experiences, and perceptions related to EDI, resulting in 456 responses (10.4%).

An Investigation of Veterinary College Websites in the US and Canada: Representations and Content of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

University websites are often a first point of contact for prospective students. Portrayals of diversity on the website can influence current and future students' perceptions. Using content and statistical analysis, all 38 veterinary college websites in Canada and the US were systematically coded for representations of people in photos and content related to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

Dynamic metal coordination controls chemoselectivity in radical halogenases.

The activation of inert C( )-H bonds by non-heme Fe enzymes plays a key role in metabolism, epigenetics, and signaling, while providing a powerful biocatalytic platform for the chemical synthesis of molecules with increased complexity. In this context, Fe /α-ketoglutarate-dependent radical halogenases represent a broadly interesting system, as they are uniquely capable of carrying out transfer of a diverse array of bound anions following C-H activation. Here, we provide the first experimental evidence that bifurcation of H-atom abstraction and radical rebound is driven both by the ability of a dynamic metal coordination sphere to reorganize as well as by a second-sphere hydrogen-bond network where only two residues (Asn224 and Ile151) are necessary and sufficient.

A scalable, passive sampling method for the quantification of airborne allergens.

Traditionally, airborne concentrations of aeroallergens are sampled in a single location by an active sampler, which requires electricity and regular maintenance. However, aeroallergen concentrations may vary widely over urban and rural environments, requiring a method that is cost-effective and scalable so that many measurements can be made across an air shed. We developed such a method that uses passive sampling and light microscopy for analysis.

Advances in the Separation and Detection of Secondary Organic Aerosol Produced by Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D) in Laboratory-Generated and Ambient Aerosol.

Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D), a common ingredient in many personal care products (PCPs), undergoes oxidation in the atmosphere, leading to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Yet, the specific contributions of D-derived SOA on ambient fine particulate matter (PM) have not been characterized. This study addresses this knowledge gap by introducing a new analytical method to advance the molecular characterization of oxidized D and its detection in ambient aerosol.

Size-resolved aerosol at a Coastal Great Lakes Site: Impacts of new particle formation and lake spray.

The quantification of aerosol size distributions is crucial for understanding the climate and health impacts of aerosols, validating models, and identifying aerosol sources. This work provides one of the first continuous measurements of aerosol size distribution from 1.02 to 8671 nm near the shore of Lake Michigan.

Development of Spatio-Temporal Land Use Regression Models for Fine Particulate Matter and Wood-Burning Tracers in Temuco, Chile.

Biomass burning is common in much of the world, and in some areas, residential wood-burning has increased. However, air pollution resulting from biomass burning is an important public health problem. A sampling campaign was carried out between May 2017 and July 2018 in over 64 sites in four sessions, to develop a spatio-temporal land use regression (LUR) model for fine particulate matter (PM) and wood-burning tracers levoglucosan and soluble potassium (K) in a city heavily impacted by wood-burning.

Companion animal veterinarians discuss aspects of one health with pet owners during most veterinary appointments.

Objective: To examine the prevalence and context of one-health conversations between veterinarians and clients in companion animal practice.

Sample: A random selection of 60 companion animal veterinarians; a convenience sample of 917 interactions from Southern Ontario, Canada. Of these, 100 audio-video-recorded interactions including 47 of 60 veterinarians were randomly selected for inclusion in this study.

On the Ability of the N-O Bond to Support a Stable Stereogenic Axis: Peptide-Catalyzed Atroposelective -Oxidation.

During studies of atroposelective, peptide-catalyzed -oxidations of pyridines, we observed lower-than-expected barriers to atropisomerization for these stereodynamic processes under the reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies indicate a hydrogen bond-assisted racemization mechanism intrinsic to both the starting materials and products. We also identified a protonation-dependent barrier to rotation that operates for the starting materials alone.

Wintertime Air Quality across the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Concentration, Composition, and Sources of Fine and Coarse Particulate Matter.

The Kathmandu Valley in Nepal experiences poor air quality, especially in the dry winter season. In this study, we investigated the concentration, chemical composition, and sources of fine and coarse particulate matter (PM, PM, and PM) at three sites within or near the Kathmandu Valley during the winter of 2018 as part of the second Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMaSTE 2). Daily PM concentrations were very high throughout the study period, ranging 72-149 μg m at the urban Ratnapark site in Kathmandu, 88-161 μg m at the suburban Lalitpur site, and 40-74 μg m at rural Dhulikhel on the eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley.

Aerosol Mass Spectral Profiles from NAMaSTE Field-Sampled South Asian Combustion Sources.

Unit mass resolution mass spectral profiles of nonrefractory submicron aerosol were retrieved from undersampled atmospheric emission sources common to South Asia using a "mini" aerosol mass spectrometer. Emission sources including wood- and dung-fueled cookstoves, agricultural residue burning, garbage burning, engine exhaust, and coal-fired brick kilns were sampled during the 2015 Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMaSTE) campaign. High-resolution peak fitting estimates of the mass spectra were used to characterize ions found within each source profile and help identify mass spectral signatures unique to aerosol emissions from the investigated source types.

Effects of Atmospheric Aging Processes on Nascent Sea Spray Aerosol Physicochemical Properties.

The effects of atmospheric aging on single-particle nascent sea spray aerosol (nSSA) physicochemical properties, such as morphology, composition, phase state, and water uptake, are important to understanding their impacts on the Earth's climate. The present study investigates these properties by focusing on the aged SSA (size range of 0.1-0.

Characterization of sub-pollen particles in size-resolved atmospheric aerosol using chemical tracers.

Pollen grains may contain allergens that exacerbate allergic respiratory diseases like asthma and rhinitis. In the presence of water, pollen grains (10-100 μm) can rupture to produce sub-pollen particles (SPP) with diameters <2.5 μm, which in comparison to intact pollen grains, have longer atmospheric lifetimes and greater penetration to the lower lung.

Plastic Burning Impacts on Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter at Urban and Rural Sites in the USA and Bangladesh.

To better understand the impact of plastic burning on atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM), we evaluated two methods for the quantification of 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene (TPB), a molecular tracer of plastic burning. Compared to traditional solvent-extraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) techniques, thermal-desorption (TD) GCMS provided higher throughput, lower limits of detection, more precise spike recoveries, a wider linear quantification range, and reduced solvent use. This method enabled quantification of TPB in fine particulate matter (PM) samples collected at rural and urban sites in the USA and Bangladesh.

Overview of the Lake Michigan Ozone Study 2017.

The Lake Michigan Ozone Study 2017 (LMOS 2017) was a collaborative multiagency field study targeting ozone chemistry, meteorology, and air quality observations in the southern Lake Michigan area. The primary objective of LMOS 2017 was to provide measurements to improve air quality modeling of the complex meteorological and chemical environment in the region. LMOS 2017 science questions included spatiotemporal assessment of nitrogen oxides (NO = NO + NO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) emission sources and their influence on ozone episodes; the role of lake breezes; contribution of new remote sensing tools such as GeoTASO, Pandora, and TEMPO to air quality management; and evaluation of photochemical grid models.

Twenty-five components of a baseline, best-practice companion animal physical exam established by a panel of experts.

Objective: To establish the components of a best-practice, baseline companion animal physical exam (CAPE).

Sample: 25 small animal veterinary internists and 20 small animal primary care veterinarians, all teaching the CAPE at veterinary colleges in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Procedures: Using the Delphi Method of Consensus, 3 rounds of online questionnaires were sent to participants.

Technology-enhanced weight-loss program in multiple-cat households: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine whether a technology-enhanced weight-loss program, using a home pet health technology ecosystem, is an effective tool in feline weight-loss management in multiple-cat households and to evaluate its impact on cat behavior.

Methods: The study was a prospective parallel unmasked block-randomized controlled trial comparing two weight loss intervention groups: (1) traditional group with dietary restriction alone (n = 9); (2) technology group that used dietary restriction, digital scales, smart feeders, activity monitors and pet treat cameras (n = 6). A 12-week weight-loss program of client-owned indoor-only two- or three-cat households with at least one overweight cat was conducted in Canada and the USA.

Isolating Conformers to Assess Dynamics of Peptidic Catalysts Using Computationally Designed Macrocyclic Peptides.

Studying the relationship between catalyst conformational dynamics and selectivity in an asymmetric reaction is a challenge. In this study, cyclic peptides were computationally designed to stabilize different ground state conformations of a highly effective, flexible tetrapeptide catalyst for the atroposelective bromination of -aryl quinazolinones. Through a combination of computational and experimental techniques, we have determined that dynamic movement of the lead catalyst plays a crucial role in achieving high enantioselectivity in the reaction of study.

Companion animal veterinarians' and veterinary clients' perceptions of information exchanged while communicating about blood tests.

Background: Blood tests play a vital role in veterinary medicine, as they enable veterinarians to make decisions about their patients' medical care and provide opportunities to engage clients in veterinary care. The objective of this study was to explore perspectives of veterinary clients and veterinarians on current reporting practices for blood tests ordered in companion animal practice. The type of information communicated and client information seeking behaviours were examined.

Optimization of Triarylpyridinone Inhibitors of the Main Protease of SARS-CoV-2 to Low-Nanomolar Antiviral Potency.

Non-covalent inhibitors of the main protease (M) of SARS-CoV-2 having a pyridinone core were previously reported with IC values as low as 0.018 μM for inhibition of enzymatic activity and EC values as low as 0.8 μM for inhibition of viral replication in Vero E6 cells.

Evaluating shared decision-making between companion animal veterinarians and their clients using the Observer OPTION instrument.

Background: Communication practices used by veterinarians can impact client's involvement in decision-making. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of client involvement in veterinary care decisions and factors impacting client involvement.

Methods: A random sample of practising companion animal veterinarians and a convenience sample of pet owners were recruited.