O1D.2 Objective measurement of work-environment carcinogenic exposures in florida firefighters using silicone-based passive sampling wristbands

Firefighters are likely to be exposed to many toxic chemicals in the performance of their work duties such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Chemical exposures may occur through dermal, oral, or inhalation pathways. Passive sampling devices are used to sequester organic molecules through passive diffusion and provide time-weighted averages of chemical concentrations. This pilot study uses silicone-based wristbands as a personal passive sampler to detect known carcinogens during a 24 hour work shift. Twenty-four wristbands were deployed across various fire services throughout South Florida. Prior to deployment, bands were cleaned using a standardized cleaning protocol to remove contamination and optimize the surface for absorption. Wristbands were then packaged in air-tight bags to prevent contamination. Wristbands were worn on fire service personnel and collected at the end of a 24 hour work shift. Chemical contaminants were then extracted from the wristband and analyzed for PAHs—identified using the EPA IRIS, California Proposition 65, and IRAC datasets— using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The average number of chemicals found across all wristbands (n=24) was 23 with 4 categorized as carcinogenic to humans (i.e., Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[j]fluoranthene, Chrysene, and Naphthalene). All bands had at least one PAH present, specifically, 87.5% contained Benzo[b]fluoranthene (mean=5.23 ng/band), 50% contained Benzo[j]fluoranthene (mean=2.05 ng/band), 79.2% contained Chrysene (mean=9.55 ng/band), and 100% contained Napthalene (mean=176.53 ng/band). Actual types of exposure compounds is likely to be larger than the observed data as the group of PAHs detected was limited to three existing datasets. Silicone-based wristbands are feasible to use within the fire service to detect and characterize ambient hazardous chemical compounds. These personal self-samplers used during a 24 hour collection period identified various PAHs in the firefighter work environment. Objective measures of harmful chemical exposures in the fire service should be monitored with a comprehensive surveillance system that includes personal sampler devices

The Development of the Self-Regulation of Withholding Negative Emotions Questionnaire

Based on the Self-Determination Theory, a questionnaire was developed to measure individual differences in the Self-Regulation of Withholding Negative Emotions (SRWNE). Measurement reliability and validity concerning the scale were examined in three studies. Results in Study 1 demonstrated the distinctiveness of the SRWNE from emotional regulation measures, suggesting that the SRWNE may be appropriate to measure styles of self-regulation and to clarify the negative affect-health relation. In Study 2, test-retest reliability of scores on the SRWNE subscales was examined as was validity of the SRWNE with respect to coping strategies and health. The SRWNE was related to self-reports of health and may be relevant for predicting how people cope with stress. Study 3 compared a Korean sample with the U.S. sample in Study 2 and suggested construct comparability of the SRWNE across cultures and genders

Photochemistry of Sulfur-Substituted Small Molecules Encapsulated Within a Water-Soluble Host

Supramolecular chemistry is widely employed by nature to direct and control highly precise chemical transformations, most notably in enzyme&ndash;substrate systems, where noncovalent interactions provide both selectivity and rate enhancement. Inspired by these biological systems, we utilized the water-soluble supramolecular host octa-acid (OA) to investigate photochemical reactions under confined aqueous conditions.In this dissertation, we demonstrate that encapsulation within OA creates a unique microenvironment that alters reactivity, stabilizes reactive intermediates, and modulates reaction pathways. We first investigated the photochemistry of dispiro-substituted diketones and found that confinement within OA in borate buffer leads to the generation and remarkable stabilization of ketene intermediates, significantly extending their lifetimes relative to bulk water. We further examined strained thioxo derivatives and observed the formation of distinct photoproducts in the presence of OA, underscoring the profound influence of host&ndash;guest interactions and spatial confinement on photochemical outcomes. Additionally, we studied a 7-methoxythiocoumarin-based phototrigger, which is inherently hydrophobic. Encapsulation within OA enabled its solubilization in water and facilitated the photorelease of acidic products. Confinement promoted formation of a radical anion&ndash;type intermediate via a triplet-state pathway, providing new mechanistic insight into photochemical processes operating under confined conditions.Finally, a comparative mechanistic investigation of substitution effects in coumarin triggers at 2-position (oxygen versus sulfur) and the 7-position (methyl-substituted versus unsubstituted) revealed that subtle structural modifications critically govern excited-state behavior, intermediate formation, and overall reaction mechanisms within the supramolecular cavity.&nbsp;</p

Single Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics Approaches to Assess Fibroblast Heterogeneity After Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers a highly heterogeneous and spatially dynamic wound response involving diverse myeloid and fibroblast populations. Here, we integrate high-resolution single-cell and spatial transcriptomics with novel genetic lineage tracing models to define the cellular composition of the spinal cord after injury, its temporal dynamics, and age-dependent molecular pathology of the SCI microenvironment.We identify previously unrecognized complexity within the myeloid cell subtypes, expanding on our initial analyses. Spatial mapping reveals that BAMs infiltrate the lesion epicenter and are positioned, even prior to injury, to act as early fibroblast activators&mdash;a role supported by colocalization analyses. Mature inflammatory macrophages dominate fibroblast interactions by 7 days post-injury (dpi), though immature monocytes do persist in the epicenter of the fibrotic scar, while microglia segregate into distinct proliferative and interferon-responsive populations which corral the fibroblasts. Notably, discrete &ldquo;interferon islands&rdquo; emerge throughout tissue distal to the lesion, indicating long-range perturbations in otherwise spared regions.The fibrotic scar was originally thought to be the result of the meninges being physically displaced into the parenchyma, though analyses by our lab demonstrated that the fibrotic scar develops even in the non-penetrating contusive injury, where perivascular fibroblasts are visualized delaminating from local vessels. Now, with the application of a larger scale single cell dataset and new genetic lineage tracing tools, we find that a combination of unique fibroblast niches contribute to the development and persistence of the scar...</p

When Science Comes to Storytime: Exploring the Integration of Science and Literacy Through Preschool Teachers’ Shared Book Reading Practices in Support of Spanish-English Dual-Language Learners

In an English-dominant education system, Spanish&ndash;English dual-language learner (DLL) children remain underrepresented in research aimed at promoting equitable early learning environments, despite being a rapidly growing population in the United States (Basterra et al., 2010). Although strong oral language skills are known to support later academic outcomes for monolingual children (Snow et al., 1998), far less is known about how instructional practices support bilingual language development in early childhood. Science instruction has been shown to promote learning across academic domains (Bustamante et al., 2018; Halpin et al., 2023; Kermani & Aldemir, 2015; NRC, 2007, 2012), and shared storybook reading&mdash;particularly repeated readings&mdash;supports language, fluency, and comprehension (Anderson et al., 1985; Harris & Sipay, 1990; NICHD, 2000; Routman, 1991), suggesting that science-focused storybooks may be an effective context for integrated learning. This study examined preschool teachers&rsquo; instructional practices during shared reading of a Spanish-English bilingual science storybook in an intentionally Spanish-English bilingual preschool. Findings indicated that many teachers increased their use of three-dimensional science-related talk during a second reading. Teachers also reported valuing the translational-equivalent structure of the bilingual storybook for its flexibility in supporting instruction in both languages and for promoting bilingual development for students and teachers alike. By reframing science and literacy as bidirectional and mutually reinforcing, this study challenges siloed approaches to early instruction and highlights the instructional potential of their integration. In doing so, it addresses a critical gap in a literature that has largely focused on K&ndash;5 settings by extending research on using a bilingual science-focused storybook in bilingual preschool classrooms and offers qualitative insight into prereading, reading, and post-reading teacher practices that support bilingual learners.</p

Transitioning into Survivorship: Life Engagement and the Role of Positive Automatic Thoughts in Shaping Long-Term Recurrence Worries and Cancer-Related Distress in Breast Cancer Survivors

Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment is profoundly stressful, with fear of recurrence posing a major long-term concern for survivors. Predictors of sustained recurrence worries and cancer-related distress remain underexplored. One potentially important factor is life engagement, defined as vitality, motivation, and meaningful engagement across emotional, physical, social, and cognitive domains. &nbsp;Life engagement aligns with interventions like behavioral activation, acceptance and commitment therapy, and meaning-centered psychotherapy, which support survivors&rsquo; psychological well-being. However, its role in shaping long-term distress during survivorship remains unclear.To address this gap, this study used structural equation modeling to develop a latent construct of life engagement in breast cancer survivors using items from established psychosocial measures. We tested whether life engagement one-year after surgery predicted recurrence worries and cancer-related distress four years later, and whether positive automatic thoughts at 18 months mediated these associations. Analyses included 210 breast cancer survivors who remained recurrence free during the first five years after diagnosis, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, cancer stage, and adjuvant or hormone therapies.Life engagement, conceptualized as social and recreational connection, experiential pleasure, and creative commitment, fit well as a second-order factor. Greater engagement at one-year predicted fewer recurrence worries, cancer intrusions, and avoidance behaviors at four years and was associated with more positive automatic thoughts at 18 months, though mediation was not observed. &nbsp;These findings extend the life engagement framework to breast cancer survivorship and suggest that life engagement may protect against long-term distress. The one-year follow-up period may represent a key window to identify survivors struggling to re-engage in life and incorporate engagement-focused interventions into survivorship care.</p