Interplay of water and a supramolecular capsule for catalysis of reductive elimination reaction from gold.

Supramolecular assemblies have gained tremendous attention due to their ability to catalyze reactions with the efficiencies of natural enzymes. Using ab initio molecular dynamics, we identify the origin of the catalysis by the supramolecular capsule Ga4L612- on the reductive elimination reaction from gold complexes and assess their similarity to natural enzymes. By comparing the free energies of the reactants and transition states for the catalyzed and uncatalyzed reactions, we determine that an encapsulated water molecule generates electric fields that contributes the most to the reduction in the activation free energy. Although this is unlike the biomimetic scenario of catalysis through direct host-guest interactions, the electric fields from the nanocage also supports the transition state to complete the reductive elimination reaction with greater catalytic efficiency. However it is also shown that the nanocage poorly organizes the interfacial water, which in turn creates electric fields that misalign with the breaking bonds of the substrate, thus identifying new opportunities for catalytic design improvements in nanocage assemblies

The role of answer fluency and perceptual fluency in the monitoring and control of reasoning: Reply to Alter, Oppenheimer, and Epley

In this reply, we provide an analysis of Alter et al. (2013) response to our earlier paper (Thompson et al., 2013). In that paper, we reported difficulty in replicating Alter, Oppenheimer, Epley, and Eyre’s (2007) main finding, namely that a sense of disfluency produced by making stimuli difficult to perceive, increased accuracy on a variety of reasoning tasks. Alter, Oppenheimer, and Epley (2013) argue that we misunderstood the meaning of accuracy on these tasks, a claim that we reject. We argue and provide evidence that the tasks were not too difficult for our populations (such that no amount of “metacognitive unease” would promote correct responding) and point out that in many cases performance on our tasks was well above chance or on a par with Alter et al.’s (2007) participants. Finally, we reiterate our claim that the distinction between answer fluency (the ease with which an answer comes to mind) and perceptual fluency (the ease with which a problem can be read) is genuine, and argue that Thompson et al. (2013) provided evidence that these are distinct factors that have different downstream effects on cognitive processe

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Project Management Leadership and Interpersonal Skills: The Past, Present, and Future

The purpose of this research is to examine how interpersonal competencies have evolved in the project management profession and describe which additional skills will be needed in the future. Using an applied thematic analysis, the authors examined the past, present, and future of interpersonal skills in peer reviewed academic literature and project management textbooks. A gap analysis was used to compare the reviewed material vs. interpersonal competencies. This research concluded that project management interpersonal transferrable skills are the ones that will be most highly sought after into the future. The future of interpersonal skills will need to concentrate on those competencies that emphasize emotional intelligence, integrity, culture sensitivity, and interpersonal conflict. The academic value is that this research elaborates the interpersonal skills body of knowledge by categorizing skills as competencies. This offers a distinct viewpoint that can be used as a basis for future targeted and measurable interpersonal capability studies. The practical value is that by examining history provides a methodical mechanism to develop new knowledge and informed solutions to future problems. Examining concepts of longevity demonstrates competencies, which have stood the test of time, and therefore have been found to be of value for practitioners

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Hesitancy Among Community Health Fair Participants in Gwinnett County, GA

Purpose Vaccine uptake hesitancy is a key factor affecting public health, notably during this current COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing this is of utmost importance and poses a great challenge requiring effective communication and education. Presently, concerns raised by the public regarding hesitancy include uncertainty about vaccine safety, vaccines being produced too quickly, personal fears and beliefs, conspiracy theories, myths, misinformation, and religious leaders’ misinformation to their congregations. The purpose of this project was to identify some barriers for COVID -19 vaccine uptake hesitancy among non-vaccinated individuals attending community health fairs and possibly address their concerns through education and proper communication. Methods This service project was conducted over two consecutive health fairs in Gwinnett County, GA held in July and September 2021, respectively, each for 3 hours. The program was governed by an interdisciplinary team of eight students and two faculty advisors from the PCOM Georgia school of pharmacy, doctor of osteopathic medicine and masters of biomedical sciences programs and was carried out as a booth-led discussion with health fair attendees. The team held thorough and interactive sessions with both vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals over the course of each health fair while seeking to ascertain the reasons behind non-vaccinated individuals’ hesitancy. Furthermore, the team educated all participants about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines in contrast to the risks of acquiring COVID-19 without prior immunity. This was in addition to addressing individual concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines. Pamphlets debunking common COVID-19 vaccine myths with cited facts were distributed to participants to facilitate communication and provide vaccine education. Results As expected per observation and during the booth-led discussions, most of the non vaccinated individuals’ concerns were related to the uncertainty about the COVID-19 vaccines and their safety, fears and beliefs, faith-based hesitations and the myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines prevalent on social media. Surprisingly, most of the participants who refused to take the vaccine disclosed a faith- based rationale. On the contrary, some individuals who delayed to be vaccinated were those who expressed concern about the uncertainty of the appropriate vaccine suitable for them. A subset of individuals also expressed concern about the side effects and a consequent delay of their vaccination due to their perceived risk of down-time due to side effects. Overall, we observed that most individuals who were non-vaccinated expressed concerns governed by fears and uncertainty of the vaccines themselves rather than of the governed by fears and uncertainty of the vaccines themselves rather than of the COVID-19 virus-induced disease itself. Conclusion In Gwinnett County, GA, as in much of the country, vaccine hesitancy is a great challenge posing a threat for adequate vaccine uptake. Individual beliefs and uncertainty can be curtailed through proper communication and education. The myths and conspiracies surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines can be addressed in a grassroots manner with interdisciplinary health professional students under faculty guidance. Increasing public awareness of these concerns through proper education, communication and helping to debunk some of these myths surrounding the COVID 19 vaccine can help alleviate these fears and possibly increase vaccination rates which will consequently bring us closer to herd immunity