Table of Contents
SURF 2016 Call for Abstracts
2
General Abstract Submission Guidelines
3
Four Presentation Formats
Paper and Poster Presentations, and Roundtable Discussion Abstract Instructions
Online Abstract Submission for Paper and Poster Presentations, and
Roundtable Discussion
Program Booklet Abstract Formatting Instructions for Paper, Poster, and
Roundtable Discussion Word Document Files
Evaluation Criteria for Paper, Poster, and Roundtable Discussion Abstracts
Symposia
Abstract Instructions for a Symposium
Online Abstract Submissions for a Symposium
Abstract Formatting Instructions for Symposium Word Document Files
Evaluation Criteria for Symposium Abstracts
5
5-6
6-7
7-8
9
9
10-11
11
12
Abstract Submission Timeline
13
SURF 2016 Website Links
13
SURF Registration and Parking Information
13
Contact Information
13
Appendices
Appendix A: US Military Rank Abbreviations
Appendix B: Abstract Template for Paper, Poster, and Roundtable
Discussion
Appendix C: Sample Abstract with Authors from Multiple Institutions
Appendix D: Sample Abstract with Authors from the Same Institution
Appendix E: Sample Abstract with Multiple Authors, Including a Military Affiliation
Appendix F: Abstract Template for Symposium
Last Updated January 15, 2016
14
15-17
18
19
20
21
22
SURF 2016 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
EXTENDED: Online Abstract Submission Deadline
Friday, February 5, 2016, 11:59 P.M. CST
San Antonio is a unique city, serving as a leader in government and civilian healthcare
research through organizations like the San Antonio Military Health System (SAMHS), The
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), and The University of
Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). These institutions invite you to the second annual SAMHS and
Universities Research Forum (SURF), a local event to showcase the work of trainees, faculty,
staff and students from multiple disciplines and public health agencies across San Antonio.
The forum will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016, at The University of Texas at San Antonio
Main Campus, H-E-B University Center Ballroom (HUC 1.104) from 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Registration opens at 7:00 A.M. Registration and parking are free.
With the theme “Evidence-Based Practice & Research in Healthcare: Encouraging
Collaborative Partnerships”, forum participants will have the opportunity to present and
share research, practices, policies, and collaborations; earn continuing education
credits/units (e.g., CME, CNE); and connect with scholars and practitioners from SAMHS,
academic institutions, and public, government, and private organizations and agencies for
future education, research, policy, and practice collaborations.
Research, practices, policies, and collaborations will be shared in paper and poster sessions,
roundtable discussions, and symposia along eleven focus areas/learning tracks:











Pre-Hospital Trauma
Inpatient and Outpatient Care
Technology and Innovation in Healthcare
Preventative Medicine
Personalized Medicine (Precision Medicine)
Public Health/Wellness
Patient Safety
Regenerative Medicine
Medical Modeling and Simulation
Policy, Practice, and Collaborations
Open: This category is open. Author’s work is related to protecting, maintaining, and
improving health.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
General Abstract Submission Guidelines
We invite abstracts for research, policy, practice, and collaboration paper and poster
presentations, roundtable discussions, and symposia directly connected to at least one of the
eleven focus areas/learning tracks. Submit abstracts through the SURF 2016 online abstract
submission website by Friday, February 5, 2016, at 11:59 P.M. CST.
Accepted participants will be notified via email on February 19, 2016. Invitations must be
accepted or declined by February 26, 2016. In addition to submitting an abstract, all SURF
participants must register to attend SURF via the SURF 2016 registration website.
Instructions for paper, poster, roundtable discussion, and symposium abstracts are provided
in this guidebook. While each presentation format has a particular set of guidelines, the
following are required for each abstract submission:


Abstract without identifying information for reviewers to evaluate
MSWord file for program booklet abstract
 *CV/resume from author: If there are multiple authors, only one CV/resume must be
submitted
 *Completed disclosure form from author: If there are multiple authors, only one
disclosure form must be submitted
 *Three educational/learning outcomes
*SURF provides continuing education credits. This information is used to offer continuing
education credits and will not be used to evaluate abstract submissions.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Four Presentation Formats
Paper Presentation
There are different types of paper presentations. They include: (1) an oral summary of a completed
research study of an empirical or theoretical nature; (2) an essay that presents well-developed
arguments on philosophical, theoretical, or practical problems; (3) program evaluation; and (4)
policy analysis.
Poster Presentation
Poster presentations provide a forum for scholars and practitioners to engage in active discussion
with other forum participants about a completed or developing project focused on research,
practice, policy, and collaboration. The poster venue allows scholars and practitioners with similar
interests to interact by using the poster as a focal point.
Roundtable Discussion
Roundtable discussions provide opportunities for authors to share information in an informal,
conversational style. Presenters are assigned to numbered tables in a large meeting room, where
interested persons gather for discussion with the presenter.
In the roundtable session, authors should allocate roughly equal time between discussion of their
research, practice, policy, or collaboration and opportunities for questions from those who attend
the session. Roundtable sessions do not include a discussant; therefore, it is the responsibility of the
author(s) to encourage and allow time for all attendees to participate in the discussion. Given the
informal structure of the roundtable presentation, no audiovisual equipment will be provided.
Symposium
A symposium is a thematic, integrated, and interactive engagement between a panel of presenters
and the audience. The focus of the discussion is a clearly identified theme or topic that: (a) utilizes a
particular disciplinary or theoretical perspective in considering a research problem; (b) reflects an
emerging issue in a specific area of research, policy, or practice; or (c) centers on the development
of health-related theory or research methodology.
The symposium organizers determine the theme and set of presenters for an entire session.
Symposia should not be organized in the same format as a traditional research paper session, but
facilitate a session for those interested in enhancing practice, research, policy, and/or collaborations
in healthcare. Members of the panel will make brief presentations linking their talking points to the
theme, after which ample opportunity should remain for discussion. The discussion should be
facilitated by a moderator.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Paper and Poster Presentations, and Roundtable Discussion
Abstract Instructions
All paper, poster, and roundtable discussion abstracts must be submitted online via the SURF
2016 EasyChair website. For those who have not used EasyChair, you will be prompted to
set-up an EasyChair account in order to submit your abstract(s).
The online form includes two versions of the abstract: (1) a 500-word abstract posted on the
online form and (2) an uploaded one-page Word document file. These two abstract versions
vary. The latter includes identifying information while the former does not. Reviewers will
not have access to the Word document file. For accepted abstracts, the Word document file
will appear in the forum program booklet.
Online Abstract Submission for Paper and Poster Presentations, and
Roundtable Discussions

All paper, poster, and roundtable discussion abstracts must be submitted online via
the SURF 2016 EasyChair website. On the submission page, you will
provide/designate/upload the following information:
o Author(s) Information: This includes: first and last name, email, country,
organization (list department and institutional affiliations), web site (if
applicable), and designate the corresponding author(s).
o Title
o Abstract: No more than 500 words.
o Keywords: Provide at least three key phrases or key terms that
characterize/describe your abstract submission.
o Focus Areas/Learning Tracks: Select the appropriate focus area/learning track.
o Presentation Format: Indicate if the abstract is for a paper presentation,
poster presentation, or roundtable discussion.
o Presentation Objectives: List no less than three educational
objectives/outcomes. An educational objective describes what a participant
will learn by participating in or attending your presentation/discussion. List
three objectives/outcomes (e.g., Participants will become aware of....).
o Abstract for Program Booklet—Upload Word Document File: See formatting
instructions in the next section and appendices for a template formatting
Last Updated January 15, 2016
guide, sample abstracts, and military rank abbreviations. NOTE: Reviewers will
not have access to this file. This version of the abstract will appear in the
program booklet.
o Resume/CV—Upload PDF File: Upload one CV/resume as a PDF file. If there
are multiple authors, only one author CV/resume should be submitted. NOTE:
Reviewers will not have access to this file.
o Continuing Health Education Activity Disclosure Form—Upload PDF File: Upload
one completed Continuing Health Education Activity Disclosure Form as a PDF
file. If there are multiple authors, only one of the authors must complete and
submit the disclosure form for the group. The website link for the disclosure
form:
http://research.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CHEA_DisclosureForm.doc
NOTE: Reviewers will not have access to this file.

When the online submission form is completed, press the red “Submit” button. The
corresponding author(s) will receive a confirmation email from EasyChair.
Program Booklet Abstract Formatting Instructions for Paper, Poster, and
Roundtable Discussion Word Document Files
The uploaded Word document file for paper, poster, and roundtable discussion abstracts
should be formatted as follows:
o Title: Arial font, 14-point size, centered, boldface, all caps, and two spaces between each
word
o Author(s): Use Arial font, 12 point-size, centered, and boldfaced with presenter(s) name first.
Provide First and Last names followed by a comma and then the abbreviation for academic
credential (e.g., Jill Hernandez, Ph.D. 1). Use superscript after the academic credential to
reference departmental and institutional affiliations (e.g., First Name Last Name, Degree1,
First Name Last Name, Degree2, and First Name Last Name, Degree3). If author has a military
title, place military rank abbreviation according to military branch (see chart on pages 15-17)
before the first name (e.g., LtCol Vikhyat S. Bebarta, MD1).
o Department and Institutional Affiliations: Use superscripts if there are multiple institutions
and affiliations (e.g., 1Department Name, College Name, Institution Name; 2Department
Name, College Name, Institution Name; and 3Department Name, College Name, Institution
Name). Here is another example: 1Department of Biology, College of Sciences, The
University of Texas at San Antonio; and 2Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, East
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Carolina University. If authors have the same department and institutional affiliations,
they can use the same superscript. See abstract examples in the appendix.
o Abstract Body: Arial font, 12-point size, use 1” page margins on all sides. Indent the first line
of each paragraph by half an inch. Use both left and right justification. Superscripts and
subscripts should be 9-point size.
o The abstract is limited to one full page (with title & authors). All content must be in black and
white. Abstracts may, but are not required to, include representative figures, tables, or
images. You are encouraged to format the body of the abstract to include the following
sections: Background, Materials & Methods, Results, and Conclusions. NOTE: Your Word
document file may exceed the one-page limit if your author and acknowledgement/funding
information is extensive. If so, please keep the body of the abstract (e.g., background,
materials & methods, results, and conclusions) to 500 words and follow the font and
formatting instructions.
o Please include acknowledgements and funding support. NOTE: If this information
limits the size of abstract body, please extend the text to an additional page.
o You are required to use this template for your abstract submission.
Please refer to Appendices for an abstract template, examples of program booklet abstracts,
and a chart of US Military Rank abbreviations.
Reviewers will not have access to the uploaded files. For accepted abstracts, the Word
document file will appear in the forum booklet.
Evaluation Criteria for Paper, Poster, and Roundtable Discussion Abstracts
Each paper, poster, and roundtable discussion abstract must demonstrate:

Relevance/Importance to at least one of the eleven focus areas/learning tracks: Pre-Hospital
Trauma; Inpatient and Outpatient Care; Technology and Innovation in Healthcare;
Preventative Medicine; Personalized Medicine (Precision Medicine); Public Health/Wellness;
Patient Safety; Regenerative Medicine; Medical Modeling and Simulation; Policy, Practice,
and Collaborations; and Open.

Technical Quality: Demonstrate clear ideas and arguments addressing theory, practices,
and/or methods. Exhibit high quality writing and accurately cite relevant sources.

Innovation: Introduce and/or promote the development of new ideas, practices, and/or
methods within a selected focus area/learning track.
Last Updated January 15, 2016

Intellectual Merit: Research advances knowledge and understanding within a field of study or
across disciplines.

Broader Impacts to Society: Research must not only contribute to the growing fund of
knowledge, but benefit society, including teaching, training, learning, and outreach.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Symposia
A symposium is a thematic, integrated, and interactive engagement between a panel of presenters
and the audience. The focus of the discussion is a clearly identified theme or topic that: (a) utilizes a
particular disciplinary or theoretical perspective in considering a research problem; (b) reflects an
emerging issue in a specific area of research, policy, or practice; or (c) centers on the development
of health-related theory or research methodology.
The symposium organizers determine the theme and set of presenters for an entire session.
Symposia should not be organized in the same format as a traditional research paper session, but
facilitate a session for those interested in enhancing practice, research, policy, and/or collaborations
in health and healthcare. The names of presenters should be included in the Word document file,
and the backgrounds of presenters should be described. Members of the panel will make brief
presentations linking their talking points to the theme, after which ample opportunity should remain
for discussion. The discussion should be moderated, and a moderator should be designated within
the Word document file.
A symposium submission highlights (1) objectives of the session; (2) significance of the theme or
topic; (3) identification of the presenters and a discussion of their backgrounds related to the theme
or topic; (4) a discussion of the research or perspective that each presenter will contribute; and (5) a
discussion of how the session will be structured, including designating the moderator and strategies
to facilitate audience discussion.
Symposium Word document files will be evaluated on the following criteria: (1) originality;
(2) clarity of focus; (3) significance of topic and/or relevance to health research, practice,
policy, and/or collaboration; (4) integration and coherence of panel’s presentations as a
group; (5) range of knowledge and/or points of view represented by panelists; (6) adequacy
of strategy for involving audience in the discussion and for making the session interactive;
and (7) ways that the session intentionally tries to facilitate learning among participants.
Abstract Instructions for Symposia
All symposium abstracts must be submitted online via the SURF 2016 EasyChair website. For
those who have not used EasyChair, you will be prompted to set-up an EasyChair account.
The online form includes two versions of the abstract: (1) a 500-word abstract posted on the
online form and an extended uploaded Word document file. These two abstract versions
vary. The latter is longer and includes identifying information while the former does not.
Reviewers will evaluate the Word document file. For accepted symposium abstracts, the
online 500-word abstract and the presenter and moderator identifying information from the
Word document file will appear in the forum program booklet.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Online Abstract Submissions for Symposia

All symposium abstracts must be submitted online via the SURF 2016 EasyChair
website. On the submission page, you will provide/designate/upload the following
information:
o Author(s) Information: This includes: first and last name, email, country,
organization (list department and institutional affiliations), web site (if
applicable), and designate the corresponding author(s).
o Title
o Abstract: This abstract will not be evaluated, but will be published in the
program booklet. In no more than 500 words the symposium abstract should
summarize: (1) objectives of the session and (2) significance of the theme or
topic.
o Keywords: Provide at least three key phrases or key terms that
characterize/describe your abstract submission.
o Focus Areas/Learning Tracks: Select the appropriate focus area/learning track.
o Presentation Format: Indicate the abstract is for a symposium.
o Presentation Objectives: List no less than three educational
objectives/outcomes. An educational objective describes what a participant
will learn by participating in or attending your presentation/discussion. List
three objectives/outcomes (e.g., Participants will become aware of....).
o Abstract for Program Booklet—Upload Word Document File: See formatting
instructions in the next section and appendices for a template formatting
guide, sample abstracts, and military rank abbreviations. NOTE: Reviewers will
evaluate this file. This version of the abstract will not appear in the program
booklet. However, the information about the moderator and panelists will be
used printed in the program booklet.
o Resume/CV—Upload PDF File: Upload one CV/resume as a PDF file. Since
there are multiple presenters/facilitators, only one presenter CV/resume
should be submitted. NOTE: Reviewers will not have access to this file.
o Continuing Health Education Activity Disclosure Form—Upload PDF File: Upload
one completed Continuing Health Education Activity Disclosure Form as a PDF
file. Since there are multiple presenters, only one of the presenters must
Last Updated January 15, 2016
complete and submit the disclosure form for the group. The website link for
the disclosure form:
http://research.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CHEA_DisclosureForm.doc
NOTE: Reviewers will not have access to this file.

When the online submission form is completed, press the red “Submit” button. The
corresponding author(s) will receive a confirmation email from EasyChair.
Abstract Formatting Instructions for Symposium Word Document Files
The uploaded Word document file for symposium submissions should be formatted as
follows:
o Title: Arial font, 14-point size, centered, boldface, all caps, and two spaces between each
word
o Presenter(s) and Moderator and Their Background: Use Arial font, 12 point-size, centered,
and boldfaced with presenter(s) name first. Provide first and last names, credentials,
department, college/school (if applicable), and institutional affiliations (e.g., Jill Hernandez,
Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, College of Sciences, The University of Texas at San Antonio).
Place military rank abbreviation before the first name. See military rank abbreviation chart
on pages 15-17. Include 2-5 sentences that discuss each presenter’s background related to
the theme or topic.
o Abstract Body: Arial font, 12-point size, use 1” page margins on all sides. Indent the first line
of each paragraph by half an inch. Use both left and right justification. Superscripts and
subscripts should be 9-point size. In no more than 1,000 words the symposium description
should include as many of the following as are applicable, preferably in this order: (1)
objectives of the session; (2) significance of the theme or topic; (3) a discussion of the
research or perspective that each presenter will contribute; (4) a discussion of how the
session will be structured, including the and strategies to facilitate audience discussion.
o Please include acknowledgements and funding support.
o You are required to use this template for your symposium Word document file
submission.
o Reviewers will evaluate this symposium Word document file. For accepted abstracts,
the online 500-word abstract and the presenter and moderation information from
the Word document file will appear in the forum program booklet.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Evaluation Criteria for Symposium Abstracts
Symposium Word document files will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Originality

Clarity of focus

Significance of topic and/or relevance to health research, practice, policy, and/or
collaboration

Integration and coherence of panel’s presentations as a group

Range of knowledge and/or points of view represented by panelists

Adequacy of strategy for involving audience in the discussion and for making the
session interactive

Ways that the session intentionally tries to facilitate learning among participants.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Abstract Submission Timeline

Monday, November 16, 2015
Online abstract submission opens

Friday, February 5, 2016, at 11:59
P.M. CST
Extended Deadline to submit
abstract(s)

Friday, February 19, 2016
Accepted abstract notification

Friday, February 26, 2016
Deadline to accept/decline
presentation invitation(s)

Friday, May 20, 2016
SURF 2016
SURF 2016 Website Links




SURF Website: http://research.utsa.edu/surf/
Abstract Submission: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=surf2016
Continuing Health Education Activity Disclosure Form:
http://research.utsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CHEA_DisclosureForm.doc
Registration: https://www.regonline.com/SURF2016. NOTE: To complete your online
registration, do not use Internet Explorer. Please use another browser.
SURF Registration and Parking Information
SURF registration and parking are free to all participants. All presenters must register to
attend SURF at this website: https://www.regonline.com/SURF2016
Free parking is provided in Brackenridge Avenue Lots 1 & 2. No permit is required. If you
would like to park closer to the H-E-B University Center (HUC), parking is available in the
Ximenes Avenue Garage, which charges $2.00/hour. See the SURF-UTSA Campus map:
http://research.utsa.edu/surf/download/SURF_Map(2).pdf.
Contact Information
For assistance with the SURF abstract submission, please contact Victor Sylvia, Ph.D., Senior
Scientist, Contractor, Office of the Chief Scientist, 59th MDW/ST, Joint Base San Antonio—
Lackland, TX, via email (victor.sylvia.ctr@us.af.mil) or phone (210-292-3513).
For additional information about SURF, including registration, please contact Jaclyn Shaw,
Director for Research Support, The University of Texas at San Antonio, via email
(jaclyn.shaw@utsa.edu) or phone (210-458-6767).
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Appendices
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Appendix A: US Military Rank Abbreviations
Air Force - NCO's and Officers
Rank
Abbrev.
Airman Basic
AB
Airman
Airman First Class
Senior Airman
Staff Sergeant
Technical Sergeant
Master Sergeant
First Sergeant
Senior Master Sergeant
First Sergeant
Chief Master Sergeant
First Sergeant
Command Chief Master Sergeant
Amn
A1C
SrA
SSgt
TSgt
MSgt
1stSgt
SMSgt
1stSgt
CMSgt
1stSgt
CCMSgt
Rank
Chief Master Sergeant
of the Air Force
Second Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier General
Major General
Lieutenant General
General
General of the Air Force
Abbrev.
CMSAF
2d Lt
1st Lt
Capt
Maj
LtCol
Col
BrigGen
MajGen
LtGen
Gen
Army - NCO's and Officers
Rank
Private
Private
Private First Class
Specialist
Corporal
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Sergeant First Class
Master Sergeant
First Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Command Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major of the Army
Warrant Officer
Chief Warrant Officer 2
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Abbrev.
PVT
PV2
PFC
SPC
CPL
SGT
SSG
SFC
MSG
1SGT
SGM
CSM
SMA
WO1
WO2
Rank
Chief Warrant Officer 3
Chief Warrant Officer 4
Master Warrant Officer 5
Second Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier General
Major General
Lieutenant General
General
General of the Army
Abbrev.
WO3
WO4
WO5
2LT
1LT
CPT
MAJ
LTC
COL
BG
MG
LTG
GEN
Coast Guard - NCO's and Officers
Rank
Seaman Recruit
Seaman Apprentice
Seaman
Petty Officer Third Class
Petty Officer Second Class
Petty Officer First Class
Chief Petty Officer
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Master Chief Petty Officer
Command Master Chief Petty Officer
Master Chief Petty Officer
of the Coast Guard
Chief Warrant Officer CWO-2
Abbrev.
SR
SA
SN
PO3
PO2
PO1
CPO
SCPO
MCPO
MCPOC
Rank
Chief Warrant Officer CWO-3
Chief Warrant Officer CWO-4
Ensign
Lieutenant Junior Grade
Lieutenant
Lieutenant Commander
Commander
Captain
Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
Rear Admiral (Upper Half)
Abbrev.
CWO-3
CWO-4
ENS
LTJG
LT
LCDR
CDR
CAPT
RADM (LH)
RADM (UH)
MPCO-CG
Vice Admiral
VADM
CWO-2
Admiral
ADM
Marine Corps - NCO's and Officers
Rank
Private
Private First Class
Lance Corporal
Corporal
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Gunnery Sergeant
Master Sergeant
First Sergeant
Master Gunnery Sergeant
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Warrant Officer
Chief Warrant Officer 2
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Abbrev.
Pvt
PFC
LCpl
Cpl
Sgt
SSgt
GySgt
MSgt
1stSgt
MGySgt
SgtMaj
SgtMajMC
WO-1
CWO-2
Rank
Chief Warrant Officer 3
Chief Warrant Officer 4
Chief Warrant Officer 5
Second Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier General
Major General
Lieutenant General
General
Abbrev.
CWO-3
CWO-4
CWO-5
2ndLt
1stLt
Capt
Maj
LtCol
Col
BGen
MajGen
LtGen
Gen
Navy - NCO's and Officers
Rank
Seaman Recruit
Seaman Apprentice
Seaman
Petty Officer Third Class
Petty Officer Second Class
Petty Officer First Class
Chief Petty Officer
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Master Chief Petty Officer
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Warrant Officer First Class
Chief Warrant Officer Second Class
Chief Warrant Officer Third Class
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Abbrev.
SR
SA
SN
PO3
PO2
PO1
CPO
SCPO
MCPO
MCPON
WO1
CWO2
CWO3
Rank
Chief Warrant Officer Fourth Class
Chief Warrant Officer
Ensign
Lieutenant Junior Grade
Lieutenant
Lieutenant Commander
Commander
Captain
Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
Rear Admiral (Upper Half)
Vice Admiral
Admiral
Fleet Admiral
Abbrev.
CWO4
CWO5
ENS
LTJG
LT
LCDR
CDR
CAPT
RDML
RADM
VADM
ADM
FADM
Appendix B: Abstract Template for Paper, Poster, and
Roundtable Discussion
TITLE: A R I A L F O N T , 1 4 POINT-SIZE, CENTERED,
BOLDFACE, ALL CAPS, TWO SPACES BETWEEN
WORDS
Authors: Arial font, 12 point-size, centered and boldfaced with presenter(s) name
first. Provide First and Last names followed by a comma and then abbreviation
for academic credential. Use superscript after the academic credential to
reference departmental and institutional affiliations (e.g., First Name Last Name,
Degree1, First Name Last Name, Degree2, and First Name Last Name, Degree3). If
author has a military title, use military rank abbreviation before the first name
(see chart on pages 15-17).
Department and institutional affiliations: Use superscripts if there are multiple
institutions and affiliations. If authors have the same departmental and
institutional affiliations, they can use the same superscript (e.g., 1Department
Name, College Name, Institution Name; 2Department Name, College Name,
Institution Name; and 3Department Name, College Name, Institution Name)
Abstract Body: Arial font, 12-point size, use 1” page margins on all sides.
Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch. Use both left and right
justification. Superscripts and subscripts should be 9-point size.
The abstract is limited to one full page (with title & authors). All content
must be in black and white. Abstracts may (but are not required) to include
representative figures, tables, or images. You are encouraged to format
the body of the abstract to include the following sections: Background,
Materials & Methods, Results, and Conclusions.
P l e a s e i n c l u d e a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s a n d f u n d i n g s u p p o r t . You
are required to use this template for your abstract submission.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Appendix C: Sample Abstract with Authors from Multiple Institutions
TSPAN8 EXPRESSION DISTINGUISHES SPERMATOGONIAL STEM
CELLS FROM PROGENITORS AMONG NEONATAL MOUSE
UNDIFFERENTIATED SPERMATOGONIA
Brian P. Hermann, Ph.D.1, Thu Nguyen, B.S.1, Kazadi Mutoji, Ph.D.1, Christopher B. Geyer,
Ph.D.2, Amy Kaucher, B.S.3, John R. McCarrey, Ph.D.1, and Jon M. Oatley, Ph.D.3
1
Department of Biology, College of Sciences, The University of Texas at San Antonio;
2
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, East Carolina University; and 3Center for
Reproductive Biology, Washington State University
Mammalian spermatogenesis is maintained by self-renewal and differentiation of
spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which produce progenitor spermatogonia that have a finite
replicative lifespan and will generate the remaining germ cells in the spermatogenic lineage. SSCs
and progenitors together comprise the undifferentiated spermatogonial pool, but no single
molecular feature has been shown to distinguish these functionally-distinct cell populations. We
previously demonstrated existence of subpopulations of undifferentiated spermatogonia based on
gene expression heterogeneity at the single-cell level. Twenty-seven of the 172 examined genes
were expressed in a bimodal fashion among Id4-eGFP+ spermatogonia (i.e., present/absent),
suggesting they mark two or more discrete cell subpopulations of undifferentiated spermatogonia.
Flow cytometry with antibodies against cell surface proteins (TSPAN8, EPHA2, and PVR)
encoded by three of these bimodal mRNAs demonstrated that 29.87 ± 2.57% of Id4-eGFP+ cells
were positive for only one of three surface proteins while 30.37 ± 7.09% were positive for two
markers. In both cases, PVR staining was predominant. Co-localization of all three markers was
observed in 14.44 ± 8.21% of P6 Id4-eGFP+ cells and 25.32 ± 13.03% were triple-negative.
Subsequent cell sorting experiments demonstrated that mRNA levels of other bi-modally expressed
genes were enriched in TSPAN8 high and EPHA2 high subpopulations of Id4-eGFP+ cells. Further,
transplantation studies demonstrated enrichment of SSCs in the TSPAN8-high population of P6
Id4-eGFP+ cells. Together, these studies provide additional support for the notion that there are
discrete subpopulations of undifferentiated spermatogonia in the neonatal mouse testis and
demonstrate that these subpopulations have differing functional capacities. This information will
help identify the elusive SSC in human testes and provide a means of characterizing cells intended
for therapeutic SSC transplantation for treating infertility.
This study was supported by NIH grants HD062687 (BPH), HD061665 (JMO), HD072552
(CBG), and GM092334 (JRM), NSF grant 1337513 (BPH), the Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker
Fund, the Helen Freeborn Kerr Charitable Foundation, the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C.
Kleberg Foundation, and The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Appendix D: Sample Abstract with Authors from the Same Institution
IDENTIFICATION OF A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC TARGET FOR
TREATMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL COLONIZATION WITH MULTIDRUG RESISTANT ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII
Patrick Ketter, MB, MLS (ASCP)cm, M. Neal Guentzel, Ph.D., Rishein Gupta, Ph.D., Jieh-Juen
Yu, Ph.D., James Chambers, Ph.D., and Bernard Arulanandam, Ph.D.
Department of Biology, College of Sciences, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Background and Significance: Acinetobacter baumannii is among the most common
causes of combat related infections in recent history. Ubiquitous in nature and resistant to
desiccation, this organism is also of major concern for nosocomial settings. Furthermore, multi- and
extreme-drug resistance, linked to gastrointestinal (GI) colonization, has created difficulties in
treatment and control of these infections, increasing risk of sepsis. Recently, studies indicate A.
baumannii is capable of degrading secretory IgA (SIgA), the primary humoral immune defense at
mucosal surfaces, the mechanism and purpose of which is poorly understood.
Methods: The in vivo contribution of SIgA to bacterial colonization was assessed using WT,
IgA and pIgR-/- KO mice through in vivo live imaging assays. Using protease and thiol-reductase
inhibitors, we examined the mechanism of SIgA degradation by A. baumannii. Intestinal sections
collected from WT, IgA-/- and pIgR-/- KO mice were used to assess contributions of SIgA and
secretory component (SC) to intestinal adherence of this bacterium. Finally, Modulation of A.
baumannii mRNA gene transcripts corresponding to proteins involved in disulfide bond reduction
were assessed through RNAseq and confirmed by RT-qPCR following SIgA exposure.
-/-
Results: In vivo imaging assays revealed WT mice with normal SIgA levels exhibited
greater persistence of A. baumannii in the GI track following oral gavage compared to IgA-/- and
pIgR-/- KO mice. Additionally, degradation of SIgA by A. baumannii was significantly reduced
following inhibition of thiol-reductase activity. Intestinal section assays also revealed both the lack
of SIgA and inhibition of its degradation by A. baumannii significantly decreased bacterial intestinal
adherence. Finally, thioredoxin-A, a gene implicated in immunoglobulin degradation in other
bacterial systems, was found to be up-regulated following SIgA exposure by RNAseq and RT-qPCR
analyses.
Conclusions: SIgA enhances A. baumannii GI colonization. Additionally, use of a thiolreductase inhibitor to prevent SIgA degradation by A. baumannii significantly reduces bacterial
adherence to the intestinal epithelium indicating a potential drug target to prevent colonization and
emergence of additional drug resistance.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Appendix E: Sample Abstract with Multiple Authors, Including a Military
Affiliation
PREHOSPITAL AND EN ROUTE CRICOTHYROTOMY PERFORMED IN
THE COMBAT SETTING: A PROSPECTIVE, MULTICENTER,
OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Edward B. G. Barnard, FCEM1,2, Alicia T. Ervin, RN1, Robert L. Mabry, MD3, and
LtCol Vikhyat S. Bebarta, MD1
1
Air Force En route Care Research Center, US Army Institute of Surgical Research/59th MDW;
2
Institute of Naval Medicine, UK; 3Joint Trauma System, Center of Excellence, US Army
Institute of Surgical Research
Background: Airway compromise is the third commonest cause of potentially preventable
combat death. Surgical cricothyroidotomy (CRIC) is an infrequently performed but life-saving airway
intervention. There is limited published prehospital data on prehospital CRIC. The aim of our study
was to describe the survival rate and complications associated with cricothyroidotomy performed in
the military prehospital and en route setting.
Methods: The Life Saving Intervention (LSI) study is a prospective, IRB approved,
multicenter trial examining prehospital combat LSIs. Trained site investigators recorded
demographics, vital signs, and LSIs performed. Predefined LSIs included cricothyroidotomies, chest
tubes, intubations, and tourniquets. Descriptive statistics or Wilcoxon test (non-parametric) were
used for data comparisons.
Results: Of the 1,927 patients enrolled, 34 patients had a CRIC performed (1.8%). Median
age for patients with a CRIC was 24 (IQR 22.5-25), 97% male. Mechanisms of injury were blast
(79%), penetrating (18%), and blunt (3%); 83% had major head and or facial injuries. Median GCS
was 3 (IQR 3-7.5] and 7 patients had GCS > 8. CRIC was successful in 82% of cases. Reasons for
failure included left main stem intubation (1), subcutaneous passage (1), and unsuccessful attempt
(4). Unsuccessful endotracheal intubation preceded 15% of CRICs. Of the patients who had the
provider type recorded (n=24), six had CRICs by a combat medic (pre-evacuation), and 18 by an
evacuation helicopter medic. 52% (n=13) survived to hospital discharge. The patients with CRICs
had more LSIs than non-CRIC patients (4 versus 2 LSIs/patient, p<0.0011).
Conclusion: In our prospective, multicenter study, evaluating cricothyroidotomy in a
prehospital and en route care combat setting, survival was 52%, higher than previously reported. In
addition, most cricothyroidotomies were performed by the evacuation helicopter medic rather than
the prehospital combat medic.
Acknowledgements: All JC2RT on-site investigators and the Joint Trauma System (JTS), and
AFMS for funding support.
Last Updated January 15, 2016
Appendix F: Abstract Template for Symposium
TITLE: A R I A L F O N T , 1 4 POINT-SIZE, CENTERED,
BOLDFACE, ALL CAPS, TWO SPACES BETWEEN
WORDS
Presenter(s) and Moderator and Their Background: Use Arial font, 12 point-size,
centered, and boldfaced with presenter(s) name first. Provide first and last
names, credentials, department, college/school (if applicable), and institutional
affiliations (e.g., Jill Hernandez, Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, College of
Sciences, The University of Texas at San Antonio). If presenter or moderator is in
the military, place military rank abbreviation in front of the first name (see chart
on pages 15-17). Include 2-5 sentences that discuss each presenter’s background
related to the theme or topic.
Abstract Body: Arial font, 12-point size, use 1” page margins on all sides. Indent the
first line of each paragraph by half an inch. Use both left and right justification.
Superscripts and subscripts should be 9-point size. In no more than 1,000 words the
symposium description should include as many of the following as are applicable,
preferably in this order: (1) objectives of the session; (2) significance of the theme or
topic; (3) a discussion of the research or perspective that each presenter will contribute;
(4) a discussion of how the session will be structured, including the and strategies to
facilitate audience discussion.
P l e a s e i n c l u d e a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s a n d f u n d i n g s u p p o r t . You
are required to use this template for your abstract submission.
Last Updated January 15, 2016