Mand training and prompt fading: teaching yes-no manding

Language is a collection of verbal skills which allows the speaker to have some control over how others interact with them. Saying the words “yes” and “no” are fundamental language abilities; The words impact the speaker’s environment by communicating acceptance or rejection of stimuli and experiences. Caregivers, teachers, and friends may have to make choices for an individual who cannot respond to yes-no questions. This skill deficit deprives the individual of autonomy and can lead to challenging behaviors occurring in place of clear communication. Applied Behavior Analysis offers techniques to teach language skills such as saying “yes” and “no” in response to verbal and environmental stimuli. This study used the techniques of mand training in discrete trial format while systematically fading prompts to teach two individuals with autism to correctly respond to the question “do you want this?” paired with the presentation of a highly preferred or lesser preferred item. Correct responding was predetermined with paired stimulus preference assessments by identifying “yes” items and “no” items. The results from this study suggest that these procedures are effective at producing correct responses to trained and untrained stimuli, thereby allowing the individual to functionally communicate their wants and needs

The search for novel analgesics: re-examining spinal cord circuits with new tools

In this perspective, we propose the absence of detailed information regarding spinal cord circuits that process sensory information remains a major barrier to advancing analgesia. We highlight recent advances showing that functionally discrete populations of neurons in the spinal cord dorsal horn play distinct roles in processing sensory information. We then discuss new molecular, electrophysiological, and optogenetic techniques that can be employed to understand how dorsal horn circuits process tactile and nociceptive information. We believe this information can drive the development of entirely new classes of pharmacotherapies that target key elements in spinal circuits to selectively modify sensory function and blunt pain

Get the Story Straight: Contextual Repetition Promotes Word Learning from Storybooks

Although shared storybook reading is a common activity believed to improve the language skills of preschool children, how children learn new vocabulary from such experiences has been largely neglected in the literature. The current study systematically explores the effects of repeatedly reading the same storybooks on both young children's fast and slow mapping abilities. Specially created storybooks were read to 3-year-old children three times during the course of 1 week. Each of the nine storybooks contained two novel name–object pairs. At each session, children either heard three different stories with the same two novel name–object pairs or the same story three times. Importantly, all children heard each novel name the same number of times. Both immediate recall and retention were tested with a four-alternative forced-choice task with pictures of the novel objects. Children who heard the same stories repeatedly were very accurate on both the immediate recall and retention tasks. In contrast, children who heard different stories were only accurate on immediate recall during the last two sessions and failed to learn any of the new words. Overall, then, we found a dramatic increase in children's ability to both recall and retain novel name–object associations encountered during shared storybook reading when they heard the same stories multiple times in succession. Results are discussed in terms of contextual cueing effects observed in other cognitive domains

P2‐540: Polygenetic Risk For Alzheimer’S Disease And Dementia Status

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153242/1/alzjjalz2019062948.pd

Neonatal weight loss and gain patterns in caesarean section born infants : integrative systematic review

There is evidence that caesarean section delivery can impact on neonatal weight loss and weight gain patterns in the first 5 days of life. We conducted an integrative systematic review to examine the association of mode of delivery on early neonatal weight loss. Pubmed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Excerpta Medica dataBASE, and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online were searched for relevant papers published before June 2019. Reference lists from the relevant papers were then backwards and forwards searched. As neonatal weight loss was reported in different formats, a meta‐analysis could not be carried out. Most studies did not distinguish between elective and emergency caesarean sections or instrumental and nonassisted vaginal deliveries. Seven papers were included. All papers except one found that caesarean section was associated with higher weight loss in the early days of life. Two papers presented data from studies on babies followed up to 1 month. One study found that on day 25, babies born by caesarean section had significantly higher weight gain than those born vaginally, while another found that by day 28, babies born vaginally gained more weight per day (11.9 g/kg/day) than those born by caesarean section (10.9 g/kg/day; p = .02). Overall, infants born by caesarean section lost more weight than those born vaginally, but due to the small number of studies included, more are needed to look at this difference and why it may occur. This discrepancy in weight between the two groups may be corrected over time, but future studies will need larger sample sizes and longer follow‐up periods to examine this

P3‐558: Exposures Prior To Age 16 Are Associated With Dementia Status In The Health And Retirement Study

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152762/1/alzjjalz2019063595.pd

Sex Differences in the Subjective Effects of Oral Δ\u3csup\u3e9\u3c/sup\u3e-THC in Cannabis Users

Previous studies suggest that there are sex differences in endocannabinoid function and the response to exogenous cannabinoids, though data from clinical studies comparing acute cannabinoid effects in men and women under controlled laboratory conditions are limited. To further explore these potential differences, data from 30 cannabis users (N=18 M, 12 F) who completed previous Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) discrimination studies were combined for this retrospective analysis. In each study, subjects learned to discriminate between oral Δ9-THC and placebo and then received a range of Δ9-THC doses (0, 5, 15 and a “high” dose of either 25 or 30 mg). Responses on a drug-discrimination task, subjective effects questionnaire, psychomotor performance tasks, and physiological measures were assessed. Δ9-THC dose-dependently increased drug-appropriate responding, ratings on “positive” visual analog scale (VAS) items (e.g., Good Effects, Like Drug, Take Again), and items related to intoxication (e.g., High, Stoned). Δ9-THC also dose-dependently impaired performance on psychomotor tasks and elevated heart rate. Sex differences on VAS items emerged as a function of dose. Women exhibited significantly greater subjective responses to oral drug administration than men at the 5 mg Δ9-THC dose, whereas men were more sensitive to the subjective effects of the 15 mg dose of Δ9-THC than women. These results demonstrate dose-dependent separation in the subjective response to oral Δ9-THC administration by sex, which might contribute to the differential development of problematic cannabis use

Examination of the Cumulative Risk Assessment and Nutritional Profiles among College Ballet Dancers

This study examined female collegiate ballet dancers\u27 ( = 28) Female Athlete Triad (Triad) risk via the Cumulative Risk Assessment (CRA) and nutritional profiles (macro- and micronutrients; = 26). The CRA identified Triad return to play criteria (RTP: Full Clearance, Provisional Clearance, or Restricted/Medical Disqualified) by assessing eating disorder risk, low energy availability, menstrual cycle dysfunction, and low bone mineral density. Seven-day dietary assessments identified any energy imbalances of macro- and micronutrients. Ballet dancers were identified as low, within normal, or high for each of the 19 nutrients assessed. Basic descriptive statistics assessed CRA risk classification and dietary macro- and micronutrient levels. Dancers averaged 3.5 ± 1.6 total score on the CRA. Based on these scores, the RTP outcomes revealed Full Clearance 7.1%, = 2; Provisional Clearance 82.1%, = 23; and Restricted/Medical Disqualification 10.7%, = 3. Dietary reports revealed that 96.2% ( = 25) of ballet dancers were low in carbohydrates, 92.3% ( = 24) low in protein, 19.2% ( = 5) low in fat percent, 19.2% ( = 5) exceeding saturated fats, 100% ( = 26) low in Vitamin D, and 96.2% ( = 25) low in calcium. Due to the variability in individual risks and nutrient requirements, a patient-centered approach is a critical part of early prevention, evaluation, intervention, and healthcare for the Triad and nutritional-based clinical evaluations

The role of adjuvant in mediating antigen structure and stability

The purpose of this study was to probe the fate of a model antigen, a cysteine-free mutant of bacteriophage T4 lysozyme, to the level of fine structural detail, as a consequence of its interaction with an aluminum (Al)-containing adjuvant. Fluorescence spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were used to compare the thermal stability of the protein in solution versus adsorbed onto an Al-containing adjuvant. Differences in accessible hydrophobic surface areas were investigated using an extrinsic fluorescence probe, 8-Anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS). As has been observed with other model antigens, the apparent thermal stability of the protein decreased following adsorption onto the adjuvant. ANS spectra suggested that adsorption onto the adjuvant caused an increase in exposure of hydrophobic regions of the protein. Electrostatic interactions drove the adsorption, and disruption of these interactions with high ionic strength buffers facilitated the collection of two-dimensional 15N heteronuclear single quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance data of protein released from the adjuvant. Although the altered stability of the adsorbed protein suggested changes to the protein\u27s structure, the fine structure of the desorbed protein was nearly identical to the protein\u27s structure in the adjuvant-free formulation. Thus, the adjuvant-induced changes to the protein that were responsible for the reduced thermal stability were not observed upon desorption. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Developing a Shoreline Restoration Suitability Model for North Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon, Phase II

This project successfully created a living shoreline restoration prioritization model and a mangrove hydrodynamic habitat suitability model for 180 miles of estuarine shorelines in Mosquito Lagoon and northern Indian River. Shoreline model data are available for direct download as a spatial dataset (https://stars.library.ucf.edu/shorelines/), or for online viewing in a GIS storymap: (https://ucfonline.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=45caa29e80e6441c8bf6f75c542860af). New empirical wave data were created through hydrodynamic modeling. Frequency analysis was applied to characterize wave climate in study area shorelines. Wind-wave measurements observed in the field validated that actual wave heights above 2 cm were well represented by the model. Modelled hydrodynamic data were combined with shoreline data (collected in the field during the project Phase I) to develop fundamental knowledge regarding hydrodynamic habitat suitability of IRL shoreline species. Through this analysis, strong relationships between mangrove presence and wind wave hydrodynamics were illuminated, such that the probability of mangrove persistence was predicted at the project site scale based on wave climate. Additionally, the influential role of site intertidal slope and its interaction with site hydrodynamics was confirmed. This is a transformative source of information from the perspective of Planning, Design and Engineering (PD&E) of shoreline stabilization projects and regional-scale restoration planning. Mangroves were found on shorelines with overall lower incoming wave height distributions as compared to shorelines without mangrove vegetation. Mangrove presence became less likely as wave height increased, suggesting that there is a critical wave magnitude-frequency combination above which it is increasingly unlikely that mangrove vegetation will persist. Where wave heights exceeded 5 cm 20% of time, there was over an 80% chance of mangrove persistence. Where wave heights were 8 cm 20% of time, chance of mangrove persistence dropped to 50%. Where wave heights were over 15 cm 20% of time, there was less than 10% chance of mangrove persistence. While wave climate was found to explain the greatest variance within a generalized linear model of mangrove distribution, the influence of shoreline slope was also found to be significant. Low shoreline intertidal slopes were found to increase the threshold wave climate mangroves can survive. For example, the 80th percentile wave height associated with 50% probability of mangrove survival was 8 cm when slope was 0.2, increased to 9 cm when slope was lower than 0.2, and decreased to 4 cm when slope was greater. The presence of oysters or seagrasses at the shoreline were also correlated with wave height; however, conditions within the project area were insufficient to create robust hydrodynamic habitat thresholds for these important coastal ecosystem engineers. There are therefore future research opportunities to apply frameworks developed herein to broader study areas, which will potentially lead to discovery of flow-ecology relationships for a more diverse suite of coastal ecosystem engineers. All study shorelines were classified within a prioritization model according to need and urgency of stabilization. Shoreline sites classified in Urgent need (18% of study shoreline) should be triaged for immediate stabilization. Shoreline sites classified as Priority (10% of study shoreline) will eventually move to the Urgent category without intervention. Shorelines classified as Vulnerable (6% of study shorelines) are sites for pre-emptive restoration. Sites within the Wetland category (38% of study shorelines) do not need to be restored at this time and can serve as reference sites for living shoreline stabilization. Shorelines with hard armoring (28% of study shorelines) may represent opportunities to increase long-term shoreline resilience or restore shoreline ecotone functionality. Analysis of Hardened shorelines in context of local wave climate and slope indicate that many hardened shorelines in the project study area may not actually require armoring. Living shoreline containing mangrove forest could be expected to stabilize many currently hardened shorelines. All study shorelines were classified according to likelihood of mangrove persistence based on hydrodynamic habitat suitability. Within the study area, 68% of the shoreline was characterized by 50% or greater probability of mangrove persistence. At the site scale, likelihood of mangrove persistence can also be increased by design of an equilibrium shoreline slope, adding elasticity to stabilization site designs in areas that are on the borderline of mangrove hydrodynamic habitat suitability. Severe erosion was three times more likely to be observed on shorelines without mangrove vegetation, where over 60% of sites had escarpment heights greater than 30 cm. Similarly, shorelines with mangrove were more than two times as likely to be characterized by no to low levels of erosion. Managers and practitioners within and outside of the direct project area can benefit from this work. First, the actual hydrodynamic habitat thresholds for mangrove discovered in this study can be transferred to other locations within and outside of the Indian River Lagoon system. Locations throughout Florida that fit within the mangrove temperature, salinity and hydrology habitat zones may apply the hydrodynamic habitat knowledge developed herein to site-scale project planning. Second, the synergy between regional-scale project prioritization data and site-scale habitat suitability design tools demonstrated in this project can be a framework for future restoration planning efforts. Provision of information both at a broad geographic scale for use in regional planning, and making the information sufficiently detailed such that it can be applied at the site scale can help managers and practitioners understand when and where restoration is needed, and also the appropriateness of nature-based or green-grey hybrid designs on a site-by-site basis. Widespread investment in this type of information, and dedicated strategies to adopt such information in project PD&E may increase restoration success and impact on a regional scale