Implementing precision methods in personalizing psychological therapies: barriers and possible ways forward

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordData availability: No data was used for the research described in the article.Highlights: • Personalizing psychological treatments means to customize treatment for individuals to enhance outcomes. • The application of precision methods to clinical psychology has led to data-driven psychological therapies. • Applying data-informed psychological therapies involves clinical, technical, statistical, and contextual aspects

In vitro and in vivo functions of SARS-CoV-2 infection-enhancing and neutralizing antibodies

SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) protect against COVID-19. A concern regarding SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is whether they mediate disease enhancement. Here, we isolated NAbs against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and the N-terminal domain (NTD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike from individuals with acute or convalescent SARS-CoV-2 or a history of SARS-CoV infection. Cryo-electron microscopy of RBD and NTD antibodies demonstrated function-specific modes of binding. Select RBD NAbs also demonstrated Fc receptor-g (FcgR)-mediated enhancement of virus infection in vitro, while five non-neutralizing NTD antibodies mediated FcgR-independent in vitro infection enhancement. However, both types of infection-enhancing antibodies protected from SARS-CoV-2 replication in monkeys and mice. Three of 46 monkeys infused with enhancing antibodies had higher lung inflammation scores compared to controls. One monkey had alveolar edema and elevated bronchoalveolar lavage inflammatory cytokines. Thus, while in vitro antibody-enhanced infection does not necessarily herald enhanced infection in vivo, increased lung inflammation can rarely occur in SARS-CoV-2 antibody-infused macaques

Loneliness in Gender- and Sexual Orientation-Diverse Adolescents: Measurement Invariance Analyses and Between-Group Comparisons

Youth loneliness is a risk factor for myriad adverse psychosocial outcomes, making it a potentially informative construct for assessment and treatment research. Minority stressors may place LGBTQ+ youths at high risk for loneliness. However, the prevalence of loneliness across gender and sexual identities cannot be precisely estimated or compared without establishing that common measures assess the construct equivalently across groups. In a preregistered study, we determined the optimal structure of the UCLA Loneliness Scale and investigated whether it showed invariance across gender and sexual identities in a national U.S. sample of adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms (N=2,431; https://osf.io/52ctd). Results supported strict invariance, indicating that loneliness scores can be meaningfully compared across groups in this sample. Exploratory analyses indicated that loneliness levels and LGBTQ+ identity predicted levels of depression and anxiety. We discuss implications for research on loneliness, health disparities, and psychopathology in high-symptom youths

Predicting Transdiagnostic Symptom Change across Diverse Demographic Groups in Single-Session Interventions for Adolescent Depression

Youths with marginalized identities experience minority stress, a construct linked to more severe transdiagnostic (cross-disorder) psychopathology. Financial, geographical, and temporal barriers limit access to psychological care for these individuals. Single-session interventions (SSIs), which mitigate many such barriers, are likely more accessible than traditional therapies. However, accessibility does not guarantee effectiveness across identity groups. In a preregistered study (N = 2,452; https://osf.io/mxvt4), we assessed whether demographic identities moderated the relationship between SSI condition and transdiagnostic internalizing (emotional distress) change from pre-to-post-SSI in a national U.S. sample of adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04634903). SSI-driven internalizing symptom reductions were equivalent between youths with myriad marginalized identities (e.g., Black; asexual) and their privileged counterparts (e.g., White; heterosexual), as well as across age and subjective school social status. SSI-driven internalizing reductions were greater for Asian youths relative to White youths. We discuss implications of the results for SSI dissemination

Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) Improvements for ENTECH's Concentrator Module

This final technical report documents ENTECH's Phase 1 contract with Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) project. Under this project we prepared a detailed description of our current manufacturing process for making our unique linear Fresnel lens photovoltaic concentrator modules. In addition, we prepared a detailed description of an improved manufacturing process, which will simultaneously increase module production rates, enhance module quality, and substantially reduce module costs. We also identified potential problems in implementing the new manufacturing process, and we proposed solutions to these anticipated problems. Before discussing the key results of our program, however, we present a brief description of our unique photovoltaic technology. The key conclusion of our PVMAT Phase 1 study is that our module technology, without further breakthroughs, can realistically meet the near-term DOE goal of 12 cents/kWh levelized electricity cost, provided that we successfully implement the new manufacturing process at a production volume of at least 10 megawatts per year. The key recommendation from our Phase 1 study is to continue our PVMaT project into Phase 2A, which is directed toward the actual manufacturing technology development required for our new module production process. 15 refs

Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) improvements for ENTECH`s concentrator module. Final technical report, 9 January 1991--14 April 1991

This final technical report documents ENTECH`s Phase 1 contract with Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology (PVMaT) project. Under this project we prepared a detailed description of our current manufacturing process for making our unique linear Fresnel lens photovoltaic concentrator modules. In addition, we prepared a detailed description of an improved manufacturing process, which will simultaneously increase module production rates, enhance module quality, and substantially reduce module costs. We also identified potential problems in implementing the new manufacturing process, and we proposed solutions to these anticipated problems. Before discussing the key results of our program, however, we present a brief description of our unique photovoltaic technology. The key conclusion of our PVMAT Phase 1 study is that our module technology, without further breakthroughs, can realistically meet the near-term DOE goal of 12 cents/kWh levelized electricity cost, provided that we successfully implement the new manufacturing process at a production volume of at least 10 megawatts per year. The key recommendation from our Phase 1 study is to continue our PVMaT project into Phase 2A, which is directed toward the actual manufacturing technology development required for our new module production process. 15 refs

Qualification standard for photovoltaic concentrator modules

The paper describes a proposed qualification standard for photovoltaic concentrator modules. The standard's purpose is to provide stress tests and procedures to identify any component weakness in photovoltaic concentrator modules intended for power generation applications. If no weaknesses are identified during qualification, both the manufacturer and the customer can expect a more reliable product. The qualification test program for the standard includes thermal cycles, humidity-freeze cycles, water spray, off-axis beam damage, hail impact, hot-spot endurance, as well as electrical tests for performance, ground continuity, isolation, wet insulation resistance, and bypass diodes. Because concentrator module performance can not be verified using solar simulator and reference cell procedures suitable for flat-plate modules, the standard specifies an outdoor I-V test analysis allowing a performance comparison before and after a test procedure. Two options to this complex analysis are the use of a reference concentrator module for side-by-side outdoor comparison with modules undergoing various tests and a dark I-V performance check

Randomized evaluation of an online single-session intervention for minority stress in LGBTQ+ adolescents

Background: LGBTQ+ youth face myriad adverse health outcomes due to minority stress, creating a need for accessible, mechanism-targeted interventions to mitigate these minority stress-related risk factors. We tested the effectiveness and acceptability of Project RISE, an online single-session intervention designed to ameliorate internalized stigma and improve other outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth. We hypothesized that youth assigned to RISE (versus a control) would report significantly reduced internalized stigma and increased identity pride at post-intervention and at two-week follow-up and would find RISE acceptable. Methods: We recruited adolescents nationally through Instagram advertisements in May 2022 (N = 538; M age = 15.06, SD age = 0.97). Participants were randomly assigned to RISE or an information-only control and completed questionnaires pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and two weeks post-intervention. Inclusion criteria included endorsing: (1) LGBTQ+ identity, (2) age 13–16, (3) English fluency (4) Internet access, and (5) subjective negative impact of LGBTQ+ stigma. Results: Relative to participants in the control condition, participants who completed RISE reported significant decreases in internalized stigma (d = −0.49) and increases in identity pride (d = 0.25) from pre- to immediately post-intervention, along with decreased internalized stigma (d = −0.26) from baseline to two-week follow-up. Participants rated both RISE and the information-only control as highly, equivalently acceptable. Conclusions: RISE appears to be an acceptable and useful online SSI for LGBTQ+ adolescents, with potential to reduce internalized stigma in both the short- and longer-term. Future directions include evaluating effects of Project RISE over longer follow-ups and in conjunction with other mental health supports