The Effects of Synchronous Versus Asynchronous Temporal Patterns On Sequential Learning

Sequential learning refers to the ability to learn the temporal and ordinal patterns of one’s environment. The current study examines the effects of synchronous and asynchronous temporal patterns on sequential learning. Twenty healthy adults participants (11 females, 18–34 years old) performed two versions of a visual sequential learning paradigm while event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Reaction times to the targets following two predictor types were also recorded. Reaction time data revealed that learning occurred in both temporal conditions, although overall the synchronous condition was responded to faster. On the other hand, the mean ERP amplitudes between 300 and 700ms post-predictor onset revealed an interaction between timing condition and predictability in the posterior regions of interest. Specifically, the ERP results indicated that learning of the statistical contingencies between items was more pronounced for the synchronous temporal condition compared to the asynchronous condition

Supporting a Culture of Evidence-Based Practice and Continuous Program Improvement: A Staged Approach to Implementing and Studying International Early Childhood Development Programs

This concept paper proposes a four-stage approach to in-country/region ECD program development, selection, and inquiry designed to build the evidence base required to guide program and policy decisions. The foundation of the approach is a strengths-based continuous program improvement framework. Feedback loops would be tied to indicators of program fidelity, family participation, and outcomes. This approach includes developing a partnership between stakeholders and researchers at each stage (a community of learners). The proposed staged approach builds on the medical model of clinical research on innovative treatments and drug therapies as well as design options for evaluating program enhancements to the federal Head Start program in the United States (Ross et al., 2005).

OPTIMAL COMPENSATION FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION UNDER ASYMMETRIC INFORMATION

This paper argues that policies based on economic instruments are preferable to command and control approaches for effectively protecting biological diversity. This is due to sources of inefficiencies because of informational asymmetries between the regulator and private land users. We propose a principal agent framework to design optimally structured and performance based economic incentives for private land owners.Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Operationalizing intersectionality in social work research: Approaches and limitations

Despite intersectionality’s relevance to social work, scholars have raised concerns that its misguided applications place it “in danger of being co-opted, depoliticized, and diluted.” This scoping review examined the use of intersectionality in empirical social work research, specific to the extent, contexts, and degree of responsibility with which it has been applied. Using the search term convention [“social work” OR “social services”] AND [“intersectional” OR “intersectionality”], 22 databases were searched for peer-reviewed research published between 2009 and 2019, yielding 153 articles. The 33 studies meeting inclusion criteria were examined according to two frameworks: (1) typologies for intersectional conceptual approach and (2) intersectionality responsible use guidelines (RUG). Most studies used an intracategorical approach (n ¼ 24), while fewer used an intercategorical (n ¼ 7) or a mixed intra- and intercategorical approach (n ¼ 2). On average, studies met approximately half of the RUG. Studies most frequently (n ¼ 29) aligned with the guideline “Recommend ways to promote positive social transformation and justice through research, teaching, and practice.” Studies least frequently (n ¼ 3) conformed to the guideline “Credits Black feminist activist roots of intersectionality.” Responsible stewardship is recommended to address power in knowledge production, researcher positionalities, and social justice action

A Complex Interaction Between Reduced Reelin Expression and Prenatal Organophosphate Exposure Alters Neuronal Cell Morphology.

Genetic and environmental factors are both likely to contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and major depressive disorders. Prior studies from our laboratory and others have demonstrated that the combinatorial effect of two factors-reduced expression of reelin protein and prenatal exposure to the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos oxon-gives rise to acute biochemical effects and to morphological and behavioral phenotypes in adolescent and young adult mice. In the current study, we examine the consequences of these factors on reelin protein expression and neuronal cell morphology in adult mice. While the cell populations that express reelin in the adult brain appear unchanged in location and distribution, the levels of full length and cleaved reelin protein show persistent reductions following prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos oxon. Cell positioning and organization in the hippocampus and cerebellum are largely normal in animals with either reduced reelin expression or prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos oxon, but cellular complexity and dendritic spine organization is altered, with a skewed distribution of immature dendritic spines in adult animals. Paradoxically, combinatorial exposure to both factors appears to generate a rescue of the dendritic spine phenotypes, similar to the mitigation of behavioral and morphological changes observed in our prior study. Together, our observations support an interaction between reelin expression and chlorpyrifos oxon exposure that is not simply additive, suggesting a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in regulating brain morphology

Allostatic load and pain severity in older adults:Results from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Pain is common in older adults, is frequently experienced as stressful, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Stress regulatory systems are adaptive to challenge and change, allostasis, until demands exceed the adaptive capacity contributing to dysregulation, resulting in a high allostatic load. A high allostatic load is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Pain severity, based on the average intensity of frequent pain, was hypothesized to be positively associated with AL. Four formulations of AL were investigated. Cross-sectional data from Wave 4 (2008-2009) of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) were analyzed. Covariates in the model included age, sex, education, smoking status, alcohol consumption, activity level, depression and common comorbid health conditions. A total of 5341 individuals were included; mean age 65.3(±9.2) years, 55% female, 62.4% infrequent or no pain, 12.6% mild pain, 19.1% moderate pain, and 5.9% severe pain. Severe pain was associated with greater AL defined by all four formulations. The amount of variance explained by pain severity and the covariates was highest when allostatic load was defined by the high risk quartile (12.9%) and by the clinical value (11.7%). Findings indicate a positive relationship between pain severity and AL. Further investigation is needed to determine if there is a specific AL signature for pain that differs from other health conditions

Reducing Sexual Risk among Racial/ethnic-minority Ninth Grade Students: Using Intervention Mapping to Modify an Evidenced-based Curriculum

Background: Racial/ethnic-minority 9th graders are at increased risk for teen pregnancy, HIV, and STIs compared to their White peers. Yet, few effective sexual health education programs exist for this population. Purpose: To apply IM Adapt—a systematic theory- and evidence-based approach to program adaptation—to modify an effective middle school sexual health education curriculum, It’s Your Game…Keep It Real! (IYG), for racial/ethnic-minority 9th graders. Methods: Following the six steps of IM Adapt, we conducted a needs assessment to describe the health problems and risk behaviors of the new population; reviewed existing evidence-based programs; assessed the fit of IYG for the new population regarding behavioral outcomes, determinants, change methods, delivery, and implementation; modified materials and activities; planned for implementation and evaluation. Results: Needs assessment findings indicated that IYG targeted relevant health and risk behaviors for racial/ethnic-minority 9th graders but required additional focus on contraceptive use, dating violence prevention, active consent, and access to healthcare services. Behavioral outcomes and matrices of change objectives for IYG were modified accordingly. Theoretical methods and practical applications were identified to address these behavioral outcomes, and new activities developed. Youth provided input on activity modifications. School personnel guided modifications to IYG’s scope and sequence, and delivery. The adapted program, Your Game, Your Life, comprised fifteen 30-minute lessons targeting determinants of sexual behavior and healthy dating relationships. Pilot-test data from 9th graders in two urban high schools indicate promising results. Conclusion: IM Adapt provides a systematic theory- and evidence-based approach for adapting existing evidence-based sexual health education curricula for a new population whilst retaining essential elements that made the original program effective. Youth and school personnel input ensured that the adapted program was age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and responsive to the needs of the new population. IM Adapt contributes to the limited literature on systematic approaches to program adaptation