Mand – to Tact Training Transfer Acquisition Rates in Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder with Limited Verbal Skills

Autism Spectrum Disorder () is defined as “the presence of severe and pervasive impairments in reciprocal social interaction and in verbal and nonverbal communication skills” (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual, 2000). It is estimated that 1 in 68 children across the United States are diagnosed with ASD. One of the most common delays that children diagnosed with ASD experience are language delays. Children with ASD that have a language delay will often develop maladaptive behaviors as a result of poor communication skills (Carr & Durand, 1985). The failure to develop mand acquisition in typical fashion results in behaviors ranging from social withdrawal to self-injurious behaviors (Cooper et. al, 2007). A lack of a strong tact repertoire can further impede and complicate the learning of other necessary components of language due to the inability to successfully label items and events in the physical environment of the child. The purpose of this study is to replicate with a reversal in verbal operant training of the procedures described in Wallace et al. (2006) in which two children with ASD underwent tact training to facilitate the formation of mands; essentially this study aims to accomplish mand training first to establish as tact. It is hypothesized that mand training will result in a greater repertoire of tacts due to strength of the relationship between mands and the control over the social environment (Cooper et al., 2007). The two children in the study will be taught to mand items that will be ranked in order of preference via stimulus preference assessment. This study is of great importance due to the indispensable value of effective social communication skills. Data gathered on improving communication skills is of great value to the ASD community as the implications for functional skills result in better communication with family and greater control of individual functioning

The Effects of Function-Based Thinking on Teacher Selection of Interventions for Disruptive Student Behavior

Traditional approaches to addressing student misbehavior often involve the imposition of reactive and punitive consequences. Certain groups of students who engage in disruptive behavior experience a disproportionate amount of these punitive disciplinary responses. African American males are one such group. A growing body of research suggests that a need exists for more proactive and positive approaches to addressing student classroom misbehavior. One promising option is function-based thinking—a critical component of functional behavioral assessment. The present study examined both the accuracy of and change in teacher selected antecedent and/or consequence interventions aligned with the function of student behavior. Additionally, changes in teacher-selected interventions were examined in relationship to student race

The Status of Leptodactylus Validus as a Single Taxon and Its Relationship to Letptodactylus Pallidirostris

Leptodactylus validus exhibits an unusual distribution inhabiting Trinidad, Tobago, and the Lesser Antilles, but not the mainland of South America. This distribution is inconsistent with other distribution patterns observed for these islands. Although slight variation in adult morphology has been observed among the island populations, call data suggest the presence of a single species. Calls of Leptodactylus pallidirostris from Venezuela suggested that this taxon might be conspecific with L. validus. Herein sequence data from the 12S and 16S mt rRNA genes were collected and analyzed in order to address: 1.) whether more than one species is represented within L. validus, and 2.) to determine if L. pallidirostris is conspecific with L. validus. Independent and combined phylogenetic analyses were conducted using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analysis. Results obtained indicate that L. validus represents a single species throughout its distribution and is conspecific with L. pallidirostris

Multi-ancestry study of blood lipid levels identifies four loci interacting with physical activity.

Many genetic loci affect circulating lipid levels, but it remains unknown whether lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, modify these genetic effects. To identify lipid loci interacting with physical activity, we performed genome-wide analyses of circulating HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in up to 120,979 individuals of European, African, Asian, Hispanic, and Brazilian ancestry, with follow-up of suggestive associations in an additional 131,012 individuals. We find four loci, in/near CLASP1, LHX1, SNTA1, and CNTNAP2, that are associated with circulating lipid levels through interaction with physical activity; higher levels of physical activity enhance the HDL cholesterol-increasing effects of the CLASP1, LHX1, and SNTA1 loci and attenuate the LDL cholesterol-increasing effect of the CNTNAP2 locus. The CLASP1, LHX1, and SNTA1 regions harbor genes linked to muscle function and lipid metabolism. Our results elucidate the role of physical activity interactions in the genetic contribution to blood lipid levels

Auto-adhesive transdermal drug delivery patches using beetle inspired micropillar structures

The patch described in this paper combines the principles of wet adhesion, which is a widely adopted biological adhesion system in nature, with transdermal drug delivery. A biologically inspired micropillar patch was fabricated that is self-adhesive, reusable, and can sustain a controlled drug release. We successfully preloaded the commercial non-steroidal anti-inflammatory generic drug unguents indomethacin, ketoprofen, diclofenac sodium and etofenamate into a polydimethylsiloxane elastomeric matrix and fabricated drug-containing micropillar patches. When examining the drug release kinetics and friction of the patches, we observed that these drug unguents can be released calculably and regularly for several days. Additionally, the drug unguents released from the patch to its attached surface are critical to increase the strength of the patch's adhesion, which is based on capillary attractive forces and is inspired by beetle feet. Here, we create a novel system combining biomimetics and drug delivery that can be modified for use across the biomedical and engineering spectra. Motivation: the objective of the present study was to characterize a micropillar PDMS patch that was inspired by a beetle's wet adhesion as a platform for conducting in vitro release studies. Commercially available non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were used as the model drugs for our delivery systems. An emphasis was put on quantitatively evaluating the drug release and friction manifestation of these patches

Genetic Resolution of the Enigmatic Lesser Antillean Distribution of the Frog \u3cem\u3eLeptodactylus Validus\u3c/em\u3e (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

Leptodactylus validus has an unusual distribution, inhabiting Trinidad, Tobago, and the Lesser Antilles, but not the mainland of South America. This distribution is inconsistent with other distribution patterns observed for these islands. Although slight variation in adult morphology has been observed among the different island populations of L. validus, call data suggest the presence of a single species. Calls of L. pallidirostris from Venezuela and Brazil suggested that this taxon might be conspecific with L. validus. Sequence data from the 12S and 16S mt rDNA genes indicate that L. validus represents a single species throughout its distribution and is conspecific with L. pallidirostris. Dispersal of L. validus from Trinidad and Tobago to the Lesser Antilles was likely mediated by human activities

L'Empereur et le Christ à la chapelle Saint-Sylvestre de la basilique des Saints Quatre Couronnés (Rome, 1245)

La chapelle Saint-Sylvestre dans la basilique des Saints Quatre Couronnés sur la colline du Coelius à Rome a été consacrée en 1246 par le cardinal presbytère et vicaire apostolique Stefano Conti, sur les instances du pape Innocent IV. La chapelle est généralement connue pour sa fresque intitulée Constantin présente la mitre au pontife qui montre la donation d'insignes du pouvoir temporel de l'empereur au pape. Cette image s'insère plus largement dans un décor constitué de onze autres fresques qui racontent l'histoire de la conversion au christianisme de l'empereur romain Constantin le Grand et la légende des miracles du pape Sylvestre 1er. Le présent mémoire propose que les fresques de la chapelle Saint-Sylvestre ont pour fonction d'exposer les divers pouvoirs du pape en faisant appel à des rituels impériaux spécifiques à l'histoire théologique et politique du XIIIe siècle. Les rituels placent le corps de l'empereur dans diverses configurations qui profitent au pontife. La présence du Christ participe aux métamorphoses du corps de l'empereur en regard de l'histoire de sa souffrance humaine et de la conception des juristes et théologiens qui font du Christ la tête de l'Église de Justice. Diverses approches sont mises en avant: analyse de la fortune critique du cycle de fresques, exégèse des textes anciens, sémiologie du langage visuel, anthropologie des gestes, histoire du corps. L'étude des figures de l'empereur à la chapelle Saint-Sylvestre est importante dans la mesure où elle permet de comprendre la conception du pouvoir impérial par la papauté de la fin du Moyen-Âge. Ce cadre de recherche permettra d'insister sur les pouvoirs juridique et thaumaturgique conférés au pontife, en même temps que sur la complexité du corps de l'empereur, entre pécheur et modèle d'exemplarité pour l'empereur germanique contemporain Frédéric Il de Hohenstaufen. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Moyen-Âge, Italie, Basilique des Saints Quatre Couronnés, Chapelle Saint-Sylvestre, Iconographie religieuse

Towards Universal Screening for Colon Cancer: A Cheap, Reliable, Noninvasive Test Using Gene Expression Analysis of Rectal Swabs

Though colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, it is entirely preventable through early screening to detect and remove adenomatous polyps. Colonoscopy has long been regarded as the “gold standard” but is expensive, invasive, and uncomfortable, and only about half those considered at risk for colon cancer currently submit to colonoscopy or to less reliable alternatives such as fecal occult blood test. Here we describe the use of gene expression analysis to detect altered expression of certain genes associated with not only colon cancer but also polyps. The analysis can be performed on rectal swabs, with specimens provided in a routine doctor's office visit. The existence of this cheap and simple test, together with an active program to encourage individuals to submit to screening, could help eradicate colon cancer