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No-boundary thinking: a viable solution to ethical data-driven AI in precision medicine
No full textToday Artificial Intelligence (AI) supports difficult decisions about policy, health, and our personal lives. The AI algorithms we develop and deploy to make sense of information, are informed by data, and based on models that capture and use pertinent details of the population or phenomenon being analyzed. For any application area, more importantly in precision medicine which directly impacts human lives, the data upon which algorithms are run must be procured, cleaned, and organized well to assure reliable and interpretable results, and to assure that they do not perpetrate or amplify human prejudices. This must be done without violating basic assumptions of the algorithms in use. Algorithmic results need to be clearly communicated to stakeholders and domain experts to enable sound conclusions. Our position is that AI holds great promise for supporting precision medicine, but we need to move forward with great care, with consideration for possible ethical implications. We make the case that a no-boundary or convergent approach is essential to support sound and ethical decisions. No-boundary thinking supports problem definition and solving with teams of experts possessing diverse perspectives. When dealing with AI and the data needed to use AI, there is a spectrum of activities that needs the attention of a no-boundary team. This is necessary if we are to draw viable conclusions and develop actions and policies based on the AI, the data, and the scientific foundations of the domain in question
Police legitimacy and procedural justice among young Brazilian adolescents: A cross-sectional and time-ordered analysis
No full textThe legal socialization framework expounds individual attitudes towards authority. The current study tested whether the attitudes of Brazilian adolescents towards social authorities (parents and teachers) explain later attitudes towards legal authority (the police). Data were obtained from three waves of a longitudinal study of Brazilian youth in São Paulo (ages 11-13; 50 per cent female) between 2016 and 2018. The time-ordered data are uniquely capable of testing the legal socialization framework as adolescent social spheres expand beyond the domestic domain. The findings of the structural equation models support the claim that attitudes towards social authorities explain later attitudes towards legal authority. The findings also paint a more complicated and nuanced picture of how spheres of authority are related
Preservice physical education teacher\u27s development of adaptive competence
No full textPurpose: This study had two purposes. One purpose was to explore preservice physical education teachers\u27 development of adaptive competence in six core practices during planning and teaching in physical education. The second purpose was to understand how rehearsals and repeated teaching as two pedagogies of practice-based teacher education were perceived by preservice teachers in their development of adaptive competence. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study using descriptive analysis to analyze data collected from lesson plans and a collective case study to analyze semistructured interviews. Findings: Preservice teachers made the most adaptations in the core practices of coordinating and adjusting instruction, establishing rules and routines, and providing precise instruction. Rehearsals and repeated teaching were perceived as effective strategies to facilitate the development of adaptive competence in teaching. Conclusions: Findings are discussed in terms of three contemporary teacher education conceptualizations: (a) adaptive competence, (b) core practices in physical education, and (c) practice-based teacher education pedagogies
Blood Meals With Active and Heat-Inactivated Serum Modifies the Gene Expression and Microbiome of Aedes albopictus
No full textThe Asian “tiger mosquito” Aedes albopictus is currently the most widely distributed disease-transmitting mosquito in the world. Its geographical expansion has also allowed the expansion of multiple arboviruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, to higher latitudes. Due to the enormous risk to global public health caused by mosquitoes species vectors of human disease, and the challenges in slowing their expansion, it is necessary to develop new and environmentally friendly vector control strategies. Among these, host-associated microbiome-based strategies have emerged as promising options. In this study, we performed an RNA-seq analysis on dissected abdomens of Ae. albopictus females from Manhattan, KS, United States fed with sugar and human blood containing either normal or heat-inactivated serum, to evaluate the effect of heat inactivation on gene expression, the bacteriome transcripts and the RNA virome of this mosquito species. Our results showed at least 600 genes with modified expression profile when mosquitoes were fed with normal vs. heat-inactivated-containing blood. These genes were mainly involved in immunity, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and oogenesis. Also, we observed bacteriome changes with an increase in transcripts of Actinobacteria, Rhodospirillaceae, and Anaplasmataceae at 6 h post-feeding. We also found that feeding with normal blood seems to particularly influence Wolbachia metabolism, demonstrated by a significant increase in transcripts of this bacteria in mosquitoes fed with blood containing normal serum. However, no differences were observed in the virome core of this mosquito population. These results suggest that heat and further inactivation of complement proteins in human serum may have profound effect on mosquito and microbiome metabolism, which could influence interpretation of the pathogen-host interaction findings when using this type of reagents specially when measuring the effect of Wolbachia in vector competence
Content Validity of ABA Language Assessments in the Totality of Skinner\u27s Verbal Operant Theory
No full textContent validity describes the degree of which a measure represents all the components of the overall construct being measured. Behavior analytic language assessments are largely based on Skinner’s verbal operant theory (1957). Three behavior analytic language assessments were utilized to measure the coverage of Skinner’s verbal behavior theory: the VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, and PEAK. The purpose of the current study was to examine the content validity of each of these assessments coverage on the totality of Skinner’s verbal operant theory. Expressive items on each of the three assessments were compared to definitions of Skinner’s verbal operants and were coded as the corresponding verbal operant. The results of this analysis indicated that all three assessments used all of the primary verbal operants, however PEAK utilized the largest number of the extended versions of the verbal operants. The assessment that utilized the lowest number of extended verbal operants was the VB-MAPP. The results of this study indicated that the top three assessments utilized by behavior analysts cover less than 25% of the totality of Skinner’s verbal operant theory. Implications of this study demonstrate the lack of coverage on all of Skinner’s verbal operants, and further proposes that the complexity of language may not be accounted for in totality by Skinner’s theory; future research should be conducted using newer accounts of language learning such as relational frame theory to provide a more robust account of human language learning
Proper Sum Graphs
No full textThe Proper Sum Graph of a commutative ring with identity has the prime ideals as vertices, with two ideals adjacent if their sum is a proper ideal. This thesis expands upon the research of Dhorajia. We will cover the groundwork to understanding the basics of these graphs, and gradually narrow our efforts into the minimal prime ideals of the ring
Increasing On-Task Behavior Using the I-Connect Application at Home for an Individual with Autism
No full textThis study assessed the effects of the research-based strategy, I-Connect self-monitoring application (Wills & Mason, 2014), with an individual diagnosed with autism. I-Connect is an electronic self-monitoring application that was utilized with an electronic device (iPad) to monitor on- and off-task behavior in the home environment. Data were collected using direct observation (e.g., momentary time sampling) for on- and off-task behavior and permanent product for academic accuracy. A reinforcement inventory was also utilized to determine highly preferred reinforcers of the participant. A single-subject withdrawal design (Kazdin, 2011) was used to assess the effects of the I-Connect application on academic on- and off-task behavior of one participant diagnosed with autism. Following the conclusion of the study, both academic on-task behavior increased as well as academic accuracy
Coping with Burdens
No full textHow to carry and cope with burdensome circumstances beyond my control is the main theme I am currently exploring in my artistic practice. I create art objects and experiences that can elicit an empathetic connection to the realities of living with burdens like grief and chronic illness, or help you to process your own relationship to a wide variety of burdens. Individual pieces explore aspects of how I or close family members cope. My practice is multi-disciplinary and the forms focus on reinterpretation of the book as a sculptural art object or artists’ book. The processes I use are overwhelmingly by hand, and craftsmanship is given attention. This way of making is important to me as a way to honor the memories and experiences that are the subject matter of my work. The materials I choose are mostly natural or reference nature as a reflection on my beliefs. Time and attention spent in my artistic practice serve as a contemplative time, helping me to process my relationship to grief and illness. This practice helps me to make deeper connections to my coping mechanisms, including a deeply held system of belief that is also in the work for viewers to discover
Evaluating the Effects of a Remote ACT-Based Intervention Designed for Children with Parent-Child Dyads
No full textThe current study evaluated a remote Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based intervention designed for children implemented with parent involvement. Each parent-child dyad completed a total of nine sessions, which included an introductory session, one baseline session, six ACT-based intervention sessions, and one follow-up session. The study was conducted using a multiple-baseline across participants design. The effects of the intervention on both the parent and child well-being were evaluated using between sessions measures that measured values-based behavior and challenging behaviors. Pre- and post-test measures were taken on psychological flexibility, parent stress, and child behavior. Although the present intervention is designed for the child, it was suspected that the parents would have consequential benefits from participating and interaction with their children during intervention sessions. The intervention was designed to improve psychological flexibility for both children and parents, increase values-directed behavior, and decrease parental stress and challenging behaviors. The results suggested a decrease in challenging behaviors and a minimal increase in parent psychological flexibility. The data surrounding values-based behaviors and values-directed parent-child interaction was inconsistent; therefore, conclusions were not drawn from this data. Further, the results of this study may demonstrate the benefits of a child-focused intervention on challenging behaviors and parent psychological flexibility
Grey to green: Tracing the path to environmental transformation and regeneration of a major industrial city
No full textThe current study investigates the environmental transformation of Chattanooga, a city imbued with environmental paradoxes, in the context of turning points and trajectories. The research analyses events beginning the industrial prominence of Chattanooga in the post-World War era, environmental decay in the late 1960s and early 1970s, to the present day ‘green’ economy. Twenty five key informants were interviewed one-onone. Data was corroborated with review of documents and archival records, and field observations. Findings show distinct trajectories and turning points in the city\u27s environmental history, backed by key decisions that helped transform reliance on heavy manufacturing to environmentally cleaner industries and a thriving service industry. The study captures urban resilience and the power of citizen visioning and community engagement. Lessons could be used to inform United States\u27 rustbelt cities that have the same natural endowments and are still struggling to revitalize themselves socioeconomically