Sensory Gating Networks in Normal-Hearing Adults With Minimal Tinnitus.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to observe sensory gating-related networks underlying cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) peak components in individuals with and without minimal tinnitus, as measured using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). This analysis was performed on previously published sensory gating responses in normal-hearing adults with and without minimal tinnitus. METHOD: Independent component analysis was performed for each individual CAEP gating component (Pa, P50, N1, and P2). Significant components were retained for source localization analyses within the following groups: no tinnitus, tinnitus with a THI score ≤ 6, and tinnitus with a THI score > 6. Brain source localization was performed on the gating difference wave for each component using standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography. RESULTS: Gating-related networks were identified within each group. Different regional sources were observed between groups, with parietal sources underlying the Pa and P50 components as tinnitus severity increased. A larger prefrontal regional activation was also shown for the N1 gating component as tinnitus severity increased. These results expand upon the functional gating responses via CAEP waveforms in a previously published study. CONCLUSIONS: The auditory gating response, as measured via CAEPs, has previously been shown to significantly correlate with an increase in tinnitus severity in adults with normal hearing. The corresponding changes in the gating response appear to be supported by different cortical regions in those without tinnitus, those with a THI score ≤ 6, and those with a THI score > 6. Next, functional differences between localized cortical regions should be tested.

Registered Behavior Technicians' Training Experiences for Severe Problem Behavior: A Survey.

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) are the primary paraprofessionals who deliver applied behavior analysis (ABA) services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) under supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Effective training and supervision for RBTs providing ABA services is critical, especially for technicians working with children who exhibit severe behaviors. Recent research has assessed the needs of BCBAs working with individuals who exhibit severe problem behavior (Colombo et al., 2021). However, no research exists to identify the needs and ongoing training offered to the RBTs who provide ABA services to clients who exhibit severe problem behavior. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to survey RBTs for their initial training experiences and ongoing supports offered when working with clients who exhibit severe problem behavior. Results indicated that some RBTs reported appropriate initial and ongoing training, however, 13% reported receiving no initial training and 29% reported receiving no ongoing training when working with clients who engaged in severe problem behavior. In addition, 75% of RBTs reported sustaining an injury themselves and 36% reported their client sustained some type of injury. Suggestions for improvement for training RBTs working with this population and directions for future research are discussed.

Reported Effects of Noncompete Clauses on Practitioners in Applied Behavior Analysis.

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the reported impact of noncompete clauses (NCCs) on practitioners in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Thirty-seven percent of respondents indicated they currently worked under a NCC, 33% reported working under one in the past, and 30% reported never working under one. Responses on the effects of NCCs on practitioners' personal and work lives were mixed. Some respondents reported benefits associated with working under an NCC such as increased pay and reduced commute. However, a concerning number of respondents reported being involved in litigation, having to partially or completely stop working in the field of ABA, having to turn away clients due to NCCs, or contemplating leaving the field altogether. Further, many owners reported using NCCs to protect trade secrets, to avoid losing clients, and reduce employee turnover. The impact of NCCs in ABA, the rights of employees and owners, and suggestions for potential solutions in the field are discussed.

Erratum: Publisher Correction: Reported Effects of Noncompete Clauses on Practitioners in Applied Behavior Analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s40617-022-00718-4.].

MCML: Combining physical constraints with experimental data for a multi-purpose meta-generalized gradient approximation.

The predictive power of density functional theory for materials properties can be improved without increasing the overall computational complexity by extending the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for electronic exchange and correlation to density functionals depending on the electronic kinetic energy density in addition to the charge density and its gradient, resulting in a meta-GGA. Here, we propose an empirical meta-GGA model that is based both on physical constraints and on experimental and quantum chemistry reference data. The resulting optimized meta-GGA MCML yields improved surface and gas phase reaction energetics without sacrificing the accuracy of bulk property predictions of existing meta-GGA approaches.

Noncompete Clauses in Applied Behavior Analysis: A Prevalence and Practice Impact Survey.

The field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) has grown substantially in the past decade. Behavior analysts seeking out new employment may have to weigh benefits such as pay, health care, and conditions of employment during negotiations. One condition of employment used in employment contracts is noncompete clauses (NCCs). NCCs are agreements between employers and employees that restrict the employee's ability to work in a specific field after employment ends. Although they can provide businesses with security, NCCs have the potential to impact how, when, and whom practitioners can serve after employment ends. Although NCCs and their effects have been studied in other fields, to our knowledge no analysis has occurred in the field of ABA. We surveyed 610 practicing behavior analysts to determine the prevalence of NCCs in the field of ABA and how respondents viewed the impact of NCCs on the field; one third (33.1%) of respondents indicated that their contract contained an NCC, and opinions on their potential impact were largely unfavorable. Results are discussed with regard to how NCCs can impact the growth of ABA, possible behavioral functions, possible alternatives to their use, and directions for future research.

pH effects on the electrochemical reduction of CO(2) towards C2 products on stepped copper.

We present a microkinetic model for CO(2) reduction (CO(2)R) on Cu(211) towards C2 products, based on energetics estimated from an explicit solvent model. We show that the differences in both Tafel slopes and pH dependence for C1 vs C2 activity arise from differences in their multi-step mechanisms. We find the depletion in C2 products observed at high overpotential and high pH to arise from the 2nd order dependence of C-C coupling on CO coverage, which decreases due to competition from the C1 pathway. We further demonstrate that CO(2) reduction at a fixed pH yield similar activities, due to the facile kinetics for CO2 reduction to CO on Cu, which suggests C2 products to be favored for CO2R under alkaline conditions. The mechanistic insights of this work elucidate how reaction conditions can lead to significant enhancements in selectivity and activity towards higher value C2 products.

SPECTROSCOPIC AND ELECTROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF IRON(II) AND 2,4-DINITROTOLUENE.

The objective of this work was the development of reliable methods to determine 2,4-dinitrotoluene, a precursor to explosives. A complex between Fe(II) ion and 2,4-dinitrotoluene was formed in solution and characterized by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy using Job's plots and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface modification of glassy carbon electrodes were performed with iron nanoparticles via electrochemical reduction of iron(II). The modified electrode was employed for the determination of 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the iron nanoparticles were incorporated on the surface of glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical determination of 2,4-dinitrotoluene was performed by cyclic voltammetry using the modified electrode. The iron modified electrode produced larger reduction currents than the unmodified electrode for the same concentration of 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Concentrations of 2,4-dinitrotoluene as low as 10 parts per billion were determined using the modified electrode.