Docking and structure activity relationship studies of potent and selective thiazolidinethione GSK-3 inhibitors.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) plays a key role in several biochemical pathways and is an attractive target for pharmacological intervention. We prepared a series of analogs of a highly selective thiazolidinethione inhibitor of GSK-3. The structure-activity relationship indicated a precise structural requirement for potent inhibition.

Formamide denaturation of double-stranded DNA for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) distorts nanoscale chromatin structure.

As imaging techniques rapidly evolve to probe nanoscale genome organization at higher resolution, it is critical to consider how the reagents and procedures involved in sample preparation affect chromatin at the relevant length scales. Here, we investigate the effects of fluorescent labeling of DNA sequences within chromatin using the gold standard technique of three-dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization (3D FISH). The chemical reagents involved in the 3D FISH protocol, specifically formamide, cause significant alterations to the sub-200 nm (sub-Mbp) chromatin structure.

S: The Missing Discriminative Stimulus for Non-Punishment.

As the natural science of behavior evolves, the use of precise terminology is critical to maintain its conceptual and terminological integrity. The current state of terminology in stimulus control is well developed with respect to reinforcement and incomplete with respect to punishment. In this paper, we aim to make the case that the current conceptualization for discriminative stimulus control in relation to punishment would be enhanced by modifying the definition of the discriminative stimulus for punishment (S) and by adding a new term to the current taxonomy that denotes when a punishment contingency is inactive.

The Importance of Professional Discourse for the Continual Advancement of Practice Standards: The RBT® as a Case in Point.

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB®) created a third level of certification, the Registered Behavior Technician™ (RBT®) in 2014. The RBT® was created based upon the requests of stakeholders who wanted to credential those individuals who make direct contact with clients under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst®. There has been tremendous growth in the number of RBTs® with over 60,000 individuals certified to date.

The Gender Pay Gap for Behavior Analysis Faculty.

We examined publicly available faculty salaries for men and women faculty members at 16 university programs accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). Overall, 52.4% of the 103 faculty members were women, although there were twice as many men as women at the full-professor level.

Deterministic Nanopatterning of Diamond Using Electron Beams.

Diamond is an ideal material for a broad range of current and emerging applications in tribology, quantum photonics, high-power electronics, and sensing. However, top-down processing is very challenging due to its extreme chemical and physical properties. Gas-mediated electron beam-induced etching (EBIE) has recently emerged as a minimally invasive, facile means to dry etch and pattern diamond at the nanoscale using oxidizing precursor gases such as O and HO.

Nice Doggie! Contact Desensitization Plus Reinforcement Decreases Dog Phobias for Children with Autism.

Dog phobias are common in individuals with autism; however, evidence supporting behavioral interventions is limited. The current study evaluated the efficacy of contact desensitization plus reinforcement on dog phobic behavior exhibited by three children diagnosed with autism. The treatment package improved contact with dogs in analog and naturalistic settings and the improvements were maintained at follow-up and in generalization tests.

Icing on the Cake: The Role of Research in Practitioner Training.

Dixon, Reed, Smith, Belisle, and Jackson (, 7-15, 2015) evaluated research productivity in BACB training programs. While research productivity may indeed be an important metric for future researchers, we posit that the field consists mainly of practitioners, and as such training should be focused on practice. We provide an alternative perspective on enhancing the quality of education for behavior analysts who will, by and large, go on to be practitioners.

Skills™.

The SKILLS curriculum is a web-based curriculum of (4k) targets for designing and managing applied behavior analysis-based treatment programs for children with autism and related disorders.