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Voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) respond to changes in membrane potential (Vm) and typically exhibit fast kinetic properties. They play an important role in signal detection and propagation in excitable tissues. In contrast, the role of VGICs in non-excitable tissues like epithelia is less studied and less clear. Studies in epithelia of vertebrates and invertebrates demonstrate wide expression of VGICs in epithelia of animals. Recently, VGICs have emerged as regulators of ion transport in the Malpighian tubules (MTs) and other osmoregulatory organs of insects. This mini-review aims to concisely summarize which VGICs have been implicated in the regulation of ion transport in the osmoregulatory epithelia of insects to date, and highlight select groups for further study. We have also speculated on the roles VGICs may potentially play in regulating processes connected directly to ion transport in insects (e.g., acid-base balance, desiccation, thermal tolerance). This review is not meant to be exhaustive but should rather serve as a thought-provoking collection of select existing highlights on VGICs, and to emphasize how understudied this mechanism of ion transport regulation is in insect epithelia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (aGPCR) signaling influences development and homeostasis in a wide range of tissues. In the current model for aGPCR signaling, ligand binding liberates a conserved sequence that acts as an intramolecular, tethered agonist (TA), yet this model has not been evaluated systematically for all aGPCRs. Here, we assessed the TA-dependent activities of all 33 aGPCRs in a suite of transcriptional reporter, G protein activation, and β-arrestin recruitment assays using a new fusion protein platform. Strikingly, only ∼50% of aGPCRs exhibited robust TA-dependent activation, and unlike other GPCR families, aGPCRs showed a notable preference for G 12/13 signaling. AlphaFold2 predictions assessing TA engagement in the predicted intramolecular binding pocket aligned with the TA dependence of the cellular responses. This dataset provides a comprehensive resource to inform the investigation of all human aGPCRs and for targeting aGPCRs therapeutically. [Display omitted] • Created a generalizable platform for analysis of tethered agonism in aGPCRs • About half of human aGPCRs lack detectable TA-dependent signaling activity • TA-active aGPCRs show a striking preference for G 12/13 coupling • Constitutively active aGPCRs are trafficked to intracellular compartments Dates et al. profiled the signaling activity of all 33 human adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs), evaluating tethered agonist dependence in a variety of different functional assays. They found that only about half of aGPCRs exhibited tethered agonist-dependent signaling and that the active aGPCRs showed a preference for G 12/13 coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the author discusses the initial findings from local site evaluations of Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI), presents an evaluation of evidence-based practices tailored to homeless subpopulations with co-occurring disorders and discusses an article on implementing Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) with adults who are homeless and have co-occurring mental and addictive disorders.

Fidelity rating of evidence-based practices ensures the implementation of interventions as intended and enhances the likelihood of replication of positive outcomes previously demonstrated. However, modifications have been necessary when a practice is adopted in settings or for populations other than those for which they were developed. This study reports fidelity findings for six programs implementing the Assertive Community Treatment model in different settings for adults who are homeless and who present with mental and addictive disorders, together with a methodology that can assist programs to achieve fidelity. Initial and final fidelity ratings using the Dartmouth Assertive Community Treatment Scale were collected from six programs. Findings indicate that while fidelity in programs can vary over time, core elements can be maintained, resulting in at least moderate fidelity in each program and modest overall increases across all programs combined with concomitant decreases in the variance of fidelity scales. The findings support previous research that fidelity change is minimal after initial fidelity is achieved during the first year of implementation, and they extend previous results to programs serving persons who are homeless and have co-occurring mental and addictive disorders. This study suggests that fidelity to evidence-based practice can be maintained for adaptation to new populations and settings. Understanding areas that are likely to be challenging to fidelity achievement and managing the variability of performance on the components of each fidelity aspect can assist the program manager and personnel to achieve and maintain adequate model fidelity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a debate related to the question "Does journalism education matter? Jannette L. Dates argues that a prepare journalism curricula must be done to promote and upgrade the standards of journalism, the enterprise essential to democracy. Theodore L. Glasser argues in his essay on why journalism matters, that journalism studies will only make a difference if they makes journalism better and help them understand what journalism means. Mitchell Stephens introduces 13 principles that he contends that is needed for practical journalism education. G. Stuart Adam argues for an increased connection between the applied field of journalism and the intellectual culture of the university.

The author analyzes the influences of black women as decision makers and creators in entertainment television and focuses on the effects black women have had on the system during the period 1999-2004. She also assesses whether a black presence has made a difference in the process and the products produced for television viewers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduces a series of articles on the role and portrayal of African Americans in U.S. television programs and motion pictures.

Information Studies and Library Studies departments do not usually offer specialized reference courses for aspiring music librarians. Most music departments in academic universities offer some type of music bibliography course, which often combines music bibliography with an introduction to music research. Some music library students, however, do not have access to such music bibliography courses. While a number of articles outline the problems with music librarianship education, few offer any solutions, suggestions, or additional resources. This article outlines the inadequacies in the training provided by many MLS programs to students of music librarianships, suggesting practical solutions, and includes recommended resources for students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of a study conducted in the illinois ILCSO consortium about the impact of consortial guidelines for cataloging remote access computer files on the quantity, quality and nature of bibliographic records for Internet resources found in the consortium online catalog, ILLINET Online (JO). A pre-test sample was gathered in March 2000, while a post-test sample was harvested in April 2001 approximately a year following introduction of the guidelines. The study shows that while the presence of consortial guidelines for cataloging Internet resources may have impacted the quantity of bibliographic records for Internet resources in 10, the guidelines had only a small effect on the quality and nature of Internet computer file records found in 10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The Adience-Abience and the Psychopathology Scales of the HABGT were applied under pretreatment and posttreatment conditions to 120 13-15-year-old male delinquents. Comparison with other personality variabes, prediction of recidivism, and analysis of mean scores on the two scales with the means of normal and disturbed children of comparable age were attempted. The delinquent group was more abient than normal children and was significantly higher in psychopthology than either normals or disturbed children. Significant correlations were obtained between Adience-Abience and Psychopathology and recidivism, although neither scale alone, nor both scales in combination, was high enough in prediction to warrant their use for individual predictive purposes. However, their utility in such programs as well as their construct validity were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliabilities and interrelationships of the Adience-Abience and the Psychopathology Scales of the HABGT were investigated in a population of 120 13-15 year-old mate delinquents over a 40-week period. The delinquent boys were assigned to three conditions: individual tutoring and counseling; group tutoring and counseling; controls (no treatment). Both scales were found to have high test-retest reliability over all conditions (rs ranged from .85 to .93). Interscorer reliability among three scorers was also found to be very high. As expected, treatment had a differential effect on psychopathology and on adience-abience: the former was modifiable while the latter was resistant to change. Also as predicted, the two scales had a significantly higher degree of commonality before treatment intervention than after such intervention, but the relationship remained stable for the control group. Implications for clinical and research use are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All EU28 countries, Norway and Iceland, run Integrated Care Initiatives (ICI) in efforts to address the new demographic challenges, reduce costs and improve health outcomes. As part of a study commissioned by Chafea and DG SANTE, Optimity Advisors has conducted an extensive review and mapping of ICI across Europe, to assess the level of penetration and adoption of ICI in the 30 countries and evaluate the level of maturity of several healthcare systems. This has allowed to examine the extent of the use of digital tools in ICI. The aim of this presentation will be to look at the relationship between theory and practice, assessing whether assessments of a country's healthcare system in terms of its Digital Health maturity is reflected in its number of digitallyenabled ICI. For each country, the Study Team, in collaboration with researchers from all included nationalities, has identified 573 ICI and analysed their characteristics and implementation. Considering the different elements of the selected initiatives, it was possible to assess the extent to which Digital Health was included in each country. Additional desk research and the use of the Scirocco Maturity Assessment Tool (which has "information and e-Health" as one of its 12 assessment criteria) have then allowed to examine whether a correlation between the number of digitally-enabled ICI per country and the maturity of their integrated care systems exists. Our research has shown that all EU28 countries, Norway and Iceland, have implemented e-Health Strategies. The review found that IC strategies, policies and projects are present in all 30 countries, although their characteristics, depth and breadth of integration are varied. However, based on our repository of ICI, only 79, out of the 573 ICI retrieved, included a digital component. This translates to less than 15%, spread across 18 countries (Spain (16); UK (11); Lithuania (9); Italy (6); Germany (6); Czech Republic (5); Belgium (5); Greece (4); Finland (4); Slovakia (3); Hungary (2); France (2); Cyprus (1); Iceland (1); Norway (1); Croatia (1); Denmark (1); Austria (1)). Contrary to our assumptions, the assessment of integrated care system maturity did not always reflect the number of ICI with digital components retrieved in the repository. For example, while stakeholders from Denmark and Iceland, have self-assessed their "information and e-Health" domain as highly advanced, both countries only have one digitally-enabled initiative listed in the repository. Moreover, while the evidence around integrated care shows that Digital Health is a key component of an integrated system, in practice less than 15% of all the retrieved ICI had a digital component in it. There is therefore a lack of clarity on whether ICI working on health and social care programmes and strategies see e-Health and m-Health as central elements of the integration, or if Digital Health is rather perceived as an additional and complementary element that would assist, rather than drive, their projects. Additional research focusing on the role of Digital Health in practice and on how to raise the Digital Health profile in the ICI landscape across Europe should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimity Advisors conducted the study "Health system performance assessment - Integrated Care Assessment", commissioned by Chafea and DG SANTE, assessing: (i) the state of integrated care (IC) implementation in the EU28 Member States, Norway and Iceland; and (ii) developing an evidence-based Integrated Care Performance Assessment (ICPA) framework. The framework, supported by an Excel tool, was co-designed with stakeholders across Europe. The ICPA tool will be tested by members of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIPonAHA), B3 Action Group on Integrated Care. From a review of literature in 24 languages, an extensive mapping of 560 IC initiatives in 30 countries and the maturity assessment of 12 health systems, we inferred that IC strategies, policies, models and projects are present across Europe, but their characteristics, depth and breadth of integration vary considerably. Taking this heterogeneity into account, the framework was codesigned drawing on user-centred design and agile methodologies. Following an iterative approach with regular stakeholder engagement (questionnaires, video-conferences, peer-review webinars, presentations at events, and a validation workshop), experts and practitioners helped us determine which indicators sourced from existing performance assessment frameworks were considered "core" to IC assessment, with the rest proposed as "optional" indicators in the performance assessment model. The core indicators selected were categorised under four domains - Advancement of integration; Use of care services; Health outcomes; Experiences of care- with a fifth overarching domain considering financial issues. Indicators have been re-worded and redefined to make them applicable across the wealth of IC initiatives while offering measures for international comparison. The heterogeneity of the context in which IC initiatives operate in Europe was a key challenge for the development of a framework that had to be relevant and potentially used in all included countries. This was addressed by providing an additional Excel-based ICPA tool offering flexibility in the use of the framework and allowing users to adapt indicators to their context. The tool allows users to compare performance to a set target for each indicator in the ICPA framework. The use of the ICPA framework and tool will help healthcare systems across Europe to further develop their IC system - based on their current state and context - and could significantly help them achieve better health outcomes and care experiences. The use of user-centred design and agile methodologies are proved methods of finding useful solutions to common challenges. Our research indicates that these principles also apply in the area of health performance assessment and can support IC implementation. Without user engagement, there was a risk that the output of the study would not provide the value sought. As IC evolves, the framework will need to be updated and adapted to new circumstances. Further user engagement and testing is recommended to ensure usability. With the research concluded, the framework and tool will need to be tested in practice through the involvement of members of the B3 Action Group of the EIPonAHA. Preliminary results will be resented at ICIC19. A web-based tool could facilitate uptake and data collection and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Funded by the Third EU Public Health Programme, Optimity Advisors has followed up on the work carried out by the Health System Performance Assessment HSPA Expert Group in the development of an assessment framework for integrated care. The study conducted has assessed the level penetration and adoption of integrated care in the EU28, Norway and Iceland, and the level of maturity of several health systems at national, regional and local level. Through engagement with stakeholders in the integrated care field, a new, user-friendly framework for the performance assessment of integrated care has been co-developed and further validated by Optimity Advisors, DG SANTE i.e. Directorate-General for Health and Consumers of the European Union, CHAFEA Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency and stakeholders across the integrated care community in the 28 Member States, Norway and Iceland. The Integrated Care Performance Assessment Framework was developed based on previously validated frameworks, such as the WHO 2015 framework People-centred and integrated health services: an overview of the evidence. Aims and Objectives: The main objective of this workshop will be to communicate the preliminary results and the experience of using the framework to assess the performance of a number of integrated care systems at local, regional and national level. Format: The agenda for the workshop will be as follows: Introduction to the methodological approach and preliminary outputs of the framework, by Optimity Advisors and DG SANTE; Presentation by one or two representatitves of integrated care projects who have contributed in the co-design of the framework explaining the design process; Demonstration of the use of the framework by representatitves of integrated care projects, who will show how to obtain a performance profile for integrated care systems; Group discussion on the different conditions in different health systems that can enhance, or limit the adoption of the framework, and on what could be done to minimise the barriers and maximise facilitating conditions; Conclusion by the facilitators on future steps to address the issues raised by the attendees, and final remarks. Target audience: We envision the target audience of the workshop to be comprised of individuals who have an integrated care performance assessment need, including health managers, policy makers, and other stakeholders that are directly involved in decision-making actions within integrated health systems. Learnings/Take away: By the end of the session, we expect attendees to i have an understanding of a new way to assess the performance of integrated care systems, ii develop a performance profile and actionable roadmap for performance improvement of an integrated care system of their choosing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an obituary for Archibald John Ogg, a former consultant ophthalmic surgeon in Wiltshire, England.

Highlights: [•] Tamoxifen produces cytotoxicity via estrogen-receptor (ER) independent mechanisms. [•] Tamoxifen binds to CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and acts as an inverse agonist. [•] CB1 and CB2 receptors are novel molecular targets for Tamoxifen. [•] ER-independent effects for Tamoxifen may be mediated via CB1 and/or CB2 receptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: There is a dearth of empirical studies aimed at examining the impact of differential cultural adaptation of evidence-based clinical and prevention interventions. This prevention study consisted of a randomized controlled trial aimed at comparing the impact of 2 differentially culturally adapted versions of the evidence-based parenting intervention known as Parent Management Training, the Oregon Model (PMTOR ). Method: The sample consisted of 103 Latina/o immigrant families (190 individual parents). Each family was allocated to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) a culturally adapted PMTO (CA), (b) culturally adapted and enhanced PMTO (CE), and (c) a wait-list control. Measurements were implemented at baseline (Tl), treatment completion (T2) and 6-month follow up (T3). Results: Multilevel growth modeling analyses indicated statistically significant improvements on parenting skills for fathers and mothers (main effect) at 6-month follow-up in both adapted interventions, when compared with the control condition. With regard to parent-reported child behaviors, child internalizing behaviors were significantly lower for both parents in the CE intervention (main effect), compared with control at 6-month follow-up. No main effect was found for child externalizing behaviors. However, a Parent X Condition effect was found indicating a significant reduction of child externalizing behaviors for CE fathers compared with CA and control fathers at posttest and 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: Present findings indicate the value of differential cultural adaptation research designs and the importance of examining effects for both mothers and fathers, particularly when culturally focused and gender variables are considered for intervention design and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latinos constitute the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. However, the cultural adaptation and dissemination of evidence-based parenting interventions among Latino populations continues to be scarce despite extensive research that demonstrates the long-term positive effects of these interventions. The purpose of this article is threefold: (1) justify the importance of cultural adaptation research as a key strategy to disseminate efficacious interventions among Latinos, (2) describe the initial steps of a program of prevention research with Latino immigrants aimed at culturally adapting an evidence-based intervention informed by parent management training principles, and (3) discuss implications for advancing cultural adaptation prevention practice and research, based on the initial feasibility and cultural acceptability findings of the current investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The draft nuclear genome sequence of the snail-transmitted, dimorphic, parasitic, platyhelminth Schistosoma mansoni revealed eight genes encoding proteins that contain the Universal Stress Protein (USP) domain. Schistosoma mansoni is a causative agent of human schistosomiasis, a severe and debilitating Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) of poverty, which is endemic in at least 76 countries. The availability of the genome sequences of Schistosoma species presents opportunities for bioinformatics and genomics analyses of associated gene families that could be targets for understanding schistosomiasis ecology, intervention, prevention and control. Proteins with the USP domain are known to provide bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists and plants with the ability to respond to diverse environmental stresses. In this research investigation, the functional annotations of the USP genes and predicted nucleotide and protein sequences were initially verified. Subsequently, sequence clusters and distinctive features of the sequences were determined. A total of twelve ligand binding sites were predicted based on alignment to the ATP-binding universal stress protein from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. In addition, six USP sequences showed the presence of ATP-binding motif residues indicating that they may be regulated by ATP. Public domain gene expression data and RT-PCR assays confirmed that all the S. mansoni USP genes were transcribed in at least one of the developmental life cycle stages of the helminth. Six of these genes were up-regulated in the miracidium, a free-swimming stage that is critical for transmission to the snail intermediate host. It is possible that during the intra-snail stages, S. mansoni gene transcripts for universal stress proteins are low abundant and are induced to perform specialized functions triggered by environmental stressors such as oxidative stress due to hydrogen peroxide that is present in the snail hemocytes. This report serves to catalyze the formation of a network of researchers to understand the function and regulation of the universal stress proteins encoded in genomes of schistosomes and their snail intermediate hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Assertive Community Treatment model (ACT) was developed more than 30 years ago to treat individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. This qualitative study highlights practical challenges encountered when establishing ACT teams in diverse settings serving people who are homeless with co-occurring mental and addictive disorders (COD). Program administrators and evaluators from nine programs located in seven states completed a survey on implementation challenges, fidelity, modifications to the ACT model, and program successes. Challenges encountered related largely to staffing and funding limitations as well as to difficulties with implementing the ACT model without modifications. Several modifications to the model were believed beneficial to recruiting and retaining consumers. These included emphasizing housing, adding staff positions not prescribed by ACT, implementing mini-teams within the program, delivering in-office services in a group format, and placing time-limited services by transitioning consumers to less intensive settings. Successes included reduction in hospitalizations, psychiatric symptoms, and substance abuse. Stabilization of consumers was attributed largely to housing assistance and maintenance; medication adherence; and delivery of intensive, multidisciplinary services including substance abuse treatment. Implications of this study suggest the need to adapt the ACT model for people who are homeless with COD by tailoring program staffing and service delivery. Furthermore, there is a need for a measure capable of assessing ACT fidelity in the context of both housing models and integrated treatment for the homeless population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the unique and challenging circumstances confronting Latino immigrant families, debate still exists as to the need to culturally adapt evidence-based interventions for dissemination with this population. Following the grounded theory approach, the current qualitative investigation utilized focus group interviews with 83 Latino immigrant parents to explore the relevance of culturally adapting an evidence-based parenting intervention to be disseminated within this population. Findings from this study indicate that Latino immigrant parents want to participate in a culturally adapted parenting intervention as long as it is culturally relevant, respectful, and responsive to their life experiences. Research results also suggest that the parenting skills participants seek to enhance are among those commonly targeted by evidence-based parenting interventions. This study contributes to the cultural adaptation/fidelity balance debate by highlighting the necessity of exploring ways to develop culturally adapted interventions characterized by high cultural relevance, as well as high fidelity to the core components that have established efficacy for evidence-based parenting interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the unique and challenging circumstances confronting Latino immigrant families, debate still exists as to the need to culturally adapt evidence-based interventions for dissemination with this population. Following the grounded theory approach, the current qualitative investigation utilized focus group interviews with 83 Latino immigrant parents to explore the relevance of culturally adapting an evidence-based parenting intervention to be disseminated within this population. Findings from this study indicate that Latino immigrant parents want to participate in a culturally adapted parenting intervention as long as it is culturally relevant, respectful, and responsive to their life experiences. Research results also suggest that the parenting skills participants seek to enhance are among those commonly targeted by evidence-based parenting interventions. This study contributes to the cultural adaptation/fidelity balance debate by highlighting the necessity of exploring ways to develop culturally adapted interventions characterized by high cultural relevance, as well as high fidelity to the core components that have established efficacy for evidence-based parenting interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the effectiveness of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications' diversity standard from 1989 to 2002. Although this standard, known as Standard 12, had the most non-compliances, the findings credit the standard for increasing non-white and female faculty and students in accredited journalism units. The findings also credit the standard for the development of courses that focus on issues pertaining to women and non-whites in journalism. But the study also concluded that stronger enforcement and additional strategies were needed to fully achieve diversity in journalism and mass communication education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the association between ownership of high-risk ('vicious') dogs and the presence of deviant behaviors in the owners as indicated by court convictions. We also explored whether two characteristics of dog ownership (abiding licensing laws and choice of breed) could be useful areas of inquiry when assessing risk status in settings where children are present. Our matched sample consisted of 355 owners of either licensed or cited dogs that represented high or low-risk breeds. Categories of criminal convictions examined were aggressive crimes, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, crimes involving children, firearm convictions, and major and minor traffic citations. Owners of cited high-risk ('vicious') dogs had significantly more criminal convictions than owners of licensed low-risk dogs. Findings suggest that the ownership of a high-risk ('vicious') dog can be a significant marker for general deviance and should be an element considered when assessing risk for child endangerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the association between ownership of high-risk (‘vicious’) dogs and the presence of deviant behaviors in the owners as indicated by court convictions. We also explored whether two characteristics of dog ownership (abiding licensing laws and choice of breed) could be useful areas of inquiry when assessing risk status in settings where children are present. Our matched sample consisted of 355 owners of either licensed or cited dogs that represented high or low-risk breeds. Categories of criminal convictions examined were aggressive crimes, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, crimes involving children, firearm convictions, and major and minor traffic citations. Owners of cited high-risk (‘vicious’) dogs had significantly more criminal convictions than owners of licensed low-risk dogs. Findings suggest that the ownership of a high-risk (‘vicious’) dog can be a significant marker for general deviance and should be an element considered when assessing risk for child endangerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the issues and problems in the field of journalism and mass communication in the United States. Overview of the commentaries from several educators; Assessment of the pedagogical approaches applied in teaching the disciplines in Higher Education; Educational and career background of the symposium contributors.