Outcomes of professional development activities for selected Texas school personnel helping students cope with behavioral and mental health issues.

School personnel help youth cope with life and school stressors. However, help may depend on each person's confidence or knowledge of such issues. In 2019 and 2020, more than 13,800 Texas educators participated in Emotional Backpack Project (EBP) training to support youth coping with behavioral and mental health issues. Post-intervention results revealed significant gains in self-perceived understanding of students' behavioral and mental health issues, improved confidence in approaching students, parents, or other school staff to discuss students' harmful behaviors, understanding of mindfulness activities, and increased knowledge of trauma informed schools and trauma informed educators. Teachers and other school personnel were less confident in approaching parents or guardians to discuss youth mental health issues than in approaching students, counselors, and other staff. School personnel's knowledge, perceptions, and confidence to help students cope with behavioral and mental health issues was significantly better after EBP interventions. EBP training should be adopted widely and occur more than once annually.

CAULIFINDER: a pipeline for the automated detection and annotation of caulimovirid endogenous viral elements in plant genomes.

Plant, animal and protist genomes often contain endogenous viral elements (EVEs), which correspond to partial and sometimes entire viral genomes that have been captured in the genome of their host organism through a variety of integration mechanisms. While the number of sequenced eukaryotic genomes is rapidly increasing, the annotation and characterization of EVEs remains largely overlooked. EVEs that derive from members of the family Caulimoviridae are widespread across tracheophyte plants, and sometimes they occur in very high copy numbers. However, existing programs for annotating repetitive DNA elements in plant genomes are poor at identifying and then classifying these EVEs. Other than accurately annotating plant genomes, there is intrinsic value in a tool that could identify caulimovirid EVEs as they testify to recent or ancient host-virus interactions and provide valuable insights into virus evolution. In response to this research need, we have developed CAULIFINDER, an automated and sensitive annotation software package. CAULIFINDER consists of two complementary workflows, one to reconstruct, annotate and group caulimovirid EVEs in a given plant genome and the second to classify these genetic elements into officially recognized or tentative genera in the Caulimoviridae. We have benchmarked the CAULIFINDER package using the Vitis vinifera reference genome, which contains a rich assortment of caulimovirid EVEs that have previously been characterized using manual methods. The CAULIFINDER package is distributed in the form of a Docker image.

Selected Texan K-12 Educators' Perceptions of Youth Suicide Prevention Training.

K-12 school personnel may be frontline responders for youth contemplating suicide or other harmful behaviors. Therefore, the purpose of this preliminary study was to determine selected K-12 educators' perceptions of youth suicide prevention (YSP) training. A longitudinal trend survey with repeated measures and proportionally stratified random samples of K-12 personnel from nine Texas independent school districts provided data. Participants' perceived knowledge of the YSP content showed significant appreciative gains between pre- and follow-up post-tests. Likewise, their confidence levels for helping students at risk of suicide and approaching other adults to talk about students at risk of suicide rose significantly between pretests and follow-up post-tests. This preliminary study reinforces the value of training educators to acquire content knowledge and confidence boosting opportunities for engagement in difficult dialogue about suicidality. YSP training helped improve educators' confidence to engage with others about students' mental health concerns, calling attention to the importance of identifying early warning signs that may aid in early support and prevention of youth mental health concerns.

Homophily Effect in Trauma-Informed Classroom Training for School Personnel.

A national shortage of youth mental health professionals necessitates training others (e.g., school staff) to help youth with behavioral and mental health issues. Professional training in trauma-informed classroom (TIC) practices could increase school staff's awareness of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The purpose was to determine the effect of homophily on participants' perceptions or knowledge of TIC training. Mental Health America of Greater Houston (MHAGH) offered TIC training from 2019 to 2020 to Texas educators (N ≈ 29,900) from nine school districts that experienced significant natural and human-made traumatic events. Proportional stratified random samples were selected based on trainer type (experts vs. peer trainers). Perception was measured with close-ended items on five-point scales. Knowledge was measured with content-specific questions. Independent t-tests and two-way ANOVA revealed no significant interaction effects (i.e., trainer and test type) and no differences existed in perception or knowledge by trainer type. TIC training can be equally effective when delivered by homophilous peers (i.e., school staff) and heterophilous experts (i.e., mental health experts). COVID-19 worsened the effects of ACEs and youth mental health issues. High-quality training will increase school staff's use of TIC practices. MHAGH's train-the-trainer model helps educators supporting youth affected by ACEs and other life stressors.

Associations between alcohol consumption and smoking variables among Latinx daily smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Accumulating evidence demonstrates a strong link between alcohol consumption and smoking status among Latinx individuals. However, there is a need to evaluate the cognitive processes and experiences related to quitting smoking among Latinx smokers. The purpose of the current paper was to examine the association between alcohol consumption and smoking expectancies, barriers to cessation, cigarette dependence, quit problems, and intentions and confidence to quit. METHODS: Data were taken from a sample of Spanish-speaking Latinx daily smokers (N = 359; 59% female; Mage = 33.20, SD = 9.71) who completed an online survey. The alcohol consumption subscale of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT; Babor, Higgins-Biddle, Saunders, & Monteiro, & World Health Organization, 2001) was used to predict smoking variables. RESULTS: Consistent with our prediction, alcohol consumption significantly predicted smoking variables indicative of poorer smoking cessation ability. Specifically, greater alcohol consumption was associated with greater positive and negative smoking expectancies, barriers to cessation, and quit problems experienced during prior cessation attempts. Unexpectedly, greater alcohol consumption was also associated with greater confidence to quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The current research suggests that alcohol consumption should be considered in the context of smoking cessation among Latinx individuals. The findings confirm and extend previous research by demonstrating that alcohol consumption is associated with proximal predictors of smoking outcomes that can be targeted during treatment. Implications for future research include addressing alcohol consumption during intervention and treatment of Latinx daily smokers.

Prospective and Daily Effects of Cannabis Use on Smoking Outcomes During a Self-Guided Quit Attempt.

INTRODUCTION: Past research suggests that cannabis use is a risk factor for relapse in people trying to quit smoking. Most people attempt to quit smoking without any assistance (ie, self-guided quitters), yet no one has examined the association between cannabis use and relapse among self-guided quitters. The current study examines how cannabis use might contribute to poorer smoking outcomes in a sample of self-guided quitters. AIMS AND METHODS: Data were taken from a study of unaided smoking cessation in 62 single-smoker couples. Quitters and their Partners completed baseline questionnaires and a 21-day ecological momentary assessment. This article examines Quitters' and Partners' past-year cannabis use reported at baseline and daily cannabis use during the ecological momentary assessment as predictors of prospective and daily smoking outcomes. RESULTS: We found very little evidence that past-year cannabis use was associated with poorer smoking outcomes. However, Quitters reported greater smoking on days when they or their Partners reported cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: This study produced evidence to support daily Quitter and Partner cannabis use as a risk factor for poor smoking outcomes. Smoking cessation programs might benefit from targeting cannabis use as well as taking a couples-oriented approach to treatment. IMPLICATIONS: This article examined how cannabis use impacts smoking outcomes in a sample of self-guided quitters using prospective and daily diary analyses. We found very little evidence that past-year cannabis use was associated with poorer smoking outcomes. However, Quitters reported greater smoking on days when they or their Partners reported cannabis use. Findings suggest that smoking cessation programs might benefit from targeting cannabis use, as well as taking a couples-oriented approach to treatment.

Reflections on a registered report replicating a body of dyadic cross-sectional research.

This article reflects on a new kind of registered report (RR) that replicated the work of an early career researcher. The research items targeted in this RR were peer-reviewed, cross-sectional, dyadic studies to which the first author of this RR had contributed. The findings being replicated are not noteworthy for their prestige or representativeness of the wider field. Instead, this method of replication may have several benefits and less desirable qualities for the researcher and research team whose work is being replicated, for science more broadly, and for relationship science specifically, reviewed herein. The authors hope that this reflection inspires researchers to improve upon their methodology by incorporating replication of their work early and often into their own research process.

Perceived partner responsiveness predicts smoking cessation in single-smoker couples.

INTRODUCTION: Romantic partners are crucial to successful smoking cessation, but the mechanisms by which partners influence cessation is unclear. Research in this area has focused heavily on partner smoking status and support for quitting, but partner influence may not be limited to these two constructs. The current study examines the perceived responsiveness of the partner (i.e., the perception that the partner understands, approves of, and supports the self) as a predictor of smoking cessation in unassisted quitters, independent of smoking-specific support for quitting and more general relationship satisfaction. METHODS: Data were taken from a sample of smokers (N = 62) in relationships with never/former smokers (i.e., members of single-smoker couples) who completed a 21-day ecological momentary assessment study during an unassisted quit attempt. Measures of perceived responsiveness, support for quitting, and relationship satisfaction obtained at baseline were used to predict smoking outcomes over the course of the study. RESULTS: Consistent with our predictions, perceived responsiveness emerged as a significant predictor of smoking cessation over and above the effects of support for quitting and relationship satisfaction. Support for quitting only predicted self-reported relapse. Unexpectedly, once perceived responsiveness was considered, greater relationship satisfaction was associated with poorer smoking outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The current research suggests that perceived responsiveness is a more effective resource for smoking cessation than support specifically for quitting. These findings extend previous research by demonstrating that perceived responsiveness represents a distinct construct from smoking-specific support or relationship satisfaction, and that it is important for smokers during a quit attempt.

The impact of automated screening with Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) on health-related quality of life, supportive care needs, and patient satisfaction with care in 268 ambulatory cancer patients.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the impact of implementing Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) screening on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient satisfaction with care (PSC) in ambulatory oncology patients. ESAS is now a standard of care in Ontario cancer centers, with the goal of improving symptom management in cancer patients, yet few studies examine impact of ESAS on patient outcomes. METHODS: We compared ambulatory oncology patients who were not screened prior to ESAS site implementation (2011-2012), to a similar group who were screened using ESAS after site implementation (2012-2013), to examine between-group differences in patient HRQoL, PSC outcomes, and supportive care needs (Supportive Care Service Survey). Both no-ESAS (n = 160) and ESAS (n = 108) groups completed these measures: the latter completing them, along with ESAS, at baseline and 2 weeks later. RESULTS: After assessing the impact of implementing ESAS, by matching for potentially confounding variables and conducting univariate analyses, no significant between-group differences were found in HRQoL or PSC. There was significant improvement in symptoms of nausea/vomiting and constipation, after 2 weeks. Lower symptom burden with decreased ESAS scores was significantly correlated with increased HRQoL. There were no between-group differences in knowledge of/access to supportive care. CONCLUSIONS: Significant correlation between change in ESAS and HRQoL implies ESAS could usefully inform healthcare providers about need to respond to changes in symptom and functioning between visits. This study showed no impact of early-ESAS screening on HRQoL or PSC. Further research should explore how to better utilize ESAS screening, to improve communication, symptom management, and HRQoL.

A response surface analysis of expected and received support for smoking cessation: Expectancy violations predict greater relapse.

People attempting to stop smoking cigarettes (quitters) hold expectations about the extent to which their partner will provide helpful support during a quit attempt. However, these expectations may not align with their perceptions of the helpfulness of the support they receive. We examine expected and received helpful support during a quit attempt. We hypothesized that receiving less helpful support than expected (i.e., creating an expectancy violation) would be associated with the greatest return to smoking. Sixty-two quitters completed a 21-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study. They reported expected support at baseline and support receipt and smoking during the EMA phase. At follow-up, they completed an expelled breath carbon monoxide test. Analyses using polynomial generalized linear models with response surface analysis indicated that smoking outcomes depended on the joint influence of expected and received helpful support. As hypothesized, when quitters expected more helpful support than they received, they were more likely to smoke in the first 24h and the last seven days of the EMA, and they provided higher carbon monoxide readings at follow-up. These results are consistent with an expectancy violation explanation: quitters are more likely to smoke when they perceive their partner has failed to provide support that is as helpful as expected. Given the importance of support for smoking cessation, many researchers have attempted to experimentally increase provision of support. The current findings suggest that partner support interventions might backfire if the quitter is led to expect more helpful support than the partner is able to provide.

Feasibility of Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Study Unaided Smoking Cessation in Couples.

Introduction: Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a valuable method for studying smoking cessation, but feasibility has not been examined in committed couples. The current study examines the feasibility of conducting an EMA study of unaided smoking cessation in single-smoker couples. Methods: Participants were 62 single-smoker couples recruited to participate in a 21-day study of unaided smoking cessation. Quitters and Partners were given instructions to complete one morning report, three signaled reports, and one evening report per day, as well as lapse reports when necessary. They also completed a series of questionnaires at baseline and follow-up. This article examines predictors of compliance with the reporting instructions. Results: Compliance with scheduled reporting was reasonable (Quitters: 76%, Partners: 79%). Compliance with "on-time" lapse reporting (vs. make-up reporting) was poor (Quitters: 62%, Partners: 43%). Quitters' compliance with lapse reporting was strongly associated with an orientation toward quitting. Partners' compliance with lapse reporting was associated with relationship motivation. Quitter compliance plummeted when Partners were noncompliant. Self-regulation and emotional instability were not associated with compliance but were associated with time to complete reports. Quitters' and Partners' experiences completing the study provide some insight into the dynamics of completing an EMA study as part of a dyad. Conclusions: Overall, this study suggests it is feasible and effective to collect EMA data on smoking cessation from couples. However, compliance with lapse reporting was poor, especially for Partners. Researchers could provide remuneration on a different schedule, provide shorter lapse reports, or omit Partner lapse reports altogether. Implications: This article examined compliance with scheduled and lapse reporting in single-smoker couples during an unaided quit attempt. Compliance with scheduled reporting was acceptable, but compliance with lapse reporting was poor, especially for Partners. Quitters' compliance with lapse reporting was heavily influenced by an orientation toward quitting, suggesting that improved screening for motivation to quit might improve compliance rates. Quitter compliance also plummeted when Partners were noncompliant. Partner demographics and relationship motivation were the best predictors of compliance. To enhance compliance, researchers might provide remuneration on a different scale, dramatically shorten lapse reports, or even omit Partner lapse reports.

Comparison of internet and mailing methods to recruit couples into research on unaided smoking cessation.

In smoking cessation studies with restrictive criteria (e.g., single-smoker couples), thousands of potential participants might need to be screened to obtain a reasonable sample size. Consideration of recruitment methodology is critical because recruitment methods influence both the success and cost effectiveness of recruitment. Although traditional recruitment methods are often used to recruit participants into smoking cessation research, newer technologies, such as paid Facebook advertising, might offer more cost-effective alternatives for recruitment. The current analysis compares two versions of paid Facebook advertising and a specialized mass mailing method used to recruit single-smoker couples into an intensive three-week study of unaided smoking cessation. The three methods are compared in terms of demographic characteristics, eligibility, and cost-effectiveness. Although Facebook's "Promote Your Page" mechanism achieved the fastest recruitment rate (2.75 couples per month; 498 USD per couple), Facebook's "Send People to Your Website" mechanism was the least expensive and provided the most demographically diverse sample (1.64 couples per month; 181 USD per couple). The specialized mailing method was not productive or cost-effective (0.80 couples per month; 454 USD per couple). Paid Facebook advertising fared better as a recruitment method than a specialized mailing method often used in survey research. Studies that have less restrictive eligibility criteria, that draw from a larger local population, or that recruit for a less intense study might find paid Facebook advertising to be quite feasible.