Check out some of the recently published research from our amazing Sonoma State University faculty. 

Panneton, R., Ostroff, W. L., Bhullar, N., & Netto, M. (2024). Plasticity in older infants' perception of phonetic contrasts: The role of selective attention in context. Infancy, 1–23.

Abstract: Developmental plasticity refers to conditions and circumstances that increase phenotypic variability. In infancy, plasticity expands and contracts depending on domains of functioning, developmental history, and timing. In terms of language processing, infants attend to and discriminate both native and non-native phonetic contrasts, but selectively attune to their native phonemes by the end of the first postnatal year. However, relevant studies have excluded factors regarded as promoters of attention such as infant-directed (ID) speech, synchronous multimodal presentations, and female speakers. Here we investigated whether English-learning 11-month-olds would discriminate a non-native phonetic contrast while manipulating these factors. Results showed significant discrimination of the non-native contrast, regardless of speech register, provided that they were presented by a dynamic female speaker. Interestingly, when a static object or a dynamic male ID speaker replaced the female, no significant discrimination was found. These results show infants to be capable of discriminating non-native phonetic contrasts in an enhanced context at an age when they have been characterized as not being able to do so. Synchronized, multimodal information from female speakers allowed infants to perceive difficult non-native phonemes, highlighting the importance of an ecologically valid context for studying speech perception and language learning in early development.

Ruiz-Yu, B., Ni, H.W. & He, E. The Role of Interactional Processes in Mental Health Disparities: A Narrative Review of Existing Research and Recommendations for Providers. J Clin Psychol Med Settings (2024).

Abstract: Mental health disparities between racial/ethnic minority groups and non-Latinx Whites in the United States persist despite significant efforts aimed at decreasing these disparities. Efforts to address mental health disparities have largely focused on individual (e.g., stigma, help-seeking, health behaviors) and structural (e.g., public policy, interventions, addressing poverty) level factors. In contrast, this paper considers how processes at the interactional level (i.e., interactions between patients and providers) are also an important contributor to racial/ethnic disparities in mental health. Specifically, social psychological research has demonstrated how biases, including stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, can affect patient–provider interactions and contribute to mental health disparities. This narrative review of empirical studies that examine interactional processes between patients and mental health providers identified eleven studies to be included. Concepts represented in the studies are summarized and additional frameworks that can help explain how disparities are maintained are proposed. Last of all, practical suggestions for mitigating provider bias during patient–provider interactions are provided based on the findings from the narrative review.

Open Access Olson, K. R., Takata, T., Clear, K. J., Gao, Y., Ma, Z., Pfaff, E., Mouli, K., Kent, T. A., Jones, P., Fukuto, J., Wu, G., & Straub, K. D. (2024). The SOD1 Inhibitor, LCS-1, Oxidizes H2S to Reactive Sulfur Species, Directly and Indirectly, through Conversion of SOD1 to an Oxidase. Antioxidants, 13(8). 
 
Abstract: LCS-1, a putative selective inhibitor of SOD1, is a substituted pyridazinone with rudimentary similarity to quinones and naphthoquinones. As quinones catalytically oxidize H2S to biologically active reactive sulfur species (RSS), we hypothesized LCS-1 might have similar attributes. Here, we examine LCS-1 reactions with H2S and SOD1 using thiol-specific fluorophores, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), UV–vis spectrometry, and oxygen consumption. We show that LCS-1 catalytically oxidizes H2S in buffer solutions to form RSS, namely per- and polyhydrosulfides (H2Sn, n = 2–6). These reactions consume oxygen and produce hydrogen peroxide, but they do not have an EPR signature, nor do they affect the UV–vis spectrum. Surprisingly, LCS-1 synergizes with SOD1, but not SOD2, to oxidize H2S to H2S3-6. LCS-1 forms monothiol adducts with H2S, glutathione (GSH), and cysteine (Cys), but not with oxidized glutathione or cystine; both thiol adducts inhibit LCS-1-SOD1 synergism. We propose that LCS-1 forms an adduct with SOD1 that disrupts the intramolecular Cys57-Cys146 disulfide bond and transforms SOD1 from a dismutase to an oxidase. This would increase cellular ROS and polysulfides, the latter potentially affecting cellular signaling and/or cytoprotection. © 2024 by the authors.