Interdisciplinary

Implementation of Topological Data Analysis in Multimodal and Multiview Machine Learning: A Systematized Scoping Review
 

Luis Gonzalez
University of Texas at Arlington

Topological data analysis uses techniques from topology and algebraic topology to interpret high-dimensional and noisy data. Both multimodal and multiview machine learning aim to understand complex, high-dimensional data as well via the integration of different data types and different views of the same data type respectively. While their combination seems natural, the methods for combination, the intent for their fusion, and the data sets used are varied across disciplines. This presentation looks at the ways in which topological data analysis is being fused with multimodal and multiview machine learning from the approach of a systematized scoping review. In the development of this project, the Kitchenham guidelines and the PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews were followed as closely as possible. Of note is that the limited personnel behind the project means that the guidelines nor the checklist were able to be followed perfectly thus the project is instead a systematized scoping review. The papers reviewed were decided based in part by the inclusion of at least one topological data analysis tool, use of multimodal or multiview data, and implementation of a multimodal or multiview machine learning framework. Although research is still in progress, current data reflects the various disciplines involved in the research area, comparison between goals for research, similarities in data sets, as well as shared limitations. 

The Role of Caregiver-Child Synchrony in the Development of Infant Emotion Regulation

Ashley Timoh

Emotion regulation is a foundational developmental capacity that emerges during infancy through repeated interactions between caregivers and children. Because infants possess only limited self-regulatory abilities early in life, caregivers play a critical role in supporting the development of emotional, physiological, and behavioral regulation. Advances in developmental psychology and developmental neuroscience have increasingly emphasized caregiver-child synchrony as a potential mechanism underlying this developmental process. This paper synthesizes the literature on caregiver-child interactions, co-regulation, behavioral synchrony, bio-behavioral synchrony, and caregiver-child neural synchrony to examine how coordinated interactions across behavioral, physiological, and neural levels may contribute to the development of emotion regulation during infancy. Collectively, the literature suggests that caregiver-child synchrony represents a multilevel process through which responsive social interactions support children's emerging regulatory capacities. Recent investigations of caregiver-child neural synchrony further provide insight into the neural mechanisms that may underlie these developmental processes, although important questions regarding the role of synchronized neural activity in infant emotion regulation remain unresolved. Understanding these mechanisms may advance developmental theory and inform future research examining how early caregiver-child relationships shape socioemotional development.

 

Upstream & Unseen: Reimagining Youth Mental Health Through Policy Solutions
 

Nicole Ballen
Florida International University

Youth mental health disparities continue to be an ongoing public health concern in the United States, with racial and ethnic minority populations experiencing inordinate barriers to gain positive mental health outcomes. Although research established influences of different social determinants of mental health, such as the socioeconomic conditions that are being placed on youth, there has been less attention to how these factors interact and how policy can address them before mental health crises occur to begin with. It also indicates that current policies place greater emphasis on treatment than prevention. This literature review synthesizes peer-reviewed studies to argue how the social determinants contribute to mental health inequalities among youth in the United States, focusing on racial and ethnic minorities. Moreover, this review also examines intersecting identities, including sexual orientation and gender identity, and their influence on youth mental health. Through synthesis of literature in topics of public health, psychology, and health policy, this review identifies the gaps between the evidence-based understandings of youth mental health inequalities and the current policy approaches. This literature will be given attention concerning upstream interventions, displaying the gaps of structural and social conditions that affect disparities, rather than solely focusing on treatment after symptoms have developed. By incorporating perspectives on the social determinants and precautionary policy strategies, this suggests upstreaming social determinants through preventive and equity-focused policies is essential for reducing youth mental health disparities. Future research should evaluate the efficiency of preventive policies in promoting equitable mental health outcomes among diverse youth groups.