Community assembly of the human piercing microbiome.

Predicting how biological communities respond to disturbance requires understanding the forces that govern their assembly. We propose using human skin piercings as a model system for studying community assembly after rapid environmental change. Local skin sterilization provides a 'clean slate' within the novel ecological niche created by the piercing.

Novel genome-wide associations for effort valuation and psychopathology in children and adults.

The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative was established by the US National Institute of Mental Health as a multilevel, disorder-agnostic framework for analysis of human psychopathology through designated domains and constructs, including the "Positive Valence Systems" domain focused on reward-related behavior. This study investigates the reward valuation subconstruct of "effort" and its association with genetic markers, functional neurobiological pathways, and polygenic risk scores for psychopathology in 1215 children aged 6-12 and their parents (n = 1044). All participants completed the effort expenditure for rewards task (EEfRT), which assesses "effort" according to two quantitative measures: hard-task choice and reward sensitivity.

From Structural Disparities to Neuropharmacology: A Review of Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Treatment.

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an early-onset disorder with many functional impairments and psychiatric comorbidities. Although no treatment fully mitigates impairments associated with ADHD, effective management is possible with pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments. The etiology and pathophysiology of ADHD are remarkably complex and the disorder is continuously distributed in the population.

Initial Responsiveness to Reward Attainment and Psychopathology in Children and Adults: An RDoC Study.

The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) established a dimensional framework for understanding psychiatric constructs. Initial Responsiveness to Reward Attainment (IRRA) was identified as a dimensional construct relevant to several psychiatric disorders. The current study aimed to (1) examine IRRA as a predictor of psychopathology and impairment in children and their parents, and (2) examine the potential effects of sex and ancestry on the relationship between IRRA and psychopathology.

Effort valuation and psychopathology in children and adults.

Background: The Research Domain Criteria initiative was launched by the US National Institute of Mental Health to establish a multi-level framework for understanding psychological constructs relevant to human psychiatric disorders, and identified 'effort valuation/willingness to work' as a clinically useful construct worthy of further study. This construct encompasses the processes by which the cost(s) of obtaining an outcome are calculated, and the tendency to overcome response costs to obtain a reinforcer. The current study aims to examine effort valuation as a correlate of psychopathology in children and adults, and the moderating effects of sex on this relationship.

Childhood Executive Functioning Predicts Young Adult Outcomes in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

Objective: While individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) are at increased risk for a variety of functional impairments and psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, not all individuals with 22q11DS experience negative outcomes. Efforts to further understand which childhood variables best predict adult functional outcomes are needed, especially those that investigate childhood executive functioning abilities.

A schoolwide approach to promoting student bystander behavior in response to the use of the word "retard".

Background And Aims: The use of the word retard ("the r-word") among adolescents sheds light on societal views about individuals with intellectual disability and the need to address the colloquial use of this word and its underlying stigma. Schools provide an important platform for intervening to promote social change among youth. The present study examined the impact of a schoolwide social inclusion program on students' bystander behavior against the use of the r-word.

Sticks, Stones, and Stigma: Student Bystander Behavior in Response to Hearing the Word "Retard".

The present study explored the prevalence of the r-word in schools and students' bystander behavior in response to hearing the word. In total, 2,297 students from 12 high schools across the country participated in this study. Results revealed the r-word was used frequently among high school students, most often toward individuals without intellectual disability (ID).