Then and now: A 50-year retrospective thematic analysis of Society for Community Research and Action presidential addresses.

The Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) is the primary professional home for community psychologists in the United States and increasingly around the world. Since the formation of the American Psychological Association Division 27: Community Psychology in 1966, now SCRA, 54 people have served in the Presidential role. Presidential leaders' annual addresses both reflect the current state of the field and have the ability to shape the future of both SCRA as an organization and community psychology as a discipline given their positions as leaders.

Dual-mechanism estrogen receptor inhibitors.

Efforts to improve estrogen receptor-α (ER)-targeted therapies in breast cancer have relied upon a single mechanism, with ligands having a single side chain on the ligand core that extends outward to determine antagonism of breast cancer growth. Here, we describe inhibitors with two ER-targeting moieties, one of which uses an alternate structural mechanism to generate full antagonism, freeing the side chain to independently determine other critical properties of the ligands. By combining two molecular targeting approaches into a single ER ligand, we have generated antiestrogens that function through new mechanisms and structural paradigms to achieve antagonism.

Dependency Traits, Relationship Power, and Health Risks in Women Receiving Sexually-Transmitted Infection Clinic Services.

In prior research, having traits consistent with a personality disorder has been shown to be related to substance use and high-risk sexual activity; however, few studies have examined relationships between dependency traits and health-jeopardizing behaviors. Individuals with traits consistent with dependent personality disorder may be more likely to be in a primary relationship characterized by unhealthy conditions, including physical abuse from a partner, low assertiveness in sexual situations, and partner infidelity. In addition, dependency traits may be associated with unhealthy coping (e.

Development of advanced signal processing and source imaging methods for superparamagnetic relaxometry.

Superparamagnetic relaxometry (SPMR) is a highly sensitive technique for the in vivo detection of tumor cells and may improve early stage detection of cancers. SPMR employs superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION). After a brief magnetizing pulse is used to align the SPION, SPMR measures the time decay of SPION using super-conducting quantum interference device (SQUID) sensors.

On-Resonance Fluorescence, Resonance Rayleigh Scattering, and Ratiometric Resonance Synchronous Spectroscopy of Molecular- and Quantum Dot-Fluorophores.

Existing studies on molecular fluorescence have almost exclusively been focused on Stokes-shifted fluorescence spectroscopy (SSF) in which the emitted photon is detected at the wavelengths longer than that for the excitation photons. Information on fluorophore on-resonance fluorescence (ORF) and resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) is limited and often problematic due to the complex interplay of the fluorophore photon absorption, ORF emission, RRS, and solvent Rayleigh scattering. Reported herein is a relatively large-scale systematic study on fluorophore ORF and RRS using the conventional UV-vis extinction and SSF measurements in combination with the recently reported ratiometric resonance synchronous spectroscopic (R2S2, pronounced as "R-Two-S-Two") method.

Decreased Modulation of EEG Oscillations in High-Functioning Autism during a Motor Control Task.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are thought to result in part from altered cortical excitatory-inhibitory balance; this pathophysiology may impact the generation of oscillations on electroencephalogram (EEG). We investigated premotor-parietal cortical physiology associated with praxis, which has strong theoretical and empirical associations with ASD symptomatology. Twenty five children with high-functioning ASD (HFA) and 33 controls performed a praxis task involving the pantomiming of tool use, while EEG was recorded.

UV-Vis Ratiometric Resonance Synchronous Spectroscopy for Determination of Nanoparticle and Molecular Optical Cross Sections.

Demonstrated herein is a UV-vis Ratiometric Resonance Synchronous Spectroscopic (R2S2, pronounced as "R-two-S-two" for simplicity) technique where the R2S2 spectrum is obtained by dividing the resonance synchronous spectrum of a NP-containing solution by the solvent resonance synchronous spectrum. Combined with conventional UV-vis measurements, this R2S2 method enables experimental quantification of the absolute optical cross sections for a wide range of molecular and nanoparticle (NP) materials that range optically from pure photon absorbers or scatterers to simultaneous photon absorbers and scatterers, simultaneous photon absorbers and emitters, and all the way to simultaneous photon absorbers, scatterers, and emitters in the UV-vis wavelength region. Example applications of this R2S2 method were demonstrated for quantifying the Rayleigh scattering cross sections of solvents including water and toluene, absorption and resonance light scattering cross sections for plasmonic gold nanoparticles, and absorption, scattering, and on-resonance fluorescence cross sections for semiconductor quantum dots (Qdots).

Intrinsic Visual-Motor Synchrony Correlates With Social Deficits in Autism.

Background: Imitation, which is impaired in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and critically depends on the integration of visual input with motor output, likely impacts both motor and social skill acquisition in children with ASD; however, it is unclear what brain mechanisms contribute to this impairment. Children with ASD also exhibit what appears to be an ASD-specific bias against using visual feedback during motor learning. Does the temporal congruity of intrinsic activity, or functional connectivity, between motor and visual brain regions contribute to ASD-associated deficits in imitation, motor, and social skills?

Methods: We acquired resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans from 100 8- to 12-year-old children (50 ASD).

Direct Observation of Ion Pairing at the Liquid/Solid Interfaces by Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.

Ion-pairing, the association of oppositely charged ionic species in solution and at liquid/solid interfaces has been proposed as a key factor for a wide range of physicochemical phenomena. However, experimental observations of ion pairing at the ligand/solid interfaces are challenging due to difficulties in differentiating ion species in the electrical double layer from that adsorbed on the solid surfaces. Using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy in combination with electrolyte washing, we presented herein the first direct experimental evidence of ion pairing, the coadsorption of oppositely charged ionic species onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).

Reduced GABAergic inhibition and abnormal sensory symptoms in children with Tourette syndrome.

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is characterized by the presence of chronic tics. Individuals with TS often report difficulty with ignoring (habituating to) tactile sensations, and some patients perceive that this contributes to a "premonitory urge" to tic. While common, the physiological basis of impaired tactile processing in TS, and indeed tics themselves, remain poorly understood.

Magnetic relaxometry as applied to sensitive cancer detection and localization.

Background: Here we describe superparamagnetic relaxometry (SPMR), a technology that utilizes highly sensitive magnetic sensors and superparamagnetic nanoparticles for cancer detection. Using SPMR, we sensitively and specifically detect nanoparticles conjugated to biomarkers for various types of cancer. SPMR offers high contrast in vivo, as there is no superparamagnetic background, and bones and tissue are transparent to the magnetic fields.

Interrater reliability of the modified Monitoring of Side Effects Scale for assessment of adverse effects of psychiatric medication in clinical and research settings.

The assessment of adverse effects of psychiatric medications is important in clinical and research settings because they are often associated with medication discontinuation, symptom exacerbation, and reduced quality of life. Currently available assessment tools are either limited with regard to the number and variety of included adverse effects or are not practical for use in most clinical or research settings owing to specialized rater training required and administration length. This report describes a modification of the Monitoring of Side Effects Scale (MOSES), an established adverse effect rating scale, by adding severity anchors to improve its reliability and ease of use.

Using water Raman intensities to determine the effective excitation and emission path lengths of fluorophotometers for correcting fluorescence inner filter effect.

Fluorescence and Raman inner filter effects (IFE) cause spectral distortion and nonlinearity between spectral signal intensity with increasing analyte concentration. Convenient and effective correction of fluorescence IFE has been an active research goal for decades. Presented herein is the finding that fluorescence and Raman IFE can be reliably corrected using the equation I(corr)/I(obsd) = 10(dxAx + dmAm) when the effective excitation and emission path lengths, dx and dm, of a fluorophotometer are determined by simple linear curve-fitting of Raman intensities of a series of water Raman reference samples that have known degrees of Raman IFEs.

The Use of the Internet to Meet Sexual Partners: A Comparison of Non-Heterosexually-Identified Men with Heterosexually-Identified Men and Women.

In 2008, we conducted online interviews with 65 self-identified adult heterosexual men and women and gay/bisexual men to explore perceptions and experiences with meeting people online. Reasons for meeting people online, desired partner characteristics, and the process of connecting for sex paralleled those observed in real-life; but the Internet allowed people to identify more partners and specific partner characteristics. "Background checks" of online partners, even though often believed to be false, increased familiarity and trust leading to reduced perceived need for condom use.

A longitudinal examination of re-employment quality on internalizing symptoms and job-search intentions.

Underemployed workers-those receiving less pay, working fewer hours, or using fewer skills than they would prefer-appear to experience negative mental health outcomes similar to the unemployed. Prior cross-sectional research provides mixed empirical evidence for this conclusion, however. The current study sought to clarify the impact of underemployment longitudinally, assessing mental health 5 times over 8 months after job loss.

Attitudes toward methamphetamine use and HIV risk behavior in men who have sex with men.

Background And Objectives: Methamphetamine use has been strongly associated with high-risk sexual behaviors, and its use has been increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM). Although the behavioral implications of methamphetamine use and sexual risk have been broadly examined, fewer studies have examined attitudes about methamphetamine use.

Methods: This study investigates the relationship between personal beliefs regarding methamphetamine use, patterns of use, and sexual risk behaviors within a sample of MSM attending a gay pride event (N= 342).

Internet use, recreational travel, and HIV risk behaviors in men who have sex with men.

Previous studies have documented higher rates of HIV risk behavior in gay and bisexual men traveling for leisure. Most of these studies collected data in high-risk tourist areas known for promoting alcohol and other substance use. The present study sampled a broader range of men by collecting data at a Gay Pride celebration, and asking participants about vacation experiences over the past 12 months.

Sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men using erectile dysfunction medications.

This study examined relationships between use of the phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors (erectile dysfunction medications) sildenafil (Viagra), Pfizer, New York, NY), tadalafil (Cialis), Eli Lily, Indianapolis, IN), and/or vardenafil (Levitra), Bayer, Berlin, Germany), substance use, perceptions of risk, and sexual behavior in men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM (N = 342) attending a gay pride festival completed a brief survey assessing sexual behavior, risk perceptions, and substance use, including the use and the source of PDE-5 inhibitors. More than a quarter of the sample (26.

Sexual risk behavior in men attending Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Previous research with travelers points to higher risk behaviors during vacations. Relative to their day-to-day lives, leisure travelers have more free time to pursue sexual activities and are likely to engage in higher rates of substance use than when at home. Risk behaviors during vacation have not been thoroughly examined in men who have sex with men (MSM), a key group at risk for HIV.

Psychosocial stress increases inflammatory markers and alters cytokine production across pregnancy.

Previous work has shown that psychosocial stress is related to increases in serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines late in pregnancy, and a growing body of research suggests that increased inflammatory activity during pregnancy, generally, may have a negative impact on outcome. The present study further addressed these issues by assessing relationships between psychosocial stress, social support and serum cytokines in early, mid, and late pregnancy, and the effects of stress and social support on the production of cytokines by stimulated lymphocytes in late pregnancy. In addition, we examined relationships between stress, support, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) during pregnancy.

Functional communication and executive function in aphasia.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the relationship between functional communication and executive function ability in aphasia. Twenty-five participants with aphasia underwent examination with an extensive test battery including measures of functional communication, executive function ability, and language impairment. Compared to published norms, most participants did not perform within normal limits on the executive function tests.

Substance use, medications for sexual facilitation, and sexual risk behavior among traveling men who have sex with men.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to examine correlates of sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM) traveling for leisure.

Study Design: MSM (N = 304) visiting popular tourist areas completed a brief survey assessing sexual behavior and substances used while on vacation, including the use of erectile dysfunction medications (e.g.

ATP-sensitive potassium channel activation before cardioplegia. Effects on ventricular and myocyte function.

Background: Pretreatment with potassium channel openers (PCOs) has been shown to provide protective effects in the setting of myocardial ischemia. The goal of the present study was to examine whether PCO pretreatment would provide protective effects on left ventricular (LV) and myocyte function after cardioplegic arrest.

Methods And Results: The first study quantified the effects of PCO pretreatment on LV myocyte contractility after simulated cardioplegic arrest.