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The structure of exotic nuclei provides valuable tests for state-of-the-art nuclear theory. In particular electromagnetic transition rates are more sensitive to aspects of nuclear forces and many-body physics than excitation energies alone. We report the first lifetime measurement of excited states in $^{21}$O, finding $\tau_{1/2^+}=420^{+35}_{-32}\text{(stat)}^{+34}_{-12}\text{(sys)}$\,ps. This result together with the deduced level scheme and branching ratio of several $\gamma$-ray decays are compared to both phenomenological shell-model and ab initio calculations based on two- and three-nucleon forces derived from chiral effective field theory. We find that the electric quadrupole reduced transition probability of $\rm B(E2;1/2^+ \rightarrow 5/2^+_{g.s.}) = 0.71^{+0.07\ +0.02}_{-0.06\ -0.06}$~e$^2$fm$^4$, derived from the lifetime of the $1/2^+$ state, is smaller than the phenomenological result where standard effective charges are employed, suggesting the need for modifications of the latter in neutron-rich oxygen isotopes. We compare this result to both large-space and valence-space ab initio calculations, and by using multiple input interactions we explore the sensitivity of this observable to underlying details of nuclear forces., Comment: 23 pages, 3 figures

The form factor of the electromagnetic excitation of $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ to its ${2}_{1}^{+}$ state was measured at extremely low momentum transfers in an electron-scattering experiment at the Superconducting Darmstadt Electron Linear Accelerator (S-DALINAC). A combined analysis with the world form-factor data results in a reduced transition strength $B(E2;{2}_{1}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{0}_{1}^{+})=7.63(19)\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{e}^{2}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{fm}}^{4}$ with an accuracy improved to 2.5%. In-medium no-core shell-model results with interactions derived from chiral effective field theory are able to reproduce the result. A quadrupole moment $Q({2}_{1}^{+})=5.97(30)\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{fm}}^{2}$ can be extracted from the strict correlation with the $B(E2)$ strength emerging in the calculations.

An enhanced low-energy electric dipole ($E1$) strength is identified for the weakly bound excited states of the neutron-rich isotope $^{27}\mathrm{Ne}$. The Doppler-shift lifetime measurements employing a combination of the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray tracking array GRETINA, the plunger device, and the S800 spectrograph determine the lower limit of $0.030\text{ }\text{ }{e}^{2}\text{ }{\mathrm{fm}}^{2}$ or 0.052 W.u. for the $1/{2}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}\text{ }\text{ }E1$ transition in $^{27}\mathrm{Ne}$, representing one of the strongest $E1$ strengths observed among the bound discrete states in this mass region. This value is at least 30 times larger than that measured for the $3/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ decay to the $3/{2}_{gs}^{+}$ ground state. A comparison of the present results to large-scale shell-model calculations points to an important role of core excitations and deformation in the observed $E1$ enhancement, suggesting a novel example of the electric dipole modes manifested in weakly bound deformed systems.

Lifetime measurements of excited states in the neutron-rich nucleus $^{43}\mathrm{S}$ were performed by applying the recoil-distance method on fast rare-isotope beams in conjunction with the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array. The new data based on $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidences and lifetime measurements resolve a doublet of $(3/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ and $(5/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ states at low excitation energies. Results were compared to the $\ensuremath{\pi}(sd)\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\nu}(pf)$ shell model and antisymmetrized molecular dynamics calculations. The consistency with the theoretical calculations identifies a possible appearance of three coexisting bands near the ground state of $^{43}\mathrm{S}$: the ${K}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}=1/{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ band built on a prolate-deformed ground state, a band built on an isomer with a $1{f}_{7/2}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ character, and a suggested excited band built on a newly discovered doublet state. The latter further confirms the collapse of the $N=28$ shell closure in the neutron-rich region.

Lifetime measurements of excited states in the neutron-rich nucleus ^{43}S were performed by applying the recoil-distance method on fast rare-isotope beams in conjunction with the Gamma-Ray Energy Tracking In-beam Nuclear Array. The new data based on γγ coincidences and lifetime measurements resolve a doublet of (3/2^{-}) and (5/2^{-}) states at low excitation energies. Results were compared to the π(sd)-ν(pf) shell model and antisymmetrized molecular dynamics calculations. The consistency with the theoretical calculations identifies a possible appearance of three coexisting bands near the ground state of ^{43}S: the K^{π}=1/2^{-} band built on a prolate-deformed ground state, a band built on an isomer with a 1f_{7/2}^{-1} character, and a suggested excited band built on a newly discovered doublet state. The latter further confirms the collapse of the N=28 shell closure in the neutron-rich region.

Background: The quenching of spin-isospin modes in nuclei is an important field of research in nuclear structure. It has an impact on astrophysical reaction rates and on fundamental processes like neutrinoless double-β decay. Gamow–Teller (GT) and spin-flip M1 strengths are quenched. Concerning the latter, the Jπ=1+ resonance in the doubly magic nucleus 48Ca, dominated by a single transition, serves as a reference case. Purpose: The aim of the present work is to search for weak M1 transitions in 48Ca with a high-resolution (p,p′) experiment at 295 MeV and forward angles including 0∘ and a comparison with results from a similar study using backward-angle electron scattering at low momentum transfers in order to estimate their contribution to the total B(M1) strength in 48Ca. Methods: The spin-M1 cross sections of individual peaks in the spectra are deduced with a multipole decomposition analysis (MDA) and converted to reduced spin-M1 transition strengths by using the unit cross-section method. For a comparison with electron-scattering results, corresponding reduced B(M1) transition strengths are extracted following the approach outlined in Birkhan et al. [Phys. Rev. C 93, 041302(R) (2016)]. Results: In total, 30 peaks containing a M1 contribution are found in the excitation energy region 7–13 MeV. The resulting B(M1) strength distribution compares well to the electron-scattering results considering different factors limiting the sensitivity in both experiments and the enhanced importance of mechanisms breaking the proportionality of nuclear cross sections and electromagnetic matrix elements for weak transitions as studied here. The total strength of 1.14(7) μ2N deduced assuming a nonquenched isoscalar part of the (p,p′) cross sections agrees with the (e,e′) result of 1.21(13) μ2N. A bin-wise analysis above 10 MeV provides an upper limit of 1.51(17) μ2N. Conclusions: The present results confirm the previous electron-scattering work that weak transitions contribute about 25% to the total B(M1) strength in 48Ca and the quenching factors of GT and spin-M1 strength are then comparable in fp-shell nuclei. Thus, the role of meson-exchange currents seems to be negligible in 48Ca, in contrast to sd-shell nuclei.

This paper discusses guidelines for self-disclosure by an ethnically diverse, lesbian female clinician who is a former male-to-female transsexual. It includes a review of cases in which the clinician both elected to use self-disclosure as well as refrained from doing so. The paper addresses the complexity of disclosing sex and sexual orientation as well as minority ethnicity. The author sees self-disclosure as akin to a ballet of the mind, in which clients' abilities to maintain their balance while learning a new performance may depend upon the clinicians' abilities to do the same.

SUMMARY We obtained via the Internet a convenience sample of Taiwanese heterosexual (n = 287) and sexual minority females (n = 260). A significantly greater percentage of sexual minorities (lesbian and bisexual females) than heterosexuals reported they had used tobacco or alcohol. Relative to heterosexuals, sexual minorities were significantly more likely to report a serious suicide attempt. Overall, gender identity (masculine, feminine, and androgynous) and gender role (butch, femme, and pure or undifferentiated) were poor discriminators of lesbian mental health. Differences between sexual minorities and heterosexuals were more robust than were the variations in gender identities and gender roles among lesbian and bisexual women. We discuss the implications of these findings for further clinical research.

SUMMARY Marriage is a mental health protective factor and homosexuality is sometimes a risk factor. The combined effect of these factors on mental health was examined in this study. We conducted a secondary analysis of an international, cross-sectional survey completed in 2000 (N = 7,616). We examined risks of suicide ideations and attempts, behavioral problems, and treatment histories for male and female participants from Canada and the United States. We found significant relations between sexual orientation and suicidality in all four gender-country groups. We found significant associations between relationship status and suicidality for men but not women in both countries. Behavioral problems and treatment histories were equivocal. We discuss the mental health implications of these findings for same-sex marriage.

SUMMARY We tested competing hypotheses about the impact of rural-urban gradients on sexual minorities with a public Internet chat room sample (n = 82) and a community-owned coffee house sample (n = 92). We found associations between rural-urban gradient and reports of paternal maltreatment as a child as well as self-disclosure of sexual orientation to a family member. In the coffee house sample, rural-urban gradient mediated the mean age at which participants self-disclosed their sexual orientation to another person, close friend, family member, and parent, though it was associated in the Internet sample only with disclosure of sexual orientation to a family member. Rural-urban gradient was not associated with suicidal intent or victimization.

SUMMARY We examined the relation between religiosity (importance of religion) and child maltreatment, psychosexual development, self-disclosure of homosexuality and reactions to same with two samples of sexual minority women (Internet n = 84, Coffee House n = 92) obtained with block sampling designs. Extremely important religiosity currently was associated with precocious psychosexual development and self-disclosure in the Internet sample only. Very important religiosity currently was associated with psychosexual development and self-disclosure of minority sexual orientation at significantly older ages. We discuss these results in the context of arguments that religiosity may be a risk factor for sexual minorities. Although not a risk factor in our samples, religiosity appeared to have lost the protective influence observed in studies of the general population.

SUMMARY This introduction to Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Mental Health reviews the need for research specific to lesbian and bisexual women's mental health. We also emphasize the need to provide research sensitive to the multidimensional nature of lesbian and bisexual women's lives. We provide a human ecological perspective consistent with lifespan developmental psychology and compatible with Clinical Social Work and Counseling Psychology as well as other interdisciplinary disciplines. With a strong emphasis on empirical research, this volume introduces readers to research that explores and reexamines the interactions between lesbian and bisexual women's mental health and the diverse social contexts in which they (we) live.

This article focused on a selected random sample of over 7,000 individuals who responded to a survey regarding online sexual activity. Results helped identify potential problem areas for online sexual compulsives and at-risk users. These results provided descriptions of activities that could lead to problematic behavior in three areas: obsession, compulsion, and consequences. In addition, specific results were highlighted by gender differences, and types of cybersex users. As a descriptive article, the results of this study help us understand who online sexual activity users are and how they might experience problems related to their behaviors.

In this article, we examine the associations between women’s relationship status and sexual orientation in relation to suicidality (ideations and attempts), selfperceived excessive use or difficulties controlling the use of alcohol, drugs, and sex, and self-reported psychotherapy and psychiatric medications (past and present). On the basis of our analysis of these factors, we argue that the US Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the ban on same-sex marriage may have adverse health consequences for lesbians and bisexual women. Marriage is a well-known protective factor against suicidality and concomitant psychopathology (Smith et al., 1988), and DOMA deprives lesbians and bisexual women of its security. Homosexuality is no longer officially regarded as a psychopathology. Homosexuality per se was removed from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1973, and ego-dystonic homosexuality was eliminated in 1987. More recently, homosexuality was deleted from the International Classification of Diseases in 1992. However, recent studies (Gilman et al., 2001; Mays and Cochran, 2001) have noted higher risks of stress-related disorders, such as depression and anxiety, among nonheterosexuals than in the general population. Because homosexuality is not regarded as a psychopathology, the cause for the higher rates of stress-related disorders among gay men, lesbians, and bisexual women relative to heterosexuals may be related to sociological rather than psychological differences between the two groups. We focus on marriage because it is legally proscribed in many countries and married individuals in every age and sex group have the lowest suicide rates (Smith et al., 1988). Psychopathology is a risk factor for suicide (Desjarlais, Eisenberg, Good and Kleinman, 1995), and social theorists (Durkheim, 1966) have noted that marriage is a protective factor against suicide. There is also a clear relation between sexual orientation and suicidality (McDaniel et al., 2001).

This longitudinal study examined familial and child predictors of academic achievement and behavioral adjustment. Participants included 115 children with ADHD and 59 normative comparisons. Data analyses spanned three assessment waves from elementary-through secondary-school grades. We evaluated the degree to which child and familial factors present during middle school mediated relationships between childhood ADHD, subsequent academic achievement, and behavioral adjustment during high school. We found that emotional and behavioral well-being of ADHD children during middle school mediated relations between childhood ADHD and adverse academic and behavioral outcomes during high school. In addition, familial factors in middle school years predicted the behavioral adjustment of children in both the ADHD and non-ADHD groups. Academic achievement during high school was strongly associated with previous achievement levels. Our results provide support for tailoring preventive interventions to the unique needs of children with ADHD and their parents at various stages of adolescent development.

This study examined the relation between sexual orientation and suicidality among 73 transgender respondents, who were compared to heterosexual females (n = 1,083) and males (n = 1,077), psychosocially matched females (n = 73) and males (n = 73), and homosexual females (n = 256) and males (n = 356). Significantly more (p < .05)transgender respondents reported suicide ideation and attempts than any group except homosexual females. Sexual orientation did not differentiate transgender ideators or attempters from non-ideators or non-attempters. Attempters were more likely than non-attempters to report psychotherapy and psychiatric medications currently and previously as well as difficulties with both alcohol and drugs (attempters and ideators) or alcohol only (attempters). Implications for gender studies as well as research regarding suicide and sexual orientation are discussed.

We hypothesized that a higher proportion of bisexual females (n = 792) and transgender individuals (n = 73) than bisexual males (n = 1,457) would self-report suicidal intent, behavioral difficulties, and mental health treatment. Relative to bisexual males, bisexual females and transgender individuals had significantly higher prevalence rates of suicidal intent, mental health difficulties, and mental health services. Prevalence rates among transgender participants did not vary by sexual orientation. The findings suggest that sexism and heterosexism have an interactive effect that compounds the social weight of oppression and increases risks for overwhelming sexual minorities' adaptive functioning.

Prior research noted paradoxical effects of Internet usage, with increased communication but decreased social engagement. A 3-year follow-up revealed that the negative effects had dissipated. The authors examined the relations between duration (months online) and frequency (hours per week) of Internet usage and 5 mental health domains (current and prior mental health treatment, suicidal intent, and past and present behavioral difficulties). Statistically significant differences in frequency and duration were associated with the main effects of mutually exclusive mental health domains. Hierarchical logistic regressions revealed that duration mediated the adverse effects of frequency in some domains. Age of participants significantly increased the goodness of fit in predicting adverse outcomes of frequency and duration of Internet usage.

University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and University of Minnesota Medical School This article reviews the methodological and ethical challenges of undertaking research using the Internet. The authors review methodological issues that may compromise the internal and external validity of Internet research, such as representativeness of samples, sample bias, and respondent bias. In addition to reviewing fundamental ethical problems associated with Internet research, the authors review new constraints imposed by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act legislation. They provide an overview of minimal safeguards needed to maintain the confidentiality of Internet-mediated research.

We provide a public health prevention context for reviewing the Early Risers "Skills for Success" Program. The program is presented as the prototype of a theory-driven, developmental approach to the prevention of antisocial behavior in elementary school-aged children who display early aggressive behavior complicated by skill deficits in academic and social functioning. Early Risers is compared to other targeted prevention programs, and the benefits of its flexible family support component (FLEX) are discussed in relation to its standardized education and skills training component, CORE. Following an outline of the FLEX implementation procedures, the program's empirical bases are reviewed. We conclude by candidly discussing some pragrnatic research challenges associated with tailoring interventions to family's assessed needs. ********** The public health approach to prevention seeks to decrease base rates of violence in the general population. When applied to youth in the general population, this is a universal intervention approach. Applied to youth at higher degrees of risk, this is considered a selective or indicated intervention approach (Munoz, Mrazek, & Haggerty, 1996). Interventions used to achieve universal prevention goals typically focus on enhancing protective factors in the general population in order to buffer low-risk youth from deviant influences that might encourage antisocial behavior. Examples of interventions designed to achieve universal prevention include media-based public health messages, school-wide discipline policies, and classroom curricula that teach conflict resolution, anger management, assertiveness, and self-management skills. However, the universal approach is less appropriate for high-risk youth who display a life-course persistent pattern of aggressive behavior associated with academic problems, socioemotional skill deficits, damaged peer relationships, and harsh and ineffective parenting practices (Moffitt, 1993). These high-risk youth require targeted (i.e., selective or indicated) preventive interventions. These interventions include early initiation to prevent crystallization of troublesome behaviors and a comprehensive focus that targets risk and protective factors across multiple systems of influence. These interventions also require an extended duration in which to provide protection through multiple stages of risk. A number of targeted preventive-interventions are currently in various stages of empirical validation, including Early Risers (August, Realmuto, Hektner, & Bloomquist, 2001), Early Alliance (Dumas, Piinz, Smith, & Laughlin, 1999), Fast Track (Conduct Problems Prevention Group, 1999; 2002), Linking the Interests of Families and Teachers (LIFT: Reid, Eddy, Fetrow, & Stoolmiller, 1999), the Baltimore Developmental Epidemiologists Project (Kellam, Rebok, Ialongo, & Mayer, 1994), Seattle Social Development Project (Hawkins, Catalano, Kosterman, Abbott, & Hill 1999), and the Montreal Longitudinal-Experimental Program (Tremblay, Pagani-Kurtz, Masse, Vitaro, & Pihl, 1995). Although these programs share a common perspective on the developmental pathways that high-risk children traverse, they differ in the emphasis given to various program components designed to meet public health goals. The Early Risers "Skills for Success Prevention Program The Early Risers "Skills for Success" Program is a prototype of a theory-driven, developmental approach to the prevention of violence and antisocial behavior. This program is designed for elementary school-aged children whose risk is indicated by a constellation of aggressive, oppositional and disruptive behavior. Implementation requires two years of intensive intervention with an optional year of booster intervention. The program can be implemented in a variety of community venues, including, schools, community and faith centers. The intervention design includes a coordinated set of child- (CORE) and parent/family-focused (FLEX) intervention components that map onto the early-starter model of antisocial behavior (Moffit, 1993; Patterson, DeBaryshe, & Ramsey, 1989). …

We present several rigorous methods for sampling difficult-to-reach and empirically underrepresented populations via the Internet. The methodology's representativeness was tested by comparing the demographics of a small sample of 82 lesbian and bisexual females with a much larger Gallup Organization sample of the general population (n > 1,000) obtained via random digit dialing. Compared to the latter poll, the rigorous sampling designs developed for the Internet were found to be significantly more robust and equally representative of the U.S. general population. The Gallup Organization reached a sample more representative of the age distribution of the United States. The Internet sample reached a sample more representative of the population, with less education, lower incomes, and a broad spectrum of ethnic diversity. The samples were equally effective in representing the distribution of the population with rural and urban residence.

Multicultural counseling has emerged as the fourth force in American Psychology. To provide a nonclinical, multicultural framework with which to facilitate assessment and treatment of transgender (TG) clients, 73 North American TG respondents were compared to six groups. The comparison groups included 1,083 heterosexual females, 1,077 heterosexual males, 73 psychosocially matched females, 73 psycho-socially matched males, 256 homosexual females, and 356 homosexual males. Comparisons were made on psychosocial characteristics, past and present psychotherapy, past and present medication for a psychiatric condition, and past or present difficulties controlling potentially problematic behaviors. The TG respondents were more similar than different relative to lesbians and more different than similar in comparison to every other group. The similarities between TG respondents and lesbians suggest the dual influences of gender and sexual orientation minority status significantly compound the burden of ada...

This study examined the relation between suicidality and sexual orientation in an intercontinental sample (Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America). Participants responded to a survey hosted on the Internet Website of an international news organization. Categorical analyses compared homosexual and bisexual respondents' history of suicide attempts and suicide ideations to those of heterosexual respondents, by total sample, males only, and females only. A relation between male sexual orientation and suicide attempts was found for every continent except Europe (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.3, 6.9). A relation between female sexual orientation and suicide attempts was not found in any continent except North America (OR = 2.1; 95% CI % 1.7, 2.5). These data provide preliminary evidence of intercontinental variation in the relation between suicidality and sexual orientation.

Online Sexual Activity (OSA) is an important and growing phenomenon. Prior research in this area has been criticized on methodological grounds. This study examines the reliability of Internet research regarding online sexual activities by comparing a selected random sample to a convenience sample. Participation in the selected random sample was limited to every 1,000th visitor to the MSNBC website in June 2000. Participation in the convenience sample was available to anyone with access to the Internet during the same time period. Most differences between these samples indicated that, relative to a selected random sample, a significantly greater proportion of Internet users in the convenience sample had a heavier involvement with OSA, including online sexual difficulties. We discuss the methodological and clinical implications of this finding.

In this study of online sexual activity (OSA), a small subgroup (6.48%) of males self-identified as having online sexual problems (OSP) as a result of their online sexual behavior. There were only minor demographic differences between the OSP and the non-OSP groups. However there were a number of items that did differentiate these two groups (hours online, reasons for engaging in OSA, etc.) and these were elucidated. The research finds that most people who engage in OSA do not show evidence of problems as a result of their usage, yet at the same time there are a significant minority who do indeed report averse consequences. It is hoped that having a better understanding of the differences between these two groups will help clinicians and researchers interested in identifying variables for assessment, treatment, and prevention of OSP.

Nonclinical samples of 224 heterosexual and 205 homosexual females were interviewed with regard to their recalled childhood experiences in Brazil, Peru, the Philippines, and the United States. Twelve items were used to examine differences between heterosexual and homosexual females. These are: "normal" family, absent motherlfather, wanner parent, stronger parent, hostile father, hostile mother, detached/distant father, detached/distant mother, seductive mother, seductive father, father's attitude toward sex, mother's attitude toward sex. Seven items produced no significant differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals in any of the four societies. Another five items resulted in some signif~cant differences between these groups; however, these differences were inconsistent in all four societies. Combining the data for all four societies resulted in only one item-the detacheddistant mother-exhibiting signif~cant differences between homosexual and heterosexual groups. It is not clear whether the detached...

Despite strong indications of elevated risk of suicidal behavior in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, limited attention has been given to research, interventions or suicide prevention programs targeting these populations. This article is a culmination of a three-year effort by an expert panel to address the need for better understanding of suicidal behavior and suicide risk in sexual minority populations, and stimulate the development of needed prevention strategies, interventions and policy changes. This article summarizes existing research findings, and makes recommendations for addressing knowledge gaps and applying current knowledge to relevant areas of suicide prevention practice.

Collagens are major constituents of connective tissues in the animal kingdom. During aging and inflammatory-related diseases, the collagen network undergoes oxidation that leads to structural and biochemical alterations within the collagen molecule. Collagen oxidation appears to be a key determinant of aging and a critical physiopathologic mechanism of numerous diseases. Further, the detection of oxidized-collagen peptides seems to be a promising approach for the diagnosis and the prognosis of inflammatory diseases. This chapter reviews the structural and biochemical changes to collagen induced by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and discusses recent data on the use of collagen-derived biomarkers for measuring oxidative damage.

Heterosexual and homosexual females were interviewed with regard to childhood cross-gender behavior in Brazil, Peru, the Philippines, and the United States. Nine items were used to examine childhood behavior differences between heterosexual and homosexual females. Six of these items (playing with boys' toys, playing with girls' toys, dressing up in men's clothes, dressing up in women's clothes, paying attention to women's fashions, and being considered a tomboy) revealed statistically significant differences between the heterosexual and homosexual females. These differences demonstrated significant cross-cultural consistency, despite cultural variations among the societies examined. Rejection of certain gender-typical activities and interests, as well as involvement in cross-gendered activities and interests, seem to be consistent precursors of adult sexual orientation regardless of the cultural context in which these behaviors emerge.

This chapter discusses the relationships between online sexual activities, sexual orientation, and sexual activities in physical space. It aims to help readers explore the possibility that online sexual activities are moderated by sexual orientation, defined here as one’s self-identification as heterosexual, bisexual, or gay or lesbian. Online sexual ‘activities include, but are not limited to, seeking information or advice about sexual health, romance and relationships, online chatting with a sexual focus, viewing erotic acts, buying erotic materials, or arranging for erotic encounters offline’ (Cooper, Scherer, & Mathy, 2001, p. 437). If this chapter were a documentary film, it might be necessary to admonish readers that anyone who requires a definition for ‘sexual behaviors in physical space’ may proceed only if accompanied by a parent or adult guardian (i.e., an ‘R’ rating by the Motion Picture Association of America). In reality, human sexual activities – whether engaged in online or in physical space – have in common a central theorem of Human Sexuality. Specifically, the brain is Homo sapiens’ primary sex organ.

This study examined parents' perceived barriers to participation in a multicomponent prevention program implemented by a community agency serving culturally diverse urban neighborhoods. The Early Risers Participation Interview (ER-PI), modeled after Kadzin et al.'s (1997) Barriers to Treatment Participation Scale, was administered to parents (N = 138) of children who were screened for disruptive behavior and were randomized into a two-year intervention condition. Results showed that the perceived barriers score provided significant information in differentiating low and high participators after controlling for child, parent, and family characteristics. Early identification and resolution of parents' perceived barriers to participation may be key to implementing multifaceted preventive programs successfully in inner-city neighborhoods. EDITOR'S STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS: The authors present promising practices for client engagement and retention. The experimental, longitudinal design is notable, especially in the evaluation of a community-run prevention program.

The onset of aggression and conduct problems during the early childhood years paves the way for the development of a pattern of serious antisocial behavior, including violence, substance abuse, and criminal offending during adolescence and young adulthood (Hinshaw & Lee, 2003). This developmental progression, however, is not inevitable. Indeed, the relative balance between risk and protective factors experienced along this pathway appears to determine whether these aggressive children ultimately experience deviant or healthy outcomes (Tolan, Guerra, & Kendall, 1995). Risk factors for antisocial behavior emerge across multiple levels. Child risk factors typically pertain to individual characteristics such as difficult temperament, deficient emotional regulation, learning delays, and deficiencies or distortions in social information processing. Parental risk factors include depression, substance abuse, negative attributions, and unrealistic expectations. Familial risk factors center on economic hardship, social isolation, and marital discord. These factors become manifest in coercive

To determine the effects of hypoxia and reoxygenation on the metabolism of chondrocytes and their response to interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). The study included activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), NF-kappaB, and activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factors, expression of matrix components and metalloproteases and transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and TGFbeta receptors, and production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)).Bovine articular chondrocytes (BACs) were cultured to confluency in either 5% O(2) (hypoxia) or 21% O(2) (normoxia) in media supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). BACs were preincubated for 18 hours in media with 1% FCS only and then incubated for 24 hours in the presence of IL-1beta. For reoxygenation experiments, cells were treated in the same way in 5% O(2), except that cultures were transferred to normal atmospheric conditions and used after 4 hours for RNA extraction or after 30 minutes for cytoplasmic or nuclear protein extraction.In hypoxic and reoxygenated chondrocytes, we observed strong DNA binding of HIF-1. IL-1beta-induced DNA binding of NF-kappaB and AP-1 was significantly higher in hypoxic and reoxygenated cultures than in normoxia. Greater activation of the MAPKs was also observed with IL-1beta treatment in hypoxia compared with normoxia. Steady-state levels of type II collagen and aggrecan core protein messenger RNA (mRNA) were decreased by IL-1beta in all instances. Matrix metalloprotease 1 (MMP-1) and MMP-3 mRNA were increased by IL-1beta in normoxia and hypoxia, whereas only MMP-3 mRNA was enhanced in reoxygenated cultures. The MMP-2 mRNA level was not significantly affected by IL-1beta in normoxia or hypoxia, whereas it was enhanced in reoxygenated cultures. MMP-9 mRNA was dramatically decreased by IL-1beta only in low oxygen tension. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) message was significantly enhanced by the cytokine in most instances, whereas TIMP-2 message was markedly decreased by IL-1beta in reoxygenated cultures. Stimulation of TGFbeta1 expression by IL-1beta was observed only in normal atmospheric conditions. One of the more striking findings of the study was the greater stimulating effect of IL-1beta on NO production observed in hypoxia, which was much higher than in normoxia, whereas the reverse was observed for IL-1beta-induced PGE(2) production.Oxygen level and reoxygenation stress significantly modulate gene expression and the response of articular chondrocytes to cytokines such as IL-1beta. In hypoxic conditions, which mimic the in vivo condition of cartilage, the effects of IL-1beta on both synthesis and degradative processes are significantly different from those in normoxia, conditions that are unlikely encountered by chondrocytes in a normal state. In low oxygen tension, high IL-1beta-induced NO production is associated with a significant decrease in PGE(2) synthesis. These data should influence our concept of the role of oxygen in the pathophysiology of joint disease and may help define the best conditions in which to develop bioartificial cartilage.

Paul et al. published in the August 2002 issue of the Journal a potentially misleading assertion, specifically, that literature concerning sexual orientation and suicide risks has been “primarily based on opportunistic samples.”1 The assertion is neither new nor correct. Similar criticisms were made in 1995 by attendees at a workshop convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the American Association of Suicidology. These critics argued that the absence of population-based studies made unreliable the emerging findings of elevated risks of suicidality among sexual minority youths. Several years ago, Remafedi noted that the critics’ assertion was premature2: at least 6 peer-reviewed, population-based, or twincontrol studies had been published by 1999. All had corroborated the findings of earlier studies. The quantity and quality of population-based, peer-reviewed research specific to sexual orientation and suicidality published since 19983 make problematic any assertion that could lead readers or researchers to doubt the aggregate reliability of findings on this topic.4 On the basis of the reliability of the relationship between sexual orientation and suicide risks found in the peer-reviewed literature,5 a number of us have begun to study the extent to which the findings can be generalized to sexual minorities in other parts of the world6 as well as ethnically diverse populations in the United States.7 Our initial attempts may well have to rely on “convenience” or “opportunistic” samples—until decision makers include in more population-based surveys questions specific to both sexual orientation and mental health. Paul et al. addressed another important aspect of generalizability, specifically, age cohort effects. One would hope that future researchers will demonstrate a somewhat greater degree of sensitivity to the influence of cultural contexts for psychological issues in gay and lesbian studies.8 It makes little sense to impose 10-year intervals on data to examine cohort effects among a minority group that has experienced substantial oppression, discrimination, and stigma. It would be more sensible to examine cohorts that reached varying developmental life stages (e.g., adolescence or onset of middle adulthood at age 40) during culturally significant healthrelated events (e.g., the removal of homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM] in 1973 or the removal of egodystonic homosexuality from the DSM in 1987). This tactic is essential for evaluating the extent to which variations in oppression moderate the relationship between sexual orientation and stress-related disorders.9

A large study (N = 7,037) was conducted through the MSNBC website during June 2000 to explore the general profile of people who engage in online sexual activity (OSA) as well as gender differences in OSA. The study explored ways in which the Internet is used for sexual activities, reasons for engaging in OSA, and consequences of use. The study found a relationship between use of OSA and its consequences in users' lives as well as significant gender differences in user profiles. Significant gender differences were found in reasons respondents gave for engaging in OSA and OSA-related behaviors. Overall, these findings increase our understanding of the user profiles of people who engage in OSA and corroborate gender differences in offline research. Implications for further research are discussed.