The predominant relationship between sexual environment characteristics and HIV-serodiscordant condomless anal sex among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM)

In some studies, situational factors have been shown to be stronger predictors of condomless sex than individual risk factors. Cross-sectional relationships between condomless anal sex (CAS) with HIV-serodiscordant partners and risk factors across ecological levels (individual, sexual environment) were examined using a sample (N = 60) of HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) who reported multiple recent episodes of CAS. Negative binomial regressions were used to evaluate the association of contextual risk factors (e.g., substance use during sex, transactional sex, public sex, sex at a sex party) with recent condomless sex, controlling for demographics and mental health. Results demonstrated that sexual environment factors, particularly sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol (B = .019, p < .05), transactional sex (B = .035, p < .01), and public sex (B = .039, p < .01) explained a large proportion of the variance in CAS. Only sex at a sex party was not related to CAS (p = .39). For each additional sexual environment in which men engaged, their rates of CAS increased (B = .39, p < .01). Secondary prevention interventions that are tailored to the proximal sexual environment could be maximally effective, particularly if they address substance use and other challenging sexual situations.We are very grateful to the participants for their time and efforts in the study. Support for the current study came from a feasibility grant (PI: Conall O'Cleirigh) from the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research (Parent Grant: P30AI060354, PI: Bruce Walker, MD) awarded to Dr. Conall O'Cleirigh. Investigator support for Dr. Steven Safren also came from NIH Grant K24MH094214. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. (P30AI060354 - Harvard University Center for AIDS Research; K24MH094214 - NIH)Accepted manuscrip

The Use of Additional Analyses to Clarify the Functions of Problem Behavior

Functional analysis methodology has proven useful for identifying environmental contingencies that influence problem behavior. Extensions of traditional functional analysis methodology have shown that problem behavior may only occur in specific contexts or be influenced by multiple or idiosyncratic sources of reinforcement. When these contexts or sources of influence are not assessed in a functional analysis (FA), further assessment may be necessary to identify the specific antecedents and consequences that influence behavior. In the current study, initial FA results identified a specific source(s) of reinforcement for the problem behavior of two preschool children. Function-based treatments were implemented to increase appropriate behavior and decrease problem behavior; however, treatment did not result in clinically-significant reductions in problem behavior in all cases. Additional within-session analyses and experimental analyses were used to clarify the functions of problem behavior, and modified function-based treatments were used to decrease problem behavior and increase appropriate behavior. Finally, these treatments were taught to the classroom teachers to implement throughout the day

EcoJustice Education: Toward Diverse, Democratic, and Sustainable Communities

Book revie

An assessment of competencies needed by agricultural cooperative education students in Hawkins County, Tennessee

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the ability level and most desired location of training of the competencies needed for securing entry-level employment in agricultural-related occupations. The objectives were to determine: 1.) The demographic characteristics of the students, teachers and employers participating in the agricultural cooperative education program in Hawkins County, Tennessee. 2.) The types of agricultural-related businesses that are being used as a training center for the agriculture cooperative education program in Hawkins County. 3.) The agricultural-related competencies that students, teachers and employers perceive as being needed for students to be employed in agricultural-related businesses. 4.) The significant differences among the persons involved in their perceptions to the level of importance of the off-farm agricultural competencies. 5.) Places where the students, employers, and teachers perceive that the training for the needed competencies should take place. Method.A review of literature was made. A questionnaire was developed, field tested, and was hand delivered to all participants including oral and written directions for the researcher to meet the objectives of the study. All data were summarized into tables to show percentages and significant differences among the different groups. Findings.It was determined that of the 75 students enrolled in the agricultural cooperative education program that 70 percent were seniors and 19 percent of these students had been enrolled in the agricultural education program for three to four years. Based on mean scores, general business competencies were rated higher than the animal science, agricultural mechanics, or crop and soil science competencies. Seven of the 25 general business competencies showed a significant difference among the groups. The competency, following Instructions, was perceived as the most important general business competency. Other competencies deemed as being of much importance with a average mean score of 3.000 or higher were care for tools and equipment, drive a car or travel safely, maintain good personal appearance, make mathematical calculation accurately, meet the public, use correct English, and use good telephone procedures. Six of the 22 animal science competencies were perceived as being of some or much importance. Competencies related to the food technology industry were rated the highest of the animal science competencies. These competencies were recognize primal meat cuts, understanding the principles that prevent meat spoilage, identify different package procedures to prevent spoilage, and demonstrate proper sanitary meat handling procedures. Of the 23 agricultural mechanics competencies, those dealing with safety and proper operation of tools and equipment were rated the highest of those needed for securing entry-level employment in agricultural-related occupations. These competencies were adjust and repair machinery, properly operate equipment, practice safety, use grinders, drill press and other power equipment, and use hand shop tools and equipment. Competencies dealing with diesel engines and advising customers on construction of agricultural projects were of little or no importance. Eleven of the 20 crop and soil science competencies were rated as having some to much importance which included those dealing with horticultural plants and basic plant growth. These eleven competencies included the following advise customers on fertilizer needs, calibrate a chemical sprayer, calibrate a fertilize distributor, detect nutritional and disease symptoms of plants, grow plants in a greenhouse, grow nursery stock, identify fertilizer materials, identify field and garden seeds and plants, identify insects that affect plants, identify ornamental plants, and identify weeds. The ability to discuss market trends with agriculturalist was rated of little or no importance. A combination of both school and the work place was deemed as the most favorable location for the development of the needed competencies for securing entry-level employment in agricultural-related occupation. The school was rated as the best place to develop the majority of the agricultural mechanics competencies. Implications.There should be periodic evaluations of the complete agricultural cooperative program to ensure the development of highly employable high school graduates. There is a major need to expand the program at Volunteer High School to include cooperative education for credit. There is a need for revision to the program especially in the area that were perceived as having little or no importance. More emphasis should be placed on people skills and those competencies with a rating of some and much importance

An Evaluation of the Effects of Fixed-Time Schedules on Response Maintenance

Response-independent schedules of reinforcement (e.g., fixed-time schedules) have typically been shown to decrease the rate of responding. However, researchers have suggested that responses may maintain under response-independent schedules, although it is currently unclear as to what mechanisms are responsible for this maintenance. The purposes of the current study were to (a) replicate previous research showing that responding will maintain under fixed-time (FT) schedules after a history of response-dependent reinforcement, (b) evaluate a simple procedure for promoting response maintenance under FT schedules if this pattern of responding is not observed, and (c) determine possible mechanisms by which response maintenance under FT schedules occurs. We found for several children that responding maintained under FT schedules, both with and without a history of contingent reinforcement. In addition, for those children whose responding did not maintain under FT schedules, a single within-session dependent reinforcer promoted maintenance under FT schedules. Finally, for some children for whom mechanisms were evaluated, stimulus control was likely the factor that was responsible for response maintenance. Implications and considerations for future research are discussed

The Culture of Skydiving

ABSTRACT The culture of skydiving is made up of a community of individuals who regularly jump at a given drop zone. This culture places a high value on individual achievement, self-reliance, and adherence to routine, and it promotes a strong sense of community among its members. The relationships formed between skydivers through the common experience of skydiving go beyond the activity itself. Skydive Kentucky in Elizabethtown supports its community through several unique rites of passage as an individual gradually becomes a member of the group. This drop zone also hosts cookouts and card games for its regular members. Throughout this paper I compare the culture of skydiving to that of firewalking, which promotes many similar values, including self-reliance and community building. A major difference between the two activities can be found in the motivations of the individuals who pursue skydiving and firewalking. Firewalkers seek to overcome personal problems and limiting beliefs, and the activity\u27s leader addresses this in a formal way. Skydivers are out to have fun, doing what they can to make each experience exciting and unique. Keywords: Ethnography, Culture, Skydiving, Firewalking, Communit

Cognitive behavioral therapy for body image and self-care (CBT-BISC) in sexual minority men living with HIV: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: Body image disturbance is a distressing and interfering problem among many sexual minority men living with HIV, and is associated with elevated depressive symptoms and poor HIV self-care (e.g., antiretroviral therapy [ART] nonadherence). The current study tested the preliminary efficacy of a newly created intervention: cognitive–behavioral therapy for body image and self-care (CBT-BISC) for this population. METHOD: The current study entailed a 2-arm randomized controlled trial (N = 44) comparing CBT-BISC to an enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) condition. Analyses were conducted at 3 and 6 months after baseline. The primary outcome was body image disturbance (BDD-YBOCS), and secondary outcomes were ART adherence (electronically monitored via Wisepill), depressive symptoms (MADRS), and global functioning (GAF). RESULTS: At 3 months, the CBT-BISC condition showed substantial improvement in BDD-YBOCS (b = −13.6, SE = 2.7, 95% CI [−19.0, −8.3], p < .001; dppc2 = 2.39); MADRS (b = −4.9, SE = 2.8, 95% CI [−10.6, .70], p = .086; dppc2 = .87); ART adherence (b = 8.8, SE = 3.3, 95% CI [2.0, 15.6], p = .01; dppc2 = .94); and GAF (b = 12.3, SE = 3.2, 95% CI [6.1, 18.6], p < .001; dppc2 = 2.91) compared with the ETAU condition. Results were generally maintained, or improved, at 6 months; although, adherence findings were mixed depending on the calculation method. CONCLUSIONS: CBT-BISC shows preliminary efficacy in the integrated treatment of body image disturbance and HIV self-care behaviors among sexual minority men living with HIV. (APA PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)Funding from this project came from K23MH096647. Author time for Steven A. Safren was supported by K24DA040489 (formally K24MH094214). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Mental Health or the National Institutes of Health. (K23MH096647; K24DA040489; K24MH094214)Accepted manuscrip

Molecular ion trap-depletion spectroscopy of BaCl+^+

We demonstrate a simple technique for molecular ion spectroscopy. BaCl$^+$ molecular ions are trapped in a linear Paul trap in the presence of a room-temperature He buffer gas and photodissociated by driving an electronic transition from the ground X$^1\Sigma^+$ state to the repulsive wall of the A$^1\Pi$ state. The photodissociation spectrum is recorded by monitoring the induced trap loss of BaCl$^+$ ions as a function of excitation wavelength. Accurate molecular potentials and spectroscopic constants are determined. Comparison of the theoretical photodissociation cross-sections with the measurement shows excellent agreement. This study represents the first spectroscopic data for BaCl$^+$ and an important step towards the production of ultracold ground-state molecular ions.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure