Decreased cardiac contractility is a central feature of systolic heart failure. Existing drugs increase cardiac contractility indirectly through signaling cascades but are limited by their mechanism-related adverse effects. To avoid these limitations, we previously developed omecamtiv mecarbil, a small-molecule, direct activator of cardiac myosin. Here, we show it binds to the myosin catalytic domain and operates by an allosteric mechanism to increase the transition rate of myosin into the strongly actin-bound force-generating state. Paradoxically, it inhibits adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) turnover in the absence of actin, which suggests that it stabilizes an actin-bound conformation of myosin. In animal models, omecamtiv mecarbil increases cardiac function by increasing the duration of ejection without changing the rates of contraction. Cardiac myosin activation may provide a new therapeutic approach for systolic heart failure.

What kinds of professional development activities do psychologists participate in and to what extent do these activities contribute to ongoing professional competence? A conceptual framework for understanding the diverse array of continuing professional development (CPD) activities is followed by a review of the outcomes associated with these activities and a survey of 1,606 licensed psychologists concerning their CPD participation and perceptions. Results indicated that respondents participated in a diverse range of CPD activities, marked by considerable variation in both the extent and the nature of those activities. CPD activities such as self-directed learning, peer consultation, and formal continuing education were perceived as contributing highly to ongoing professional competence, while serving on professional boards, conducting client assessments, and taking graduate courses were perceived as contributing relatively little. These and other fmdings are interpreted in relation to the continuing competency movement within professional psychology, leading to some provisional recommendations, and further challenges, for the field of professional psychology.

Using a Delphi polling methodology and a small sample of identified experts in the field, recent research has noted the widely variable, and rapidly diminishing, half-life of knowledge across a range of specialties within professional psychology (Neimeyer, Taylor, & Rozensky, 2012). The current article provides methodological triangulation in relation to this previous work by surveying a large number (N ϭ 402) of board-certified psychologists across the full range of specialties recognized by the American Psychological Association and the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Results again supported a wide range of perceived half-lives across the various specialties and a consistent trend toward the diminishing durability of knowledge in these fields over time. Current perceived half-lives varied from a high of 18.37 years (in the area of Psychoanalysis) to a low of 7.58 years (in the area of Clinical Health Psychology), with the overall durability of knowledge across all areas being 8.68 years. The future half-lives of knowledge were expected to shrink in every area of specialization to as little as 5.61 years (in Clinical Health Psychology) within a decade from now. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the field's continuing commitment to the maintenance and demonstration of professional competence and its ongoing movement toward increased specialization.

This Position Statement is a summary of the literature and learning regarding current issues raised by the occurrence, treatment, and study of traumatic brain injury in military service members and veterans. The Report has been approved by the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN), Divisions 40 (Neuropsychology) and 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN), with the goal of providing information of relevance on an important public policy matter within their respective areas of expertise. The Report is not intended to establish guidelines or standards for the professional practice of psychology, nor has it been adopted as official policy by the American Psychological Association or any other division or subunit of APA.

Board certification in psychology provides an opportunity for increased assessment of and demonstration of competence in the profession. In addition to serving as a means of consumer protection, it can serve the professional psychologist by providing the opportunity for increased income, professional satisfaction, facilitated mobility, and professional development. Jurisdictional and organizational recognition of the importance of board certification is increasing. This article uses the model and experience of the American Board of Professional Psychology, with particular attention to the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology and the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, to illustrate these benefits. Recent developments regarding board certification are described, as well as how to become involved in the process.