A three-state continuous time Markov chain model for HIV disease burden

Plasma HIV viral load (VL) is the clinical indicator used to evaluate disease burden for HIV-infected patients. We developed a covariate-adjusted, three-state, homogenous continuous time Markov chain model for HIV/AIDS disease burden among subgroups. We defined Detectable and Undetectable HIV VL levels as two transient states and Death as the third absorbing state. We implemented the exact maximum likelihood method to estimate the parameters with related asymptotic distribution to conduct hypothesis testing. We evaluated the proposed model using HIV-infected individuals from South Carolina (SC) HIV surveillance data. Using the developed model, we estimated and compared the transition hazards, transition probabilities, and the state-specific duration for HIV-infected individuals. We examined gender, race/ethnicity, age, CD4 count, place of residence, and antiretroviral treatment regimen prescribed at the beginning of the study period. We found that patients with a higher CD4 count, increased age, heterosexual orientation, white, and single tablet regimen users were associated with reduced risk of transitioning to a Detectable VL from an Undetectable VL, whereas shorter time since diagnosis, being male, and injection drug use increased the risk of the same transition.     

From mood to movement: English nationalism,the European Union and taking back control†

This article considers whether the 2016 EU referendum can be perceived as an English nationalist movement. Specifically, attention is given to examining how memories of the former British Empire were nostalgically enveloped in anxieties regarding England’s location within the devolved UK state. The comments and work of Enoch Powell and George Orwell are used to help explore the link between nostalgia and anxiety in accounts of English nationalism. Despite their opposing political orientations, when considered together, it is argued that both men provide a unique cross-political perspective on Englishness, empire and nostalgia. By way of exploring these themes in relation to the EU referendum, Aughey’s assertion that English nationalism can be perceived as both a “mood” and “movement” is used to highlight how a sense of English anxiety regarding its lack of national sovereignty (mood), as well as a desire to reclaim this sovereignty by renegotiating trade relations with the “Anglo-sphere” (movement), were conjoined in the popular referendum slogan, “take back control”. In conclusion, it is argued that the contextualization of the referendum can be predicated upon an orientation to empire that steers away from glorifying pro-imperial images of England/Britain, towards a more positive and progressive appropriation of the EU referendum as a statement of national change and belonging.     

HIV/AIDS stigma manifestations during clinical interactions with MSM in Puerto Rico

HIV/AIDS stigma can have detrimental effects on physician/patient interactions when manifested by health professionals. Unfortunately, HIV/AIDS stigma is usually manifested in an intersectional manner with other preexisting stigmas, including stigma toward men who have sex with men (MSM). Therefore, our study aimed to examine the behavioral manifestations of HIV/AIDS stigma among physicians in training during simulated clinical interactions with MSM, and explore the interrelation between HIV/AIDS stigma attitudes and behaviors. We implemented an experimental design using Standardized Patient simulations with a sample of 100 physicians in training in Puerto Rico. Results show a significant difference in the two groups’ means (p?<?.001), with a higher number of stigma behaviors in the HIV MSM patient condition (M?=?6.39) than the common cold control condition (M?=?5.20). Results evidence that stigma manifestations toward MSM with HIV may continue to be an obstacle for public health in Puerto Rico, and that medical training to prevent stigma is still needed.     

Rapping About Rap: Parental Mediation of Gender-Stereotyped Media Content

Abstract

This article examines adolescent reports of parental mediation of hip-hop music videos, a medium that has been celebrated for its artistry and empowering youth, yet criticized for stereotyped portrayals of women and men. Survey data of 315 adolescents (M age?=?15.2, SD?=?1.73) investigated the relationship between adolescent reports of viewing hip-hop music videos, parent-child communication about these videos, and attitudes about gender and the music videos. Respondents reported low levels of both positive and negative parental mediation of hip-hop music videos, yet when they occurred, reports of negative mediation positively predicted critical attitudes about these videos.     

临清拗陷东部CO2成因、成藏条件及潜力

临清拗陷东部CO₂资源丰富，在古生界和新近系均发现了CO₂气藏。根据最新勘探和研究成果，并结合济阳拗陷与东濮凹陷的勘探实践，分析认为临清拗陷东部CO₂气藏气主要为幔源岩浆成因，浅层气藏中可能有煤成气过程中的伴生CO₂混入。通过对典型气藏的解剖，指出断裂活动和岩浆活动对临清拗陷东部CO₂的成藏有重要的控制作用。结合地质条件，指出了有利的勘探区带。     

温度对城市生活垃圾气化的影响研究——以餐厨垃圾中的典型组分米饭为例

垃圾气化是近年发展起来的一种垃圾处理技术,它能够降低二噁英排放量和重金属污染,同时具有无害化、减容化及资源化等优点,因此,成为最具潜力的焚烧处理替代技术。利用自行搭建的管式炉实验平台,每次选取0.1g生活垃圾中的典型组分——米饭为研究对象,探讨其在400℃、500℃、600℃、700℃、750℃、800℃、900℃及1000℃等8个温度下气化时所产生CO、H2、SO2以及NO的规律,研究表明:最佳气化温度为750℃,与其他气化温度相比较,750℃下米饭气化所得的可燃气CO与H2最多,分别可达常压下的29.615mL与7.243mL;而污染气体SO2与NO则相对较少,分别为常压下的0.054mL与0.127mL。该研究成果能为垃圾气化炉的优化运行提供一定的理论参考。     

On detecting outliers in the Pareto distribution

In this paper, we introduce two new statistics for detecting outliers in the Pareto distribution. These new statistics are the extension of the statistics for detecting outliers in exponential and gamma distributions. In fact, we compare the power of our test statistics with the other statistics and select the best test statistic for detecting outliers in the Pareto distribution. Finally, numerical examples of different insurance claims are used to see the performance of the test.     

Temporal Dynamics Linking Aspects of Parent Monitoring with Early Adolescent Antisocial Behavior

This longitudinal study examined the covariation between parents' use of control and solicitation, youth willingness to self-disclose to parents, and youth antisocial behavior from ages 13 to 14. Structural equation analyses were conducted on a combined sample of Italian (N  =  152) and French Canadian (N  =  151) adolescents. Analyses tested for longitudinal cross-lagged effects while controlling for stability and all concurrent associations. Although bivariate correlations showed consistent associations among these constructs, both concurrently and over one year, SEM results revealed virtually no cross-lagged effects, after controlling for concurrent associations and stability. These findings suggest that the actual causal effects of parenting and youth behavior may best be conceptualized as occurring in the moment, rather than over extended periods of time. Results also showed that parental control and solicitation demonstrated very different associations with youth antisocial behavior, and should therefore be considered separately for research and prevention.