Anomie: Concept, Theory, Research Promise

The term anomie has declined in the sociology literature. Apart from brief mentions, it has not featured in the American Sociological Review for sixteen years. Moreover, the term has narrowed and is now used almost exclusively to discuss deviance. This project explores Durkheim\u27s original use of the term, and whether modifications of his work--by Merton, Parsons, and others--are useful or muddling. We also present critiques of the term, evaluating them in light of Durkheim\u27s intentions. Possible explanations for the decline of anomie theory are given, including academic explanations (e.g., classical sociology was replaced by newer theories like symbolic interactionism) and political explanations (e.g., Durkheim\u27s functionalism became too conservative for the New Left). Finally, we argue that the United States is a highly anomic nation, with its focus on freedom, eternal striving, and self-advancement. We apply a Durkheimian perspective to contemporary issues like mental illness, exploring rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide as a consequence of these anomic conditions

Anomie: Concept, Theory, Research Promise

The term anomie has declined in the sociology literature. Apart from brief mentions, it has not featured in the American Sociological Review for sixteen years. Moreover, the term has narrowed and is now used almost exclusively to discuss deviance. This project explores Durkheim\u27s original use of the term, and whether modifications of his work--by Merton, Parsons, and others--are useful or muddling. We also present critiques of the term, evaluating them in light of Durkheim\u27s intentions. Possible explanations for the decline of anomie theory are given, including academic explanations (e.g., classical sociology was replaced by newer theories like symbolic interactionism) and political explanations (e.g., Durkheim\u27s functionalism became too conservative for the New Left). Finally, we argue that the United States is a highly anomic nation, with its focus on freedom, eternal striving, and self-advancement. We apply a Durkheimian perspective to contemporary issues like mental illness, exploring rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide as a consequence of these anomic conditions

Quantized Einstein-Rosen waves, AdS_2, and spontaneous symmetry breaking

4D cylindrical gravitational waves with aligned polarizations (Einstein-Rosen waves) are shown to be described by a weight 1/2 massive free field on the double cover of AdS_2. Thorn's C-energy is one of the sl(2,R) generators, the reconstruction from the (timelike) symmetry axis is the CFT_1 holography. Classically the phase space is also invariant under a O(1,1) group action on the metric coefficients that is a remnant of the original 4D diffeomorphism invariance. In the quantum theory this symmetry is found to be spontaneously broken while the AdS_2 conformal invariance remains intact.Comment: 13 pages, Latex, 2 Figures. v2: Figure on AdS added, minor change

Differential Muon Tomography to Continuously Monitor Changes in the Composition of Subsurface Fluids

Muon tomography has been used to seek hidden chambers in Egyptian pyramids and image subsurface features in volcanoes. It seemed likely that it could be used to image injected, supercritical carbon dioxide as it is emplaced in porous geological structures being used for carbon sequestration, and also to check on subsequent leakage. It should work equally well in any other application where there are two fluids of different densities, such as water and oil, or carbon dioxide and heavy oil in oil reservoirs. Continuous monitoring of movement of oil and/or flood fluid during enhanced oil recovery activities for managing injection is important for economic reasons. Checking on leakage for geological carbon storage is essential both for safety and for economic purposes. Current technology (for example, repeat 3D seismic surveys) is expensive and episodic. Muons are generated by high- energy cosmic rays resulting from supernova explosions, and interact with gas molecules in the atmosphere. This innovation has produced a theoretical model of muon attenuation in the thickness of rock above and within a typical sandstone reservoir at a depth of between 1.00 and 1.25 km. Because this first simulation was focused on carbon sequestration, the innovators chose depths sufficient for the pressure there to ensure that the carbon dioxide would be supercritical. This innovation demonstrates for the first time the feasibility of using the natural cosmic-ray muon flux to generate continuous tomographic images of carbon dioxide in a storage site. The muon flux is attenuated to an extent dependent on, amongst other things, the density of the materials through which it passes. The density of supercritical carbon dioxide is only three quarters that of the brine in the reservoir that it displaces. The first realistic simulations indicate that changes as small as 0.4% in the storage site bulk density could be detected (equivalent to 7% of the porosity, in this specific case). The initial muon flux is effectively constant at the surface of the Earth. Sensitivity of the method would be decreased with increasing depth. However, sensitivity can be improved by emplacing a greater array of particle detectors at the base of the reservoir

The influence of vent fluid chemistry on trophic structure at two deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields on the Mid-Cayman Rise

The two known deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields along the Mid-Cayman Rise are separated by a distance of only 21 km, yet their chemistry and faunal diversity are distinct. The deeper of the two vent fields, Piccard (with active venting from Beebe Vents, Beebe Woods and Beebe Sea), at 4980 m is basalt hosted. The shallower vent field, Von Damm, at 2300 m appears to have an ultramafic influence. The Von Damm vent field can be separated into two sites: The Spire and The Tubeworm Field. The dominant vent fluids at the Tubeworm Field are distinct from those at the Spire, as a result of fluid modification in the sub-surface. Von Damm and Piccard vent fields support abundant invertebrates, sharing the same biomass-dominant shrimp species, Rimicaris hybisae. Although there are some other shared species (squat lobsters (Munidopsis sp.) and gastropods (Provanna sp. and Iheyaspira sp.)) between the vent fields, they are much more abundant at one site than the other

Undetectable mannose binding lectin is associated with HRCT proven bronchiectasis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Aim: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether mannose binding lectin deficiency is implicated in coexistent rheumatoid arthritis and bronchiectasis and to determine whether undetectable mannose binding lectin confers poorer long-term survival in coexistent rheumatoid arthritis and bronchiectasis or in rheumatoid arthritis in general. Materials and methods: A retrospective audit was conducted in a rheumatoid arthritis cohort in which mannose binding lectin had been measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay from 2007–11. Rheumatoid arthritis patients with physician diagnosed HRCT proven bronchiectasis were recruited during this time and compared to those with uncomplicated rheumatoid arthritis. Survival from disease onset was recorded in October 2018. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were performed to assess mortality over time in the two groups. Log rank tests were used for equality of survivor functions. Results: The two groups were demographically comparable. A higher frequency of undetectable mannose binding lectin was observed in coexistent rheumatoid arthritis and bronchiectasis (37.5%) compared to uncomplicated rheumatoid arthritis, (8.9%, P = 0.005). Undetectable mannose binding lectin correlated with a strong trend toward poor survival in rheumatoid arthritis overall (P = 0.057). Cox regression analysis however, showed no difference in the hazard ratio for survival between the two groups when corrected for age, gender, prednisolone use ever, rheumatoid factor status and the full range of MBL concentrations. Conclusion: In summary, undetectable mannose binding lectin is associated with coexistent rheumatoid arthritis and bronchiectasis and correlates with poor survival in rheumatoid arthritis overall. These findings further implicate immunodeficiency in the genesis of bronchiectasis in rheumatoid arthriti

Julije Klović and the Medicis

L\u27autrice riporta nuovi dati riguardanti Giulio Clovio in relazione con Firenze. Gia nel 1544 il Duca Cosimo I\u27 cercava di prenderlo in servizio, ma cio gli riusci appena nel 1551, alorche il cardinale Alessandro Farnese venne da Roma a Firenze. Nel 1552 Vincenzo Borghini riferisce che il Clovio sta lavorando per Cosimo I\u27, e il 22/6/1553 fu assegnato all\u27artista un appartamento a Palazzo Pitti. Egli vi dimora fino all\u2711/11 di quell\u27anno stesso. Nel frattempo egli gia dipinse la «Crocifissione» (segnata e datata 1553) e la »Pieta«. Si credeva finora che queste due miniature, insieme a un «Autoritratto» piu tardo, fossero le uniche opere nate a Firenze. L\u27autrice, invece, scopri che nel primo inventario della Galleria degli Uffizi (1589) sono registrate sette opere e grazie alla descrizione data, ella le identifica come conservate fino ad oggi: »S. Giovanni Battista«, »Testa di donna« (invero dell\u27Annunziata) e »ll ratto di Gaminede« nel quale la figura principale e fatta secondo il disegno di Michelangelo, mentre le aggiunte del Clovio sono la figura del cane e lo sfondo del paesaggio. Il «Ritratto di Eleonora di Toledo» e andato perduto, ma lo conosciamo dala copia di Daniel Froeschel della fine del XVI secolo. Analizzando e valutando le miniature nominate del Clovio, I\u27autrice rileva che il loro sostrato simboleggiante rispecchia fedelmente la delicata cultura della cerchia farnesiana.Autorica donosi nove podatke o odnosu Julija Klovića sa Firenzom. Već godine 1544. nastojao je vojvoda Cosimo I. da ga dobije u svoju službu, ali mu je to pošlo za rukom tek 1551, kad je kardinal Alessando Farnese došao iz Rima u Firenzu. Vincenzo Borghini izvještava 1552. da Klović radi za Cosima I., a 22. VI. 1553. umjetnik je dobio stan u palači Pitti. Tu se nalazi do 11. XI. iste godine. Do toga je datuma već naslikao »Raspeće« (signirano i datirano 1553) i »Oplakivanje«. Do sada se vjerovalo da su te dvije minijature, uz jedan kasniji «Autoportret», jedini radovi nastali u Firenzi. Autorica međutim otkriva u prvom inventaru galerije Uffizi (1589) zabilježeno sedam radova i zahvaljujući njihovu opisu identificira ih kao do danas sačuvane: »Sv. Krstitelj», »Glava žene« (zapravo Bogorodica iz Navještenja) i »Otmicu Ganimeda» na kojoj je glavni lik rađen prema Michelangelovu crtežu, dok su Klovićev dodatak lik psa i pejzažna pozadina. »Portret Eleonore di Toledo« je izgubljen, ali izgled mu je poznat po kopiji Daniela Froeschela iz konca XVI. stoljeća. Analizirajući i vrednujući pomenute Klovićeve minijature, autorica istiće da njihov simbolski supstrat vjerno ilustrira profinjenu kulturu farnezijanske sredine.The author presents nw data on Julije Klović\u27s relationship with Florence. As early as 1554 Duke Cosimo I tried to draw Klović into his service, but it took him until 1551 to succeed, when Cardinal Alessandro Farnese came to Florence from Rome. Vincenzo Borghini reports in 1552 that Klović was working for the Duke, and on 22 June 1553 he was provided with accomodation in the Pitti Palace. Here he remained until 11 November of the same year. By that date he had already painted the »Crucifix« (signed and dated 1553) and »Mourning«; until now it was believed that these two miniatures, along with a later »Self-Portrait«, were the only works that originated in Florence. The author discloses that there were seven works listed in the first inventory of Uffizi Gallery (1589) and thanks to their descriptions she identifies them as existing today; »St. John the Baptist«, »The Head of a Woman« (actually the Madonna from the Annuciation) and the »Rape of Ganvmede« where the central figure is a replica of Michelangelo\u27s drawing, while Klović\u27s is the addition of the figure of a dog and the landscape in the background. The »Portrait of Eleonor di Toledo« has been lost, but its appearance is known to us through a copy by Daniel Froeschel from the late 16th century. The author stresses, through her analvsis and evaluation of these miniatures, that their symbolic substrate is a faithful illustration of the refined culture of the environment of the Farnese family

The effects of creatine supplementation combined with resistance training on regional measures of muscle hypertrophy: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

The purpose of this paper was to carry out a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that examined the combined effects of resistance training (RT) and creatine supplementation on regional changes in muscle mass with direct imaging measures of hypertrophy. Moreover, we performed regression analyses to determine the potential influence of covariates. We included trials of at least 6 weeks in duration that examined the combined effects of creatine supplementation and RT on site-specific direct measures of hypertrophy (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], computed tomography [CT] or ultrasound) in healthy adults. A total of 44 outcomes were analyzed across 10 studies that met inclusion criteria. Univariate analysis of all standardized outcomes showed a pooled mean estimate of 0.11 (95% Credible Interval [CrI]: -0.02 to 0.25) providing evidence of a very small effect favoring creatine supplementation when combined with RT, compared to RT and placebo. Multivariate analyses found similar small benefits for the combination of creatine supplementation and RT on changes in upper and lower body muscle thickness (0.10-0.16 cm). Analyses of moderating effects indicated a small superior benefit for creatine supplementation on younger compared to older adults (0.17 [95% CrI: -0.09 to 0.45]). In conclusion, results suggest that creatine supplementation combined with RT promotes a small increase in direct measures of skeletal muscle hypertrophy in both the upper and lower body

Unique Resistance of I/LnJ Mice to a Retrovirus Is Due to Sustained Interferon γ–dependent Production of Virus-neutralizing Antibodies

Selection of immune escape variants impairs the ability of the immune system to sustain an efficient antiviral response and to control retroviral infections. Like other retroviruses, mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is not efficiently eliminated by the immune system of susceptible mice. In contrast, MMTV-infected I/LnJ mice are capable of producing IgG2a virus-neutralizing antibodies, sustain this response throughout their life, and secrete antibody-coated virions into the milk, thereby preventing infection of their progeny. Antibodies were produced in response to several MMTV variants and were cross-reactive to them. Resistance to MMTV infection was recessive and was dependent on interferon (IFN)-γ production, because I/LnJ mice with targeted deletion of the INF-γ gene failed to produce any virus-neutralizing antibodies. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of resistance to retroviral infection that is based on a robust and sustained IFN-γ–dependent humoral immune response

Rapid Diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis by Testing Vaginal Swabs in an Isothermal Helicase-Dependent AmpliVue Assay

The AmpliVue™ Trichomonas Assay (Quidel) is a new FDA cleared rapid test for qualitative detection of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) DNA in female vaginal specimens. The assay is based on BioHelix’s Helicase-Dependent Amplification (HDA) isothermal technology in conjunction with a disposable lateral-flow detection device, with a total turn-around time of approximately 45 minutes