University of California

About: University of California is a education organization based out in Oakland, California, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Layer (electronics). The organization has 55175 authors who have published 52933 publications receiving 1491169 citations. The organization is also known as: UC & University of California System.

The role of self-efficacy in HIV treatment adherence: validation of the HIV Treatment Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (HIV-ASES).

Abstract: Adherence to HIV treatment, including adherence to antiretroviral (ART) medication regimens, is paramount in the management of HIV. Self-efficacy for treatment adherence has been identified as an important correlate of medication adherence in the treatment of HIV and other medical conditions. This paper describes the validation of the HIV Treatment Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (HIV-ASES) with two samples of HIV+ adults on ART. Factor analyses support subscales measuring Adherence Integration (eigenvalue = 6.12) and Adherence Perseverance (eigenvalue = 1.16), accounting for 61% of the variance in scale items. The HIV-ASES demonstrates robust internal consistency (ρs > .90) and 3-month (rs > .70) and 15-month (rs > .40) test–retest reliability. Concurrent validity analyses revealed relationships with psychosocial measures, ART adherence, clinical status, and healthcare utilization. Findings support the use of the HIV-ASES and provide guidance for further investigation of adherence self-efficacy in the context of treatment for HIV and other diseases.

The ligands and receptors of the lymphotoxin system.

Abstract: The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related cytokines have emerged over the past 2 years as a large family of pleiotropic mediators of host defense and immune regulation. Members of this family exist in membrane-anchored forms acting locally through cell-to-cell contact, or as secreted proteins capable diffusion to more distant targets. A parallel family of receptors signals the presence of these molecules leading to the initiation of cell death or cellular proliferation and differentiation in the target tissue (see Smith et al. 1994; Banchereau et al. 1994 for reviews). The focus of this review is on two members of this family produced by activated T cells, the original lymphotoxin-α (LT-α, previously referred to as TNF-β), and a new member, lymphotoxin-β (LT-β), and their specific receptors. Initially discovered by cytotoxic activity in vitro, lymphotoxn, as a secreted molecule, was one of the earliest postulated mechanisms used by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Ruddle and Waksman 1968; Granger and Williams 1868). The molecular cloning of LT and TNF dramatically revised the view of these cytokines as limited nonspecific cytotoxins and revealed their more intricate role in immunoregulation and host defense. Although once thought to be merely a redundant form of TNF, new findings have indicated that lymphotoxin has a role in immune physiology distinct from TNF and forms a system of secreted and membrane-anchored immunoregulatory molecules.

Peer victimization, aggression, and their co-occurrence in middle school: pathways to adjustment problems

Abstract: An ethnically diverse sample of 6th-grade students completed peer nomination procedures that were used to create subgroups of students with reputations as victims, aggressors, aggressive victims, and socially adjusted (neither aggressive nor victimized). Self-report data on psychological adjustment, attributions for peer harassment, and perceived school climate were gathered. In addition, homeroom teachers rated participating students on academic engagement and students' grades were collected from school records. Victims reported the most negative self-views, aggressors enjoyed the most positive self-views, and aggressive victims fell between these two groups, although their psychological profile more closely resembled that of victims. However, all three subgroups encountered more school adjustment problems when compared to their socially adjusted classmates. Different pathways to school adjustment problems for aggressors and victims were examined. For victims, characterological self-blame for victimization and psychological maladjustment were the key mediators, whereas for aggressors, the significant pathway was mainly through perceived unfairness of school rules. Analyses by ethnicity revealed that African American boys were most likely to be perceived as aggressive and as aggressive victims and they were doing most poorly in school. Implications for intervention with subgroups of problem behavior youth and the particular vulnerabilities of African American adolescents were discussed.

Lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition

Abstract: Lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition (LPNE) combines attributes of photolithography with the versatility of bottom-up electrochemical synthesis. Photolithography is employed to define the position of a sacrificial nanoband electrode, preferably formed from a metal such as nickel, copper, silver, gold or the like, which is stripped using electrooxidation or a chemical etchant to advantageously recess the nanoband electrode between a substrate surface and the photoresist to form a trench defined by the substrate surface, the photoresist and the nanoband electrode. The trench acts as a “nanoform” to form an incipient nanowire during its electrodeposition. The width of the nanowire is determined by the electrodeposition duration while its height is determined by the height of the nanoband electrode.

Characteristics that predict risk of breast cancer before and after the menopause

Abstract: In a case-control study of 1868 breast cancer patients and 3391 control patients we searched for characteristics that predicted risk of breast cancer diagnosed before and after menopause. Common to increased risk of this disease in both periods of womanhood were: early menarche and late menopause; delayed marriage and first childbirth; more nulliparity or reduced gravidity and parity; reduced frequency of abortions; shorter overall child-bearing interval; more advanced education, higher socioeconomic status, and more contraceptive usage; and familial tendencies toward the disease. Breast cancer patients diagnosed before menopause were leaner than controls at age 20 and at time of diagnosis, but breast cancer risk in the postmenopausal period was related to increased weight-for-height at diagnosis and greater weight-for-height at diagnosis and greater weight gain since age 20. Postmenopausal breast cancer patients had a longer interval between first and second childbirths. Frequency and duration of the gravid state, inversely related to breast cancer risk, were largely dependent on contraceptive practices rather than unexplained infertility per se. Whether the breast cancer reaches diagnosis before or after menopause, the bulk of evidence examined here supports the view that it has a common cause and is subject to modifying influences over the long period of cancer latency.