Formation Of Attachments Research Articles

자살충동 노인에 관한 사례 분석: 네트워크와 매트릭스를 활용

This study conducted a case analysis based on the results of psychological counseling for an elderly person who felt suicidal at a senior welfare center in Seoul. Accordingly, through this study, we aim to prevent suicidal impulses by discovering cases where people feel suicidal impulses. As an analysis method, cases where counseling was conducted were analyzed using matrices and networks through family tree analysis of a systematic integrated model. A total of 9 sessions of psychological counseling were conducted for the case patient from March to July 2023. Five sessions of counseling were conducted for the case patient, two sessions of counseling for the case patient's wife, and two sessions of couple counseling. As a result of the analysis, the problems of the family of origin and vulnerable environmental factors that influenced the case patient's suicidal impulse were identified. The suicidal elderly person's primary caregiver changed from his or her family of origin, and there was a change in the dynamic environment that inevitably led to a very low self-esteem. Additionally, this provides the case patient with a vulnerable growth environment, resulting in the formation of unstable attachments and schemas that include excessive defense mechanisms and aggression. Based on the analysis results, it was proposed to select cases with vulnerabilities in the family of origin, provide regular psychological counseling to the elderly who are vulnerable to suicidal impulses, and develop and implement a suicide prevention program accordingly.

Intentional Replantation as the Treatment of Left Mandibular Second Premolar Refractory Periapical Periodontitis: A Case Report

Introduction This report aims to assess the feasibility of intentional replantation combined with concentrated growth factor(CGF) membrane treatment for refractory apical periodontitis of the left mandibular second premolar (35), with a 13-month follow-up period. Case Report A 24-year-old female patient underwent root canal treatment for pulpitis of the left mandibular second premolar 3 years ago, and her gum repeatedly swelled and drained pus after the treatment. CBCT revealed that the apical area of 35 was adjacent to mental foramina, and the cyst range was large. There could be issues of poor visual field, trauma, difficulty in apical preparation and backfilling after the apical resection. The left mandibular second premolar (35) was extracted, and the inflammatory tissues in the apical and alveolar fossa were removed, followed by the removal of apical irritants. The extracted premolar was then implanted into the alveolar fossa and fixed. Results and Prognosis After a duration of 13 months, the left mandibular second premolar 35 exhibited no clinical symptoms and was able to perform normal masticatory function. There was an absence of gum swelling, pain or mobility; cone beam computed tomography imaging revealed bone regeneration below the root apex with the absence of new lesions, root resorption, or adhesion to the alveolar bone. The periodontal ligament demonstrated healing between the root and alveolar bone, effectively controlling infection, preserving infected teeth and facilitating the formation of new attachments around them. Discussion Intentional tooth replantation has some advantages, like short operation time, less cost, less bone injury, and less limitations in terms of anatomy and location. However, clinicians should consider whether intentional replantation could be performed before dental implantation for the affected teeth with intractable periapical lesions. Nonetheless, its efficacy needs further evaluations through long-term clinical follow-ups.

LEVERAGING THE HEDGEHOG SIGNALLING PATHWAY TO IMPROVE TENDON-TO-BONE INTEGRATION

Despite extensive research aimed at improving surgical outcomes of enthesis injuries, re-tears remain a common problem, as the repairs often lead to fibrovascular scar as opposed to a zonal enthesis. Zonal enthesis formation involves anchoring collagen fibers, synthesizing proteoglycan-rich fibrocartilage, and mineralizing this fibrocartilage [1]. During development, the hedgehog signaling pathway promotes the formation and maturation of fibrocartilage within the zonal tendon-to-bone enthesis [1-4]. However, whether this pathway has a similar role in adult zonal tendon-to-bone repair is not known. Therefore, we developed a murine anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction model [5] to better understand the zonal tendon-to-bone repair process and perturb key developmental regulators to determine the extent to which they can promote successful repair in the adult. In doing so, we activated the hedgehog signaling pathway both genetically using transgenic mice and pharmacologically via agonist injections. We demonstrated that both treatments improved the formation of zonal attachments and tunnel integration strength [6]. These improved outcomes were due in part to hedgehog signaling's positive role in proliferation of the bone marrow stromal cell (bMSC) progenitor pool and subsequent fibrocartilage production of bMSC progeny cells that form the attachments. These results suggest that, similar to growth and development, hedgehog signaling promotes the production and maturation of fibrocartilage during tendon-to-bone integration in adults. Lastly, we developed localized drug delivery systems to further improve the treatment of these debilitating injuries in future translational studies.Acknowledgements: This work was supported by NIH R01AR076381, R21AR078429, R00AR067283, F31AR079840, T32AR007132, and P30AR069619, in addition to the McCabe Fund Pilot Award at the University of Pennsylvania.

로컬콘텐츠 기획자 뿌리내림 과정과 특성

This study explores the process of embeddedness and characteristics of local content planners, focusing on Chengdu City in China.
 To achive this, we first examined the contextual differences of local contents planners entering the two countries by referring to the Korean case, and then conducted a theoretical examination of the concept and characteristics of local content creators they create, and embeddedness for closer analysis. Based on this, we selected Caihong Street in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, as the research site and conducted field visits and in-depth interviews with local content planners who are active in the research site.
 As a result, we found that local content planners in the case area entered the area voluntarily due to low rent and the existence of a network of neighbors working in the same field, and that the locality of the area, which is distinct from other areas, is an attractive factor that attracts local contents planners.
 In the early stages of embeddedness, we found that informal networking with residents and building rapport with residents in terms of understanding the local culture and context are important, depending on the specific demand characteristics. The role of local content created in this phase is to express and visualize local 'everydayness', contributing to the formation of psychological attachments as well as physical connections with local residents. On the other hand, the local content created in the closeness stage of embeddedness contributed to the expansion of the creative community by building an organic environment of the local community by linking residents and external actors. However, local brand-oriented local content aimed at enhancing the image of the local area may be weighted more toward economic effects than social and cultural effects, and some public-related local content has a limited role in implementation due to the complexity of regulations and systems.
 This study aims to add meaning to the current debate on the potential of local creators in Korea, which is being actively discussed not only in China but also in Korea, by laying the academic foundation for the direction of policy support for sustainable fostering and support, and for maintaining an ecosystem for self-reliant and long-term activation of local content creators.

Stable kinetochore-microtubule attachment requires loop-dependent Ndc80-Ndc80 binding.

During cell division, kinetochores link chromosomes to spindle microtubules. The Ndc80 complex, a crucial microtubule binder, populates each kinetochore with dozens of copies. Whether adjacent Ndc80 complexes cooperate to promote microtubule binding remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that the Ndc80 loop, a short sequence that interrupts the Ndc80 coiled-coil at a conserved position, folds into a more rigid structure than previously assumed and promotes direct interactions between full-length Ndc80 complexes on microtubules. Mutations in the loop impair these Ndc80-Ndc80 interactions, prevent the formation of force-resistant kinetochore-microtubule attachments, and cause cells to arrest in mitosis for hours. This arrest is not due to an inability to recruit the kinetochore-microtubule stabilizing SKA complex and cannot be overridden by mutations in the Ndc80 tail that strengthen microtubule attachment. Thus, loop-mediated organization of adjacent Ndc80 complexes is crucial for stable end-on kinetochore-microtubule attachment and spindle assembly checkpoint satisfaction.

Coordination between the Ndc80 complex and dynein is essential for microtubule plus-end capture by kinetochores during early mitosis

Mitotic kinetochores are initially captured by dynamic microtubules via a "search-and-capture" mechanism. The microtubule motor, dynein, is critical for kinetochore capture as it has been shown to transport microtubule-attached chromosomes toward the spindle pole during prometaphase. The microtubule-binding nuclear division cycle 80 (Ndc80) complex that is recruited to kinetochores in prophase is known to play a central role in forming kinetochore-microtubule (kMT) attachments in metaphase. It is not yet clear, however, how Ndc80 contributes to initial kMT capture during prometaphase. Here, by combining CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout and RNAi technology with assays specific to study kMT capture, we show that mitotic cells lacking Ndc80 exhibit substantial defects in this function during prometaphase. Rescue experiments show that Ndc80 mutants deficient in microtubule-binding are unable to execute proper kMT capture. While cells inhibited of dynein alone are predominantly able to make initial kMT attachments, cells co-depleted of Ndc80 and dynein show severe defects in kMT capture. Further, we use an in vitro total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy assay to reconstitute microtubule capture events, which suggest that Ndc80 and dynein coordinate with each other for microtubule plus-end capture and that the phosphorylation status of Ndc80 is critical for productive kMT capture. A novel interaction between Ndc80 and dynein that we identify in prometaphase extracts might be critical for efficient plus-end capture. Thus, our studies, for the first time, identify a distinct event in the formation of initial kMT attachments, which is directly mediated by Ndc80 and in coordination with dynein is required for efficient kMT capture and chromosome alignment.

A narrative approach to the formation of place attachments in landscapes of expanding renewable energy technology

Renewable energy technologies are expanding in rural landscapes, where they are changing the character and meaning of place. This study explores the experience of living and recreating in proximity to landscapes undergoing this development, namely in a Swedish municipality where a major wind park is located. Using place attachment, it addresses how people construct meaning around places of everyday life through stories of their experience of place. Results show that individuals form coherent narratives of the past, present and future of places undergoing transformation. Stories of experiences of renewable energy technology and their impact on landscape relate to persisting feelings of rootedness, changing land-use activities and hope for a sustainable future. Place attachments are a form of social action as their formulation enables people to deal with change and embrace discourses of sustainability. Results highlight the discourses and practices that rural dwellers adopt in the wake of renewable energy transitions.

Kinetochore-microtubule attachment in human cells is regulated by the interaction of a conserved motif of Ska1 with EB1

The kinetochore establishes the linkage between chromosomes and the spindle microtubule plus ends during mitosis. In vertebrates, the spindle-kinetochore-associated (Ska1,2,3) complex stabilizes kinetochore attachment with the microtubule plus ends, but how Ska is recruited to and stabilized at the kinetochore-microtubule interface is not understood. Here, our results show that interaction of Ska1 with the general microtubule plus end-associated protein EB1 through a conserved motif regulates Ska recruitment to kinetochores in human cells. Ska1 forms a stable complex with EB1 via interaction with the motif in its N-terminal disordered loop region. Disruption of this interaction either by deleting or mutating the motif disrupts Ska complex recruitment to kinetochores and induces chromosome alignment defects, but it does not affect Ska complex assembly. Atomic-force microscopy imaging revealed that Ska1 is anchored to the C-terminal region of the EB1 dimer through its loop and thereby promotes formation of extended structures. Furthermore, our NMR data showed that the Ska1 motif binds to the residues in EB1 that are the binding sites of other plus end targeting proteins that are recruited to microtubules by EB1 through a similar conserved motif. Collectively, our results demonstrate that EB1-mediated Ska1 recruitment onto the microtubule serves as a general mechanism for the formation of vertebrate kinetochore-microtubule attachments and metaphase chromosome alignment.

The Impact of the Hijab Concept on Place Attachment in the Arab Settlement of Kutorejo, Tuban

Hijab, in a general perspective, is a head covering used in Muslim women’s clothing. More intrinsically, the hijab refers to one of the concepts in Islamic teachings that affect the boundaries of the lives of women and men. It is also one of the essential aspects that shape settlement patterns in Arab communities. The concept of hijab is embedded in daily lives and forms a different way of performing activities between men and women. This paper aims to clarify the role of the hijab in identifying different place attachments between men and women. Places attached to men and women are intertwined differently and in nuanced and specific ways. The study used content analysis and provides empirical insights into how the tradition of hijab is closely related to the formation of different place attachments between genders. The paper observes how the phenomenon of maintaining religious and cultural practices in an immigrant community forms the basis for community place attachment and how an indigenous society tolerates it.

Polar Chromosomes-Challenges of a Risky Path.

The process of chromosome congression and alignment is at the core of mitotic fidelity. In this review, we discuss distinct spatial routes that the chromosomes take to align during prometaphase, which are characterized by distinct biomolecular requirements. Peripheral polar chromosomes are an intriguing case as their alignment depends on the activity of kinetochore motors, polar ejection forces, and a transition from lateral to end-on attachments to microtubules, all of which can result in the delayed alignment of these chromosomes. Due to their undesirable position close to and often behind the spindle pole, these chromosomes may be particularly prone to the formation of erroneous kinetochore-microtubule interactions, such as merotelic attachments. To prevent such errors, the cell employs intricate mechanisms to preposition the spindle poles with respect to chromosomes, ensure the formation of end-on attachments in restricted spindle regions, repair faulty attachments by error correction mechanisms, and delay segregation by the spindle assembly checkpoint. Despite this protective machinery, there are several ways in which polar chromosomes can fail in alignment, mis-segregate, and lead to aneuploidy. In agreement with this, polar chromosomes are present in certain tumors and may even be involved in the process of tumorigenesis.

Inductive Remodeling of Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds in the Temporomandibular Joint of Pigs.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc is a fibrocartilaginous tissue located between the condyle of the mandible and glenoid fossa and articular eminence of the temporal bone. Damage or derangement of the TMJ disc can require surgical removal (discectomy) to restore function. Removal of the TMJ disc, however, leaves the joint space vulnerable to condylar remodeling and degradation, potentially leading to long-term complications. No consistently effective clinical option exists for repair or replacement of the disc following discectomy. This study investigates the use of an acellular scaffold composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from small intestinal submucosa (SIS) as a regenerative template for the TMJ disc in a porcine model. Acellular SIS ECM scaffolds were implanted following discectomy and allowed to remodel for 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks postimplantation. Remodeling of the implanted device was assessed by longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over the course of 6 months, as well as gross morphologic, histologic, biochemical, and biomechanical analysis (tension and compression) of explanted tissues (disc and condyle) at the time of sacrifice. When the scaffold remained in the joint space, longitudinal MRI demonstrated that the scaffolds promoted new tissue formation within the joint space throughout the study period. The scaffolds were rapidly populated with host-derived cells and remodeled with formation of new, dense, aligned fibrocartilage resembling native tissue as early as 1 month postimplantation. De-novo formation of peripheral muscular and tendinous attachments resembling those in native tissue was also observed. The remodeled scaffolds approached native disc biochemical composition and compressive modulus, and possessed 50% of the tensile modulus within 3 months postimplantation. No degradation of the condylar surface was observed. These results suggest that this acellular bioscaffold fills a medical need for which there is currently no effective treatment and may represent a clinically relevant "off-the-shelf" implant for reconstruction of the TMJ disc.

Non-centrosomal microtubules at kinetochores promote rapid chromosome biorientation during mitosis in human cells

Proper segregation of chromosomes during mitosis depends on "amphitelic attachments"-load-bearing connections of sister kinetochores to the opposite spindle poles via bundles of microtubules, termed as the "K-fibers." Current models of spindle assembly assume that K-fibers arise largely from stochastic capture of microtubules, which occurs at random times and locations and independently at sister kinetochores. We test this assumption by following the movements of all kinetochores in human cells and determine that most amphitelic attachments form synchronously at a specific stage of spindle assembly and within a spatially distinct domain. This biorientation domain is enriched in bundles of antiparallel microtubules, and perturbation of microtubule bundling changes the temporal and spatial dynamics of amphitelic attachment formation. Structural analyses indicate that interactions of kinetochores with microtubule bundles are mediated by non-centrosomal short microtubules that emanate from most kinetochores during early prometaphase. Computational analyses suggest that momentous molecular motor-driven interactions with antiparallel bundles rapidly convert these short microtubules into nascent K-fibers. Thus, load-bearing connections to the opposite spindle poles form simultaneously on sister kinetochores. In contrast to the uncoordinated sequential attachments of sister kinetochores expected in stochastic models of spindle assembly, our model envisions the formation of amphitelic attachments as a deterministic process in which the chromosomes connect with the spindle poles synchronously at a specific stage of spindle assembly and at a defined location determined by the spindle architecture. Experimental analyses of changes in the kinetochore behavior in cells with perturbed activity of molecular motors CenpE and dynein confirm the predictive power of the model.

The Role of Mitotic Kinases and the RZZ Complex in Kinetochore-Microtubule Attachments: Doing the Right Link.

During mitosis, the interaction of kinetochores (KTs) with microtubules (MTs) drives chromosome congression to the spindle equator and supports the segregation of sister chromatids. Faithful genome partition critically relies on the ability of chromosomes to establish and maintain proper amphitelic end-on attachments, a configuration in which sister KTs are connected to robust MT fibers emanating from opposite spindle poles. Because the capture of spindle MTs by KTs is error prone, cells use mechanisms that sense and correct inaccurate KT-MT interactions before committing to segregate sister chromatids in anaphase. If left unresolved, these errors can result in the unequal distribution of chromosomes and lead to aneuploidy, a hallmark of cancer. In this review, we provide an overview of the molecular strategies that monitor the formation and fine-tuning of KT-MT attachments. We describe the complex network of proteins that operates at the KT-MT interface and discuss how AURORA B and PLK1 coordinate several concurrent events so that the stability of KT-MT attachments is precisely modulated throughout mitotic progression. We also outline updated knowledge on how the RZZ complex is regulated to ensure the formation of end-on attachments and the fidelity of mitosis.

TH588 and Low-Dose Nocodazole Impair Chromosome Congression by Suppressing Microtubule Turnover within the Mitotic Spindle.

Simple SummaryA promising anti-cancer compound TH588 has been recently identified as a microtubule-targeting agent that inhibits tubulin polymerization in vitro and interferes with microtubule dynamics in interphase cells. Although it was shown to arrest cells in mitosis, its effect on microtubule dynamics in dividing cells remained unknown. By analyzing microtubule dynamics in living cells treated with either TH588 or low-dose nocodazole, we revealed that both of these drugs stabilize microtubules within the mitotic spindle, leading to premature formation of kinetochore-microtubule end-on attachments on uncongressed chromosomes. This causes mitotic arrest, ultimately resulting in cell death or cell division with uncongressed chromosomes. Both of these cell fates could contribute to the selective effect associated with the activity of TH588 in cancer cells.Microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) have been used for decades to treat different hematologic and solid cancers. The mode of action of these drugs mainly relies on their ability to bind tubulin subunits and/or microtubules and interfere with microtubule dynamics. In addition to its MTH1-inhibiting activity, TH588 has been recently identified as an MTA, whose anticancer properties were shown to largely depend on its microtubule-targeting ability. Although TH588 inhibited tubulin polymerization in vitro and reduced microtubule plus-end mobility in interphase cells, its effect on microtubule dynamics within the mitotic spindle of dividing cells remained unknown. Here, we performed an in-depth analysis of the impact of TH588 on spindle-associated microtubules and compared it to the effect of low-dose nocodazole. We show that both treatments reduce microtubule turnover within the mitotic spindle. This microtubule-stabilizing effect leads to premature formation of kinetochore-microtubule end-on attachments on uncongressed chromosomes, which consequently cannot be transported to the cell equator, thereby delaying cell division and leading to cell death or division with uncongressed chromosomes.

Mentalization-based psychotherapy practices in patients with borderline personality disorder

Introduction: Mentalization-based psychotherapy (MBT) develops with the importance of establishing attachment relations with patients. MBT focuses on internal mental processes that occur in the therapeutic process that actively improve patient-therapist relationships.Methods: A woman with preoccupied/anxious attachment is given mentalization-based psychotherapy. The goal of psychotherapy based on mentalization is to develop secure attachment relationships in therapy, use empathy and validation in reciprocal relationships, strengthen the patient's capacity to reduce emotional dysregulation and impulsive behavior, increase self-awareness, control of attention and flexible thinking in the context of emotions and relationships.Results: The patient has begun to form a secure base attachment. Patients' mentalization has improved along with the formation of secure base attachments, patients are better able to do self-soothing and regulate emotions properly.Conclusion: In the early years of life, patients have a pattern of interaction with caregivers who lack the need for mirroring. Furthermore, the patient develops into an insecure self and has an inherent preoccupied/anxious attachment. It has an effective representation and attention regulation system that is not functioning so that patients use existing stimuli as the basis of an insecure sense of self. Fonagy termed this condition with incoherent, disruptive "alien self" through controlling and manipulative behavior. The patient externalizes the alien self against the attachment figure. This externalization appears as a countertransference experience in a therapy session, if it can be appropriately managed it will emerge a feeling of coherence in the patient's internal world.

Direct imaging of the structural transition and interconversion of macroporous bicontinuous diamond-surface structure

Abstract The porous solids with bicontinuous structures have received significant attention due to their complex structure with unique physical functionalities. They are often obtained through structural transformation from lamellae or cylindrical precursors. However, the experimental verification of this relationship is challenging due to the short life-living of the structural intermediates and the soft nature of the assembled amphiphilic systems. Herein, we report the observation of the structural change of macroporous bicontinuous diamond-surface structure in the self-assembly of block copolymeric system with inorganic precursors in a mixture solvent of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and HCl aqueous solution. By controlling the addition amount of HCl/H2O, both the electrostatic interactions of the organic/inorganic precursor and the hydrolyzation and condensation rate of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) can be controlled. A structural transformation from bicontinuous diamond-surface to several intermediates between lamellar and bicontinuous structures has been observed with increasing the concentration of HCl. Our results show that the transition centers play an important role in the formation of the bicontinuous structure from the lamellae. Furthermore, we have proved the formation of interlamellar attachments (ILAs) and stalks as the intermediate phase. This study may bring new insights into the formation and the structural relationship of the bicontinuous porous solids and the corresponding relevant biological structures.

Effect of heat treatment on internal stress in barium titanate nanocube assemblies and their dielectric property

Heat treatment is a key process to determine the dielectric properties of nanocrystalline barium titanate (BaTiO3) ceramics, which are a prospective candidate to realize further miniaturization of dielectric components in electric devices. Here, we use Raman spectroscopy and scanning microwave impedance microscopy to investigate the dependence of the internal stress and the relative permittivity of BaTiO3 nanocube three-dimensional assemblies on heat treatment temperature. We show that heat treatment in the temperature range from 700 °C to 1000 °C causes internal compressive stress in the nanocube assemblies without grain growth. The internal compressive stress is caused by formation of tight attachments between neighboring BaTiO3 nanocubes and of Ti-rich phases in the nanocube assemblies in the lower and higher temperature ranges, respectively. We also show that the relative permittivity of the nanocube assemblies at 3 GHz shows a positive correlation with the internal compressive stress. The result indicates that the internal compressive stress enhances the relative permittivity of BaTiO3 nanocubes.

Effects of conflicts on outcomes: The case of multiplayer online games

Ever since online games gained popularity in society, it has been used as a means of interaction and facilitating relationships. Online game players tend to actively communicate and collaborate with each other to achieve common goals, and this consequently leads to the formation of strong bonds and attachments with other players of the game. However, a variety of conflicts can sometimes arise during these interactions, which are usually dependent on the players’ characteristics (e.g., their professionalities and roles in the game). However, a variety of conflicts can sometimes arise during these interactions, which are usually dependent on the players’ characteristics (e.g., their professionalities and roles in the game). In light of this trend, the current study seeks to address the effects of players’ in-game conflicts, professionalities, and roles on their outcomes in online games. To this end, a dataset of over 600 players from 291 “League of Legends” games was collected. The statistical results indicate that players without any conflicts exhibit higher winning rates and greater satisfaction than those who have in-game conflicts. Furthermore, players with a higher professionality in in-game conflicts are more likely to report greater satisfaction than those with a lower professionality. Based on the findings of the current study, both academic and practical implications are presented.

Biofilm Formation, Adhesion with Staphylococcus aureus Against Food Borne Pathogen: A Mathematical Modeling on the Effects of Adiantum phillippense

Biofilm formation is a process by which microorganisms irreversibly bind to and grow on a surface and create extracellular polymers that promote the formation of attachments and matrixes, resulting in a change in the organisms' phenotype in terms of growth rate and transcription of genes. A. philippense is a fern with many curative properties that is medicinally treasured. Predictive mathematical modeling approach was used to study adhesion of S. aureus with biofilm. Out of the eight different primary model, modified Gompertz best fit the effect of the plant extract on the biofilm formation and adhesion with S. aureus with the least value for RMSE, AICc and the uppermost value for adjusted R2. The parameters obtained from the modified Gompertz when compared with control and chloramphenicol were ymax 0.980 (95% C.I. 0.889 to 1.070) and 0.637 (95% C.I. 0.604 to 0.670), umax 0.185 (95% C.I. 0.120 to 0.250) and 0.183 (95% C.I. 0.141 to 0.225), lag (h) 0.180 (95% C.I. -0.764 to 1.124) and 3.343 (95% C.I. 2.933 to 3.753) respectively. A strong model to use to fit sigmoidal growth or formation curves tends to be the modified Gompertz equation. The benefit of using this function is that a constant formation rate is not assumed by the Gompertz equation. Instead, it is a model that can be used to model rates of formation (of biofilm) that change over time.
 Keywords

The role of helping discourse in the ‘conflict over family’ in Slovakia

ABSTRACT This article examines meaning making among actors engaged in the ‘conflict over family’ in Slovakia. The conflict between progressive supporters of gay rights and neo-conservative advocates of the ‘traditional family’ reflects the transnational backlash against the LGBTQ+ rights recognition. Utilising a combination of pragmatic and cultural sociology, I explore how civically engaged actors from both sides make sense of their civic engagement. The analysis of qualitative interviews shows that, despite striving for different goals, all participants make sense of their work as helping. Helping discourse plays a crucial role in everyday meaning making, because it enables actors to justify their engaged work with respect to the common good in concrete terms, and it also contributes to the formation of personal attachments to the work. Civically engaged actors articulate helping discourse in narrative accounts, which elicit feelings of moral duty, satisfaction, and empowerment, thus helping them persevere in their engagement.