bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mother’s Knowledge on HIV, Syphilis, Rubella, and Associated Factors in Northern Tanzania: Implications for MTCT Elimination Strategies
Authors: Chotta Nikolas A. S. , Msuya Sia E. , Mgongo Melina , Hashim Tamara H. , Stray-Pedersen Arne
Published: July 2020

Background. Infections transmitted from mother to child (MTCT) during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding contribute significantly to the high infant and childhood morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan African countries. The most significant and preventable of these include HIV, syphilis, and rubella. To achieve elimination, mothers need to be aware of and to understand effective preventive measures against these infections. Lack of comprehensive knowledge on transmission and prevention of MTCT infections is one of the factors hindering achievement of the elimination goals for these infections. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of HIV, syphilis, rubella, and associated factors among mothers in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. Methods. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study in three districts of the Kilimanjaro region from September to October 2016. The study involved mothers with children up to five years of age. Data collection involved the use of a questionnaire, administered by face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess predictors of mothers’ knowledge on MTCT infections. Results. A total of 618 mothers were recruited, with a mean age of 29.6 (SD 7.6) years. The overall knowledge on MTCT infections was low. The highest level of knowledge on MTCT infections was regarding HIV (89.2%). Fewer mothers had knowledge of syphilis (27.8%). Rubella was the least known; only 12% of mothers were aware of rubella infection. District of residence and having knowledge of syphilis were predictors for rubella knowledge, while for syphilis knowledge, significant predictors were age group, occupation, and those having knowledge on HIV and rubella. Predictors for HIV knowledge were residential district, having a mobile phone, and those having knowledge of syphilis and rubella. Conclusions. This study confirmed that mothers have low overall knowledge on MTCT infections. To achieve the MTCT elimination goals, targeted interventions to improve knowledge among women of childbearing age are recommended.
Spam Detection Approach for Secure Mobile Message Communication Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: GuangJun Luo , Nazir Shah , Khan Habib Ullah , Haq Amin Ul
Published: July 2020

The spam detection is a big issue in mobile message communication due to which mobile message communication is insecure. In order to tackle this problem, an accurate and precise method is needed to detect the spam in mobile message communication. We proposed the applications of the machine learning-based spam detection method for accurate detection. In this technique, machine learning classifiers such as Logistic regression (LR), K-nearest neighbor (K-NN), and decision tree (DT) are used for classification of ham and spam messages in mobile device communication. The SMS spam collection data set is used for testing the method. The dataset is split into two categories for training and testing the research. The results of the experiments demonstrated that the classification performance of LR is high as compared with K-NN and DT, and the LR achieved a high accuracy of 99%. Additionally, the proposed method performance is good as compared with the existing state-of-the-art methods.
Identification of Prognostic Immune-Related Genes by Integrating mRNA Expression and Methylation in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhu Jie , Wang Min , Hu Daixing
Published: July 2020

Background. There is plenty of evidence showing that immune-related genes (IRGs) and epigenetic modifications play important roles in the biological process of cancer. The purpose of this study is to establish novel IRG prognostic markers by integrating mRNA expression and methylation in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods and Results. The transcriptome profiling data and the RNA-seq data of LUAD with the corresponding clinical information of 543 LUAD cases were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, which were analyzed by univariate Cox proportional regression and multivariate Cox proportional regression to develop an independent prognostic signature. On the basis of this signature, we could divide LUAD patients into the high-risk, medium-risk, and low-risk groups. Further survival analyses demonstrated that high-risk patients had significantly shorter overall survival (OS) than low-risk patients. The signature, which contains 8 IRGs (S100A16, FGF2, IGKV4-1, CX3CR1, INHA, ANGPTL4, TNFRSF11A, and VIPR1), was also validated by data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We also conducted analyses of methylation levels of the relevant IRGs and their CpG sites. Meanwhile, their associations with prognosis were examined and validated by the GEO database, revealing that the methylation levels of INHA, S100A16, the CpG site cg23851011, and the CpG site cg06552037 may be used as the potential regulators for the treatment of LUAD. Conclusion. Collectively, INHA, S100A16, the CpG site cg23851011, and the CpG site cg06552037 are promising biomarkers for monitoring the outcomes of LUAD.
Fibulin-1 Integrates Subendothelial Extracellular Matrices and Contributes to Anatomical Closure of the Ductus Arteriosus
Authors: Ito Satoko , Yokoyama Utako , Nakakoji Taichi , Cooley Marion A. , Sasaki Takako , Hatano Sonoko , Kato Yuko , Saito Junichi , Nicho Naoki , Iwasaki Shiho , Umemura Masanari , Fujita Takayuki , Masuda Munetaka , Asou Toshihide , Ishikawa Yoshihiro
Published: July 2020

Objective:

The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a fetal artery connecting the aorta and pulmonary arteries. Progressive matrix remodeling, that is, intimal thickening (IT), occurs in the subendothelial region of DA to bring anatomic DA closure. IT is comprised of multiple ECMs (extracellular matrices) and migrated smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Because glycoprotein fibulin-1 binds to multiple ECMs and regulates morphogenesis during development, we investigated the role of fibulin-1 in DA closure.

Approach and Results:

Fibulin-1–deficient (
Fbln1
−/−
) mice exhibited patent DA with hypoplastic IT. An unbiased transcriptome analysis revealed that EP4 (prostaglandin E receptor 4) stimulation markedly increased fibulin-1 in DA-SMCs via phospholipase C-NFκB (nuclear factor κB) signaling pathways. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis demonstrated that fibulin-1 binding protein versican was derived from DA-endothelial cells (ECs). We examined the effect of fibulin-1 on directional migration toward ECs in association with versican by using cocultured DA-SMCs and ECs. EP4 stimulation promoted directional DA-SMC migration toward ECs, which was attenuated by either silencing fibulin-1 or versican. Immunofluorescence demonstrated that fibulin-1 and versican V0/V1 were coexpressed at the IT of wild-type DA, whereas 30% of versican-deleted mice lacking a hyaluronan binding site displayed patent DA. Fibulin-1 expression was attenuated in the EP4-deficient mouse (
Ptger4
−/−
) DA, which exhibits patent DA with hypoplastic IT, and fibulin-1 protein administration restored IT formation. In human DA, fibulin-1 and versican were abundantly expressed in SMCs and ECs, respectively.

Conclusions:

Fibulin-1 contributes to DA closure by forming an environment favoring directional SMC migration toward the subendothelial region, at least, in part, in combination with EC-derived versican and its binding partner hyaluronan.
Association between social support and anxiety among pregnant women in the third trimester during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in Qingdao, China: The mediating effect of risk perception
Authors: Yue Chongyu , Liu Cuiping , Wang Jing , Zhang Meng , Wu Hongjing , Li Chunrong , Yang Xiuling
Published: July 2020

Background:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern and poses a threat to the mental health of pregnant women.

Aim:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social support and anxiety, and the mediating effect of risk perception during the COVID-19 epidemic in the third trimester pregnant women in Qingdao, China.

Methods:

From 16 to 21 February 2020, an online survey was conducted, which collected the information on demographic data, anxiety, social support and risk perception to COVID-19 of women with established medical records in the ambulatory of the Department of Obstetrics at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. Anxiety was assessed by the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), social support was assessed by the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and risk perception was assessed by a self-designed questionnaire.

Results:

This study had 308 participants with an average of 31.02 ± 3.91 years. During the period of prevention and control of the epidemic, most pregnant women adopted protective measures, such as wearing masks (97.4%), washing hands frequently (88.3%) and staying at home (76.3%). The average SAS, SSRS and risk perception scores of the participants were 42.45 ± 6.98, 44.60 ± 7.00 and 21.60 ± 5.74, respectively. The total effect of maternal social support on anxiety was −2.63 (95% confidence interval (CI): −4.40 ~ −1.44, p < .001), the direct effect was −1.44 (95% CI: −2.74 ~ −0.35, p < .05) and the indirect effect was −1.19 (95% CI: −2.49 ~ −0.51, p < .001).

Conclusion:

The third trimester pregnant women had a high level of social support, a medium level of risk perception to COVID-19 and were susceptible to anxiety. Risk perception played a mediating role between social support and anxiety.
Provider-Level Caseload of Psychosocial Services for Medicaid-Insured Children
Authors: Harati Pravara M. , Cummings Janet R. , Serban Nicoleta
Published: July 2020

Objective

We estimated the caseload of providers, practices, and clinics for psychosocial services (including psychotherapy) to Medicaid-insured children to improve the understanding of the current supply of such services and to inform opportunities to increase their accessibility.

Methods

We used 2012-2013 Medicaid claims data and data from the 2013 National Plan and Provider Enumeration System to identify and locate therapists, psychiatrists, and mental health centers along with primary, rehabilitative, and developmental care providers in the United States who provided psychosocial services to Medicaid-insured children. We estimated the per-provider, per-location, and state-level caseloads of providers offering these services to Medicaid-insured children in 34 states with sufficiently complete data to perform this analysis, by using the most recent year of Medicaid claims data available for each state. We measured caseload by calculating the number of psychosocial visits delivered by each provider in the selected year. We compared caseloads across states, urbanicity, provider specialty (eg, psychiatry, psychology, primary care), and practice setting (eg, mental health center, single practitioner).

Results

We identified 63 314 providers, practices, or centers in the Medicaid claims data that provided psychosocial services to Medicaid-insured children in either 2012 or 2013. The median provider-level per-year caseload was <25 children and <250 visits across all provider types. Providers with a mental health center–related taxonomy accounted for >40% of visits for >30% of patients. Fewer than 10% of providers and locations accounted for >50% of patients and visits.

Conclusions

Psychosocial services are concentrated in a few locations, thereby reducing geographic accessibility of providers. Providers should be incentivized to offer care in more locations and to accept more Medicaid-insured patients.
Job Roles of Rehabilitation Teachers of Blind Persons
Authors: Leja J.A.
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this study was to identify the job roles in which practicing rehabilitation teachers are engaged and to determine how these job roles differ across settings. Factor analysis was performed on the ratings given by 209 respondents to 115 job task items to identify job role constructs. Three factors were identified: Teaching Activities, Case Management Activities, and Professional and Administrative Activities. To determine whether job roles differed across instructional settings, a MANOVA. was performed. It was found that although the Teaching Activities job role did not differ between the instructional settings, both the Case Management Activities and Professional and Administrative Activities job roles did.
Using Labels: A Study of Client Preference
Authors: Abaglo P. , Downing J.
Published: July 2020

Fifty-one adolescents and adults with a variety of visual impairments were interviewed to determine their preference for different labels used to describe them. Participants were asked to choose among labels that state the disability before the person (“the visually handicapped person”) and labels that state the person before the disability (“the person with a visual impairment”). Results showed no statistically significant preference. Reasons provided by participants for their preference were characterized and presented thematically. The importance of stressing abilities and needs to be treated as normal were the most common reasons given by the participants for their selections. Participants who chose the person-first labels cited these reasons more often than those who chose the disability-first labels.
Empowering Visually Impaired People to Access Their Environment
Authors: Aston T.
Published: July 2020

The author discusses two factors that should influence the planning and development of rehabilitation services for visu-. ally impaired people: social perceptions/expectations and external environmental influences. Perceptions and expectations that are discussed include media influence, leisure, health, quality of life, and equality of opportunity. External environmental influences identified are demographic, economic, social, political, and physical. Achievements in raising the status of visually impaired people and improving some services will enable effective rehabilitation services to be developed, despite the conflicting requirements imposed by expectations and environmental influences.
The Vordingborg Model: Integration and Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired Persons in Denmark
Authors: Lebech P.
Published: July 2020

Danish legislation aims to integrate handicapped people as much as possible. Every regional authority must offer rehabilitation; teaching; and support in the home, the school, and the workplace. The Syncentralen in Vordingborg, the Vordingborg model, offers aid to people of all ages. This center provides expert advice, it teaches low vision people, and it tests special equipment for such people. Decentralization makes recent developments in the field available to more people. Needs are registered more precisely so that research and development is focused.
The Eastern Bloc and the Soviet Union in Transition: What of Services to Blind Persons?
Authors: Spungin S.J.
Published: July 2020

The author discusses the system of service to blind persons in the Soviet Union, based on trips to 2 of its 15 republics in the past year. This system, in which the factory is the major employer, offers immediate rehabilitation and vocational training, financed by factory profits. The author also discusses changes occurring in the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries and how they could affect these countries’ blind populations.
Education of Blind Persons in Ethiopia
Authors: Maru A.A. , Cook M.J.
Published: July 2020

Educating blind children in schools based on European and North American standards is too expensive for Ethiopia, which has limited means and formidable problems. After a survey of residential schools for the blind and blind secondary students, the Ethiopian National Association of the Blind designed a new educational service delivery model that relies on elements of community-based rehabilitation and the employment of blind high school graduates.
Mainstreaming Visually Impaired Children: The Need for Modifications
Authors: Hill J.L.
Published: July 2020

The study reported in this article investigated the extent to which 20 regular education teachers (RETs) modified the mainstream learning environment for visually impaired children attending public day schools in British Columbia, Canada. In in-depth interviews with each RET, nine areas of modification were examined. It was found that the elementary-level RETs tried to make modifications to a greater extent than did the secondary-level RETs, but that the two types of teachers did make both “typical” and “substantial” modifications. The implications of the various findings, positive and negative, are discussed.
Parenting a Visually Impaired Child: The Mother's Perspective
Authors: Hancock K. , Wilgosh L. , McDonald L.
Published: July 2020

Six mothers of visually impaired children participated in semi-structured interviews. Three dominant themes emerged: 1) emotional issues, particularly surrounding the period of diagnoses; 2) coping strategies, which included the mother's personality, the child's attitude, and the use of support networks; 3) problems and concerns about relationships with professionals, the child's education, people's attitudes, and the amount of time involved in parenting. These themes are discussed in depth and compared with the studies of parenting children with other types of disabilities. The need for further research is explored.
Training Students in Adaptive Computer Technology
Authors: Luxton K.
Published: July 2020

Adaptive computer training is a basic component of literacy for visually impaired people—not just a requirement for job placement. This article discusses models for training in adaptive computer technology, both individualized training for specific jobs and group training for general education. Case histories of students illustrate the benefits derived from training in class settings, including increased competence, self-esteem, and awareness of career options.
Effects of Microcomputer and Tactile Aid Simulations on the Spatial Ability of Blind Individuals
Authors: Zimmerman G.J.
Published: July 2020

This article reports on a study that examined whether blind persons could learn the spatial layout of landmarks in a new large-scale space more accurately utilizing a microcomputer simulation of the environment versus a tactile graphic aid of a similar environment. The four congenitally blind subjects each explored a simulation of a 5 x 5-block residential neighborhood daily for 27 days, learning the spatial layout of the 9 landmarks in each simulation. Although they learned the spatial locations of the landmarks faster using the tactile graphic aid, the accuracy of their spatial knowledge was equal for both conditions.
Screen Color and Reading Performance on Closed–Circuit Television
Authors: Jacobs R.J.
Published: July 2020

To investigate whether screen color is an important variable in the prescription of CCTV systems, the author measured the visual performance of CCTV users on white, green, and amber screens. When the screen luminance and contrast were equated for each CCTV, the users’ reading performance was unaffected by the screen color. Although some individuals expressed a clear subjective preference or dislike for one color or another, there was no obvious link between the cause of low vision and preference for or aversion to that color.
The Development and Field Testing of Materials on Diabetes for Persons with Low Vision Or Low Literacy
Authors: Reardon A.W. , Stachura M.E. , Schuckers P.L. , Grimm J.M. , Johnson B.W.
Published: July 2020

This article describes the development and field testing of topic-specific instructional materials on diabetes with 98 patients at two large teaching hospitals who had low vision and/or low literacy. A pretest and posttest administered during field testing revealed an 81 percent reduction in wrong answers overall and a 72 percent reduction in wrong answers by a subset with low vision.
Teamwork between the Health Care Community and the Blind Rehabilitation System
Authors: Baker S.S.
Published: July 2020

Despite preventive efforts, 8,000 persons with diabetes lose their vision each year. The medical community does not often address the needs of people with diabetes who become visually impaired, and rehabilitation services for visually impaired people often do not incorporate sufficient diabetes education. This article describes a program in which teamwork and communication between both systems of care provide an optimum environment for successful rehabilitation.
Promoting Healthful Exercise for Visually Impaired Persons with Diabetes
Authors: Weitzman D.M.
Published: July 2020

This article reports the current view that appropriate exercise is essential for many visually impaired persons with diabetes. It lists precautions for the visually impaired person with diabetes and specifies who should not exercise, explains “diabetes-specific” benefits of exercise, states the format of a safe workout, and includes an example of a successful exerciser.
Patient Evaluation of the 7X30 Beecher Mirage Low Vision System
Authors: Stelmack J. , Guggenheim M. , Carman-Merrifield C.
Published: July 2020

The authors mailed a questionnaire to 133 patients who received 7X30 Beecher Mirage Binoculars. The patients responded to questions about frequency of use, cosmetic appearance, comfort, activities for which the device was used, need for repairs, and the case of independently adjusting the device. Results indicated that 75 percent of respondents used the device weekly or more frequently. Television viewing; distant reading activities; and watching people, wildlife, and neighborhood activities were the most frequently reported uses for this device. Visual acuity, comfort of the nosepiece, and the patient's ability to independently adjust the device were significant factors affecting the respondents’ use of the binoculars.
Impact of Separate Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies on Access to Services for Developmentally Disabled Blind Persons
Authors: Salkever D.S. , Domino M.E.
Published: July 2020

This article reports on a survey of 871 visually impaired persons with developmental disabilities in 42 states to determine the effect of separate state blindness-specific vocational rehabilitation agencies on the receipt of services. The results indicate that visually impaired persons in states with specialized agencies are less likely than are those in other states to receive services, except when an agency's budget is large.
Family Support of the Emergent Literacy of Children with Visual Impairments
Authors: Craig C.J.
Published: July 2020

This study of the frequency and nature of parental support for the emergent literacy of 264 visually impaired children found differences in support based on the primary literacy medium and presence of additional disabilities. These differences were in the areas of literacy opportunities at home and parents’ expectations of and priorities for their children's literacy development.
The Impact of Braille Reading Skills on Employment, Income, Education, and Reading Habits
Authors: Ryles R.
Published: July 2020

This study compared a number of outcomes for congenitally legally blind adults who learned to read braille or print as their original reading medium. It was found that those who learned to read using braille had higher employment rates and educational levels, were more financially self-sufficient, and spent more time reading than did those who learned to read using print.
How Much Space Does Grade 2 Braille Really Save?
Authors: Durre I.K.
Published: July 2020

This article reports on a study of a unique method for calculating the space-saving capacity of all Grade 2 braille contractions and the literary braille code as a whole. The study found that, contrary to the widespread belief that contracted braille saves 31 percent over print, the actual text reduction is about 20 percent.
Three Aspects of Coverage Provided by the Long Cane: Object, Surface, and Foot-Placement Preview
Authors: Blasch B.B. , LaGrow S.J. , De L'Aune W.R.
Published: July 2020

The various devices and techniques available for nonvisual travel may be evaluated in terms of the mobility coverage they provide. However, the coverage provided varies in relation to the function of the device or technique used. The long cane and the various techniques for its use are designed to provide the traveler with object, surface, and foot-placement preview. This article further refines the definition of those functions while specifying each in terms of its measurement.
The Relationship of Vision and Psychological Variables to the Orientation and Mobility of Visually Impaired Persons
Authors: Haymes S.A. , Guest D.J. , Heyes A.D. , Johnston A.W.
Published: July 2020

The relationship between orientation and mobility (O&M) performance and residual vision is not clearly understood. Intuitively, good vision should result in good O&M, and little or no vision should result in poor O&M. However, the literature suggests a more complicated picture. The authors propose that certain psychological variables, such as particular personality traits and intelligence, may account for some of the complexity. This article reviews previous work in this area and outlines directions for future research.
When May a Child who is Visually Impaired Recognize a Face?
Authors: Markham R. , Wyver S.
Published: July 2020

The ability of school-age children who were visually impaired and their sighted peers to recognize faces was compared over seven tasks that were designed to detect both qualitative and quantitative differences between the two groups in this regard. Although no differences were found in the two groups’ ability to identify entire faces, the visually impaired children were at a disadvantage when part of the face, especially the eyes, was not visible. In addition, whereas children with better visual acuity seem to discriminate faces on the basis of internal features, children with worse visual acuity seem to be dependent on hair and the contour of faces.
A Low Vision Reading Comprehension Test
Authors: Watson G.R. , Wright V. , Long S. , De L'Aune W.
Published: July 2020

The Low Vision Reading Comprehension Assessment (LVRCA) uses an 18-sentence cloze format in two equivalent forms to measure understanding of print reading by persons with macular degeneration. It requires nine minutes to administer and thus can be used in clinical settings. This article describes its development and a study of the reliability and validity of the LVRCA tested on 50 persons with macular degeneration.
Peak Aerobic Fitness of Visually Impaired and Sighted Adolescent Girls
Authors: Williams C.A. , Armstrong N. , Eves N. , Faulkner A.
Published: July 2020

This study compared the aerobic fitness of 10 visually impaired and 10 sighted girls who performed a discontinuous incremental treadmill test to exhaustion. It found that there was no significant difference between the peak oxygen intake of the two groups. The results indicate that visually impaired children can attain aerobic fitness levels similar to those of sighted children.
Teaching Visually Impaired Children to Make Distance Judgments from a Tactile Map
Authors: Ungar S. , Blades M. , Spencer C.
Published: July 2020

This article reports on two experiments that investigated 59 children's ability to estimate distances from a map. In Experiment 1, totally blind children, children with residual vision, and sighted children were given a map showing the position of three objects on a path, two of which were present on the actual path. The children were asked to use the map to work out the position of the third object. The visually impaired children performed less well than did the sighted children, and an analysis of the children's strategies indicated that the majority of visually impaired children did not know an effective way to work out distances from the map. In Experiment 2, the visually impaired children were given a brief training in how to calculate distances from a map and then they were retested. After training, the children's performance improved.
A Code for Reducing Figure-Ground Ambiguities in Tactile Graphics
Authors: Campbell J.S.
Published: July 2020

This article describes a code that could facilitate the interpretation of tactile outline graphics by reducing potential ambiguities in figure-ground, slope, and curvature. An experiment tested the ability of six blind adults to learn the code quickly, locate and identify all symbols tactilely, and use the code to match embossed drawings to complex models that were designed to present line-referent ambiguities. All the subjects learned the code in less than two hours and successfully matched coded graphics to targeted objects.
Growing up with Jed: Parents’ Experiences Raising an Adolescent Son who is Blind
Authors: Barton D.D.
Published: July 2020

This article chronicles the experiences and feelings of parents while raising a son who is blind. It describes their encounters with the U.S. public educational system from kindergarten to college, concentrating on their son's adolescent years, from middle school to college.
Steps to Success in College for Students with Visual Impairments
Authors: Vancil D.
Published: July 2020

This article describes the curriculum the author developed to help students with visual impairments make the transition to college. The curriculum is based on her experiences at the Living Skills Center for the Visually Impaired, a transition program in San Pablo, California, and at college.
GED: An Option for Students with Visual Impairments
Authors: Cassels L. , Cummings O.V.
Published: July 2020

The general equivalency diploma (GED), which is an equivalent high school credential, is authorized by all states in the United States and is recognized as a diploma by both colleges and employers. This article describes the development and implementation of a GED-preparation program at the New York Institute for Special Education, which serves students who are visually impaired.
Speed, Accuracy, and Comprehension of Adolescent Braille Readers in a Specialized School
Authors: Trent S.D. , Truan M.B.
Published: July 2020

All 30 adolescent braille readers at the Tennessee School for the Blind were interviewed using a questionnaire developed by the authors, and their reading rates, accuracy, and comprehension were determined via the Gilmore Oral Reading Test. The questionnaire tapped information on onset of blindness, early reading experiences, service delivery systems, cause of blindness, and acceptance and use of braille. The most important factor related to braille reading speed was age of onset of blindness. No direct relationships were found between reading speed and comprehension or reading speed and reading for pleasure in braille.
Labeling Children who are Visually Impaired “Disadvantaged”
Authors: Chalifoux L.M. , Fagan B.
Published: July 2020

This article presents a review of several factors that lead to the label of “disadvantaged,” with a focus on the blind or visually impaired youngster. It is noted that children who are blind or visually impaired are at greater risk than sighted children to be considered as disadvantaged. Some practical solutions to these disadvantaging circumstances are offered along with suggestions for future research.
A comprehensive review of Rasch measurement in language assessment: Recommendations and guidelines for research
Authors: Aryadoust Vahid , Ng Li Ying , Sayama Hiroki
Published: July 2020

Over the past decades, the application of Rasch measurement in language assessment has gradually increased. In the present study, we coded 215 papers using Rasch measurement published in 21 applied linguistics journals for multiple features. We found that seven Rasch models and 23 software packages were adopted in these papers, with many-facet Rasch measurement ( n = 100) and Facets ( n = 113) being the most frequently used Rasch model and software, respectively. Significant differences were detected between the number of papers that applied Rasch measurement to different language skills and components, with writing ( n = 63) and grammar ( n = 12) being the most and least frequently investigated, respectively. In addition, significant differences were found between the number of papers reporting person separation ( n = 73, not reported: n = 142) and item separation ( n = 59, not reported: n = 156) and those that did not. An alarming finding was how few papers reported unidimensionality check ( n = 57 vs 158) and local independence ( n = 19 vs 196). Finally, a multilayer network analysis revealed that research involving Rasch measurement has created two major discrete communities of practice (clusters), which can be characterized by features such as language skills, the Rasch models used, and the reporting of item reliability/separation vs person reliability/separation. Cluster 1 was accordingly labelled the production and performance cluster, whereas cluster 2 was labelled the perception and language elements cluster. Guidelines and recommendations for analyzing unidimensionality, local independence, data-to-model fit, and reliability in Rasch model analysis are proposed.
Spinning: Zooming in an Atypical Consumer Behavior
Authors: Mesly Olivier
Published: July 2020

The present article introduces the concept of consumer spinning. This occurs when consumers have lost track of their initial motivation to consume and engage unwittingly in hamster-like spinning in a “wheel of misfortune”, being encouraged to spend through sweetheart deals and thus incur debt without even realizing it. This article takes for example the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2009 (GFC) during which the use of such sweeteners by sellers of predatory mortgages and advocates for lax regulations led U.S. consumers to spin and, in the process, ignore the debt trap they were falling into. We discuss the results of a functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI) experiment we conducted to test the ratio of greed over risk aversion and the hypothesized phenomenon of spinning. We believe that this is the first academic attempt to examine spinning resorting to an experimental tool used regularly in neuroscience and psychology research. Our framework indicates that government regulators should take the role of marketing sweeteners into account when devising policies. Marketing managers, who strive to educate consumers and help them reduce their debt load, thus promoting better purchasing power, stand to benefit from an understanding of these possible spinning behaviors and adapt their campaigns accordingly. We believe that there should be legal consequences for encouraging consumer spinning, as this at times may be an intentional and deceitful invitation for consumers to harm themselves financially.
Women’s Empowerment at the Moroccan Supermarket: An Ethnographic Account of Achieved Capabilities and Altered Social Relations in an Emerging Retail Servicescape
Authors: Godefroit-Winkel Delphine , Peñaloza Lisa
Published: July 2020

This study bridges CCT and macromarketing perspectives in carrying out an ethnographic study examining how Moroccan women empower themselves in shopping in the supermarket. Our three-year ethnographic study in Casablanca among women and men illuminates the ways in which women develop new capabilities and alter social relations with family members, friends, store employees and customers. In turn, the interplay of women’s competencies, their interactions with men and women, and their socio-demographics of age and social class, together with supermarket characteristics, provide favorable conditions for the women to empower themselves. As women gain confidence to demonstrate their competencies and manifest their desires in leveraging their traditional nurturing roles and taking on tasks previously in the domain of men, they alter their relations with their husband and with the women who exercise control over them. Theoretical contributions contribute to knowledge of the importance of gender and family interactions as they impact the acquisition of key competencies in novel marketspaces through which women empower themselves, and generate further insight into the complex interweaving of market and social systems.
MiR-375-3p regulates rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell activity by targeting Notch1 during hypoxia
Authors: An Yuan , Liu Ziquan , Ding Hui , Lv Qi , Fan Haojun , Hou Shike , Cai Wei , Liu Sanli
Published: July 2020

Objective

Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMECs) exhibit specific responses in adaptation to hypoxia. However, the mechanisms regulating PMEC activities during hypoxia remain unclear. This study investigated the potential involvement of a microRNA, miR-375-3p, in the regulation of PMEC activities.

Methods

Primary PMECs were isolated from rats. The expression levels of miR-375-3p and Notch1 in the PMECs were detected by quantitative PCR and western blotting. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to explore the transcriptional regulation of Notch1 by miR-375-3p. The proliferation and chemotaxis of the PMECs were measured with the Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell invasion assays, respectively. Additionally, the capacity of hypoxia-treated PMECs for angiogenesis and inflammatory response was determined with tube formation assays and ELISA, respectively.

Results

The expression of miR-375-3p and Notch1 in the PMECs was significantly down-regulated and up-regulated during hypoxia, respectively. The results demonstrated that miR-375-3p directly targets Notch1 in PMECs, thereby suppressing the transcriptional expression of Notch1. It was further revealed that miR-375-3p regulates the proliferation, chemotaxis, angiogenesis, and inflammatory response of PMECs.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed the important role of miR-375-3p in the regulation of PMEC function and suggest the potential involvement of miR-375-3p in the development of lung diseases.
Correlations between objective measurements and subjective evaluations of facial profile after orthodontic treatment
Authors: He Danqing , Gu Yan , Sun Yannan
Published: July 2020

Objective

To investigate the correlations between objective measurements and subjective evaluations of post-treatment facial attractiveness.

Methods

Ten orthodontists rated the subjective visual analog scale (VAS) scores of the facial profiles of 95 patients who had undergone orthodontic treatment. Post-treatment cephalograms and photographs were used. Eleven soft tissue measurements and eight maxillary incisor measurements were constructed and analyzed. Correlations between objective measurements and subjective VAS scores were evaluated using Pearson correlation and quadratic regression analysis.

Results

The VAS scores of different facial proportions were all correlated with the total VAS score. Among soft tissue measurements, the distances from the upper and lower lips to the E line, H angle, forehead inclination, distance from lower lip to the H line, and pogonion-menton angle were negatively correlated with the VAS scores. The Z angle, with a parabolic distribution, was also correlated with the VAS scores. Among maxillary incisor measurements, the distance from the maxillary incisors to the forehead’s anterior limit line and the angulation of the maxillary incisors to the APo line were negatively correlated with the VAS scores.

Conclusions

Several soft tissue and maxillary incisor position measurements were correlated with facial profile evaluation and therefore might be used to evaluate facial attractiveness.
Minimizing laboratory waste and improving material reuse through chemical waste exchange: Case of a Brazilian institution
Authors: Barbosa Fabiana Cristina Lima , Mol Marcos Paulo Gomes , de Vasconcelos Barros Raphael Tobias
Published: July 2020

Concern over the management of chemical wastes from laboratories has been gaining importance since the 1990s. For a good management of chemical wastes generated from laboratories, it is recommended that managers encourage an environment of cooperation and exchange, thus reusing chemical reagents. The institution under study implemented the Chemical Waste Exchange, whose objective is to capture reagents past their expiry dates that would be discarded and make them available internally to other areas or even to other institutions. A total of 1075 reagents were reused internally and 4382 items were donated for external institutions. As for financial data, between 2011 and 2018, the internal economy was US$16,700.70 and for external institutions it was US$62,633.11. When comparing the waste reuse according to the destination, an internal address showed a significant difference when compared with the external use. Some categories of reagents have greater added value and provide even greater benefits when reused. The strategy of capturing and making available expired reagents through the Chemical Waste Exchange is positive; it helps the management of the waste generated; the economic benefit will depend on the market value of the material; the adopted strategy avoids the need to remove raw material from nature for the production of new reagents and reduces the costs related to treatment and environmentally appropriate final destination.
Mutiny in Africa, 1950–2018
Authors: Schiel Rebecca , Powell Jonathan , Faulkner Christopher
Published: July 2020

The majority of literature on civil–military relations has focused on coups d’état. Yet, studying lesser forms of military insubordination can offer valuable insight into the true condition of states’ civil–military relations. This paper introduces a data collection effort on mutinies across Africa from 1950 to 2018, revealing several interesting trends. First, most African countries have experienced mutinies, with these events increasing in frequency in the post-Cold War period. Second, while mutinies rarely escalate into coups, they are associated with an increased likelihood of coups in the future. This dataset provides a useful tool to explore the complexity of states’ civil–military relations.
The Impact of Child Abuse and Dissociation on Psychiatric Comorbidity and Self-Concealment Among Prisoners in China
Authors: Chung Man Cheung , Chen Zhuo Sheng
Published: July 2020

Child abuse is a common experience among prisoners in China and associated with elevated psychiatric comorbidity. However, the association between child abuse profiles and dissociation is unclear. The extent to which the relationship between these profiles and dissociation might influence psychiatric comorbidity and self-concealment is also unclear. This study examined the impact of this relationship on the preceding outcomes among prisoners in China using Latent Class Analysis. Four hundred and ninety-six male prisoners from China completed questionnaires measuring child abuse, dissociation, self-concealment, and psychiatric comorbidity. A three-class solution was achieved: Class 1 (neglected with moderate dissociation) prisoners had a minimal level of abuse, the highest level of neglect experience, and a medium level of dissociation; Class 2 (low neglect with low dissociation) prisoners also had a minimal level of abuse but lower levels of neglect experience and dissociation; Class 3 (abused and neglected with high dissociation) prisoners had high levels of child abuse, neglect, and dissociation. Controlling for age, Class 3 reported significantly higher psychiatric comorbidity and self-concealment than the other two classes. Class 1 was more depressed than Class 2; Class 2 was more likely to engage in self-concealment than Class 1. To conclude, the kinds of childhood maltreatment experienced by prisoners and their readiness to detach from distressing emotions can influence the severity of current distress symptoms and the tendency to conceal things about themselves.
How Do Service Employees Manage Violence? The Impact of Community Violence on Women’s Emotional Demand in the Public Sector of Ethiopia
Authors: Eyasu Nahom
Published: July 2020

The experiences of violence against women employees can lead to long-term psychosocial problems in institutions, thereby preventing them from becoming productive citizens. Although many studies have focused on the effects of violence on women’s job performance, there exist few works on the effects of community violence on women’s emotional demand in the workplace. To address this gap, this research examines the impact of community violence on emotional labor and emotional dissonance in the public sector. This study involved 67 participants (20 semi-structured interviews, 32 participants in four focus group discussions, and 15 key informants), derived using a purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to explore participants’ explanations about the exposure and expression of community violence on women’s emotional demands. Explanations were presented in terms of exposure (the state of being exposed to community violence) and expression (the reaction of victims to exposure in the workplace). The findings showed that the exposure of community violence on emotional labor can be expressed into three classifications: Gum up, Bottle up, and Defeatists (GBD). Furthermore, the study found out that women employees tend to conceal their felt emotions mainly due to the fear of reprisal, chiding rebuttal, and lack of support. The findings of the current study have policy implications. They can inform the micro-, meso-, and macro-level intervention efforts in mitigating the impacts of community violence on women’s emotional demand at work.
Experimenting with Wellbeing: Basic Income, Immaterial Labour and Changing Forms of Productivity
Authors: Adkins Lisa , Ylöstalo Hanna
Published: July 2020

This article is concerned with the recent (2017–2018) basic income experiment in Finland. This experiment attracted global attention, not least because of its break from the conditionalities and sanctions associated with social security payments in workfare states. This article stresses, however, that it is critical to understand how the Finnish basic income experiment was part of a broader programme of government-led reform in Finland. As well as establishing the experiment as a preferred mode of policymaking, this programme contained a range of strategies aimed at restructuring labour supply. The article shows how the basic income experiment should be understood as a behavioural intervention designed to enhance the wellbeing of unemployed populations at a time when wellbeing is emerging as a value-producing capacity.
Contribution to a Historical-Structuralist Understanding of Latin American Democracy
Authors: Enríquez Arévalo Eduardo
Published: July 2020

Mainstream views for the study of democracy and of democracy in Latin America tend to center around a restricted model of democratic systems, which decides to ignore the wider social environment in which they exist. This article seeks to contribute toward a more sociological understanding of democracy and democratization in Latin America and the world. It does that through a review of structuralist and neo-structuralist theories of democracy and of Latin American democracy, which is put in dialogue and confrontation with mainstream political science views of democracy and more recent critical views of really existing democracy. From that exercise the article proposes what it calls a historical-structuralist view of Latin American democracy based on looking at the interaction of social structures, political institutions, and sociopolitical actors, to understand its democratic systems as determined by the possession or lack of sociopolitical power through resources within the inequalities of capitalist and global structures.