bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathological Conversion of Mouse Perivascular Adipose Tissue by Notch Activation
Authors: Boucher Joshua M. , Ryzhova Larisa , Harrington Anne , Davis-Knowlton Jessica , Turner Jacqueline E. , Cooper Emily , Maridas David , Ryzhov Sergey , Rosen Clifford J. , Vary Calvin P.H. , Liaw Lucy
Published: July 2020

Objective:

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounding arteries supports healthy vascular function. During obesity, PVAT loses its vasoprotective effect. We study pathological conversion of PVAT, which involves molecular changes in protein profiles and functional changes in adipocytes.

Approach and Results:

C57BL6/J mice were fed a 60% high-fat diet for 12 weeks or a cardioprotective 30% calorie-restricted diet for 5 weeks. Proteomic analysis identified PVAT as a molecularly distinct adipose depot, and novel markers for thermogenic adipocytes, such as GRP75 (stress-70 protein, mitochondrial), were identified. High-fat diet increased the similarity of protein signatures in PVAT and brown adipose, suggesting activation of a conserved whitening pathway. The whitening phenotype was characterized by suppression of UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1) and increased lipid deposition, leptin, and inflammation, and specifically in PVAT, elevated Notch signaling. Conversely, PVAT from calorie-restricted mice had decreased Notch signaling and less lipid. Using the Adipoq-Cre strain, we constitutively activated Notch1 signaling in adipocytes, which phenocopied the changes in PVAT caused by a high-fat diet, even on a standard diet. Preadipocytes from mouse PVAT expressed Sca1, CD140a, Notch1, and Notch2, but not CD105, showing differences compared with preadipocytes from other depots. Inhibition of Notch signaling during differentiation of PVAT-derived preadipocytes reduced lipid deposition and adipocyte marker expression.

Conclusions:

PVAT shares features with other adipose depots, but has a unique protein signature that is regulated by dietary stress. Increased Notch signaling in PVAT is sufficient to initiate the pathological conversion of PVAT by promoting adipogenesis and lipid accumulation and may thus prime the microenvironment for vascular disease.
Sustained Increases in Immune Transcripts and Immune Cell Trafficking During the Recovery of Experimental Brain Ischemia
Authors: Fury Wen , Park Keun Woo , Wu Zhuhao , Kim Eunhee , Woo Moon-sook , Bai Yu , Macdonald Lynn E. , Croll Susan D. , Cho Sunghee
Published: July 2020

Background and Purpose:

Stroke is a major cause of chronic neurological disability. There is considerable interest in understanding how acute transcriptome changes evolve into subacute and chronic patterns that facilitate or limit spontaneous recovery. Here we mapped longitudinal changes in gene expression at multiple time points after stroke in mice out to 6 months.

Methods:

Adult C57BL/6 mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Longitudinal transcriptome levels were measured at 10 time points after stroke from acute to recovery phases of ischemic stroke. Localization and the number of mononuclear phagocytes were determined in the postischemic brain. Whole-mount brain imaging was performed in asplenic mice receiving GFP
+
(green fluorescent protein)-tagged splenocytes.

Results:

Sustained stroke-induced mRNA abundance changes were observed in both hemispheres with 2989 ipsilateral and 822 contralateral genes significantly perturbed. In the hemisphere ipsilateral to the infarct, genes associated with immune functions were strongly affected, including temporally overlapping innate and adaptive immunity and macrophage M1 and M2 phenotype-related genes. The strong immune gene activation was accompanied by the sustained infiltration of peripheral immune cells at acute, subacute, and recovery stages of stroke. The infiltrated immune cells were found in the infarcted area but also in remote regions at 2 months after stroke.

Conclusions:

The study identifies that immune components are the predominant molecular signatures and they may propagate or continuously respond to brain injury in the subacute to chronic phase after central nervous system injury. The study suggests a potential immune-based strategy to modify injury progression and tissue remodeling in ischemic stroke, even months after the initiating event.
Noradrenergic Regulation of Cognitive Flexibility: No Effects of Stress, Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation, and Atomoxetine on Task-switching in Humans
Authors: Tona Klodiana-Daphne , Revers Hans , Verkuil Bart , Nieuwenhuis Sander
Published: July 2020

Cognitive flexibility allows us to adaptively switch between different responsibilities in important domains of our daily life. Previous work has elucidated the neurochemical basis underlying the ability to switch responses to a previously nonreinforced exemplar and to switch between attentional sets. However, the role of neuromodulators in task switching, the ability to rapidly switch between two or more cognitive tasks afforded by the same stimuli, is still poorly understood. We attempted to fill this gap by manipulating norepinephrine levels using stress manipulation (Study 1a, n = 48; between-group design), transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation at two different intensities (Study 1b, n = 48; sham-controlled between-group design), and pharmacological manipulation (Study 2, n = 24; double-blind crossover design), all of which increased salivary cortisol measures. Participants repeatedly switched between two cognitive tasks (classifying a digit as high/low [Task 1] or as odd/even [Task 2]), depending on the preceding cue. On each trial, a cue indicated the task to be performed. The cue–stimulus interval was varied to manipulate the time to prepare for the switch. Participants showed typical switch costs, which decreased with the time available for preparation. None of the manipulations modulated the size of the switch costs or the preparation effect, as supported by frequentist and Bayesian model comparisons. Task-switching performance reflects a complex mix of cognitive control and bottom–up dynamics of task-set representations. Our findings suggest that norepinephrine does not affect either of these aspects of cognitive flexibility.
Six species of Grandidierella collected from the Ryukyu Archipelago in Japan, with descriptions of four new species (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Aoridae)
Authors: ARIYAMA HIROYUKI
Published: July 2020

Six species of the amphipod genus Grandidierella Coutière, 1904 were collected from coastal areas of the Ryukyu Archipelago in Japan. Four species are new to science and the other two are new to Japan. Grandidierella contigua sp. nov. has a characteristic male gnathopod 1 with three teeth on the carpus, the proximal tooth of which is very small and contiguous with the large middle tooth. Grandidierella gilesi Chilton, 1921 is characterized by the densely setose gnathopods and the divergent merus of the gnathopod 2 in both sexes. Grandidierella halophila Wongkamhaeng, Pholpunthin & Azman, 2012 possesses a long posteromedial projection on the male coxa 2. Grandidierella japonicoides sp. nov. closely resembles G. japonica Stephensen, 1938 in having stridulating ridges on the male gnathopod 1 carpus, but the former can be distinguished from the latter in the presence of a posteromedial projection on the male coxa 2 and the shapes of the gnathopod 1 carpus in both sexes. Grandidierella nana sp. nov. is a small species and has a wide and short carpus in the male gnathopod 1. Grandidierella pseudosakaensis sp. nov. is similar to G. osakaensis Ariyama, 1996; however, the former is different from the latter in the absence of a posterodistal projection on the male gnathopod 1 ischium and the growth process of the male gnathopods. A key to Grandidierella species in the Ryukyu Archipelago is provided.
A new species of Acrotaphus Townes (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) from the Brazilian Amazon, with notes on its host spider behavioral modification
Authors: PÁDUA DIEGO G. , KLOSS THIAGO G.
Published: July 2020

Some Ichneumonidae wasps, including the genus Acrotaphus Townes, 1960 (Ephialtini: Pimplinae), induce behavioral modification in their spider hosts. Acrotaphus is a New World parasitoid wasp genus with 26 described species. This genus belongs to the Polysphincta genus group, which are ectoparasitoids of spiders of the Araneidae. In this study, we describe a new species (Acrotaphus wagnerianae sp. n.) found in the Brazilian Amazon. In addition, we discuss for the first time the behavioral modification of spiders of the Wagneriana genus (Araneidae) by wasps of the Polysphincta genus group.
Structures and Northward Propagation of the Quasi-Biweekly Oscillation in the Western North Pacific
Authors: Li Kuiping , Yang Yang , Feng Lin , Yu Weidong , Liu Shouhua
Published: July 2020

This study investigates the northward-propagating quasi-biweekly oscillation (QBWO) in the western North Pacific by examining the composite meridional structures. Using newly released reanalysis and remote sensing data, the northward propagation is understood in terms of the meridional contrasts in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) moisture and the column-integrated moist static energy (MSE). The meridional contrast in the PBL moisture, with larger values north of the convection center, is predominantly attributed to the moisture convergence associated with barotropic vorticity anomalies. A secondary contribution comes from the meridional moisture advection, for which advections by mean and perturbation winds are almost equally important. The meridional contrast in the MSE tendency, due to the recharge in the front of convection and discharge in the rear of convection, is jointly contributed by the meridional and vertical MSE advections. The meridional MSE advection mainly depends on the moisture processes particularly in the PBL, and the vertical MSE advection largely results from the advection of the mean MSE by vertical velocity anomalies, wherein the upper-troposphere ascending motion related to the stratiform heating in the rear of the convection plays the major role. In addition, partial feedback from sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies is evaluated on the basis of MSE budget analysis. SST anomalies tend to enhance the surface turbulent heat fluxes ahead of the convention center and suppress them behind the convention center, thus positively contributing approximately 20% of the meridional contrast in the MSE tendency.
Sampling and Quality Assurance and Quality Control: A Guide for Scientists Investigating the Occurrence of Microplastics Across Matrices
Authors: Brander Susanne M. , Renick Violet C. , Foley Melissa M. , Steele Clare , Woo Mary , Lusher Amy , Carr Steve , Helm Paul , Box Carolynn , Cherniak Sam , Andrews Robert C. , Rochman Chelsea M.
Published: July 2020

Plastic pollution is a defining environmental contaminant and is considered to be one of the greatest environmental threats of the Anthropocene, with its presence documented across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The majority of this plastic debris falls into the micro (1 μm–5 mm) or nano (1–1000 nm) size range and comes from primary and secondary sources. Its small size makes it cumbersome to isolate and analyze reproducibly, and its ubiquitous distribution creates numerous challenges when controlling for background contamination across matrices (e.g., sediment, tissue, water, air). Although research on microplastics represents a relatively nascent subfield, burgeoning interest in questions surrounding the fate and effects of these debris items creates a pressing need for harmonized sampling protocols and quality control approaches. For results across laboratories to be reproducible and comparable, it is imperative that guidelines based on vetted protocols be readily available to research groups, many of which are either new to plastics research or, as with any new subfield, have arrived at current approaches through a process of trial-and-error rather than in consultation with the greater scientific community. The goals of this manuscript are to (i) outline the steps necessary to conduct general as well as matrix-specific quality assurance and quality control based on sample type and associated constraints, (ii) briefly review current findings across matrices, and (iii) provide guidance for the design of sampling regimes. Specific attention is paid to the source of microplastic pollution as well as the pathway by which contamination occurs, with details provided regarding each step in the process from generating appropriate questions to sampling design and collection.
Tracing the Distribution of Chinese and World Bank-Funded Projects and Public Demonstrations in Cameroon and Uganda
Authors: Che Afa’anwi Ma’abo
Published: July 2020

Extant literature has explored the effects of foreign aid on armed conflicts and state repression, but not on public demonstrations. This article compares distribution patterns of Chinese and World Bank-funded projects and public demonstrations in Cameroon, receiving predominantly Chinese official finance, and Uganda, receiving predominantly traditional, Western aid. Distributive patterns suggest negative and positive associations between Chinese and traditional official finance on the one hand and public demonstrations on the other. However, with respect to anti-project demonstrations specifically, I find through fieldwork interviews in Cameroon that Chinese-funded projects are more prone to anti-project demonstrations owing to less stringent risk management standards.
Exploring the Relationship Between Disordered Eating and Executive Function in a Non-Clinical Sample
Authors: Ciszewski Stefanie , Flood Kathryn E. , Proctor Cecile J. , Best Lisa A.
Published: July 2020

Previous research suggests that individuals diagnosed with eating disorders (ED) may experience executive functioning deficits that help maintain their ED. Although this relationship is reported consistently in clinical samples, it is important to consider whether it holds for individuals with sub-clinical ED symptoms. One hundred eighty-eight university students participated in the present study examining the relationship between executive function (EF) and disordered eating behaviors. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire, self-report questionnaires measuring atypical eating behaviors (EAT-26; EDI-3), and a self-report measure of EF (BRIEF-A). Correlational analyses demonstrated significant positive associations between ED behaviors and problems with emotional control, shifting, inhibition, and self-monitoring. Six hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted, using EF scores to predict scores on EAT-26 subscales (Dieting, Bulimia, Total ED Risk) and EDI-3 scales (Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, Risk Composite). In all regression analyses, BRIEF-A Emotional Control emerged as a significant predictor. As would be expected, EDI-3 Bulimia scores were also predicted by problems with inhibition. These results provide preliminary evidence of an association between non-clinical patterns of disordered eating and executive dysfunction, specifically including the ability to control one’s emotions, suggesting that emotional control problems may help predict ED risk. Future research could examine how these factors predict the development of eating disorders.
Teachers of Visually Handicapped Students with Multiple Disabilities: Perceptions of Adequacy
Authors: Erin J. , Daugherty W. , Dignan K. , Pearson N.
Published: July 2020

Partial results of a national survey of teachers of visually handicapped students on their service delivery to severely multiply handicapped children are presented. Responses in two of the three areas examined, respondent information and teacher preparation, are based on returns from 134 teachers in 41 states, as are frequencies for teacher variables. Relationships between teacher perception of adequacy of preparation and experience, level of degree, type of certification, setting, and year certified were evaluated through a chi-square test. Significant relationships were found between perception of adequacy and level of degree and additional certification in mental retardation, physically handicapped, and multiply handicapped. Survey results support a need for better preparation of teachers of visually handicapped children who work with severely multiply handicapped students.
General Case Simulation Instruction of Generalized Housekeeping Skills in Blind, Multihandicapped Adults
Authors: Lengyel L.M. , Domaracki J.W. , Lyon S.R.
Published: July 2020

This study was conducted to determine whether general case simulation instruction on a selected teaching sample of housekeeping skills, which sampled the stimulus and response variation of rooms in an office building, resulted in generalized performance to three other examples. A single subject, multiple base line across subjects design was used. After a brief base-line probe phase, general case simulation instruction was introduced sequentially to three participants. Intermittent probes in three other untrained settings were conducted to assess generalization. Data from all three participants indicate that generalization did occur from general case training to the untrained probe settings. They showed an average increase of 45 percent for participant one after six training sessions, an average increase of 58 percent after four training sessions for participant two, and after only one training session, an average of 37 percent for participant three. Degree of generalization was inversely related to the severity and complexity of participant disability. Implications for the development of generalized competitive job skills of people with severe handicaps are discussed.
Cortical Visual Impairment in Young Children with Multiple Disabilities
Authors: Morse M.T.
Published: July 2020

Teachers of visually handicapped children are seeing an increased frequency in referrals of young, multiply handicapped children with cortical visual impairment. The use of the residual visual capacity in these children is related to their ability to neurologically process and understand environmental sensory information. The complex interaction of the visual process, central nervous system functioning, and environmental stimuli has major implications for effective educational planning.
Information for and by Blind Persons in Rural Asia
Authors: Miles M.
Published: July 2020

Blind and visually impaired people in rural Asia are largely unreached by modern rehabilitative information, nor are their indigenous skills and experience adequately formulated and shared. The use of many media in communication strategies has led to the reconceptualization of rehabilitation in information terms which offers better prospects of self-help for several million blind people.
The Effects of Brain Damage on Visual Functioning in Children
Authors: Alexander P.K.
Published: July 2020

This article reviews the research literature on the direct effects of brain damage on the visual functioning of children and the electrodiagnostic tests used to diagnose them. Although the studies documented that brain damage affects visual functioning, they suggested that the prognosis for good functional vision after remedial intervention is more optimistic than was previously thought. They also found that electrodiagnostic testing is a valuable tool, but that the use of a combination of tests yields a more complete picture of the effects than does any single test.
Personality Factors Associated with the Decision to Accept Or Reject Mobility Training
Authors: White K. , Carroll R. , Martin W.
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this ex post facto study was to determine what personality factors and demographic characteristics are related to acceptance or rejection of mobility training for adventitiously blind adults. The sample consisted of 79 subjects who had accepted mobility training and 60 subjects who had rejected training. The results indicated that the groups varied significantly on 7 of the 13 personality scales of the MMPI. No significant differences were found for any of the demographic variables. Different approaches to service for resistant clients are suggested.
The Use of Fax Technology to Address the Reading Needs of Blind and Visually Impaired Persons
Authors: Gerrey W. , Brabyn J. , Crandall W.
Published: July 2020

Although fax communications pose a problem of accessibility for blind and visually impaired office workers, with centralized readers’ services they could be used to address the wider reading needs of blind and visually impaired people. With this technology, blind persons with fax machines could send unknown print to readers at a centralized readers’ service, who would read facsimiles of the documents over voice phones. This article discusses the specifications for appropriate equipment and protocols and presents the preliminary results of a study of such a system.
A Review of Talking Book Technology
Authors: Crowley S.J.
Published: July 2020

This article reviews the Talking Book technology, as well as potential new technology. The trend of audio technology toward digitization continues and will likely someday be practical for use by Talking Book programs. However, in terms of flexibility, ease of use, and economy, compact disc and other digital technologies are not now suitable, and the present technology is still the most viable for the program.
Barriers to the Use of Assistive Technology with Children: A Survey
Authors: Parker S. , Buckley W. , Truesdell A. , Riggio M. , Collins M. , Boardman B.
Published: July 2020

This article reports on the responses of 120 teachers and habilitative specialists of multiply handicapped blind and deaf-blind children in Massachusetts to a survey on their use of assistive technology. The respondents reported problems in all areas covered by the survey: knowledge of electronic mobility aids and communication devices; the availability, maintenance, and funding of devices; and adequate information about devices. They especially mentioned the need for resources to assess and match students to appropriate devices and to generate more training for themselves.
Use of Closed-Circuit Television with a Severely Visually Impaired Young Child
Authors: Miller-Wood D.J. , Efron M. , Wood T.A.
Published: July 2020

The potential use of closed-circuit television with a young severely visually impaired girl was assessed to explore the development of visual skills related especially to the development of concepts. The subject underwent 63 training sessions over a six-month period. At the end of training, she could recognize lines, forms, shapes, letters, numbers, and words and could read short sentences. Informal brief replication efforts with four other subjects showed similar results.
The Effects of Regular Exercise Programs for Visually Impaired and Sighted Schoolchildren
Authors: Blessing D.L. , McCrimmon D. , Stovall J. , Williford H.N.
Published: July 2020

This article reports on a study of the effects of a 16-week aerobic exercise training on the cardiovascular fitness and body composition of 30 visually impaired students from the Alabama School for the Blind (the ET group) versus traditional physical education classes for a group of sighted students from a local public school (the PE group). Whereas the ET group showed a significant increase in cardiovascular fitness and a significant decrease in body composition after training, no significant changes were noted in the PE group.
Educational Programs for Blind Children: A Kaleidoscopic View
Authors: Scholl G.T.
Published: July 2020

This article compares residential and day school programs from the perspective of 50 years’ experience as an educator of children who are blind.
From Old Wisdom to Future Trends
Authors: Baker D.
Published: July 2020

This article discusses educational services and programs provided by The New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped. Many of these programs were being implemented before the enactment of EL. 94–142 and have been expanded since its passage.
A Model for Outreach Technical Assistance
Authors: Miller C.
Published: July 2020

Like many other schools for the blind, the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired has expanded its outreach services to increase the availability of appropriate services for students with visual impairments throughout the state. A staff of 12 professionals and a director, with the assistance of campus staff, serves as a resource for families of children with visual and dual sensory impairments and to the related agencies and local service providers who serve them.
The Education of Youths who are Deaf-Blind: Learning Tasks and Teaching Methods
Authors: Maxson B.J. , Tedder N.E. , Marmion S. , Lamb A.M.
Published: July 2020

The major discovery of this study was that the techniques that the teachers of students who are deaf-blind used most often to teach certain types of learning tasks appear to be at variance with the findings of studies on the learning needs of these students. That is, the teachers preferred methods of structuring learning tasks over methods stressing sensory input. Implications for further research on the learning styles of deaf-blind persons and for the training of teachers are presented.
Blindness, Diabetes, and Amputation: Alleviation of Depression and Pain through Thermal Biofeedback Therapy
Authors: Needham W.E. , Eldridge L.S. , Harabedian B. , Crawford D.G.
Published: July 2020

A 39-year-old man who was blind, diabetic, and had a double amputation with chronic renal failure and peripheral vascular disease was treated with thermal biofeedback to reduce his depression through increased self-control, to minimize pain, and to facilitate healing of a pregangrenous hand. His progress was almost immediate, and during treatment he was able to raise the temperature in the affected hand well over three degrees. On his discharge from treatment, his depression and pain were reduced, his suicidal ideation was eliminated, his sense of self-mastery was improved, and there was no further consideration of amputation.
The Short Life: The Life-Span Construct of Visually Impaired Adults with Diabetes
Authors: Jeppsson-Grassman E.
Published: July 2020

In a long-term study of 14 visually impaired adults, 11 of whom had diabetes, the concept of “the short life”—a limited life span—emerged as a prevalent theme. It was found to be important for understanding the changing priorities, adaptive strategies, and general life planning of the participants, many of whose lives were marked by gradually deteriorating health and aggravated disabilities.
Vision and Orientation and Mobility Consultation for Children with Severe Multiple Disabilities
Authors: Kelley P. , Davidson R. , Sanspree M.J.
Published: July 2020

Vision consultants who work with professionals and parents of children with severe multiple impairments perform a professional role that is changing and challenging. Educational planning is unique, since many children with different levels of disabilities must be served in a variety of individual settings. This article discusses the role of orientation and mobility specialists and teacher-consultants for children who have visual impairments and severe multiple disabilities. Examples of programming contributions of both types of vision consultant are given.
The Auditory Skills Necessary for Echolocation: A New Explanation
Authors: Carlson–Smith C. , Wiener W.R.
Published: July 2020

The study presented here explored theories that account for echolocation and established an audiometric test battery for blind persons that is designed to predict success in echolocation. Statistical analyses revealed significant positive correlations between particular auditory measures and echolocation performance. No relationships were found between high-frequency hearing sensitivity and echolocation performance.
Teacher Educators and the Future of Personnel Preparation Programs for Serving Students with Visual Impairments
Authors: Silberman R.K. , Corn A.L. , Sowell V.M.
Published: July 2020

This article reports the results of a survey of undergraduate and graduate personnel preparation programs for teachers, orientation and mobility instructors, and rehabilitation teachers of persons with visual impairments and of doctoral programs that prepare individuals for leadership positions.
Students with Visual Impairments: Do They Understand Their Disability?
Authors: Sacks S.Z. , Corn A.L.
Published: July 2020

This study explored what children know about their visual impairments, how they communicate the information to other people, and their questions about their visual impairments. Eighty-nine children, aged 6–16, from 19 states completed a 35-item questionnaire that was administered by their teachers of students with visual impairments. Among the study's findings were that only 34 percent of the children could name their visual impairment and only 13 percent could state which part of their eye (or visual system) was affected.
Blind and Sighted Children with Their Mothers: The Development of Discourse Skills
Authors: Kekelis L.S. , Prinz P.M.
Published: July 2020

This study examined the effects of blindness on the conversational patterns of families and on the development of discourse skills, assessing children's ability to respond contingently to questions and directives. The conversations of four mothers and their blind and sighted children, aged 27–36 months, were analyzed during three play sessions in their homes. During the seven-month study, conversational parameters that included the length of speakers’ turns, balance between partners’ contributions, and mothers’ use of questions and directives were investigated. Conversational analyses revealed that the average lengths of speaking turns of the sighted children and their mothers were comparable, but those of the blind children were considerably shorter than their mothers’ turns.
Detectable Warning Surfaces at Curb Ramps
Authors: Hauger J.S. , Rigby J.C. , Safewright M. , McAuley W.J.
Published: July 2020

Tests of blind pedestrians’ need for detectable warning surfaces at curb ramps found that curb ramps were involved in half the cases in which there were barriers to successful crossings. In the absence of cues, some experienced travelers entered intersections at perpendicular curb ramps or were misdirected by diagonal curb ramps into parallel streets. Detectable warning surfaces provide a cue that alleviates the first problem but can exacerbate the second. Equally effective surfaces may be found that provide sufficient cues but are less expensive and easier to maintain.
Adolescents with Visual Impairments who Have Best Friends: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rosenblum L.P.
Published: July 2020

This article describes a pilot study of the friendships of 22 adolescents aged 13–19 with visual impairments. The study found that the female participants and the 13–15-year-old participants had more intimate friendships than did the male participants and the 16–19-year-old participants. The friends engaged in a variety of activities, talked about a wide array of topics, and spent time together in many places. Only a few participants reported that their visual impairments affected what they did with their friends.
The Lifestyles of Blind, Low Vision, and Sighted Youths: A Quantitative Comparison
Authors: Wolffe K. , Sacks S.Z.
Published: July 2020

In this quantitative research study, 16 blind students, 16 low vision students, and 16 sighted students aged 15–21 and their parents were interviewed by telephone using questionnaires designed to examine four areas: academic involvement and performance, daily living and personal care activities, recreation and leisure activities, and work and vocational experiences. A time-diary protocol was also used to obtain data from each student in three telephone interviews during the calendar year. Similarities and differences among the three groups, as well as implications of the findings for service providers, are discussed.
Making the Grade: College Students with Visual Impairments
Authors: McBroom L.W.
Published: July 2020

This study of the transition experiences of 102 college students with visual impairments (including students who are blind and students with low vision) and of the services offered for students with disabilities at 66 colleges found that the colleges provided most of the services students need to be successful. The students also described the numerous areas for which visually impaired high school students should prepare before they enter college and the skills they should develop or hone.
Preparing Youths with Visual Impairments for Work: Evaluation of a Pilot Program
Authors: Leonard R. Mcinerney , D'Allura T. , Simpson F.
Published: July 2020

This article describes a two-week residential program for youths with visual impairments whose goals were to enhance their career development and transition from school to work. An evaluation of the program, based on telephone interviews with the participants and their parents, indicated that the program gave the participants the opportunity to socialize and share experiences with other youths and helped them acquire a number of skills and become more aware of careers and job responsibilities.
On “Passing” through Adolescence
Authors: Uttermohlen T.L.
Published: July 2020

In this article, the author describes experiences that demonstrate that the benefits that adolescents with visual impairments gain from “passing” are won at a high price. Those who work with young people with visual impairments are encouraged to seek creative ways to help them find a comfortable balance between taking excessive risks and allowing visual impairment or blindness to be an unsurmountable barrier to the transition to a healthy and productive adulthood.
The Use of Traffic Sounds to Make Street Crossings by Persons who are Visually Impaired
Authors: Wiener W.R. , Lawson G. , Naghshineh K. , Brown J. , Bischoff A. , Toth A.
Published: July 2020

Orientation and mobility O&M specialists are concerned with the ability of a person who is visually impaired to use hearing as well as vision in independent travel. Yet, there is no published research on the auditory requirements for making effective street crossings by individuals who are visually impaired or by individuals who are both visually and hearing impaired. Thus, this article presents the frequency and intensity measurements for traffic sounds under different conditions. It then compares these measurements to audiograms to illustrate how, given certain limitations and cautions, O&M specialists can estimate a traveler's ability to make safe traffic crossings.
Increasing a Functional Skill for an Adolescent with Cortical Visual Impairment
Authors: Farrenkopf C. , McGregor D. , Nes S.L. , Koenig A.J.
Published: July 2020

The effectiveness of two treatment strategies—verbal prompts and a physical prompt—on the the independent drinking skills of a 17-year-old girl with cortical visual impairment was investigated using a single-subject alternating treatments design in two settings. Ten natural drinking opportunities were observed in 43 sessions in the student's school and home. It was found that the physical prompt was highly effective in promoting the target behavior, whereas verbal prompts were less effective. Independent drinking behaviors appeared to have been maintained in both settings.
Behaviors of Preschoolers with Visual Impairments in Indoor Play Settings
Authors: Skellenger A.C. , Rosenblum L.P. , Jager B.K.
Published: July 2020

This article reports on a study of the interaction, play, and other behaviors of 24 preschoolers with visual impairments and no other disabilities in the indoor play areas of two programs. The study found that the children interacted and played at lower levels than expected for 2–5 year olds and that their learning medium (visual or tactile) seemed to affect both the amount of interaction and the amount and type of play in which they engaged.
Reproducibility of radiomics features derived from intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted MRI of cervical cancer
Authors: Chen Hao , He Yaoyao , Zhao Cecheng , Zheng Lili , Pan Ning , Qiu Jianfeng , Zhang Zhaoxi , Niu Xiaohui , Yuan Zilong
Published: July 2020

Background

The reproducibility of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM)-based radiomics studies in humans has not been reported.

Purpose

To determine the inter- and intra-observer variability on the reproducibility of IVIM-based radiomics features in cervical cancer (CC).

Material and Methods

The IVIM images of 25 patients with CC were retrospectively collected. Based on the high-resolution T2-weighted images, the regions of interest (ROIs) were independently delineated twice in diffusion-weighted images at a b value of 1000 s/mm2 (interval time was one month) by two radiologists. This was done at the largest transversal cross-sections of the tumors. The ROI was subsequently used in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) maps derived from IVIM images. In total, 105 radiomics features were then finally extracted from the IVIM-derived maps. The inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of IVIM-derived features was then evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

Inter- and intra-observer variability affected the reproducibility of radiomics features. D* map had 100% and 95% reproducible features, ADC map had 89% and 93%, D map had 97% and 86%, while f map had 54% and 62% reproducible features with good to excellent reliability in the intra-observer analysis. Similarly, D* map had 90% and 94%, ADC map had 85% and 70%, D map had 81% and 78%, while f map had 41% and 93% reproducible features with good to excellent reliability in the inter-observer analysis.

Conclusion

Inter- and intra-observer variability can affect radiomics analysis. Cognizant to this, multicenter studies should pay more attention to intra- and inter-observer variability.
Osteoarthritis of the hip: are degenerative tears of the acetabular labrum predictable from features on hip radiographs?
Authors: Gonzalez Felix M , Gagnon Marie-Helene , Reiter David , Younan Yara , Sayyid Samia , Singer Adam , Umpierrez Monica , Sharma Gulshan B , Robertson Douglas D
Published: July 2020

Background

A common feature of hip arthritis is the presence of labra tears. Recent literature suggests against the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients aged >45 years for the assessment of hip pain related to arthritis.

Purpose

To determine if radiographic features of osteoarthritis detectable on routine hip radiographs are accurate and reliable surrogate markers of degenerative acetabular labral tears identified on MR arthrography (MRA) and corroborated during arthroscopy.

Material and Methods

A retrospective study involving 86 symptomatic patients (hip pain) with radiologic work-up included MRA and pelvic or hip radiographs that underwent hip arthroscopy within three months. Imaging characteristics assessed on hip radiographs include measurements of superior acetabular, femoral head osteophyte, cortical thickness of the femoral shaft, and minimum joint space as well as presence of subchondral sclerosis of the femoral head and acetabulum, femoral shaft buttressing, and grade of arthritis. Presence of a labral tear was determined by consensus between three readers as well as by surgical correlation. The Pearson’s chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare presence of labral tears with each radiographic feature.

Results

Seventy-one patients (82.6%) had labral tears: 49 (69%) women and 22 (31%) men. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed statistical significance ( P<0.05) between presence of a labral tear and acetabular and femoral head osteophyte sizes but failed to demonstrate any significance regarding acetabular subchondral sclerosis, cortical thickness, buttressing, or minimum joint space.

Conclusions

Radiographic markers such as the acetabular and femoral head osteophyte sizes demonstrated statistical significance with the presence of labral tears.
Risk factors and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide in obstructive sleep apnea in adults
Authors: Feng Xiaokai , Guo Xiheng , Lin Junling , Zhao Zhiling , Tong Zhaohui
Published: July 2020

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and to assess the effect of risk factors of airway inflammation on OSA.

Methods

Medical records of patients in the Respiratory Sleep Center at Chao-Yang Hospital in Beijing between January 2015 and June 2017 were analyzed. All patients were diagnosed with OSA. Data of the medical history, clinical examinations, FENO, and upper airway computed tomographic findings were collected. Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors of OSA.

Results

A total of 181 patients were admitted to the Respiratory Sleep Center during the study and 170 had a diagnosis of OSA and were included in the study. Single factor analysis showed that male sex, age, body mass index, smoking index, alcohol consumption, FENO, soft palate thickness, soft palate length, the narrowest transverse diameter of the upper airway, tonsil size, and nasal sinusitis were risk factors for sleep-disordered breathing and disease severity.

Conclusions

Male sex, age, body mass index, FENO, the narrowest transverse diameter of the upper airway, and normal tonsil size are associated with OSA and disease severity. The severity of OSA is associated with FENO levels.
Exploring Effects of Self-Evaluative and Motivational Schema in Appearance on Advertising Effectiveness in Fashion Ads
Authors: Yu Ui-Jeen
Published: July 2020

Thin-idealized models are mainly promoted in fashion ads, supporting “thinness sells.” Based on the self-schema theory, this study investigated how self-evaluative and motivational schema in appearance influenced attitudes toward brand advertising thin models and purchase intention. A web-based survey consisting of three different model stimuli—thin, average-sized, and no models—in fashion ads was conducted. A total of 380 female college students at a large Midwestern university in the United States responded to the web-based survey. Results indicate participants with higher motivational schema in appearance showed more positive attitudes toward brand and greater purchase intention when exposed to thin models rather than average-sized and no models. However, participants with lower motivational schema in appearance responded to thin models less favorably than those with higher motivational schema. These results explored individual differences of motivational self-schema in appearance in responses to thin models. Implications on marketing and advertising strategies for fashion ads were discussed.
Morphological and thermal properties of polystyrene composite reinforced with biochar from elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum)
Authors: Adeniyi Adewale George , Abdulkareem Sulyman Age , Ighalo Joshua O , Onifade Damilola Victoria , Adeoye Samson Akorede , Sampson Abia Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

The use of wastes in the development of useful material is a key aspect of solid waste management. The aim of this study was to utilize biochar from elephant grass ( Pennisetum purpureum) as fillers in polystyrene composites with focus on the morphological and thermal properties of the developed composites. The composites were prepared by hand lay-up technique. The prepared resin and final composite were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The biochar also did not contain any reactive hydrophilic groups, thus, it is compatible with polystyrene. Estimated heat capacities of the composites from the thermal test results showed that to obtain a composite of heat capacity range between 600 J/kg·K and 760 J/kg·K, a 10–30 wt% range of biochar composition should be maintained. At 30 wt% biochar composition, heat capacity was at a maximum value of 757.66 J/kg·K.
Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element model to estimate backflow during flow-controlled infusions into the brain
Authors: Orozco Gustavo A , Smith Joshua H , García José J
Published: July 2020

Convection-enhanced delivery is a technique to bypass the blood–brain barrier and deliver therapeutic drugs into the brain tissue. However, animal investigations and preliminary clinical trials have reported reduced efficacy to transport the infused drug in specific zones, attributed mainly to backflow, in which an annular gap is formed outside the catheter and the fluid preferentially flows toward the surface of the brain rather than through the tissue in front of the cannula tip. In this study, a three-dimensional human brain finite element model of backflow was developed to study the influence of anatomical structures during flow-controlled infusions. Predictions of backflow length were compared under the influence of ventricular pressure and the distance between the cannula and the ventricles. Simulations with zero relative ventricle pressure displayed similar backflow length predictions for larger cannula-ventricle distances. In addition, infusions near the ventricles revealed smaller backflow length and the liquid was observed to escape to the longitudinal fissure and ventricular cavities. Simulations with larger cannula-ventricle distances and nonzero relative ventricular pressure showed an increase of fluid flow through the tissue and away from the ventricles. These results reveal the importance of considering both the subject-specific anatomical details and the nonlinear effects in models focused on analyzing current and potential treatment options associated with convection-enhanced delivery optimization for future clinical trials.
Spatio-temporal dependence-based tensor fusion for thermocline analysis in Argo data
Authors: Jiang Yu , Lin Shenggeng , Ruan Jinjian , Qi Hong
Published: July 2020

As the ocean data acquired by the Argo project is increasingly huge, how to use artificial intelligence to analyze it so as to discover the distribution and variation of ocean temperature with space and time becomes an important research topic in the world. In this article, a spatio-temporal dependence-based tensor fusion method is proposed, which can be used to determine and analyze the thermocline. In the time dimension, long short-term memory is used to predict the temperature of seawater; in the spatial dimension, the thermocline is found incrementally by using tensor analysis. Experiments on BOA Argo data from 2004 to 2016 show that the proposed method can accurately determine the boundary of the thermocline and predict the future trend of the thermocline.
Homogeneity testing for binomial proportions under stratified double-sampling scheme with two fallible classifiers
Authors: Qiu Shi-Fang , Fu Qi-Xiang
Published: July 2020

This article investigates the homogeneity testing problem of binomial proportions for stratified partially validated data obtained by double-sampling method with two fallible classifiers. Several test procedures, including the weighted-least-squares test with/without log-transformation, logit-transformation and double log-transformation, and likelihood ratio test and score test, are developed to test the homogeneity under two models, distinguished by conditional independence assumption of two classifiers. Simulation results show that score test performs better than other tests in the sense that the empirical size is generally controlled around the nominal level, and hence be recommended to practical applications. Other tests also perform well when both binomial proportions and sample sizes are not small. Approximate sample sizes based on score test, likelihood ratio test and the weighted-least-squares test with double log-transformation are generally accurate in terms of the empirical power and type I error rate with the estimated sample sizes, and hence be recommended. An example from the malaria study is illustrated by the proposed methodologies.