Psychogenic Factors in Menstrual Symptomology

In this study correlations were obtained between personality characteristics and menstrual manifestations in order to test the following psychogenic hypotheses regarding the etiology of menstrual symptomatology: (1) dependence, as a personality characteristic, is basic to the elaboration of moderate or severe menstrual symptoms, (2) a psychosomatic process, involving psychic control over somatic functions, underlies certain forms of menstrual symptomatology, and (3) menstrual symptoms, particularly as they are more pronounced, represent exacerbations of prevailing personality patterns. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ, which contains eight menstrual symptom scales) were administered to 60 female university students and the scales were inter- correlated. Where dependence involved seeking security, identity, and self-esteem in a heterosexual relationship, it was associated with beneficent or positive menstrual symptoms. Where dependence involved passive-aggression and the Inability to express anger openly, it was correlated with specific negative menstrual symptoms. Specific areas of possible psychosomatic expression were distinguished from areas of menstrual symptomatology which seemed unaffected by psychosomatic processes. Exacerbatory theory was supported by the appearance of a cyclothymic personality pattern, which appeared to undergo premenstrual and menstrual exacerbation

Playing the videotext: A media literacy perspective on video-mediated l2 listening

Adopting a literacy perspective towards student interactions with digital media can extend and develop views of second language (L2) listening comprehension. In this case study, variations in play are grounded in a media literacy perspective as a way to frame student work with authentic videotext. Twenty-two Australian students of Japanese watched three digitized news clips as they talked aloud. Qualitative analysis of their immediately retrospective verbal reports showed that learners do indeed play and replay the media texts as they, for example, perform, fool around, and establish signposts. The article concludes with a discussion urging language teachers and researchers to adopt media literacy perspectives in their use of electronic media

Barriers to Pediatric Triage Guideline Compliance: A Survey of Nebraska Emergency Departments

Nebraska emergency departments may be underprepared for a mass casualty event involving a large number of children, as indicated by the results from the 2013 Emergency Medical Services for Children’s (EMSC) Pediatric Readiness Project (PRP) report. This was primarily evident by the lack of existence of a pediatric triage policy among Nebraska emergency departments. Utilizing a survey, this study attempted to identify the emergency departments in Nebraska that followed the EMSC guideline of having a pediatric triage policy, as well as to identify possible barriers to guideline adherence among those that did not have the policy. It was found that Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) were statistically less likely to have a pediatric triage policy. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant correlation between awareness of the policy and existence of the policy. Among hospitals that did not have a pediatric triage policy, lack of staff time and limited knowledge of pediatric triage were the most often indicated barriers, while financial limitations were less frequently indicated. It is our anticipation that the results of this study will be used by EMSC and Nebraskan hospitals to increase pediatric triage guideline adherence in emergency departments

Integrating semiotic resources in CALL activity designs

Grounded in the three-tiered transdisciplinary SLA framework of the Douglas Fir Group (2016), we explore how the concept of ‘semiotic resources’ may be integrated into CALL activity designs. Starting at the macro level, we discuss how language ideology may influence where to situate semiotic resources within initial design considerations. We next move to the meso level, the site of community and social negotiation, to look at how the departmental culture and personal orientation may influence design choices. Our attention then turns to the micro level where we define the roles semiotic resources may play through concepts used in Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). Moving from theory to practice, we describe how 14 pre-service ESL/EFL teachers in a graduate-level course designed CALL activities. Based on an analysis of their CALL activity designs and research-informed commentaries, we show how students were concerned with designs that highlighted textual aspects of semiotic resources. Such results, not surprisingly, point to the ways macro and meso levels may influence how semiotic resources surface within micro-level activity designs. We conclude by discussing the importance of taking a transdisciplinary approach to promoting language learning as semiotic learning in CALL designs and propose several areas for future research

Ocena słuchu fonemowego u dzieci w wieku przedszkolnym

A phonemic sensitivity is the ability allowing for the perception and diversification of speech sounds. It plays an important role in teaching reading and writing to children. The very publication presents phenomena related to the development of a phonemic sensitivity in children at the kindergarten age. The book consists of five chapters. The first three describe the phenomena related to the phonemic sensitivity, as well as variables that underwent the examination, that is, speech defects and lateralization. The two subsequent chapters are empirical in nature. They include methodology of the research conducted, a description of the research tool and sample. The last chapter constitutes a presentation of the research results and conclusions. The main aim of the research in question was to establish phonological oppositions crucial to the examination of the phonemic sensitivity, as well as developmental norms in children at the kindergarten age with in the scope of the development of the phonemic sensitivity. Besides, the research was to answer the questions concerning the interdependence between a phonemic sensitivity and lateralization, speech and gender in children between 3;0—7;6 years of age. The research was based on the sample of 55 paronyms to which the scheme of the research as well as a child answer sheet were specially designed. The material gathered allows for a better understanding of the nature of the development and phonemic sensitivity disorders, as well as a more detailed research

Nostalgic advertisements in multicultural Malaysia: a multimodal analysis

Advertisements that feature nostalgia as a theme have been highly successful in their ability to evoke an emotional reaction in consumers thus connecting them to the brand and product being advertised. Nostalgic advertisements are memorable as they prompt consumers to draw from their own past experiences in a positive manner therefore creating a “feel good” factor in consumers. Nostalgia has been a popular theme in many Malaysian television commercials (TVCs) in the past decade. This study examines a Malaysian national day TVC using a thematic multimodal approach to analyse how nostalgia is reinforced through the multimodal elements in the TVC. The analysis includes a discussion of the types of nostalgia elicited by the multimodal elements in the TVC in reference to the socio-cultural context of multicultural Malaysia. The findings reveal how specific multimodal elements in the TVC are used to evoke a sense of collective nostalgia among Malaysians of diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. This study shows that personal, collective, historical or national nostalgia is reinforced in a Malaysian national day TVC by making references to dates, events, images, relationships and values that are significant and meaningful to all Malaysians regardless of ethnicity, religion or belief. Such advertisements serve to transcend ethnic and religious boundaries to create a national mindset that the whole nation can connect with instead of communal or ethnic based ones

Exploration of Platelet and Mast Cell Communication: A Study of Membrane Lipids, Asthma, and Inflammation

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation.May 2016. Major: Chemistry. Advisor: Christy Haynes. 1 computer file (PDF); xvi, 151 pages.This work examines how environmental factors such as lipid membrane concentration, opioid agonist exposure, and inflammatory diseases impact cell communication. It explores the use of different cell models, specifically platelets and mast cells, to understand how disease states can impact cellular function. Throughout the thesis, a variety of analytical techniques including electrochemistry, mass spectrometry, dark field imaging, and microfluidics, are used to understand exocytosis, lipid concentration, manufactured inflammatory mediators, adhesion, and shape change in platelets and mast cells. Platelets are cell-like bodies that travel through the bloodstream and are known for their role in hemostasis and diseases like stroke and myocardial infarction. They have also been implicated in inflammatory diseases such as asthma. In addition, their anucleate nature and easy isolation make them an ideal model for studying variations in cell communication upon the modification of their lipid content. Platelets communicate through the exocytosis of their three distinct granule types (δ, α, and lysosome). These granules contain molecules that assist in the transmigration of immune cells to the site of activation and help with additional platelet aggregation and adhesion. In contrast, mast cells are found throughout the body in connective tissue and are one of the immune system’s first lines of defense. They are primarily known for their role in allergies and asthma. Upon detection of antigens that they are sensitized to, the mast cell secretes manufactured chemokines and pre-formed granule mediators, including histamine and serotonin, calling other inflammatory cells to the site of infection. Chapter One reviews single cell analysis techniques with a particular emphasis on the techniques used in this thesis, including electrochemistry and mass spectrometry. Chapter Two through four are focused on understanding how variations in membrane lipids and structure affect platelet function and exocytosis in general. Chapter Two focuses on understanding the variations that the fusion pore undergoes when granules are being exocytosed. Traditionally, a granule release event, monitored using carbon-fiber microelectrode amperometry, has a quick rise in current (spike) and gradual decay. The variations to this spike are classified as different forms of pre- and post-spike features and non-traditional granule secretion events. The role of cholesterol in changing the frequency and duration of these features is also discussed. Chapter Three discusses the role of phosphatidylserine (PS) in cellular communication using a platelet model. In this chapter, we explore how the stereochemistry of the head group and concentration of PS affects various platelet functions including granular content secretion, manufactured lipid release, and adhesion. The cholesterol level change upon addition of PS is also monitored. Finally, Chapter Four aims to understand how natural lipid variations affect cell function by comparing platelets from different species. This chapter highlights the importance of understanding your cell model relative to the actual cells involved in the disease or function being studied. Chapter Five and Six progresses from lipid function into developing a better understanding of how platelets respond to their environment, particularly in the context of inflammatory diseases. Chapter Five’s focus is on platelet response to opioids like those that are used in the treatment of pain due to inflammatory diseases, cancer, or surgery. Specifically, the effects on cell exocytosis as well as the presence of and role that opioid receptors play in platelets are characterized. Chapter Six focuses on studying how platelets respond to allergic asthma, including response to allergens and the chemoattractants (CXCL10 and CCL5) released during an asthma attack. Using bulk and single cell methods in conjunction allows us to obtain in-depth information on both the overall response and the granule fusion pore during exocytosis. Chapter Seven and Eight focus on mouse peritoneal mast cell (MPMC) function in the context of inflammatory diseases including allergic asthma and neurogenic inflammation, respectively. Chapter Seven aims to state the importance of understanding the cell line you are using since variations in response to allergens are noted between commonly used mast cell models (rat basophilic leukocytes cell line and primary culture MPMC). In addition, MPMC response to CXCL10 and CCL5 was monitored. Finally, Chapter Eight explores the role of MPMC in neurogenic inflammation, a process wherein neurons release the neuropeptides substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide. Mast cell response to these neuropeptides has been highly disputed, and this chapter focuses on the impact of IgE on MPMC bulk granular content secretion. It also aims to understand how these neuropeptides affect the fusion pore opening and closing during exocytosis

A multimodal literary analysis of a television commercial

Literature and advertisements are analogous in the way they mimic the surrounding culture, art and practices and in their ability to elicit various emotional responses in people. Over the years, literature has had a great influence in advertisements and much of advertisement content has used poetic verses, prose forms and dramatic elements. Television commercials largely draw inspiration from drama in the construction of the advertisers’ messages. As a multimodal text, a television commercial (TVC) utilises multiple modes of meaning to employ literary elements in its content. Based on the view of TVCs as literary texts, this paper examines the literary elements of setting and character in a TVC through multimodal analysis. The multimodal elements that construct setting and character in a corporate TVC are identified and analysed. In line with multimodal analysis, the meanings of the modes are discussed by taking into account the socio-cultural context in which the TVC is produced and viewed. In doing so, the significant role of setting and character in meaning making of a TVC is revealed. This paper demonstrates the application of the multimodal approach to analysis of literary elements in a TVC and subsequently contributes to developing and promoting applications of multimodal analytical approaches in literary studies

Wykorzystanie technologii informacyjnej w profilaktyce logopedycznej

The article discusses the use of information technology in speech and language therapy prevention. The author refers to documents discussing the use of information technology in the teacher’s work (including the work of speech therapists). Moreover, the advantages of using computer applications during the work with children displaying speech disorders were discussed, and selected computer programs assisting the therapy were presented. Also mentioned were crucial issues concerning ethical norms to be implemented while using information technology

A study on the role of affective feedback in robot-assisted learning

In recent years, there have been many approaches to using robots to teach computer programming. In intelligent tutoring systems and computer-aided learning, there is also some research to show that affective feedback to the student increases learning efficiency. However, a few studies on the role of incorporating an emotional personality in the robot in robot-assisted learning have found different results. To explore this issue further, we conducted a pilot study to investigate the effect of positive verbal encouragement and non-verbal emotive behaviour of the Miro-E robot during a robot-assisted programming session. The participants were tasked to program the robot’s behaviour. In the experimental group, the robot monitored the participants’ emotional state via their facial expressions, and provided affective feedback to the participants after completing each task. In the control group, the robot responded in a neutral way. The participants filled out a questionnaire before and after the programming session. The results show a positive reaction of the participants to the robot and the exercise. Though the number of participants was small, as the experiment was conducted during the pandemic, a qualitative analysis of the data was carried out. We found that the greatest affective outcome of the session was for students who had little experience or interest in programming before. We also found that the affective expressions of the robot had a negative impact on its likeability, revealing vestiges of the uncanny valley effect