Understanding Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching for primary students with vision impairment: a qualitative inquiry

Orientation and Mobility is a uniquely crafted pedagogical practice blending specific microteaching skills to enable students with vision impairment to achieve functional interpretation of extra-personal and peri-personal space. Linked to student wellbeing, social participation, employment and self-determination, Orientation and Mobility is a cornerstone of equity and access for students with vision impairment. Despite this, in mainstream primary education little is known about Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching and how it aligns with the Australian Curriculum. Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching is examined from the perspectives of three female primary school students with vision impairment, a parent, a teacher, the researcher, and a panel of Orientation and Mobility specialists. These perspectives are interwoven with a detailed reflexive interrogation of the Orientation and Mobility lessons over one school semester within the contexts of the Far North and North Queensland Department of Education regions and the Australian Curriculum. This study explores how one Queensland Orientation and Mobility teacher, the researcher, explicitly communicates nonvisual, visual, tactile, and auditory concepts to primary school students with vision impairment. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner's bioecological systems theory, the Orientation and Mobility learning experiences are captured through an interpretative methodology comprising narrative inquiry and autoethnography, both underpinned by hermeneutic phenomenology. Insider researcher data are gathered from semi structured interviews, online panel responses, and audio recordings of the Orientation and Mobility lessons. Autoethnographic field notes, document materials, and reflexive teaching journals are used to support the thematic and discourse analysis. Results confirm that for the non-expert participants there was a substantial lack of awareness of the impact of vision impairment on learning and development, and the potential contribution of Orientation and Mobility. Systemic and cultural barriers to equitable inclusive education for these North and Far North Department of Education students with vision impairment were uncovered. Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching was clearly shown to overlap with and embed content from the Australian Curriculum. A key finding was the isolation of a core set of micro-teaching skills pertinent to Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching. These skills were identified as: Orientation and Mobility teacher attention to dialogic language and feedback, extended interaction wait times, and shared attention to spatial and contextual environments within the Orientation and Mobility lesson. As this skill set can be used to design Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching experiences that explicitly scaffold the development of non-visual, visual, tactile, auditory, and kinaesthetic pre-cursor concepts, it was given the appropriated name of practice architecture. An important practical outcome of the research was the formulation of an ontogenetic model of Orientation and Mobility learning and teaching. This model, which closely follows the natural development of each student with vision impairment, may serve as a tool that enables teachers to more systematically chart the biophysical attributes of the student with vision impairment. It thereby provides a learning and teaching framework for designing interactions with students with vision impairment. The ontogenetic framework has the potential to facilitate greater integration of what–and–how learning occurs in Orientation and Mobility with what–and–how learning might occur in the regular classroom

Skin Cancer and UV Exposure-Related Behaviors Among Appalachian and Non-Appalachian Adults

Introduction: Appalachian communities experience elevated rates of cancer incidence and mortality relative to other regions in the U.S. Specifically, melanoma mortality rates are higher in Appalachia compared to the national average, despite comparable incidence rates. Purpose: To examine differences in self-reported history of skin cancer and prevalence of two UV exposure behaviors between Appalachian and non-Appalachian adults in a nationally representative sample. Methods: Data are from four cross-sectional cycles of the Health Information National Trends Survey (2011–2014) (N=14,451). We examined sunscreen use and tanning bed use, and self-reported history of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Descriptive and weighted multivariable analyses were conducted to examine sunscreen and tanning bed use, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Approximately 8% of the study sample resided in Appalachia (n=1,015). Self-reported melanoma (0.6%) and non-melanoma (3.2%) skin cancer histories were low among Appalachians and did not differ statistically from non-Appalachians (p\u3e0.05). Only 21.2% of Appalachians reported using sunscreen often or always when going outside for more than one hour on a warm, sunny day compared to 27.4% of non-Appalachians (p\u3c0.05). In separate multivariable logistic regressions, Appalachians reported lower odds of sunscreen use compared to non-Appalachian (OR=0.76, p=0.04), but there were no regional differences in tanning bed use (OR=1.48, p=0.23) when controlling for sociodemographics and general health status. Implications: Appalachians had comparable histories of self-reported melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer but were less likely to report sunscreen use than non-Appalachians. Enhanced communication efforts to promote sunscreen use and other UV protection behaviors in Appalachia may be valuable

Microglia promote anti-tumor immunity and suppress breast cancer brain metastasis

Breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) is a lethal disease with no effective treatments. Prior work has shown that brain cancers and metastases are densely infiltrated with anti-inflammatory, protumorigenic tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), but the role of brain resident microglia remains controversial because they are challenging to discriminate from other TAMs. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), genetic, and humanized mouse models, we specifically identify microglia and find that they play a distinct pro-inflammatory and tumor suppressive role in BCBM. Animals lacking microglia show increased metastasis, decreased survival, and reduced NK and T cell responses, showing that microglia are critical to promote antitumor immunity to suppress BCBM. We find that the pro-inflammatory response is conserved in human microglia, and markers of their response are associated with better prognosis in BCBM patients. These findings establish an important role for microglia in anti-tumor immunity and highlight them as a potential immunotherapy target for brain metastasis

3-\u3ci\u3eO\u3c/i\u3e sulfation of heparin leads to hepatotropism and longer circulatory half-life

Introduction: Heparins are common blood anticoagulants that are critical for many surgical and biomedical procedures used in modern medicine. In contrast to natural heparin derived from porcine gut mucosa, synthetic heparins are homogenous by mass, polymer length, and chemistry. Materials & methods: Stable cell lines expressing the human and mouse Stabilin receptors were used to evaluate endocytosis of natural and synthetic heparin. We chemoenzymatically produced synthetic heparin consisting of 12 sugars (dodecamers) containing 14 sulfate groups resulting in a non-3-O sulfated structure (n12mer). Half of the n12mer was modified with a 3-O sulfate on a single GlcNS sugar producing the 3-O sulfated heparin (12mer). Wildtype (WT), Stabilin-1 knock-out (KO), and Stabilin-2 KO C57BL/6 mice were developed and used for metabolic studies and provided as a source for primary liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Results & conclusions: Human and mouse Stabilin-2 receptors had very similar endocytosis rates of both the 12mer and n12mer, suggesting that they are functionally similar in primary cells. Subcutaneous injections of the n12mer and 12mer revealed that the 12mer had a much longer half-life in circulation and a higher accumulation in liver. The n12mer never accumulated in circulation and was readily excreted by the kidneys before liver accumulation could occur. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells from the Stabilin-2 KO mice had lower uptake rates for both dodecamers, whereas, the Stabilin-1 KO mice had lower endocytosis rates for the 12mer than the n12mer. 3-O sulfation of heparin is correlated to both a longer circulatory half-life and hepatotropism which is largely performed by the Stabilin receptors

The State of the Region: Hampton Roads 2015

This is Old Dominion University\u27s 16th annual State of the Region report. While it represents the work of many people connected in various ways to the university, the report does not constitute an official viewpoint of Old Dominion or it\u27s president, John R. Broderick. The report maintains the goal of stimulating thought and discussion that ultimately will make Hampton Roads an even better place to live. We are proud of our region\u27s many successes, but realize that it is possible to improve our performance. In order to do so, we must have accurate information about where we are and a sound understanding of the policy options open to us.https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/economics_books/1003/thumbnail.jp

Variation in sugarcane biomass composition and enzymatic saccharification of leaves, internodes and roots

Background The composition of biomass determines its suitability for different applications within a biorefinery system. The proportion of the major biomass fractions (sugar, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) may vary in different sugarcane genotypes and growth environments and different parts of the plant. This study investigated the composition of mature and immature internodes, roots and mature leaves of sugarcane. Results Internodes were found to have a significantly larger alcohol-soluble component than leaves and roots. The primary difference between the immature and mature internodes was the ratio of soluble sugars. In mature tissues, sucrose content was significantly higher, whereas in immature internodal tissues there was lower sucrose and heightened concentrations of reducing sugars. Carbon (C) partitioning in leaf tissues was characterised by low levels of soluble components and high other and cell wall fractions. Root tissue had low ratios of soluble fractions relative to their cell wall contents, indicating a lack of storage of soluble carbon. There was no significant difference in the ratio of the major cell wall fractions between the major organ types. Characterisation of individual non-cellulosic monomers indicated leaf and root tissues had significantly higher arabinose and galactose fractions. Significantly larger proportions of syringyl lignin compounds and the hydroxycinnamic compound, p-coumaric acid were observed in mature internodal tissues compared to the other tissue types. Tissue-specific differences in composition were shown to greatly affect the recalcitrance of the cell wall to enzymatic saccharification. Conclusions Overall, this study displayed clear evidence of the differential partitioning of C throughout the sugarcane plant in specific organs. These organ-specific differences have major implications in their utility as a bioproduct feedstock. For example, the inclusion of trash (leaves) with the culms (internodes) may alter processing efficiency.This research was supported by SRA, via a Sugar Industry Postgraduate Research Scholarship (SPRS)

Hierarchical assembly of discrete copper(ii) metallo-structures from pre-assembled dinuclear (bis-beta-diketonato)metallocycles and flexible difunctional co-ligands

The sequential interaction of preformed [Cu(L) (THF)] (where HL is 1,1-(1,3-phenylene)-bis(4,4-dimethylpentane-1,3-dione incorporating a 1,3-phenylene linker between its two β-diketone domains) and [Cu (L)]·2HO (where H L is 1,1-(4,4′-oxybiphenylene)-bis(4,4- dimethylpentane-1,3-dione) incorporating a flexible oxybiphenylene linkage between the two β-diketone groups) with the potentially difunctional aliphatic non-planar co-ligands, N-methylpiperazine (mpip), N,N′- dimethylpiperazine (dmpip) and 1,4-thiomorpholine (thiomorph) is reported. A series of extended molecular assemblies exhibiting a range of di- and tetranuclear assemblies were obtained and their X-ray structures determined. Dinuclear [Cu(L)(mpip)] ·2mpip incorporates two 5-coordinate, square pyramidal metal centres as does tetranuclear [{Cu(L)} (dmpip)]·2dmpip. In contrast, dinuclear [Cu (L)(dmpip)]·dmpip and [{Cu(L)}(thiomorph) ]·3thiomorph each contain two 5-coordinate and two 6-coordinate centres. Each of [Cu(L)(THF) ]·2THF and Cu(L)(mpip) ]·HO incorporate only 5-coordinate metal centres, with the latter complex forming a one-dimensional hydrogen bonded ribbon-like structure directed along the crystallographic a-axis. In keeping with the documented tendency for the smallest, least strained assembly to form in supramolecular self-assembly processes, the incorporation of the flexible "oxy" linkage between the 4,4′-linked phenylene rings of H L results in generation of a dinuclear [Cu L] species rather than a trinuclear (triangular) [CuL] species of the type formed by the more rigid bis-β-diketonato ligand analogue in which the biphenylene rings separating the β-diketone domains are directly coupled in their 4,4′ positions

Gene expression profiling of mucinous ovarian tumors and comparison with upper and lower gastrointestinal tumors identifies markers associated with adverse outcomes.

PURPOSE: Advanced-stage mucinous ovarian carcinoma (MOC) has poor chemotherapy response and prognosis and lacks biomarkers to aid stage I adjuvant treatment. Differentiating primary MOC from gastrointestinal (GI) metastases to the ovary is also challenging due to phenotypic similarities. Clinicopathologic and gene-expression data were analyzed to identify prognostic and diagnostic features. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Discovery analyses selected 19 genes with prognostic/diagnostic potential. Validation was performed through the Ovarian Tumor Tissue Analysis consortium and GI cancer biobanks comprising 604 patients with MOC (n = 333), mucinous borderline ovarian tumors (MBOT, n = 151), and upper GI (n = 65) and lower GI tumors (n = 55). RESULTS: Infiltrative pattern of invasion was associated with decreased overall survival (OS) within 2 years from diagnosis, compared with expansile pattern in stage I MOC [hazard ratio (HR), 2.77; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–7.41, P = 0.042]. Increased expression of THBS2 and TAGLN was associated with shorter OS in MOC patients (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04–1.51, P = 0.016) and (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.01–1.45, P = 0.043), respectively. ERBB2 (HER2) amplification or high mRNA expression was evident in 64 of 243 (26%) of MOCs, but only 8 of 243 (3%) were also infiltrative (4/39, 10%) or stage III/IV (4/31, 13%). CONCLUSIONS: An infiltrative growth pattern infers poor prognosis within 2 years from diagnosis and may help select stage I patients for adjuvant therapy. High expression of THBS2 and TAGLN in MOC confers an adverse prognosis and is upregulated in the infiltrative subtype, which warrants further investigation. Anti-HER2 therapy should be investigated in a subset of patients. MOC samples clustered with upper GI, yet markers to differentiate these entities remain elusive, suggesting similar underlying biology and shared treatment strategies