scholarly journals Narrowing the early mathematics gap: A play-based intervention to promote low-income preschoolers’ number skills

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole R. Scalise ◽  
Emily N. Daubert ◽  
Geetha B. Ramani
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Numerical Magnitude ◽  
Card Game ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Early Mathematics ◽  
Magnitude Comparison ◽  
Number Representations ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Symbolic Number ◽  
Numerical Knowledge

Preschoolers from low-income households lag behind preschoolers from middle-income households on numerical skills that underlie later mathematics achievement. However, it is unknown whether these gaps exist on parallel measures of symbolic and non-symbolic numerical skills. Experiment 1 indicated preschoolers from low-income backgrounds were less accurate than peers from middle-income backgrounds on a measure of symbolic magnitude comparison, but they performed equivalently on a measure of non-symbolic magnitude comparison. This suggests activities linking non-symbolic and symbolic number representations may be used to support children’s numerical knowledge. Experiment 2 randomly assigned low-income preschoolers (Mean Age = 4.7 years) to play either a numerical magnitude comparison or a numerical matching card game across four 15 min sessions over a 3-week period. The magnitude comparison card game led to significant improvements in participants’ symbolic magnitude comparison skills in an immediate posttest assessment. Following the intervention, low-income participants performed equivalently to an age- and gender-matched sample of middle-income preschoolers in symbolic magnitude comparison. These results suggest a brief intervention that combines non-symbolic and symbolic magnitude representations can support low-income preschoolers’ early numerical knowledge.

scholarly journals Health of transgender men in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. e003471
Author(s):  
Ayden Scheim ◽  
Vibhuti Kacholia ◽  
Carmen Logie ◽  
Venkatesan Chakrapani ◽  
Ketki Ranade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Men’S Health ◽  
Men's Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Trans Men ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

IntroductionDespite the rapid growth of research on transgender (trans) health globally, the extent of research on trans men and other transmasculine persons assigned the female sex at birth remains unclear. We, therefore, conducted a scoping review on trans men’s health in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsThe review included peer-reviewed articles and conference abstracts, and grey literature published from 1 January 1999 to 5 July 2019 in English, French, Hindi or Spanish and reporting original quantitative and/or qualitative data on the health of trans men or transmasculine persons living in LMIC. Studies were excluded if they did not disaggregate data for trans men or if they only described surgical techniques or laboratory values.ResultsWe included 53 studies (42 peer-reviewed and 11 grey literature) from 19 LMIC. Most were conducted in higher-middle-income countries (n=12) and in Latin America (n=16, 30.2%), the Middle East (n=14, 26.4%) or Sub-Saharan Africa (n=12, 22.6%) and published in 2014 or later (n=44, 83.0%). Approximately half of studies used quantitative methods (52.8%, n=28), of which 64.3% (n=18) had fewer than 50 participants and 14.2% (n=4) had over 150. Across study designs, social determinants of health and gender-affirming care were the most commonly represented domains (49.1% and 47.1% of studies respectively), with common themes including gender-based violence, coercion and discrimination as well as unprescribed hormone use. Other domains represented included mental health (32.1%), sexual and reproductive health (24.5%), general healthcare access (18.9%), physical health (9.4%) and substance use (9.4%).ConclusionGreater inclusion and disaggregation of trans men and transmasculine persons in global health research is needed to support sex- and gender-based analyses of trans health. Community-based research approaches and theoretically driven research may help to increase the relevance and rigour of such research. Funders should invest in research on trans men’s health in LMIC.

scholarly journals Cognitive mediators of US—China differences in early symbolic arithmetic

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255283
Author(s):  
John E. Opfer ◽  
Dan Kim ◽  
Lisa K. Fazio ◽  
Xinlin Zhou ◽  
Robert S. Siegler
Keyword(s):  
Standardized Tests ◽  
Number Line ◽  
Chinese Children ◽  
Numerical Magnitude ◽  
Magnitude Comparison ◽  
Cognitive Mediators ◽  
Number Line Estimation ◽  
Mathematics Knowledge ◽  
Us Children ◽  
Symbolic Number

Chinese children routinely outperform American peers in standardized tests of mathematics knowledge. To examine mediators of this effect, 95 Chinese and US 5-year-olds completed a test of overall symbolic arithmetic, an IQ subtest, and three tests each of symbolic and non-symbolic numerical magnitude knowledge (magnitude comparison, approximate addition, and number-line estimation). Overall Chinese children performed better in symbolic arithmetic than US children, and all measures of IQ and number knowledge predicted overall symbolic arithmetic. Chinese children were more accurate than US peers in symbolic numerical magnitude comparison, symbolic approximate addition, and both symbolic and non-symbolic number-line estimation; Chinese and U.S. children did not differ in IQ and non-symbolic magnitude comparison and approximate addition. A substantial amount of the nationality difference in overall symbolic arithmetic was mediated by performance on the symbolic and number-line tests.

scholarly journals Redefining the Boundaries of Hidden Homelessness: An Examination of the Experiences of Women in Toronto and Barrie

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Muzorewa
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Red Tape ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

Following the devolution of affordable housing to lower levels of government, municipalities have been partnering with private developers to address the growing problem of hidden homelessness, through the inclusionary housing (IH) policy. Very little has been written about this policy in Ontario, hence the purpose of this qualitative case study was (i) to uncover how women experience hidden homelessness in Toronto and Barrie, (ii) to analyze, understand, and evaluate the implementation of IH policy in Ontario, and (iii) to examine the effect of IH policy as it relates to women experiencing hidden homelessness in Toronto and Barrie. In-depth interviews were conducted with eleven women who were currently experiencing hidden homelessness or had a history of hidden homelessness, five policy experts, two private developers, and five frontline workers from community organizations working to end homelessness in Toronto and Barrie. An intersectional gender-based analysis was used to uncover the prevalence of hidden homelessness among women, and the effect of the IH policy in addressing this problem. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis and particular attention was given to women’s experiences with hidden homelessness and the perspectives of policy-makers and stakeholders. The findings suggests that, women experiencing hidden homelessness were situated within a hostile housing market where some were compelled to live in unsafe, substandard, overcrowded conditions, and were exposed to violence, while others lived in houses they could not afford, often working two jobs to cover rent. Although the introduction of Bill 7of the Affordable Housing Act, 2016, gave municipalities authority to implement IH strategies to boost affordable housing stock, yet slow implementation processes, challenges in negotiating a happy medium, red tape and the high cost of land, minimizes the effect of the IH strategy in Ontario. As such, the IH policy has not yielded any significant effect in Toronto or Barrie, and is only targeted at middle to upper middle income earners, at the exclusion of low-income women experiencing hidden homelessness. In addition, poor conceptualization of gendered homelessness, coupled with the absence of gendered statistics, and gender neutrality in the formulation and implementation of the IH policy, exacerbates women’s experiences with hidden homelessness. Moreover, a lack of political will to end homelessness further dampens the effects of IH strategies. Participants suggested a more integrative, multidimensional approach to ending homelessness.

scholarly journals Whole-brain MEG decoding of symbolic and non-symbolic number stimuli reveals primarily format-dependent representations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett B. Bankson ◽  
Daniel Janini ◽  
Chris I. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Classification Accuracy ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Early Time ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Feature Model ◽  
Numerical Magnitude ◽  
Numerical Comparison ◽  
Number Representation ◽  
Number Representations ◽  
Symbolic Number

AbstractThe human brain can rapidly form representations of numerical magnitude, whether presented with symbolic stimuli like digits and words or non-symbolic stimuli like dot displays. Little is known about the relative time course of these symbolic and non-symbolic number representations. We investigated the emergence of number representations for three stimulus formats - digits, words, and dot arrays - by applying multivariate pattern analysis to MEG recordings from 22 participants. We first conducted within-format classification to identify the time course by which individual numbers can be decoded from the MEG signal. Peak classification accuracy for individual numbers in all three formats occurred around 110 ms after stimulus onset. Next, we used between-format classification to determine the time course of shared number representations between stimulus formats. Classification accuracy between formats was much weaker than within format classification, but it was also significant at early time points, around 100 ms for both digit / dot and digit / word comparisons. We then used representational similarity analysis to determine if we could explain variance in the MEG representational geometry using two models: a GIST feature model capturing low-level visual properties and an approximate number model capturing the numerical magnitude of the stimuli. Model RSA results differed between stimulus formats: while the GIST model explained unique variance from 100-300 ms for all number formats, the performance of the approximate number model differed between formats. Together, these results are consistent with the view that distinct, format-specific number representations, moreso than a single “abstract” number representation, form the basis of numerical comparison.

scholarly journals Hydrostatic reduction of intussusception with intermittent radiography: an alternative to fluoroscopy or ultrasound-guided reduction in low-income and middle-income countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000221
Author(s):  
Tanvir Kabir Chowdhury ◽  
Md. Qumrul Ahsan ◽  
Mohammad Zonaid Chowdhury ◽  
Md. Tameem Shafayat Chowdhury ◽  
Md. Sharif Imam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Hydrostatic Reduction ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Water Soluble Contrast Medium

BackgroundAlthough hydrostatic reduction of intussusception with ultrasound (US) or fluoroscopy guidance is well known, it is not yet well established in many low-income and middle-income countries. The aim of the study is to report our results of hydrostatic reduction with intermittent radiography, which has the potential to be practiced in resource-limited settings.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed our patients with intussusception from 2009 to 2019 (11 years). Hydrostatic reduction was performed using water-soluble contrast medium (iopamidol), and reduction was followed with intermittent X-rays taken after every 50 mL of diluted contrast injection. The procedure was not continuously monitored by US or fluoroscopy. Differences in outcome based on age and gender, and yearly trends of admission for intussusception, types of treatment and mortality were analyzed.ResultsAmong 672 patients, the ratio of boys to girls was 2.46:1.0, and their ages ranged from 1 month to 15 years (median 8 months). Hydrostatic reduction was performed successfully in 351 (52.23%) patients; 308 (45.83%) patients underwent surgery; and 13 (1.93%) patients died before any intervention. There were significant differences in age between patients with successful hydrostatic reduction (median 7 months) and patients needing surgery (median 9 months) (p<0.001). The number of successful hydrostatic reductions increased during the 11 years of the study (R2=0.88). One patient (0.15%) died after hydrostatic reduction, and 10 (1.49%) died after surgery.ConclusionHydrostatic reduction with intermittent radiography was performed successfully in more than half of the patients with acceptable complication rates.

Redefining the Boundaries of Hidden Homelessness: An Examination of the Experiences of Women in Toronto and Barrie

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Muzorewa
Keyword(s):  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Red Tape ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

Following the devolution of affordable housing to lower levels of government, municipalities have been partnering with private developers to address the growing problem of hidden homelessness, through the inclusionary housing (IH) policy. Very little has been written about this policy in Ontario, hence the purpose of this qualitative case study was (i) to uncover how women experience hidden homelessness in Toronto and Barrie, (ii) to analyze, understand, and evaluate the implementation of IH policy in Ontario, and (iii) to examine the effect of IH policy as it relates to women experiencing hidden homelessness in Toronto and Barrie. In-depth interviews were conducted with eleven women who were currently experiencing hidden homelessness or had a history of hidden homelessness, five policy experts, two private developers, and five frontline workers from community organizations working to end homelessness in Toronto and Barrie. An intersectional gender-based analysis was used to uncover the prevalence of hidden homelessness among women, and the effect of the IH policy in addressing this problem. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis and particular attention was given to women’s experiences with hidden homelessness and the perspectives of policy-makers and stakeholders. The findings suggests that, women experiencing hidden homelessness were situated within a hostile housing market where some were compelled to live in unsafe, substandard, overcrowded conditions, and were exposed to violence, while others lived in houses they could not afford, often working two jobs to cover rent. Although the introduction of Bill 7of the Affordable Housing Act, 2016, gave municipalities authority to implement IH strategies to boost affordable housing stock, yet slow implementation processes, challenges in negotiating a happy medium, red tape and the high cost of land, minimizes the effect of the IH strategy in Ontario. As such, the IH policy has not yielded any significant effect in Toronto or Barrie, and is only targeted at middle to upper middle income earners, at the exclusion of low-income women experiencing hidden homelessness. In addition, poor conceptualization of gendered homelessness, coupled with the absence of gendered statistics, and gender neutrality in the formulation and implementation of the IH policy, exacerbates women’s experiences with hidden homelessness. Moreover, a lack of political will to end homelessness further dampens the effects of IH strategies. Participants suggested a more integrative, multidimensional approach to ending homelessness.

scholarly journals Numerical Magnitude Skills in 6-Years-Old Children: Exploring Specific Associations with Components of Executive Function

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venera Gashaj ◽  
Yoann Uehlinger ◽  
Claudia M. Roebers
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Number Line ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Numerical Magnitude ◽  
Spatial Updating ◽  
Magnitude Comparison ◽  
Performance Differences ◽  
Symbolic Number

<p>Little is known about how children learn to associate numbers with their corresponding magnitude and about individual characteristics contributing to performance differences on the numerical magnitude tasks within a relatively homogenous sample of 6-year-olds. The present study investigated the relationships between components of executive function and two different numerical magnitude skills in a sample of 162 kindergartners. The Symbolic Number Line was predicted by verbal updating and switching, whereas the Symbolic Magnitude Comparison was predicted by inhibition. Both symbolic tasks were predicted by visuo-spatial updating. Current findings suggest that visuo-spatial updating underlies young children’s retrieval and processing of numbers’ magnitude.</p>

scholarly journals Domain-specific and domain-general training to improve kindergarten children’s mathematics

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 468-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geetha B. Ramani ◽  
Susanne M. Jaeggi ◽  
Emily N. Daubert ◽  
Martin Buschkuehl
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Conceptual Knowledge ◽  
Number Line ◽  
Kindergarten Children ◽  
Numerical Magnitude ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Number Line Estimation ◽  
Numerical Knowledge

Ensuring that kindergarten children have a solid foundation in early numerical knowledge is of critical importance for later mathematical achievement. In this study, we targeted improving the numerical knowledge of kindergarteners (n = 81) from primarily low-income backgrounds using two approaches: one targeting their conceptual knowledge, specifically, their understanding of numerical magnitudes; and the other targeting their underlying cognitive system, specifically, their working memory. Both interventions involved playing game-like activities on tablet computers over the course of several sessions. As predicted, both interventions improved children’s numerical magnitude knowledge as compared to a no-contact control group, suggesting that both domain-specific and domain-general interventions facilitate mathematical learning. Individual differences in effort during the working memory game, but not the number knowledge training game predicted children’s improvements in number line estimation. The results demonstrate the potential of using a rapidly growing technology in early childhood classrooms to promote young children’s numerical knowledge.

scholarly journals Absorbency of Biodegradable Materials for Menstrual Hygiene Management Products in Low-and Middle-income Countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmin Foster ◽  
Paul Montgomery
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene Management ◽  
Sanitary Products ◽  
Extraction Processes ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Complex Extraction ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract IntroductionGirls in low-and middle-income countries struggle to maintain good menstrual hygiene in part due to a lack of affordable sanitary products. The unaffordability of reliable sanitary products can lead to school absenteeism and is a barrier to education attainment and gender equality for girls in low income contexts. Further the lack of adequate disposal facilities can lead to social embarrassment and environmental pollution.MethodsLow-cost biodegradable absorbents (cotton terry cloth, linen, hemp cloth and bamboo wadding) were investigated in gelatine solution in terms of their absorptivity for use in menstrual hygiene.ResultsBamboo wadding exhibits the highest absorptivity index (7.86), greater than cotton terry cloth (0.84), hemp cloth (1.4), linen (1.57) and a commercial sanitary pad (4.38).ConclusionsThough the absorptivity index of bamboo wadding is promising, especially in the light of the vast availability of bamboo in tropical low-and middle income countries, challenges lie in overcoming complex extraction processes from bamboo plants which is discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document