Low Levels Of Discrimination Research Articles

Using Rasch analysis to investigate the validity of the Everyday Discrimination Scale in a national sample.

The Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) is a widely used measure of discrimination. Rasch analysis was used to examine the psychometric properties of the EDS based on a national sample (N = 2666). Items largely fit the Rasch model and yielded excellent separation and item reliability. However, severe floor effects were observed. Implications are discussed for use of the scale in populations that experience low levels of discrimination. An ordinal-to-interval conversion table for the EDS is also provided.

Developing an Assessment Instrument of Higher Order Thinking Skills in Mathematics with in Islamic Context

This study aims to develop an instrument to measure students’ Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in mathematics that integrates Islamic context and identify the Islamic context which becomes the student’s constraint in answering HOTS test items. The study was conducted through 5 stages: developing test specifications, writing test, reviewing test items, administering the test try-out and analysing the test. The instruments included question in algebra, statistics and arithmetic, taking Islamic contexts of muamalah, fiqh and aqidah. The instruments were tried out to 165 grade-9 students in 4 Madrasah Tsanawiyah or junior secondary schools in East Java. The try-out results were analysed using Item Response Theory (IRT) with BILOG-MG software and triangulated using descriptive analysis to find items that are difficult. The results show that out of 8 test items developed, 1 item has to be taken out from the analysis because it has a negative point biserial correlation. Five items have good discrimination level and guessing level. The other 2 items have either low discrimination level or high difficulty level. The students find difficulties in answering questions with the context of muamalah and fiqh that require HOTS. However, students find it easy to answer questions using the context of aqidah.

Abstract P361: Inflammatory Burden May Partially Mediate the Relationship Between Everyday Discrimination and Carotid Plaque Height in Midlife Women

Introduction: Self-reported experiences of discrimination have been associated with greater risk of incident cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality across racial/ethnic groups. However, questions remain regarding the potential mechanisms through which perceived discrimination may influence cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, the relationship between self-reported discrimination with markers of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as atherosclerotic plaque presence, burden, and characteristics remains unclear. We hypothesized that perceived discrimination is associated with subclinical measures of carotid atherosclerosis indicative of greater CVD risk and that inflammation is a mechanism contributing to this relationship. Methods: Late peri- and postmenopausal women without clinical CVD (n=300) completed the Everyday Discrimination Scale, developed in order to assess day-to-day experiences of interpersonal mistreatment, and underwent B-mode ultrasound to assess carotid atherosclerosis. Associations between everyday discrimination and measures of carotid plaque presence, burden (total number of plaques, total plaque area), and characteristics (maximum height, grey-scale median, and calcification) were evaluated using linear and logistic regression models adjusted for demographics, as well as CVD and psychosocial risk factors. Overall circulating inflammatory burden, comprising C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and fibrinogen was identified via exploratory factor analysis and was evaluated as a potential mediator of the relationship between everyday discrimination and subclinical CVD through the ratio of the natural indirect effect and the total effect by inverse probability weighting. Results: The sample was predominately white (72% white (n=216); 22% black (n=66)), nearly half the women (n=138) had at least one carotid plaque, and 40% (n=120) reported experiencing high levels of everyday discrimination. After adjustment, women who reported high levels of discrimination had a maximum carotid plaque height 0.29 mm higher (p=0.03) than those who reported lower levels of discrimination. Circulating inflammatory burden was identified as a partial mediator of the relationship between high discrimination and carotid plaque height explaining 31% of the relationship. There were no significant associations of plaque presence, burden, or other plaque characteristics with discrimination, and the results did not vary by race/ethnicity. Conclusions: These findings add to the growing evidence that perceived discrimination may be associated with elevated cardiovascular disease risk among women of various racial/ethnic groups. These results suggest that increased inflammatory burden may be a mechanism through which experiences of discrimination may be associated with the development of atherosclerosis in midlife women.

Post-translational modifications in tumor biomarkers: the next challenge for aptamers?

Advances in proteomics have fueled the search for novel cancer biomarkers with higher selectivity. Differential expression of low abundant proteins has been the usual way of finding those biomarkers. The existence of a selective receptor for each biomarker is compulsory for their use in diagnostic/prognostic assays. Antibodies are the receptors of choice in most cases although aptamers are becoming familiar because of their facile and reproducible synthesis, chemical stability as well as comparable affinity and selectivity. In recent years, it has been reported that the pattern of post-translational modifications, altered under neoplastic disease, is a better predictive biomarker than the total protein level. Among others, abnormal glycosylation is attracting great attention. Lectins and antibodies are being used for identification and detection of the carbohydrate moiety with low level of discrimination among various glycoproteins. Such level of selectivity is critical to bring next-generation biomarkers to the clinic. Aptamers that can be rationally tailored for a certain molecule domain can become the golden receptor to specifically detect aberrant glycosylation at each protein or even at each glycosylation site, providing new diagnostic tools for early detection of cancer. Graphical abstract Aptamers may specifically differentiate normal from aberrant glycoproteins.

Comparison of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry with VITEK2 Gram Positive System for Identification of Beta Haemolytic Streptococci

Background: Matrix–assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is known as a successful tool for bacterial identification and suitable for clinical diagnostics. The aim of our study was to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of MALDI-TOF MS system and VITEK2 Gram Positive Identification (GP ID) system for the identification of Beta Hemolytic Streptococci (BHS). Materials and Methods: A total 148 BHS which were isolated from various clinical specimens were included in the study. Isolates were identified by Bruker Biotyper 3.4 and VITEK2 GP ID coupled to the agglutination test. Identification results for Bruker Biotyper 3.4 and VITEK2 GP ID systems were classified in three different categories as follows: correct identification, low level of discrimination, no identification/misidentification. Identification results of BHS were evaluated according to these categories. Results: BHS isolates were defined as Streptococcus pyogenes (n: 69), Streptococcus agalactiae (n: 59), Streptococcus dysgalactiae serogroup C (n: 5), and Streptococcus dysgalactiae serogroup G (n: 15) according to latex agglutination assay. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of 148 BHS isolates yielded correct identification for 89.9% of S. pyogenes , 64.4% of S. agalactiae , and 95.0% S. dysagalactiae serogroup C and G; while VITEK2 GP ID gave correct identification for 62.3% of S. pyogenes , 67.8% of S. agalactiae , and 65.0% of S. dysagalactiae serogroup C and G. Conclusions: MALDI-TOF MS-based identification provides faster and more accurate identification of beta-hemolytic streptococcal species than VITEK2 GP ID system.

Ethnic/racial discrimination moderates the effect of sleep quality on school engagement across high school.

Previous research has indicated that school engagement tends to decline across high school. At the same time, sleep problems and exposure to social stressors such as ethnic/racial discrimination increase. The current study uses a biopsychosocial perspective to examine the interactive and prospective effects of sleep and discrimination on trajectories of academic performance. Growth curve models were used to explore changes in 6 waves of academic outcomes in a sample of 310 ethnically and racially diverse adolescents (mean age = 14.47 years, SD = .78, and 64.1% female). Ethnic/racial discrimination was assessed at Time 1 in a single survey. Sleep quality and duration were also assessed at Time 1 with daily diary surveys. School engagement and grades were reported every 6 months for 3 years. Higher self-reported sleep quality in the ninth grade was associated with higher levels of academic engagement at the start of high school. Ethnic/racial discrimination moderated the relationship between sleep quality and engagement such that adolescents reporting low levels of discrimination reported a steeper increase in engagement over time, whereas their peers reporting poor sleep quality and high levels of discrimination reported the worse engagement in the ninth grade and throughout high school. The combination of poor sleep quality and high levels of discrimination in ninth grade has downstream consequences for adolescent academic outcomes. This study applies the biopsychosocial model to understand the development and daily experiences of diverse adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record

Focusing anti-discrimination efforts in areas of most relevance to people affected by leprosy

We conducted a brief survey using a number of dimensions of the Principles and Guidelines accompanying the Resolution on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, to increase our understanding of the dimensions of discrimination which impact most closely on people affected by leprosy. Our study included 265 participants from 20 different countries. We found that participants reported higher levels of discrimination on practical and personal issues, and lower levels of discrimination on more abstract issues that didnt impact them directly. These findings may inform implementation of the Principles and Guidelines, providing justification for prioritising practical and local measures, which are likely to have the most immediate impact on people affected by leprosy.

Discrimination Towards Ethnic Minorities: How Does it Relate to Majority Group Members’ Outgroup Attitudes and Support for Multiculturalism

We examined how ethnic discrimination targeting ethnic minority group members would affect majority group members’ attitudes and multiculturalism towards ethnic minority groups in the context of Turkish–Kurdish interethnic conflict. Study 1 (N = 356) demonstrated that the extent to which majorities (Turkish) believed there was ethnic discrimination towards minorities (Kurdish) in the Turkish society was associated with positive outgroup attitudes and support for multiculturalism through decreased levels of perceived threat from the outgroup. Study 2 (N = 82) showed that Turkish participants who read bogus news reports about the prevalence of ethnic discrimination towards the Kurdish were more positive towards this ethnic group (higher levels of support for multiculturalism, culture maintenance, and intergroup contact) compared to participants in the neutral condition. Furthermore, participants who were presented with lower levels of discrimination (few companies have been discriminatory against the Kurdish) were more positive towards Kurdish people than participants who were presented with higher levels of discrimination (most companies have been discriminatory against the Kurdish). Regardless of the intensity of discrimination, information about the prevalence of ethnic discrimination improved majority members’ attitudes towards ethnic minority groups. Practical and theoretical implications of the studies were discussed.

Microaggressions, Discrimination, and Phenotype among African Americans: A Latent Class Analysis of the Impact of Skin Tone and BMI.

Data from the 2001-2003National Survey of American Life are used to investigate the effects of phenotype on everyday experiences with discrimination among African Americans (N=3343). Latent class analysis is used to identify four classes of discriminatory treatment: 1) low levels of discrimination, 2) disrespect and condescension, 3) character-based discrimination, and 4) high levels of discrimination. We then employ latent class multinomial logistic regression to evaluate the association between skin tone and body weight and these four classes of discrimination. Designating the low level discrimination class as the reference group, findings revealed that respondents with darker skin were more likely to be classified into the disrespect/condescension and the high level microaggression types. BMI was unrelated to the discrimination type, although there was a significant interaction effect between gender and BMI. BMI was strongly and positively associated with membership in the disrespect and condescension type among men but not among women. These findings indicate that skin tone and body weight are two phenotypic characteristics that influence the type and frequency of discrimination experienced by African Americans.

Shared workplace experiences of lesbian and gay police officers in the United Kingdom

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explores the contemporary workplace experiences of lesbian and gay officers who serve across the UK.Design/methodology/approach– Using an online survey, the research asked lesbian and gay officers to share their experiences in law enforcement environments. Acknowledging the changing climate in many law enforcement environments, this respondents here were asked to focus on both positive and negative experiences in the workplace.Findings– The responses of 243 police officers revealed that lesbian and gay officers face barriers to equal employment opportunities similar to those faced by women and other minorities in law enforcement, but lesbian officers appear to experience and witness lower levels of discrimination than gay male police officers. Attitudinal bias against lesbian and gay officers remains a significant problem in the force. Lesbian officers report feelings of tokenism at higher levels than gay male police officers.Research limitations/implications– Future research endeavors should analyze any differences between the experiences of different lesbians and gay men at different levels of visibility within law enforcement, including “out” and “closeted” officers. Research about when officers come out as lesbian or gay – during training, on the force, after they retire – would be insightful in understanding officers’ perceptions.Practical implications– The research suggests that police departments in the UK have made good strides in opening the law enforcement workforce, but continue to face on-going challenges in creating fair, diverse, and representative work environments for lesbian and gay officers. Specifically, agencies should review policies where supervisor have discretion over the employment-related actions. By not meetings the challenges of a more diverse workplace, agencies risk lower job satisfaction, and decreased police effectiveness, especially on community policing environments.Originality/value– This research joins a small, but growing body of research that offers specific barriers and opportunities – as perceived by the officers. As other agencies engage in efforts to recruit and retain diversity police forces, the results of this research can enhance policies and practices, with regards to lesbian and gay officers.

South–South Migration and Discrimination Against Women in Social Institutions: A Two-way Relationship

Using the Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) from the OECD Development Centre, this paper provides evidence on the two-way relationship between discrimination against women in social institutions and South–South migration. On the one hand, discriminatory social institutions in both origin and destination countries are an additional determinant of female migration. On the other hand, migration implies changes in discrimination against women according to the level of gender inequalities at destination. Specifically, migration toward countries with low levels of discrimination promotes gender equality in social institutions at home, while migration toward destinations with high levels of discrimination has the reverse effect.

Within-Species Mate Preferences Do Not Contribute to the Maintenance of Sexually Monomorphic Mating Signals in Green Lacewings

We know much less about the evolutionary forces and constraints that maintain similar mating displays in females and males than we do about sexually dimorphic mating displays. Both female and male green lacewings have sexually monomorphic vibrational mating signals and are equally choosy against heterospecific mating signals. This similarity in between-species sex roles may explain a large part of the presence of species-specific female signals in these species, but does not necessarily predict why female and male signals are similar. We tested for within-species sex-specific similarities in mate preferences in Chrysoperla lucasina that may contribute to the maintenance of sexually monomorphic mating signals in this species. We found weak preferences and low levels of discrimination for signals with varying fine-scale temporal features (volley duration, period, and volley-duty cycle). The longer signals that both sexes produced in response to playback were sexually monomorphic, but some females and most males also produced shorter signals with significantly reduced volley durations and periods. Notably, all of these signals had indistinguishable volley-duty cycles, the ratio of volley duration to volley period. We propose that mating signals in C. lucasina are maintained in both sexes because of similar between-species mate preferences, but the sexually monomorphic mating signals cannot be attributed to significant within-species mate preferences. What differences are present in within-species sex roles may be resolved by a male-biased signal polymorphism, in long and short signals that are hypothesized to have distinct functions during mate calling and courtship.

Housing Discrimination Among Available Housing Units in 2012: Do Paired Testing Studies Understate Housing Discrimination?

In 2012, the Department of Housing and Urban Development launched the fourth major nationwide housing discrimination study with the goal of measuring housing discrimination in rental and owner-occupied housing for blacks, Hispanics and Asians. The substantial declines in discrimination observed between 1989 and 2000 lead to a considerable debate about whether paired testing studies of the type conducted in 2000 understate the extent of housing discrimination. Using the 2012 study and earlier evidence, this paper considers three of the significant concerns about paired testing studies of housing discrimination: 1. exclusion of minorities during the process of setting up appointments, 2. the net measure of adverse treatment understating discrimination because some housing units are systematically not shown to white testers, and 3. the use of metropolitan wide advertisements for conducting tests may systematically miss neighborhoods where discrimination is higher. The 2012 study directly addresses the first concern finding at most very low levels of discrimination in obtaining an appointment over the phone. The evidence for the second concern is mixed. The levels of equal treatment in 2012 in terms of basic access were quite high leaving little room for the systematic exclusion of white under some circumstances, while steering persisted against both blacks and Asians in owner-occupied housing. Nonetheless, estimates of steering were modest, and the gross levels of adverse treatment are far too large to be explained by the steering observed in 2012. In order to address the third concern, this paper conducts a new empirical analysis in which we measure the availability of rental and owner-occupied housing in each broad neighborhood represented in the 2012 Housing Discrimination Study, and reweight the tests to represent the spatial availability of housing across each metropolitan site rather than the distribution of advertisements. While the reweighting substantially changed the weights on individual tests, the average attributes of the neighborhoods represented by those tests experienced only modest changes from reweighting, and the estimated measures of adverse treatment were unchanged.

Endogenous categorization and group inequality

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of categorization endogeneity (CE), meant as the influence of endogenous elements (e.g. behavioral traits) in group categorization, in the persistence of group inequality.Design/methodology/approach– The author integrates economic and sociological elements in a dynamic model of human capital accumulation by phenotypically distinct individuals. Both kinds of elements are influenced by the degree of CE.Findings– Effect of CE in the incentive of members of dominated groups to accumulate human capital is twofold: it allows them to pass as belonging to the dominant group but, on the other hand, it reduces the social pay-off stemming from such behavior, as they may be “expelled” from the reference group by their peers. It is found that, under sufficiently low levels of discrimination, CE widens the range of values of the neighborhood effects parameter for which group inequality is stable.Originality/value– Despite the endogeneity of categorization has been explored in other studies, this is the first one which argues that this element may underpin, under certain conditions, group inequality regarding human capital accumulation. The results presented here sheds some light on real-world issues, as the nature of neighborhood effects, the role of segregation on the maintenance of racial inequality and public policies to combat group inequality.

Representation and Inclusion in Public Organizations: Evidence from the U.K. Civil Service

AbstractTheories of workforce diversity in the public sector assume that organizations that are more representative of the population they serve are more likely to foster an inclusive work climate in which individuals from different sections of society can thrive. The authors examine this assumption by studying whether gender and minority ethnic representativeness are related to perceptions of inclusiveness and the experience of discrimination and bullying within U.K. civil service organizations. Findings suggest that gender representativeness and minority ethnic representativeness are both associated with an inclusive work climate, with each aspect of representativeness positively related to higher perceptions of inclusion and lower levels of discrimination and bullying. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Perceived Discrimination and Social Identity as Adolescents' Pathways to Early Substance Use

This study investigated the influence of discrimination and social identity on adolescent’s substance use in selected secondary schools in Ibadan – an investigation predicated on the argument that angry, maladaptive and externalizing behaviours such as substance use could emerge from sustained social hostility and one’s identity confusion. Three hundred and forty-six (346) adolescents were randomly selected from four schools to take part in the study. Results of univariate analysis show that social stress associated with perceived and actual discrimination led highly discriminated adolescents to report high levels of substance use compared to adolescents who experienced low levels of discrimination (F=8.84, df=1, 338, p<.001). Also, adolescents’ social identity did not show significant influence on substance use but a tendency to use drugs among adolescents with low social identity compared to those with high social identity reported. This situation suggests the experience of identity confusion by adolescents who experience group hostility and discrimination. Also, a comparison of gender on drug use reveals males using more drugs than females (F=14.10, df=1, 338, p<.001). Based on these outcomes it was recommended that several social and governmental organizations starting from families should work together in the enlightenment of adolescents and the general populace on the need to respect the rights of every individual and live harmoniously. With this, adolescents will share more social acceptance and reduce the frequency of involvement in emotion-regulated substance use and other maladaptive and externalizing behaviours. Key Words : Discrimination, Social Identity, Adolescents, Substance Use

Molecular identification of probiotics lactobacillus strain isolates by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA)

In recent years interest in the probiotic lactobacilli has been stimulated by the use of these bacteria in products that are claimed to confer health benefits on the consumer. The objective of this study is to characterize probiotic Lactobacillus sp isolated from fermented millet drink , fresh milk and raw cow milk. All isolates are focusing on their screened for their probiotic potential activities, including Biochemical characterization and antagonistic activity . A total of seven colonies of lactobacilli isolated from twenty samples of fermented millet drink ,fresh and raw cow milk were obtained based on their colonial/morphological and biochemical characteristics. The Lactobacillus isolates obtained from fermented millet drinks are more effective than isolates from fresh milk and Cow milk as regards their antagonism or inhibition. Microbial identification has been drastically improved both quality and effectiveness wise by molecular methods applications. Molecular characterization of probiotic strains only in phenotypic and physiological characteristics is often with low level of discrimination, probably due to their co-evolution in the same ecological niches. Thus, the nucleotide base techniques provide an accurate basis for phylogenetic analysis and identification. The other specific aim of the study is to analyze a probiotic Lactobacillus sp isolates . The seven selected isolates were identify to species level as L. plantarum, L. lactis , L. acidophilu, and L. helveticus using API 50CH Kits. Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) using Alu I (AGCT), Mbo I (GATC) and Msp I (CCGG) restriction enzymes and 16S rDNA gene sequencing was identified Lactobacillus isolates under study. ARDRA screening revealed unique patterns among seven isolates, with the same pattern for some the isolates. Gene fragments of 16S rDNA of strains representing specific patterns that needed to be sequence to confirm the identification of these species. These results confirmed that ARDRA is a good tool for identification and discrimination of bacterial species isolated from complex ecosystem and between closely related groups.

Affirmative Action, Social Mobility and the Politics of Caste in India

Has affirmative action policy in India reduced inter-caste discrimination? Using an experiment in which we measure actual discrimination, we answer this question using a sample of 350 participants from Tamil Nadu, India. We find that social mobility stemming from affirmative action has led to reduced discrimination of members of the Scheduled Castes towards out-groups. Social mobility has a direct effect on discrimination, but also an indirect effect through political participation, inter-ethnic personal relationships, and class-based political ideology. The same pattern is not observed amongst the Other Backwards Castes. We argue that this is because of the different ways in which these two castes were incorporated into the party system in Tamil Nadu. Due to their numerical superiority, OBCs have dominated the party system in Tamil Nadu, placing caste at the center of their political discourse. OBCs that participate more in politics, then, regardless of level of social mobility buy into this caste-based discourse. We thus observe no effect of social mobility in reducing discrimination, lessening perceptions of discrimination, or diminishing support for caste-targeted policies. Amongst SCs, however, who have been systematically shut out of the party system, increased social mobility increases political participation. These individuals are not swayed by a caste-based political discourse and instead are more likely to build interethnic personal relationships and hold to a more privately-oriented economic ideology. We thus observe lower levels of discrimination among more socially mobile SCs.

Stigma, burden, social support, and willingness to care among caregivers of PLWHA in home-based care in South Africa

Despite its benefits for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), home-based care (HBC) may have negative effects on caregivers. Caregivers experience high levels of burden and may be targets of HIV-related prejudice and discrimination. In this cross-sectional survey of 358 caregivers from five hospices across KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 49 (13.7%) caregivers personally experienced discrimination as a result of caring for PLWHA. One hundred and seventy (47.5%) marked one or more items on the HIV stigma scale. Eighty-eight percent had low to moderate levels of caregiver burden. People with higher level of burden and higher income were more likely to hold stigmatizing beliefs. Caregivers with the following characteristics: support from a nurse, support from community careworker, HIV stigmatizing beliefs, and personal experience of discrimination as result of caring for PLWHA and low caregiver burden, had more than twice the odds of wanting to care for another PLWA in the future. Overall, caregivers in HBC experience low level of severe caregiver burden. The support offered to caregivers from the hospice and relatively low levels of discrimination encourage expansion of HBC programs for PLWHA.

Mexican-Origin Adolescent Mothers’ Stressors and Psychosocial Functioning: Examining Ethnic Identity Affirmation and Familism as Moderators

Mexican-origin adolescent mothers are at increased risk for poor psychosocial functioning as a result of various stressors with which they must contend; however, existing theory suggests that cultural strengths may help mitigate the negative effects of stress. As such, the current study examined the associations between cultural and economic stressors and Mexican-origin adolescent mothers' (N=207; M age=16.23years, SD=1.0) internalizing and externalizing behaviors, as well as the degree to which ethnic identity affirmation and familism values moderated these links. Adolescent mothers who reported higher levels of discrimination, acculturative stress, and economic stress also reported higher depressive symptoms and greater involvement in risky behaviors. Importantly, ethnic identity affirmation minimized the negative associations between cultural stressors and adolescents' involvement in risky behaviors, with the associations being weakest among adolescents with high levels of ethnic identity. Familism appeared to serve a protective function under conditions of low levels of discrimination, but not under conditions of high levels of discrimination. Findings are discussed with special attention to the developmental and cultural contexts in which these adolescent mothers' lives are embedded, and implications for future research and practice are presented.