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The Experience of Iranian Women Inter-University Athletes with a Focus on Gender in Sport
Get PDFThis research explores the experiences of Iranian women athletes in inter-university sports, with a particular focus on gender. Utilizing a descriptive, narratively informed approach and the concept of the gender regime, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the gendered experiences of these athletes. The research addresses two primary questions: (1) What are the lived experiences of Iranian women athletes in inter-university sport? and (2) How do these athletes explore and navigate barriers, supports, and points of resistance in their sporting lives?
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six current women student-athletes from Azad University, and thematic, narrative-informed analysis was used to analyze the data. This method enabled the identification of key themes within and across the participants' stories, highlighting their unique challenges and achievements.
The study identified three major themes: Barriers, Norms, and Discrepancies; Resistance, Solidarity, and Support; and Personal Growth and Development. These themes reflect the experiences of Iranian women athletes in university sports, revealing the challenges they face due to inadequate facilities, cultural restrictions, and gender inequality, their acts of defiance and support systems that empower them, and the personal growth that arises from navigating these obstacles. Together, these themes provide a clear picture of the many struggles and successes of women athletes in a sports environment shaped by gender.
Despite facing significant barriers, these athletes demonstrate resilience and adaptability, leveraging support networks and personal determination to pursue their athletic goals. The findings emphasize the importance of supportive environments and inclusive policies in promoting gender equity in sports.
This research contributes to the broader discourse on gender and sport by providing valuable insights into the specific cultural and contextual factors affecting women athletes in Iran. It underscores the need for further comparative studies in different Muslim-majority countries to explore how varying cultural contexts influence women's experiences in sports. By addressing the unique challenges faced by women athletes in different regions, future research can inform policies and practices that enhance gender equity in sports globally
Examination of voluntary wheel running on markers of adipose thermogenesis in intact and ovariectomized female mice
Get PDFEstrogen plays an important role in adipose tissue (AT) metabolism. Post-menopausal estrogen loss leads to increased abdominal fat and worsened metabolic outcomes. Exercise, known to enhance energy expenditure and promote AT browning, may offer therapeutic potential to mitigate these adverse effects, particularly through the modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in adipose tissue. This study aimed to investigate the effect of voluntary wheel running (VWR) in ovariectomized (OVX) mice on whole body energy expenditure and body composition, key protein markers of thermogenesis and adipose tissue browning, and fluctuations in circulating and AT BDNF and receptor content. It was hypothesized VWR would either prevent or mitigate increases in adiposity due to OVX, enhance thermogenesis and AT browning in WAT depots, and elevate BDNF levels in both circulation and AT. A total of forty C57BL/6J female mice (24 weeks of age) were utilized for this study, twenty of which were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX=20) while the remaining twenty underwent a sham surgery (SHAM=20). SHAM and OVX mice were further randomized into one of two experimental groups: 1) sedentary (SHAM SED=10, OVX SED=10) and 2) voluntary wheel running (SHAM VWR=10, OVX VWR=10) for the duration of the study period (8-weeks). OVX mice gained more weight over the course of the 8-week study when compared to SHAM mice (P=0.0008). Serum BDNF was higher in mice with VWR access (P=0.0004). Final week lean body mass of VWR groups was trending (P=0.0641), with higher lean mass compared to SED groups. Key tissue specific protein markers responded in a depot-specific manner; notably, TH which was consistently lower in all depots in response to OVX, yet only higher in response to VWR in gWAT (P=0.040). Additionally, VWR groups also had higher ERα (P=0.045) and ERβ (P=0.008) protein content in the gWAT and iWAT depot respectively. This study demonstrates that estrogen deficiency with ovariectomy disrupts adipose tissue function and overall metabolism, while voluntary wheel running can mitigate some of these effects, emphasizing the importance of exercise in maintaining adipose tissue functionality and health in post-menopausal women
Drives as Inverted Forms: Nietzsche’s Correction of Socrates’s Philosophical Psychology (As pulsões como formas invertidas: a correção de Nietzsche à psicologia filosófica de Sócrates)
Get PDFA recent paper by Tom Stern suggests that Socrates’s philosophical psychology, which emphasizes rational reflection, is superior to Nietzsche’s drive model when explaining human behavior. I argue that
Stern’s analysis is wrong on three fronts. First, the models share common, though inverted, features. Second, Stern fails to consider the role of Socrates’s daimon when evaluating Socrates’s philosophy of
mind; third, Nietzsche’s model is more warranted. In sum, Nietzsche’s philosophical psychology is a correction of the Socratic
Experiences establishing a new speech-language pathology training program in Ethiopia, a resource-limited setting: Lessons learned
Get PDFPurpose: Ethiopia is the second most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa. While Ethiopia’s
health care system includes primary health centres, general, and specialized hospitals, allied health
care like speech-language pathology, was not available until 2003. This article was written with
the aim of sharing the experience of establishing speech-language pathology as a profession and
the first speech-language pathology training program in Ethiopia.
Materials/Methods: In this paper, we retrospectively examine how the leadership of local
stakeholders, a multidisciplinary team, and the development of a professional infrastructure lead
to the success of the program. The authorship group, who were involved in the program from
inception to implementation, share their experiences.
Results: The speech-language pathology undergraduate program at Addis Ababa University
graduated its first class in 2019. Plans to grow the training program at the graduate level are
ongoing.
Conclusions: This novel program, grown from several international partnerships, is an example
of how low- and middle-income countries can improve access to the service providers necessary
to treat their populationsNorwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD
Different discrete motor-unit activation patterns in the flexor carpi radialis in boys and men
Get PDFBackground Lower activation of higher threshold (type-II) motor units (MUs) has been suggested in children compared with adults. We examined child–adult differences in discrete MU activation of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR). Methods Fifteen boys (10.2 ± 1.4 years), and 17 men (25.0 ± 2.7 years) completed 2 laboratory sessions. Following a habitu-ation session, maximal voluntary isometric wrist flexion torque (MVIC) was determined before completing trapezoidal isometric contractions at 70%MVIC. Surface electromyography was captured by Delsys Trigno Galileo sensors and decom-posed into individual MU action potential trains. Recruitment threshold (RT), and MU firing rates (MUFR) were calculated. Results MVIC was significantly greater in men (10.19 ± 1.92 Nm) than in boys (4.33 ± 1.47 Nm) (p < 0.05), but not statisti-cally different after accounting for differences in body size. Mean MUFR was not different between boys (17.41 ± 7.83 pps) and men (17.47 ± 7.64 pps). However, the MUFR–RT slope was significantly (p < 0.05) steeper (more negative) in boys, reflecting a progressively greater decrease in MUFR with increasing RT. Additionally, boys recruited more of their MUs early in the ramped contraction. Conclusion Compared with men, boys tended to recruit their MUs earlier and at a lower percentage of MVIC. This difference in MU recruitment may explain the greater decrease in MUFR with increasing RT in boys compared with men. Overall, these findings suggest an age-related difference in the neural strategy used to develop moderate–high torque in wrist flexors, where boys recruit more of their MUs earlier in the force gradation process, possibly resulting in a narrower recruitment range.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canad
Ocean warming, acidification, and chemistry of the South Pacific & North Atlantic: a brachiopod investigation
Get PDFGlobal CO2 emissions drive ocean warming and acidification. Local-level ocean data is limited, so natural archives like brachiopods are used to understand past oceanic conditions. Brachiopod shells record seawater temperatures, chemistry, and acidity. This thesis uses brachiopods from Paterson Inlet, New Zealand (1900–2021), and the Bay of Fundy, Canada (1970–2009) to track past oceanographic conditions and fill local data gaps.
Global oceans recorded a decrease in δ13C DIC values of 0.50 ‰ (~1900-1985), comparable to the δ13CB value of -0.48‰ for Paterson Inlet (1900-2014), a rate of -0.04‰ per decade. The Bay of Fundy brachiopods recorded decreasing δ13CB values by 0.25‰ per decade (1970-2009). Ocean acidification is driven by the mixing of atmospheric CO2, and anthropogenic emissions are enriched in 12C, suggesting a link between pH and δ13CB values.
The brachiopod shells δ18OB and Li/Ca levels record ambient seawater temperatures. In Paterson Inlet, seawater temperatures calculated with Li/Ca and δ18O values suggest cooling (ΔT = -0.035℃ per decade; 1900-2014). Temperatures calculated with δ18OB values for the Bay of Fundy indicate cooling (-0.25°C per decade; 1970-2009). Bay of Fundy seawater has recorded decreasing δ18OSW values by -0.16 ‰ per decade (1970-2022), reflecting potential arctic meltwater influx, cooling the seawater.
The burning of coal drives CO2 emissions. Coal emissions contain various heavy metals, including selenium. Brachiopods record an increase in selenium concentrations of +6.14 mmol (1926-1960). Subsequently, in 1960-1980, selenium content decreased by -7.54 mmol but has since been increasing with a slightly upward trend of +1.78 mmol (2009-2021). Similar trends are observed in the brachiopod’s lanthanum content, another element found in coal, suggesting that brachiopod shell chemistry contains a record of coal burning.
Archives such as brachiopods are an important source of information regarding the changing oceans. Although systems exist to monitor oceanic conditions, they cannot trace small-scaled effects. Brachiopods from Paterson Inlet and the Bay of Fundy record local changes in seawater conditions over the past 120 years. Some trends, such as δ13CB values, correspond with global ones, while others, such as temperatures, are not, reflecting the complex interaction of climate and weather/oceanographic changes on a local scale
A south view of Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario in North America, 1760
Get PDFFort Oswego was an 18th century trading post located where Lake Ontario meets the Oswego River in New York. It was originally established in 1727 by the British. In 1756 French and Native American forces captured the fort and destroyed it. Fort Ontario was built near the site and is preserved as an historic site.A south view of Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario in North America engraved for the London Magazine, 1760. The picture shows the River Onondago, Lake Ontario, and Fort Oswego’s buildings and tents
Letter to Alexander Hamilton by Samuel Street, July 20, 1833
Get PDFSamuel Street was born in Connecticut in 1775. He came to Chippawa, Upper Canada in 1787 to live with his uncle Samuel Street after his father was killed in New York. His uncle was involved in mercantile affairs in the Niagara Peninsula, which helped Samuel Street Jr. in establishing successful businesses and partnerships in later years. As the son of a Loyalist he was also entitled to 200 acres of land, but his uncle successfully petitioned for an additional 400 acres. In 1798, Street struck up a partnership with Thomas Clark, an important merchant in Queenston. They parted ways the following year, but renewed their association around 1809. The result was the firm of Clark and Street, a business that proved to be one of Upper Canada’s largest, and endured until Thomas Clark’s death in 1835. Initially the business centred on two milling complexes, the Falls Mills and Bridgewater Mills. Both mills were destroyed by fire in 1814 and only the Falls Mills was rebuilt. The success of their milling operation provided Clark and Street with a large amount of capital. They utilized this capital by money-lending, and became one of the largest financiers in Upper Canada. Samuel Street died in August, 1844 in Port Robinson, Upper Canada, leaving his fortune to his son Thomas Clark Street, and his four surviving daughters.
Alexander Hamilton (1790-1839) spent most of his life in Queenston, Ontario. Alexander was a businessman, militia officer, Justice of the Peace, Sheriff, Judge, and Postmaster. He had a lasting impact on the community and was important in the history of Upper Canada. Alexander's father Robert Hamilton was a successful businessman, and his mother Catherine was a member of the prominent Askin family. His wife, Hannah Owen Jarvis, was the daughter of first provincial secretary and registrar William Jarvis.A letter by Samuel Street to Alexander Hamilton, Postmaster, Queenston dated at Fall Mills, July 20, 1833. The letter is one page and concerns Mary’s Estate. The letter states that “I did not get your late sisters’ books till yesterday aftn the receipt of your letter advising that they were forwarded by Mr. Forsyth’s stage. I cannot now say on what day I would visit you and your brother John to come up.” It is signed by Samuel Street and postmarked Chippawa
Exploring the common practices that exist within the dynamic approach of virtual and onsite movement-based programming for young people living with autism spectrum disorder (autism)
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to describe, analyze, and understand the common practices
that exist within the dynamic approach of virtual and onsite programming across different
organizations with a focus on movement-based programming for children and youth living with
autism spectrum disorder (autism). Previous research suggested that it would be a missed
opportunity for learning, development, and engagement to disregard a hybrid or virtual program
delivery model. This study used public domain data sets to investigate and analyze current
practices in the methods of program delivery for activity for children living with autism. The
researcher examined both manifest and latent content, and discerned common practices of
program delivery through application and completion of a prompt-based checklist. The findings
were developed through a multi-level content analysis and contribute to insights about current
and common practices relating to the impact of the hybridization of movement-based programs
for children with autism. This study demonstrated that organizations are primarily transitioning
back to on-site programming options as society enters the state of an endemic, and it raises
concerns as to why the priority and level of virtual access has been taken away. The findings
could lead to further research around program delivery practices and communication as members
of the community move away from the pandemic mindset. Further research is necessary to
continue investigating how hybrid program delivery should be prioritized in future years
increasing pathways of participation
Railroad Transportation of Dangerous Goods in Canada: Data-Driven Risk Analysis and Implications for Emergency Management
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to examine key risk factors associated with the railroad
transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat) and to develop a data-driven risk analysis
methodology using rail incident records from 1999 to 2023 across Canada from multiple
resources and creating a risk management framework in case of hazmat release.
In the first stage, we will identify the primary factors affecting hazmat release during
rail transportation, such as time, location, activity, track type, train characteristics, load specifics,
and weather-related attributes. At this stage, utilizing machine learning techniques, including
Logistic Regression, Decision Trees, and a two-hidden-layer Neural Network, we aim to
facilitate the second stage of the study. This subsequent stage intends to provide insights and
recommendations for effective risk management strategies such as risk mitigation and disaster
prevention, preparedness, and response strategies within the context of hazmat rail
transportation, particularly in Canada