Examining barriers, motivations, and perceptions of women working in the tourism industry: Case study of Ayampe, Ecuador

The notion of examining gender is gaining momentum across disciplines as an important phenomenon to understand (Kincheloe & Mclaren, 2008). The tourism field is one such area that has made sizeable contributions to the literature; however there is a lack of research focusing on women and tourism in developing countries. This is an exploratory case study of a rural community in Ecuador. Using community-based research methodology and a gender and development framework, this study explores the motivations, barriers and perceptions towards women seeking employment in the tourism industry and identified disparities between the perceptions of men and women in regard to the potential for women securing employment in the industry. The themes that emerged from the data may be grouped as those indicating barriers: gender role expectations, machismo, and poor education; and as motivators: economic benefits, opportunity to learn new things, purpose in life, and education for their children

Botulinum Toxin Use in the Lower Urinary Tract

Botulinum toxins are well known for their ability to disrupt neurotransmission and cause muscle paralysis. Recently, urologists have discovered their beneficial effects in patients with neurogenic and overactive bladder conditions. This review is intended to provide a quick overview for urologists of the structure, function, and clinical uses of botulinum neurotoxin A in the lower urinary tract

Functional and molecular characterization of hyposensitive underactive bladder tissue and urine in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

Background: The functional and molecular alterations of nerve growth factor (NGF) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and its receptors were studied in bladder and urine in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methodology/Principal Findings: Diabetes mellitus was induced with a single dose of 45 mg/kg STZ Intraperitoneally (i.p) in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Continuous cystometrogram were performed on control rats and STZ treated rats at week 4 or 12 under urethane anesthesia. Bladder was then harvested for histology, expression of EP receptors and NGF by western blotting, PGE2 levels by ELISA, and detection of apoptosis by TUNEL staining. In addition, 4-hr urine was collected from all groups for urine levels of PGE2, and NGF assay. DM induced progressive increase of bladder weight, urine production, intercontraction interval (ICI) and residual urine in a time dependent fashion. Upregulation of Prostaglandin E receptor (EP)1 and EP3 receptors and downregulation of NGF expression, increase in urine NGF and decrease levels of urine PGE2 at week 12 was observed. The decrease in ICI by intravesical instillation of PGE2 was by 51% in control rats and 31.4% in DM group at week 12. Conclusions/Significance: DM induced hyposensitive underactive bladder which is characterized by increased inflammatory reaction, apoptosis, urine NGF levels, upregulation of EP1 and EP3 receptors and decreased bladder NGF and urine PGE2. The data suggest that EP3 receptor are potential targets in the treatment of diabetes induced underactive bladder. © 2014 Nirmal et al

Struggling to Breathe: COVID-19, Protest, and the LIS Response

The purpose of this article is to provide a follow up to “Libraries on the Frontlines: Neutrality and Social Justice,” which was published in 2017. It addresses institutional responses to protests and uprising in the spring and summer of 2020 after the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd—all of which occurred in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The article expands the previous call for libraries to take a stand for Black Lives. We describe the events of 2020 (a global pandemic, multiple murders of unarmed Black people, and the consequent global protests) and responses from within library and information science, from our perspectives as women of color faculty and library professionals. We comment on how libraries are responding to current events, as well as the possibilities for panethnic solidarity. We also consider specifically how libraries and other institutions are responding to the racial uprisings through statements on social media and call for concrete action to ensure that their organizations and information practices are actively antiracist. In so doing, we update the claims and expand the appeals we made in 2017—that Black Lives Matter and that librarianship must not remain neutral

Libraries on the Frontlines: Neutrality and Social Justice

Purpose This article examines libraries’ responsibility to engage with and support communities of color as they challenge systemic racism, engage in the political process, and exercise their right to free speech. Many libraries have ignored the Black Lives Matter movement, citing the need to maintain neutrality. Despite extensive scholarship questioning the validity of this concept, the framing of library neutrality as nonpartisanship continues. This article examines librarianship’s engagement with, and disengagement from Black communities through the lens of the Black Lives Matter movement. It also explores the implications of education, engagement, and activism for people of color and libraries today. Design/methodology/approach The authors have engaged the topic from a critical race perspective as a practice in exercising voice - telling stories, presenting counterstories, and practicing advocacy (Ladson-Billings, 1998). Findings The assertion that libraries have been socially and politically neutral organizations is ahistorical. When libraries decide not to address issues relevant to people of color, they are not embodying neutrality; they are actively electing not to support the information and service needs of a service population. In order for libraries to live up to their core values, they must engage actively with communities, especially when those communities are in crisis. Originality/value As a service field, librarianship has an ethos, values, and history that parallel those of many other service fields. This paper has implications for developing understanding of questions about equitable service provision

Electroencephalographic assessment of concussive non-penetrative captive bolt stunning of turkeys

1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the electroencephalographic (EEG) and behavioural responses of turkeys stunned with three different concussive non-penetrative captive-bolt guns prior to slaughter. 2. A total of 31 slaughter weight ex-breeding female turkeys (29 weeks of age; mean body weight 13.32 ± SD 0.65 kg) were stunned with the Cash Poultry Killer (CPK) (n = 10), Turkey Euthanasia Device (TED) (n = 10) and Zephyr EXL (n = 11). 3. Mean peak kinetic energy was highest for the CPK compared to the TED and Zephyr EXL (75.9 ± 4.5, 28.4 ± 0.4 and 24.4 ± 0.7 J, respectively). 4. A total of 29 (94%) of the turkeys were rendered unconscious following captive bolt stunning, with total power of the EEG (Ptot) significantly reduced from baseline values (reductions of 67% CPK, 84% TED and 76% Zephyr EXL, p < 0.01) and waveforms becoming isoelectric after periods of transitional EEG. However, two birds shot with the CPK and Zephyr EXL had periods of behavioural/reflexes (rhythmic respiration, nictitating membrane reflex, neck tension) and EEG activity (43–47 and 36–60 + s after the shot, respectively) indicating incomplete concussion and return of consciousness. In one bird, the shot was incorrectly positioned (Zephyr EXL), while the other appeared to be related to a defective cartridge (CPK). 5. In conclusion, all three captive bolt gun models were effective in producing unconsciousness in turkeys, provided they were positioned correctly and power loads performed according to their specifications. KEYWORDS: Animal welfare, behaviour/brainstem reflexes, captive bolt, electroencephalogram (EEG), non-penetrative, stunning, turke