An evaluation of older adults’ perceptions of psychological well-being when participating in community centre programs

Multi-purpose organizations, such as community centres, provide opportunities for individuals to participate in various physical and social activities. Although, it has been well established that community centres provide the opportunity and environment to promote health behaviour changes among older adults (Jones et al., 2013; Stewart, 1997; Wallace et al., 1998), there is a dearth of research differentiating between physically active and non-active community centre programming. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether participating in community centre programming influenced four key measures of perceived psychological well-being, as well as, to evaluate whether the perceived psychological well-being of community centre program participants was differentially influenced by their participation in physically active based programs or non-active based programs. Data was collected at two time points, once at the beginning of the fall programming and once at the end of the fall programming at the community centres, using several questionnaires. A total of 45 participants, 31 females and 14 males, between the ages of 65 and 90 years, completed the study (M=75.67, SD=7.67). Results indicated that although the participants at the community centres were already stable in their assessment of their perceived psychological well-being, due to their experience and longevity of attending the community centres, older adults who participated in physically active community centre programs had significantly higher levels of perceived functional independence compared to older adults who participated in non-active community centre programs. The results of the current study provide insight into the important role community centres play on both an individual level for many older adults and on a global level as well, for our healthcare system (Older Adult Centres Association of Ontario, 2010)

An evaluation of older adults’ perceptions of psychological well-being when participating in community centre programs

Multi-purpose organizations, such as community centres, provide opportunities for individuals to participate in various physical and social activities. Although, it has been well established that community centres provide the opportunity and environment to promote health behaviour changes among older adults (Jones et al., 2013; Stewart, 1997; Wallace et al., 1998), there is a dearth of research differentiating between physically active and non-active community centre programming. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether participating in community centre programming influenced four key measures of perceived psychological well-being, as well as, to evaluate whether the perceived psychological well-being of community centre program participants was differentially influenced by their participation in physically active based programs or non-active based programs. Data was collected at two time points, once at the beginning of the fall programming and once at the end of the fall programming at the community centres, using several questionnaires. A total of 45 participants, 31 females and 14 males, between the ages of 65 and 90 years, completed the study (M=75.67, SD=7.67). Results indicated that although the participants at the community centres were already stable in their assessment of their perceived psychological well-being, due to their experience and longevity of attending the community centres, older adults who participated in physically active community centre programs had significantly higher levels of perceived functional independence compared to older adults who participated in non-active community centre programs. The results of the current study provide insight into the important role community centres play on both an individual level for many older adults and on a global level as well, for our healthcare system (Older Adult Centres Association of Ontario, 2010)

Females, Perceptions, and Strength Training

Performing a regular strength training routine leads to a plethora of beneficial physiological and psychological changes. A gender disparity exists with participation rates of strength training. There is a possible discrepancy in knowledge and education provided to males and females based on their physical activity and exercise backgrounds. The design of this study is an effort to better understand potential barriers females may experience and serve as a needs-assessment tool to identify females’ views of strength training participation. This study sought to explore views of strength training among females and to determine if consensus exists and how views may aid to increase female participation and adherence in strength training. The researchers chose Q methodology as a means to investigate subjective viewpoint(s) of females regarding strength training. Fifty-nine participants sorted 44 statements related to 5 overarching strength training themes. The statements were ranked using a Q-sort grid, from +5 (most like my view) to -5 (most unlike my view) based on personal opinion in conjunction with open ended questions. Data analysis, using factor analysis and qualitative themes, revealed two factors, Factor 1, The Equipped Exercisers and Factor 2, Roadblockers emerged as the main perspectives. Consensus between Factor 1 and Factor 2, included the importance of properly lifting weights to maintain safety, along with opposing views including whether strength training was found to be enjoyable. These two distinct views help to capture females’ subjective views of strength training as a means to recognize variance in participation rates. Understanding the prevalence of strength training disparities among females may be helpful to address interest and adherence among females. This study is the first step into creating ideas that may aid with assessment and interventions advocating for increased awareness

Cochlear protein expression in kanamycin treated mice

Experiments evaluated cochlear expression of key stress proteins in kanamycin and saline treated C57BL/6J and CBA/J mice using immunocytochemistry. A qualitative approach was used to assess immunoreactivity for HSP70, HSF-1, HO-1, and TNF-α as a function of strain and treatment

It\u27s a Goodyear for Innovation

Innovation is nothing new to The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The near future will bring another phase of evolution as the focus of tires sales will shift with the growing popularity of ride sharing, car sharing, and autonomous vehicles. For the scope of our project, it initially seemed obvious to use Goodyear’s good name as a selling point for a partnership with car sharing companies. We surveyed students at several colleges across Ohio that have car sharing fleets on campus and asked them about how they utilize the vehicles. After discovering through these interviews that ride sharing was more popular, we expanded our research rather than relying on our intuition about car sharing. Ride sharing became the focus of our project, and we explored how Goodyear’s name, quality, and resources can be leveraged to entice ride share companies as well as their users and drivers

Strength Training: An Inquiry of Females Perceptions

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 10, 2023. While traditionally considered a male-dominated activity, women have increasingly embraced strength training. Although strength training has numerous physical and mental benefits to women, their subjective decision-making about using strength training have not been investigated thoroughly, especially using a unique methodology, Q, that is designed specifically to study subjectivity such as viewpoints and decision-making. There is limited research focused on females’ viewpoints about strength training. Capturing feelings and perceptions females have towards resistance training in an objective manner requires a specialized, mixed method called Q methodology [Q] that was created 90 years ago to scientifically study subjectivity. In Q, participants sort subjective statements about the topic into a grid to offer their internal viewpoints. Statistical analyses group similar sorts and provide empirical evidence to describe divergent viewpoints at a level usually reserved for qualitative studies. In this study, analyses revealed two distinct views: The Equipped Exercisers, who purposefully seek the benefits of exercise, and Road-blockers, who value exercise but implement constraints upon their participation. Understanding these views can facilitate expanding female participation in strength training through interventions

Retrocardiac mediastinal foregut duplication cyst

AbstractForegut duplications occur at various locations throughout the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the thoracic cavity. Thoracic foregut duplications are typically intimately associated with the esophagus and therefore are located in either the posterior mediastinum or in pleural cavity. Here we report a case of foregut duplication of the middle mediastinum, intimately associated with the pericardium and great vessels that contained gastric mucosa, ciliated respiratory epithelium, bronchial-type epithelium, pancreatic tissue and hepatocytes. The literature of mediastinal foregut duplications is also reviewed

Bacteria are important dimethylsulfoniopropionate producers in marine aphotic and high-pressure environments

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is an important marine osmolyte. Aphotic environments are only recently being considered as potential contributors to global DMSP production. Here, our Mariana Trench study reveals a typical seawater DMSP/dimethylsulfide (DMS) profile, with highest concentrations in the euphotic zone and decreased but consistent levels below. The genetic potential for bacterial DMSP synthesis via the dsyB gene and its transcription is greater in the deep ocean, and is highest in the sediment.s DMSP catabolic potential is present throughout the trench waters, but is less prominent below 8000 m, perhaps indicating a preference to store DMSP in the deep for stress protection. Deep ocean bacterial isolates show enhanced DMSP production under increased hydrostatic pressure. Furthermore, bacterial dsyB mutants are less tolerant of deep ocean pressures than wild-type strains. Thus, we propose a physiological function for DMSP in hydrostatic pressure protection, and that bacteria are key DMSP producers in deep seawater and sediment

The Diffusion of Smartphones and Tablets in Higher Education: A Comparison of Faculty and Student Perceptions and Uses.

Individual access to mobile devices has increased dramatically in recent years, and faculty and students are beginning to use smartphones and tablets to support teaching and learning. This correlational study surveys faculty and students at a private, liberal arts university to better understand perceptions about the devices for use in an academic setting. Student and faculty responses are compared using adopter categories and innovation attributes developed by Rogers’ (2003) diffusion of innovations. Two survey instruments were developed for this study. The Faculty Smartphone and Tablet Diffusion of Innovations (FSTDIS) and Student Smartphone and Tablet Diffusion of Innovations (SSTDIS) were created based on a previous survey aimed at faculty adoption of a course management system. The surveys were sent to approximately 250 faculty members and between 1,700 and 1,900 students. Results from the surveys were used to address four research questions comparing faculty and students, as well as perceptions of the value of smartphones and tablets in higher education. Findings from this study can be used by university administrators to increase the adoption of mobile devices for academic purposes. Rogers’ (2003) diffusion of theory provides a framework for technology adoption in organizations