1,282 research outputs found
Exploring taboo issues in professional sport through a fictional approach
While the need to consider life course issues in elite sport research and practice is increasingly recognised, some experiences still seem to be considered too dangerous to explore. Consequently, stories of these experiences are silenced and the ethical and moral questions they pose fail to be acknowledged, understood or debated. This paper presents an ethnographic fiction through which we explore a sensitive set of experiences that were uncovered during our research with professional sportspeople. Through a multiâlayered reconstruction, the story reveals the complex, but significant, relationships that exist between identity, cultural narratives and embodied experiences. After the telling we consider how the story has stimulated reflective practice among students, researchers and practitioners. While there are risks involved in writing and sharing taboo stories, the feedback we have received suggests that storytelling can be an effective pedagogical tool in education and professional development
Using Stories in Coach Education
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how storied representations of research can be used as an effective pedagogical tool in coach education. During a series of continuing professional development seminars for professional golf coaches, we presented our research in the form of stories and poems which were created in an effort to evoke and communicate the lived experiences of elite professional golfers. Following these presentations, we obtained written responses to the stories from 53 experienced coaches who attended the seminars. Analysis of this data revealed three ways in which coaches responded to the stories: (i) questioning; (ii) summarising; and (iii) incorporating. We conclude that these responses illustrate the potential of storied forms of representation to enhance professional development through stimulating reflective practice and increasing understanding of holistic, person-centred approaches to coaching athletes in high-performance sport
The ethos of physical activity delivery in mental health: a narrative study of service user experiences.
Our research into the physical activity experiences of people with severe mental illness has led us to take seriously the social and cultural environment in which physical activity is delivered. In this study, through narrative methodology, we examine service user accounts of physical activity to illuminate the characteristics of physical activity groups that are experienced as positive, helpful, or beneficial. We present several qualities and show how effective leadership and coaching is central to these qualities being present. We conclude that it is not so much what activity is delivered, but how it is delivered that is critical for sustained participation and positive outcomes
Modified differentials and basic cohomology for Riemannian foliations
We define a new version of the exterior derivative on the basic forms of a
Riemannian foliation to obtain a new form of basic cohomology that satisfies
Poincar\'e duality in the transversally orientable case. We use this twisted
basic cohomology to show relationships between curvature, tautness, and
vanishing of the basic Euler characteristic and basic signature.Comment: 20 pages, references added, minor corrections mad
Integrable Structure of Interface Dynamics
We establish the equivalence of a 2D contour dynamics to the dispersionless
limit of the integrable Toda hierarchy constrained by a string equation.
Remarkably, the same hierarchy underlies 2D quantum gravity.Comment: 5 pages, no figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett, typos correcte
Tree cavity use by Chimney Swifts: implications for forestry and population recovery
Chimney Swifts used at least 13 different deciduous and coniferous tree species. All of the trees were greater than 0.5 m diameter at breast height (DBH) and were described as hollow or having cavities. Nest or roost tree height was 12.7 ± 7.0 m (mean ± SD; range: 3.6-28.0 m; n = 25) and DBH was 1.0 m ± 0.5 m (range 0.5-2.1 m; n = 21). According to our description of used trees, the number of suitably hollow Chimney Swift nest or roost trees may be two to three times higher, although still rare, in most unlogged compared to logged hardwood forests. Whether the current total supply of suitable nest or roost trees is sufficient to carry the anticipated increase in use by Chimney Swifts as chimney habitat is modified or deteriorates is unknown. Monitoring the frequency of use of tree cavities by nesting and roosting Chimney Swifts over time, and more robustly quantifying the availability of suitable tree cavities in different forest types for nesting and roosting Chimney Swifts, particularly in unlogged versus logged forests, are fruitful areas for future research. . D'aprĂšs la description des arbres occupĂ©s, le nombre d'arbres creux convenables pour la nidification ou le repos du Martinet ramoneur pourrait ĂȘtre de 2 Ă 3 fois plus Ă©levĂ© -quoique ces arbres sont quand mĂȘme rares -dans la plupart des forĂȘts de feuillus non-rĂ©coltĂ©es, comparativement aux forĂȘts rĂ©coltĂ©es. Nous ne savons pas si la quantitĂ© actuelle d'arbres propices est suffisante pour satisfaire l'utilisation accrue anticipĂ©e par les Martinets ramoneurs vu la dĂ©tĂ©rioration ou la destruction des cheminĂ©es. Le suivi temporel de la frĂ©quence d'utilisation des cavitĂ©s d'arbres par les martinets pour y nicher ou y dormir et une meilleure quantification de la disponibilitĂ© de cavitĂ©s d'arbres propices dans diffĂ©rents types de forĂȘts, en particulier les forĂȘts intactes versus rĂ©coltĂ©es, sont des avenues de recherche prometteuses. Utilisation de cavitĂ©s d'arbres par le Martinet ramoneur : incidence sur les plans de l'exploitation forestiĂšre et du rĂ©tablissement des population
Topological Orthoalgebras
We define topological orthoalgebras (TOAs) and study their properties. While
every topological orthomodular lattice is a TOA, the lattice of projections of
a Hilbert space is an example of a lattice-ordered TOA that is not a toplogical
lattice. On the other hand, we show that every compact Boolean TOA is a
topological Boolean algebra. We also show that a compact TOA in which 0 is an
isolated point is atomic and of finite height. We identify and study a
particularly tractable class of TOAs, which we call {\em stably ordered}: those
in which the upper-set generated by an open set is open. This includes all
topological OMLs, and also the projection lattices of Hilbert spaces. Finally,
we obtain a topological version of the Foulis-Randall representation theory for
stably ordered TOAsComment: 16 pp, LaTex. Minor changes and corrections in sections 1; more
substantial corrections in section
Regulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell maturation by PPARÎŽ: effects on bone morphogenetic proteins
In EAE (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis), agonists of PPARs (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors) provide clinical benefit and reduce damage. In contrast with PPARÎł, agonists of PPARÎŽ are more effective when given at later stages of EAE and increase myelin gene expression, suggesting effects on OL (oligodendrocyte) maturation. In the present study we examined effects of the PPARÎŽ agonist GW0742 on OPCs (OL progenitor cells), and tested whether the effects involve modulation of BMPs (bone morphogenetic proteins). We show that effects of GW0742 are mediated through PPARÎŽ since no amelioration of EAE clinical scores was observed in PPARÎŽ-null mice. In OPCs derived from E13 mice (where E is embryonic day), GW0742, but not the PPARÎł agonist pioglitazone, increased the number of myelin-producing OLs. This was due to activation of PPARÎŽ since process formation was reduced in PPARÎŽ-null compared with wild-type OPCs. In both OPCs and enriched astrocyte cultures, GW0742 increased noggin protein expression; however, noggin mRNA was only increased in astrocytes. In contrast, GW0742 reduced BMP2 and BMP4 mRNA levels in OPCs, with lesser effects in astrocytes. These findings demonstrate that PPARÎŽ plays a role in OPC maturation, mediated, in part, by regulation of BMP and BMP antagonists
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Genetic Circuitry of Survival Motor Neuron, the Gene Underlying Spinal Muscular Atrophy
The clinical severity of the neurodegenerative disorder spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is dependent on the levels of functional Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. Consequently, current strategies for developing treatments for SMA generally focus on augmenting SMN levels. To identify additional potential therapeutic avenues and achieve a greater understanding of SMN, we applied in vivo, in vitro, and in silico approaches to identify genetic and biochemical interactors of the Drosophila SMN homolog. We identified more than 300 candidate genes that alter an Smn-dependent phenotype in vivo. Integrating the results from our genetic screens, large-scale protein interaction studies, and bioinformatic analysis, we define a unique interactome for SMN that provides a knowledge base for a better understanding of SMA.Stem Cell and Regenerative Biolog
Erasmus Language students in a British University â a case study
Studentsâ assessment of their academic experience is actively sought by Higher Education institutions, as evidenced in the National Student Survey introduced in 2005. Erasmus students, despite their growing numbers, tend to be excluded from these satisfaction surveys, even though they, too, are primary customers of a University. This study aims to present results from bespoke questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with a sample of Erasmus students studying languages in a British University. These methods allow us insight into the experience of these students and their assessment as a primary customer, with a focus on language learning and teaching, university facilities and student support. It investigates to what extent these factors influence their levels of satisfaction and what costs of adaptation if any, they encounter. Although excellent levels of satisfaction were found, some costs affect their experience. They relate to difficulties in adapting to a learning methodology based on a low number of hours and independent learning and to a guidance and support system seen as too stifling. The results portray this cohortâs British University as a well-equipped and well-meaning but ultimately overbearing institution, which may indicate that minimising costs can eliminate some sources of dissatisfaction
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