How the perceived effectiveness of a female coach is Influenced by their apparent masculinity/femininity

The aim of this study was to investigate how the apparent masculinity/femininity of a coach influenced others’ perceptions of their ability to successfully interact with their athletes. Seventy-three participants (44 males, 29 females, Mage=23.8 SD= ± 8.41) watched four videos depicting a coach working with a group of athletes. Each video was the same but featured the four combinations of masculinised/feminised coach and male/female athletes. Participants rated the coach on perceived relationship quality, empathy, and competency. There was a main effect in relationship quality (closeness) and three of four subscales of coaching competency, with the masculinised coach rated higher than the feminised coach. There was also a non-significant trend for the feminised coach to score higher in relationship quality and competency when working with male athletes compared to female athletes, and the masculinised coach to score higher with females. For affective empathy, there was a main effect for athlete sex, with both coaches rated higher working with male athletes. There was also a non-significant trend for both coaches’ cognitive empathy to be rated higher when working with male athletes. The perception of the masculinity/femininity of a coach influences how others understand their interactions even when the behaviours of that coach are similar across situations. Coaches need to be aware that gender-based stereotypes may influence how others perceive their competency. This could potentially affect coach effectiveness and career progression

The influence of gender on perceptions of coaches’ relationships with their athletes:a novel video-based methodology

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of coach and athlete gender on perceptions of a coach through the use of a novel video-based method. Forty-one participants (16 males, 25 females, Mage=32.76 SD= ± 11.57) watched four videos depicting a coach and an athlete having a conversation about the athlete’s de-selection from a squad. Each video featuring different gender combinations of the coach and athlete. Participants rated the coach on perceived relationship quality and perceived empathy. Analysis showed a main effect for coach gender with female coaches being rated higher than male coaches for relationship quality and empathy, and a main effect for athlete gender with all coaches perceived as displaying a greater level of affective empathy when paired with a female athlete. Coaches need to be aware that their actions may be interpreted differently based on their gender and that of the athletes they are working with. This could potentially impact on coach effectiveness and the outcomes of their behaviours

What are the essential components of HIV treatment and care services in low and middle-income countries: an overview by settings and levels of the health system?

OBJECTIVES: To review and summarize the essential components of HIV treatment and care services in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: Literature review and reflection on programmatic experience. FINDINGS: There is increasing recognition that the essential 'package' of HIV care must include early identification of HIV-positive people in need of care, appropriate initial and continued counselling, assessment of HIV disease stage, treatment with HAART for those who need it, monitoring while on treatment for efficacy, adherence and side-effects, detection and management of other complications of HIV infection, provision of sexual and reproductive health services as well as careful record-keeping. The impressive scale-up of HIV treatment and care services has required decentralization of service provision linked to task-shifting. But the future holds even greater challenges, as the number of people in need of HIV care continues to rise at a time when many traditional donors and governments in the most-affected regions have reduced budgets. CONCLUSION: In the long-term, the increased demand for HIV-care services can only be satisfied through increased decentralisation to peripheral health units, with the role of each type of unit being appropriate to the human and material resources available to it.HIV-care services can also naturally integrate with the care of chronic noncommunicable diseases and with closely related services like mother and child health, and thus should promote a shift from vertical to integrated programming. Staff training and support around a set of evidence-based policies and guidelines and a reliable supply of essential medicines and supplies are further essential components for a successful programme

Military Veterans and Their Motivation to Persist in Distance Education Doctoral Programs

This transcendental phenomenological study examined military veterans’ motivational experiences who persisted to complete distance education (DE) doctoral programs in the United States. The theory guiding the research was self-determination theory (SDT), a theory of human motivation, development, and wellness that frames how motivation influences behavior, in this case, persistence. Various data sources (demographics questionnaire, timeline, advice letter, and semi-structured interview) triangulated a snowball sample of nine participants’ (six males and three females) motivational experiences. The SDT framework guided the answer to and informed the analysis of the central research question providing three theoretical constructs: (a) autonomy, (b) competence, and c) relatedness. After repeated data analyses, five textural themes emerged demonstrating what the participants experienced concerning this study’s central phenomenon—motivation to persist: (a) a support system, (b) obstacles, (c) goal accomplishment, (d) a new culture, and (e) flexibility and autonomy of the DE structure and program type. Six structural themes emerged demonstrating how the participants experienced this study’s central phenomenon: (a) engaging a support system, (b) overcoming obstacles, (c) goal setting and accomplishment, (d) navigating the DE dissertation process, (e) using military experiences to determine the dissertation topic, and (f) discovering and pursuing passion. With military veteran students’ increasing participation in higher education and in DE, and with a concern for attrition rates in doctoral programs and DE, this study contributes to theoretical and empirical literature and assists administrators and educators of DE doctoral programs in determining support strategies for this population

African Americans\u27 perspectives on racial solidarity

This study explored the fundamental formulations that shape perspectives on racial solidarity among one group of African Americans. The perspectives gained in this study aid in understanding the existence, origin, and views toward the concept. In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals from two generational cohorts: ages 18 to 30 (post-Civil Rights era) and ages 50 and older (Civil Rights era). This study describes a process by which racial solidarity appears to have diminished among some African Americans. This transition seems to have occurred as a result of the deterioration of the traditional African American community, the acceptance of externally imposed beliefs about the racial group, and in-group sabotaging behaviors that create numerous problems within the younger generation. Reports from participants within the post-Civil Rights generational cohort provide some insight into the magnitude of these problems. Strategies African Americans can use to improve racial solidarity are offered

Risking Reproduction: Reproductive Health Among Women With Sickle Cell Disease

Reproductive health among women with sickle cell disease remains a critical gap in the literatures on sickle cell disease, reproductive health, and women\u27s health. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a condition with a complicated clinical sequelae, accompanied by a myriad of health complications, unremitting, extreme pain, and frequent hospitalizations. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning and lived experiences of reproductive health and health care among women with sickle cell disease. Using a qualitative, phenomenological methodology, this study captured the authentic voices of 28 adult women with sickle cell disease and their perceptions and experiences of reproductive health and health care. Nearly all women in this study were advised to avoid having biological children because of the concerns for their health or that they would have a child with sickle cell disease. Despite this recommendation, participants exercised agency and looked to their embodied experience living with sickle cell disease when determining whether they were healthy enough for pregnancy and childbirth. Participants also described carrying a reproductive burden due to their genetic characteristics to ensure they did not pass sickle cell disease on to their children. Their motivations were derived from their desire to prevent their children from suffering the way they had, both from the physical symptoms and social judgment that accompanies sickle cell disease. These findings illustrate the need for women with sickle cell disease to receive reproductive health care that takes into consideration their particular health characteristics in regards to gynecological care, contraception and prenatal care to avoid potentially health-harming recommendations that may exacerbate sickle cell disease symptoms. This study extends existing ideas concerning the embodied risk and reproductive health from women who develop or contract risk, to those who were born with it. This information may also encourage more appropriate reproductive health care, and improve the understanding regarding the significance of reproductive health in general and within the context of illness among health care providers

Antimicrobial antagonists against food pathogens; a bacteriocin perspective

peer-reviewedEfforts are continuing to find novel bacteriocins with enhanced specificity and potency. Traditional plating techniques are still being used for bacteriocin screening studies, however, the availability of ever more bacterial genome sequences and the use of in silico gene mining tools have revealed novel bacteriocin gene clusters that would otherwise have been overlooked. Furthermore, synthetic biology and bioengineering-based approaches are allowing scientists to harness existing and novel bacteriocin gene clusters through expression in different hosts and by enhancing functionalities. The same principles apply to bacteriocin producing probiotic cultures and their application to control pathogens in the gut. We can expect that the recent developments on bacteriocins from Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) described here will contribute greatly to increased commercialisation of bacteriocins in food systems.This work was funded by the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, a research centre funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), through the Irish Government’s National Development Plan. The authors and their work were supported by SFI (grant no. 12/RC/2273

Paula Doss and Bennie Carol Wade in a Joint Senior Recital

This is the program for the joint senior recital of mezzo-soprano Paula Ross and pianist Bennie Carol Wade. Karen Allred assisted Ross. The recital took place on February 17, 1975, in the Mabee Fine Arts Center Recital Hall

The Unification of Journalism and Communication Studies: The Benefits of Change

The article discusses the advantages, implications and the feasibility of integrating journalism and communication studies. The authors comment that the fear of academic merger has prevented the integration of journalism and communication studies. According to them, school employees believe that integrating journalism and communication departments will result to lay-offs. Integrating the two studies is expected to increase the communication skills of journalism students and enhance literary skills of communication students

Everyone should be able to choose how they get around : How Topeka, Kansas, passed a complete streets resolution

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity can help prevent chronic diseases, yet only half of US adults meet national physical activity guidelines. One barrier to physical activity is a lack of safe places to be active, such as bike paths and sidewalks. Complete Streets, streets designed to enable safe access for all users, can help provide safe places for activity. COMMUNITY CONTEXT: This community case study presents results from interviews with residents and policymakers of Topeka, Kansas, who played an integral role in the passage of a Complete Streets resolution in 2009. It describes community engagement processes used to include stakeholders, assess existing roads and sidewalks, and communicate with the public and decision-makers. METHODS: Key informant interviews were conducted with city council members and members of Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods in Topeka to learn how they introduced a Complete Streets resolution and the steps they took to ensure its successful passage in the City Council. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by using focused-coding qualitative analysis. OUTCOME: Results included lessons learned from the process of passing the Complete Streets resolution and advice from participants for other communities interested in creating Complete Streets in their communities. INTERPRETATION: Lessons learned can apply to other communities pursuing Complete Streets. Examples include clearly defining Complete Streets; educating the public, advocates, and decision-makers about Complete Streets and how this program enhances a community; building a strong and diverse network of supporters; and using stories and examples from other communities with Complete Streets to build a convincing case