Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Etiquette for single men'

This thesis fills an important research gap in the sociology of ageing and life course, and the sociology of sexualities and intimacies by exploring the understudied experience of singlehood among older gay men. It is a qualitative study based on semi-structured in-depth life story interviews conducted with 25 self-identified gay men over the age of 50 who live in England and have been single for most of their lives. The primary objective of the study is to investigate how older single gay men interpret and assign meanings to their lives in later life. In considering the role of narratives in bridging structure and agency, the thesis suggests that the older gay men’s narratives of singlehood need to be understood with reference to the master narrative in society that privileges couplehood. The master narrative undoubtedly informed and at times overshadowed the ways in which the older gay men understood their lives. But at the same time this thesis finds that the research participants engaged with the master narrative in a variety of creative ways – they did not only adopt, but also adapted and subverted the dominant story line. These counter-stories do not only reproduce, but have the potential to reinvent, the meanings of relationships in contemporary societies. To achieve this, resources were needed in reframing the master narrative. From a life course perspective the thesis suggests that the older gay men’s earlier life experiences and current social locations influenced the narratives they told. Only some of the older single gay men were able to (re-)claim sexual citizenship while others were denied this. In addition, the older gay men’s story-telling was filled with ambivalence and ambiguities. As a whole, the thesis sees the older gay men’s stories as displaying agency within structure.

Researchers in this study set out to explore the young single adult male experience of being "older" in the LDS church where marriage by the age of 25 is emphasized. Guided by the Life Course Perspective, a qualitative study was designed that surveyed 43 single men in the greater Washington DC area between the ages of 25-31. The survey was administered electronically and
consisted of 20 demographic and open-ended questions. Questions were geared towards understanding how LDS men make sense of their experience of being older and single in the Church as well as the influence their social groups have on their experience. Thematic analysis of participant responses revealed two major themes: "It just hasn\'t worked out yet," and "I\'m failing." Further findings suggest themes of not fitting in, the clock is ticking, the women\'s role,
and wanting to get married for the right reasons. Additional sub-themes are addressed as well as their clinical implications and suggestions for further research.
Master of Science

Experiencing financial hardship is stressful and can lead to the development of psychological symptoms, including depression and anxiety. Although researchers have examined the broad categories of coping strategies that people employ when faced with financial hardship, little is known about the experiences of single men who were able to navigate stressful times without developing anxiety or anxiety-like symptoms. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the successful coping experiences of single men with financial hardship (e.g., loss of job, home, finances). Bonanno's theory of resilience provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from interviews with 12 single men ages 18 to 65 who identified as middle or lower SES and had experienced financial hardship within the past 8 years. Data were analyzed using Van Kaam's method, producing 10 thematic categories: definitions of stressors, personal financial stressors, worries, challenges, how stressors were experienced, supports, coping strategies, definitions of resilience, experience of resilience, and added information. Sports and sharing with others were common coping skills; this contributed to an improved understanding of how single men may respond when faced with negative financial events. Findings may be helpful to those who provide counseling services for clients in this category and may be used in training programs to teach strategies for managing financial stress.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whole muscle and single muscle fiber adaptations in old men (OM) and old women (OW) over 80 years of age in response to progressive resistance training (PRT). Six OM (82±1 y, 74±4 kg, BMI 25±1 kg•m-2) and six OW (85±1 y, 67±3 kg, BMI 27±1 kg•m-2) resistance trained the knee extensors (3 sets, 10 repetitions) at 70% one repetition maximum 3 d•wk-1 for 12 wks. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained before and after the PRT program. Isolated muscle fibers were studied in vitro at 15°C for diameter (Dia), peak tension (Po), unloaded shortening velocity (Vo), and absolute peak power (Abs Pwr). With PRT, OM increased whole muscle strength (40±6%, p<0.05), with no change in whole muscle size. OW also increased whole muscle strength (26±6%, p<0.05) without a change in whole muscle size. No differences were observed in any of the single muscle fiber parameters among MHC I or MHC IIa muscle fibers from OM or OW. The novel finding of this study was that despite an increase in whole muscle strength there was no change in whole muscle size, single fiber diameter, or single fiber contractile function. Given that there was no change in muscle size or cellular function with PRT, the improvement in whole muscle strength point to neurological changes. These data suggest that the hypertrophic mechanisms that are typically apparent in humans with PRT are attenuated in individuals over 80 y.
School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

This qualitative study explored the lives of 11 Black men to better understand how Black men who were raised in single Black mother homes build romantic relationships with Black women. One focus group and a series of individual in-person interviews were conducted with the participants who ranged between 23 and 43 years of age. Participants were asked questions that inquired about their family of origin, messages they received about relationships, how they define masculinity, their perceptions of Black women, and their previous and current experiences building romantic relationships. Guided by a narrative approach, several different coding methods were used to help reveal six core themes related to the study. Some of the more significant themes include: 1) conflicted feelings towards their parents and Black women; 2) male mentorship; and 3) masculinity. Because the study was conducted using a non-deficit approach, the findings were analyzed using Helms’ “Black racial identity development model”, critical race theory, and intersectionality; to conceptualize the participants’ experiences though the lens of White privilege, racism, oppression, and racial identity. The study revealed an inequity of empathy among the group of men related to their feelings towards their mothers and fathers. Additionally, then men’s feelings towards their mothers had a larger impact compared to their fathers on their perceptions of Black woman and how they build romantic relationships. This study is significant because it is the first study to simultaneously explore single Black mother homes and Black men and romantic relationships. Additionally, the study is significant because it provides rich insight about this specific topic and other features of the Black experience along with culturally relevant interventions and implications for counselors and counselor educators.

In a cultural web of myth, sexualisation and prejudice, how do older, British singletons gain access to health-giving, non-sexual touch? This study takes interview material from five single women and three single men (all cisgender, white, heterosexual, British, between 37-76 years) and interlaces it with autoethnographic commentary, poems and artworks to explore negotiations around touch. Drawing on Haraway and Barad’s theoretical concept of “entanglements” (2008; 2007), cross-disciplinary connections are woven across feminist new materialism and social sciences, the body and discourse, the conscious and subconscious. Findings, which are partial, provisional, messy and complex (Haraway 1988), include powerful narratives of shame, denial and cauterisation of touch-needs. These co-exist with corporeal tales of the richness and variety of touch-opportunities, the tactile importance of cats and a “turn” by the oldest, female participants away from a romantic, heterosexual partner towards bonding with the landscape.

The purpose of this study was to examine the hypotheses that the external factors of family environment, gender, and clinical status and the internal factors of self-esteem and impression management would have either a positive influence or a negative influence on individuals' congruence between their sexual attitudes and their sexual behavior. The hypotheses that the external and internal factors would be significant predictors of congruence between sexual attitudes and behavior were not supported by regression analyses. Clinical status and impression management were significant predictors of congruence but in the opposite direction than hypothesized. When age was factored out of the regression equation, clinical status was no longer a significant predictor of congruence. However, impression management remained a significant predictor of congruence.

Jag vill undersöka och beskriva tvärkulturell fostran. Syftet med uppsatsen är att studera hur barn formas av att växa upp med två kulturer, det vill säga där barnets/barnens föräldrar kommer från två olika kulturer och den ena kulturen inte är representerad under barnets/barnens uppväxt. Frågeställningarna utifrån detta är; Vad förmedlar föräldern till barnet/barnen av denna kultur? Vilka förhoppningar har föräldern kring innebörd och konsekvenser av den tvärkulturella fostran och uppväxten? Litteraturstudien visar att i en tvärkulturell fostran får man först se vad kulturen bär med sig,vilka kulturtraditioner och förhållningssätt som finns i de respektive kulturerna. Har de exempelvis en grund i grupp- eller individorientering där olika synsätt förespråkas och premieras, och där dessa tar sig olika uttryck i fostran och under uppväxten? Begrepp som innefattar en tvärkulturell fostran är identitet, socialisering, etnicitet och nationalism. Flera studier visar även på språkets betydelse för socialisering och kulturell identitet. Vem man är och vem man blir påverkas av språket och även speglas däri. Resultaten från studiens intervjuundersökning och autoetnografi pekar bland annat på betydelsen av kontakter med familj och släkt genom audiovisuella hjälpmedel via internet, att hålla en positiv bild av den andra föräldern, samt att visualisera kulturen genom fotografier och föremål.
My aim of this study is to investigate and describe cross-cultural upbringing. The purpose of the essay is to study how children are formed by growing up with two cultures, ie where the child's/children's parents come from two different cultures and one culture is not represented during the child's/children's upbringing. The issues from this are; What does the parent convey to the child/children of this culture? What hopes does the parent have regarding the meaning and consequences of the cross-cultural upbringing? The literature study shows that in a cross-cultural upbringing one must first see what the culture carries with it, which cultural traditions and attitudes that exist in the respective cultures. Do they, for example, have a foundation in group or individual orientation where different views are advocated and rewarded, and where these take different forms in parents’ views and during the children’s upbringing? Concepts that involve cross-cultural upbringing are identity, socialization, ethnicity and nationalism. Several studies also show the importance of language for socialization and cultural identity. Who you are and who you become are affected by language and also reflected in the language. The results of the study's interview survey and auto-ethnography point to, among other things, the importance of contacts with family and relatives through audiovisual aids via the internet, to keep a positive image of the other parent, and to visualize the culture through photographs and objects.

This thesis examines, on the basis of gender, the issues surrounding the occurrence of conflict as it is experienced by ministers of the Church of Scotland working as the only person, ordained to Word and Sacrament, in their parish. The investigation used both quantitative and qualitative instruments to gather data from a sample of 123 females and 770 males out of a population of 123 females and 1042 males. The instruments were posted together in a single mailing in order to preserve the anonymity of the respondents. The survey data identified in particular the high percentage of respondents who claimed some experience of conflict in their present or immediate past Charge; the level of that conflict as assessed by the respondents using the range developed by Leas and Kittlaus, and the time in the parish before conflict occurred. The research also highlighted a general lack of any formal training in conflict management. The qualitative data served to highlight the wide range of issues, which have been identified as conflict generators within congregations of the Church of Scotland. The data indicates the range of conflict encounters experienced by both males and females based on the Leas and Kittlaus' theory of five levels of conflict intensity. Nine case studies have also been examined in-depth. They include one male and one female for Leas and Kittlaus' levels one to four. There is also one male at level five but no female equivalent as no respondent identified herself as being in this category. The data from the two instruments has allowed ten conclusions with accompanying recommendations, which are to be made to the Church of Scotland. Of these conclusions and recommendations, one of the most significant is the proposal to appoint a Ministry Adviser to every minister entering a new parish, irrespective of age and seniority, as a mechanism to assist with conflict avoidance. In addition, a number of areas of possible future research have been identified on this and related topics.

There is increasing interest in how people manage the multiple demands of paid work, home and personal life, and the consequences that failure to achieve ‘balance' between these domains may have on health. There has been limited qualitative research exploring the meanings and connections people attach to gender, ‘work-life balance’ and health; this is particularly so for workers who do not occupy managerial or professional jobs. To fill this gap in the literature this qualitative study examined narratives about ‘work-life balance’ amongst women and men working in ‘non-professional’ jobs in a single organisation. Forty semi-structured interviews were carried out with women and men working in administrative, technical and manual jobs within a single organisation based in various cities across the UK. As with the wider labour market, jobs were largely segregated by sex; all the administrative workers were women, whilst all but one of the manual employees were men. The sample included people who worked full-time and part-time, along with participants who also had other employment or were in further education. The sample was diverse in relation to age and family situation. The study was framed within the context of Clark’s (2000) work/family border theory, which aims to explain how individuals balance paid work and family, and construct the borders between these domains. The thesis focused on paid employment, family, leisure, and reported experiences of work-life balance amongst the sample. It concludes by revisiting Clark’s work/family border theory, considering the importance of different domains and borders for this sample, and the role of gender within the theory. The accounts of work-life balance given by these participants differed from those reported in studies of professional employees. Whilst much of the literature problematises paid work as being the main source of conflict, within this sample experiences varied. Due to the relatively low-paid nature of the work carried out amongst the sample, in many instances the necessity of work in providing for self and family predominated over considerations of work-life balance. Borders surrounding the leisure domain were highly permeable, meaning this domain was often compromised by work and family demands. Participants generally held traditional attitudes to gender roles, particularly in relation to the domestic sphere. This influenced choices constructed around paid work, and experiences of work-life balance. Health was not a key concern, although high levels of strain in different spheres, particularly in relation to the home and family sphere, led to stress for some participants.

The purpose of this research study was to conduct an exploration of the dating preferences of African American women and U.S. men between the ages of 30-74 years old. This research focuses on the dating preferences and desirability of African American women and if they are influential on the high unmarried rates of African American women. A weighted stratified sampling of 2,800 personal advertisements of African American, Asian, Latino and White men and women from Match.com were collected to conduct the research. The five research hypotheses of this study were tested using frequency and percentage distribution, logistic regression and cross-tabulation models. The findings partially support the hypotheses African American women are more likely to prefer a mate with a bachelor's degree or higher and African American women are more likely to prefer a mate of the same race compared to U.S. women of other races. The findings also suggested non-African American men are less likely to have an interest in dating African American women and non-African American men, who are interested in dating African American women, are less likely to prefer women with a bachelor's degree or higher or a more socially desirable body type.

Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is growing interest in how genetic and environmental risk factors interact to confer risk for dysregulated iron homeostasis, which is considered a possible pathogenic mechanism in multiple sclerosis (MS). While iron deficiency has been associated with greater disability and disease progression, cerebral accumulation and overload of insoluble iron has also been reported in MS patients. Variation in the matriptase-2 (TMPRSS6) gene has recently been described that may lead to reduced iron levels, which raised the question of whether it may be involved in dysfunctional iron regulation as a pathogenic mechanism in MS. The aims of the study were as follows: 1)) comparison of the allele frequencies and genotype distribution for TMPRSS6 A736V (rs855791, c.2207C>T) and HFE C282Y (rs1800562, c.845G>A) between patients diagnosed with MS and unaffected controls; 2) determination of the effects of clinical characteristics, relevant lifestyle factors and genotype on serum iron parameters in MS patients compared to population matched controls; and 3) determination of clinical outcome in relation to age of onset and degree of disability in MS patients. The study population included 121 Caucasian MS patients and 286 population-matched controls. Serum iron, transferrin, ferritin and transferrin saturation levels were available from previous studies and lifestyle factors were subsequently documented in a subgroup of 68 MS patients and 143 controls using the study questionnaire. Genotyping of TMPRSS6 A736V and HFE C282Y were performed using allele-specific TaqMan technology. The genotype distribution and allele frequencies of TMPRSS6 A736V and HFE C282Y did not differ between MS patients and controls. MS patients homozygous for the iron-lowering minor T-allele of TMPRSS6 A736V had significantly lower serum iron levels (p=0.03) and transferrin saturation levels (p=0.03) compared to CC homozygotes. In MS patients the iron-loading minor A-allele of HFE C282Y was also associated with a paradoxical decrease in serum ferritin (p<0.01) compared to GG homozygotes. When considering the combined effect of the minor alleles of TMPRSS6 A736V and HFE C282Y with opposite effects on iron levels, we found a significant reduction in serum ferritin levels (p<0.05), independent of age, sex, body mass index (BMI) or dietary red meat intake in MS patients. A similar effect was not observed in the population- and age-matched controls. Higher dietary red meat intake correlated significantly with increased ferritin only in controls (p=0.01 vs. 0.21 for MS patients). In the presence of the minor allele of HFE C282Y, the TMPRSS6 A736V CT and TT genotypes were associated with a significantly earlier age of onset of MS when the post hoc test was applied (p=0.04). All the study aims were successfully accomplished. Our results support the possibility of an epistatic effect between TMPRSS6 A736V and HFE C282Y associated with reduced ferritin levels in MS patients. Pathology-supported genetic testing (PSGT) applied in this study as a new concept for analysis of complex diseases with a genetic component, is well placed to optimise clinical management in patients with MS.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar heers toenemende belangstelling in hoe die wisselwerking tussen genetiese en omgewingsfaktore die risiko tot wanregulering van yster-homeostase beïnvloed. Laasgenoemde is ‘n moontlike patogeniese meganisme vir meervoudige sklerose (MS). Alhoewel verhoogde gestremdheid en siekteprogressie met ystertekort geassosieer is, is ysterophoping in die serebrum asook ‘n oormaat onoplosbare yster al by MS-pasiënte gevind. Variasie in die matriptase-2 (TMPRSS6) geen wat tot verlaging in ystervlakke kan lei, is onlangs beskryf en laat die vraag ontstaan of dit betrokke is by wanregulering van yster-homeostase as patogeniese meganisme in MS. Die doelwitte van die studie was as volg: 1) vergelyking van alleelfrekwensies en genotipeverspreiding vir TMPRSS6 A736V (rs855791, c.2207C>T) en HFE C282Y (rs1800562, c.845G>A) tussen MS-pasiënte en ongeaffekteerde kontroles; 3) bepaling van die effekte van kliniese indikators, relevante leefstylfaktore en genotipe op serum yster parameters in MS-pasiënte in vergelyking met populasie-ooreenstemmende kontroles; en 4) bepaling van kliniese uitkoms ten opsigte van aanvangsouderdom en graad van MS-aantasting. Die studiepopulasie het uit 121 kaukasiese MS-pasiënte en 286 kontroles van dieselfde populasie, wat nie die siekte het nie, bestaan. Serum yster, transferrin, ferritien en transferrien-versadigingsvlakke was beskikbaar vanaf vorige studies. Leefstylfaktore is in ‘n subgroep van 68 MS-pasiënte en 143 kontroles gedokumenteer met behulp van die studie-vraelys. TMPRSS6 A736V en HFE C282Y genotipering is met alleel-spesifieke TaqMan-tegnologie uitgevoer. Beide pasiënte en kontroles het dieselfde genotipeverspreiding en alleelfrekwensies getoon. Die A-alleel van HFE C282Y is met ‘n paradoksale verlaging in serum ferritien geassosieer (p<0.01) in MS-pasiënte met TMPRSS6 A736V, moontlik weens geen-geen interaksie wat nie deur ouderdom, liggaamsmassa-indeks of inname van rooivleis in die dieet beïnvloed is nie (p<0.05) en nie by kontroles gevind is nie. MS-pasiënte wat homosigoties is vir die T-alleel van TMPRSS6 A736V, het statisties betekenisvolle laer serum ystervlakke (p=0.03) en transferrienversadiging (p=0.03) getoon in vergelyking met CC-homosigote. In MS-pasiënte was die yster-oorlading A-alleel van HFE C282Y ook geassosieer met ‘n paradoksale afname in serum ferritien (p<0.01) in vergelyking met GG-homosigote. Wanneer die gekombineerde effek van die risiko-geassosieerde allele van TMPRSS6 A736V en HFE C282Y met teenoorgestelde effekte op ystervlakke geanaliseer word, is daar ‘n statisties beteknisvolle afname in serum ferritienvlakke (p<0.05), onafhanklik van ouderdom, geslag, liggaamsmassa-indeks of rooivleisinname in MS-pasiënte. ‘n Soortgelyke effek is nie waargeneem in populasie- en geslag-gelyke kontroles nie. Die inname van rooivleis in die dieet was betekenisvol minder by MS-pasiënte teenoor kontroles (p=0.03) en dit het slegs betekenisvol met verhoogde ferritien by kontroles gekorreleer (p=0.01 teenoor 0.21 by MS-pasiënte). In die teenwoordigheid van die risiko-geassosieerde alleel van HFE C282Y, is die TMPRSS6 A736V CT en TT genotipes geassosieer met ‘n statisties-betekenisvolle vroeër aanvangsouderdom van MS soos bepaal met die post hoc-toets (p=0.04). Al die doelwitte van die studie is suksesvol uitgevoer. Die resultate ondersteun die moontlikheid van ‘n epistatiese effek tussen TMPRSS6 A736V en HFE C282Y wat geassosieer is met ‘n verlaging in ferritienvlakke in MS-pasiënte. Patologie-gesteunde genetiese toetsing soos toegepas in hierdie studie as ‘n nuwe konsep vir analise van komplekse siektes met ‘n genetiese komponent, is goed geplaas om kliniese hantering van MS-pasiënte te optimaliseer.

Die vorliegende Arbeit ist bis jetzt die einzige umfangreiche, wissenschaftliche Untersuchung über alleinerziehende Mütter in der Mongolei. Obwohl das Land im Jahr 2018 ein Wirtschaftswachstum von 6,4 % erzielte, hat ein hoher Anteil der Bevölkerung noch heute große Schwierigkeiten in ihrem alltäglichen Leben. Die Hauptursachen dafür sind politische Instabilität, Korruption, Arbeitslosigkeit und Armut. Diese Faktoren erschweren das Leben vieler Mongol*innen, vor allem der verwundbareren sozialen Gruppen, wie die der älteren Leute, der Familien von alleinstehenden Müttern und ihren Kindern. Aus diesem Grund gewinnt diese ethnographische Studie über die prekären geschlechtsspezifischen Lebensgrundlagen in den Wirtschaftstransformationsprozessen weiterhin an Bedeutung. Anhand der Diskurstheorie werden zunächst herrschende Moral- und Wertevorstellungen genauer analysiert. Auf Basis dieser theoretischen Grundlage wird das historische Bild alleinstehender Mütter von Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts über die sozialistische Zeit bis zur politischen Wende von 1990 untersucht. Dazu wurden sämtliche vorhandene Archivmaterialien und die einschlägige Literatur detailliert untersucht. Die ausführliche Darstellung von Lebenssituationen interviewter alleinstehender Mütter aus den verschiedenen Wohnorten des Landes bildet den Hauptteil der Arbeit. Darauf folgt eine Analyse der geschlechtsspezifischen Rollen ihrer Kinder im familiären Umfeld. Das aktuelle Bild der Männer, das seit dem Systemwechsel von 1990 den gesellschaftlichen Diskurs prägt, ergänzt die Arbeit.
This study is the only extensive ethnographic work to focus on the living conditions and experiences of single mothers in post-socialist Mongolia. Despite reaching an economic growth rate of 6.4 percent in 2018, the majority of Mongolia's population is still exposed to extreme economic precarity caused by political instability, corruption, unemployment and poverty. These compounded factors negatively impact the quality of life for many Mongolians and, in particular, affect vulnerable populations like e.g. the elderly, single-mother households and their children, etc. Consequently, this study will continue to increase in relevance as ethnography of precarious gendered livelihoods in economic transformation. At first, the author analyzes Mongolian concepts of morality and value by drawing on discourse theory. Based on this approach, the author also looks at historical images of single-mothers from the beginning of the 20th century throughout the socialist period until the political changes in the 1990s. The author has developed her insights from studying a wide array of archival material and relevant literature. The study presents a great number of case studies of lives lead by interviewed single-mothers in different places of Mongolia. This follows their children's gender-differentiated roles in detail within their respective environments. The empirical data is based on in-depth fieldwork. The study complements the women's discourses by also addressing the current images of men, which have been characterized by the public discourse since the social change.

Inserindo-se no campo de discussão da saúde dos homens, esta dissertação apresenta a trajetória da noção de gênero e do conceito de saúde reprodutiva e sexual voltada aos homens na perspectiva teórico-política da saúde coletiva. Teve como objetivo analisar como se configurava, em 2004, a atenção à saúde reprodutiva e sexual masculina no município de Francisco Morato a partir do discurso de profissionais, gerentes e gestores de saúde. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram oito profissionais, cinco gerentes e três gestores de saúde, tendo-se utilizado a entrevista como método de coleta de dados e a análise temática para o tratamento dos mesmos. Nossa análise constatou que a percepção das diferenças de gênero influencia a construção de discursos nos quais convivem elementos novos e antigos sobre a participação dos homens nos serviços de saúde. Mostramos que as ações gerais, como o planejamento familiar e os atendimentos de rotina, são calcadas em uma visão biomédica. Por outro lado, há ações isoladas que consideram as peculiaridades da vida dos homens para além do seu corpo biológico, como as atividades preventivas em espaços de sociabilidade masculina e a orientação sobre sexualidade em residências. O lugar-comum entre os entrevistados é o discurso de que os homens usam os serviços de saúde de forma seletiva, menos freqüente que as mulheres, sobretudo na atenção básica. Em consonância com diversos autores, este estudo revelou que os homens procuram os serviços quando ocorre a intensificação de algum problema de saúde e como participantes de alguns programas e serviços disponibilizados para si próprios e para a família. Ficou evidente o vínculo entre o aumento na participação e o incentivo à presença dos homens proporcionado pelo programa de saúde da família (PSF). Esse aumento deflagrou alguns esforços de entrevistados para atraí-los aos espaços de cuidado à saúde, revelando que os sujeitos de pesquisa percebem certas características do masculino em sua realidade particular, bem como a existência de poucos espaços coletivos organizados para discutir o cuidado à saúde. A dissertação se encerra afirmando a necessidade de uma maior formulação e implementação de propostas que levem em conta os diversos perfis de morbimortalidade do município
Within the discussion field of masculinities, this dissertation introduces the path of gender notion and the concept of reproductive and sexual health concerning men, under the political theoretical perspective of collective health. It aimed to analyze the conditions of male reproductive and sexual health care in the municipality of Francisco Morato in 2004, based on the discourse of eight health care practitioners, five managers and three public health administrators. The participants, whose discourses were submitted to thematic analysis, were interviewed for data collection. The way through which the perception of gender differences builds the discourses which congregate new and old elements on mens participation in healthcare services was analyzed. It was shown that general actions, such as family planning and routine assistance, are based on a biomedical viewpoint. On the other hand, there are isolated actions which consider the peculiarities of mens life beyond their biological body, such as preventive actions in male sociability spaces and home guidance on sexuality. It was common-place among the interviewees the discourse that men use health services selectively, less frequently than women, especially regarding primary health care. In consonance with several authors, this study revealed that men look for health services when they are afflicted by more serious health problems and /or as participants in some specific health programs which became available to them or to their families. The link between the increase in mens participation and the incentive to their presence promoted by Family Health Program (FHP) was unequivocal. This increase generated some efforts from the part of the interviewees to attract male users to health care centers showing that the subjects of this research realize that they have certain of these male characteristics in their private reality and also the existence of very few organized collective spaces where health care could be discussed. In conclusion, this dissertation emphasizes the need for further formulation and implementation of proposals which take into consideration the different morbidity and mortality profiles in the municipality

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2004.
Advisor: Dr. Dianne Speake, Florida State University, School of Nursing. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Sept. 28, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

碩士
中國文化大學
生活應用科學研究所
98
The study aimed at investigating the needs of premarital education activities by unmarried men and women in Keelung City. Not only tried to understand the participation motivation, learning demands, and the obstructive factors in current situation, the study also wanted to understand individual background variance caused differential status in participation motivation, learning demands, and the obstructive factors. By purposive and snowball sampling method, 452 effective samples were drawn from men and women that were aged 20 to 44 years old, never married, and living in Keelung City. The research instruments used including “Premarital Education Activity Participation and Motivation Scale”, “Scale of the Learning Demands on Premarital Education”, “Scale on Obstructive Factors of Premarital Education”, and “Personal Background information Sheet”. The obtained data was analyzed by frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe method, and Chi-square test. Research results were as follows: 1.To make new friends and expand social network accounted for the primary participation motivation. The first topic in learning demands was “conflict resolution”. Most chose comprehensive activities as the activity type. The preferred time was half of the day in the morning or in the afternoon on Saturday, and the preferred location was at leisure farms. Most of them thought group leaders can be arranged in accordance with the activity type or course subjects and contents. They thought such activities should be free of charge, but proper amount of guarantee money can be collected. Internet promotion was preferred. Main obstructive factors in participating in such activities were the activity venue was too far from one’s living area, activity time can not cooperate with one’s time, people have no interests in participation, and people do not know the activity related information. 2.Participation “motivation” were significantly influenced by “reasons for current single status” and “premarital education’s participation situation”. 3.The demand on “activity content” was significantly influenced by “age” and “premarital education’s participation situation”. 4.The demand on “activity type” was significantly influenced by “gender” and “premarital education’s participation situation”. 5.The demand on “activity time” was significantly influenced by “relationship status”. 6.The demand on “activity venue” was significantly influenced by “relationship status”. 7.The demand on “number of leaders” was significantly influenced by “premarital education’s participation situation”. 8.The demand on the “fee standard” was significantly influenced by “gender”, “relationship status”, and “premarital education’s participation situation”. 9.The demand of “promotion method” was significantly influenced by “reasons for current single status”. 10.The “obstructive factors” in attending premarital education were significant influenced by “the understanding on premarital education” and “premarital education’s participation situation”. The results were concluded and specific suggestions were provided for Keelung City Family Education Center and related organizations as references for planning premarital education activities in the future.

碩士
樹德科技大學
人類性學研究所
103
Due the gradual increase in the issue of sexual. Love and sex cognition differences and produced a lot of misunderstanding, according to statistics unmarried single mature male ratio increases, but the real reason why men do not marry unclear. These have a fixed partner single mature men, all kinds of sexual practices pipeline that? Taiwan has so far no relevant professional theoretical research and development, based on the study motivation and background, the purpose of this study include: First, the domestic single mature male life history and choose unmarried relevance. Second, the integrated analysis of lust and passion cognitive experience of a single mature male gender and community to enhance understanding of male lust. Third, to explore the country''s single mature male sexual practices pipeline. In this study, in-depth interview and encoding a grounded theory analysis of the information is encoded, the results found the following: 1.Found that most single mature male family affection and sex are conserved in this study. 2.Second, a single mature male emotional cognitive has great contradiction in ideals and values. 3.The majority of respondents single mature men can practice sex outside of marriage, marriage is not the only way to show the relationship between the pattern of lust, marriage is not a prerequisite for practice. 4.A single mature male is affected religious factors in the selection process in lust and marriage. 5.Single mature male consider that women do not understand men''s lust, the lust interaction needs women to know and actively cooperate. 6.Single mature male most satisfying sex practices is have physical contact with live ammunition, but in the safety concerns, the most common use of a single mature male masturbation way. Based on the above findings, this study presents the following recommendations: Single mature male who has many contradiction unconsciously in the choice of marriage , the lust interaction with women, and the lust and sexual practices. The social authorities should pay attention to the issues and to promote education of male lust provide male correct concept and gender interaction skills.

碩士
國立成功大學
生物化學研究所
95
Infertility affects 10–15% of all couples, and impaired sperm production accounts for about half of these cases. Deleted in Azoospermia (DAZ) gene was originally isolated from the AZFc region on the long arm of the human Y chromosome that is frequently deleted in infertile men. DAZ-like (DAZL), an autosomal homolog located on chromosome 3p24, are expressed exclusively in the germ cells, and their protein products contain a highly conserved RNA-binding motif and a unique DAZ repeat. DAZL gene is essential for the differentiation of germ cells. Loss of germ cells was observed in Dazl knockout mice. And the effect of DAZL regulate substrate is on the translational control. We have previously found that the DAZL transcript amounts were lower in men with spermatogenic failure. To investigate the role of the DAZL gene in human spermatogenesis, DAZL was genotyped in 231 infertile Taiwanese men presenting with severe oligozoospermia and nonobstructive azoospermia. We identified two polymorphisms－A to G transition at nucleotide 386 in exon 3 (T54A), and nucleotide 260 in exon 2 (T12A); as well as two mutations: T to G transversion at nucleotide 382 in exon 3 (D52E) and A to C transversion at nucleotide 427 in exon 3 (K67N). The frequency of T54A allele was found to be more prevalent in patients than in controls (P=0.0004). To characterize the functional significance of DAZL polymorphisms or mutations, we identified the mRNA substrates that are specifically bound by human DAZL protein. We found that SDAD1, STK31, TPX1, MVH were the substrates of DAZL by the tether function assay analysis. Meanwhile, T12A and T54A were associated with decreased translational efficiency for TXP1. T12A, D52E, and K67N of DAZL were associated with decreased protein expression of STK31. All polymorphisms and mutations decreased protein expression of MVH. These results suggest that different polymorphisms may exert different effects on different genes during spermatogenesis. By using RNA-EMSA, we confirmed that TPX1 and STK31 were indeed DAZL substrates. In addition, by using RNA-EMSA, we define 3’UTR 1bp-101bp and 301-414bp of TPX1 interacts with DAZL. However, the variant DAZL proteins also bind to TPX1 and STK31. These findings suggest mutant proteins regulate substrates translation not directly through their binding activity. Other DAZL interacting partners may be involved in pathogenesis of these genetic variants and polymorphisms.

碩士
國立臺東大學
進修部暑期體育碩士班
97
Abstract Purposes: 1.To compare the competitive patterns of National and International badminton men`s single competitions. 2.To compare the effect of shots with victory or defeat players. 3.To calculate the winning rate of badminton men`s single competitions. Method: A total of 12 matches(26 sets) including the matches of the 2007 National Athletic Games and 12 matches(26 sets) from important International competitions 2007 were calculated. Matches were recorded stroke by stroke using computerized notational analysis. Independent t test, test of homogeneity of proportion, one-way MANOVA and stepwise regression method were utilized for analyze, with significance level set at p<.05. Results: 1.The different patterns between National and International badminton men`s single competitions were

碩士
國立臺灣師範大學
體育學系
105
Background: Previous studies have reported that the performance of proprioception (e.g. position sense) impaired following a single bout of maximal eccentric exercise-induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) of the unilateral limb muscle (e.g. the elbow flexors). However, it is not known whether the results of the unilateral limb muscles can be generalized to the lower extremities muscles. Since lower limb muscles play a crucial role in the activities of daily living, it may decrease athletic performance and increase the risk of sports injury as the performance level of proprioception declines. Therefore, the purpose of this study investigated the effects of several commons eccentric resistance exercises used in a gym on performance level of proprioception of different human lower limbs. Methods: Eight sedentary healthy men performed 5 sets of 10 high-intensive (80% of pre-exercise maximal isometric strength) eccentric resistance exercises (ERE) of leg extension, prone leg curl, and standing calf to induce DOMS of the lower limb muscles. Changes in repositioning tasks (RPT) and positioning matching tasks (PMT; 60˚, 45˚, 30˚ of knee extension) during sitting, prostrated and standing postures, and muscle soreness were measured before, immediately after, and 1-5 days after ERE. Each measure was compared by a three-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. Results: (1) DOMS was significantly developed at 1-3 post-ERE of three different muscles compared to baseline (p <.05); (2) Changes in RPT (e.g. prostrated: 2˚-6˚) and PMT (e.g. prostrated: 3˚-6˚) during sitting, prostrated and standing postures testing immediately to 5 days after ERE of knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) and plantar flexor (PF) were significantly greater than pre-ERE levels (p <.05); (3) The absolute errors of RPT of sitting posture, rectus femoris (e.g. 60˚: r = -.72) and vastus lateralis (60˚: r = -.78) post-ERE of the KE had a significant (p <.05) correlation with peak DOMS, however, there was no correlation between the absolute errors of PMT and peak DOMS post-ERE of the KE (p >.05); (4) The absolute errors between RPT and PMT of prostrated and standing postures post-ERE of the KE, KF and PF had no correlation with peak DOMS (p >.05). Conclusion: These results show that development of DOMS lasted for 3 day after performing three common ERE of the lower limbs, while performance level of proprioception impaired lasted for 5 day after ERE. It appears that the sensation of subjective DOMS after RER is not related to the recovery of proprioception markers. Thus, these findings of the present study may be provided reference for general people performing high-intensity of ERE at the beginning.

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural compound that improves mitochondrial function and metabolic health in animal models. Thus far, RSV’s effects on metabolic outcomes in humans are controversial, and RSV’s acute mechanism has not yet been confirmed in vivo. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an acute dose of RSV on insulin sensitivity and fatty acid oxidation, and to determine RSV’s mechanism of action in human skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Overweight males (n=8; BMI, 30.5±3.6; VO2peak, 34.0±7.3 ml/kg) reported to the lab on 2 occasions and were provided a breakfast supplemented with 0.3g of RSV or a placebo pill. Experiments were performed in random order using a double blind crossover design. Gas exchange measures, blood samples, and skeletal muscle and adipose tissue biopsies were obtained before and 2 hours after the supplement meal. RSV acutely improved insulin sensitivity, but had no effect on fatty acid oxidation. Additionally, RSV supplementation had no effect on the intracellular signaling of key proteins proposed to mediate its effects in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Taken together, these results suggest a single dose of RSV can acutely enhance insulin sensitivity, but its mechanism of action is not conserved across species, and its intracellular signaling pathway is different in humans than previously thought. Due to its insulin sensitizing effect, RSV retains its clinical value, but further research is required to determine its most useful application for human metabolic health.
Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2013-06-06 13:30:03.522