Development of a market-driven training model for rural women in Iran by using a qualitative paradigm.

Problem: Training programs aimed at empowering rural women in Kurdistan, Iran, have fallen short of their goals. This study offers a unique understanding of how contextual factors and cultural nuances impact the effectiveness of market-driven training programs for rural women in Kurdistan. Objectives: This study explored factors affecting the effectiveness of market-driven training programs for rural women in Kurdistan. Methods: A qualitative approach using grounded theory methodology was employed. Interviews were conducted with 23 key informants, including rural women and experts. Data analysis with MAXQDA software identified seven categories and a core category related to market-driven training. Findings: The study revealed that successful implementation of market-driven training hinges on various external and internal factors. These include access to markets, facilities, and funding, along with effective monitoring of business activities. Additionally, rural community culture and the purchasing power of women were identified as key intervening conditions impacting program success. When implemented effectively, market-driven training programs have the potential to empower women, reduce rural migration, and improve product quality. Recommendations: The research suggests that future training programs should adopt a multi-dimensional approach that addresses the identified factors to achieve sustainable positive outcomes for rural women in Kurdistan.

In vivo and in vitro sperm production: an overview of the challenges and advances in male fertility restoration.

Male infertility can be caused by genetic anomalies, endocrine disorders, inflammation, and exposure to toxic chemicals or gonadotoxic treatments. Therefore, several recent studies have concentrated on the preservation and restoration of fertility to enhance the quality of life for affected individuals. It is currently recommended to biobank the tissue extracted from testicular biopsies to provide a later source of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Another successful approach has been the in vitro production of haploid male germ cells. The capacity of SSCs to transform into sperm, as in testicular tissue transplantation, SSC therapy, and in vitro or ex vivo spermatogenesis, makes them ideal candidates for in vivo fertility restoration. The transplantation of SSCs or testicular tissue to regenerate spermatogenesis and create embryos has been achieved in nonhuman mammal species. Although the outcomes of human trials have yet to be released, this method may soon be approved for clinical use in humans. Furthermore, regenerative medicine techniques that develop tissue or cells on organic or synthetic scaffolds enriched with bioactive molecules have also gained traction. All of these methods are now in different stages of experimentation and clinical trials. However, thanks to rigorous studies on the safety and effectiveness of SSC-based reproductive treatments, some of these techniques may be clinically available in upcoming decades.

Collaborative networking among agricultural production cooperatives in Iran.

This research seeks to determine mechanisms in developing collaborative networking among agricultural production cooperatives in Iran. The research design was survey method and a network consisting of agricultural cooperatives has been defined as the core of the network. The statistical population of the study included managers of cooperatives which were administrated by the "Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare" and the "Rural Cooperative Organization" of the Alborz Province (N = 540). From this target population, 176 managers of cooperatives were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. A questionnaire was developed to determine the technical, economical, educational, legal, social, and policy making mechanisms that presented the collaborative networking model. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts in the field of Agricultural cooperative. To calculate the reliability coefficient of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which is used for multi-scale questions, was used. The mean of Cronbach's alpha coefficients in this study was 0.803. The results showed that policy making with a coefficient of 0.539, economic with a coefficient of 0.499, legal with a coefficient of 0.208, and educational mechanisms with a coefficient of 0.130 had the most impact, while technical and social mechanisms had no role in developing the collaborative networking.