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The Impact of Food Access Intervention Policy on Student Learning in Portland, Oregon
Full text linkFood insecurity, a condition that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, is a barrier to educational success. This study examines the impact of food access intervention policy on student learning through the implementation of the 2019 Oregon Student Success in Portland, Oregon. Findings reveal both an increased expansion of food access as well as modest gains in standardized testing scores. However, significant achievement gaps persist, especially among high-need areas and historically underserved groups. This capstone paper supports a hybrid approach to policy evaluation, wherein an integration of traditional and critical analysis methods provides a comprehensive understanding of policy outcomes while identifying areas of persisting inequity
Consideration of a Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax in Michigan
Full text linkGasoline tax revenue is becoming increasingly insufficient to fund road repairs and maintenance nationwide due to the increased fuel efficiency of gasoline-powered vehicles, increased sales of electric and hybrid alternatives, and overall construction cost inflation. Michigan’s solution to this problem, until now, has been to continually increase existing fuel taxes, which does little to address the aforementioned issues. Alternative policy options to supplement and eventually replace these traditional taxes include bridge and highway tolls, higher licensing and registration fees, and the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). Several states in various stages of VMT tax implementation are examined through the lens of public policy and administration topics, and considerations unique to Michigan are addressed. Any final VMT tax policy proposal must acknowledge constituent privacy and security concerns while achieving equitable administration
A Public Administration Approach to Funeral Cost Regulation in Michigan
Full text linkThis research explores the pricing disparities associated with the funeral industry in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. Evidence suggests that there is poor regulation of costs for services provided by the funeral industry, which leads to inconsistent pricing structures, which is especially noticeable when market competition in rural and densely populated counties is considered. This paper presents an evaluation of the current state and federal regulations. Using a public administration framework grounded in bureaucratic theory, policy implementation theory, and social equity theory, this research results in recommendations to implement new legal regulations that would ensure transparency and ethical practices in the death care industry to better protect consumers seeking end-of-life services in the State of Michigan
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BILATERAL LIMB DEFICIT AND CHANGE OF DIRECTION AND LINEAR SPRINT IN DIVISION II MALE SOCCER PLAYERS
Full text linkSoccer requires endurance, strength, power, and repeated sprints, with lower limb force generation crucial for acceleration, deceleration, change of direction (COD), and linear sprinting (LS). The countermovement jump (CMJ) is commonly used to assess force production, and the bilateral limb deficit (BLD) quantifies the difference in force output between unilateral and bilateral CMJs. This study examined the relationship between BLD and COD and LS performance in Division II male soccer players. NCAA Division II male soccer players (n=19; 20.8 ± 1.51 years; 179.68 ± 7.36 cm; 75.2 ± 6.30 kg) participated in this study. Following a dynamic warm-up, participants completed unilateral and bilateral CMJs to measure BLD via peak propulsive force (Fz) and jump height (cm). They performed the 505 Agility Test with and 10m and 30m LS sprints on a turf field, best time was used. Pearson correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between BLD and LS 10m (1.75 ± 0.05s, r = 0.01, p = 0.702), 30m (4.21 ± 0.08s, r = 0.148, p = 0.570) or COD 505 right (2.52 ± 0.08s, r = -0.216, p = 0.405) and 505 left (2.53 ± 0.06s, r = -0.203, p = 0.434). While LS and COD tests are reliable soccer performance indicators, BLD was not a predictor of LS or COD performance in collegiate male soccer players. These results show soccer and strength coaches that while it is important to perform unilateral and bilateral exercises, BLD may not be something to focus on when thinking about soccer performance
Making Upper Peninsula History Accessible: The Promise and Fragility of UPLINK
Full text linkSmall historical societies frequently cannot afford to make their collections more accessible via online catalogs or digital collections. Many are now coming together in consortia in order to afford digital collections platforms. Several such consortia have popped up in the Great Lakes region. This article focuses on UPLINK, the Upper Peninsula Digital Network, and what resources scholars can find there. It also explains why a consortial approach is useful to archives, libraries, and historical societies
ADVANCED NANOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR PROTECTIVE FENCING SUITS: ENHANCING BIOMECHANICAL PERFORMANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
No full textFencing requires proper protective attire that ensures safety and allows for unrestricted movement by balancing flexibility, durability, and puncture resistance. This study investigates the potential of electrospun nanofiber composites, composed of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and enhanced with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), as a sustainable alternative to traditional fencing suit materials. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and dielectric spectroscopy confirmed the uniform incorporation of rGO within the porous nanofiber structure, which enhances the distribution of mechanical loads and energy absorption. The dielectric characteristics of the composite suggest its suitability for applications in adaptive stiffness and motion sensing, thereby supporting advanced biomechanical functionalities. A key objective of this research is to support the production of Qatar’s first locally manufactured fencing suit, reducing import dependency and aligning with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 for sustainability and technological progress. Future research will focus on refining fiber alignment and conducting extensive mechanical testing to meet international standards for protective sportswear. This study advances the development of multifunctional sustainable textiles aimed at high-performance athletic protection
WALKING ON EXTREME SLOPE: ARE STAIRS CHEAPER? IMPLICATION FOR VERTICAL KILOMETER PERFORMANCE
No full textThe aim of this study was to determine if walking on stairs vs incline is cheaper in an energetical point of view. The second objective was to determine the optimal uphill angle for performance at a constant vertical speed of 800m/h. 22 participants did 3 modalities (stairs only, stairs with poles and uphill only) at angles ranging from 18 to 38°. Results showed that 22° was the cross over point where using stairs become cheaper than uphill and that the optimal range for stairs was between 22° and 34°
VALIDITY OF A VELOCITY-BASED TRAINING DEVICE FOR ASSESSING PEAK FORCE, VELOCITY, AND POWER IN MEDICINE BALL THROWS: A PILOT STUDY
No full textThis pilot study examined the validity of a wearable VBT device for measuring peak velocity, force, and power during vertical medicine ball throws. Two participants each performed nine throws while wearing the device, and a single high-speed camera tracked only the medicine ball. Velocity and power were computed from ball position using video-based analysis. The VBT device showed strong correlations for velocity (r = 0.945, bias = –2.01 ± 1.17 m/s) and force (r = 0.969, bias = –64.16 ± 28.31 N), but power showed a weak correlation (r = 0.150, bias = 277.8 ± 337.1 W) and high variability. Bland–Altman plots revealed systematic underestimations in velocity and force. These findings suggest the device may help monitor velocity trends, but power estimates should be interpreted cautiously. Further validation is needed before use in applied sport or clinical settings
COMPARISON OF THORAX AND PELVIS MOTION DURING IRON CLUB GOLF SWING BETWEEN FEMALE AND MALE SKILLED GOLFERS
No full textThis study compared thorax and pelvis biomechanics in male and female golfers using an iron club, analysing eight skilled golfers (4 female, 4 male) with over 10 years of experience and a handicap below 10. The aim was to compare the biomechanics and movement variability of thorax and pelvis motion during the golf swing between genders. Biomechanical analysis was conducted using a combination of marker-based and markerless motion capture systems, focusing on the downswing. Results showed gender- based differences in 3D angular displacement, with significant movement variability in pelvic lateral tilt across all downswing phases (top of backswing, mid-downswing, and ball contact). Female golfers showed greater pelvis variability, especially in tilt and rotation, reflecting diverse motor strategies, while males prioritize stability with less deviation
WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY DETECTS ALTERED COD STRATEGIES IN FOOTBALL PLAYERS POST-ACLR WITHOUT IMPACTING COMPLETION TIME.
No full textThis study examines COD performance and biomechanics in professional football players with a history of ACLR compared to healthy controls, using wearable technology. Kinematics and vertical force were recorded during 90° side-step cutting. Mixed model analysis and Statistical Parametric Mapping compared COD completion time, kinetics, and kinematics between limbs and groups. No significant differences were found in COD time between limbs (p = 0.52) or groups (p = 0.65). However, the involved limb showed greater ankle dorsiflexion and lower vertical force during the penultimate contact (p = 0.002). The involved limb also showed lower knee flexion angles during the plant step compared to the uninvolved and controls (p = 0.011). Results suggest ACLR athletes can restore COD time but use compensatory movements, which should be addressed in rehabilitation