2379 research outputs found
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Do No Harm: The Impact of Abortion Bans on The Ability of Obstetrician-Gynecologists to Sufficiently Perform Their Duties
Get PDFThis paper examines the law surrounding abortion and how these laws disproportionately impact minority communities, the scenarios in which an abortion is indicated at any point within a pregnancy, the path to becoming an obstetrician-gynecologist and abortion training within these programs, and how the aforementioned laws are impacting the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Each of these factors are brought together to explain how the current laws in place are negatively impacting the ability for these medical professionals to sufficiently perform their duties.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2025_posters/1066/thumbnail.jp
Exploring the Mental Health Impacts of Food Allergies
Get PDFPrevalence of food allergies is common among the general population. Although many of the physical symptoms are known, the psychological symptoms are lesser discussed. Having one or more food allergies can cause adverse mental health symptoms such as increased depression and anxiety. This study aims to find out what mental health symptoms college students with food allergies face, why that might be and how they can better be supported.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2025_posters/1081/thumbnail.jp
Waldo or Wal-don\u27t: A Study in Attention and Multitasking
Get PDFThis study explores how focused attention is affected by multitasking using a modified Where’s Waldo? visual search task. In Experiment 1, participants searched for Waldo in cluttered images while simultaneously monitoring a second screen for the appearance of a blue fish. Both tasks required visual attention, allowing us to examine performance under within-modality interference. Reaction time for Waldo detection and accuracy in identifying the fish were recorded to assess attentional demands. In Experiment 2, the secondary task was changed to a verbal modality: participants were asked to answer general knowledge trivia questiosn while completing the same visual search task. This cross-modal condition allowed us to investigate whether interference is reduced when attention is split across different sensory systems. By comparing performance across single-task, dual-visual, and visual-verbal conditions, we aim to understand how attentional resources are allocated and how task interference differs by modality. Results will provide insight into the cognitive limits of attention and have practical implications for multitasking in everyday situations.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2025_posters/1086/thumbnail.jp
Geotechnical Data Compilation for Site Response in the Central and Eastern United States and Seismic Velocity Model Development for New York City
Get PDFThe goal behind this research is to compile and analyze depth-to-bedrock and shear-wave velocity data to better inform models used for quantifying earthquake ground motions and seismic hazards in the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS). By employing the use of multiple databases, existing literature and data from infrastructure projects from throughout the CEUS were found. After compiling data for several cities in the CEUS, this project focused on site characterization in New York City, which is in a region of moderate seismic hazard. In New York City, there exists a recently developed depth-to-bedrock model, but shear-wave velocity had to be compiled in order to finalize the model to be used in site response calculation. Ultimately, the finalized model to be used in site response calculations for New York City most closely resembled and was comprised of three separate models, a New York City (NYC)-specific power law model using measured velocity profiles for depths ranging from 0 to 60 meters, a linear gradient transition between the NYC-specific power law model and the Gann-Phillips et al. (2024) Quaternary Pleistocene (QP) model for depths ranging from 60 to 72 meters, and an appended version of the Gann-Phillips et al. (2024) Quaternary Pleistocene (QP) model for depths ranging from 72 meters to bedrock. This work will help improve our understanding of earthquake ground motions in these cities, working toward improving their resilience to future earthquakes.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2025_posters/1101/thumbnail.jp
Adapting Training for Performance: A Body Composition-Based Program Evaluation
Get PDFThis project is a review of an in-season strength and conditioning program that provides insight into how and why body composition may fluctuate during the course of a men\u27s collegiate ice hockey season. Metrics from a current team are provided as well as other factors that could play a role in how and why these metrics are changing.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2025_posters/1127/thumbnail.jp
Design and Implementation of a Leadership Council in Collegiate Athletics
Get PDFThe purpose of the project is to outline the importance of Leadership in sports and how to effectively create a winning culture within your teams. Leadership is not the singular job of one athlete or captain. In fact, research has shown the effectiveness of shared leadership through a leadership council. Having a council allows for others to build their leadership and communication skills with their peers and take on responsibility as a group rather that having it all fall on one individual. The Design and Implementation of a Leadership council can be easily broken down into 4 Key steps: Application Process, Teaching, Delegate, Extreme ownership.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2025_posters/1128/thumbnail.jp
Optimizing Performance and Injury Prevention: A Mobility-Based Assessment and Training Guide for Athletes
Get PDFMobility plays a critical role in athletic performance, injury risk, and overall movement efficiency. However, both restricted mobility and excessive joint hypermobility can contribute to biomechanical inefficiencies and heightened susceptibility to injury. This capstone project introduces a comprehensive Mobility Scoring Index to classify athletes into restricted, average, and hyper mobile categories based on joint assessments and movement screening.
By evaluating mobility patterns across different athletic populations, this study aims to identify the impact of mobility discrepancies on performance, strength, and injury rates. A key focus is to develop a structured framework for assessing mobility and implementing individualized training strategies that enhance movement efficiency while mitigating injury risks. The project will also analyze the effectiveness of current screening methods and propose evidence-based modifications to improve assessment accuracy. Using biomechanics analysis, injury data, and practical strength and conditioning interventions, this research will provide a training guide tailored to each mobility classification. This guide will outline targeted exercises, mobility drills, and stability-focused programming to optimize movement quality and athletic performance. Ultimately, this capstone seeks to bridge the gap between research and practical application by equipping coaches and strength and conditioning professionals with an adaptable, mobility-based approach to training. Through individualized mobility programming, athletes can enhance performance longevity, reduce injury risk, and maximize their physical potential in sport.https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/rcac_2025_posters/1144/thumbnail.jp
Effectively Advising Students Transitioning Majors
Get PDFStudents often feel unprepared for the academic demands of their chosen majors and can experience a lack of sufficient support from advisory practices, in turn feeling overwhelmed in their academic journey (Cody, 2024). Guided by extrinsic and intrinsic motivations alongside their personal orientations, major changes can affect a student’s retention to a school or the higher education institution as a whole (Soria & Stebleton, 2013; Gillis & Ryberg, 2021). To address this challenge, I developed a training program for faculty advisors in Effectively Advising Students Transitioning (EAST) majors. In doing so, I will train faculty to appropriately navigate and effectively support student major transitions as a collaborative unit through a student mentorship program and a toolkit of advising pathways
