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Hitting the High Notes: The Effects of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training on Lung Function and Musical Performance in Collegiate Wind Instrumentalists
No full textExpiratory muscle strength training (EMST) has been associated with increased maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). Since wind instrumentalists depend on sufficient pressure production for optimal musical performance, it is possible that EMST might improve musical performance in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if four weeks of EMST would improve instrumental performance in relation to MEP in college-level wind instrumentalists. All participants (9 females, 10 males) were pre-tested on lung capacity, including measures of MEP (inH2O), as well as musical performance measures related to loudness (dB) and duration (sec) of the play for the maximum pitch on their instrument. A performance score (dB*sec) was calculated by multiplying the longest duration trial (sec) by the corresponding loudness (dB). Following pre-testing, participants were divided into groups matched by gender, instrument and MEP. The experimental group (n=12) trained four times per week for four weeks at 75% MEP which was reassessed each week. After four weeks, all participants were post-tested. MEP increased significantly in the training group (pre: 49.50±14.41; post: 83.17±22.47 inH2O) compared to control (pre: 50.29±7.76 ; post: 53.14±11.89 inH2O, p\u3c .001). There were no significant musical performance improvements following training, but the performance scores for the high-pitch/high-loudness note showed a slight trend for improvement in the experimental group (pre: 1618.17±270.5 dB*sec; post: 1824.75±294.82 dB*sec) compared to the control group (pre: 2304.43±354.17 dB*sec; post: 2103.86±386.01 dB*sec, p=.280). Although no performance results were statistically significant, improvements were practically significant, indicating that EMST may be a viable option for performance improvement. Future research is needed to determine how EMST might affect performance characteristics in specific instruments, as well as other ways for musicians to improve and measure performance
The Effect of Caffeine Supplementation on Endurance Performance and Heart Rate in the Non-Athlete
Get PDFCaffeine is one of the most commonly ingested supplements, as it is found in many drinks including coffee, tea, soda, and foods containing cocoa. Previous research indicates that caffeine may act as an ergogenic aid, meaning that it is a supplement that may enhance athletic performance, stamina, or recovery. However, the majority of prior studies have investigated the effects of caffeine on athletes; limited attention has been given to these potential effects in the sedentary population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test the effect of caffeine supplementation on exercise endurance and heart rate during running in the non-athlete. A non-athlete was considered to be a person who exercises less than 150 minutes per week. All subjects participated in three trials: a familiarization trial and two experimental trials. Each trial consisted of a fifteen minute run, during which participants were asked to run at maximum effort to complete as many laps of the indoor track as possible. Heart rate was assessed manually and through heart rate monitors before, during, and after each run. Participants were asked to rate exertion using a Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale at five-minute increments throughout each trial. One hour prior to each experimental trial, participants were administered either five mg/kg body weight of caffeine or a placebo using a double-blind procedure. Participants who received the caffeine in the first trial were then given the placebo for the second trial and vice versa. This study is ongoing, and results will be presented at the Hope College Research Celebration. If caffeine is shown to enhance performance in the non-athlete, this may suggest that caffeine should become a viable supplement to increase the frequency and duration of physical activity in this population
Case Study: The Performance and Attitude of Secondary Students in an Integrated Math and Science Watershed Academy Curriculum
No full textHow does a math-and-science-integrated curriculum affect student performance and attitude? In this study we created a math/science integrated curriculum designed to guide high-school students towards critical and higher-level thinking. The premise of the curriculum is local wetlands; students will investigate specific factors such as water quality, flood frequency, stream discharge and macro-invertebrate identification. Each lesson has opportunities for students to work outside the classroom and collect the data they will then be using in the classroom. The significant result of our research provides a starting point for further investigations on cross curriculum and project-based learning being implemented in the classroom
Progressive Rock: Why Does it Matter?
No full textProgressive rock is a genre defined in the early 1970s by avant-garde musicians that were heavily influenced by classical music and attempted to blend that with modern rock. Many musicians today are not aware of the influence the genre has had. Bands like King Crimson, Yes, ELP, Genesis, Rush, and Pink Floyd were the leaders of this movement. These musicians wanted to create music that was truly a work of art and that would survive the test of time. The uniqueness of the genre can be seen when observing the instrumentation, time signatures, and the inclusion of classical music elements. They incorporated classical elements by doing unique covers of classical pieces, using classical forms and styles, and using an orchestra in the music itself. Since the genre is so diverse, defining it becomes difficult. Author Jerry Lucky arrived at a definition that covers the basics, and through that definition I see how the music has changed in the past 30 years by applying it to a song from the ’70s as well as a modern day song, specifically Yes’s Close to the Edge and Dream Theater’s Octavarium
Teamwork Among Nursing Staff in Relationship-based Patient Care
No full textNursing staff members encourage teamwork among each other through mutual understanding of patients’ acuity, communication, and collective trust. Individual job satisfaction is impacted by a variety of factors including teamwork and individual performance. The purpose of this research was to explore the opinions and attitudes of staff in relation to teamwork. Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships among nursing staff. These relationships are founded upon trust, communication, and a caring environment. This study was a six-week-long pilot study. Two microteams on two different medical-surgical units in a large teaching hospital in southwest Michigan, consisting of two registered nurses and one nursing assistant, worked a shared schedule for six weeks. Using phenomenological methodology, three structured interviews of each participant were performed by a research assistant and audio- recoded. The data were transcribed and double-checked for errors and validity. Quantitative data were manually collected determine the number of different staff members each participant worked with over the six-week period. The primary finding from the qualitative component was that the quality of teamwork and teammates decrease workload and work is more stressful when there is minimal support. Findings from the quantitative component found the average number of individuals a participant worked within a shift pre-shared schedule was M = 3.2165 (SD = 1.10139) and shared schedule was M = 2.4038 (SD = 0.64641). Teamwork is enhanced with communication; it changes over time. Limitations for this study included the small sample size, one site for data collection, inconsistency with study protocols, and microteam selection. Implications include education for all nursing staff about teamwork and further research with a larger sample size is needed to explore these themes
Differential PIXE Analysis of Acrylic Samples to Parameterize Bremmstrahlung Backgound
No full textParticle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) analysis of thick acrylic samples is complicated by bremsstrahlung radiation. PIXE utilizes a particle beam to analyze the elemental composition of a sample. Differential PIXE (dPIXE) is the varying of beam energies to penetrate into different depths of a sample. In order to meticulously characterize the bremsstrahlung background, thick acrylic samples were constructed with a low concentration of heavy elements. With quantification of the background, a more accurate computation of concentrations can be achieved in regions where both bremsstrahlung and characteristic elemental peaks are present in auto paint samples. Data show a correlation between the beam energy and the width and center of the bremsstrahlung peak. The quantified parameters make for straightforward fits of the bremsstrahlung on all spectra of elemental peaks within bremsstrahlung region
Analysis of Thin Semiconducting Films’ Thickness and Stoichiometry
No full textThe electrical properties of a semiconductor can only be determined if the sample’s thickness and stoichiometric makeup are known. The composition of thin films can be measured using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) in a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). However due to the low stopping power of electrons, EDS is limited to analysis of the surface. When compared, EDS results are complementary to those determined by Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS). RBS provides depth-sensitive compositional analysis due to the large stopping power of alpha particles compared to protons. Unlike EDS, RBS allows for the simultaneous analysis of both the stoichiometric makeup and thickness. Semiconducting thin films composed of AgIn1-xGaxSe2, CuGaxSe2 and Ag(InGa)5Se8 deposited on glass or silicon substrates through a variety of techniques were analyzed. Modeling of some samples was straightforward; however in other samples the modeling was complicated due to various inhomogeneities
A Study of the Relationship Between Community Factors and Childhood Obesity in the United States
No full textChildhood obesity is a serious medical condition which puts the child on a path towards serious health problems. Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for the child’s age and sex. This study seeks to answer the question of which community factors, at the state level, are correlated with the prevalence of childhood obesity. The research looks at multiple factors, such as unemployment rates, education statistics, and health care availability to determine which can be associated with childhood obesity. The data utilizes a most-different case study. States were chosen for the study based on the prevalence of childhood (ages 10-17) obesity. The eight states with the highest and lowest prevalence were chosen for the study. The research will show whether economic, education, or healthcare factors are most related to the problem of childhood obesity. The results will be able to provide insight as to where we should be focusing our efforts in order to reduce to problem of childhood obesity in our country
Relationships between Religiosity, Spirituality, and Charitable Involvement at a Christian Institution
No full textIn 2003, the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA began a multi-year study to examine the spiritual development of college students. This study highlighted the differences between religiosity, spirituality, and spiritually related qualities. It found that, nationwide, many college students are highly spiritual, but religiosity is waning. A replication of that study was conducted at Hope College to determine how closely tied Hope students’ religious practices are to their spiritual beliefs, and how these factors are demonstrated in their lives. As an institution devoted to education in the Christian tradition, Hope College seeks to provide students with deeply meaningful religious beliefs. Not only would we expect Hope students to be more religious than students at other institutions, we would expect that their religious beliefs are strongly related to their spirituality and the practice of spiritual qualities in everyday life. Furthermore, this study examines the differences between Christian and non-Christian students at Hope
Politics and Integral Mission
Get PDFStrong cultural and historical forces generate considerable challenges to American Christians seeking to become informed, meaningful and faithful political actors. Given the widespread lack of exposure to a number of the most basic elements of Christian Political Theology many are unfamiliar with rich historical (Augustine) and contemporary political thought (Oliver O\u27Donovan, Mark Noll, Ron Sider) within the Christian tradition. In the absence of a Christian political theology politics is often reduced to the decision of being either a Republican or Democrat. While Scripture calls all Christians to be subject to governing authorities (Rom 13:1), it sets this mandate within the broader context of the rule and kingdom of God. Christians, in short, properly engage in politics when they embody and seek the shalom and justice of the kingdom of God