684 research outputs found
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Valuing Small Business: Applying WACC to IPO Data
Get PDFThis study explores how the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) can be used to value small businesses by applying to model to IPO data. Small businesses differ greatly from the publicly traded companies WACC is normally used for, so using the model presents some challenges. By applying the model to small firms that underwent the initial public offering process, this study was able to determine that WACC may be a useful valuation tool if some adjustments are made for the industries being analyzed
Science Across the Elementary Curriculum
Get PDFScience has increasingly become marginalized in the United States today. This is largely due to educational reforms and movements placing an emphasis on standardized testing and mastery of math and reading exclusively. This focus stems from initiatives such as the Back-to-the-Basics movement (1980s), the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) (2001), and the development of the Common Core standards (2010), which prioritize data collection and test results over the hands-on experiences and inquiry-based learning that good science education gives. Because of this, many of our students are not receiving consistent, meaningful access to science instruction. This limits their engagement with important areas such as STEM and concepts such as critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
This thematic study investigates how these systematic, nationwide changes have shifted priorities in elementary education and in turn reduces the time allocated for science instruction. Historically, this shift can be tracked through political tension and education reform from the Cold War’s emphasis on science and technological advancement to the recent emphasis on reading and math. Today, teachers must find creative ways to incorporate science instruction into an elementary curriculum that does not consistently provide time and instructions to do so.
Through the thematic analysis of data collected from a survey given to educators across the U.S, this research explores the extent of the shift towards reading and math and highlights creative strategies that teachers implement to make science cross curricular. Results from the data show significant disparities in instructional time, a lack of teacher training in science instruction, and the pressure of testing. This study emphasizes the need for curriculum reform that shifts the focus back to the vital skills that content areas such as science gives to students
The Castle is Still Here, and Yes, It\u27s Still Scary: Reconstructing the Gothic Through Contemporary Short Story
No full textSince Horace Walpole\u27s The Castle of Otranto published in 1764, the literary Gothic has grown and spread to include a multitude of subgenres in a variety of formats. Gothic literature has served as both a product and a showcase of its contextual influences, providing a deeper look at humanity\u27s deepest flaws, fears, and passions that shape our societies. While the Gothic\u27s historically fluid identity allows Frankenstein to exist in a literary realm alongside Wuthering Heights, something consistent in its core continues to appeal to modern audiences and remains relevant in contemporary literature and other media. This project offers a collection of short stories, each presenting certain key aspects of the Gothic that illustrate how the genre remains relevant and compelling to contemporary audiences. It combines analytical research and creative writing to examine how conventional themes, language, aesthetic, and the incorporation of social structures influence the narrative construction of human fear and uncertainty in Gothic literature
Transformational Leadership and Its Impact on Team Success: A Detailed Chronicle of Bellarmine University Men\u27s Lacrosse
Get PDFThis thesis uses a journalistic approach to explore the intersection between leadership, transformational leadership, in particular, and forms of success through the lens of Kentucky\u27s only NCAA Division 1 Men\u27s Lacrosse program. Interviews, written survey, and observation were utilized to gauge a community-wide perspective about the team and the holistic nature of the student-athlete experience within Bellarmine University Men\u27s Lacrosse. Observation followed the team for three years and engaged players and coaching staff in telling the story of the team\u27s shifting culture and the management process of the team\u27s newfound success. Methods aimed to draw a connection between the change in leadership and perceived success on all fronts of the college athletics landscape, and findings revealed athletic, academic, and social improvements within the team and as perceived by the public
Harnessing the Connective Power of Reading through Literature Circles: Connecting students to their peers, their books, and the real world
No full textHow can I use literacy to foster a sense of connection between my students, their books, and the real world? Planning a literature circles unit for my secondary English class is my answer. While my query is a result of the situation within my own classroom, my context is not necessarily unique to me. It is no secret that many students currently struggle with reading comprehension and reading motivation. Additionally, the inclusion of social emotional learning in the classroom in a post-covid world has become a key focus for many educators. As a result, the context of my classroom that served as a genesis for this unit has the potential to be relevant to educators outside of my own community. This article will discuss a tangible application of how this literature circles unit serves to connect students to each other, their books, and the real world
Investigating Factors that Affect Total IgE Antibody Levels of a Canine Population in Louisville, KY
No full textCanine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a genetically predisposed condition that causes inflammatory and pruritic (itchy) skin reactions in response to environmental and food allergens. The main purpose of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between pollen counts and total canine IgE antibody levels of dogs living in Louisville, KY. Additionally, data is analyzed to look for trends documented in previous studies related to the impacts of sex, age, and allergic symptoms on total IgE count. In collaboration with the Downtown Animal Hospital, blood samples were drawn from 16 dogs at one point in February (when pollen counts are historically low) and at another point in August (when pollen counts are historically high). Owners of dogs participating in the study filled out a questionnaire providing information including age, sex, breed, diet, current medications, and presence or absence of common CAD symptoms. Blood (spun down for serum) samples were analyzed using a canine IgE ELISA kit, which generated a standard curve from which total IgE in samples were calculated. Total IgE counts from each individual were compared for any significant difference in February and August samples. This study found no significant seasonal fluctuation in total canine IgE concentrations based on two points in time. However, this adds to a growing body of research on CAD, which can be extremely uncomfortable for pets suffering from it and is costly and difficult to diagnose
Churches Becoming Models of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
No full textThe historical and ongoing trauma from the marginalization of various identities within churches has resulted in a rift that can be seen within and outside of the congregational walls. Some churches are attempting to bridge this divide with diversity, equity, and inclusion values to cultivate meaningful connections that address past marginalization and establish practices that embrace an intersectional theology. Transitioning church communities into diverse, equitable and inclusive spaces where all feel a sense of belonging can be challenging. Most of the prior research has focused on diversification from a racial and/or ethnic standpoint. This multi-case study examined integrative efforts by two predominantly white Protestant church communities to embrace the whole spectrum of identity intersection that shape an individual, including race, gender, ability, and other mediating identities. This study explored how diversity, equity, and inclusion values are presented and understood in these church communities. Data collection included digital and in-person observations, staff interviews and congregational surveys. Three themes emerged from the analysis of the data collected: (1) reflective work and diversity of thought provide the tools and resources to critically determine what needs to be disrupted and reoriented towards an equitable and inclusive way of being, (2) connection assists with feelings of a sense of belonging and breaking down barriers for change, and (3) faith in action reinforces spoken diversity, equity, and inclusion language by demonstrating a commitment to come together and work together. These findings confirm current literature showing that intentional efforts to acknowledge and disrupt patterns of marginalization are necessary for transformation to a culture that embraces a diversity of humanity in equitable and inclusive ways of being where all have the potential for experiencing a feeling of a sense of belonging. A choice must be made to change the normative culture as the church community transitions to embracing a diversity of humanity
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Planning Using Hybrid D* Lite with PPO and TD3: Experimental Design and Performance Analysis
Get PDFAutonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) face significant challenges in underwater navigation, including generating smooth paths, avoiding obstacles, and adapting to complex conditions. This paper introduces a hybrid path-planning algorithm, D-RL*, that integrates the D* Lite algorithm for efficient initial pathfinding with Deep Reinforcement Learning methods to refine paths for smoother trajectories. The proposed approach addresses D* Lite\u27s inability to produce continuous, smooth paths and baseline Reinforcement Learnings’ failures in environments requiring significant detours. Experimental results in four progressively complex environments highlight D-RL*’s ability to plan smoother paths than D* Lite while training in a shorter amount of time and generating shorter paths than baseline Deep Reinforcement Learning methods. These findings demonstrate D-RL*’s potential to deliver optimal and reliable navigation, making it well-suited for applications such as environmental monitoring and disaster response. Future work will extend testing to dynamic environments, three-dimensional navigation, and kinematic constraints to further enhance its operational feasibility
Attitudes on Solitary Confinement
Get PDFSolitary confinement is widespread and recognized as harmful in society. However, it is not as researched as other controversial issues, including immigration, gun control, abortion, etc. Due to this, it is hard to gauge how supportive the public is or isn\u27t of related practices. In a general sense, public support has been established by legislators crafting policy, and by extension United States Supreme Court decision making. This is particularly crucial in discussions on interpretations of the 8th Amendment/ cruel and unusual punishment. Existing case law, such as Peoples V. Fischer, found that solitary confinement was arbitrary and needed reform, including protecting vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, youth, and those that are developmentally disabled (Peoples V. Fischer 2024). Other existing research includes 2022 polling, finding that there is a bipartisan majority that agrees with ending all solitary confinement beyond four hours, and only immediately following an emergency situation involving serious physical injury” (Blank 2022). While existing social science research is limited beyond some polling and a few cases, this study will contribute to an understanding of where public opinion stands on the practice of solitary confinement and help pinpoint how policymakers and courts consider its place in the Criminal Justice System.
There are only a handful of studies that look at public opinion toward solitary confinement. These include a sample of 25,000 that found solitary confinement was used in disciplinary forms at higher rates for people of color as compared to white people, as well as male over female, bisexual over heterosexual, and those that had adverse childhoods and mental disorders (Henry 2022). Other limited studies show that certain demographic groups- those that are older, more conservative, identify as white, etc. are more supportive of solitary confinement than others (Smith 2006). This limited scientific research fails to address socioeconomic status, education levels, occupation, among many other demographics. On the other hand, there is broader social science literature on attitudes towards harsh punishment that this study will draw from. This social science research assesses the harmful psychological effects of solitary confinement generally, but also its heightened impact on specific vulnerable groups.
The purpose of this study is to gauge attitudes on solitary confinement. This will be achieved through five specific hypotheses. These include 1) Republicans are more likely to support solitary confinement at greater levels than Democrat and Independent affiliated students, 2) Individuals with past criminal justice/ legal high school or college classes will reject solitary confinement at a higher rate, 3) Those who have a higher level of completed education will not support solitary confinement while those with a lower level of completed education will support solitary confinement, 4) Millennials will reject solitary confinement at a higher rate than Generation x and 5) Those in business/economic centered careers will be more likely to support solitary confinement than those with a career in the legal field/criminal justice. These five hypotheses are not all discoveries anticipated to find, but they provide a basis for the demographics not included in other studies
Game Changers: The Impact of Female Representation in Sports Media on Girls\u27 Youth Sport Participation
Get PDFThis thesis examines how female representation in sports media impacts girls\u27 youth sport participation rates. Using a review of current literature and original enrollment data from local youth organizations, it reveals that limited and often stereotyped portrayals of female athletes contribute to lower participation and early dropout among girls. The study highlights how underrepresentation, especially of marginalized groups, reinforces harmful narratives that deter engagement. Solutions are proposed, including increasing inclusive media coverage and emphasizing athletic achievements over appearance. By reshaping media narratives, the sports industry can create more supportive environments and encourage greater youth sport participation among girls