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Landing Techniques and Risk Factors for ACL Injury in Volleyball: A Critically Appraised Topic
No full textContext: Non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in females participating in athletics. Volleyball’s unpredictable movements of cutting, planting, single-leg landing (SLL) instead of double-leg landing (DLL), trunk position and mid-air twisting can increase risk of ACL injury. Clinical questions: which type of landing technique and/or trunk variation could place volleyball athletes at increased risk of ACL injury? Methods: The following keywords were used to search in November 2024: volleyball, landing, and ACL. Studies published between 2014-2024, in English, investigating kinematic and kinetic variables associated with ACL injury risk in jump-landings during a volleyball task were included. Studies were excluded if they studied populations over 17 years old, and did not include SLL, DLL, or trunk rotation during landings. The outcome variables of interest included: vertical ground reaction force and trunk, hip, knee and ankle biomechanics during a volleyball jump-landing task. Three total crossover studies (Zinger et al. (90%), Xu et al. (68%), Zahradnik et al. (86%)) were included and appraised with Strength of Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE). Results: Zinger, et al. found DLL to be a safer landing style compared to SLL because of the increase in hip and knee flexion and ankle plantarflexion in volleyball athletes. Xu, et al. found when volleyball athletes perform SLL they presented with smaller flexion angles of the knee and hip, increased joint moment, and increased vGRF. Zahradnik, et al. found the associated risk factors of non-contact ACL injury appeared to be related to the tilt of the arms and accompanying trunk tilt during blocking tasks. Trunk tilt led to decreased knee flexion, increased vGRF, and led the trunk towards the right lower limb. Conclusion: The studies included in this review found a landing technique that includes SLL, decreased ankle plantarflexion, knee and hip flexion angles, and a trunk tilt could place volleyball athletes at an increased risk of ACL injury. ATs should evaluate volleyball athletes’ jump-landing to identify high-risk landing patterns and work with coaches in training athletes to DLL and swing block with proper form. ATs should work with strength and conditioning coaches to implement balance/stabilization exercises so that if a SLL is unavoidable, the risk of knee injury can be minimized. Regardless of the play, volleyball athletes should prioritize landing with a straight trunk and a higher knee flexion angle to minimize the risk of SLLs which in turn could increase the risk of ACL injury
Leadership Characteristics and Supports: Their Effectiveness in Empowering the Future of Teachers Post-Pandemic
No full textIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, teacher retention has been a growing problem. Thirty percent of new teachers leave the profession within the first five years (Ronfeldt et al., 2013). In addition, around two-thirds of teachers leave the teaching profession for reasons outside of retirement (Sutcher et al., 2019). The reasons for high teacher turnover are varied, but the way it negatively affects student achievement is acute (Ronfeldt et al., 2013). Teacher shortages place a significant burden on school districts, particularly school principals. To increase teacher retention, school administrators must find effective ways to support teachers. Many teachers recognize that they need support, but what specific support would be effective enough to influence them to stay in this post-pandemic climate?
This study utilizes a mixed-methods research approach to examine effective leadership characteristics and supports that positively affect teacher retention. This research combines quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to gather perspectives from various stakeholders-- teachers, school administrators, and principal preparation programs. Data collection includes digital surveys and semi-structured interviews, focusing on leadership styles, communication, support strategies, teacher autonomy, and work-life balance.
Tentative findings suggest that effective leadership, characterized by empathy, strong communication, and support for professional development, plays a crucial role in teacher retention. Early data also shows that educators highly appreciate principals/administrators who provide autonomy in the workplace, value their well-being, and foster a positive and supportive school culture and climate. All in all, these leadership practices help reduce burnout and enhance job satisfaction, both of which are key factors in improving teacher retention.
Overall, this research study aims to improve teacher experience in schools to lead to higher retention rates across the board. This study will help to provide insights into the specific leadership traits that contribute to a positive work culture. These findings will empower educators and administrators to collaborate more effectively, leading to improved teacher retention rates
Utilization of Golden Pennycress Meal in Broiler Diets
No full textThe objective of this pilot study is to evaluate performance in broiler chickens fed diets containing golden pennycress (GPC) meal, with and without a flavor additive. Cornish Cross three-day-old chicks (n=12) were randomly assigned one of three diets. Golden pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is a winter cover crop grown in the Midwest that is rising in popularity as a cash crop used for biofuel production. After oil is pressed out of the seeds, a meal remains that is usually discarded. Incorporation of this meal (23% protein, 15% fat) into feedstuffs for broilers would be an efficient way to make biofuel production more sustainable. Diet one served as the control with no flavor additive or GPC meal, diet two contained 10% GPC meal, and diet three contained 10% GPC meal with 3% dried molasses. Each diet was administered for five days, a washout period of three days consisted of the same diet offered pre-study, after which a different diet was administered for the same period. A washout between each diet change was to negate carryover effects. Applications of diets continued until all units had received all the treatments. Effectiveness of the diet and performance of the chickens was assessed through metrics like feed intake, water intake, body weight (BW), and feed conversion. A premeasured amount of feed and water was allotted each day and the amounts remaining were measured to assess feed and water intake. BW was recorded every day to track growth and to calculate feed conversion. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4. No significant differences in weight gain were found between sequences of diets (P=0.8085). Carryover effects had no significant difference, meaning previous order of diet received did not impact the broiler’s performance (PX1= 0.5598, PX2=0.0.2497). Period yielded significant results, which was to be expected as the broilers were at different ages whilst receiving treatments (P=\u3c 0.0001). However, all animals within a sequence were not different (P=0.6390) and contributed effectively zero variance. Results of this study indicate that GPC can be included in broiler diets as there was no difference in performance and growth compared to the control diet (P=0.8118). The successful integration of GPC into broiler diets promotes sustainable agricultural practices by utilizing a potentially unused product from a cover crop. Further studies could assess long term effects of GPC consumption on broiler carcass quality and performance at increased inclusion rates
The Role of Message Framing in Influencing Health Decisions Among International Graduate Students at a Midwest University in the United States of America
No full textInternational graduate students in US universities face numerous challenges in the quest to attain higher education while navigating an environment far from home. While significant research has addressed the mental and physical health needs of these students, little attention has been given to how they respond to health messages based on framing, especially within the context of cultural differences. As the United States continues to serve as a prominent destination for international students, it has become increasingly important to address health message framing to meet their unique needs and influence their health-related decisions effectively. This qualitative study explores the impact of message framing on the health decisions of international graduate students at a Midwest university in the United States. Using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with ten participants, the study reveals that the framing of health messages plays a crucial role in how international students perceive and process such messages. Participants expressed a preference for health messages emphasizing potential benefits (gain-framed) over those highlighting potential losses (loss- framed). Additionally, the study found that certain health messages were perceived as irrelevant due to cultural differences between the United States and the participants\u27 home countries
Where Art Thou Sk-3 Spore Killing Gene? Refining the Location of a Fungal Spore Killing Gene Through DNA Deletion Analysis
No full textNeurospora crassa, a genetic model of fungal research, produces sexual spores called ascospores. It was discovered that ascospore maturation can be inhibited by Spore killers that are encoded within the genome, with the three known Neurospora spore killers being Sk-1, Sk-2, and Sk-3. Spore killing occurs when a killer strain mates with a sensitive strain, and through killing, the Spore killer strain ensures that all surviving offspring inherit its genetic content rather than that of the sensitive strain. The offspring that survive also inherit a resistance gene from the Spore killer strain. This gene is called called rsk and it allows the offspring to survive the killing process. However, the offspring also inherit one or more killer genes. The identities of these genes are unknown. In this study, we are seeking to refine the location of a gene that controls spore killing. By deleting various DNA intervals (i396, i401, i402, and i407) that are thought to be located near or within a gene required for spore killing, we hope to help precisely map where this gene is located
The Role of Key Characteristics in Sport Horses as Valued by Buyers
No full textThe sport horse industry continues to be popular as people compete at various levels in horse sport. To bridge the gap between breeders, sellers, and buyers, relevant buyer preference data must be available. Previous studies have found heterogeneity among buyer preferences for horse attributes of non-racing thoroughbreds and stock-type horses. To understand buyer valuation of sport horse attributes, auction data collected including physical horse attributes, seller information about the horse, and auction information for 3,353 horses listed at online sport horse auctions from 2013- 2024. Horses younger than one year old and were excluded from the analysis considering they are purchased on expectations rather than current ability. An ordinary least squares regression was modelled to determine factors contributing to a horse’s value, comparing bid price to auction, horse, and geo-temporal factors for 2,382 horses that were older than a year old sold at online auctions from 2013-2024. Summary statistics and hedonic models were estimated in Stata 18 (StataCorp 2023). Robust standard errors were used to adjust for heteroskedasticity in the data. Geldings held the highest premium, with mares discounted 738 (p\u3c 0.05) discount compared to bay/ brown. In comparison to quarter horses, warmblood breeds such as Oldenburg or Dutch Warmblood commanded a premium, 4,169 (p\u3c 0.01) respectively. In contrast, sport horse buyers discounted Thoroughbred horses in comparison to quarter horses (922 more (p\u3c 0.01) on average than horses without training listed. In contrast, a horse listed with trail training were valued $1,001 less (p\u3c 0.01) than those not listed as trail. Determinants vary based on discipline and buyer preference, but overall, breed, color, discipline, and sex preferences impact the selling price, and thus provide a better understanding for seller and buyers in these auctions to more accurately set price expectations
Structure of Subgroups in Products of Cyclic Groups
No full textThe structure of subgroups of a cyclic group is well-understood. However, classifying all subgroups of a product of cyclic groups is more complex, as not all subgroups of a product are themselves products of subgroups. This research investigates the subgroup structure of with particular focus on maximal subgroups and those that arise as intersections of maximal subgroups
Risk-Seeking Multi-Armed Bandits in an Explore-Then-Commit Setting
Get PDFThe landscape of decision-making in uncertain environments, as encapsulated by the multi-armed bandit (MAB) problem, traditionally oscillates between risk-neutral strategies that maximize expected rewards and risk-averse tactics that minimize potential losses. This thesis introduces a novel paradigm within this domain, advocating for a risk-seeking approach where decision-making is skewed towards maximizing potential high returns from the upper quantiles of reward distributions. This shift in focus addresses scenarios in high-stakes domains like financial investments and personalized healthcare, where the pursuit of extraordinary outcomes justifies greater risk exposure. The risk-seeking model proposed herein departs from conventional strategies by prioritizing arms that offer potentially higher but less predictable rewards. This approach is critical in explore-then-commit settings, a framework well-suited for environments where there is a cost associated with exploration and the opportunities for exploitation are limited. Unlike typical risk-averse models that rely on mean-variance or Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) to curb the downside, the risk-seeking model posits that in certain contexts, the optimal strategy may not always be to pull the arm with the highest expected reward. Instead, the focus shifts to arms that could yield high rewards even if their average gains are not the highest. This thesis presents a dual contribution to the field of MAB problems. First, it develops a class of risk-seeking algorithms, termed OTE/FTE-RS-MAB (One/Finite-Time Exploitation Risk-Seeking Multi-Armed Bandit). These algorithms are designed to optimize the selection of an arm based on its potential to deliver the maximum reward in single or a given number of exploitations, rather than across an extended series of trials. An analytical framework is also established to calculate the minimal number of exploratory pulls required to ensure that the exploitation phase remains within a predefined threshold of regret, thus providing robustness against the variability inherent in risk-seeking approaches. Second, the thesis delves into the practical application of these theoretical constructs through a number of examples. In scenarios where exploration incurs significant costs, the proposed c-OTE-RS-MAB algorithm optimizes the trade-off between exploration expenses and regret. This is particularly important in settings such as clinical trials or one-off financial investments, where decisions have profound implications, and the luxury of repeated trials is absent. By synthesizing insights from a comprehensive study of existing literature and integrating innovative risk-seeking strategies, this work not only challenges the traditional paradigms of the MAB framework but also enhances the decision-making toolkit available for scenarios where potential high rewards justify higher risks. The findings underscore the necessity of re-evaluating the utility of conventional risk measures in favor of strategies that embrace the full spectrum of outcomes, including those that prioritize exceptional gains over consistent returns
How I Came to Understand What Art Was
Get PDFThis thesis explores my multidisciplinary art practice through three specific types of work: mobiles, books, and boxes. Each type of artwork functions as a vessel used to preserve objects and fleeting moments. Rooted in Anna Kornbluth\u27s aesthetic regime of immediacy, the work balances preservation with loss and intuition with craft. Inspired by Rauschenberg and Abercrombie, it challenges artistic boundaries by using immediate, everyday materials. These mobiles, books, and boxes become conduits for memory and invite viewers to connect personal and collective experiences
Perceptions of a Hypothetical Student as a Function of Binge Eating Disorder and Gender
Get PDFStigma toward those with binge eating disorder and a gender bias toward eating disorders can lead to misattribution of symptoms as well as a reduced likelihood of having the diagnosis of eating disorders (Currin, Schmidt, and Waller 2007). Symptoms of binge eating, such as being overweight, have different social meanings than an eating disorder that can lead to being underweight, such as anorexia (Saguy and Gruys 2010). In addition, social support has been previously found to have positive relationships with eating disorder recovery. The purpose of this study was to understand differences in people’s perceptions of targets who are overweight and have binge eating disorder versus those who are overweight and do not have binge eating disorder. This study also examines social relations and helping behaviors toward a hypothetical target. This was done through the vignette method, in which the binge eating disorder status and the gender of a hypothetical student were manipulated. Each participant was randomly assigned one vignette. The sample consisted of a majority of 18–26-year-olds from media websites for posting surveys as well as a pool of ISU students. Participants’ perceptions were measured through various dependent variables, such as: characteristics of the hypothetical person (e.g. attractive, disciplined, likeable), the perceptions of the eating behavior of the hypothetical person (e.g. control, responsibility, blame), and perceptions of the social relations and support toward the target (e.g. social attractiveness, intention to help if they were a friend). Participants also completed the Compassionate Love Scale (Sprecher and Fehr 2005) and demographic questions. The results indicated that there is stigma toward a person with binge eating disorder (e.g. more positive characteristics were attributed toward the target without binge eating disorder). The findings were similar regardless of the gender of the target. Additionally, compassionate love had a positive correlation with prosocial behaviors, such as helping