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The role of gestures in an anatomy and physiology course
No full textSome undergraduate science courses earn a reputation as “gatekeeping” courses due to their nature as prerequisite courses with a high drop/fail/withdraw rate. One such course is anatomy and physiology for nursing and kinesiology students. Students often struggle with this material due to the volume and complexity of the content. Mastering the content in this foundational course is important for success in upper-level coursework.
Gestures are commonly used by teachers and students when teaching and learning, but limited work has been done examining their effect on student outcomes in the classroom, especially at the postsecondary level. This study examines the role of gestures in teaching and learning in an undergraduate anatomy and physiology course on a unit covering the muscular and nervous tissues. Incorporation of gestures helped students score significantly higher in a multiple-choice and free response posttest compared to the non-gestures section
The solo variations of Sergei Rachmaninoff: A comparative analysis of the Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op. 22, and the Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
No full textSergei Rachmaninoff’s two contributions to the solo piano variation genre include his Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Op. 22, and his Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42. Composed at opposite ends of his career, these works reveal the evolution of Rachmaninoff as a composer. This study examines the historical and thematic influences that shape each set along with the variation techniques that Rachmaninoff employs. Through a comprehensive comparative analysis, this study further explores key elements of each set such as their compositional influences, variation types, tempo, length, tonality, harmonic usage, meter, and rhythm. By positioning these works within the bounds of Rachmaninoff’s broader output, this research provides deeper insight into his artistic development and the lasting significance of these compositions in the piano repertoire
Optimizing Reaction Steps in the Synthesis of 1,1’-Dideaza-Quinine
No full textQuinine was one of the first globally significant medications due to its ability to treat malaria; and despite no longer being the first-line treatment for the disease, it still holds relevance in certain combination treatments. Although there is little need for synthetic production due to its availability from the bark of the Cinchona tree, its total synthesis has challenged chemists for over 100 years due to its four chiral centers providing an obstacle for a stereochemically pure product. Our lab had previously proposed a 12-step synthetic route based on a model study done by Stotter, Friedman, and Minter in 1985, and previous researchers were able to make it to the final few steps. However, recent attempts to reproduce the initial steps of their pathway were inconsistent or entirely unsuccessful, which required revisiting the reaction conditions. This paper focuses on refinement and optimization of the first three steps in the pathway, which will provide more consistent procedures for these reactions and pave the way for future attempts at the total synthetic route
A multi-case study exploring decibel analysis for research in teaching as insight into teaching practices in postsecondary science
No full textThis qualitative multi-case study examines the use of Decibel Analysis for Research in Teaching (DART) as a feedback tool for gaining insights into undergraduate science teaching practices. Despite the increasing emphasis on active learning and evidence-based teaching strategies, research suggests traditional lecture-based methods continue to persist, particularly in large STEM courses. DART provides faculty with quantitative data on the time students spend engaged in active learning, offering insights into classroom dynamics and student engagement. The study finds that when combined with reflective dialogue and consultative support, DART enables instructors to make data-informed adjustments to better align their teaching strategies with student-centered goals. This research demonstrates DART’s potential to enhance faculty development by providing more objective, quantitative feedback compared to traditional methods. With further research and institutional support, DART could contribute to improving undergraduate science education by offering personalized, data-driven feedback, supporting incremental teaching adjustments, and fostering discussions that link teaching practices, student engagement, and learning outcomes
Private Equity's Impact On Sports Teams' Valuation
No full textOver the past six years, the five major North American sports leagues (MLB, NBA, MLS, NHL, and NFL) have revised franchise ownership rules to permit institutional investment. These changes have opened the door for private equity participation in sports franchises, aligning teams' growing need for capital and liquidity with investors' search for risk-adjusted returns in a relatively untapped market. This thesis explores private equity's role in North American sports franchise ownership, explicitly focusing on Major League Baseball. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the study compares private equity-backed teams to traditionally owned franchises across metrics such as enterprise value growth, operating income, and strategic innovation. The findings suggest that PE-backed teams outperform their peers financially; however, the precise valuation impact of PE involvement remains ambiguous. Additionally, the research highlights how private equity contributes to value creation through operational improvements, real estate initiatives, media modernization, and scalable market strategies. These insights offer meaningful implications for league officials, team owners, and investors navigating the evolving relationship between institutional capital and professional sports
Development of Pre-Service Teacher Reflection Through the Use of Artificial Intelligence Feedback
No full textThis study explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and targeted reflection to enhance the teaching practices of pre-service teachers. Utilizing the ClassifAI software, pre-service teachers received objective feedback on key instructional components, such as opportunities to respond, teacher talk versus student talk, and the level and amount of questioning. The research aimed to assess the effectiveness of AI-driven feedback and targeted reflection questions in providing pre-service teachers with valuable, objective insights to reflect on their instructional methods. The results indicate that the integration of AI and structured reflection significantly improved participants' awareness of their teaching practices, with a marked increase in the use of higher-order questions and a greater variety of opportunities for student response. Additionally, participants reported using AI as a tool to track their growth, set teaching goals, and refine their instructional strategies. Despite challenges in the accuracy of AI analysis and the limitations of audio-based data collection, the study demonstrates the potential of AI to support reflective practice and professional development in teacher preparation programs
The effects of the LiiNK Project on muscular strength, neuromuscular control, injuries, and resilience in elementary school children
No full textAs recess opportunities have declined in school settings, research has focused more on children’s physical and mental well-being. The primary purpose of the current study explored muscular strength (MusS) and neuromuscular control (NC), injury, and resilience score differences, by grade and sex, at two time points (September 2024 and January 2025) across fourth and fifth graders who engaged in a modified LiiNK Project recess intervention while also assessing relationships and variable predictions. MusS assessments included the dynamometer grip strength, single-leg three-hop, push-ups, and standing broad jump. NC was assessed using the side-step test. A Qualtrics survey assessed injuries, specifically fractures and tears, and resilience through the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-R). A MANOVA was utilized to analyze MusS, NC, and resilience change scores by grade and sex, a Chi-square analyzed injuries, and an ANOVA analyzed resilience by race. Additionally, Pearson product correlations and multiple regression analysis were used to examine relationships between the dependent variables. The MANOVA indicated no main effects or interactions for grade and sex differences on MusS, NC, or resilience assessments (p > 0.05), and injuries by sex were not significant (p > 0.05). Resilience was not significant for race (p > 0.05). For both time points, MusS assessments were positively, moderately, and significantly (p 0.05) related. All children in this sample received the same modified LiiNK intervention, which included 30 minutes of recess and a character development lesson daily. The results demonstrated that the children were performing similarly to each other at both time points. The minimal MusS, NC, and resilience differences may also be due to the limited time period between data collection or the reduction of recess from 60 minutes to 30 minutes
Trust
No full textMy thesis exhibition “Trust” took place in Moudy Gallery from March 27 to April 1, 2025. I make art with common household items or discarded materials like cardboard, wood, and plastic packaging. I hoard these items and give them new form in structures that are simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar, at human and larger than human-scale. The thesis exhibition featured four sculptures: Untitled (Balloon Float), 2024; Untitled (Sandcastle), 2024; Untitled (Monument), 2025; and Untitled (Birthday Candle), 2025. All the works shared aspects of my larger artistic inquiry into structure and meditation. My practice aims to create structures that invite the viewer to reconsider the oddity and wonder in the mundane
YIELD DISCREPANCIES IN GERMANY’S FIXED INCOME MARKET: SEARCHING FOR THE GREENIUM
No full textGlobal warming, climate shift, climate crisis, and increasing greenhouse gases are all terms that are often used when addressing climate change. Some of these terms represent causes while others convey the results. Climate change is a multifaceted, global issue with increasing demand for attention, and as this demand grows, so does the attention to ways of financing mechanisms that combat the issue. This paper will focus on that specific facet of climate change, addressing the role that green bonds play in financing mitigation efforts. The existence of what is known as the greenium has not been long debated because green bonds have not been circulating financial markets for more than two decades. The greenium refers to the alleged premium that investors are willing to pay on bonds that are labeled as green. This paper looks to Germany's fixed income market as a sample to find the existence of this greenium. Findings suggest that a measurable premium on green bonds does exist in the constrained context analyzed, offering insights to investor behavior and the potential use of green bonds as a financial tool for climate action
A Decade of Evolution: Driving Forces of Industrial Real Estate Demand in the DFW Metroplex
No full textThis study investigates the primary factors driving industrial real estate development intensity across submarkets in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex from 2010 to 2024. As one of the fastest-growing industrial markets in the United States, DFW presents a unique opportunity to analyze how market dynamics, spatial variables, and demographic trends influence where developers choose to build. Using a pooled panel regression model, this study evaluates the impact of six independent variables - population change, vacancy rate, absorption rates, rental rate growth, and proximity to both Dallas and Fort Worth - on a normalized dependent variable defined as development intensity (completions as a percentage of existing supply).
The findings reveal that vacancy rate, absorption, and proximity to Dallas are statistically significant predictors of development intensity. Notably, the positive relationship between vacancy and development suggests the presence of speculative or pipeline-driven building activity, especially in rapidly growing submarkets. While rental rate growth approached significance, population change and proximity to Fort Worth did not demonstrate a strong influence on new construction. These results highlight the complexity of industrial development behavior, particularly in large, logistics-driven markets, and suggest that short-term demand signals and spatial accessibility may be more influential than broader demographic trends. This thesis contributes to the growing body of research on industrial real estate by offering a replicable model and raising new questions around how geography, timing, and market expectations shape development decisions in high-growth regions