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Continued Fraction Approximations Demonstrated Through The Musical Chromatic ScaleIn this paper, we approximate an irrational number using continued fractions through an example of a musical problem. We first define the chromatic scale. To delve into why the chromatic scale only has twelve notes, we discuss the topic of Pythagorean Tuning and how it utilizes mathematics to create scales. Since using Pythagorean Tuning to approximate the length of a scale results in an irrational number, we introduce the notion of continued fractions. These can be calculated by either using the Euclidean Algorithm or the Continued Fraction Algorithm. We define the term best approximation and finally, we use these components to solve our musical question.
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Bicycle Infrastructure And Accessibility In Boston’s Environmental Justice CommunitiesThis project focused on bicycle infrastructure in Boston, including the city's count of bicycle infrastructure and cycling accessibility. Infrastructure included Bluebike stations from November 1st, 2023, and bicycle trails from the 2020 MassDOT Bike Inventory. Accessibility explored the gaps in Boston's bicycle infrastructure in environmental justice (EJ) 2020 census block groups. As of the 2020 Census, 460 of the 581 census block groups in Boston are EJ designated, meaning that approximately 79.17% of census block groups are EJ designated. 2020 EJ designated census block groups' count of bicycle infrastructure and their accessibility to bicycle infrastructure in Boston, MA were analyzed in ArcGIS Pro using spatial joins, distance accumulation, and a suitability modeler. The average number of bicycle trails in a 2020 EJ census block group was 4.22, while the average number of Bluebike stations in a 2020 EJ census block group was less than 1 (0.465). Bicycle lanes were the most common bicycle trail type across the EJ designated census block groups, but 139 (30.22%) of the EJ 2020 census block groups had zero bicycle trails, showcasing a need for bicycle trail connection in these areas. More than the majority, or 302 (65.65%), of EJ designated census block groups had 0 Bluebike stations as of November 1st, 2023. Accessibility to bicycle infrastructure was highest in the neighborhoods surrounding Downtown, such as the North End, West End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Fenway, South End, Chinatown, and the South Boston Waterfront. Accessibility was more varied elsewhere, particularly in the West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Brighton, Dorchester, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, and Roslindale neighborhoods. Bicycling is an essential aspect of multimodal transport and should be constantly evolving and improving.
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Depression And Gender Role Conflict In Young Adult MenWhile women are reported to have higher rates of depression than men, new research has found that this discrepancy may be the result of an artificial deflation of depression rates in men. Men may experience atypical depressive symptoms which are not accounted for in traditional diagnostic measures, resulting in missed and/or incorrect diagnoses in men. Atypical symptoms may also be attributed to the way men adhere to gender norms. The present study will investigate how men's experiences with depression differ from prototypical depressive experiences, as well as the potential factors influencing the atypical symptoms men often encounter. It is predicted that, when diagnostic tools measuring for atypical symptoms are used, men will experience greater externalizing symptoms as compared to women. Additionally, it is predicted that men and women will have equal rates of depression, thus addressing the discrepancies in rates of depression between men and women. Finally, men with greater adherence to male gender norms will have higher rates of gender role stress, and, thus, will be more likely to experience externalizing symptoms. Participants completed a survey regarding depressive symptoms and stress regarding gender norms. Upon completion of data collection, these results will then be analyzed for rates of both prototypical and atypical depressive symptoms in men and women, as well as how gender and adherence to gender roles impact depressive symptoms. This study was limited by size, survey completion rates, and funding. Further research is needed to explore the discrepancy of depression rates between men and women and address the issue.
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Leibniz, Calculus, and The Hyperreal NumbersOur ideas revolving around Calculus, Philosophy, Law, and Theology are often so clouded that we forget to acknowledge the people behind these ideas. Through this way of thinking, we forget to look at the foundations that took countless years and even lifetimes to construct out of what we believe to be nothingness. What if I were to say everything mentioned in the first sentence was revolutionized by a German mathematician, philosopher, and logician's name is Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. The first part of this paper will focus on outlining his contributions to the foundations and invention of Calculus, disagreements between him and Newton, Leibniz's notation for Calculus, and other works in other areas such as law, metaphysics, and theology. This paper does not cover details including birth, death, spouses, etc. as those take away from the goals of this paper. The second part focuses on Abraham Robertson's construction of the Hyperreal Numbers and their applications proving that Leibniz's intuition of infinitesimals and Calculus correct. Accurate recognition of one's work is critical in maintaining not only credibility over future pieces of work but also recognizing the accomplishments of one's work. Understanding Leibniz's work and the instrumental construction of Calculus and infinitesimals allows us to also focus on the foundations of our modern societies and trace where many of our common ideas and innovations stem from. Ultimately, by the end of this paper, one should have a better understanding of the impact Leibniz, infinitesimals, and the foundational understandings of Calculus.
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"The Importance Of Transparency In Municipal Governance"; A Case Study Of North Shore MassachusettsThe United States has a turbulent past filled with the use of force and displays of negativity regarding public engagement. There are laws enacted protecting the public, allowing a positive exchange of information, and ensuring the availability of resources. This research will explore the factors influencing citizen engagement: What are the factors influencing citizen participation in local government, and what municipalities encourage these interactions? An incident in Massachusetts where a private citizen was denied their civil rights at a ZBA meeting, provides the context to explore the limits of public interactions and government transparency. Using a grounded theory approach, survey data was collected and analyzed along with socioeconomic and geographic factors to create a GIS (Geographic Information System) product that could be useful in examining citizens’ participation in local government. I will test the limits of public interactions and governmental transparency in a survey open to SSU students and North Shore townspeople. The data will show a correlation between interactions, location, and several different factors such as race, income, social status, employment, business ownership, and utilization of governmental services. Using the grounded theory approach, the collected data will be used to create a GIS product. Conclusions and suggestions drawn from pairing the GIS product with survey data will be offered to strengthen interactions in both urban and regional planning as well as civic engagement across geographies.
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Changes In Exercise Habits Of Adults During The COVID-19 PandemicThis study explores the changes in exercise habits of college students during the Covid-19 pandemic. The focus is on how exercise plans changed before, during, and after the pandemic. A survey was conducted among 424 Salem State University undergraduate students to see the shifts in the type of workouts and frequency of exercising pre-, during, and post-pandemic. Results show that 61.21% of participants had to alter their exercise plan due to the pandemic. With many gyms and sports teams stopping during the pandemic, it led to a shift in which more people switched to cardio and weight lifting—not having as much equipment or any equipment forced people to change their old routines for exercise. Despite all the challenges during the pandemic, 51.1% of participants returned to their exercise routines from before the pandemic started. Of the individuals surveyed, 34.88% did not return to their regular routines, meaning they either found new routines during the pandemic or did not want to pick up their exercise habits where they last left them. This study focuses on how people can adapt and are determined when it comes to doing physical activity, no matter the challenges. This research shares strategies to promote exercise while sustaining both physical and mental health in case of other future uncertainties.
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La guitarra con sentido y razón: How the Chilean New Song Defined a GenerationThis thesis analyzes the development of the New Song movement in Chile from its inception in the 1950s with the music recovery efforts of Violeta Parra, through its heyday in the 1960s and early 1970s during the years of Salvador Allende's Popular Unity government, to its legacy following the Pinochet coup of 1973. This thesis examines the New Song movement's musical origins, political messages, and connections to the most pressing issues of its time, including the domestic urban-rural divide and the involvement of the ordinary people in the nation's political sphere.
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How Recent Innovative Developments Of Prosthetics Have Affected Athletes And Shaped Their PerformanceParalympic athlete potential has reached an all-time high: thanks to the power of prosthetics. This literature review aims to explore and address how the latest developments in prosthetics have impacted athletes and their ability to perform in everyday life, as well as competitive sporting events. For this purpose, the most recent and innovative prosthetics will be critically examined. Recent technological breakthroughs have yielded better performance results over the years in the Paralympic games. Prosthetic devices are far more advanced today than they were even ten years ago.These modern prosthetics have unlocked a new world of athletic potential. Modern prosthetics and therapies are solely responsible for an increase in satisfaction for Paralympic athletes and their athletic performance results.
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Teaching Higher Level Vector Concepts To Elementary Age Students By Exploring The Use Of GamificationMathematics has been known by many students to be their least favorite subject due to the complexity of the concepts, and the way in which this subject has historically been taught. However, with how practical mathematical skills are in so many diverse fields, helping foster a student's positive relationship with math is extremely beneficial for their academic and career growth. This literature review explores how educators can make math education more engaging starting from the elementary school level while also providing students with a good math foundation that will support them in higher grades and beyond their schooling. This goal can be accomplished by introducing elementary age students to the higher-level math concept of vectors. With the application of vectors in careers ranging from STEM fields to animation, students will see how practical and useful math can be in the outside world. Combining this concept with researched-based math engagement strategies, such as gamification and hands-on activities, will help support students' intrinsic motivation with math. This literature review concludes with lesson plan resources that educators can use to effectively teach students this practical, higher level math concept in an engaging way.
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A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Exploring The Effects Of Kinesiology Tape On Physical PerformanceKinesiology tape is one of the most widely used therapeutic, sports products currently on the market. Most people have either seen the tape worn during televised or live sporting events, or maybe they’ve even worn the product themselves. Athletic trainers apply it to their athletes, professionals endorse the product, drug stores even carry the tape, it’s everywhere. KT tape is said to help prevent injuries, aid in a recovery period, and overall, just enhance performance, yet there is little clinical evidence that the product lives up to its claims. There is a need for more research so we can be sure of this product everyone is purchasing and using. More information needs to be available to the consumers and the professionals applying the tape. To determine the effectiveness of kinesiology tape on improving physical performance, specifically the measurement of power.
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Interpreting Igneous Textures and Compositions of the Marblehead Neck Area for Comparison in Local Formation Event SequencingThis geologic study focuses on Marblehead Neck, a small Island connected by a bridge off Marblehead, MA, characterized by diverse igneous formations. The island, part of the Avalon terrane, has a makeup of igneous units. The prevailing map indicates exposures of Proterozoic Dedham Granite and Lynn Volcanics, yet the region's complexity challenges existing interpretations. These formations, crucial for deciphering the Dedham-Milford Zone's history in the area, prompt comparisons with Dedham Granite, Milford Granite, Lynn-Mattapan Volcanic Complex, and Middlesex Fells Volcanic Complex. Using Petrographic methods and comparing local lithologies, we can come to unravel the lithologies origins. Petrographic analyses of the lithologies reveal that granodiorite consists of plagioclase (60%), quartz (25%), K- feldspars (5%), hornblende (5%), biotite (5%) and includes metasedimentary xenoliths. The granite intrudes into the granodiorite and consists of K-feldspar (40%), quartz (35%), plagioclase (20%), minor hornblende (5%), and is devoid of metasedimentary xenoliths. The rhyolitic flows are mostly fine-grained groundmass, with some plagioclase phenocrysts and mafic inclusions. The subvolcanic unit is identified as dacite porphyry. These units showed field relations spanning different time periods. Overall, our results indicate the granodiorite unit is part of the Dedham Granite, Granite with the Spot Pond Granite, Rhyolite with the Lynn-Mattapan Volcanic Complex, and Dacite with later subvolcanic activity, possibly related to Lynn feeder dikes or later Pangea volcanism. This approach, incorporating fieldwork, remote reconnaissance, petrographic analysis, and petrographic comparison to known data, aims to refine the understanding of Marblehead Neck's geological evolution within the broader context of the Dedham-Milford Zone.
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Taking Up Space: A Guide to the Artistry in Stage ManagmentLike most college seniors, thinking about how to encapsulate four years of college into one project, document, etc. is a scary thing to think about. Throughout my time in undergrad, I noticed a lot of stage-management related texts were geared towards post-grad individuals and were written by professionals. While these resources are incredibly valuable and necessary, I wanted to make this guide for university-level stage managers from the perspective of a student. Think of this text as a diary. A journal entry. Advice from your big sister. And, for any educator who may be reading this, think of this as a tool to help understand your students a little bit better. It is only through sharing our perspectives that we can learn and grow as theatre makers. Take all I say with a grain of salt- this is not the absolute truth. What makes you powerful is your unique style. May this text empower you to draw closer to your authentic self.
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Understanding the Role of Higher Education in Shaping Asian American and Pacific Islander College Students’ College Experiences and Cultural IdentityWhile praised for being the “model minority” due to societal perceptions of their educational and economic achievements, systematic, institutional, and individual racism towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community still exists. This research study examines the role of higher education in shaping AAPI college students' college experiences and cultural identity. Using interview data from 15 AAPI college students from 9 different college campuses, this study reveals that college campuses discriminate against AAPI college students. Such institutional forms of discrimination impact AAPI college students through a lack of resources in supporting the multiple diasporas that make up the AAPI community or undermining racial discrimination students report. In response to pervasive institutional discrimination at their college campus, AAPI college students may have little choice but to seek out support from on-campus AAPI organizations. Indeed, the AAPI college organizations appear to be one of the only options on campus that culturally affirm the status, experience, and identity of Asian American/Pacific Islander students. Creating resources that specifically address the needs of different demographics instead of creating resources that incorporate the one-size-fits-all approach allows for students’ needs and perspectives to be heard in spaces that have oppressed them in the past.
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Water Advocacy in Massachusetts: A Guide for Curious and Concerned CitizensThis paper addresses the need for citizen engagement and action in the face of the ongoing man-made climate crisis that is rapidly depleting Earth's finite freshwater resources. Focusing on the Ipswich River in Essex County, Massachusetts, identified as the 8th most endangered river in America, the research done explores the interconnected challenges of excessive withdrawals, rising temperatures, droughts, floods, pollution, and invasive species paired with the multifaceted challenges surrounding water politics, highlighting the complexities of collaborative governance across multiple jurisdictions. The solution proposed is the creation of a climate action toolkit specifically tailored to freshwater bodies in Massachusetts, aiming to bridge the information gap between governing bodies, local organizations, and the average citizen to foster grassroots action. Existing water conservation toolkits, guides, and websites often target governing bodies and corporations, or provide low-effort, generic, and vague recommendations that are well-known in the current year. In contrast, this toolkit seeks to empower citizens with knowledge about their role in water management and inspire community and political mobilization through advocacy and lobbying education. Drawing on extensive research from scientific studies, environmental reports, and scholarly insights, this thesis advocates for the pivotal role of citizens in driving effective change. It emphasizes the need for accessible, localized tools that empower individuals to become informed decision-makers and proactive contributors to environmental conservation efforts.
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Asthma Prevalence of Children in Massachusetts: Using Agriculture and Environmental Factors (Exposure to Pesticide)Childhood asthma is known to harm the lungs' airways. Agriculture is being investigated to see if it has an impact on asthmatic children. The California Health Interview Survey was used to assess pediatric asthma prevalence per 100 students among Californians in all 58 counties for 2017–2018, while the Environmental Public Health Tracker was utilized for all 14 counties in Massachusetts. California recorded an increase in prevalence rates, while Massachusetts reported a decrease, ranging from 6% to 15.3% across all counties. These findings suggest that agricultural variables may be contributing to the rise in asthma prevalence among children in Massachusetts, with the assistance of the state with the highest number of asthma hospitalizations, California.
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COVID-19 And Unemployment RateCovid-19 affected the unemployment rate in the United States to an enormous extent which has crippled the economy. Covid-19 contributed to worsening the factors that contribute to the unemployment rate. These factors in themselves are the combination of independent variables that influence the average citizen or are the results of their decisions. This information is important to understand for the economic/financial impact for the United States in future scenarios. This paper hypothesizes that the desire to be safe from a virus in a population will be a large contributor to the unemployment rate. The desire to be safe is represented by those that never or rarely use their masks when they go outside. The most direct method of Covid’s effect on the market being the death rate of Covid. While unemployment rate’s other various factors are involved as well, examples being Trump voters, populations age, and education. The years of these variables will be from 2020 and 2022 in order to compare the lasting impact. From the population of the US this information will be taken from by county. All of the numerical data is organized in excel, where regressions are made amongst factors. This constant use of regression is to prove the significance of connection between Covid-19 and unemployment rate. Alternatively, some of these factors were very related to one another and must be identified to not confuse the ultimate regression. Results have shown political alignment of Trump voters' correlation between the unemployment rate compared to the others. With the desire to be safe having little effect compared to Trump voters. The implications of this shows that in order to help combat future cases of a Pandemic of deadly disease, the political leanings of the United States should be a bit more united.
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Impacts Of Cyber-Ostracism On Psychological Well-Being: A Systematic Review Of LiteratureSocial media is an integral part of seeking social connections, with functions such as comments, messages, and likes. Similar to face-to-face social interactions, this connection is not always received, and the person who failed to receive the connection they were seeking feels ostracized. Cyber-ostracism refers to ostracism that occurs explicitly online. In this literature review, cyber-ostracism was studied in the ways that it occurs on social media. Furthermore, cyber-ostracism as it relates to psychological well-being was also studied. After conducting a search for relevant literature using the Salem State University online database, nine peerreviewed journal articles were chosen to be included in this review. It was found that social media is used to fulfill needs such as belongingness and self-esteem. When these interactions do not happen, the user’s needs become threatened, and they are left in a vulnerable emotional state.The demographic of people found to be most affected by these threatened needs are adolescents. Social media has a widespread use by today’s society, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. However, this widespread use calls for further research to be done on cyberostracism as the problem persists and more information may be used to mitigate it.
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The Influence of Training Status on MoodINTRODUCTION: Research has shown that regular exercise can favorably influence mood, but it is unclear if there is a threshold whereby too much exercise can negatively affect mood. Given the limited research in the area, we adopted the null hypothesis that there is no relation between training status and mood. PURPOSE: To survey the influence of training status on mood. METHODS: The present study conducted a cross-sectional survey of the undergraduate day-student population at Salem State University. Participants were primarily recruited by using email, social media, and word-of-mouth. Survey responses are anonymous, and no personal identifiers were collected. The target sample size to attain a 95% confidence interval is 358 students. The main tool that was used to measure mood was the validated Brunel Mood Scale. The Borg RPE scale is the main tool that was used to measure exercise intensity. These tools have been implemented into the survey using SurveyMonkey. RESULTS: Out of the eight subscales of the BRUMS, the strongest association between mood and exercise was related to VIGOUR, which has moderate positive associations with the number of exercise days and intensity of exercise, indicating that people who exercise more frequently, especially at higher intensities, tend to report higher levels of Vigour. CONCLUSION: Due to the limited number of responses, it has been concluded that more research needs to be done to validate any correlation data found in this study.
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An Evaluation of the Validity of English Placement Tests at Imam Abdurrahman Bin Faisal University: A Critical AnalysisThis study examines the validity and reliability of English placement exams at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University and their ability to forecast academic success in English foundation courses. Using a quantitative correlational approach, the research analyzed data from 300 students to assess the relationship between placement test scores and subsequent course grades. Findings indicate that test scores moderately predict course performance, explaining about 38.4% and 36.2% of the variance in grades for two core courses. However, significant variability in test effectiveness across different academic disciplines suggests that the exams may not consistently capture diverse academic needs and language proficiencies. The study recommends targeted refinements in the exam structure and scoring to enhance fairness and accuracy in student placements, addressing specific disparities found across disciplines. These adjustments are crucial for better aligning placement procedures with the educational demands and language competencies at the university.
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Confronting The Over-sexualization of Afro-Latina Women in The Bluest Eye and The Poet XAfro-Latina women experience over-sexualization within contemporary society in ways that their white, female counterparts do not experience. Since the Reconstruction era, black women have been stereotyped as being promiscuous and oversexed. These sexualized stereotypes have carried weight within society for generations and have begun to encroach on other minority races, such as Latina women. Within their novels, The Bluest Eye and The Poet X, Toni Morrison and Elizabeth Acevedo do not shy away from discussing sex, sexualized stereotypes, and how sex impacts young women of color. Instead, they have confronted over-sexualization in their coming-of-age novels about Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl living in Loraine, Ohio during the 1940s, and Xiomara Batista, a young Dominican teenager living in Harlem, New York during the 2000s. Both authors utilize the complicated world of a teenage girl in a society that is accepting of negative sexualized stereotypes and challenge the over-sexualization through their main characters. This thesis analyzes how both authors confront the over-sexualization of Afro-Latina women to give a voice to young women who may be suffering in silence, and who are struggling to navigate a world that tells them they are only valued for what their body can give to a man.