Resonance of Response: Mahler’s Journey with his First Symphony in the Face of Criticism

Gustav Mahler\u27s Symphony No. 1 in D Major Titan initially faced criticism from both critics and the composer himself. The work premiered in Budapest in 1889, when Mahler was filling in for the ill music director of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. Taking into consideration the audience’s reaction and his own experiences, Mahler revised the symphony, reflecting a combination of external criticism and internal artistic conflict. This research paper examines the context of the symphony\u27s composition, analyzing reviews by esteemed critics such as Eduard Hanslick, and statements from Mahler, Alma Mahler, and their contemporaries. Through this analysis, recurring themes in the critiques and insights into Mahler\u27s personal life shed light on the origination of Symphony No. 1 and Mahler\u27s compositional process. Scholars such as Jens Malte Fischer and Thomas Peattie have contributed to the knowledge of Gustav Mahler’s First Symphony from both the theoretical and biographical standpoint. While there has been extensive research around the background of “Titan” and its impact on music history, there is currently a void this paper intends to fill in the area that directly relates Mahler’s revisions to the work to its reception. The revisions made to Titan exemplify Mahler\u27s responsiveness to feedback and his ongoing battle for progress in music history. By examining his mixture of artistic vision, audience reaction, and personal background, this paper brings out the complexities of Mahler\u27s creative process and his impact on the symphonic tradition

Creating Culturally Inclusive Text Sets for an Elementary Classroom

For this symposium project, my job was to research how to create a culturally inclusive text set for an elementary classroom. There are many different elements that a teacher should look for when selecting literature. These include having a diverse set of characters, authors, and an meaningful message behind the text. For my data analysis, I am making sure to select texts that hit these main elements as well as meet state standards. This is an important topic, because as educators we want to foster a welcoming classroom environment where all students can thrive. Before choosing texts, the teacher needs to develop a good understanding of the dynamics and background of the classroom. From there, the teacher can create a text set that is representative of their students. My findings after doing research, is that there are many children\u27s literature books that allow children to have a new perspective of the world around them. As a future educator, it is my job that my students develop important life skills of self-awareness and empathy. This can be achieved through the literature selected for class

Cat-Spoon, Pants-Car: Testing Trials Needed for a Picture Paired Associates Task for Adults

This study investigates the number of trials needed for accurate introspection on memory accuracy in adults. Prior research suggests preschoolers benefit from introspection tasks (Hembacher & Ghetti, 2014). Preschoolers encoded items presented once or twice, then completed a forced-choice retrieval test with confidence judgments. Research has also found that memory performance on a paired associates tasks in children is related to their word learning (Vlach & DeBrock, 2017). However, the optimal number of trials in a picture based paired associates task for adults remains unknown. A pilot test indicated 10 trials, commonly used with preschoolers, is insufficient for adults. Our experiment will investigate the appropriate number of trials needed for reliable introspection in adults, with an initial estimate of 40-55 trials based on existing literature

Cultivating Leadership: Female Leaders in the Royal Bahamas Defense Force

Lessons learned from the impact of COVID-19 have significant implications on crisis management for those serving in the military. Leadership must bear the full brunt of directing subordinates while addressing the crisis at hand. So how do we learn from those volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) situations that arise with no notice? Even more so, those in leadership positions in military branches are instrumental as first responders coming to the national aid of their people. Females continue to enter nontraditional occupational roles, including joining the ranks of leadership in military organizations. This is true in the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) as an increasing number of women have not only joined the ranks of this navy defense force but have taken on leadership roles and progressed up the ranks (McPhee, 2021). Integration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provides an additional context for understanding the needs of our female leaders. This research reflects the insights provided by present RBDF female leaders at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The structure of this inquiry provides a qualitative methodology, gleaned from twenty (20) female leaders through interviews of fourteen respondents and a focus group of six participants. The major research question demonstrates how the impact of COVID-19 for RBDF female leaders affected their leadership on the job and their overall work-life balance. Furthermore, the personal implications of leadership and decision making while achieving a military career during a global pandemic and maintaining family responsibilities illuminates a resilience that this research seeks to uncover. Participants represent female officers and enlisted rates. Lessons from the recent epidemic assist leaders in preparation for the next disaster to be ready for the ensuing challenges. The first responders and leaders who guided a small island nation toward survival with a future for its citizens provide valuable information resulting from this research. Cultivating leadership for a thriving future helps us become better prepared for the next unexpected crises that descends quickly and with no advanced notice. This research provides great insight from those who met these challenges as first responder female military leaders directing a small island nation towards survival and a future for its citizenry

Fallen Kingdoms and Ancient Monoliths: The Influence of Atlantis and Egypt in Tolkien’s Númenor

In light of the recent publication of The Fall of Númenor, my essay aims to focus on Tolkien’s, somewhat underappreciated, influences on Gondor; particularly Ancient Egypt. This essay looks at Plato\u27s Timaeus and Critias, Ignatius Donnelly\u27s theories, and examines the Atlantean and Egyptian motifs in Tolkien’s version of Westernesse, in particular, the remnants of Atlantean civilization survived by Egyptian colonists which mirror the Realms of Exile (Gondor and Arnor)

Spontaneous rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm with hemoperitoneum; case presentation

Aneurysms of the splenic artery are relatively rare, being found in patients with portal hypertension, multiparous, atherosclerosis, or in young people with various genetic diseases. In the uncomplicated forms, splenic artery aneurysms are often difficult to diagnose either because of the asymptomatic evolution, or because of the non-specific symptoms. In cases of trauma or large sizes, aneurysms can be complicated by rupture, which can cause hemoperitoneum with the risk of death if specific treatment is not initiated as soon as possible. Depending on the location of the splenic aneurysm, comorbidities, the patient\u27s general condition or life-threatening complications, laparotomy, laparoscopy, endovascular techniques or combined procedures can be performed. The case of a 33-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and later syncope is presented. The patient was referred to the radiology department, and computed tomography revealed a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm with hemoperitoneum. The splenic artery aneurysm and the spleen were excised by emergency surgery, with a favorable postoperative outcome. The young age of diagnosis and treatment probably implies a genetic component, so that she was referred for additional investigations after discharge

Evaluation of short-term complications in laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter placement - a single tertiary center experience

Background. Peritoneal dialysis is a form of kidney function replacement that is not as widespread as hemodialysis. However, it has recognized advantages, such as preservation of residual renal function, lack of vascular access, and the ability to be performed at home. On the other hand, it requires the correct insertion of a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter and maintaining its patency. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study of 126 patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent laparoscopic Tenckhoff catheter placement for peritoneal dialysis between January 2016 and December 2022. The study analyzed the frequency and type of complications registered within three months, in order to validate laparoscopy as a safe method of catheter insertion (with reduced periprocedural complications), as well as the importance of the multidisciplinary team in the care of patients with peritoneal dialysis. Results. In about 14% of patients, we encountered a total of 23 complications: 61% in the first month, 34.7% in the second month, and 4.3% in the third month. The most frequent complication was infection (peritonitis 35%, catheter exit site infection 30.4%), followed by peri-catheter leak (21.7% of total complications). Catheter migration, hernia, and significant bleeding were rare events (4.3% of total complications each). All complications were managed by medical treatment, except two cases which required replacement of the catheter. Conclusions. Laparoscopic catheter insertion is a safe procedure with low post-procedural complications in patients who are dependent on peritoneal dialysis

Cover Art for TGLE Vol. 56 Nos 3 & 4

Cover Art for TGLE Vol. 56 Nos 3 &

A new approach to balance dental fear and anxiety by using BachTM Flower Therapy

Treatments in dentistry currently consist of an interdisciplinary approach, including (but not necessarily limited to) the holistic perspective. The different fields of allopathic and complementary medicine are used together to ensure not only a high-quality restorative treatment, but also to provide patients with psychological and emotional support. This perspective also applies to dental anxiety, which consists of complex (emotional, vegetative and psychomotor) manifestations. One of the most well-known complementary therapies for reducing dental fear and anxiety is BachTM Flower Therapy. Even if the mechanism of action of this therapy is not yet scientifically documented, notable results have been and continue to be reported in the literature in several clinical studies on patients with dental diseases. It is indicated for both adults and children, in the latter when they go through major biological changes, such as primary and permanent dentition. As a conclusion, BachTM flower therapy is effective and complementary to dental treatments applied to patients, by reducing stress, anxiety, as well as creating a climate of peace, trust and confidence, both for the patient and the doctor. In addition, it is a relatively accessible and cheap form of care, with no significant adverse effects noted so far

The Bane of the Ancients: A Software Adaptation of the Tabletop Role-Playing Adventure

This project is the adaptation of a tabletop role-playing experience into an interactive computer program, with an emphasis on effective storytelling, world-building, combat, and player choice. The story provided by the customer, “The Bane of the Ancients”, was initially designed within the Dungeon Crawl Classics framework. Translation of this design into a digital format required many creative and technical additions to the original concept, including sound and art design, music composition, world building and structuring, and development of interaction mechanics and physics. The digital experience was built on top of the Godot engine for its ease of adoption in regards with the chosen style. The software utilizes a top-down art style to convey storytelling and interactive elements. The development of the software followed an agile development cycle with two-week sprints to allow for flexibility and efficiency while working closely with the customer. The scope of our prototype was limited to the first act of the written story so that sufficient time and resources can be devoted to implementing all requested features