The Future of Physical Education and How Instructional Technology is Pivotal in Curriculum Design and Learner-Centered Instruction

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered K-12 education, compelling physical education (PE) instructors to adapt swiftly to remote teaching. This dissertation explores the integration of instructional technology among Missouri PE teachers, analyzing practices before, during, and after the pandemic. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the study surveyed 106 educators and conducted 12 in-depth interviews, revealing widespread use of technologies such as heart rate monitors, fitness apps, and platforms like Google Classroom. Findings highlight that school climate, access to resources, and teacher training are pivotal in technology adoption. Veteran teachers demonstrated greater proficiency with advanced tools, while novices showed adaptability but required foundational support. Technology use positively impacted student engagement and activity levels, transforming PE instruction into a more interactive experience. This study underscores the need for ongoing professional development and equitable resource distribution to sustain effective technology integration in PE. The findings offer valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and curriculum developers aiming to enhance PE through innovative digital tools

Exploring Strategies for Placement Stability Among Foster Care Children

Children in foster care are considered a vulnerable population because of the maltreatment and abuse that previously occurred. In addition to the trauma resulting from previous abuse or neglect, children in foster care face ongoing exposure to trauma due to the lack of stability within the system. Instability in the foster care system is displayed by frequent changes in placement providers, multiple school changes, inconsistent mental and physical health treatment, prolonged permanency, and loss of connections with biological family members. The aim for this study is to fill the gap in the literature on foster parent’s experiences with successful placement outcomes for foster care children. This research utilized a grounded theory approach to analyze the experiences of 13 foster parents in the state of Missouri. The findings were grouped into three different themes. The three major themes that were utilized to develop the theory for this study focused on child focused placements, trauma aware foster parents, and connection and community engagement. This research examined current foster parent’s experiences with successful placement outcomes in order to develop strategies for placement stability for foster care children

Implementation of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Screening Tool for Postpartum Depression in a Midwest Primary Care Clinic

Problem: Postpartum depression is a prevalent health concern in postpartum women. Screening practices to identify postpartum depression are inconsistent. The purpose of this quality initiative is to determine if the implementation of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Screening Tool (EPDS) to screen for postpartum depression in the primary care setting increases the detection of postpartum depression in postpartum women from delivery to one year postpartum. Methods: This quality improvement project utilizes a descriptive, observational design. A retrospective medical record review was utilized as well as a 12-week data collection period. Retrospective medical record reviews were conducted to assess the rate of depression screening over a 12-week time. Then, medical record reviews were conducted after implementation of the EPDS to assess the rate of depression screening utilizing the EPDS over a period of 12 weeks. Results: A total of 16 patients received the intervention (n=16). The rate of patients who received the EPDS was 36% (n=4). Of the patients screened for depression with the EPDS, none received a score greater than 12 which is a high indicator for postpartum depression (n=0). However, of those patients screened, 25% were prescribed medication therapy (n=1). Implications for Practice: Findings support the continued use of a validated depression screening tool to assess depression risk. Prior to this project, there was no formal depression screening for postpartum women. The EPDS was successfully implemented and the family medicine clinic is better prepared to identify postpartum women and screen for depression risk

Perspectives of College Students with Disabilities Regarding Their High School Transition Experience: Notes for High School Transition Planning

Students with disabilities face many challenges as they transition to postsecondary education. These students are often unprepared for the rigor of postsecondary academics; they often lack self-efficacy skills and have limited awareness of postsecondary supports or cannot successfully access them. This study aims to give voice to college students with disabilities to inform practices of high school personnel involved with transition and higher education professionals supporting them. Using Kohler’s Transition Taxonomy 2.0 (2016), researchers sought to study the perspectives of eleven college students on their high school transition experiences in the areas of academic preparedness, self-advocacy skills, and experiences with college counseling. Each of the eleven participants took part in individual interviews designed to inquire about each of the above areas of focus. This paper confirms the study participants felt they were primarily passive participants in their Individualized Education Plan and their postsecondary transition planning process during high school. They also relied heavily on family support during the transition to postsecondary education. Participants also felt unprepared for the academic rigor of college due to the heavy modifications and support given in high school classes and their inexperience with time management. Students also desired more information from their high school transition team, IEP team, and counselors about support available for students with disabilities in college. Recommendations for high school transition practices and future opportunities for research are discussed

Recovering Ancient DNA Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction

Investigations into aDNA offer a window into the past that modern DNA and paleontological studies alone cannot provide and help address the evolution and connections between hominids, domestication timelines, the analysis of populations over time, and general diversity. Progress in aDNA research has been inherently technology-driven, with modern molecular biology methods, such as the inventions of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), substantially increasing the analysis possibilities of aDNA. My research this semester has taken me along two parallel paths of investigation: literary research into aDNA and practical exposure to the laboratory techniques used in its analysis. My work in the lab exposed me to the utilization of PCR as a technique to amplify DNA regions that permits a doubling of the number of target molecules with each cycle. The PCR process is essential for studying aDNA samples since the DNA found on site is limited in quantity and quality. Under favorable conditions, DNA has survived for several millennia, though the length of time varies considerably between preservation environments. Its degradation and post-mortem chemical alterations make its quantification and amplification difficult. The major bottleneck in its research lies in DNA extraction from low-quality and quantity samples and contamination by exogenous current DNA. My practical lab experience was in the extraction process, PCR amplification of the pieces, and analysis with agarose gel electrophoresis using a plant-based system. I experienced firsthand the problems researchers encounter with PCR, such as insufficient amplification with a low amount of template, incomplete or incorrect amplification due to contaminants, and excessive smearing. Using parallel lines of evidence, such as aDNA studies and the fossil record, will aid us in new understandings concerning evolutionary history

Litmag 2024

Litmag’s mission is to nurture the creativity of the students, staff, and alumni of UMSL by providing a space to showcase the diverse literary and artistic talent on our campus. We aim to provide an inclusive, professional and high-quality publication free of charge to UMSL and the local community. Dear Reader, On behalf of the editorial staff and myself, welcome to the 2024 edition of Litmag. With this year’s publication, our team sought to find honest expressions within familiar forms of writing and art. Litmag has driven discussion and craftsmanship. This year’s staff truly selected thoughtprovoking pieces. Curiosity compels us and literature binds us together; it’s in that we ask our readers to find warmth in the depth of these pages. Maybe it’s the crushed velvet of a worn rug beneath your toes or the humming flicker of melting candle wax that envelops your creative spirit. Maybe it’s the springtime floral or migrating autumn fauna that stirs ambition inside you. Breathe, harness this feeling. We ask that you take comfort in this publication; that it be a place for self-discovery. Be prepared to have your beliefs stretched while strengthened by our authors’ works. As always, leap into the moment and bury yourself within the read. Truly, Dana R. Pierson Editor-in-Chiefhttps://irl.umsl.edu/litmag/1033/thumbnail.jp

Using Behavioral Skills Training to Promote Online Safety Skills in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Abstract Children are spending more time online, which is putting them at risk of encountering online predators. There have been attempts to minimize the occurrence of these encounters, but most of these involved instructional training and parent supervision. One alternative intervention for addressing safety skills that has been shown to be effective is behavior skills training (BST), which is a procedure based on behavior analytic literature. BST involves instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of BST on the acquisition of online safety skills in adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities. In-situ assessments occurred before the BST training and after to evaluate the effectiveness of BST in acquiring online safety skills for a 15-year-old participant. A follow up probe was conducted to evaluate if the safety skills were maintained over time. Results indicated that BST with in-situ training is an effective method of training online safety skills for children with autism. The results are discussed in terms of the contributions from applied behavior analysis for strategies to promote social media safety in people with developmental disabilities and directions for future research

Chemtrails: Deadly Skies or Dangerous Misinformation?

A common sight on a clear day is a thin strip of white across the otherwise blue sky: A contrail. Most people do not think anything of these contrails, and assume they have little to no impact on the world at large. Suppose for a moment, however, that they are not as harmless as some believe. Suppose these cloud trails are actually composed of dangerous chemicals, and are being used by sinister forces in a conspiracy to kill off the weak, mind-control the population, or simply dull our minds in preparation for a government takeover. As far-fetched as this may sound, there is evidence both for and against the idea of such a conspiracy. The allegedly toxic “chemtrails,” as they are called, have been a subject of discussion for conspiracy theorists and skeptics alike. This research paper synthesizes many different sources on the topic of chemtrails, in order to discuss the origins of the chemtrails conspiracy theory, varying viewpoints on the theory, and the evidence that supports or opposes these different viewpoints. Considering all of the evidence will help to determine whether chemtrails are truly a danger to public health or just a distraction from the real issues

How Leadership Styles Impact LGBTQ+ Civil Rights

Leaders rely on different leadership styles to legitimize their rule and obtain political power. However, these leadership styles have positive or negative impacts for protecting human rights in the LGBTQ+ community. This thesis examines how political leadership styles impact protecting or repressing the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community. This article argues that constitutionalist leaders who abide by the “rule of law” will better protect LGBTQ+ civil rights than personalist, ideological, or performative leadership styles. Drawing on both qualitative and quantitative research methods, this paper examines how leadership styles impact LGBTQ+ discrimination

Applications of Neural Networks in Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis

Parkinson\u27s disease (PD) is a complex and debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and management of PD. This thesis explores the application of neural networks in PD diagnosis, leveraging their ability to learn patterns from large datasets and make accurate predictions. Thesis provides an overview of PD, including its symptoms, diagnosis, and current challenges in diagnosis. We then delve into the fundamentals of neural networks, including supervised learning, mathematical interpretations, and parametric models. This research focuses on the development of neural network models that can accurately diagnose PD from various data sources, such as medical imaging, sensor data, and clinical features. We evaluate the performance of the models using various metrics and compare them with traditional diagnostic methods. The results demonstrate the potential of neural networks in improving the accuracy and efficiency of PD diagnosis, paving the way for early intervention and better patient outcomes. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, highlighting the promising role of neural networks in revolutionizing PD diagnosis