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Applying Linear Regression Models to Assess Spatial and Environmental Risk Factors of Chronic Wasting Disease Amongst Deer Populations in Montana
Aidan Burns Mornhinweg
By applying both GIS and statistical analysis formulas, such as ordinary least squares (OLR) and geographic weighted regression (GWR), to multiple variables, I have been determining risk factors and their % of influence on spreading chronic wasting disease (CWD) amongst various deer populations throughout Montana. Upon analyzing each risk factor (primarily land use data, soil, pH levels, habitat types, carcasses, etc.), I am able to apply my linear regression model to hot spots throughout Montana to determine which areas are most at risk of spreading CWD (both how and why). GIS software, ArcGIS Pro, is my main tool and support for computing my linear regression model and takes into consideration the spatially temporal data and dimensions of this disease. As of now, all of my gathered data is open source. Thank you.
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Are measures to decrease or prevent pollution just
Brett Timothy Brne
My poster presentation is about if measures to decrease or prevent pollution is just. In my case I will be using the theories of justice by Rawls and Nozick. Rawls and Nozick while both using theories of justice have conflicting views, and I will be covering some similarities and differences in their theories and in this case. My goal is to determine what these two would believe to be morally correct in the given situation. Rawls theory supports that it would be unjust, while Nozick believes that it would be a morally correct action. To reach this conclusion I have read both of their works and will provide evidence in my poster presentation.
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Argumentation & Advocacy - Policy Panel
Hannah Shay Bordeau, Robert John Bremyer, Estrella Cuellar, Isabela Maria Fernandez
Students will present competing policy proposal arguments, cross-examine each other, then convince the audience/jury of the relative superiority of their case. Afterwards, audience ballots will choose the winning policy.
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Assaults with an assist: Gender violence in the National Hockey League and league reputation based on crisis communication
Yana Crossland
In October of 2022, an anonymous Twitter user under the pseudonym Emily Smith published a Tweet that contained a screenshot of a very long statement which alleged that Ian Cole, a defensemen for the Tampa Bay Lightning, had groomed and sexually assaulted her. The last paragraph of the statement says that “the NHL [National Hockey League] fosters a culture of misogyny”, and because of this, players feel “emboldened” to commit these acts of violence towards their victims (Smith, 2022). The NHL conducted an investigation in which they determined Cole was innocent (Associated Press, 2022). There are multitudes of instances in which players commit acts of gender violence (rishcast, 2021). When such incidents occur, the NHL may find it necessary to formally release a statement regarding the incident. This study examined how such a response impacts league reputation, word-of-mouth, behavior intention, and attitude, using the lens of situational crisis communication theory (SCCT).
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Assessing the Behavioral Effects of Conditional SERCA2 Deletion in central GABAergic Neurons
Hayden Nathaniel Ott
The regulation of calcium (Ca2+), a critical ionic messenger, has been implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes including gene transcription, muscle contraction, and neurotransmitter release. The sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), an intracellular regulator of Ca2+ homeostasis that functions by sequestering Ca2+ into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is a particular molecule of interest. Previous research has implicated dysfunction of SERCA regulation as a contributor to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and neurodevelopmental disorders including Autism-spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we sought to further understand the role of SERCA2 in behavior through the creation of a novel transgenic mouse line that is characterized by conditional deletion of SERCA2 in the brain’s γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic inhibitory neurons. Male and female mice of this line then underwent a behavioral battery assessing motor function, anxiety and depressive-like behaviors. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of SERCA's role in behavior and the mechanisms contributing to complex neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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A Topology Optimization Results Spaceframe Interpreter for the Design of Lightweight Aircraft Structures
Jack Anthony Studnicka
This poster presents the methodology and theoretical foundation of topology optimization (TO) Results Spaceframe Interpreter, an automatic TO results interpreter that generates a closely associated space frame consisting of welded structural tubing or rectangular bars. TO is a computational technique that uses a finite element (FE) formulation to identify the most weight-efficient structure within a design domain. Density-based TO results in structures that take organic forms and is usually a tedious and cumbersome process to generate a computer-aided-design (CAD) model to manufacture through conventional techniques. The optimal topology frequentlyresembles a space frame, which is well-known as being a rigid, lightweight structure. The methodology of the TO results interpreter leverages several techniques from volumetric image processing and has four primary processes. First, the results are obtained from commercial FE/TO software and mapped into a cubic grid of voxels. Second, junction locations are extracted and member connectivity that represents a frame is identified. Third, a sizing optimization is incorporated to determine appropriate sectional dimensions of the circular or rectangular space frame members. Fourth, the optimized space frame geometry is imported into a CAD design tool to automatically create a design model. The automated TO interpreter is designed to interact with commercial FE analysis and CAD systems. The interpreter is demonstrated on various spatial examples including aerospace and automotive applications. In each case, the welded space frame closely resembles the TO result, with nearly equivalent stiffness and mass.
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A Traditional Marian Devotion: The Litany of Loreto
Molly Catherine O'Brien, Selena Rose Waldron
The Litany of Loreto is a traditional Catholic prayer devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the many titles gifted to her by the Church. Our research consists of the history of the devotion, Biblical bases for the names of Mary, how the names in the Litany relate to Church teaching, specifically the four Marian dogmas, and how this devotion is practiced today. The Litany brings Tradition and Scripture to life, and characterizes Mary with many traits and attributes that help us to come to know her better, and in knowing her, grow in relation with her Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
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Authentic Materials in Language Learning
Nills Alesandro Rojas Mora
While the benefits of authentic materials in language instruction are well known, some teachers do not feel confident in implementing them into their classrooms. A group of spanish-speaking English learners were exposed to a series of lesson plans that include authentic materials to exemplify the importance of using realia in the classroom. This project aims to offer language teachers an insight on the benefits of exposing students to authentic materials and strategies to effectively incorporate them into regular lesson plans. The study shows aspects that teachers need to consider when using authentic materials in their classrooms and the researcher’s reflections for more appropriate uses of these resources in language instruction.
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Banksy: The Street Artist and Activist
Emily J. Bryan
This THR/VAR 250 Diversity in the Creative and Performing Arts poster presentation project requires each student to research and present on a topic relevant to the interdisciplinary fields of visual and performing arts through a critical multicultural and social justice lens that foregrounds the appreciation of diversity and enables the expansion of personal cultural competencies.
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Beavers at Glen Helen Nature Preserve
Dustin Jacob Holmes
Ecosystem engineers are vital for natural areas, having a large impact on species richness and ecosystem health. An example is the North American beaver (Castor canadensis). Around three years ago a beaver colony began to build a dam in Glen Helen Nature Reserve (Yellow Springs, OH). This has caused significant flooding of the stream that the dam was built on and an opening of the canopy due to the beavers removing many large trees within the area. Our aim was to study what trees the beavers preferred over others and what new species had arrived in the area since the beavers constructed the dam. For this objective, we marked trees that showed signs of beaver activity with numbered tags and recorded their diameter at breast height (DBH) and whether beavers were actively using them or not. Once all of the chewed trees were recorded, we measured and identified the four closest trees without beaver activity. We surveyed 24 trees with beaver activity and 36 undamaged trees. It was found that maples were most preferred by beavers and their preferred size of tree was 18-36 DBH. As for new species, we worked with an expert birder based at Glen Helen who had been collecting data on the preserve’s birds for many years. The new species since the construction of the dam include but are not limited to the green heron (Butorides virescens), prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea), and the mourning warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia). In addition to birds, some new herps have also been found in the pond such as an eastern spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera). We intend to disseminate this data to the preserve staff so that proper conservation and management practices can be implemented to protect the beavers and any new species in the area.
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Benefits of a Community Reentry Intervention for Reentry Self-Efficacy in Homeless Shelter Residents With Past Incarceration
Kathryn E. Hurley
The U.S. has one of the highest levels of incarceration and recidivism in the world (American Civil Liberties Union, 2022; U.S. Department of Justice, n.d). Several factors contribute to recidivism, including the loss of monetary funds and loss of housing upon incarceration. Homelessness especially predicts recidivism. It has been found to increase the risk of recidivism by almost 50% (Jacobs & Gottlieb, 2020). Within the context of a long-term ongoing participatory community action research project in homeless shelters (Reeb et al., 2024), this study examined the benefit of reentry support sessions within the homeless shelter environment, with an attempt to overcome barriers in utilizing community resources. Twenty previously incarcerated, unhoused men participated in a reentry support session within St. Vincent De Paul’s Gateway Shelter for Men (Dayton, Ohio). The reentry support session was developed in collaboration with the Montgomery County (Ohio) Office of Reentry. Participants completed a measure of self-efficacy for community reentry at pre- and post-session, followed by a brief interview to identify their plans for obtaining reentry services in the community. In support of Hypothesis 1, it was found that the self-efficacy for coping with community reentry improved from pre- to post-intervention. Consistent with hypothesis 2, residents both with and without a disability benefited from the session at approximately equal levels. Post-session interviews revealed that a majority of residents expressed intentions to obtain additional reentry-related resources. Keywords: recidivism, community reentry, homeless, disability, self-efficacy, participatory community action research in homeless shelters
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Beyond Skin Deep: new photographic works by Elena Bellisario
Elena Aniella Bellisario
Elena Bellisario’s senior Captstone photography project, Beyond Skin Deep, explores her relationship with the body as it relates to her own experiences and perceptions of womanhood from a young age. Utilizing friends and found objects as symbols and co-conspirators, she works through her struggles with gender identity, using the camera to gain an outsider’s perspective. In the process, she asks questions that trouble many who are female-identifying, such as “Is it alright if I want to show off my body or should I cover it up? Do I dress up nice for male validation or for myself? Is it ok if I still want to be skinny or is that not body positive?” Her photographs and related research from this cathartic journey ultimately question societal norms surrounding femininity, body image, and self-worth, revealing both unique complexities and shared struggles within womanhood.Beyond Skin Deep will be on view in Fitz Hall's Radial Gallery through the end of April.
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Beyond Technology: Social Predictors of Energy Efficiency in Industrial Facilities
Garret B. Cowdery
Energy is the lifeblood of the industrialized world with electrical energy expected by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to increase 25% between 2016 to 2050 in the United States. Combined with the ever-present climate crisis, energy-efficient buildings are becoming increasingly important to conserve resources and alleviate strain on aging energy systems. The Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) program through the US Department of Energy aims to reduce the consumption of large, single-site energy users, industrial and commercial buildings, through comprehensive energy audits. Such investigations find that energy-efficient structures are a technological challenge as much as social. The mentality of building occupants towards energy use strongly impacts the efficiency of the building with the energy conscientiousness of the inhabitants being a key factor in maximizing theoretical performance. Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) is a social phenomenon where communities rise in opposition to controversial facilities that serve to upset community wellbeing. These are generally energy-intensive projects that may detract from the natural beauty or environmental health of an area. The negative reaction originates from difficult-to-measure factors such as personal attitudes and trust between involved parties but can be loosely predicted by specific demographic quantities. This investigation aimed to primarily analyze the quantity, scale, and quality of community energy systems at the county level of Ohio in conjunction with collected IAC data and NIMBY demographics to identify potential external predictors for industrial energy intensity based on NIMBY sensitivity. Ultimately, only a weak correlation is found between industrial facility energy usage and the listed attributes, but the investigation paints a vivid demography of people, energy resources, and industrial agglomeration while emphasizing and supporting the need for continual research into the social functions that drive technical success.
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Black Hollywood
Achille Kpeya
This THR/VAR 250 Diversity in the Creative and Performing Arts poster presentation project requires each student to research and present on a topic relevant to the interdisciplinary fields of visual and performing arts through a critical multicultural and social justice lens that foregrounds the appreciation of diversity and enables the expansion of personal cultural competencies.
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Black Male Queerness and the Poetic Performance of Survival
Ophelia Danielle Knight
The poetry produced by queer black men tells of the intersecting ideals of racism, cultural norms and expectations of masculinity, and the homophobia that directly impacts the ways in which Black queer men exist in any space. I believe this poetry allows for insight and cultural nuance of safety and agency. Throughout my research of the poetry chosen it became obvious to me that forcing gendered ideals onto these people requires assimilation and controlled conformity, emphasizing that intersectional bonds can not be ignored. I argue that if queer Black men are to exist, they must be stereotypically “queer” in the way that tropes have depicted, within the poetry I have analyzed they must feed into stereotypes, hide their queerness, or they must escape the bonds of heteronormative expectations. The poetry depicts their sexuality and gender as a performance, a dance of survival Black queer men must practice and execute regularly in order to be visible in both racial and queer society. The performance of stereotypical queerness expressed within the poetry of Black queer male poets exemplifies the way in which queerness enables modes of survival.
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Breaking Barriers: Judith Hernandez and the Evolving Narrative of Women Artists in the Art World
Giselle Franco
In this presentation, we dive into the captivating world of Judithe Hernandez, a trailblazing Latina artist whose work transcends boundaries and challenges conventional perceptions. Through an exploration of Hernandez's life and artistry, we examine the intricate intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, and artistic expression within the broader context of the art world. We navigate the complexities of how women artists, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, are historically perceived and positioned within art institutions. Drawing upon Hernandez's impactful contributions and experiences, we critically analyze the prevailing narratives and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable future for women artists in the evolving landscape of contemporary art. Join us as we celebrate Hernandez's indelible legacy and ignite conversations about representation, empowerment, and the transformative potential of art.
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Breaking the Chains of Birth: Gandhi and the Untouchables
Lorena G. Idris
What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
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Bridging the Divide: Unraveling Achievement Gaps Among Multilingual Students
Elizabeth Grace Krahe
With an ever increasing number of students learning English as a second language in the United States, it’s important to be aware of the achievement gap between multilingual and monolingual students, and work to find solutions. Existing literature from the past five years highlights that (1) the achievement gap exists as a result of labeling and grouping students based on English language capability, (2) the importance of literacy proficiency in closing the achievement gap, and (3) the importance of self-efficacy in closing the achievement gap.
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Bridging The Gap: Preparing Students with Disabilities for College
Oliver Frederic Shroyer
The College transition can be difficult for any student- whether that is preparing academically or just preparing for the day to day life as a college student. By going through these articles and highlighting the effective strategies such as individualized learning plans, the evolution of educational online institutions, and the development of self advocacy skills, it will help students prepare for college and life beyond schooling.
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Buffer Areas Are Critical Reservoirs for Mycorrhizal Fungi Colonization in Solar Prairies
Jacquelyn K. Amaya, Abigail G. Carter, Madelaine Claire Gregory, Alexander W. Owens
Mycorrhizal fungi are a naturally occurring beneficial root fungus. Over ninety percent of all vascular land plants live in association with this fungus (www.sciweb.nybg.org). This mutualistic relationship is vital for both the plant and the fungus, due to the exchange of sugars and fixed carbons in return for water and nutrients. An important new use of land for both native plant expansion and clean energy production is solar prairies. Solar prairies are protected zones of native prairie plants that also collect energy through the use of rows of solar panels. While a source of clean energy and a haven for these natural species, the solar panels erected on these prairies create shadowed areas. Our research team aims to study the potential effects of this shading on mycorrhizal fungi colonization in the University of Dayton’s Solar Prairie. A total of 10 soil samples with 3 replicates at each sample were collected to test for colonization of mycorrhizal fungi for each area of the prairie with possible varying light availability. These three areas include a buffer which is an important area of a solar prairie due to the absence of panel shading and full light exposure, an area between panels with partial shading, and an area under panels with almost full shading of the understory. We evaluated colonization in plant roots by extracting roots from the soil in petri dishes with ethanol and recording total roots and amount of roots with mycorrhizal fungi. Data was analyzed to find the variance and percentage of mycorrhizal establishment for each measurement location. Our research group found that colonization of Mycorrhizal Fungi decreased with the distance from the buffer, with the buffer indicating the highest colonization. These results are important for future solar prairie planning, with an emphasis on larger buffer zones.
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Butterfly in the Sky: Methods to Reintroduce the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly
Lucy L. Reed, Joseph W. Reichel
Insect populations are declining across the globe. The goal of this project is to aid in the reintroduction of the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly species, that is one of the declining species, to Montgomery County by creating a sustaining population at the Spring Run Conservation Area in collaboration with the Five Rivers MetroParks. This species is experiencing population decline throughout the Eastern United States due to habitat loss from agriculture, land development, and invasive species. The Baltimore Checkerspot can only utilize a few plant species, and it feeds on the White Turtlehead plant. To reintroduce this species, we first monitored for Checkerspot caterpillars in early May. Adult Checkerspots were then collected in early June from the already existing wetland at Siebenthaler Fen, where a population of this species is known. Males and females were then placed in an enclosure with White Turtlehead plants to encourage mating and egg-laying. Once eggs were laid, the adults were re-released into Siebenthaler Fen, and the egg clusters were kept in rearing enclosures at the Cox Arboretum MetroPark greenhouse. During the fall semester, we visited the greenhouse twice weekly to monitor their development and have been trying different methods to further encourage their growth. Once a week, I took measurements of caterpillar head capsule sizes to not only monitor growth, but to hopefully create a definitive way to determine what instar a caterpillar is currently in, as this has not been documented before for this particular species. At the end of the fall semester, the 232 caterpillars that survived were placed underground in clay pots while they overwinter. When temperatures become warm enough, we will begin the rearing process again at Cox Arboretum. When the caterpillars reach a large enough size, they will be released into Spring Run where they can hopefully begin a self-sustaining population.
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Can Creativity be Assessed?
Mae E. Wilhite
This research paper dives into the multifaceted realm of assessing creativity in art education. By unpacking types of non-creative ideas proposed by scholars, this paper provides insights into the negations of creativity, facilitating a deeper understanding of its essence. By synthesizing insights this paper offers a roadmap for art educators to nurture creativity as a cornerstone of modern education, empower students to thrive in an increasingly complex and dynamic world, and the challenges of assessing student artwork.
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Can Endurance Training Help Reduce the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression?
Kaitlyn Ann Miller
According to recent studies, mental health disorders are an increasing issue among individuals and society as a whole. It is found that over half of the college aged students have met the criteria for anxiety and depression. Research shows that engagement in physical acticity can improve symptoms around anxiety and depression. The purpose of this research project is to better understand specifically how endurance training can help to improve symptoms of mental health disorders.
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Can Ruminating About Trauma Foster Growth? Emotion Regulation's Role in the Link Between Intrusive and Deliberate Rumination
Molly Julianna Campbell, Elizabeth A. Chevalier, Karoline Elizabeth Harshbarger
Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive psychological changes resulting from cognitive struggle after stressful situations or traumatic events (Tedeschi et al., 2018). The theoretical framework of PTG says that traumatic or disruptive life events challenge a person’s core beliefs. As a result of this challenge, one can experience intrusive rumination, or automatic, uncontrollable thoughts about the event, which is sometimes associated with lower PTG (Cann et al., 2010) and sometimes uncorrelated (Bakaityte et al., 2022). Instead, if a person can manage their distress, and reassess their goals and beliefs, there is some evidence that this may be able to turn into deliberate rumination (Bakaityte et al., 2022), which consists of reflective, constructive thoughts about the event, and is linked with more growth (Tedeschi et al., 2018). Though the transition from intrusive to deliberate rumination may be crucial in fostering PTG, it is not well understood. Among the few studies that have looked at this association, some have found self-blame to mediate the intrusive - deliberate link (Bakaityte et al., 2022), while others have tested multiple cognitive mediators and not found significance (Rider Mundey et al., 2019). To better understand the mixed findings regarding the pathway from intrusive rumination to deliberate rumination to PTG, it is important to consider variables that moderate these links, such as emotion regulation, which is linked with both deliberate rumination and PTG (Zhou & Zhen, 2024). This study will use self-report data from undergraduate students who have experienced one or more traumatic events to test the relation between intrusive and deliberate rumination (assessed using the Event-Related Rumination Inventory), to test emotion regulation domains (assessed using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale) as moderators of this link, and test these associations with PTG (assessed using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory). Moderation will be tested using the PROCESS macro for SPSS.
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Can Self-care Activities Help Combat the Effects of Academic Burnout?
Anna Jane Caldwell, Mia G. Fiordelisi, Chloe Gwendoline Fletcher, Adam J. Jones, Sage Alisen Roberts
Academic burnout is a rising problem in college students as college can determine the trajectory of a students’ professional life. College is also very important for personal development along with the need to acquire and obtain knowledge and skills. As a result, academic burnout is prevalent in this population. There are many factors that can prevent academic burnout, such as physical activity and many others that can add to it, like increased levels of stress. This study investigated the intricate relationship between daily stressors and academic burnout while identifying effective coping mechanisms among college students at the University of Dayton (UD). We sought to assess the amount of academic burnout on the UD campus, look at coping mechanisms utilized by students and compared it to the proven strategy of physical exercise. We also aimed to analyze students’ daily stressors that impact the prevalence of academic burnout. Employing a cross-sectional design, a single survey was distributed to participants to gauge burnout levels, daily activities, and coping strategies. Participants, recruited from Health Science Research classes and through researcher networks, included UD undergraduate students living on campus. This offered a sample of high-achieving college students that may be at risk for burnout due to a high level of involvement.nThe importance of understanding and addressing academic burnout is underscored by its potential impact on students' well-being and academic performance. By investigating daily stressors and coping mechanisms, this research contributes valuable insights that can inform psychologists, teachers, and advisors in providing support and interventions for students struggling with burnout.
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