Definition Argument: PRblog24

Expressive Writing: Prescription-Free Anxiety Relief

Individuals use many different coping mechanisms to address their stress and anxiety, some being more helpful than others. Recently, the mental health field has been introduced to a new form of stress relief: expressive writing. Expressive writing can be seen and used in many different ways, depending on the intended results. Similar to other widely known forms of therapies, expressive writing helps reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety without prescribed medication. While occasionally seen as a less formal stress relief method, compared to medical prescriptions with therapy, many studies share the positive benefits of expressive writing. The article “Expressive Writing and its Role and Reducing Anxiety in College Students” it is explaining expressive writing helps individuals address, and process, unresolved trauma, stress, and tension.

In simpler terms, expressive writing can be seen as a therapeutic practice, as it is used as a technique the individual can do on their own to relieve stress. Expressive writing encourages self-awareness and the regulation of your emotions. According to a study on college students, those who participated in the practice of expressive writing over a semester reported significant reductions in their stress levels compared to those who did not engage in the practice. College students, especially ones who are early on, are likely to face stressors due to a new environment, new transitions, and new found anxieties and fears.

Expressive writing is widely compared to and considered a mindfulness practice for the mental health. Mindfulness practices focus on processing thoughts independently, without judgement. This is similar to expressive writing as the individual reflects on their emotions and experiences on their own. The article “Mindfulness and Expressive Writing in College Students” found college students who engaged in expressive writing experience, had greater psychological benefits, compared to those who did not. This study shows that expressive writing can serve as an accessible tool for college students to address their mental health concerns.

A study published by the University of Valencia, “Mindfulness and diary writing for students stress management“, showed that students who kept a journal for 14 weeks as a part of the mindfulness course reported decreased levels of stress and anxiety. This course allowed the students to process their feelings and expressed the importance of expressive writing each day to prevent stress and anxiety.

There are many research studies that show the benefits of expressive writing. However, there are critics may argue that it is hard to prove how effective it may be due to the number of variables involved. For example, if participants in a study decide to be involved, it may be assumed that these students already practice self-reflection and have an opinion made before the study. In the study conducted by Parker, 2021 the students who participated were psychology students, which may cause some to argue that they already were aware of the benefits due to their background in psychology. However, for many expressive writing works, and if found valuable with positive results, it should be a continued practice.

Expressive writing is a valuable tool and resource for college students who are looking for a mindful practice to reduce their overall stress and anxiety. Regardless of critics who find bias in the selection of each study, the overall evidence suggests that expressive writing has many impactful results that improve mental well-being. Incorporating expressive writing into your everyday routine overall provides an outlet to cope with challenges with stress and anxiety.

References

Dirhan, D., & Sarcona, A. (2023, November 21). Students’ self-perceptions of mindfulness after learning mindfulness techniques in a professional skills course. 7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’21). https://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/171742 

Mohamed, N. (2021, May 30) Effects of self-expressive writing as a therapeutic method to relieve stress among university students. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08893675.2023.2174678?scroll=top&needAccess=true

Poon, A. (2013) Effect of Brief Mindfulness Meditation on Expressive Writing.  State University of New York at Albany ProQuest Dissertations & Theses,  2013. https://www.proquest.com/openview/fbc4ed6038dbf17d4b90a7f38017e06b/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750

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Definition Rewrite—Softball

Cell Phones and Broken Bonds

The use of cell phones ruins relationships between friends, family, partners, or any person you share a connection with. Communication over the phone is not healthy. Face to face confrontation is radically superior. These cell phone devices can offer significant risks to the quality of personal interactions. 

In this context, “ruin” implies only one meaning. The use of cell phones “ruins” relationships means that it causes significant harm to the quality or strength of a relationship. While it is agreeable that cell phones are very useful for communication, it can destroy a relationship in many ways. One of the most important factors of a relationship is being able to understand each other and their feelings, although this is very difficult via text. 

The meaning of communication is where one individual conveys their thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and emotions to another individual in different meaningful or even non meaningful situations. Communication exchange carries additional weight in the context of romantic relationships, where ineffective communication between partners can lead to many problems that threaten the relationship. For example, if you are having a disagreement with someone through messages, it is almost impossible to understand their tone of voice, simply because they are not speaking. 

It is important to be able to visibly notice someone’s body language or tone of voice while interacting with them. Being able to notice these things is crucial because it provides additional information on what someone is saying beyond just texting. Facial expressions, gestures, even posture is essential in a meaningful conversation. These things may not be evident in words verbally, but definitely not in words via text messages. Tone of voice conveys many emotions and attitudes that someone may have. It is easier to notice if a conversation is warm and inviting or critical and angry through the tone of an individual’s voice. Paying attention to these little things is important to have a meaningful conversation that can maintain a possibly healthy relationship. 

Although there can be both positive and negative influences on using a cell phone as a way of communication, technology introduces a potential to misinterpret messages between close connections, which can lead to a downfall in the relationship. Communication via text can cause a decrease in intimacy levels in a relationship by misinterpretation or not being able to understand your partner’s feelings. 

The dependency on cell phones for social interaction can destroy the development of essential relationship skills. Active listening is such an important factor for building and maintaining relationships. Although it can be useful to talk through a problem with your partner via text in a quick manner, overusing it can be harmful to the relationship. It is hard to constantly explain yourself with your two thumbs and a cell phone, rather than just speaking. Text messaging lacks the non-verbal signals that are crucial for conveying emotions and intentions. 

Computer-mediated communication are not replacements for normal face-to-face conversations. Obviously communication via text is non-verbal, but how can you understand an individual’s thoughts or feelings if you can’t even listen to them? Studies have shown that the higher the share of texting out of all the communication, the less satisfied people are with their relationship. This is the definition of the concept that the use of cell phone communication ruins connections. 

When individuals spend more time on their phone, it is easy to neglect in person experiences or activities that you can share with your partner. Experiencing different things together with your significant other, family, or friends is very essential for building and maintaining a strong bond. If you are constantly on your phone and not enjoying the moment with whomever you are with, it can cause an emotional distance between your relationships. 

For instance, when couples spend excessive time on their phone during shared activities, such as going out to lunch or going to a store, something that is so little yet meaningful, they miss out on opportunities to engage in special conversations or experiences. The feeling of knowing your partner’s phone is more important to them than a conversation with you, can lead to isolation and loneliness. Overtime, the lack of genuine interaction can lead to emotional distance or even dissatisfaction in the relationship. 

As we all know, cell phones are a big distraction. Either when you are at work, in class, or even talking to someone, it is easy to get distracted by a notification on your phone. Specifically when you are having a meaningful conversation with someone you share a genuine connection with, constant notifications, calls, and messages can disrupt that conversation you are having and cause frustration which then leads to neglect and then other negative feelings that person may endure. It can be easily shown if your partner is more interested in their phone then you. 

Furthermore, social media is obviously a large contributor to consequences in a relationship, specifically a lover relationship. Popular platforms, mainly Snapchat or Instagram, often portray pictures of people that your significant other may come across and heart. Seeing that your significant other has “liked” or “double clicked” someone else’s picture that isn’t yours, can create unrealistic expectations that you may feel pressured to live up to the “perfect” picture they encountered through social media. 

It is very arguable that cell phones offer numerous benefits. Although, the overuse of cell phones has many negative effects. Miscommunication, distraction, and a decrease in productivity with your partner are just some of the few ways cell phones have negative consequences in different relationships. It is important that individuals need to set boundaries for their use of cell phones, especially in important and meaningful situations. Being fully present in any situation shows respect and appreciation for the experience. Being able to put the phone down shows that you value the time or moment, whether it is a special event, deep conversation, or simply spending time with loved ones. I believe it is important to minimize distractions and prioritize more face-to-face interactions rather than computer-mediated interactions to maintain and build a fulfilling relationship. 

References

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958821000361

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Definition Rewrite- Elongated Lobster

Nature’s Remedy:
Reducing Student Stress with Nature

Stress in adolescence is an ever-growing issue that plagues millions of children every single day. A study conducted by professor Jean M. Twenge of San Diego State University, and published by the American Psychological Association has found that children today experience significantly higher levels of stress than previous generations, specifically compared to post-World War II era children in the 1950s and Cold War era children in the 1980s. This trend of increased stress in school-aged children is only becoming more exponential as time goes on. In order to help combat this growing concern, one must look to the past to the idea of connecting with nature as outlined by Henry David Thoreau in Walden. The basis of this idea, if applied, can become a great method of reducing stress  and helping countless children in schools across the United States. 

The greatest stressor that school-aged children faced in the 1950s and 1980s was the threat of nuclear war. Today, the biggest stressor is an overwhelming workload and an inability to get away from school work. When comparing these two stressors, it may seem as if the children of today are simply lazy and are victimizing themselves as a way to cover for this; however, this is not the case. Unlike the children of the 1950s and 1980s, children today are unable to escape school work regardless of where they are.

This is, in part, caused by the transition to online homework and classes through applications such as Google Classroom and Canvas. Most schools across the United States adopted a form of online learning as a way to roll with the punches during the Covid-19 school closures, whether it be zoom classes or pre-recorded lectures. Once the school closures were over; however, some of these methods remained in place. Teachers could now assign homework to be due the same day that it was assigned at 11:59 p.m. or take away a student’s weekend by making a project due Sunday night.

The weekend was once a two-day span where students could unwind and relax and not have to worry about having assignments due, or would simply rush to get those assignments done during homeroom on Monday morning. With the introduction to online assignments, this is no longer the case. Each week, students have homework or essays or projects that are expected to be done and turned in by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday night, taking away the ability to enjoy their weekend until they get this assignment with the dreaded deadline looming over their head.

This leaves many students feeling helpless and as if they are drowning in schoolwork, unable to escape it. There is, however, a way to help ease these feelings and to combat this feeling of helplessness. It is found in the memoir, Walden; or, Life in the Woods, by Henry David Thoreau. 

The memoir Walden; or, Life in the Woods is a memoir that details the time that Henry David Thoreau spent in the woods alone at Walden Pond, relying on only himself for his survival. For essentially every student, leaving their lives to go live in the woods alone is all but impossible, or at the very least improbable. So, the key lies within the teachings and lessons presented by Thoreau throughout Walden. 

The key idea to pick out from this memoir is the idea of connecting with nature. Thoreau presents connecting with nature as not a pleasure, but rather a necessity. He introduces the idea that nature can be a source of spiritual rejuvenation as well as a necessary aspect of life to feel whole. The spiritual rejuvenation aspect of nature is something that he outlines throughout the memoir. This is done through the discussion of the way that one can interact with nature and how to feel one with nature. Thoreau says that “we must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake”, meaning that people tend to fall into a monotony of life, living the same day over and over again, which becomes strenuous and makes people feel trapped. By going out and spending even 15 minutes a day in nature, people are able to feel that sense of rejuvenation and this can act as a mental reset for them.

This idea has been backed by a Harvard-reviewed study that found that just 20 minutes a day in nature, even if it is just sitting outside during this time, can lower the level of Cortisol in the body, the primary hormone for the body’s stress response. This further backs the writings of Thoreau in Walden, especially considering the line, “We need the tonic of wilderness.” Though written hundreds of years before any study was published on this topic, wilderness and nature has quite literally become a proven tonic for stress. This mental reset helps to reframe the mind and helps one to feel more whole and energized. 

This brings up the point once more that most students are unable to simply leave to go out into nature whenever they please. However, there is a simple solution to this. Though not as effective, a similar effect can be felt by simply sitting by an open window and feeling the breeze or watching the trees sway. This can be a great way to help lower stress levels in the classroom and can help the students feel less rundown and burnt out from schoolwork. Further, to those students that have access to nature such as a local park or front yard, they can sit outside and read or do work and still feel more relaxed and refreshed if they do not have 10-20 minutes to sit outside in nature and do nothing but enjoy it. This small effort to make it outside in any way, shape, or form can have a massive positive impact on the stress levels and mental health of these children who feel overwhelmed to an unprecedented level. 

References

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/a-20-minute-nature-break-relieves-stress#:~:text=Spending%20just%2020%20minutes%20connecting,%2C%202019%2C%20Frontiers%20in%20Psychology.

American Psychological Association. (2000, December 14). Studies show normal children today report more anxiety than child psychiatric patients in the 1950’s [Press release]. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2000/12/anxietyThoreau, H. D., Bowman, J. C., ed. (1917)

Walden, or, Life in the woods. [Chicago, New York, Scott, Foresman and company] [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/17029241/

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Definition- KFury

Can the Durability of Baseball Bats Be Tampered With to Ensure They Break?

The durability of baseball bats is a significant topic in both the sporting community and the manufacturing industry. As the game of baseball continues to evolve, the technology and materials used to create bats have never ceased to change, leading to debates about their safety and effectiveness. One particularly controversial question is whether the durability of baseball bats can be intentionally compromised to ensure they break. This concern highlights a complex investigation of safety, performance, and ethics in equipment design. By examining the factors influencing bat durability, the engineering processes involved in their design, and the implications of potential ugly Craftsmanship to make a quick buck out of the MLB.

Baseball bats are made from various materials, wood, metal, or even composites. Each material has unique characteristics that affect its durability and performance. Wooden bats, often crafted from maple, birch or ash, are traditionally favored in professional baseball for their feel and sound upon contact with the ball. However, these bats are prone to splintering and breaking under intense pressure from collision with the ball. Metal bats, typically made from aluminum or alloys, offer enhanced durability and a larger sweet spot, resulting in increased performance. Composite bats, which consist of layered materials combine the benefits of both wood and metal.

While understanding the factors that influence the durability of these bats is essential to addressing the question of tampering. According to research found in this article, the performance of baseball bats can be evaluated through a series of tests that simulate real-game conditions. These tests measure how different materials respond to ball stress, which informs manufacturers on how to design bats that can withstand the rigors of a season basis. Factors such as barrel thickness, weight distribution, and material composition play major roles in determining a bat’s durability.

The engineering behind bat design aims to maximize both performance and safety. As highlighted in this case study, successful bat designs focus on distributing stress evenly across the bat’s surface. This minimizes weak points where cracks or breaks might occur. A bat that is too lightweight may lack the necessary strength to withstand the impacts associated with hitting a baseball, while a bat that is overly heavy may be difficult for players to swing effectively. Thus, manufacturers must strike a delicate balance in their designs.

The notion of intentionally tweaking with the durability of baseball bats raises significant ethical concerns. If a manufacturer were to create bats designed to break under certain conditions, it would not only jeopardize player safety but also undermine the integrity of the sport. Players rely on their equipment for performance, and a sudden failure of a bat could lead to serious injuries, both to the batter and nearby players. This poses another set of risks during games where precision and safety are paramount.

Moreover, the idea that a bat’s durability could be compromised for the sake of controlled breakage ignores the rigorous testing and quality control measures that already exist in the industry. Manufacturers understand that a reliable bat is essential for player safety and performance. Any attempt to design a bat that breaks more easily could lead to backlash from players, teams, and fans alike. The potential for financial loss due to increased breakage and the need for replacements would likely deter manufacturers from pursuing such a path.

Concerns about injury related to equipment failure are valid, especially given the potential dangers associated with baseball. A broken bat can become a projectile, posing risks to anyone in the vicinity. However, the safety of players is enhanced when bats are designed with durability in mind. The article by Washington State University shows that a well-engineered bat not only improves performance but also reduces the likelihood of breakage during gameplay. This design philosophy extends beyond just preventing injuries; it also fosters trust in the equipment that players use.

While some may argue that high-impact sports carry greater risks of injury than baseball, it is essential to recognize the unique challenges that come with using baseball bats. For instance, sports such as football and hockey involve high-speed collisions and unpredictable movements, leading to a greater likelihood of serious injuries. In contrast, when managed correctly, baseball provides a more controlled environment regarding equipment. Players can train and play with confidence, knowing that their bats are designed to withstand the demands of the game.

In light of this, it becomes clear that the idea of intentionally compromising bat durability is unfounded. Rather than diminishing the strength of baseball bats, manufacturers should continue to focus on innovation and quality assurance. By utilizing advanced materials and engineering techniques, they can create bats that enhance player performance while ensuring safety. This commitment to durability ultimately benefits the sport as a whole, fostering a positive playing experience for athletes at all levels.

Another aspect to consider is the impact of new technologies on bat design. As research advances, manufacturers are increasingly able to produce bats that not only meet performance standards but also incorporate safety features. These innovations include improved shock absorption and better energy transfer, which reduce the risk of injury while maximizing performance. By continually investing in research and development, the industry can create products that align with both player safety and performance needs.

In conclusion, the question of whether the durability of baseball bats can be tampered with to ensure they break reveals more about societal concerns than about the equipment itself. The integrity of baseball relies on the quality and reliability of its equipment, and intentionally compromising bat durability would undermine this foundational principle. By focusing on innovation, testing, and ethical manufacturing practices, the baseball community can ensure that players have access to safe and durable equipment. As the game continues to evolve, so too must our understanding of the role that technology and design play in enhancing both performance and safety. Ultimately, the future of baseball bats should be rooted in a commitment to durability, fostering a safe environment for players while honoring the rich tradition of the sport.

References

  • “Design Implementation of Baseball Bats: Reinforced Bats—A Case Study” N.M. Ravindra, Ivan Padron, Priyanka Singh, Bhumi Bhatt, Vishal Singh, and Kevin Fritz. JOM, 2012
  • “Performance assessment of wood, metal and composite baseball bats” MM Shenoy, LV Smith, JT Axtell. Composite Structures, 2001

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Definition- iloveme5

As humans, we tend to hide our vulnerabilities out of fear of appearing weak. However, when we observe others being open and vulnerable, we often view them as strong for doing so. Emotions are essential for humans to express, yet different emotions can be perceived in various ways. It’s evident that the human mind perceives emotions differently, but the reasons behind this variation remain a mystery when it comes to how different emotions are expressed. The mind can be deceptive, influencing how we experience specific emotions, the variety of emotional states with how we view them including the different types of tears, perception of emotion through text, and how language perceives emotions. 

Emotions are fundamental to human experience, shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions. Understanding emotions can be complex, as they encompass a range of feelings, from joy and love to anger and sadness. Therefore, humans tend to confuse our vulnerabilities for fear of being weak or our expressions and actions for vulnerability. Emotions are crucial for human expression, but different emotions can be viewed in various ways. It would  seem that the human mind is wired to perceive emotion, yet how the different emotions come into play is a mystery, as far as expression goes. The mind can play tricks on the human body to modulate such feelings of an emotion, the breadth of emotional states and, particularly, the variety of tears. Judith Rosenhouse, in the Journal of Phonetics, conducted a study in which the different cries and tears of a baby were monitored and categorized. “In the present study different cries of an individual baby are examined in order to better understand the differences between cries which are apparently stimulated by different causes.” Infants express themselves through various cries and tears, and adults do the same in their own ways. We as humans share emotions that are vital to the human experience that alter our thoughts, behaviors and interactions. The study of emotions both in humans and scenarios is bound to provide one with a broader understanding of emotions and their relationship to human psychology. 

Emotions can be widely defined as complex psychological states characterized by three distinct components: a subjective experience, a physiological response, and a behavioral or expressive response. Primary emotions are typically known as happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust. These feelings are usually short-term and appear because of different stimuli. Primary emotions play an adaptive role and have a promoting impact on survival. For example, fear can prompt flight-or-fight responses, and happiness can enable social bonding and cooperation. Being able to recognize such basic emotions permits the individual to develop ways of responding to stimuli and then find out what kinds of things elicit these responses. There are also secondary emotions that result as reactions to primary emotions and usually are shaped by personal experience or social context. These are more complex and may vary among individuals based on sex, age, etc. Some secondary emotions are shame, guilt, pride, and jealousy.  For example, one may get angry because of an incident that took place, that would be a primary emotion. But if he responded aggressively to the situation, then he would go into the secondary emotion of being shamed. According to Olivia Guy-evans, in the article of Simply psychology, “Secondary shame stems from imagining others’ judgment. You mess up, criticize yourself harshly, then assume everyone sees you that way.” Not only do we, as humans, judge others when they are in vulnerable states, but we also do the same to ourselves. 

Understanding this category can help individuals examine what is happening with regard to their feelings and the causes leading to them. The interaction of primary and secondary emotions together may aid a person in managing their emotional actions more appropriately since they will know how to handle the root, rather than the emotion itself. Imagine if we could grasp the various types of tears that humans express. Some might be tears of joy, others could be tears of sorrow, and yet others might stem from anger. Especially because of the differences we share such as sex, age, culture etc. The way we view emotions are all led by these factors that control how we react to them. For example, If I saw a man crying out in public I would assume it’s out of sadness or anger because it’s not seen often. Since I am a woman, this is how I would perceive it. To another man, they could perceive it as weak. These factors alter how we view this.

Lastly, Complex emotions further portray the task of human emotions as a complex one. These emotions usually result from a mix of primary and secondary emotions and include nostalgia, envy, and even empathetic feelings. The complex emotions are usually wider contexts and may well involve more complicated reasoning skills, such as the ability to reflect upon past events or to understand other people’s feelings. The categorization of emotions into different groupings opens our eyes to appreciate the diversity of emotional experiences, the influences of human behaviors, and human relationships. Recognizing the categories of emotions can help in emotional intelligence-thinking about how to better negotiate one’s feelings and the feelings of others. Emotional intelligence incorporates the capability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own and others’ emotions. 

By understanding one’s feelings with clarity and categories, it reduces misunderstandings in situations. This could benefit us as humans in not only for ourselves but for our relationships. Having this sort of emotional intelligence is key for success of displaying emotions and understanding them. Emotions are feelings that affect every human aspect of life. Understanding our emotions allows us as humans to navigate our feelings with more awareness and empathy. By embracing this, we open pathways for deeper self-awareness and mutual understanding, enhancing our lives and fostering a more empathetic world.

Resources: 

Main.pdf

primary-and-secondary-emotions.html

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Definition Rewrite – student12121

The Effects of Carbon-Plated Shoes on High Mileage Runners

Long distance running is evolving rapidly. Shoe technology is evolving with it, but with each new technology comes risk to the athlete. Modern race shoes have been affectionately nicknamed “super shoes” for their almost unbelievable boost to racing performance. However, running in carbon plated shoes long term, they cause weakness in foot and calf muscles leading to injuries.

The modern carbon-plated shoe most commonly has a curved carbon plate throughout the outsole. In professional athletics there is a one plate limit and as such most commercial shoes also follow this rule. Some examples of modern carbon-plated shoes include the Nike Vaporfly, the Nike Alphafly, and the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro series’ of shoes. The curved nature of the modern carbon plates leads to the rocker effect that is sought after by manufacturers and athletes. Many people focus too much on the stiffness of the plate however stiffness is only helpful if it pushes the athlete forward. The rocker effect is what helps the athlete’s foot roll through their stride while the stiffness gives them a boost at the end. A flat plate doesn’t do this and as such the performance returns are much lower. This distinction is the reason the flat carbon plate is no longer relevant and not included in the carbon-plated shoes produced and studied today.

The shoe’s redistribution of load is the primary concern when it comes to weakness. Weakness in the context of elite and consistent runners is seen on a completely different scale to that of a normal person. The most dangerous weakness is not the overall weakest muscle in a runner, it is the weakness with the most disparity compared to the surrounding muscles. These kinds of weaknesses lead to the overuse of the surrounding muscles and a much higher risk of injury. 

A person with two weak hips is less likely to get injured than a person with one weak hip because of our bodies ability to overcome issues by cheating for a short time. If a redistribution of load is done because of a weakness it causes short term gain, because the athlete can continue to run, but often ends in an injury because the areas that are suddenly under greater stress eventually fail and pick up an injury of some sort. If load redistribution is done by something else, a different type of shoe for example, the end result is the same. Any area that suddenly comes under greater stress will eventually fail and become injured. 

Injury risk is something that every athlete tries to minimize. For most athletes this includes being smart on their playing field but for long distance runners it is about maintaining strength throughout all muscles, no matter how small. Muscle strength disparities in localized areas have been proven to increase the risk of injury. One of the most crucial ways of avoiding this is maintaining a consistent form. On an athlete by athlete basis many different shoes cause issues including ankle eversion. Ankle eversion is when a person’s sole moves away from the body’s midline, or if an athlete picks up the outside of their foot and only uses the inside. This can be a very small change and go unnoticed but over time it can create new or exacerbate old muscle imbalances.

Overuse injuries are the kind of injury most common for long distance runners. The term overuse injuries is a broad overarching term that includes many different types of injuries. For runners these injuries are often not from pure overuse but quick redistribution in load to a new muscle that can not handle it for the type of mileage most long distance runners run in their weekly training. These injuries are the main focus of studies when talking about distance running due to acute injuries being much more similar to a game of chance. Coaches and trainers have a much better chance at preventing overuse injuries and as such they focus their efforts on doing so.  Overuse injuries exclude some of the most common injuries in the normal world and instead are made up of injuries like stress fractures, strains, and aggravated muscles, tendons, and nerves. They are often nebulous and difficult to pin down.

Long distance is often defined in race distance and is 5000 meters or more. Training as a long distance runner has weekly mileage goals and to be considered an experienced long distance runner the bare minimum is 40 miles a week. Less than that is good for inexperienced or shorter distance runners and does not constitute long term or heavy use of a carbon plated running shoe. For consistent use one must run in the carbon plated shoe for at least 6 miles at a time. The use of the shoe should be proportional to the weekly mileage. 15 miles a week for a 40 miles a week total athlete is consistent use whereas for an 80 mile a week runner it is purely complementary use. At minimum 40 percent of weekly mileage needs to be in the carbon plated shoe for it to be considered consistent use and this must be maintained for at least a month to see long term effects. To study the effects, shorter distances can be used but will fail to fully encompass all long term effects for a long distance runner.

The standard use of a carbon plated running shoe is to use them during workouts and races and not during recovery or steady state runs. Steady state consists of runs that are not for the purpose of recovery or to workout, essentially a neutral run. This style of usage is typically minimal and reduces the risk. Training in this way was encouraged by the fact that most shoes with carbon plates were expensive and geared toward racing and performance. As more people start to enjoy the benefits of running in a carbon plated shoe however, more shoes have carbon plates. 

One example of a shoe that is closer to a recovery shoe, than a race shoe is the Nike Zoom Fly 5. The earlier generations of this shoe were widely considered good workout shoes, but the Zoom Fly 5 was different. It was heavier and had a less fast foam. Whether that be through a miss on Nikes part or a calculated move towards every day trainer, the result was increased day to day use. With the shoe feeling more like a recovery day trainer people started racking up the mileage. Another example is the previous generation, the Nike Zoom Fly 4. This had no issue being a fast workout shoe but was so well liked by many that they stretched the usage. This had the same result as the Zoom Fly 5, people were wearing a shoe with a carbon plate more than they had in the past. This is the type of consistent use that can lead to injuries. Training that isn’t mindful and the overuse of workout shoes may be acceptable for hobby joggers but over 40 miles a week this can become a real issue that most certainly constitutes consistent and long term use.

References

Kiesewetter, P., Bräuer, S., Haase, R., Nitzsche, N., Mitschke, C., & Milani, T. L. (2022). Do Carbon-Plated Running Shoes with Different Characteristics Influence Physiological and Biomechanical Variables during a 10 km Treadmill Run? Applied Sciences12(15), 7949. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157949

Hata, K., Noro, H., Takeshita, T., Yamazaki, Y., & Yanagiya, T. (2022). Leg stiffness during running in highly cushioned shoes with a carbon-fiber plate and traditional shoes. Gait & Posture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.03.021

Posted in Definition Rewrite, GRADED, Student12121 | 9 Comments

Definition Rewrite — GamersPet

Caffeine is an Addicting Drug

Every day, every morning, I feel numb, and dead inside where the world is black and white around me. I always felt tired and couldn’t care less about those around me until I started drinking coffee. The idea of getting coffee fills me with hope and joy and the adrenaline I need to get through my toughest days. The smell of coffee brewing when I stepped into a café shop, welcomed me with pleasantry and the anticipation of drinking it. Drinking coffee motivates me to the point that I can’t live without it. Coffee is my toxic love-and-hate relationship. I want to end my connection between myself and coffee, but I’m on the deep end where I’ve become addicted to the point that I ended up crawling back to it despite knowing the red flags because I was practically color blind.  

It occurred to me that we never ask ourselves why we are so reliant on coffee when there are other methods to keep us up and going throughout our days.

The first go-to method we use when we feel tired and need something to keep us going throughout our days is to drink products that have caffeine in them. Caffeine is the world’s most popular psychologically addicting drug that is consumed daily by a certain proportion of coffee, soda, tea, and energy drinks. The effects of caffeine target our central nervous system where it decreases drowsiness while increasing alertness. It can bring positive side effects in certain situations, but there comes a price if one doesn’t manage their consuming habits. Caffeine can boost mental and physical energy, however, due to its mastery of availability to consumers where they can alter their own time of intake, dose amount, and time intervals, a person can become restless, sleepiness, headaches, and withdrawals. Regardless of the risks, we still continue to consume caffeine products that we are unable to stop taking them to the point of becoming addicted which defines caffeine as a psychological substance.

Researchers are having trouble defining whether caffeine is in the category of true addiction to provide concrete evidence to support that position. One example from an article by a team of various researchers such as Udan Sahab in “Neuropsychological Effects of Caffeine: Is Caffeine Addictive?” stated that caffeine is “not truly addictive.” Despite Udan Sahab claims that caffeine is “not truly addictive,” their readings of the Diagnositc and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders where it refers to “caffeine addiction” and “caffeine withdrawal” as a familiar mental disorder. A  theory from Sahabs team, which seems to support the claims of caffeine being addictive, is the effects of caffeine itself where it “can produce life-threatening health hazards,” such as anxiety, insomnia, reproduction abnormalities, and even death. His team’s only dispute with caffeine’s easily noticeable addictive characteristics is that it is not accountable for severe health risks based on their readings from the Food and Drug Administration, where the intake of caffeine is categorized as “generally recognized as safe,” than the abuse of a more dangerous drug of addiction like heroin.

The difference between caffeine and heroin is that heroin is categorized as an opioid which is a class of drugs that derives from or mimics, natural substances that are found in the opium plants. Opioids are a type of medicine that is like painkillers with effects that are difficult to obtain since they are created in laboratories. In contrast to heroin, caffeine is very common in modern age society where its adverse pharmacological effects have no value due to how easy it is to obtain them. Despite the availability of caffeine or heroin, they both have similar functions that target our bodies which are the central nervous system in our brains. What heroin does is the exact same effect as what caffeine provides for us users when it comes to the need to feel energized and has the same aftereffects once it wears off. Both heroin and caffeine are two different sides of the same coin, however, heroin or opioids are far more extreme drugs than what caffeine does to us.

CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi, the voice of the daily art from a podcast by Savin Monique in ProQuest, admitted that he was a caffeine addict, who relies on drinking coffee and energy drinks to keep himself up from his job. He shared his daily routine with his audience about how one day he wanted to crash in the mid-afternoon when he was bleary-eyed, and he couldn’t speak, but later on, his energy would drastically come back to him. The job he does every day and night takes a toll on his mental and physical health from drinking coffee in the morning, one in the afternoon, and a triple espresso at night for his radio sessions.  His struggles with the caffeine addiction turn into a psychological addiction where Ghomeshi found the effects of caffeine like a rollercoaster where it has some ups and downs of caffeine giving energy with a small amount of stress, and discomfort.

Even though the love-and-hate relationship between us and coffee will mostly never fade away since we want that spark or boost that lasts in the short-term rather than long-term relationships. Caffeine in our coffee is an invisible psychological drug that we are not aware of from the fact that caffeine builds up in our immune system slowly through age. We all became victims of drinking caffeinated products during our high school, or at the start of freshman year in college where we would either do an all-nighter to finish our assignment at the last minute due to our procrastination before our due dates or stay up late to have fun while we have class early in the morning the following day. There will be pros and cons of how and what caffeine does to our bodies when we consume it when it makes its way to our stomachs. The effects of caffeine are benevolent to us initially until they’ve become thorns on our side.   

References

Savin, M. (2010). Caffeine addiction: Ghomeshi’s wake-up call. Toronto: The Globe and Mail.

Uddin MS, Sufian MA, Hossain MF, Kabir MT, Islam MT, et al. (2017) Neuropsychological Effects of Caffeine: Is Caffeine Addictive? J
Psychol Psychother 7: 295. doi: 10.4172/2161-0487.1000295

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definition rewrite-lil.sapph

THE WRONGHEADEDNESS OF MINIMALIST DESIGN

The space around us has a huge impact on the quality of our thoughts and ideas. The “less is more” philosophy encourages simplification in surroundings by removing clutter and distractions in order to bring out more purpose and meaning in our lives. Minimalist interior design is built around this idea, with its modern and elegant look, emphasizing open spaces and a neutral color palette. The goal is to help people stay organized and focused, but does it inspire creativity? Absolutely not. The minimalist aesthetic is all about creating an environment with simple furniture, open spaces, and calming colors yet by doing so, it leaves little room for the boldness and self-expression that fuel creativity. Dr. Mahmoud, in Minimalism as Concept in Interior Architecture Design explains “Minimalist living is really just a starting point for authentic living. We need open spaces – blank canvases – upon which we can occupy ourselves more deeply with the art of living.” However, these blank spaces actually limit creativity by stripping away the very elements that inspire and engage.

Interior design is made up of many elements, but minimalist rooms are defined by their open space and very little furniture. The pieces of furniture that are there are simple in design, often made from natural materials, in a neutral color palette. Loud patterns or textures can not be used, as the structure must be sleek, with clear smooth surfaces. The furniture in minimalist spaces must be functional and uniform. Straight lines that help create a sense of order and calm may promote focus and efficiency, however it does not do much for creativity. Creativity comes from being inspired by the things around us. In a minimalist room, with its sparse furniture and lack of personalization, there’s little to spark that inspiration. An artist’s creative momentum greatly increases by having supplies accessible like an easel, paint, or artwork on the walls. Decorations that represent passions fuel creative ideas, but are not allowed in a minimalist room. Similarly, it would be creatively beneficial for a musician to have instruments or sheet music to smoothly get into a creative mindset. Without personal interests or items that inspire that individual, a minimalist room would feel more like a space for work than for imagination.

Space around the little furniture must be open and plentiful to be considered minimalistic. For example, a bedroom might consist of just a dresser, bed, nightstand, and perhaps a bench depending on how large the room is.  These would also be very simple and elegant, nothing too personalized. If this room also was used as an office, a small desk and chair would be adequate as well, but in a smaller room it would start to get a bit crowded. Good feng shui is important as these furniture items can not just be randomly placed in a minimalist room. Without a perfect flow of structure and symmetry, the balance sets off which is not allowed in a minimalist room .

The materials used in minimalist design are sleek and smooth, with lots of wood, glass, metal, and stone. In a modernist environment, materials that create a harmonious, distraction-free space promote a sense of calm and order, but when it comes to creativity, they fall short. The purpose of clean, straight lines in minimalist furniture is to create a sense of structure, yet it often feels rigid and uninspiring. As Hala Mohsen Mahmoud, an Assistant Professor of Interior Design, points out, “Free form uses irregular lines and curved lines to create a new language in design.” Unlike the predictable straight lines in minimalist spaces, free-form designs break boundaries of the space that confines us, creating room for new ideas and allows greater expansion of dynamic thinking.

Color theory connects the colors that we see around us and how they make us feel. The purposeful use of this color psychology can be seen in the feeling of serenity, cleanliness, and openness in a minimalistic environment. Neutral tones like whites, grays, and beiges are all used cohesively to create a harmonious environment that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. These colors allow for peace of mind but are not stimulative to get those creative juices flowing. Rather, constricting the person to keep their thoughts focused and not veer off to take risks and come up with unusual ideas. These neutral tones don’t inspire boldness as vibrant and distinctive tones energetically do. The differences between a minimalist room and one full of color is clear: vibrant spaces with dynamic patterns and textures help stimulate the imagination, while a neutral minimalist room restrains bold and creative ideas.

While minimalist design works well for creating calm, organized spaces, it stifles creativity. The lack of personalization, inspiring objects, and specific design elements makes these spaces empty and uninspiring. Creativity needs more than just a distraction-free environment, it needs inspiration, color, texture and room for self-expression. To foster creativity, spaces should be filled with things that spark imagination, challenge ordinary thinking, and allow breaking free from the constraints of minimalist simplicity.

References

Mahmoud, H. M. (2023). (PDF) form and structure in Interior Architecture. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328256439_Form_and_Structure_in_Interior_Architecture&nbsp

Mahmoud, Dr. H.-T. H. (n.d.). Minimalism as concept in interior architecture design Case study North coast villa. https://jsos.journals.ekb.eg/article_225753_b862f35afd09da34e21df0f09c701d79.pdf 

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Definition Rewrite – Unicorn

Pit bulls are often seen to be more aggressive than other dogs. Many people think pit bulls are dangerous because they are frequently engaged in serious dog attack cases. Pit bulls are known for being strong, muscular canines that were once utilized in dogfighting. Some people think they are more violent than other dogs since they may cause severe injuries when they bite. However, many experts say that pit bulls are not naturally aggressive.

If a pit bull is abused or is shown aggression it may act out like any other dog, And I completely agree with this statement. In one of the articles, I read “Pit bull bans and the Human factors affecting Canine behavior” it basically summarized how abusive behavior towards pit bulls may affect how they behave. They also mentioned how a child was mauled to death by his family dog, after this event they banned all pit bulls in their city. Before this family had this pit bull the previous owner was a teenage boy, he would often train the dog to become a street dog fighter and also abuse it as well.

Although pit bulls are known to be violent, this idea frequently overlooks significant factors which can contribute to any dog’s aggression. It is more accurate to think about how human behaviors including neglect, abuse, and poor environment, have a greater influence on a dog’s behavior than to blame pit bulls as a breed. Pit bulls’ hostility tends to be a trained habit rather than a natural one. If pit bulls were raised in a positive environment, pit bulls can be taught to be pleasant and well-behaved, just like any other breed. Dogs raised in caring homes with responsible owners are typically more collected, kinder, and less sensitive to act aggressively. Pit bulls may be passionate and kind pets just like any other dog if they have the right training, care, and attention. However, a dog is more vulnerable to experience behavioral issues if it is mistreated, abused, or trained to be aggressive. Pit bulls are unfortunately regularly victims of careless owners who promote them in dangerous conditions, which adds to their problematic reputation.

Because of these dogs’ history misunderstandings and fear, people often treat pit bulls harshly. As mentioned in this article, “Responsible ownership, proper training, and a loving environment can make a huge difference in a dog’s behavior, regardless of its breed.” However, due to their historical involvement in dogfighting, pit bulls have a reputation for being violent. They were popular in illegal dogfights because they were bred to be tough and strong. Pit bulls needed to be aggressive to survive in these hostile environments. People believed that all pit bulls are naturally vicious because of news reports about dogfights and attacks involving these animals.

The way people think of pit bulls are strongly influenced by the media. Attacks by other dogs tend to receive less attention than those with pit bulls. People tend to assume that pit bulls are more dangerous than other dogs by these breed-focused articles. People start treating pit bulls strangely or even cruelly as a result of this growing anxiety. This anxiety that is created by the media, has serious consequences. In spite of hurting pit bulls, it also has an impact on responsible owners who may experience discrimination or have trouble getting insurance or housing. The public’s fear is influenced by dramatic stories and often overlooked by the reality that given the right growing up, pit bulls like all dogs can make devoted well-behaved pets. The media’s influence on this impression highlights the significance of reporting dog attacks objectively, emphasizing unique situations rather than blaming the entire breed. 

If pit bulls are shown the proper attention, kindness, and affection, they can recover from being mistreated and neglected. As stated in the article “Abused dogs appreciate having a safe place to retreat when they feel overwhelmed.” However, Creating an enjoyable, peaceful and safe environment for children is the first step. Since abused dogs often suffer from fear and dread, having a calm environment where they feel safe helps their process of healing. Helping a pit bull recover requires patience as well. Having a regular feeding, walking, and training schedule might help the dog regain the trust of people, however it might take some time. To show to the dog that they are no longer in danger, the owner or keeper must handle them kindly and react composedly. Another way that may help abused pit bulls would be reward training. This includes giving the dog goodies, compliments, or affection when they behave well. This kind of teaching allows the dog to learn freely, which is important for abused dogs in particular.

Based on their history, the ability to fight and the way they often appear in the media results in pit bulls being more aggressive than average dogs. Pit bulls have a reputation for being violent dogs since they were originally made for power and fighting. Pit bulls are considered to be more dangerous than other breeds because of their strong jaws and muscular appearance, which can result in more serious injuries when they attack. Attacks by pit bulls are often reported in the media and it starts giving the idea that they are more likely than other dogs to be involved in violent situations. The negative opinion of pit bulls has been encouraged by these limited reporting and breed-specific laws. However, it’s very important to realize that pit bulls and other dogs’ aggression is influenced by a majority of factors, this includes safe surroundings, training, and proper care. The same factors that have an impact within all dogs also impact pit bulls’ behavior even though they might be more capable of doing more harm during an attack. Pit bulls are not always aggressive than other dogs, however with the appropriate training, and careful management they can make kind and caring pets.

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Definition Rewrite- RoboFrog

All around the world, people read news articles, watch television, read advertisements that are posted around them, and read funny sayings printed on t-shirts and their ideas and opinions are influenced by them as a result. Books as a result of being written by people are no different regarding being influenced by external sources. Expanding upon this concept we can argue that fiction books that use characters or settings from previous books written by different authors can be considered fanfiction.

The books that I am going to be analyzing as evidence of this idea is the “Percy Jackson and The Olympians” series. This series uses characters and settings from Greek mythology and puts them into a modern world setting. The series is from the perspective of Percy Jackson, a kid in the modern world who discovers that the Greek gods are real and that he is a demigod, before proceeding to go on a series of quests to save the world. During these quests he has run ins with the gods and other characters from Greek mythology who at times provide tools and information to aid him or threaten to kill him. In Greek mythology, characters such as Hercules and Medusa had similar run ins with the gods during their own lives, like Hera causing Hercules to temporary go insane and murder his own family or Medusa being cursed by Athena and later killed by Perseus who had been given tools by the gods to aid him in the task.

In the first book, “The Lighting Thief,” he is introduced to this world, the camp where the demigods are trained, and sets off on a quest to find the master bolt and return it to Zeus by the summer solstice. Before he sets off on this quest, he receives training and advice from Chiron who in the myths trained multiple heroes.

In the second book, “The Sea of Monsters,” he and his friends go on a quest to retrieve the golden fleece to save the camp. During this quest, he fights a hydra and defeats it with outside help just as Hercules did for his second labor.

In the third book, “The Titan’s Curse,” he and his friends go on a quest to save the goddess Artemis by the winter solstice, during which they slay the Nemean lion just as Hercules did for his first labor.

In the fourth book, “The Battle of the Labyrinth,” he and his friends discover a secret passage into the camp that bypasses its defenses, leading to them going on a quest to find Daedalus in an attempt prevent the Titans and their forces from using the Labyrinth to destroy the camp. During this quest, he washes up on Calypso’s island and spends time there before leaving just as Odysseus did in “The Odyssey.”

In the final book, “The Last Olympian,” he leads his fellow demigods in a final battle to save Olympus from the Titans. During this quest, he went through a similar process to what Achilles had been put through as a baby to become almost completely invincible.

In this essay “fanfiction” will be defined as a work of literature that makes use of characters and settings from previous works of literature and changes them to fit a new story while keeping their essence of them as recognizable. This means that the specific character or setting must be recognizable as that specific one instead of being someone or something that just happens to share a name. For example, in chapter 14 on page 213 of the second book, the cave that Polyphemus the cyclops lives in, on the island where the golden fleece is located is described as:

I pushed through the crowd of sheep and goats toward the back of the cave.

Even though I’d dreamed about this place, I had a hard time finding my way through the maze. I ran down corri-dors littered with bones, past rooms full of sheepskin rugs and life-size cement sheep that I recognized as the work of Medusa. There were collections of sheep T-shirts; large tubs of lanolin cream; and wooly coats, socks, and hats with ram’s horns.

Whereas in book 9 of the “The Odyssey,” the cave that Polyphemus lives in is described as:

His cheese-racks were loaded with cheeses, and he had more lambs and kids than his pens could hold. They were kept in separate flocks; first there were the hoggets, then the oldest of the younger lambs and lastly the very young ones[80] all kept apart from one another; as for his dairy, all the vessels, bowls, and milk pails into which he milked, were swimming with whey. When they saw all this, my men begged me to let them first steal some cheeses, and make off with them to the ship; they would then return, drive down the lambs and kids, put them on board and sail away with them.

Both passages describe the cave as being filled with sheep and sheep byproducts.

A difference between them is in the kind of sheep byproducts being described is probably due to the fact that Odysseus and his men are looking for things of value to them as shown in the part of the quote that comes after the description of what is inside the cave, so that’s all that is described for them, whereas Percy is looking in the cave for his imprisoned companions and is just describing the stuff that sticks out to him along the way. Another difference is that Percy used the sheep to get into the cave without Polyphemus seeing him while guiding the sheep in for the night by clinging to one of their underbellies, whereas for Odysseus and his men they didn’t have to sneak because Polyphemus did not seal the cave. A third difference is that Percy upon freeing his companions had left with them the cave as quickly as possible, whereas Odysseus and his men choose to wait in it for Polyphemus to show up.

These similarities and differences show that these settings in the books are in the same place while still telling a new story that is not just a retelling of the original one.

On the other hand, not all works that use the same characters and settings from the works that preceded them are fanfiction. Adaptations of previous works are an example of this. This is because they are basically the same story just changed for a different audience. For example, the version of “The Odyssey” that the quote above is from is an adaptation of the original version of it because the original is written in ancient Greek whereas the version the quote is from is in English and has had its grammar changed so that it makes sense in English. Also, the translation does not add new characters or circumstances into the story. Another example of this is sequels that are written by the author of the original work whose story they are continuing and adding additional lore to it. This is by virtue of being written by the same person means they cannot be fanfiction.

The series is not a simple retelling of ancient Greek mythology. An example of this is how the characters and settings have been relocated to North America where the series is happening when in the myths they were in Greece and the surrounding area. Another example is that while many characters in the series are from Greek mythology, the overarching story itself is focused on the original characters that were created for it.

Overall, the “Percy Jackson and The Olympians” series is an example of how fiction books that use characters or settings from previous books written by different authors can be considered fanfiction. This is through its reuse of characters, settings, and plot points from Greek mythology and putting them into a new story. This reuse of material also provides a degree of convenience for authors writing new stories.

References

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, August 16). Labours of Hercules. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Labours-of-Hercules

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, July 30). Achilles. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Achilles-Greek-mythology

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, October 18). ChironEncyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chiron-Greek-mythology

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, September 21). Hydra. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hydra-Greek-mythology

Homer. (2024, October 1). The Odyssey rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Odyssey, by Homer. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1727/pg1727-images.html

“Medusa.” Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: Culture Society History. . Retrieved November 16, 2024 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/medusa

Riordan, R. (2005). The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson & the Olympians #1) (1st ed.). Disney/Hyperion.

Riordan, R. (2006). The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson & the Olympians #2) (1st ed.). Disney /Hyperion.

Riordan, R. (2007). The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson & the Olympians #3) (1st ed.). Hyperion Books for Children.

Riordan, R. (2008). The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson & the Olympians #4) (1st ed.). Hyperion Books for Children.

Riordan, R. (2009). The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians #5) (1st ed.). Disney/Hyperion Books.

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