Digital Commons Network^™

A Survey Of Shark Population In Winyah Bay, Sc: A Comparison Of Data From 2002-2006 And From 2012-2014, Jessica Bruce

Honors Theses

As a result of a long-term longline study conducted by Coastal Carolina University, data on the population structure of sharks in Winyah Bay, SC have been recorded since 2002. The data are collected from late spring to fall each year. Two separate data sets, from 2002 to 2006 and from 2012 to 2014, were analyzed for catch per unit effort (CPUE), catch composition, sex ratios, and average precaudallengths (PCL) for males and females. The average CPUE for the 2002-2006 data set was 2.68 with a standard deviation of 0.73 while the average for the most recent data set was 3.20 …

(Un)Wrapping Felix Gonzalez-Torres: The Relational Power And Contagious Wonderment Of Candy And Other Things, Brooke Clark

Honors Theses

Huddled in the corner of the cold, sterile floor of The Art Institute of Chicago, Felix Gonzalez-Torres's Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.), 1991 is a mound of individually wrapped, multihued candy that can be possessed, consumed, and rearranged by the audience (artic.edu). The parenthetical remark within the title suggests the portrait is that of a human. In fact, Ross was the artist's lover, who died of AIDS in the year 1991. The candy spill memorializes Ross at his healthy weight of one hundred seventy-five pounds. Even as Ross's body is implicated in the candy, the candies themselves contain and …

The Effect Of Attachment Type On Levels Of Delinquency And Peer Relations, Kayla Jordan

Honors Theses

The goal of this study is to determine if a relationship exists between the attachment type of an individual and that individual's level of delinquency and also their peer relations. This was done by having the participant take the Adult Attachment Scale to place them into their attachment type, followed by the Problem Behavior Frequency Scale to determine the participant's level of delinquency, and finally the Index of Peer Relations to assess the amount of problems the participant has with his or her peers. Sixty-one Coastal Carolina students participated in the study and the results show that those with a …

The Implication Of Us Gaap And Ifrs Convergence On American Business, Austin Willmore

Honors Theses

The purpose of this work is to discuss the ongoing process of convergence between IFRS and GAAP. It addresses some of the limitations of previous research related to this topic: namely, gives a more recent perspective than is currently available, and also discusses various aspects of the project in a single paper. This paper addresses the timeline of the project, the costs that it presents, the status of the convergence effort, and discusses possible outcomes of these efforts. This research compares, contrasts, and analyzes IFRS and GAAP in several key areas that were (or are still) keeping the standards apart.

Beyond Marriage And Motherhood: The Motifs Involved In The Portrayal Of Women In Literature, Hannah Hunter

Honors Theses

When I was in elementary school most of the books that I voluntarily read featured female characters. Part of the reason was that it was expected of me and those books (about girls/women) were the ones recommended to me. Another part was that female characters were the ones I could most closely relate to. They gave me ideas about what it is to be a woman, and subtly led me to approach the question of what kind of woman I wanted to be. It took me years to really pick up on the stereotypes and recurring female characters, and it …

Each Moment A Poem, Sarah Kidd

Honors Theses

Each Moment a Poem is a collection of 10 poems spanning 20 pages. The poems were written in 2014 under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Katrovas, my poetry professor, and Ms. Kimberly Kolbe, the managing editor of New Issues Press, where I was granted an internship. When 2014 began, I adopted the philosophy that each moment has the potential to become a poem, that stories can be told concisely and vividly through poetry. The poems in this collection explain and explore important moments I have experienced while awake and asleep. The poems are lucidly written in a free verse narrative …

Autism Project: Case Study Evaluating Behavioral Interventions For The Self-Injurious Behavior Of Biting, Brittani Rohrig

Honors Theses

Self-injurious (SIB) behavior is a common problem among the autism population, and often those who engage in SIB have done so since a very early age. There was a nine-year-old boy named Jack who was diagnosed with ASD and engaged in the self-injurious behavior of biting his hand. A functional analysis was conducted and it was found that the behavior was multiply controlled across three main conditions: alone/play, demand, and attention. The goal of this case study was to review previous interventions that did not eliminate the target behavior, analyze and revise the current protocols in place, and eliminate the …

Potential Effects Of Elevated Co2 On Pitcher Plant Nectar Composition, Prey Capture, And Inquiline Communities, Deirdre Courtney

Honors Theses

Human activities such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation have contributed significantly to the increasing levels of CO₂ in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. Under the IPCC A1FI emission scenario, we are expected to reach levels as high as 1000 ppm by the end of the century. On average, C₃ plants experience a 27% increase in carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio under elevated CO₂. As a result, C₃ plants typically exhibit an increase in carbon-based secondary compounds. Carnivorous plants are a rare type of C₃ plant that has adapted to survive in low …

Evaluation Of Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support Content In A Required Course For Teacher Candidates, Jill Winkelman

Honors Theses

Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) involve the practice of providing high-quality instruction/intervention corresponding to student needs, and using learning rate over time and level of performance to make important educational decisions ( Fuchs & Fuchs, 2006a). It is being implemented in schools across the country in order to impact the learning of students with and without disabilities. MTSS integrates increasingly intensive instruction, reviews the student’s progress, and then identifies whether students need additional levels of intervention (Fuchs & Fuchs, 2006b).

The purpose of this research project is to examine how well the critical components of MTSS are being taught to …

A Tale Of Two Cities: Differences In Wine-Drinking Habits In Nice And London, Lacey S. Gibson

Honors Theses

The French Paradox is the theory that, despite consumption of classically-condoned fatty foods, the French remain in excellent health in comparison with citizens of other nations. This notion has been the subject of worldwide media fascination with publication of a plethora of journal articles and novels. A growing body of evidence supports a role for moderate consumption of wine in conferring health benefits. The role of wine in health may be especially prevalent in the French Riviera, a region whose regime is dominated by the French-Mediterranean Diet. I sought to determine the role of wine in the French Paradox by …

Lack Of Medicaid Funding For Occupational Therapy Serving The Autism Spectrum Disorder Population Ages 0-5 Years, Mary O'Donohue

Honors Theses

The prevalence of autism in the United States is currently 1 in 68 children (Autism Alliance of Michigan, 2014). This is considered an epidemic. There are a variety of treatments available in the state of Michigan for children with autism, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA). Effective April 1^st, 2013, Michigan increased their funding cap for ABA therapy for treating children with autism. However, there is a lack of knowledge within the community and amongst professionals in regards to the critical treatment occupational therapy practitioners provide and as a result, there …

Lack Of Medicaid Funding For Occupational Therapy Serving The Autism Spectrum Disorder Population Ages 0-5 Years, Nadia Yala

Honors Theses

The prevalence of autism in the United States is currently 1 in 68 children (Autism Alliance of Michigan, 2014). This is considered an epidemic. There are a variety of treatments available in the state of Michigan for children with autism, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and applied behavior analysis (ABA). Effective April 1^st, 2013, Michigan increased their funding cap for ABA therapy for treating children with autism. However, there is a lack of knowledge within the community and amongst professionals in regards to the critical treatment occupational therapy practitioners provide and as a result, there …

A Critical Analysis Of Infant Mortality In Kalamazoo County, Audrey Jensen

Honors Theses

The following is a review of the state of infant and fetal health in Kalamazoo County in the 21st century. Since infant health is a marker for the effectiveness of health care, this review will analyze the leading causes of infant mortality in Kalamazoo County. Statistical indicators show that Kalamazoo County falls below both state and national IMR averages. The leading causes of infant mortality in Kalamazoo are considered preventable infant deaths. Therefore, this review will make recommendations for the reduction of IMR through the improvement of preventative prenatal healthcare practices.

Teacher Guidebook For Esl Students, Ashley Ramo

Honors Theses

Language is the core of one’s identity, as it is essential in order to competently communicate and interact with other humans. Language preserves culture, and when educators are able to effectively teach English-as-a-Second-Language to students, it conveys respect for that culture. American society is highly culturally pluralistic which brings many languages into the classroom. Students bring their own experiences with them to school, including various native languages and a vast array of levels in English; some may not know a single word in English. Educators will encounter ESL students no matter what the location in the United States may be, …

Development Of Long Endurance Small Unmanned Aerial System, Andreas Quainoo

Honors Theses

The purpose of this Senior Design Project is to design, build, and test an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). This will be used as a test platform for airborne electronics. The intended capabilities of this project include a 12-hour flight time, the ability to carry 5 lbs of payload, and the ability to recharge the batteries of electronics while in the air. With these parameters in mind, the focus of the design was on endurance, and, by extension, efficiency and durability. Upon completion, the aircraft and its onboard systems was constructed and evaluated. Secondary products of this project include an instrumented …

Aviation Internship Toolkit: Helping Employers Reach The Next Generation Of Aviation Professionals (Ngap), James Fox

Honors Theses

It has been recognized by the international aviation community that there will be an anticipated shortage of skilled aviation professionals in the near future. In order to address this important issue, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) launched the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) initiative to ensure that enough qualified and competent aviation professionals are available to operate, manage, and maintain the future international air transport system (ICAO, 2014). This highly complex industry is growing at a significant rate around the globe, and this shortage needs to be addressed before it becomes a threat to this increasing vital and intricate …

Sailing As A Therapy Modality For Occupational Therapy; Requirements Prior To Participation, Carrie Bell

Honors Theses

Many outdoor activities are currently being utilized by recreational therapists to aid in the development of play and leisure skills, education, social skills training, and even therapeutic community. The process of using these outdoor activities can aid clients in emotional, physical, cognitive and social functions. Although these types of activities have been primarily utilized in recreational therapy intervention sessions, these activities carry the potential to also fit within the domain of occupational therapy. In order to engage in the recreational activity of sailing, persons must have specific cognitive, physical, emotional and social abilities. The purpose of this study is to …

Mother Teresa: Struggles Of Life And Road To Sainthood, Cassandra E. Lybarger

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

A Review Of The Design Of A Pedestrian Bridge In Cape Girardeau As Part Of The Senior Design Requirements Of The College Of Engineering, Amir Rezaeivahdati

Honors Theses

This paper analyzes the process, challenges and results of the design of the superstructure of a pedestrian bridge in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as part of the extension of the existing Riverwalk trail along the Mississippi River. The project was assigned to three groups of students in the Senior Design B class of Fall 2014.

The original project consisted of an approximately 1700 ft pedestrian/bicycle trail along the river, a bridge over Aquamsi street and the railroad track and designing bicycle paths along the Fountain street and Morgan Oak street to connect to the existing trail (Figure 1.) Two groups consisted …

The Impact Of Prenatal Stress On The Development Of Limbic System Structures, Alyssa Murray

Honors Theses

Stress in early life is well documented as detrimental for the brain’s developmental trajectory, while prenatal stress is minimally explored. In the prenatal period, the placenta prevents much of the mother’s cortisol from reaching the fetus, but the fetus is still exposed to some maternal cortisol, and exposure increases with increasing stress. One neural structure particularly susceptible to stress is the hippocampus. The goal of this review is to address the role prenatal stress may play in damaging the hippocampus, a structure integral to learning and memory functions. Correlations between prenatal stress and a reduction in volume and function of …

One Man's Fakelore Is Another Man's Treasure: A Case Study Of Paul Bunyan And The Legend Of The Sleeping Bear, And The Value Of Fakelore In An Interconnected World., Kalani Bates

Honors Theses

The American academic study of folklore blossomed in the past hundred years. The tumultuous battle to define, collate and structure the new study of folklore raged in the academic world, especially in the 1950’s.[1] This obsession not only manifested itself in the academic study of it, but also in the popular culture of the 1900’s. The tradition of the tall tale and the legend exploded into the consumer world, becoming a commodity produced and consumed at will.[2] Richard Dorson classifies this explosion into two very separate studies of ‘folklore’ and ‘fakelore’. Folklore is the group of stories that …

Mandatory Arrest Policy Implications And Domestic Violence, Stephanie Smith

Honors Theses

I chose to do my honors thesis on the mandatory arrest policy regarding domestic violence. I will explore the history of domestic violence, the theoretical and ideological underpinnings of the policy, the research evidence that has been put forth regarding the policy and then offer my critical evaluation regarding the topic.

Western At War: Western Michigan College During World War Ii, Patrick Hargis

Honors Theses

This research paper examines the programs and policies put into action by Western Michigan College during World War II and how the war shaped the college. This research primarily utilized primary documents generated by the college’s wartime committee, President Paul Sangren, yearbooks and other ephemera. Little research has been done in this area focused on Western Michigan College, and the little research that has been done has focused on the Navy V-12 program that existed on campus at the time. While this research includes the V-12 program, as well as the various other military programs active at the time, a …

Use Of Mobility Devices In Developing Countries; A Comparative Literature Review Introducing The Contextual Factors Surrounding Accessibility And Use Of Mobility Devices In Ghana, Bangladesh, And Guatemala., Bethany Shadel

Honors Theses

Disability in the developing world encompasses 10% of the global population and much of that population requires the use of a mobility device in order to engage in meaningful occupation. The use and accessibility of mobility devices is shaped by the significance of the barriers surrounding mobility. This research looks comparatively at the factors affecting accessibility and the use of mobility devices in three developing countries; Ghana, Bangladesh, and Guatemala. Trends within literature revealed that economic, environmental, and cultural barriers all had an impact on accessibility. Overall, this study determines that accessibility solutions are not possible without removing barriers to …

Sales Across Cultural Context, Luke Hatfield

Honors Theses

The proposed study was designed to analyze how culture affected sales practices. The models used for analysis in depth were the CLAP model from WMU’s sales program and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. Brazil, Germany, and China were analyzed and the elements with the largest differences from the United States were compared to the usual procedure of the CLAP model and a suggestion for an adaptation was made based on research findings (See appendix for condensed version).

After the study was complete I came to a conclusion of what steps should be taken by the effective salesperson to expand on this study. …

Law 101 And Minority Languages In Quebec, Rebecca Dubord

Honors Theses

Quebec‟s historic Law 101, or the Charter of French Language, has been the subject of controversy in Quebec and the entirety of Canada since its inception in 1977. Whether this law has had its intended effect on the province of Quebec, or had any effect at all, is what the people of Canada should be truly debating. Has the Charter of French Language had its intended effect of asserting the French language as the primary language in Quebec, or has English continued to dominate throughout the province? While the Charter of French Language is applicable only in the province of …

“Still Moving”, Jacqueline Harlee Trautman

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Rationale & Literature Review Of Vocational Training Tools & Skill Implementation In Mental Health Populations, Matthew R. Olivier

Honors Theses

Persons diagnosed with any type of cognitive impairment are oftentimes given labels by society members; they face unjust hardship, and unfounded prejudice because of it, especially in workplace settings. In Kalamazoo, Michigan two different programs - that exclusively work with mentally ill adults – actively seek to counteract these unjust labels by using work-related exposure. The goal is to increase job competence, self-efficacy, safety, and the social participation of the members of these programs. Both programs required supplemental training tools to help their workers’ transition into their new roles. The populations served were 1) patients working for the Kalamazoo Psychiatric …

Sensor Technology For Supporting Independence Among Cognitively Impaired Elders, Kelsey Wright

Honors Theses

Dementia is the most expensive disease in the United States and its prevalence is rapidly increasing as the older adult population grows. The number of older adults diagnosed with dementia living alone is also rising, which brings about numerous safety risks. Due to the declining cognitive skills and behavior changes seen with dementia, it is important find approaches for monitoring their safety. This literature review discusses commercially available monitoring systems and empirical studies using sensor technology with older adults. It also describes a current pilot study that is exploring the use of sensor technology in the homes of cognitively impaired …

An Examination Of The Mental Health Services Provided To Students At Western Michigan University, Melissa Rex

Honors Theses

Introduction: All college students will experience stress related to academic demands, changing social situations and new environments. For some students, these multiple stressors can create overwhelming challenges. Students who are not able to receive needed support may be unable to successfully navigate the world of higher education, and are at higher risk of developing mental illness. The purpose of this study is to assess mental health services available at Western Michigan University (WMU) in comparison to other similar size universities within the state.

Method: The information used in this study was collected via several methods. Information was gathered from …