Digital Commons Network^™

May Agenda, Wku Graduate Council

Graduate School

Meeting agenda.

The Impact Of An External Load Of Football Equipment On Dynamic Balance As Assessed By The Modified Star Excursion Balance Test, Thomas J. Denehy, Timothy F. Marshall, Kim Spaccarotella, Walter Andzel

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(4): 797-805, 2018.Ankle sprains are common injuries, especially for football players, and may result in ankle instability, which can limit performance and increase injury risk. Ankle stability return to play criteria is often assessed under loaded conditions, even though previous research suggests loaded conditions affect dynamic balance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dynamic balance under loaded conditions. A modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), incorporating anterior, posterior medial and posterior lateral reach directions under the loaded condition of NCAA Division III football equipment was evaluated. Thirty male collegiate football players completed …

A Social Media Analysis Of Users, Their General Happiness, And The Impact On Marketers, Megan Hamberg

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

As the internet and social media become more prominent in today’s society, it is important for marketers and others to understand who is using these platforms and how this usage affects overall happiness. Using data gathered from the General Social Survey (GSS) 2016 Cross-Section and a survey created and distributed to Western Kentucky University (WKU) Students, this research examines the effect of demographic variables on whether or not respondents utilize Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. Then, the impact of having accounts on these social media platforms on users’ overall general happiness is analyzed. Several other regressions were run and analyzed …

The Impact Of Region Of Origin On Industry Of Choice, Anna Williams

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

America’s population is constantly growing not just in numbers, but in diversity as well. Immigration, while a controversial issue, is a topic that affects every American. While there have been a multitude of studies done about migrants, few have looked at region of origin as a primary factor in economic decisions regarding migration. How much impact does their home country have on their occupational choices? Using microdata from the American Community Survey (ACS) from 2001 to 2016, this multinomial logit regression equation calculates the impact of certain regions of origin on choosing jobs in Manufacturing, Construction, Professional Services, and Other …

Antibiotic Resistance Of Bacteria Isolated From Soils, Jessica Vaughan

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

After the discovery of antibiotics, antibiotics have been increasingly implemented into human and veterinary medicine. In addition, antibiotics are inserted into animal feed for non-therapeutic purposes, which potentially leads to the development of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. When the livestock excrete waste onto the soil, the antibiotic resistant bacteria are introduced to the environment. With soil collected from different farms throughout the Bowling Green area, the microbial communities were analyzed to determine its bacterial compositions and their resistances to common antibiotics through a modified agar dilution technique. Once resistant colonies were isolated, they underwent more testing to determine if the colonies could …

The Rock Of Red Power: The 1969-1971 Occupation Of Alcatraz Island, Sarah Spalding

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

When over 90 Native Americans first made the voyage to Alcatraz Island on a November 1969 morning, there was little that could be predicted about what would unfold in the coming years. Alcatraz Island, the infamous prison that held criminals on the forefront of world news in the early twentieth century, would soon become an activist symbol. What followed November 20, 1969 was almost two years of continued Native American occupation of the island and a whirlwind of both media and federal attention. By the end of 1971, the remaining occupiers of Alcatraz were forcibly removed by federal marshals. However, …

Sexual Victimization, Trauma, & Resilience To Disordered Eating, Ava Fergerson

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

It is widely known that sexual assault disproportionately affects women. College-aged women are the highest risk population of all ages, in fact. Sexual assault can occur at any age and may have a varying range of emotional consequences for survivors. This includes pathological coping mechanisms, such as disordered eating behaviors. This study examined the mediating effect of resilience on the relationship between sexual assault and disordered eating behavior in a sample of women who reported negative sexual experiences. A sample of 519 undergraduate women at Western Kentucky University completed a survey assessing sexual experiences, trauma symptoms, disordered eating behavior, and …

Ua1b1/7 Lavendar Recognition Ceremony, Western Kentucky University

WKU Administration Documents

Commencement program listing LGBTQ graduates of Western Kentucky University.

Reliability And Validation Of The Hexoskin Wearable Bio-Collection Device During Walking Conditions, Jeffrey Montes, John C. Young, Richard D. Tandy, James W. Navalta

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(7): 806-816, 2018. To evaluate if the Hexoskin smart shirt (HxS) would produce valid and reliable measurements for heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), minute ventilation (V_E), step count (SC), and energy expenditure (EE) when compared to a Polar T-31 heart rate monitor, an Applied Electrochemistry Moxus Metabolic System, and a manual step count. A two-day walking treadmill protocol with participants walking for 3 minutes at 3 speeds (1.5mph, 2.5mph, 3.5mph, 0% grade) was performed. Forty-nine volunteers participated the first day, forty-six on the second, thirty-one were used for reliability. Values calculated for …

Strength And Stability Analysis Of Rehabilitated Anterior Cruciate Ligament Individuals, Jeffrey J. Cervenka, Meredith Decker, Mark D. Ricard, Joshua Beaty, Logan Ruhde

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(1): 817-826, 2018.The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) serves as a vital stabilizer for the human knee, yet it is one of the most injured ligaments in the body. Function of the knee is restored through reconstruction and physical therapy, but long term functional deficits persist in some individuals. To better understand the influence of post rehabilitation outcomes on dynamic balance performance, this study evaluated bilateral differences in strength and stability in 11 participants who have rehabilitated from an ACL reconstruction or repair. The Y-Balance Test and an isokinetic strength assessment using the Biodex dynamometer …

Ua61/16 White Coat Ceremony Program, Wku Physical Therapy

WKU Administration Documents

White coat ceremony program for WKU Physical Therapy class of 2018.

How Policy Affects Workplace Health: A Comparison Of Workplace Health Policies Between Kentucky & Colorado, Mackenzie Pennington

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

With people spending a significant portion of their lives in the workforce, workplace health promotion programs are a growing asset in workplaces across the United States. Due to rising health care costs and an increased prevalence of chronic illnesses and diseases, workplace health promotion programs have been suggested to both reduce health care costs for employers and employees as well as curb risky behaviors that lead to chronic illnesses and diseases. In the U.S., policies have long been used to encourage behavioral change. While a significant amount of workplace health research has addressed the fact that written policies are beneficial …

Chinese Environmental Protection Policies And Implementation, Dana Biechele-Speziale

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

While the majority of people are aware of the pollution hovering atop China’s eastern coast and throughout their waterways, they are largely unaware of the policies and implementation efforts of the Chinese government to reign in these threats. Several plans have been enacted by the Chinese government to curb pollution, and these policies have been analyzed herein. The history of environmental protection in China is outlined, followed by the evolution of Chinese environmental law. An analysis of China’s major environmental laws is conducted, and the main challenges to effective law are introduced.

Ua12/2/1 Spring Commencement: Class Of 2018, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

College Heights Herald magazine listing graduates.

Writing Under The Influence: The Effects Of Opium On John Keats' Poetry, Katherine Moffitt

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The poetry of John Keats, a Romantic Era poet who lived from 1795 to 1821, has been widely studied, but most critics have dismissed his use of drugs, specifically opium, to alter his writing. This thesis looks at the scientific effects of opium along with personal accounts of the drug’s use and combines such an investigation with a close reading of Keats’s later poetry to determine what effects opium may have had upon his writing style and content. Particular areas of poetic content include Keats’s sensory imagery and dream-state references.

Women On The Floor: A Study Of Feminism In Modern Dance History, Hannah Mccarthy

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Modern dance evolves everyday with new movement ideas, styles, and teachings. Not only can modern dance be new and innovative, but it can also be a mirror reflection of the current time period. It is an art form often used to make a social statement. It can become a discussion of the past, present, or future. Modern dance informs its audience through an intent chosen by the choreographer or dancers. The intent varies depending on time, space, emotion, and myriad other conditions. My studies will examine how the different periods of modern dance aligned with the waves of the feminist …

The Role Of Traditional And Cyberbullying Victimization In Predicting Emotional Difficulties In Elementary Schools, Sarah Bleam

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Bullying victimization is a pressing concern in schools across the United States. Victimization to bullying has been associated with various negative outcomes in a child’s life. Of concern, victims can experience emotional difficulties, such as anxiety and depression, that can have lifelong implications for a child. For this reason, identifying victimization as a contributing factor is imperative for successful intervention in schools. We measured traditional and cyberbullying victimization experiences and emotional difficulties in 214 fourth and fifth grade students in the Southeastern United States. A multiple linear regression and sequential regression analysis identified that traditional and cyber victimization contributed to …

Ua12/9 Wku Counseling & Testing Center, Vol. 5, Issue 4, Wku Counseling & Testing Center

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by and about the WKU Counseling & Testing Center.

Ua45/6 Commencement Program, Wku Registrar

WKU Administration Documents

Commencement program listing graduates with order of exercises for all WKU campuses.

An Analysis Of Urban Heat Islands In Kentucky, Logan Mitchell

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The purpose of this research is to increase understanding of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in Kentucky by studying its three largest cities: Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green. By examining the UHIs of these three cities, two major attributes can be determined: if there is a relationship between the size of the city by population and the UHI magnitude, and if UHI magnitude follows any diurnal and/or seasonal cycles. Data was collected from weather stations within the three major cities, as well as from weather stations located in the rural areas surrounding them. The length of the time series …

The Relationships Among Moral Judgement, Social Identification, And Stigmitization, Rebecca Isaacs

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Stigma has had a perceived link with the concept of morality since the Grecian era (Goffman, 1963). The purpose of this study was to see if there was a correlation between moral judgement (using the Defining Issues Test 2; DIT2), social identification (using the Identification with all Humanity Scale; IWAHS) and stigma attributions toward those with mental illness. Specifically, whether those with a heightened sense of identification with all humanity and more developed moral judgement schemas are less likely to make negative stigma attributions toward persons with mental illness. The results this study supported correlations between those variables and the …

Finance & Budget Committee Agenda & Packet, Wku Board Of Regents

Board of Regents Documents

Action and information items:

• NCAA Compliance Report
• 3rd Quarter Revenue & Expenditures
• Personnel Actions
• Resource Allocation, Management & Planning Presentation
• Quarterly Internal Audit
• Debt Management Report
• Moody's Investor Service Report
• Standard & Poor's Credit Ratings
• WKU Lease, Unlimited Student Fees, School Program
• Comprehensive Debt Policy
• Formulas for Key Ratios

Peak Power Output In Loaded Jump Squat Exercise Is Affected By Set Structure, Nikolaj Koefoed, Mads Lerche, Bjørn K. Jensen, Pia Kjær, Sebastian Dam, Rasmus Horslev, Ernst A. Hansen

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(1): 776-784, 2018. A priority in strength and power exercise might be to train with as high quality as possible for the shortest possible duration. In this context, peak power output could reflect quality. Designing an exercise session as a cluster set structure, as compared to a traditional set structure, may be a way to obtain higher peak power output in the session. But it is unknown whether that is obtainable for non-elite individuals performing loaded jump squat exercise. The aim of the present study was therefore to test the hypothesis that peak power output …

Pond, Noah Sherman, 1815-1892 (Sc 3203), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and full text of letters (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 3203. Four letters, 1836-1837, of Noah S. Pond to his sister and brother-in-law in Washington, Connecticut. Writing from New Design, Trigg County, Kentucky, where he is working as a peddler, Pond describes many aspects of life in frontier Kentucky: changeable weather, agricultural practices and prices, lay preaching, voting, and the lives of slaves, who he believes are well treated and better off than the poor in the North. He describes selling to a Dutchman who dislikes “Yankees,” notes recent political developments, and finds Kentucky …

Investigating The Synergistic Effects Of Two Curcuminoids And Cisplatin On Cancer Cell Migration, Blaine Patty

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Cisplatin is a common chemotherapy drug used to treat various cancers; however, it is relatively ineffective against many cancers, including several types of lung cancer. One approach that could improve cisplatin’s effect is to combine it with another drug that produces a synergistic response greater than either drug alone. Curcumin, a naturally occurring plant compound, has been investigated for synergisms in conjunction with cisplatin chemotherapy, but curcumin use is hampered by its low bioavailability. This project investigated whether two synthetic curcumin analogs, EF-24 and CLEFMA (curcuminoids), which have greater solubility than curcumin, could, when combined with cisplatin, decrease the migration …

Raps—Measuring Problem Solving In Children With And Without Autism, Haley Jones

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis discusses a study conducted that compared the Rapid Assessment of Problem Solving (RAPS) with the Ravens Progressive Matrices (RPM) in assessing the problem solving of children with and without autism. While the effectiveness of the RAPS had been evaluated for neurotypical children and adults, and adults with traumatic brain injuries, severe mental illness, and Alzheimer’s disease, no studies had yet been conducted with children with autism. The RAPS and the RPM were administered to twelve adolescents with autism and fifteen neruotypical, ages 10:0-17:11. To assess problem solving abilities, questions were analyzed in terms of inefficient constraint questions, frank …

Messer, George, 1833-1863 (Sc 3211), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and full text transcription (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 3211. Letters, 6 January-31 May 1863, of George Messer to his wife Lottie in DeWitt County, Illinois, while encamped in Hart County, Kentucky and at Camp Hobson, Glasgow, Kentucky. He writes of illness and death among his comrades, troop strength, wage payments, food, and his commanding officers. Weary of a soldier’s life and anxious for the South’s total defeat, he criticizes conscription laws that allow exemption on payment of a fee, and accuses politicians and “Eastern men” of prolonging the war. He notes local citizens’ …

Investigating The Synergistic Effects Of Two Curcuminoids And Cisplatin On Cancer Cell Reactive Oxygen Species, Matthew Millay

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Cisplatin is an anticancer drug which can cause the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that kill cancer cells. Curcumin is a naturally occurring plant compound that can increase ROS levels in cancer cells and enhance the activity of cisplatin against cancer, but it exhibits poor bioavailability. We investigated whether two synthetic curcumin analogs (curcuminoids), EF-24 and CLEFMA, with anti-cancer activity and improved bioavailability, increased cisplatin’s effect against cancer. A spectrophotometric fluorescent ROS assay was used to determine if cisplatin, the curcuminoids or combinations of cisplatin with a curcuminoid affected the level of ROS in the A549 non-small cell lung …

Selecting The Best Of The Best: Associations Between Anthropometric And Fitness Assessment Results And Success In Police Specialist Selection, Robin (Rob) Marc Orr, Erin Caust, Benjamin Hinton, Rodney Pope

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(4): 785-796, 2018. To successfully complete specialist police selection, officers must be physically fit. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between performance on selected anthropometric and fitness tests and successful selection into a specialist police unit. Thirty-two male police officers (mean age = 29.48±4.99 years) participated in a Barrier Fitness Assessment (BFA), followed by a Specialist Selection Course (SSC). The BFA spanned two consecutive days of testing (pull-ups, push-ups, seven-stage sit-ups, a timed loaded pack march, a Multi-Stage Fitness Test, an agility run, a lift and carry task and a 300m …

Laude, Jan (Fa 1140), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 1140. Cassette recordings of the "Attunement for Healing" and "Exploring Your Dreams and ESP" conferences sponsored by the Edgar Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment held in Virginia Beach, Virginia from 12 July 1981 to 24 July 1981. The recordings, collected by WKU folk studies graduate student Jan Laude, were used as source material for Laude’s Master’s thesis titled “A Contemporary Female Psychic: A Folkloristic Study of a Traditional Occupation,” which was published in 1982. Because the Department does not have consent forms or own copyright to these tapes, they may be used …