Digital Commons Network^™

Family Literacy And Engagement: A Framework, Hannah Wells

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The purpose of this project was to construct a framework for a family literacy program that would inform parents of Native English Speakers and English Learners on literacy practices and allow time for families to practice literacy together. The family literacy program consists of three sessions, each comprised of a 20-minute presentation to parents and a 30-minute parent-child literacy activity. Each session covered a different topic: early literacy practices, technology and literacy, and advocating for student success. The program was implemented in an adult literacy center, where parents who attended classes at the center and parents in the …

White-Identifying Populations' Perceptions Of Muslims In The United Kingdom And United States, Ashley Gilliam

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Much of Western society is engaging with complex ideas and events such as multiculturalism, immigration, assimilation, and terrorism. The United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) are relevant to this larger discussion considering the 2016 finalization of the ‘Brexit’ decision to leave the European Union and the recent travel restriction policies in the US targeting some countries with Islam as majority religious affiliation. Given these events, my larger research question addresses how majority populations view minority groups. Several studies have provided a view of how Muslims in the West form their own identities (Hopkins, 2011; Modood & Ahmad, 2007; …

To Cheat Or Not To Cheat: Impact Of Learning Disability Status On Reasons For Cheating, Mckenzie Elizabeth Perdew

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Academic cheating frequency, motivating factors for cheating, and student reasons for cheating have been studied extensively for decades, but nearly all of the research has been conducted with typically-developing students. To date, only one published study has examined cheating among students with learning disabilites, despite over 2 million students in American schools having been diagnosed with a learning disability.

Students who engage in academic cheating, as well as students who have learning disabilities, are more likely to have low levels of self-efficacy, hold more performance goal orientations, and have higher levels of impulsivity. Therefore, in the present study, individuals with …

Developing A New Sensing Technology For Double-Stranded Dna Detection Utilizing Engineered Zinc Finger Proteins And Nanomaterials, Dat Thinh Ha

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A specific double-stranded DNA sensing system is of great interest for diagnostic and other biomedical applications. Zinc finger domains, which recognize double-stranded DNA, can be engineered to form custom DNA-binding proteins for recognition of specific DNA sequences. As a proof of concept, a sequence-enabled reassembly of TEM-1 β- lactamase system (SEER-LAC) was previously demonstrated to develop zinc finger protein (ZFP) arrays for the detection of a double-stranded bacterial DNA sequence. Here, we implemented the SEER-LAC system to demonstrate the direct detection of pathogenspecific DNA sequences present in E. coli O157:H7 on the lab-on-a chip. ZFPs customdesigned to detect shiga toxin …

Land-Use Impacts On The Hydrology Of The Hidden River Groundwater Subbasin, Horse Cave, Hart County, Kentucky, Cesalea N. Osborne

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

No abstract provided.

Cultural And Narrative Shifts Of Nineteenth Century Children's Literature In Hawthorne's Wonder Book For Girls And Boys, Kristen Clark Brandt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Both folklorists and literary critics have been drawn to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s body of work because of his distinctive style and incorporation of folk motifs. Such motif-spotting presents no challenge in Hawthorne’s juvenile literature like his retellings from Greek mythology in Wonder Book for Girls and Boys; however, contemporary folklore redirects the focus of this scholarship to “how particular literary uses of folklore fit into a larger, more fundamental concept of what folklore is and how and what folklore communicates” (de Caro & Jordan 2015:15). Hawthorne’s work interacts with other forms of cultural expression in the nineteenth century such as dominant …

Azimuth, Leslie Fox

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This is a book-length, creative nonfiction collection of essays with a critical introduction. These essays are illustrating the conflict of fitting within socially-formed identities. In theme, this collection explores class, gender, and sexuality of the self. Each section is introduced with a brief reflection which links the essays together.

Exploring The Effect Of Different Numbers Of Convolutional Filters And Training Loops On The Performance Of Alphazero, Jared Prince

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In this work, the algorithm used by AlphaZero is adapted for dots and boxes, a two-player game. This algorithm is explored using different numbers of convolutional filters and training loops, in order to better understand the effect these parameters have on the learning of the player. Different board sizes are also tested to compare these parameters in relation to game complexity. AlphaZero originated as a Go player using an algorithm which combines Monte Carlo tree search and convolutional neural networks. This novel approach, integrating a reinforcement learning method previously applied to Go (MCTS) with a supervised learning method (neural networks) …

Ua19/16/2 Basketball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases regarding WKU's basketball team from August to December 2018.

Ua64/2 The Challenge: Magazine For The Center For Gifted Studies (No. 45, Fall 2018), Center For Gifted Studies, Tracy Inman

Gifted Studies Publications

No abstract provided.

Leadership Lessons From Christ And Clergy, Noah Edmonson

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The purpose of this study is to develop effective pastoral leadership competencies based on the transformational and servant leadership theories and the life of Jesus. Christ’s life and ministry in the four Gospels was evaluated using Dr. Bernard Bass’s transformational leadership theory and Larry C. Spears’ servant leadership theory. Five competencies were identified by the interviewer to be further investigated for their effectiveness in the application of pastoral leadership. An interview process was conducted with the local Southern Baptist pastors to discuss the effectiveness of the competencies in their ministries. The results of this research indicated the affirmation of the …

Natural And Artificial Object Recognition: The Superiority Of Natural Shape Features, Lauren Pedersen

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of 44 young adults (mean age = 21.7 years) to compare natural and artificial three-dimensional (3-D) objects using their senses of vision and touch. Previous research has indicated that the information content provided by a stimulus set can have a significant effect on a participant’s ability to perform cross-modal object recognition tasks. A primary goal of the present study was to understand what shape features are transferable between visual and haptic modalities. Participants haptically manipulated objects from one of two stimulus sets: bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) and sinusoidally-modulated spheres (SIMS). …

A Thousand Words: Celebrating The Power Of Visual Language In Picture Books, Emilie Gill

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

In a culture which depends heavily on verbal and written communication to satisfactorily interact with our peers, communicative formats such as picture books are often categorized as being accessible only for immature audiences who cannot understand text without the assistance of pictures. The assumption that these ‘children’s stories’ do not contain intellectually stimulating messages can result in many voices and perspectives going unrealized. On the contrary, successful picture books combine multiple language techniques through text, image, color, and style to portray often daunting themes and emotions to a range of audiences who might not have received them or accepted them …

Fighting The Good Fight: Transforming Expectations Of Women In Front Of And Behind The Camera, Victoria Mills

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The film industry is a male dominated field. This is not new information. Directing, cinematography, and musical composition are the most heavily male governed above-the line crew positions, with women only making up 12% of directors as of 2018 (Quick, “The data…”). There is an unfortunate hesitation in support for female filmmakers from the part of studios. Melissa Silverstein of “Women and Hollywood” writes that there are quite specific visual expectations of a director to be a “white male with greying hair,” as this is what people are used to (Smith, “Female trouble…”). To go along with this, only 35% …

The Predictability Of Peak Oxygen Consumption Using Submaximal Ratings Of Perceived Exertion In Adolescents, Danilo V. Tolusso, Ward C. Dobbs, Michael Esco

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(4): 1173-1183, 2018. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) extrapolation involves mathematically extending the submaximal relationship between RPE and oxygen consumption (VO₂) to maximal intensity. This technique allows practitioners to forego, potentially dangerous, maximal exertion testing while attaining accurate measures of maximal oxygen consumption used for exercise prescription. This method has been proven accurate in adults, but much less in known when applied to an adolescent population. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of the RPE extrapolation as method for estimating VO_2max in adolescents. Twenty-two healthy, asymptomatic adolescents performed …

Characterizing The Aerobic And Anaerobic Energy Costs Of Polynesian Dances, Wei Zhu, David E. Lankford, Joel Reece, Daniel P. Heil

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(4): 1156-1172, 2018. This study characterized both aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure (EE) for several Polynesian dances in a group of experienced professional Polynesian dancers. Thirteen men and 17 women were tested using indirect calorimetry to assess aerobic EE (and converted to METs), and fingertip blood lactate to estimate anaerobic EE, during both resting and dancing activities. Total EE was then computed as the sum of both aerobic and anaerobic activity energy expenditure (AEE, or EE above resting). One sample t-tests compared mean MET values for each type of dance to the 3-MET and 6-MET …

Foot-To-Foot Bioelectrical Impedance, Air Displacement Plethysmography, And Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry In Resistance-Trained Men And Women, Justin Merrigan, Sina Gallo Phd, Jennifer Fields, Margaret T. Jones Phd

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(4): 1145-1155, 2018. Accurate assessment of body composition is important to athletic performance goal setting and nutritional program design. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is considered the “gold standard” in body composition assessment, yet the cost renders DXA unfeasible for many. Therefore, it is of interest to compare other body composition assessment methods to DXA in resistance-trained individuals whose focus is athletic performance. The purpose of the current study was to determine the agreement in estimates of body composition ((body fat (BF%); fat mass (FM); fat free mass (FFM)) by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA; Tanita SC-331S) …

The Influence Of Tissue Plasminogen Activator I/D Polymorphism On The Tpa Response To Exercise, Adam M. Coughlin

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(3): 1136-1144, 2018. The purpose was to determine if the Alu-insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism of the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) gene influences the tPA response to maximal exercise. Fifty male subjects (age = 23.6 ± 4.7 yrs) completed a maximal treadmill exercise test. Blood samples were drawn before and immediately after exercise for determination of plasma tPA antigen and activity. Isolated DNA was amplified via polymerase chain reaction, electrophoresed, and visually amplified to determine tPA genotype. Subjects were classified as possessing the D allele (D) (n = 28) or being homozygous for the I allele …

Ua12/2/1 The Hill In Review, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter recapping the top stories of the week.

From The Editors: A Guide For Peer Review In The Field Of Exercise Science, Whitley J. Stone, James W. Navalta, Scott Lyons, Mark A. Schafer

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(1): 1112-1119, 2018. Since its inception, the mission of the International Journal of Exercise Science (IJES) has been to engage student researchers, to provide an outlet for peer-review and possible publication of their work, and to grant an opportunity for them to gain experience as peer-reviewers. The Editors of IJES take pride in providing these opportunities for student involvement, and we are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to enhance students’ professional development. As our readership has expanded across the globe and our scope has broadened to cross many Kinesiology related disciplines, we believe it …

Stewart Family Letters (Sc 3263), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scans (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 3263. Letters to Charles T. Stewart, written by his mother in Cerulean, Kentucky and his wife in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, during his military service in World War II. His mother acknowledges receipt of his letter and a "wolf head souvenir," while his wife reports on life at home. She answers his question about members of another Stewart family and refers to Charles's recent comment about having children.

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 94, No. 5, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

• Alvey, Rebekah. Imagewest Remembers Student Killed in Car Crash – Brandon Brown
• Ziege, Nicole. WKU Takes Steps to Address Mold in Dorms – Housing & Residential Life
• DeLetter, Emily. Lifelong Long – Science, Technology, Engineering & Math, Women
• Wells, Spencer. Ment Brings Coworking to Bowling Green
• Alvey, Rebekah. College Heights Herald Editor-in-Chief Arrested for Public Intoxication – Evan Heichelbech
• Breu, Natasha. Gatton Academy Students Set National Merit Scholar Record
• Ziege, Nicole. WKU Files Response to Former Student Government Association President’s Lawsuit – Andi Dahmer
• Keeling, …

Ua3/10/2 Toward A Culture Of Performance, Wku President's Office - Caboni

WKU Administration Documents

Email from WKU president Timothy Caboni to faculty & staff regarding employee review and compensation.

Ua12/2/1 Fit: A Health & Wellness Guide, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Special magazine of College Heights Herald regarding health and fitness.

• Childress, Nicole. Welcome to Fit
• Southers, Mariah. CVS Shares 4 Ways to Beat the Flu
• Childress, Nicole. Do It Yourself Face Masks
• Goodlett, Ryan. Juices Add Zest to Life
• Southers, Mariah & Bryson Lacasse. Classic Shortcuts – WKU Campus Map
• Wells, Spencer. Little Fox Bakery Offers Sweet Treats for Every Diet
• Southers, Mariah. Turning Up the Heat – Hot Yoga
• Goodlett, Ryan. Iron Woman – Melinda Grimsley-Smith
• Wells, Spencer. Preston Health & Fitness Center: More Than Just a Gym

Intro To Folk Studies Oral History Project (Fa 1206), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 1206. Collection consists of interviews conducted by students in Barry Kaufkins’ Introduction to Folk Studies (FLK 276) class at WKU. Students conducted interviews with various family members, friends, and coworkers. Topics include childhood memories, cultural traditions, professional responsibilities, and other issues relating to personal narratives. Collection also contains brief summaries of subjects covered in the interviews. Audio recordings of the interviews that were recorded and submitted are stored in the WKU Sound Archives.

Barkley, Alben William, 1877-1956 (Sc 3262), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 3262. Letter, 23 December 1954, of Alben W. Barkley, written from his home in Paducah, Kentucky to Jane M. Phillis, Fombell, Pennsylvania. He acknowledges her letter of congratulations on his election to the Senate and her request to autograph a book (his autobiography That Reminds Me) for her friend. Having just returned from a lengthy vacation, he regrets his inability to send the book to her in time for Christmas.

Rawlins, Arline Mclean (Perkins), 1899-1962 (Mss 647), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 647. Material about the hooked rug designs created and executed by Arline McLean (Perkins) Rawlins of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Includes correspondence, published and unpublished articles, and photographs

Harris, Thurmon Ray, 1937-2017 (Sc 3261), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 3261. Letter, 2 January 1996, of Thurmon Harris, pastor of Victory Baptist Church, Providence, Kentucky, to Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Martin, Bowling Green, Kentucky, thanking them for a memorial donation. He comments on his church's giving record to missions in Kentucky and on the generosity of the congregation, but regrets that "the area and town is in decline and this is reflected in the church."

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93 [94], No. 4, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

• Ziege, Nicole & Rebekah Alvey. Is Mold in Dorms Making You Sick? – Housing & Residential Life
• Singlton, John. Delta Tau Delta Returns to Campus After Four-year Hiatus
• DeLetter, Emily. WKU Limited Use of White Squirrel Logo
• DeLetter, Emily. City Passes Grant Application to Revitalize Riverfront
• Allen, Ellie. Editorial Cartoon re: Banished Squirrel
• Banished? #SaveOurSquirrel
• Hovell, Nolan. Worst Day Ever: The Day We Lost Malcolm Miller aka Mac
• Hanks, Michelle. Bowling Green Fiestaval
• Webster, Mark. Nothing But Love – Houston Edison
• Kizer, Drake. Spikeball Gains …

Ua12/2/1 The Hill In Review, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter recapping the top stories of the week.