Digital Commons Network^™

A Virtual Reality Based Powered Wheelchair Simulator, Yuliia Sergeeva

Masters Theses

Power wheelchairs provide great assistance for people with locomotion disabilities. However, for those who have tremor, operation of the wheelchair can be challenging and result in a chance to get into an accident. The focus of this research project is to create a semi-virtual reality power wheelchair driving simulator that can be used for testing a notch filter for tremors in a safe laboratory environment and obtain data on human operator movements for future mathematical modeling. The simulator incorporates a realistic and immersive virtual environment and power wheelchair movement into it. For the experiment, a physical PWC joystick was connected …

Effects Of Low Dose Mixtures Of 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone And Cocaine On Locomotor Activity And Brain Monoamine Content In Sprague-Dawley Rats, Robert J. Kohler

Masters Theses

Synthetic cathinones, known as “bath salts” on the illicit drug market, pose a significant and growing public health concern. 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), one of several popular constituents of the illicit bath salts, produces similar pharmacological actions to cocaine, albeit with greater potency. The present study sought to characterize behavioral and neurochemical effects of repeated exposure to MDPV alone and in combination with cocaine. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: 1 mg/kg MDPV, 5 mg/kg cocaine, 1 mg/kg MDPV + 5 mg/kg cocaine, or saline. Locomotor activity was assessed for one hour immediately before and one hour …

Biological Stress Indicators Among Historically Documented Populations (1913-1935): An Analysis Of Labor Through Entheses And Joint Disease, Anna Paraskevi Alioto

Masters Theses

Recent studies about the American past have aimed to examine multiple lines of evidence to reanalyze the American lived experience. Despite this, there has been limited research conducted using methods from biological anthropology. Skeletal analysis of a sample from the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection, consisting of individuals (n=118) who lived in Cleveland, Ohio was utilized to understand how the American lived experience impacted the biological stresses of these individuals. The objective was to investigate entheseal changes and degenerative joint disease on the upper limb to reconstruct activity patterns and to test for possible disparities which may represent differing biological stress experiences. …

Alzheimer's: Advancements Through Research, Taylor Wrozek

Honors Theses

This literary review examines some genes and proteins such as presenilin 1 presenilin 2, amyloid precursor protein, and apolipoprotein E, and Tau that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It also delves into four causal hypotheses for Alzheimer’s disease: the oxidative stress-induced AD cascade hypothesis, the copper-2 hypothesis, the amyloid cascade hypothesis, and the type II diabetes mellitus hypothesis. It further explains some of the current ways of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and its different forms; symptoms that have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease; and the different demographics of Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, different treatments, preventions, risks, and current research for Alzheimer’s disease …

Western News, May 25, 2017, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Medical school scholarship honors Dunn, Delta partners with WMU for maintenance training, Anthropologist named to state group, Strike Gold TV spot lauded, Faculty Senate acts on new gen ed design, Physician-author to discuss how racism, income inequality impact health care, On Campus with Marcel Alkemade, Medieval unit launches new short-form book series

Faculty Retirement Recognition Dinner 2017, Western Michigan University

Faculty Recognition

Faculty Retirement Recognition Dinner

May 25, 2017

Honored Guests:

• Ben J. Atchison
• Sheila Bair
• Barbara A. Barton
• Patrick A. Benton
• George A. Boston
• Joel Boyd Jr.
• Susan Caringella
• Miriam P. Coleman
• Ray T. Cool
• Katharine E. Cummings
• Thomas N. Edmonds
• Sharie L. Falan
• Jerrie L. Fiala
• Barbara L. Harris
• George J. Haus
• Elizabeth A. Hoger
• Margaret K. Joyce
• Thomas W. Joyce
• Emanuel Y. Kamber
• Thomas L. Kent
• Paula D. Kohler
• Janice Wassenaar Maatman
• Juanita Manning-Walsh
• Michael P. McDonnell
• John O. Norman
• Gerald Pillsbury
• Joseph G. Reish
• Silvia Roederer
• Allen J. Schwenk
• C. Richard Spates
• Matthew C. Steel
• Roger Y. Tang …

Wmu Cooley Law School Commencement Address, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Fostering Success Michigan Summit, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Reining In Information Literacy Instruction: Using Faculty Survey Data To Guide The Process, Veronica Bielat, Judith Arnold, Lumarie Guth, Maria A. Perez-Stable, Patricia Fravel Vander Meer

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Presentations

Administering a successful and sustainable information literacy program depends upon dialog between librarians and disciplinary faculty as key stakeholders. Two academic institutions surveyed their faculties on the importance of information literacy for student success, the applicability of the ACRL Framework, and attitudes toward collaborating with librarians. This session will present quantitative and qualitative data and discuss how the institutions will use it to align instruction with the expressed values of faculty to help strategically guide integration of the Framework into programs and leverage strengths in an environment of constricting budgets and staffing.

The presentation will examine survey responses, reviewing similarities …

Western News, May 11, 2017, Western Michigan University

Western News (1972-2018)

Story highlights: Campus facilities named for three friends, Pact allows Aquinas students to earn WMU degrees, Construction underway on wayfinding initiative, WMU earns more sustainability awards, On Campus with Peter Thompson, University reorganizes admissions area to better match recruitment plans

Kresa Kalamazoo County Administrators Meeting, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Haworth College Of Business News (05/2017), Haworth College Of Business

Haworth College of Business News

• Creating Industry Standards
• MYTURN
• #Broncos4Broncos
• Sustainability Champion
• Trailblazers

School Of Social Work, May 2017, College Of Health And Human Services

Social Work Newsletter

• Upcoming Events
• Please welcome Dr. Jennifer Harrison as an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work, effective August 2017.
• Dr. Dee Sherwood, Faculty Specialist II, and Coordinator of Extended University Program, Grand Rapids, has won a CDC case study grant in collaboration with Public Health faculty Dr. Shannon McMorrow and Dr. Vivian Valdmanis.

Connections, 05/2017, College Of Health And Human Services

College of Health and Human Services Newsletter

• CHHS kicks off Health Career Connection program
• CHHS celebrates students on 2016 Dean's List
• Simulation Committee hosts SUN Conference
• BS-IHS student wins Alexandra Burgett Endowed Scholarship
• Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences annual newsletter
• AHEC summer newsletter

Inspire E-News 5 2017, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences News

• WMU assistant professor receives $500,000 NSF CAREER Award
• Entrepreneurial engineer wins Brian Patrick Thomas Award
• Formula SAE team competes at Michigan International Speedway
• $318,000 grant will support research efforts of Department of Defense

May, 2017 Global News, Haenicke Institute

Global News

• Three WMU students receive Gilman Scholarships to study abroad
• New medieval book series could captivate public, scholars alike
• Physician to discuss how inequities impact health care
• Take advantage of global engagement opportunities in June
• Faculty Senate approves design for general education revision
• WMU faculty invited to submit South Asia Grant proposals
• WMU congress puts focus of world's medieval scholars on Kalamazoo
• Four finalists for associate provost to make public presentations

52nd International Congress On Medieval Studies, Medieval Institute, Western Michigan University

International Congress on Medieval Studies Archive

The printed program of the 52nd International Congress on Medieval Studies (May 11-14, 2017), including the Corrigenda.

Western Michigan University Commencement Exercises-12:30pm, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Western Michigan University Commencement Exercises-9am, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Western Michigan University Commencement Exercises-4pm, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Western Michigan University Commencement Exercises-7:30pm, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session April 27, 2017, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

• Acceptance of the Agenda
• Approval of the Minutes (March 15, 2017 and April 12, 2017 Meetings)
• Remarks by the Chair
• Remarks by the President
• Comments by the Faculty Senate President
• Comments by the Western Student Association President
• Comments by the Graduate Student Association President
• Presidential Scholars Presentation
• Public Comments Regarding Action Items
• Action Items
• Student Room and Board Rates 2017-2018
• Five Year Capital Outlay Plan
• Naming of Western Heights and Heritage Hall South Conference Room
• Consent Items

A Scholarly Fictional Narrative Portraying The Stigma That Surrounds Mental Illness And Its Place In Literature, Adrianna Robinson

Honors Theses

The purpose of this scholarly fictional narrative is meant to reveal the struggles that individuals with mental illness go through, not only in their personal lives, but also with their place in society. I lay out research around the stigma that surrounds mental illness first, defining both public and self-stigma in relation to mental illness. I also briefly mention Girl, Interrupted and “The Yellow Wallpaper,” to show how authors have addressed the stigma that surrounds mental illness in literature in the past. The research is an important part of understanding why I write the fictional narrative the way I do, …

Extraction Studies Of Toxic Multiply Charged Oxoanions From Aqueous Media Using Nanojars, Hartman Christian

Honors Theses

In this paper, the potential of nanojars as extracting agents of chromate and arsenate from aqueous media into a non-polar organic medium is investigated. Nanojars are a class of compounds that consist of multiple [cis-CuII(μ-OH)(μ-pz)]n cyclic polymerization isomers (n = 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14; pz = pyrazolato anion) that form from self-assembly reactions around a multiply-charged oxoanion core with capping counterions to render an overall neutral complex. This incarcerates the anion, preventing it from escaping the complex without the use of any covalent bonding, making it a potentially highly effective and unique extracting agent. We have concluded that …

Camping For Children With Cerebral Palsy, Emily Scannell

Honors Theses

Children with cerebral palsy and their families may have needs that make camping difficult or seemingly inaccessible. Through an explanation of the research backing the benefits of camping, this paper makes it clear that camping is a worthwhile activity that can be optimized through modifications. Understanding cerebral palsy and the steps of basic camping activities, it is possible to create modifications to increase family and child wellness while camping. Through a hypothetical case study, a specific look can be had at the ways to prepare for an optimal camping experience- from adapted equipment, to modified preparatory strategies. Through a review …

Health Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet, Jenna Jackson

Honors Theses

While the rise and spread of Western culture has created remarkable advances in science, healthcare, and technology, it has also brought about a variety of chronic diseases that never once existed. Much of these ailments can be attributed to the typical Western diet, which places heavy emphasis on meats, dairy, and refined grains, contrasting the typical Eastern or Oriental diet which primarily focuses on fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains. This dietary transition has resulted in increased glycemic load, increased levels of unhealthy fats and cholesterol, decreased micronutrient and fiber levels, and skewed acid-base and sodium-potassium ratios. All of these …

Precarious Positions Of Femininity In Contemporary Literature: A College Course Creation, Ireland Atkinson

Honors Theses

In an effort to understand college instruction, I created a collegiate literature course and its logistical materials. This process manifested in the creation of a syllabus, schedules, assignments, and a teaching philosophy statement. With the title “Precarious Positions of Femininity in Contemporary Literature,” the course is in an interdisciplinary format that explores gender and women’s studies with literary scholarship as its medium. All of the texts are not only written by female authors, but also address women’s issues and the precarious positions their femininity puts them in. With a focus on the intersectionality and the diversity of the female experience, …

Culture Of Gentleness: A Behavioral Approach, Stevie Parcell

Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to explain the fundamentals of an ideological framework for caregivers providing services to people with disabilities called a Culture of Gentleness. The material is traditionally taught within the two-day Working with People training, and the efforts to spread this theory is headed by the Center for Positive Living Supports located in Clinton Township, Michigan. The material is then analyzed through a behavior analytic perspective. Each segment of the initial training will be discussed through both a Culture of Gentleness and behavioral perspective, rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis. Although established in the practice of Positive …

The Technological Revolution And Data Science, Leslie Walcott

Honors Theses

What was once only depicted in science fiction is now a reality: computers are taking jobs from humans. As technology improves, automation is transforming the workplace. They say a “fourth industrial revolution” is inevitable within the next ten years. In the industrial revolution, the jobs lost were unskilled laborers, such as coal miners, textiles manufacturers, or cotton workers. There was no argument for whether or not a machine could do the jobs more efficiently--it was fact. The term technological unemployment means the loss of jobs caused by technological change. The headline, “Factory workers replaced by automation,” is not particularly startling …

Millennial Attraction To Southwest Michigan – Retaining And Attracting Millennial Talent To Our Region’S Companies, Robert Nyhuis

Honors Theses

Businesses in our region and in our country today have a unique opportunity being presented to them. Four generations of employees are walking through the doors of our companies each day. To expect that each generation can be catered to the same would be ignorant for a CEO or manager to believe. It’s common knowledge that this new generation entering the workforce, the millennials, are unlike any other generation to come before in regards to their workplace necessities and demands. Technology, diversity, and flexibility just scratch the surface when it comes to what the millennial generation is looking for when …