Digital Commons Network^™

The Context For An Undergraduate Research Program At Western Michigan University, Nathan Browning

Honors Theses

This thesis is an investigation into undergraduate research, experiential learning, and creative scholarship as it relates to Western Michigan University (WMU). Data mining was used to analyze the state of undergraduate research activity (URA) nationally. Surveys, interviews, and focus groups were used to examine both faculty and undergraduate opinion of the state of URA specifically at WMU. The goal of this thesis is to help establish a framework for what a successful undergraduate research program would look like at WMU.

Previous literature shows benefits for both institutions and students, including higher retention rates, stronger graduate outcomes, and increased satisfaction levels …

Kalamazoo Fc Social Media Plan, Brittney Wojcik

Honors Theses

Social media presents itself as a far-reaching and cost-effective tool to not only reach, but also to engage with potential audiences. As social media usage is becoming more commonplace, it is increasingly important for companies to understand their place within the social media realm.

Kalamazoo FC is a local semi-professional team in their third year of play. They are looking to expand their target market to include those of millennials, college students, and Latinos. Herein lies a comprehensive social media plan that contains detailed information regarding the team, new markets targeted, and social media platforms currently used by the team. …

Implications Of Theory Of Mind, Feelings Of Connectedness, Flow State Of Mind Through Active And Passive Music Improvisation Experiences, Jessica Kociba

Honors Theses

This study is an introduction examining the relationship between a performer and the audience in a musical improvisation context. Current research exploring performer-audience interaction in improvisation experiences is scant and typically framed in a purely narrative context. This study seeks to evaluate four different components of the performer and audience relationship; amount, or level, of experience with improvisation and comfort levels, flow, theory of mind, and emotional connection. A survey was generated and given to students in an improvisation class to collect results based on these four components. This study found that improvisation experience levels were low but comfort with …

Comparisons Between Chinese And Japanese Characters, Ahmina Graves

Honors Theses

The complexity of the Chinese and Japanese writing systems has intrigued those in the West from their first encounter with the characters. Though the two languages are very different, they share components of their writing systems that have been adapted to each language. This paper looks at the differences and similarities between the two strikingly different languages, as well as the effects on literacy the complexity of the orthographies has had in East Asia. The reforms created by each respective government and the motivations behind these reforms is also explored, as well as the future of the use and form …

Business Plan: Consulting Firm Focused On Manufacturing Digitalization, Edward Mulford

Honors Theses

The goal of this paper outlines a business framework for the development of a digitization consulting firm focused on the manufacturing sector. The firm’s goal is to help organizations in Michigan leverage technology to keep their business vibrant and workers skilled. The primary services for the firm will be related to the implementation of products and services within Industry 4.0, the cyber-physical smart factory industrial revolution. The beginning of the paper explains the ecosystem surrounding digitalization as well as the nine technologies (ex: big data, simulation, additive manufacturing) driving the innovation. The framework for this business plan uses the business …

Teaching Body Mapping In The Orchestra Classroom, Gretchen Clemans

Honors Theses

For young string musicians, it is easy to fall into the habit of playing with improper body alignment and unhealthy technique. In response, this study investigates the ways in which the teaching of healthy body techniques can be taught in the orchestra classroom, in order to prevent students from experiencing pain, tension, and muscle strain while studying their instrument. Overall, the results from the research group of students showed that over half of the students have experienced pain while playing their instrument. Furthermore, the results indicated that students responded positively to the content presented. After being introduced to the material, …

17th Edition Of The Laureate, Jessie Fales

Honors Theses

The Laureate is an undergraduate literary journal sponsored by the Lee Honors College at Western Michigan University. As Editor in Chief of the 17^th Edition, I coordinated the journal’s publication over the course of an academic year. The editorial process follows methodical stages, which have become standard over The Laureate’s lifetime—recruiting submissions, selecting submissions, coordinating with the design center, and hosting a launch party, etc... Of course, every editor has a unique experience, but we must honor the journal’s entity as something larger than ourselves—this journal has existed long before my time, and I hope it keeps on …

Mental Illness As Portrayed Through Art, Brianna Brown

Honors Theses

I was thinking of what to do for my thesis while taking classes with Vin about Anthropological Research and I realized how flawed it all was. Anthropology was born from colonialism where scholars from the United States would go to some far-off places to study the people there in hopes that they have found an interesting enough culture to get common people like you and me to want to read a book they later publish. The only way it would sell though is if this story, emphasis on story, read like a book of fiction, so far from what we …

Mechanisms Of Sleep And The Brain, Doungbagai Leo

Honors Theses

One of the most important homeostatic functions of the brain and body is sleep. This literary review analyzes the genes that are involved in sleep: Clock, Bmal1, Period, and Cryptochrome. It also explains the role of melatonin, GABA, orexin, and melanopsin during sleep regulation. The genes and neurotransmitters influence the suprachiasmatic nuclei and the circadian rhythm that our brain, and every cell of our bodies, have connections to. These connection help to ensure the homeostatic function of our bodies. The analysis of sleep-like states in other animals may show an evolutionary connection of sleep from non-mammals to mammals, but may …

Exploring The Impact Of Financial Literacy Education On College Students, Lacie Jessup

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Ipads And Chromebooks: Current Trends In Personal Device Use For Students Of Northeast Texas School Districts, Sarah Mcsparrin

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

School Shootings: A Nexus Of Adolescent Masculinity, Bullying, And Homophobia, Jack Marsden

Honors Theses

Though overall gun violence has plummeted since 1993, multi-victim school shootings have increased in frequency over the last fifty years and the number of adolescent perpetrators has more than doubled since 1996. I borrow from Kimmel and Mahler’s (2001) format to examine seven shootings that have occurred in the fifteen years since their paper’s original publication. I replicate their qualitative methodology and conduct my own analysis of these attacks. My findings suggest that these boys that open fire are mired in a history of routine, merciless bullying and that the content of the bullying is homophobic in nature. I also …

The Litmus Initiative - Enabling Teachers To Recognize Domestic Human Trafficking, Bethany Hansen

Honors Theses

Every day, an estimated 100,000 residents of the United States are sold for sex. At least half of these victims are under the age of 18. Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) has tragically plagued the U.S. for decades and even centuries, but it has only come into the public spotlight within the last fifteen years. As a result, there are few widespread sources of information about DMST, and even fewer resources for victims and survivors. DMST is a branch of human trafficking, which the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 defines as “(A) Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex …

Effects Of Aging & Exercise On Production Of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Protein By Fast & Slow Skeletal Muscle, Maria Jaramillo

Honors Theses

Exercise is a positive form of reinforcing positive lifestyle choices. There are many benefits to exercising such as decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and improved mental condition (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). In addition, exercise can serve a protecting role for the nervous system. One form in which exercise can protect the nervous system is by increasing the production of neurotrophic factors, specifically glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. Another way by which exercise can protect the nervous system is by preserving muscle tissue due to actively recruiting it. The goal of this study was to explore the effects of …

Speech Naturalness Before And Following Treatment In Adults Who Stutter, Alexis Novelli

Honors Theses

Purpose: The speech of persons who stutter can often sound unnatural. This can be due to a variety of factors including the presence of stuttering itself and/or the unintended consequence of speech-altering treatment. Understanding factors that contribute to speech naturalness within the stuttering population can direct improved management approaches. This study examines associations between speech task, behavioral measures of stuttering, and selected acoustic measures on listener ratings of speech naturalness for a group of adults immediately before and after participation in an intensive fluency-shaping treatment program. A secondary aim of this study is to assess the use of a novel …

Comparison Of Equine Behavior To Parelli Horsenality, Rebecca Kirchhoff

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Gdf-15 As A Biomarker For Glaucoma, Caylee Pattison

Honors Theses

Biomarkers are measurable substances in an organism that are indicative of some phenomenon. Examples of biomarkers in clinical settings are body temperature and blood pressure. Body temperature is indicative of a fever while blood pressure can be used to monitor someone’s risk of a stroke. Previous studies have investigated the possibility of there being a potential biomarker for glaucoma. One possible biomarker identified is growth differentiation factor 15 or GDF15. These studies prompted a study in our lab using a rat glaucoma model. The objective of this study was to show there is a biomarker present for the neurodegenerative disease, …

Structural Reinforcement Of Streamline Tubing, Peter Grohs

Honors Theses

Structural integrity of suspension components is important to the safety and the longevity of vehicles. Streamline tubing, an aerodynamically shaped material used in high performance vehicle controls, can be prone to failure if not properly analyzed for its asymmetric geometry. The component was redesigned as a composite structure using modern materials to make a highly aerodynamic product stiffer, stronger, and lighter per unit weight than a conventional all steel design. Finite element analysis was conducted and five prototypes using different materials were constructed and tested. This method of maximizing component lightness and stiffness using the beneficial properties of each material …

Music Keyboard Based On Flexible Hybrid Electronics, Anthony Hanson

Honors Theses

With the idea of creating a product using flexible hybrid electronics, the group decided to create a musical keyboard like a synthesizer. This is implemented using a printing technique called screen printing. This allowed the group to make several copies of the same sensors with a consistent thickness, roughness, and size. These keys, made of silver, are used as capacitive proximity sensors. When another conductive material comes within range of the key to change the polled capacitance by 2.7 pF, the note corresponding with that key is outputted.

In the interest of making this project a useful tool for someone …

Design Of An Electric Propulsion Thruster Breakout Box System, Ryan Powers

Honors Theses

When performing experiments in the Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments (ALPE), creating test setups and working with electrical equipment can become dangerous and tedious. A breakout box was required that ensures the ability to troubleshoot electrical problems, decrease the time needed to reconfigure equipment for an experiment, and decrease the potential for a safety hazard. The goal was to design a box that would house most of the equipment necessary to easily obtain current and voltage data from experiments in a safe, reliable manner. Three primary electrical components used in the circuit of the box were the current sensor, the …

Lee Honors College Mobile Application, James Ward

Honors Theses

In the spring of 2018 three Computer Science students Benjamin Campbell, James Ward, and Peter Shutt created a mobile application. This app was developed over the span of two semesters for their senior design project; a capstone to their degrees.

Their client, The Lee Honors College at Western Michigan University --referred to as LHC and WMU respectively hereafter-- has a plethora of academic and social information, and a large demand for access to it. This information includes building hours, contact information, health resources, a LHC specific course catalog, social media posts, event descriptions, and much more. The volume of information, …

Electromagnetic Radiation Shield For Spacecraft, Oseas Hudy-Velasco

Honors Theses

To protect astronauts from high-energy radiation during long-duration missions, an electromagnetic radiation shield was designed and sized for the Orion spacecraft with physical dimensions at a 1:100 scale and magnetic fields and particle energies at a ∼1:10833.3 scale. The electromagnetic radiation shield was simulated in the multi-physics software Comsol using the Magnetic Fields and Particle Tracing modules. The scale model used a DC amperage of 60 A with a 9-turn solenoid wound in three layers and the full-size system used a DC amperage of 6500 A and a 5-layer solenoid of 390 turns per layer. These models generated magnetic fields …

Do Global Diets Affect The Rate Of Type 2 Diabetes?, Demetria Meyer

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine whether different global diets correlate with the increase in type 2 diabetes rates. Type 2 diabetes is the main diabetes type being looked at due to it being the one that can be maintained primarily by glycemic control, which is controlled by a good diet. Five different countries from different regions will be examined: Brazil, China, Micronesia, Nigeria, and the United States. The diets of these countries will be broken down into smaller pieces, like calories consumed each day and the percentage of macronutrients that make up the calories. Eleven food groups …

Land, Air, Sea, Rover (Lasr) - Unmanned Vehicle, Gabriel Prescinotti Vivan

Honors Theses

This senior design project encompassed the optimization of a previously built quadcopter, as well as the design of new components for additional functions and increased range of operations. The previous vehicle was designed to operate as a helicopter, land rover, and submarine. Although the vehicle operates successfully in these three environments, it is not very successful on transitioning between them, i.e. cannot take off from underneath water. This year’s project goals included optimizing the current vehicle so that it could transition seamlessly between its functions and adding an additional function: to be able to rover at the bottom of a …

Design Of Force Versus Displacement Test Stand, Andrew Fritchley

Honors Theses

Performing mechanical design around sensors is a critical skill which all engineering students should be familiar with. Of equal importance is gathering and correctly interpreting electrical data from engineering tests. The aim of this project is to design a force versus displacement test stand for applications related to the measurement of spring force-displacement correlation. The design uses a strain gauge load cell, and a magnetic linear encoder to provide accurate, repeatable force and travel measurements. A mechanical design to mount each sensor was created based initial project constraints. Finite element analysis was performed on all critical components to ensure that …

Impacts Of Representation On Increasing Flexibility In Understanding Number Composition, Abigail Carr

Honors Theses

Place value is a mathematical concept that young children struggle to understand. A common misconception for children is that the digits that make up multi-digit numbers represent the quantity of that number itself, instead of the number according to its place value (i.e. the 1 in 18 represents 1, instead of 10). The base-ten representation is an efficient way to represent numbers and quantities, but it is not easily learned. One reason children may struggle to fully understand place value is the English language does not make the value of the number known and has hidden base-ten meanings. To contrast, …

When Law Enforcement And Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder Meet: Asd Knowledge And Confidence In Law Enforcement Officers In The Commonwealth Of Kentucky, Nicholas P. Hoffmann

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the current training practices, as well as the knowledge and confidence that law enforcement officers possessed with regards to interacting with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as reported by the officers. It is expected that the level of training will be highly inadequate in the Commonwealth of Kentucky due to lack of available training and resources available to officers, as well as the lack of mental health training requirements. This project does not seek to criticize officers, but rather to assess the current overall status of their training as well as …

Examining Physics Identify And Group Work In Studio Physics, Melanie Schroers

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

For The Ones Who Come After You, It Will Be Easier: An Exploration And Analysis Of Eugenics In The Reproductive Dystopian Genre, Morgan Manning

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Ripple Effect: An Examination Of Surfing As A Force For Positive, Lasting Personal And Societal Change, Sam A. Hayworth

Honors Theses

This study aims to demonstrate how the spiritual, sacred, and metaphysical components of surfing empower the activity as a force for positive, personal and societal change in a community. While many surfers are drawn to surfing for its spiritual attributes, traceable to its roots in ancient Polynesia, there are many others who embrace the sport for purely non-spiritual reasons. Quantitative data was collected by the research team to show how the differing views of these two groups of surfers affect three main areas: environmental ethics, personal growth and maturation, and general community outreach. The results of the study proved all …