Digital Commons Network^™

Measuring Food Consumption Within A Foodrx Program, Katie Howell

Honors Theses

This pilot study set out to assess food consumption measures within the Charleston FoodRx program. Assessments made through this investigation aim to improve the Charleston program as well as provide suggestions for future programs. Charleston FoodRx provides enrolled households with fruits and vegetables in a supply intended to last for two weeks. These goals combine social and pharmaceutical science, by addressing barriers in food environment and insecurity, nutritional health, and preventative treatment. Though the idea behind FoodRx has existed prior to recent pilot programs, research behind FoodRx and its possible integration within the healthcare system lack published and replicable research …

Primary And Secondary Interventions To Address Common Female Reproductive Health Issues On College Campuses, Alison Yelsma

Honors Theses

My public health capstone/honors thesis was about primary and secondary interventions for college students on the topic of, and surrounding, common female reproductive health issues. I requested current female college students to complete a questionnaire with questions that addressed their knowledge, attitudes and practices in this area. Responses from process and content questions were used to develop suggested peer support and educational sessions for college campuses surrounding endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Prebiotic And Probiotic Knowledge And Consumption In Collegiate Athletes, Hannah Kahn

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate gastrointestinal disturbances in collegiate athletes and their knowledge of gastrointestinal health, or lack thereof, specifically pertaining to nutrition choices including prebiotic fiber and probiotic foods, sources, and supplements. Student-athletes at the division one level endure rigorous training for competition. Although one may have competent knowledge on the importance of fueling their body for their sport, there may be gaps in understanding the digestive mechanisms of their diet, importance of a diverse gut microbiome, and subsequent nutrient uptake. This study and questionnaire explored the relationship between gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances a student-athletes may experience …

Pain Response Of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation To Different Grades Of Knee Osteoarthritis, Emily Beer

Honors Theses

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is diagnosed worldwide and affects nearly 250 million people (Wallace et al., 2017, pg. 1). Additionally, people who are 45 years and over are prone to this degrative disease (Wallace et al., 2017, pg. 1). Knee OA can be graded into five categories (0-4) levels associated with the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scales (Kellgren & Lawrence, 1957, pg. 494). Symptoms will develop overtime; thus, it is important to find non-pharmacological ways to help alleviate pain for individuals affected. A non-pharmacological modality of interest is the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units, which can be tailored to a patient’s specific …

Xenophobia In The Covid-19 Era, Joanne Jeya

Honors Theses

COVID-19 has altered people's daily lives across the globe and heightened tensions in response to changing economic, social, and political conditions. In the United States, xenophobia has seemingly escalated in the COVID-19 era, particularly towards Asians and people of Asian descent. The assumed reasoning for this rise in anti-Asian sentiment is tied to the presumed origins of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome‐Coronavirus‐2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, first detected in Wuhan, China, prompting some to initially call the disease the Wuhan or Chinese virus, among other racialized terms like the "Kung-flu." It remains to be seen if xenophobic acts have increased throughout the …

Temperature Scale Influence On Perceptions Of Climate Risk, Chelsea Spaman

Honors Theses

This study explored how the use of the temperature scales Fahrenheit and Celsius in climate science communication affects climate change concern. The study specifically targeted Americans due to their familiarity with the Fahrenheit scale, which is not the primary temperature scale used in scientific communication. The study employed a survey, in which the anonymous participants read a short introduction about climate change and temperature rise and then answered a series of questions regarding levels of climate change concern. These questions covered concerns about climate change in general and its potential to harm individual survey participants, flora and fauna, future generations, …

Hiv Tat Protein Activates Plasma Kallikrein-Kinin System In Hiv-1 Tat Transgenic Mice, Logan Sneed

Honors Theses

Human Immunodeficiency Viruses are a group of lentiviruses that have seen a lot of study ever since their discovery. HIV-1, the most common and virulent form of the virus, has proven to be quite deadly when untreated, so any research into the mechanisms of HIV pathogenesis and replication could have major medical applications all over the world. HIV-1 is a sexually transmitted virus that compromises the hosts immune system and eventually leads to the patient developing AIDS, a life-threatening condition that nearly half of people infected with HIV will develop within ten years. Our study sets out to determine exactly …

The Impact Of Wine Nutrition And Ingredient Labeling On Consumers’ Attitudes And Purchase Intentions, Kara Tate

Honors Theses

Current TTB regulations do not require that US wine producers display nutrition and ingredient labeling on their wine labels. However, recent attempts at passing legislation to mandate that such information be provided on labels in the EU suggests that US policy makers will soon follow suit. Research on how this addition would impact consumers has been scarce and has been primarily conducted in Europe, but what is available suggests that consumers are unaware of the nutritional values in a glass of wine and many do not look at the back label when selecting a bottle to purchase. We conducted a …

On The Nature Of Collaboration, John Walker

Honors Theses

The senior recital is in and of itself a Capstone project in the Department of Music—a culmination of one’s undergraduate years. Preparation of such a program, especially a collaborative recital with a peer, demands much of a voice student’s attention. However, the nature of this preparation is a relative unknown among the non-musical spaces of academia. Presented with an opportunity to develop my senior recital with Brittany Parry, a student of the new Master of Music in Collaborative Piano, I chose to reflect upon our novelty recital experience in this Capstone paper. The energy we devoted to our rehearsals and …

Crayfish And Climate Change: How The Growing Acidity Of Freshwater Lakes, Streams, And Ponds Negatively Impact The Nervous System Of Crayfish, Lauren Irmen

Honors Theses

The nervous system of crayfish, a freshwater crustacean, is largely regulated by the flow of calcium (Ca²⁺) ions in a cell across a concentration gradient that produces electrical impulses and controls movement (Krause et al., 1998). Crayfish obtain Ca²⁺ from their external aquatic environment. Therefore, rapid changes in the concentration of Ca²⁺ in freshwater environments may cause negative impacts to the neural system of crayfish and subsequently the freshwater food chain. These impact of altered Ca²⁺ levels may create hyperactive or hypoactive movement due to over-, under-stimulation, respectfully in the skeletal muscle of the crayfish, …

Ethics Of Neurocognitive Disorders, Jenna Schneider

Honors Theses

Many individuals have misperceived ideas of what neurocognitive disorders are and how to effectively treat and care for individuals that have these disorders. Individuals working in healthcare need education on what neurocognitive disorders are to be able to provide ethical interventions, and have general knowledge on how to provide care to these people. Neurocognitive disorders, especially among older individuals, is a prevalent health complication that needs attention in order to prevent misunderstanding, and increase the possibly of knowing when intervention is needed. Additional training directed towards ethical practices is essential for both the understanding of caregivers and for the safety …

Accounting And Sustainability: Cost And Benefit, Emma Smith

Honors Theses

In today’s busy, complex, and technically advanced world, it is too easy to get caught up in day to day activities that distract from what needs to be accomplished and conserved. Therefore, there is a needed emphasis on sustainability in all industries, more specifically in the realm of accounting with respect to protecting the environment and citizens. Whether it be material, information, or human capital sustainability, appropriate practices are important and require attention (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board). This thesis will (a) document information regarding the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, (b) discuss sustainability practices businesses can take to benefit the environment …

Projecting Effects Of Stress And Anxiety In Out-Of-State Students, Bryar Brooks

Honors Theses

This study investigated the effects of stress and anxiety on undergraduate in-state, out-of-state, and international students. The current statistics on stress and anxiety in college students in general is mind blowing. Almost 50% of college students say they have moderate levels of stress and 25% of college students say that they have high stress levels. In addition, 44% of students struggle with depression and 50% struggle with anxiety. These have a direct correlation with their sleep habits as well. With these statistics in mind, the goal of this study was to see the statistically significant difference in stress and anxiety …

Racial Representation For Faculty In Higher Education, Joo Ning Lim

Honors Theses

Diversity and representation for faculty in higher education are crucial to cater to the needs of diverse student populations in the 21st century. A significant factor that contributes to faculty diversity is the retention and recruitment of underrepresented minority faculty members. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the current state of racial representation of faculty in higher education institutions and identify solutions to improve the retention of underrepresented faculty. Specifically, this study investigates faculty retention and welfare by comparing data across five public, research institutions in the Midwest. Findings revealed that the racial representation of faculty within the …

Characterizing Pm2.5 Air Samples Of Northeast Mississippi, Harley Nabors

Honors Theses

Ambient air pollution has been associated with adverse health effects throughout the entire world. Although epidemiologists study air pollution extensively, rural areas are often the least understood. In 2020, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality used less than 10 air sampling locations across the state leaving a large gap in air quality knowledge. In this study, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air samples were collected from three different rural Mississippi cities–Ackerman, Eupora, and Houston, in the summer of 2020. Following collection onto filters, elemental black carbon analysis and an oxidative potential assay were both used to characterize the samples of interest. …

Crisis And Catalonia: An Analysis On The Impact Of Crisis On The Public Opinion Of The Secessionist Movement In Catalonia, Rachel Ducker

Honors Theses

Catalonia, the autonomous region of Spain has seen an increase in secessionist sentiments in recent years. While the past inclination toward independence has been centered on economic autonomy and cultural identity, there has been a recent emphasis on political independence, particularly in the times of crisis. In this thesis. I analyze the relationship between the economic changes during the period of a crisis and the public opinion about the potential Catalan secession. Specifically, it investigates the relationships between the economic change and public sentiment during the financial crisis of 2008, the political crisis of 2017, and the pandemic crisis of …

Assessing Arthropod Responses To Volatile Organic Compounds From The Algal Microbiome Of A Sloth Using Drosophila Melanogaster, Lilli Gordon

Honors Theses

Sloths contain an unexplored ecosystem of microbial diversity in their fur, including algae, fungi, bacteria, and arthropods. These symbionts are able to communicate through the chemicals they release, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can lead to unique ecological interactions. The VOCs released from the algal polycultures of sloth hairs merit further investigation in their ability to cause a response from other organisms in this microbial community and within a broader ecological context. This research team aimed to assess the response of Drosophila melanogaster as test subjects when exposed to VOCs of the algal microbiome of a sloth. Exploratory research …

Fiber Web Rewetting Modeling Via Lattice-Boltzmann Method, Andrew Mccabe

Honors Theses

Utilization of computer modeling software to model flexible woody fibers settling onto a filtering mesh akin to many paper machines forming sections. A Lattice-Boltzmann Method, in which a lattice is formed to mimic fluid behaviors via modeled streaming and collision processes, is utilized to model the flow of water near and around these fibers. This process can be used to analyze various subjects such as web rewetting, the effects of Jet to wire speed variation, effects of various fiber length distributions, and many more situations. Specifically, fibers will be modeled to mimic pressing with traditional roll press versus an extended …

Versatile Home Workspace Environment, Kayli Holmes

Honors Theses

Since the initial spread of COVID-19, many individuals around the world have experienced a rapid shift from an external workplace, to needing a dedicated workspace within the home. While some individuals have been faced with new distractions like family members and pets, others have been faced with the struggle of having a workspace in common areas, where relaxation and socialization normally occur. Due to the needs for many people to work from home and be isolated from coworkers, it is essential for living spaces to be adaptable to meet these needs. Producing an effective separation can help lead to overall …

The Importance Of Leaders In The Time Of Covid-19, Lindsay Pett

Honors Theses

This capstone examines if leaders mattered during the time of COVID-19. I analyzed this by examining the effect of the stringency of leaders’ policies on total cases and deaths per million from COVID-19. This initial analysis found that a decrease in the stringency index was associated with increases in both cases and deaths. Next, I ran additional statistical analyses examining if leaders had an effect on COVID-19 outcomes independent of the economic situation, health infrastructure, and cultural norms of their respective countries. It was found that the stringency of leaders’ policies still had an effect on cases and deaths independent …

Long Duration Venus Lander, Aidan Wales

Honors Theses

Venus continues to be a target of interest for the scientific community, as the similarities and differences to Earth pose intriguing questions about planetary evolution. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking to gain a better understanding of Earth’s sister planet and has presented a challenge to interested undergraduate student teams to develop a in-situ robotic explorer and accompanying relay. The student team representing Western Michigan University has designed a long-term Venusian lander to both survive the harsh environment for an extended period and gather scientific data on the planet’s atmosphere and surface to be communicated back to …

Long-Term Venus Lander, Scott Miller

Honors Theses

Venus continues to be a target of interest for the scientific community, as the similarities and differences to Earth pose intriguing questions about planetary evolution. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking to gain a better understanding of Earth’s sister planet and has presented a challenge to interested undergraduate student teams to develop a in-situ robotic explorer and accompanying relay. The student team representing Western Michigan University has designed a long-term Venusian lander to both survive the harsh environment for an extended period and gather scientific data on the planet’s atmosphere and surface to be communicated back to …

Edmms Temperature Controller, Anthony Kirkland

Honors Theses

Temperature control systems in consumer appliances like that of a thermostat interfacing with HVAC systems, refrigerators and ovens are oscillatory in nature. There is a temperature at which the machine that causes the change in the system comes on and a different temperature at which it comes off. While sufficient for humans, welding, metal casting, and other metallurgical processes require precise temperature control, more precise than the hysteresis of a consumer system.

Proportional integral derivative (PID) provides a better way of monitoring the way temperature changes when the entity that changes the environment comes on and renders changes in system …

Medical Service Facility Site Development, Sabrina Carvajal

Honors Theses

This report provides a clear description of a site development design project for a future medical service facility. The site is approximately 46,818 square feet and is located at 203 E. Centre Avenue Portage, Michigan 49002 United States. This is in a high traffic area that is surrounded by different public and academic institutions including Portage Central High School and Portage Public Library. The commercial buildings surrounding this area are Comerica Bank, Dairy Queen and a new Senior Center currently under construction. Our team is proposing two different site-layout options for the future development of this building. This medical service …

Long-Duration Venus Explorer, Ethan Reid

Honors Theses

Venus continues to be a target of interest for the scientific community, as the similarities and differences to Earth pose intriguing questions about planetary evolution. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking to gain a better understanding of Earth’s sister planet and has presented a challenge to interested undergraduate student teams to develop a in-situ robotic explorer and accompanying relay. The student team representing Western Michigan University has designed a long-term Venusian lander to both survive the harsh environment for an extended period and gather scientific data on the planet’s atmosphere and surface to be communicated back to …

Design Of A Full-Scale Plant For Plastic Pyrolysis, Hannah Sargent

Honors Theses

With over thirty million tons of plastic accumulating in the United States every year, the need for an environmentally safe means of disposal is increasing. Only ten percent of this plastic is recycled while the majority is disposed of via landfill. With recent advances in pyrolysis research, a permanent solution is presented. By creating a pyrolysis plant, not only could billions of pounds of plastic be prevented from contributing to landfills, but also be converted to oil resulting in an environmentally beneficial and lucrative solution to plastic waste.

Describing The Gut Microbiome Of Two Freshwater Mussel Species Within The Tennessee River Basin, Eloise Cotten

Honors Theses

Freshwater mussels are important bioindicators of aquatic environmental quality, yet little is known about the composition of their gut microbiome or how it varies between different locations and mussel species. In this study, two species of mussels were collected from three sites located in two rivers, the Duck River and the Paint Rock River of the Tennessee River Basin. The gut microbiome of each mussel was characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Gut microbial communities were primarily composed of members of the Planctomycetes, Cyanobacteria, and Proteobacteria, which along with six other phyla accounted for nearly 90% of the sequences. Dominant …

The Politics Of Everyday Subversion: Crisis, Covid-19, And Coming-Of-Age In Córdoba, Argentina, Abby Flickinger

Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to explore the impact of converging political, economic, and public health crises in Córdoba, Argentina in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on youth and practices of protest and resistance. Utilizing interviews, participant observations and ethnographic data in addition to economic and public health statistics, media coverage, and government statements I establish the basis and context for this triple crisis, as well as the tactics appropriated to criticize the government and expression disillusionment — protests and subversion. Despite modifications to public health concerns, the Argentine democratic tradition of protesting returned against government wishes, and …

The Investigation Of Appalachian Public Health, Patricia A. Clem

Honors Theses

Public health in Appalachia is a complex area of study. While urban-rural disparities have been a focus of researchers and policy-makers for decades, inequalities continue to grow. During the past two semesters of Honors Thesis Research, the prevalence of disparities between Appalachian college students and non-Appalachian college students at Eastern Kentucky University was brought into question. Through the use of outside sources and surveys amongst current EKU students, this research was conducted to discover not only the challenges that Appalachian college students face, but also what this campus can do to help acknowledge and mitigate the students’ challenges; therefore, increasing …

Measuring Immigrant Integration In The United States South, Ashton Porter

Honors Theses

This study examines the integration success of immigrants in the U.S. South. The design of this study establishes six indicators of integration: employment, education, political engagement, health, housing, and language. In the discussion, each section establishes the indicator’s measurement technique, its relevance to integration, and its relationship with other indicators. The proposed measure is a point-based survey which correlates to a hexagonal spider graph as an overall index of integration success. The survey is recommended for individual administration to compare cases and determine change across time of immigrants as they integrate into the U.S. South. Integration is viewed as the …