Digital Commons Network^™

Emotional Support Animals On Campus: Relevance, Benefits, And Controversies, Grace Campbell

Honors Theses

This research pertains to Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) on university campuses. It explores the need for ESAs (specifically for college students), differentiates between types of support animals, and discusses benefits and controversies that come along with ESAs on campus. Following this, it sets up a research study that can be used at Western Michigan University relating to student experience with ESA utilization and approval. The study, if performed, would give insight to student experiences, and help the University in supporting the maximum number of students. Emotional support animals have many benefits for college students, including but not limited to, a …

Optimization Of Material Flow Of Woodshop Through Layout Redesign, Madison Wegner

Honors Theses

A local high-design outdoor site furniture company – Landscape Forms – worked with the senior design team to create alternative layouts for the woodshop within the company. This senior project will offer three categories of alternative layouts: short, mid, and long term. By offering multiple time frame layouts, Landscape Forms will be able to implement changes based on time frame and need. A project plan indicates all tasks required to meet these objectives as well as a timeline for accomplishing this plan. Research including worker movement diagrams, stakeholder interviews incorporating woodshop employees and engineers, a man and machine utilization study, …

Early Life Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure Of F0 Zebrafish Causes Hyperactivity In F1 Offspring, Jenna Cripe

Honors Theses

As cannabis increases in its accessibility, potency, and acceptance across the United States, investigation into the multigenerational effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure during key stages of development is critical. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there would be behavioral impacts in the F1 offspring following a dose-response of THC exposure (0.08, 0.4, or 1 µM) during development in the F0 generation. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were utilized in this study. Behaviors (locomotive activity and anxiety-like behavior) in the F1 generation were evaluated at 120 hours post-fertilization (hpf) with the larval photometer response (LPR) assay, and at 3, 11, …

Inhibiting Effects Of Methyllycaconitine (Mla) On Pnu-282987 Induced Neurogenesis In Blast-Exposed Mouse Retinas, Nastia Zhiyew Chan

Honors Theses

Irreversible vision loss can be caused by retinal damage, disease, or aging. In recent years, the prevalence of ocular damage due to blast trauma has been increasing due to the modernization of warfare. Adult mammalian retinal neurons were previously thought to lack the capacity for regeneration to reverse vision loss, which deemed the effects of many ocular damages permanent. However, recent studies from this lab have shown that PNU-282987, an agonist to the alpha 7 subtype of neural nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, will result in neural regeneration in adult mammalian cells. For this research project, I will be using Methyllycaconitine (MLA), …

Traveling With A Purpose: Sustainable Tourism, Nina Rossman

Honors Theses

The act of traveling is often seen as exciting for many travelers looking for adventure or to experience something different than their everyday routines. However, many current tourism trends force negative burdens onto local communities and environments. For instance, when development increases consumption in an area where natural resources are scarce to begin with, it can put pressure on those resources. There is a certain level of visitor use that an environment can manage; negative impacts occur when the changes in visitor use exceed this limit.[1]

While tourist destinations experience negative impacts from the tourism industry, tourism also supports …

The Power Of Citizen Science: Overcoming The Knowledge Gap Of The Marine Mammal Diversity In The Bay Islands Of Honduras, Gloria Joo Ryung Oh

Honors Theses

Preservation of regional biological diversity requires an understanding of the inhabiting species. However, species surveys are often difficult due to a a lack of resources.  This study utilized citizen science, which involves the use of non-scientists for data collection, to summarize the marine mammal sightings  in the Bay Islands of Honduras (BIH). After data filtration, thirteen species of marine mammals were identified in the 509 observations records, of which 92% originated from citizen science sources.  These included four species that did not have a previous record in the BIH, two of which were first reports for the country of Honduras: …

The Role Of The Pcc And Acc In Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Functional Connectivity Study, Claudia Gonzalez

Honors Theses

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts behavior control and social skills. Currently, ASD diagnoses are largely qualitative; thus, having more quantitative means of identification would aid in earlier diagnosis of ASD. However, more research is needed to pinpoint observable neurobiological markers of ASD. Our study focused on the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) due to past evidence suggesting its involvement in ASD symptomatology. The PCC has been linked to behavioral control and executive functioning. Moreover, previous studies support executive functioning’s responsibility for the repetitive and restricted behaviors (RRB) in ASD.

Method: Our study sought to …

Screaming For Love: An Analysis Of The Horror Film Industry Through The Lens Of The Six Love Styles Theory, Emilee Mcqueen

Honors Theses

This research focuses on the influential nature of the horror film industry on its typical young viewers in the realm of romance. An analysis of five films was done through the lens of John Alan Lee’s Six Love Styles theory. The results were used to determine if the typical horror films present healthy or unhealthy relationships. The importance of the findings is discussed, with an emphasis on the idea that parents and older viewers can use this study as a springboard to start typically difficult conversations about romance with teens and young adults.

Mountain (Grand)Mamas: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren During The Opioid Epidemic In Appalachia American And Their Portrayal In Media, Rosemary P. Kelley

Honors Theses

Deep within the hills of Appalachia grandparents are stepping into the familiar role of parenting as many have become the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. These grandparent-headed households (GHHs), a form of kinship care, have increased largely in response to the opioid epidemic that has ravaged the region; children are often left in the care of grandparents as parents experience substance use disorders and, in turn, incarceration. According to the US Census Bureau, over seven million grandparents live with their own grandchildren; over 32 percent of which serve as caregivers and are responsible for these children. The impact of kinship …

An Examination Of The Vaginal And Endometrial Microbiota Of Heifers And The Effects Of Selenium Supplementation On Microbiome Composition, Kobe S. Perry

Honors Theses

Selenium, an essential trace element, is involved in many biological processes serving catalytic, structural, and regulatory roles through mechanisms that are not entirely understood. Due to its health effects from either deficiency or toxicity, selenium has been well-studied, with an emphasis towards selenium deficiency which has been shown to cause immune and reproductive issues in animals. To address deficiency, different forms of supplementation have been used, yet few studies have examined selenium’s effects on the reproductive microbiome based on the type of supplementation (i.e., inorganic or organic forms). By examining bovine vaginal and endometrial mucosal samples via 16S gene sequencing, …

The Exceptional European Experience: An Analysis Of Education Abroad's Impact On College Students And The Field Of Nutrition And Dietetics, Mckenna Moore

Honors Theses

Education abroad has become a very popular avenue over the past century for college students from the United States to be immersed in a culture different from their own and experience significant growth, personally and professionally. Italy is a country that has a culture different from that of America and the contrast becomes even more evident after time abroad. United States citizens desire immediate satisfaction and this desire is accompanied through services such as drive-thrus, delivery services, and online shopping. Americans also often revolve their food experience around quantity and speed at which it is served. Italians, on the other …

Exploring Selective Mutism And Determining The Best Treatment Options, Austin Arroyo

Honors Theses

Selective mutism is a complex childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child’s inability to speak or communicate effectively in certain social situations but ability to communicate in settings where they are comfortable and relaxed. This paper seeks to explain selective mutism including the description of theories of anxiety, history and etiology of selective mutism, and common characteristics associated with selective mutism. It also contains information about treatment options and determines which treatment is considered the most effective. The conclusion is that there is not one treatment that is considered the best for selective mutism. Selective mutism manifests differently from person …

Examining The Evidence: Portrayals Of The Careers In Criminal Minds, Natalie Decker

Honors Theses

Within the fields of forensics and criminal justice there is the hot topic of crime show representations and their accuracies/inaccuracies. Some people owe these shows for exposing the career choice to them while others within the field blame these shows for common misconceptions about their career. This study utilizes the research done concerning the two main theories that apply to crime show effects: the cultivation theory and the CSI Effect. By examining the current research, a new study was conducted to further confirm or deny the claims made by both theories which aim to say that these crime shows are …

Pleva: Spreading Information In The Age Of Misinformation, Bradley S. Lackey

Honors Theses

Pityriasis lichenoides (PL) is an uncommon cutaneous rash of uncertain etiology. PL is typically characterized by small, raised reddish-brown spots that sometimes come together in groups. The spots typically evolve into hemorrhagic crusts and ulcers. PL has an acute form named pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) and a chronic form named pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC) and is difficult to diagnose, categorize, and treat. The exact cause of PL is unknown. There are a few hypotheses that the causes of PL could be a hypersensitivity reaction to an infection such as a virus, bacteria, parasites, an inflammatory reaction to medication, …

Legal And Community Input In The Record Of Decision For The Bluegrass Army Depot, Hannah E. Taylor

Honors Theses

The Bluegrass Army Depot of Richmond, Kentucky is owned and operated by the United States Army to demilitarize the chemical weapons stockpile facility. The citizens of Richmond filed a civil suit against the Army for wanting to incinerate the stored chemical weapons. This research compiles an overview of the history of chemical weapons, current laws and legislation regarding the facility, political implications, public opinions surrounding the installation, facility stockpiles and ammunition, chemical weapons dissemination methods, and specific analysis and research dedicated to the Bluegrass Army Depot’s project stages, destruction technologies, and public involvement. The central purpose is to compile a …

Application Of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (Ert) To Wetland Hydrogeology: An Assessment Of The Efficacy Of Array Configurations, Wynter Monjarez

Honors Theses

Abstract — Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) is a geophysical technique used to measure and map the resistivity of the subsurface. Resistivity (expressed in units of Ohm-meters), the inverse of conductivity, is an intrinsic property of earth materials that is a function of their material composition, void space, and water content. ERT is frequently used for mineral and groundwater exploration, but this technique can be used for any study that requires information of the near-surface environment. Resistivity is determined by applying a known direct current on one electrode pair (labeled C1 and C2) and taking measurements of the voltage potential on …

Is Lineage C A Distinct Species?, Shiza Khan

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Process Of Developing A Piece Of Children’S Literature Over The 12 Cranial Nerves For The School Aged Child To Comprehend And Retain, Macey Kanaman

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Actin-Destabilizing Drugs On Motor Function In Drosophila Melanogaster, Caden Sullivan

Honors Theses

Actin dynamics influence many cellular processes including neural connectivity and function. One way to better understand and study the regulation of these dynamics is to manipulate actin dynamics and observe the effects in motor function as a proxy to changes on the neuromuscular junctions in developing neural tissue. On that line, this investigation hypothesized that changing the actin dynamics during development via drug manipulation results in observable effects in locomotion. One of the common actin regulatory drugs used throughout the literature includes Latrunculin A, which was used in this study. Methods included applying this actin destabilizing drug on developing wildtype …

Firefighter: 24/48 Versus 48/96; Sleep, Strain, And Recovery, Amy Sprague

Honors Theses

Firefighters provide important safety services for a 24-hour society. Sleep is very important to the human body. Without sleep a person can experience both short- and long-term side effects. These side effects not only put the sleep deprived person in danger but can also put the public in danger as well. There are many different shift schedules that fire departments can run on. While on duty firefighters must be ready to respond to any emergency call, they receive no matter the time. This can impact the amount of sleep they get while on duty. The current study used biometric straps …

Computational Investigation Of Porphyrin-Based Host Design For Anions And Ion Pairs, Symphony Hill

Honors Theses

Little research has heretofore been devoted to studying the binding interactions between porphyrin-based molecular hosts and anions or ion pairs. Such interactions could be important in synthesizing molecules capable of detecting, binding, extracting, and transporting ions of biological, environmental, and industrial significance. With this in mind, computational studies of nine different porphyrin hosts were performed to examine the structural and binding properties of each molecule and potential ion guests. Using the Spartan computational chemistry software, each porphyrin was modeled and binding was tested with a number of ions of different shapes and sizes. Data was then collected regarding the distances …

Determining The Role Of Propionate And Sigb On Benzalkonium Chloride Resistance In Listeria Monocytogenes, Emma C. Schaefer

Honors Theses

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a deadly food borne pathogen that causes listeriosis infection in humans with a high mortality rate. L. monocytogenes can form biofilms in food processing environments and become resistant to antimicrobial agents such as benzalkonium chloride (BC) and other quaternary ammonium chlorides (QACs). BC is used for cleaning and disinfection of food processing areas and is known to disrupt cell membranes of L. monocytogenes, causing cytosol leakage and the degradation of proteins and nucleic acids. Previous research shows that QAC resistance is associated with the upregulation of certain efflux pump genes (mdrL, brcABC, …

Beyond Dna: An Analysis Of A Designer Baby Dystopia And The Genre Of Dystopia, Cassidy Stevens

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Substituent Effect Analysis On Halogen Bonding Interactions, Summer Hanson

Honors Theses

This study was used to determine the significance of substituents placed on aromatic molecules and how electron-donating groups (EDG) and electron-withdrawing groups (EWG) affect the strength of the halogen bond. Each study involved the same substituents, each differing in electron-withdrawing and electron-donating capability. Five different systems were created on computational software to evaluate the distance between the halogen bond donor and halogen bond acceptor. In two studies, the goal was to find the best electron-donor on the halogen bond acceptor (donor of electron density) while the halogen bond donor remained constant. For one study, the goal was to determine the …

Othering The Brother: Toward A Sibling-Oriented Ethics Of Care, William Bryant

Honors Theses

This project is an examination of issues of childcare, gendered responsibilities, and family identity informed by feminist and queer theory. As the second oldest in a family of eight, I have always understood myself primarily as a big brother. Rooted in this experience, this project is an exploration of feminist care ethics as they pertain to existing family structures. I review and build upon feminist conversations surrounding the family, especially concerning motherhood. Then, working with more recent queer and trans discourse, I explore how different familial care practices have been limited, reconfigured, or erased under dominant cis-heteronormative notions of care. …

Effects Of Propionate On Macrophage Migration, Cian J. Callahan

Honors Theses

Macrophages are leukocytes that play an important role in the antibacterial responses by our body’s immune system. The activities and functions of macrophages are influenced by a variety of substances, such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) found in the gut. Currently, we know that SCFAs, such as propionate, induce directional recruitment of leukocytes. For intracellular bacterial pathogens, the movement of infected macrophages can contribute to the systemic dissemination of the pathogens. However, little is known whether SCFAs like propionate can modulate the movement of infected macrophages. To fill this knowledge gap, Listeria monocytogenes, a human pathogen capable of causing …

Determining The Role Of Propionate In Macrophage M1 And M2 Activation, Hannah M. Derespiris

Honors Theses

Macrophages are one of the many essential cells of the innate immune system that help to protect the body from dangerous pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can cause infections, especially in the elderly, immunocompromised, and pregnant women. The antimicrobial activities of macrophages that are utilized to respond to pathogens such as L. monocytogenes can include phagocytosis, inflammatory responses, and the production of antimicrobial compounds such as nitric oxide. These activities need to be regulated carefully to avoid causing unintentional damages. Typically, macrophages exist in a naive, unactivated state, or can be activated classically …

A Sibling Comparison Study Exploring Effects Of Parenting On Self-Esteem In Adolescents, Molly K. Griffin

Honors Theses

Prior research has suggested a link between self-esteem in children and adolescents and the parenting styles and behaviors of their parents. Research has identified dimensions of warmth, control, autonomy support, trust, flexibility, and demandingness as potential variables explaining this relationship. Existing literature has been limited by confounding variables such as genetic influences, home environment, race, culture, and socioeconomic status, as well as by a lack of longitudinal data. The current study uses a sibling comparison design to control for the influence of these genetic and environmental variables and allow for a more accurate estimate of the link between parenting and …

Anaerobic Propionate Exposure And Its Effect On The Pathogenesis Of Listeria Monocytogenes, Allison Herceg

Honors Theses

Listeria monocytogenes is a prevalent food-borne pathogen, and a clear understanding of its pathogenesis can enhance our capability to treat infections. L. monocytogenes is ingested through contaminated foods, enters the intestinal lumen, and is able to spread throughout the rest of the body. The intracellular life cycle of L. monocytogenes requires the regulated expressions of a variety of virulence genes. We previously found that exposure to short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), fermentation byproducts present in the intestines, resulted in significant changes in L. monocytogenes pathogenesis. This research, divided into two major projects, aimed to understand the relationship between L. monocytogenes …

Boron Dipyrromethene (Bodipy) Dye Covalently Bound To Bovine Serum Albumin (Bsa), Amy Hess

Honors Theses

A new single molecule 4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dye designed to conjugate to the peripheral amines of proteins has been synthesized. Detailed synthesis involving a new and simple two step technique is presented. Synthesis of the carboxylic acid substituted BODIPY dye is characterized by absorption and emission spectroscopy. The new dye is reacted with N- hydroxysuccinimide to give a reactive BODIPY dye toward amine groups of bovine serum albumin. The BODIPY-N-succinimide ester was evaluated by absorption and emission spectroscopy. Covalent attachment of the BODIPY-NHS-ester with bovine serum albumin was conducted in an eppendorf tube in a phosphate buffer at a pH of …