Digital Commons Network^™

Academic Stress And Extracurriculars: An Examination Of In-Group Identification, Participation Motivation, And Stress In College, Rebecca Roten

2022 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Academic stress is a common feature of college life, but excessive stress can have negative effects on academic outcomes, health, and general well-being. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between academic stress and factors of extracurricular participation, including in-group identification, participation time, and participation motivation. It was hypothesized that higher in-group identification and internal motivation would relate to lower academic stress. A sample of undergraduate college students (n = 296) completed a survey consisting of an academic stress scale and a series of question about their extracurricular participation. Academic stress was not associated with any of …

Mental Health In Historically Black Communities: The Role Of Local Non-Profits, Cindy N. Ledat

2022 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

This study examined the role that local non-profit organizations play in bridging the gap to mental healthcare services in historically Black communities. With a focus on the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, Texas, semi-structured interviews were gathered from participants working for local non-profit organizations, specifically those that connect the community to mental health services. Utilizing a phenomenological approach to qualitative analysis, the key themes that emerged were those of combatting shame, building trust, and engaging with community stakeholders. Additionally, there were themes of helplessness in the face of systemic barriers as well as empathy towards a participant’s cultural community. Though …

Learning-Based Minimum Time-Energy Path Planning Through Integral Reinforcement Learning For A Multivehicle Nonlinear System Subject To Unknown Disturbances And Collision Avoidance, Evanns Gabriel Morales

2022 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

The path planning problem is crucial in the field of autonomous navigation. By applying integral reinforcement learning, it is possible not just to create a system that iteratively improves upon itself in pursuit of a target destination for a vehicle but also achieves optimality with respect to desired parameters such as minimal time and energy expenditures. The challenge of solving the reinforcement learning problem with a nonlinear system is addressed with two neural networks - one for the actor portion of the reinforcement learning problem and one for the critic portion. This project explores the minimum-time energy path planning problem …

Optimal Tissue Clearing Of Whole Mount Mouse Organs, Toluwani Ijaseun

2022 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Various tissue clearing methods have been made to optically clear tissue for high resolution imaging, but clearing whole organs is an arduous task due to limited penetration depth. To find a potential solution, 1 mm mouse organ slices were used to try four different variations of PEGASOS and BABB, organic solvent based clearing methods. Two of the variations were chosen to stain with antibodies and dyes, such as DLL4, to display vasculature. Axially swept-light sheet fluorescence microscopy was used to obtain 3D images of the kidneys. In addition, stained heart and lungs images were also acquired. Progress photos for clearing …

The Cultural Implications Of Media Portrayals Of Minorities In The U.S., Victoria Munoz

2022 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Research suggests the media shapes the way children perceive the world. In addition, ethnic minorities are typically portrayed negatively in media. Disney Princess movies have become a widespread part of childhood experiences, as these movies often top box-office sales and generate copious merchandise sales.. Disney Princess movies have the ability to produce, circulate, and exchange information, especially to kids. Therefore, it is important to understand how minority and ethnic people are portrayed. Using content analysis, this study analyzes a sample of eight popular Disney Princess movies utilizing a codebook to assess the demographics, types of interactions, and personal/appearance characteristics of …

The Science Behind Stuttering: Reducing Stigma And Public Misconceptions, Christine Hekmat Abasi

2022 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Persistent Developmental Stuttering (PDS) affects about 1% of the world's adult population across all cultures and social classes (Buchel & Sommer, 2004). Stigma, especially around stuttering, can be perpetrated in many ways. There has been and continues to be a strong connection between stuttering in mainstream media and negative characteristics such as lack of intelligence, nervousness, or lack of social skills. This study investigates the source of negative social stigma and possible methods to reduce negative stigma. Participants joined in an empirically-based survey meant to analyze thoughts and beliefs on stuttering and the origin of those beliefs. The results are …

Fabrication Of A Microfluidic System To Generate Micro-Carrier Beads For Cell Culture, Giles Fitzwilliams

2022 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Current procedures used to make microfluidic systems can range up to thousands of dollars. The objective of this project was to create a cost-effective four-inlet microfluidic system that can produce uniform microcarrier beads ranging from 100 μm to 1000 μm in diameter. To create this device, research was done on sodium alginate and gelatin, bead components, properties, and their interactions with one another within a microfluidic system. The device was fabricated using a 3D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic design mold and encasing the mold in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). After cleaning the device with acetone, Harvard syringe pumps were …

The Problem Of Inefficient Machinery In Industries Affects Overall Production And Causes Substantial Errors, Katia Lopez

2022 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

The problem of inefficient machinery in industries affects overall production and can cause significant errors. The Human Assistance for Robot Arm (HAFRA) project consists of a Universal Robot, specifically the UR5, an Intel RealSense depth camera, and software programs. The robot receives a position from the computer vision program, which uses the camera to detect an AruCo tag, and then suctions the envelopes from a conveyor belt and places them into a bin. The project also includes human assistance, which allows remote picking by an operator. A human is able to view an image and use the mouse cursor to …

Social Media As A Tool For Education And Awareness Of Mental Health, Mikaela Neubauer

2022 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

With the growing levels of awareness and discussion of mental health on social media, online social platforms provide a unique and powerful opportunity to reach people. Are social media campaigns effective avenues and tools for circulating educational mental health content and advertising mental health resources? This project uses content analysis to determine the efficacy of a social media campaign regarding mental health. The campaign was designed based off research on the target audience and other previously successful social media campaigns and run for the therapy platform Atlas Health Group Inc. This study found that women ages 21-32 are mostly likely …

Gender Bias And Creative Idea Evaluation, Carley Andrew

2022 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Gender bias in evaluating creative ideas can partially be explained by role incongruity theory; a perceived mismatch of gender roles and stereotypes with an individual’s sex, leading to gendered outcomes. Idea evaluation is the process of cognitive appraisal, and it is a vital aspect of the creative process. Previous literature links higher perceived levels of creativity to males. The present study utilized a mixed-subjects design of both within (idea gender source) and between-subjects factors (control vs. stereotype threat groups). The sample consisted of 261 undergraduates. The study found that male-generated ideas had fewer pros and cons and no higher evaluations …

The Effects Of Water With Anti-Inflammatory Capabilities (Wac) On Circulating Inflammatory Biomarkers At Rest And Following Resistance Exercise, Brittany Martin

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Purpose: To determine the effects of waters with anti-inflammatory capabilities (WAC) influence circulating inflammatory biomarkers at rest and following resistance exercise. Methods: Participants completed a heavy lifting protocol and drank water with anti-inflammatory capabilities for a total of six weeks. Blood samples were taken at different at 9 different time intervals to assess concentrations of anti-inflammatory markers and to quantify inflammatory biomarkers. Those time intervals included pre-AHREP 1 and post-AHREP 1, 24-hr post-AHREP 1, 48-hr post-AHREP 1, 3-week check-up, pre-AHREP 2, post-AHREP 2, 24-hr post-AHREP 2, and 48-hr post-AHREP 2. Background: The biomarkers that were focused on were: IL-6 …

Transmission Risk Of Malaria Via Gas Flares In Africa, Elle Blake

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Gas flaring occurs at oil drilling sites around the world. It is a method to get rid of the extra gas, as well as to release pressure in emergency situations. The pollutants that are contributed to the air through routine gas flaring can be extremely harmful. Chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and methane are burned into the air we breathe (Baker Hughes, 2019). Not only does this have a direct impact on our health, but also on greenhouse gas emissions. The effects on greenhouse gas emissions impact diseases such as Malaria by increasing the temperature of our planet. The purpose …

Effects Of Recess On Educational Outcomes In Elementary School Children, Katelyn Whitham

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Because physical activity is beneficial for physical and mental health, the declining opportunities to implement adequate recesses in schools are devastating for children. If educational outcomes are positively affected by increased recess time or quality, schools are more likely to receive funding for programs and resources that support this renovation to recesses, providing research in lacking topics. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to find related, academic articles for cross examination of data collected on the effects that recess has on educational outcomes so that schools may use this as a resource to receive funding to increase …

Determining The Protocol And Testing Feasibility And Intensity Of The Burn2learn Interventions And Measures In College Students, Sarah Schwarz

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

High-intensity interval training(HIIT) is a time-efficient form of exercise that combines aerobic and resistance training methods. HIIT workouts have been found to improve executive functioning, therefore making it beneficial for school aged children. This study is an extension of the Burn2Learn protocols developed in Australia. The purpose of this study is to develop the protocol and testing feasibility and intensity of the Burn2Learn activities in college students, specifically comparing an exercise only (Gym) HIIT session and an exercise + cognitive activity (Brain) HIIT session. The participants of this study consisted of 15 undergrad students aged 20-22. Participants took mEMA cognitive …

Can Violent Political Rhetoric Influence Bias Homicide Rates? Analyzing The Trump Effect, Tyler Joseph Patrick Ford

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

The founding document of the United States declares that all men are created equal. However, history has shown that this is not the case. Citizens in this country have been discriminated against since its inception based on their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, and many other factors. The first Federal Legislation passed to prevent discrimination against citizens in the United States did not come until 1968, which “made it a crime to use, or threaten to use, force to willfully interfere with any person because of race, color, religion, or national origin” (United States, Department of Justice). It …

Impacts Of Post-Incarceration Programming For Women's Lives And Local Communities, Megan Greenslade

Sociology and Criminology Undergraduate Honors Theses

Previous research on reentry programming has focused mostly on male inmates and less attention is given to female inmates. In Arkansas, where female reentry rates have recently increased, research is needed to add to the conversation surrounding effective programming for previously justice-involved women, its impact on their lives and behaviors, and how this can influence the likelihood of recidivism. This qualitative study also aims to discover whether reentry programming can have a positive impact on the local community. Residents and staff at a local Northwest Arkansas transitional housing facility for previously justice-involved women were interviewed to analyze the effects of …

Sustainable Megastructures: Examining The Synergy Between Smart Technologies And Eco-Friendly Lifestyles In High-Density Urban Environments, Reagan G. Potts

2023 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

This undergraduate thesis delves into the concept of megastructures in architecture, which refers to futuristic proposals and experimental designs in urban development during the early 1960s. The study focuses on investigating the potential social and environmental problems that may arise as megastructures become more prevalent in urban design due to technological advancements. The research is significant as it has the potential to impact the architecture community positively. By presenting well-informed insights, designers can make better decisions and address social and environmental issues that may arise due to the implementation of megastructures. The methodology employed in this research involves a comprehensive …

Increasing Adherence Of Chg Bathing: An Evidence-Based Practice Quality Improvement Project, Melissa Benedetto

DNP Projects

Introduction

Patients admitted to hospitals are at risk for developing Healthcare-acquired Infections (HAIs). Evidence suggests that these infections, including Central Line Associated Infections (CLABSIs), increase the cost of patient care and have a negative impact on patient outcomes. Daily chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing has been identified to help decrease HAIs in the hospital for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), those with Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs), and/or patients with a Central Venous Catheter (CVC).

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to implement an intervention to assess and improve CHG bathing adherence for hospitalized patients. Patients targeted include those at …

Their Pain Is Our Pain: The Intersectionality Of Identity Formation, Socioeconomic Status (Ses), And Transgenerational Trauma In Latine Youth, Fernanda Alcantara

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis will explore the intersectionality of identity formation, socioeconomic status (SES) and transgenerational trauma in Latine youth. There is extensive research in the Hispanic identity formation and the factors that influence it. However, there is little to no research that focuses on the role SES and transgenerational trauma from growing up in a Hispanic household with adversities specific to the immigrant experience and how they influence identity formation during the pre- adolescent and adolescent years. As well as how the Hispanic identity they form influences the adversities they face and SES they shift to or stay in. This research …

Trauma And Academic Impact: Stories From At-Risk Youth, Brenda Morton, Edd.

Faculty Publications - College of Education

Youth continue to leave school prior to earning a high school diploma, despite focused attention and resources on this population of students (Porche, et al., 2011), leaving unanswered questions as to what support this group of students need. Researchers identified attendance, disciplinary issues, and low grade point average, as prevalent in dropouts, but few have explored the story behind the statistics. This study sought to fill this gap in the literature by exploring the role of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in the lives of students at risk for academic failure, by examining their lived experiences. To that end, …

Nursing Students’ Cultural Awareness And High-Fidelity Simulation Skills, Shorok Hamed M Alahmedi

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

Cultural awareness is learning to be self-aware of other cultures and even an individual’s own culture. Nursing students learn about influences of values and beliefs, and the impacts of culture as they consider how to care for patients of other cultures. However, as students are learning cultural awareness for patient care they may struggle with some of their own cultural values and beliefs that may affect them in ways that they are not aware. This descriptive correlational study involved two research questions that examined undergraduate nursing students’ (n = 51) cultural awareness, and the association between undergraduate nursing students’ cultural …

Earnings Management In Response To Fair Treatment: The Roles Of Organizational Identity And Moral Identity, Kimberly M. Bates

Management Dissertations - Archive

Fraud continues to be an issue that organizations face globally, losing an estimated 5% of annual revenue for a total of $4.5 trillion globally. However, fraudulent behavior is difficult to study due to the unacceptable nature of it. I provide researchers with an adapted measure of earnings management that mitigates the socially undesirable act of earnings management which can suppress findings in self-reported studies. Additionally, based on the target similarity model, my dissertation considers accountants’ perception of fair treatment by the organization on willingness to engage in earnings management benefiting the organization. I survey 123 financial and managerial accountants to …

Intersections Between Social Work And Public Administration: A Case Study Of Urban Water Poverty, Katherine M. Lindsey

Social Work Theses - Archive

Despite infrastructure advances, water testing, and environmental policies, there are still areas in the United States that lack clean water. Some communities are negatively impacted by policies, location, socioeconomic status, water obtainment methods, and racial, ethnic, or cultural differences. Social workers desiring to intervene may not know where to begin. To identify potential interventions, this case study examines how the community of Green Tree Estates gained access to clean water through advocacy efforts and community organizing. This community, located within a large city in Texas, is a previously annexed, small mobile home community consisting of a Hispanic, Spanish speaking population …

Challenges Experienced By Rural Informal Caregivers Of Older Adults: A Scoping Review, Jon Shuffler

Social Work Theses - Archive

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to document the state of the literature regarding the challenges experienced by rural informal caregivers of older adults in the United States. Methods: A scoping review of peer-reviewed academic articles published through December 1, 2021, was conducted, utilizing the scoping review framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005). The initial search resulted in 1,255 articles for review, of which 12 studies were included for the final review. Results: Thematic content analysis was utilized to identify emerging themes of challenges experienced by rural informal caregivers of older adults. The identified themes of challenges include a …

I Kissed Shaming Goodbye: Mental Health Implications Of Christian Purity Culture, Danielle Miriam Stillman

Social Work Theses - Archive

This study investigates the impact of Christian “purity culture,” a particular variety of shame and guilt-based approach to sexual development, on the millennial generation. An emerging body of personal reminiscences and essays have been written about the experience of growing up as part of this culture and the damage that has resulted from the teachings impressed upon those born from 1981-1996 during their adolescence. The research introduces social work theory and recommendations for working with the population’s mental health treatment into the body of literature. Data was collected through qualitative methods of research in personal interviews conducted with the researcher …

Autonomous Aerial Vehicles Distributed Control And Interactive Games, Yusuf Kartal

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

As the number of quadrotors and other Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) increases in industrial and urban areas, the development of reliable engineering methods to control their behavior as they interact with each other becomes of central interest in control research. With the increase in demand for UAVs to work together, several real-life challenges need to be addressed that include the implementation, test, and validation of the control algorithms in flight test experiments. On the one hand, the interests of UAVs may be in harmony to perform certain tasks such as transportation, surveillance and reconnaissance. On the other hand, the interests …

The Latina Experience: Ethnic Markers & Identity Building At An Hispanic Serving Institution, Tatiana Marie Rivera

Sociology & Anthropology Theses - Archive

This study addresses the identity reconstruction process and ethnic marker development of 2nd generation Latina undergraduates attending a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). A qualitative study consisting of 12 individual interviews and a focus group consisting of two new respondents and two old ones (N=14) were conducted virtually to understand how identity was reconstructed, and which ethnic markers this new generation uses to identify other Latinx. To understand the identity reconstruction process and ethnic marker identification, borderlands theory with a focus on the mestiza consciousness was employed. Results show that not all Latinas reconstruct their identity once they start attending an …

Synthesis And Function Of Ion-Selective Single-Molecule Fluorescent Imaging Molecules And Materials, Alena A. Denisenko

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations - Archive

Neutrinos are fermion subatomic particles that interact only by weak subatomic forces—making them almost impossible to detect. However, they can be produced in specific radioactive decay reactions, such as beta decay. We hypothesize the detection of double beta decay through the tagging of the Ba2+ daughter ion from 136Xe (136Xe —136Ba2+ + 2ν + 2β). The proposal is to develop single-molecule fluorescence imaging (SFMI) technology to investigate gaseous chemical constituents in high-pressure gases (ca. 30-150 psi) at gas-solid interfaces. To achieve proper SMFI, heterogenous self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) containing fluorophores that operate under dry conditions and are turned on when a …

Asset Management Of Wastewater Interceptors Adjacent To Bodies Of Water, Mohammad Bani Fawwaz

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation presents the viability of managing a pipeline network adjacent to bodies of water to maximize asset life by evaluating the significant factors that affect the condition levels of pipeline assets. Pipeline asset management derives from pipelines’ physical conditions, condition rating, and serviceability through testing, monitoring, and analyzing rupture history. The remaining asset life and structural condition of the pipeline network running near and under bodies of water are often hard to predict. In case of pipeline failure, exuberant damages will occur to the surrounding environment, adding up to disruption in service and repairing costs. This research develops Multinomial …

Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting Lasers, Akhil Raj Kumar Kalapala

Electrical Engineering Dissertations - Archive

ABSTRACT: Since the initial proposal in 1999 by Noda et al., photonic crystal surface emitting lasers (PCSELs) have proven to achieve large area, coherent lasing with a narrow, single mode beam. Owing to their unique orthogonal electrical/optical cavity scheme, PCSELs have emerged as one of the most promising platforms for high power diode lasers. The evanescent coupling of the optical mode in the active region with the photonic crystal layer enables large area two dimensional in-plane lasing mode in the photonic crystal cavity due to bandedge effect. Bragg’s multi-order diffraction provides the necessary feedback for the lasing and enhances surface …