Digital Commons Network^™

Activism And Historical Narratives In The Construction Of A Shared Memory Of Comfort Women's Trauma, Raelin Craig

Research & Creative Achievement Day

This thesis explores the impact of comfort women activism on collective memory and Japan-South Korea relations. It provides a historical context to understand the moral, legal, and political challenges inherent in the comfort women issue. The thesis emphasizes the role of shared memory in shaping perceptions and interpretations of this topic. The literature review critically engages with diverse perspectives, including the historical origins of the comfort women system and conceptual frameworks such as shared memory theory and trauma studies. Methodologically, the thesis adopts a qualitative analysis approach, drawing from survivor testimonies and navigating ethical considerations in researching sensitive topics. The …

Making Mutations In A Vrk1 Plasmid, Madeline M. Thoemke

Research & Creative Achievement Day

One of the most common types of mutations is point mutations, which change a single amino acid, sometimes by changing a single nucleotide. These mutations can cause the protein to fold incorrectly or change how it interacts with other molecules. This research used biochemistry methods to prepare mutated proteins to simulate their behavior in the body. Mutations in the protein VRK1 were chosen for this project. VRK1 is present in human tissues and influences cellular division and RNA processing.VRK1 mutations P79L, A66G, and R219Ihave been linked to neurological disorders and were chosen for this project. Our procedure used biochemistry techniques …

Changes In Animal Vocalizations In Response To A Total Solar Eclipse, Colton W. Morris

ATU Scholars Symposium

My proposed research project will study the changes in animal vocalizations in response to the total solar eclipse that will take place in Russellville, Arkansas, on April 8, 2024. I will use audio recordings before, during, and after the eclipse to quantify changes in animal vocalizations. Most recordings will be in the range of normal hearing, and will primarily detect birds, frogs, and insects. Additionally, I will deploy one ultrasonic recorder capable of detecting bats. From these recordings I will be able to quantify overall and species-specific call rates. Audio recordings will be paired with continuous measurements of light intensity …

Women And Food In World War I Era Arkansas, Emily A. Stolp

ATU Scholars Symposium

On July 1st, 1917, in the midst of The Great War, Arkansas’s Governor Charles Brough appointed Ida Frauenthal as chairwoman to the state’s new Woman’s Committee of the Council of Defense for Arkansas. The report created by the Woman's Committee allowed the committee to first: organize the results of the efforts of many civil groups and second: immortalize the women’s wartime efforts. Women’s war efforts in this era naturally focused on the home front. The need to conserve food, a national and local concern, occupied much of women’s wartime efforts. Fear mongering and propaganda used to push the food conservation …

Data Analytics Internship At Fastenal, Jacob J. Haines

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The poster will present the results from an analysis of Fastenal's customer base to find characteristics among them that serve as useful predictors of their spending habits. This will allow Fastenal to create more accurate control groups when assessing the effectiveness of various marketing initiatives. This poster acts as the communication of capstone experience outcomes which is required for Data Science majors in addition to the capstone experience.

Using Data Visualizations To Analyze Employee Performance At Xcel Energy, Abby Venz

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Companies often are curious about their employee performance. But how, exactly, do they analyze this? As a Data Analytics Intern for Xcel Energy, I was in charge of doing just this. This poster will walk you through the methods used to analyze and model employee performance, as well as the results found and the different ways managers at Xcel Energy used them

Improving The Rates Of Fentanyl-Induced Overdoses In Winona County With A Student-Led Naloxone And Fentanyl Education Event, Emalie A. Bohachek, Christina M. Dailey, Isabelle L. Dufeck, Gemini R. Johnson, Mckenzie E. Langenfeld, Morgan K. Lavigne, Ryan E. Tuttle, Holynne K. Zeilenga

Research & Creative Achievement Day

According to The Minnesota Department of Health, "Fentanyl is now involved in 92% of all opioid-involved deaths and 62% of all overdose deaths in Minnesota" (Ahneman, 2023, para 2). Specifically, for Winona, it was seen that from 2020 until now, there have been 15 deaths due to opioids. Additionally, there have been 30 nonfatal overdoses that people have visited the emergency room for (Injury and Violence Prevention Section, 2023).  Winona County community assessments were utilized to develop relevant information to be provided in this project which was coordinated by several entities including Winona State University (WSU) nursing students, Bridges Health, …

Hooked On Adventure: Bauer Angling's Proposed Fishing Guide Service, Gavin Bauer

Research & Creative Achievement Day

As outdoor recreation continues to surge in popularity, fishing remains a beloved pastime for individuals seeking adventure, relaxation, and connection with nature. In response to this growing demand, Bauer Angling proposes the establishment of a comprehensive fishing guide service. I aim at providing unparalleled angling experiences for enthusiasts of all skill levels. This research day presentation outlines the conceptualization, planning, and potential impact of this innovative venture. It also gives me a chance to network and advertise.  The foundation of "Bauer Angling" rests on a commitment to excellence in customer service, environmental stewardship, and promoting sustainable fishing practices. I will …

Dedicated Education Unit In A Critical Access Hospital: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Mark D. Becknell, Lauren E. Tarbell

Research & Creative Achievement Day

xBackground: Nursing education is a unique and diverse learning environment that requires many venues to train students. As the healthcare landscape continues to change, nursing programs must adapt by investigating and utilizing new and innovative clinical education models. Objective: The project purpose was to create and implement education for a dedicated education unit (DEU) within an 18-bed medical-surgical unit in a community hospital. The PICO question is: does creating and implementing a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) for registered nurses in a community hospital setting increase confidence in preceptor abilities? The comparison is current state, which includes only student shadowing and …

Molecular Methods Used To Identify A New Species Of Dictyocaulus (Family Dictyocaulidae) In White-Tailed Deer, Garit T. Wollan, Elisa M. Quevedo

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Lungworms (Dictyocaulus) are a type of parasitic nematode found in the lungs of vertebrates and can cause life threatening diseases to their host(s). Dictyocaulus is a type of lungworm found in cattle (Bos taurus), deer (Cervidae), goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), sheep (Ovis aries), and horses (Equus caballus). The purpose of this study was to use DNA analysis to distinguish between different species of Dictyocaulus among cattle, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and red deer (Cervus elaphus). Adult lungworms were collected from the lungs of cattle from research farms in Missouri, Wisconsin, and Mississippi, from the lungs of red deer from a …

Post Rehabilitation Analysis Of Stream Habitat And Brown Trout In Cedar Valley Creek, Ashlynn D. Leonard, Emma C. Ehlers

Research & Creative Achievement Day

A section of Cedar Valley Creek went through a rehabilitation process that was intended to improve the trout habitat as well as to reinforce banks, deepen the stream, and narrow the channel. We took brown trout (Salmo trutta) counts and did habitat analyses at five locations (each 50 m long), in the restored stream section of Cedar Valley Creek during fall 2023 to compare to pre-rehabilitation data collected in 2022. A backpack electrofisher and nets were used to collect brown trout via a single-pass removal sampling process. All trout were measured for total length (mm) before being released back into …

Processing And Testing Commodity And Engineering Cfrtp Composites, Delia M. Derner, Kristine Osorio

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Commodity thermoplastic polymers provide good load transfer to and protection of the reinforcing fibers.  However, their mechanical properties are inferior to high-performance thermoplastic polymer composites.  Findings of preliminary research conducted at WSU showed that continuous fiber reinforced (CFR) commodity polymers such as PETG and PP have better Izod impact resistance than their high-performance CFR counterparts.  Further investigation of these findings is conducted in this research project.  Quasi-isotropic laminates of GF/PETG and GF/PET-am are fabricated and tested in drop weight impact.  The results will be compared with previously determined results of high-performance CF/PPS, CF/PA12 and GF/PPS.  The samples are fabricated using …

Low-Velocity Drop Weight Impact And Compression After Impact Properties Of Symmetric Quasi-Isotropic Cfrtp Composites, Youyi Zhou, Kyungbin Min

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Low-velocity impact properties and residual compression strength after impact performance are used to evaluate composite materials for many applications. In this research, low-velocity drop-weight impact and compression after impact performance of four continuous fiber reinforcement thermoplastic (CFRTP) composites are investigated. Quasi-isotropic samples of GF/PP, CF-PA12, CF-PA6, GF-PA6 were fabricated and tested according to ASTM standards. Three energy levels of 10, 15, and 20 J/mm, were employed in this research. Results indicate that GF/PP exhibits the highest damage resistance and rebound-ability, evidenced by its minimal indentation and damage area, the highest significant damage threshold force, and the highest ratio of impact …

How Transformational Leadership Improves Instructional Practices: The Mediating Role Of Teachers’ Change-Oriented Organizational Citizenship And Appreciation, Mariam Mohamed Alhammadi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Enhancing educational outcomes in the education system of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hinges on improving teaching and learning practices. This study investigates the influence of transformational leadership approaches on instructional practices within science classrooms while examining the potential mediating effects of enhanced change-oriented organizational citizenship behaviors and heightened organizational appreciation. Data are gathered from 297 teachers in UAE government schools through survey instruments featuring modified existing organizational context scales and scales inspired by the PISA 2015 cycle’s teacher and student questionnaires. The collected data are analyzed using SmartPLS software to reveal the statistical significance, strength, and direction of direct …

Improving Student Engagement Despite Lowering Attention Spans In The Classroom, Kaycee Lee

Liberty University Research Week

Attention spans have been decreasing throughout society for many years, partially due to the constant increase of technological advances. The average human attention span of eight seconds is particularly concerning to teachers and others in the classroom. It does not seem that the average attention span is ever going to increase, so teachers must implement intentional methods and strategies within their classroom to keep their students’ attention. Physical activities, technology and hands-on lesson supports, small group instruction, shorter lesson times, flexible seating, and differentiated instruction are all strategies supported by research to improve student engagement within the classroom. Every classroom …

The Lived Experiences Of Immigrant Families Who Have A Child With A Disability, Korin Lopez

Liberty University Research Week

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of immigrant families in the United States who have a child with disabilities. The central question guiding this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study is: What are the lived experiences of immigrant families who have a child with disabilities? The theory guiding this study is Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory, as it provides a lens to examine the influence and impact the ecological systems have on immigrant families' perceptions of raising a child with disabilities. The barriers faced by immigrant families in navigating a new country, culture, and language have also created …

Creating High Strength High Ductility Copper By Use Of Position And Energy Controlled Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (Pecsmat), Joshua Clayton

Liberty University Research Week

Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (SMAT) has shown positive benefits in the strengthening of nano crystalline materials. SMAT, like shot peening, uses hard materials like steel balls to impact the surface of an object. These impacts increase the yield strength of the material by refining the grain structure. However, this increase in yield strength is at the cost of a lower ductility. Historical SMAT and shot peening techniques lack precision and repeatability. With the use of a custom machine called the Position and Energy Controlled SMAT (PECSMAT) impact location and energy can be accurately controlled. This allows for unique SMAT applications …

The Relationship Between Social Media Usage, Loneliness, And Mindfulness In College Students, Edward Cook

Liberty University Research Week

In recent years, both social media usage and loneliness have been increasing for young adults. While previous work has revealed a relationship between social media usage and loneliness among young adults, the purpose of the current study is to examine if mindfulness mediates this relationship and if different types of social media engagement moderate this relationship. We hypothesize that higher social media usage will be related to higher loneliness, which will be mediated by lower mindfulness, and that specific types of social media engagement will moderate the relationship between higher social media usage and higher loneliness. Participants will complete a …

Counting The Cost Of Too Many C-Sections In Low-Risk Deliveries, Andrea Mackenzie

Liberty University Research Week

After more than a decade of declining, c-section delivery rates in the United States are once again rising. In 2021, there were 1,174,545 c-sections, accounting for 32.1% of all U.S. live births. Remarkably, c-sections are even increasing in young, low-risk, first-time deliveries. C-sections can save lives; however, when elected for non-medical reasons, they pose unnecessary short and long-term risks for both mother and child and cost Medicaid about 50% more than natural deliveries. To quantify unnecessary c-sections in low-risk deliveries, we measured variation in clinician practice, identified excessively high rates, and estimated the national and state fiscal impact of the …

The Canticle Of Life: Reimagining The World War Ii Bombing Of Monte Cassino, Katherine Bechter

Liberty University Research Week

My creative narrative reveals an intricate connection between fiction and history by reimagining the historical bombing of the Monte Cassino Abbey during World War II. On February 15, 1944, the Allied troops justified the bombing on a suspicion that Nazi troops were hiding in the Monastery; instead, the Abbey only housed monks and refugees who were seeking shelter. The bombing resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians and fueled German propaganda that claimed the Allies had no respect for sacred religious sites. My novel balances the authenticity of this historical event with the creativity of the narrative, conveying the bombing …

The Psychology Behind Storytelling, Stephanie Russak

Liberty University Research Week

This paper will examine the art of storytelling and how humanity is psychologically wired to crave stories. While humans used to tell stories to point to a food supply, ward off danger, or preserve family history, today, people gather in front of movie screens, theater stages, and concert halls. This paper will explore that evolutionary process and how stories remain prevalent in the modern era. It will explore the question “What compels our brain to capture its waning attention span and listen to a story?” This paper looks deeper into what psychologists call “narrative transportation” and how the brain engages …

2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Examining The Preparedness And Risk Communication Strategies Of Em Stakeholders, Andrew N. Rafferty, Will M. Sappington

ATU Scholars Symposium

On April 8th, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America. The City of Russellville is listed as one of the top locations for viewing the eclipse. Due to the eclipse, Russellville is expected to experience a heavy influx of visitors and other potential issues such as delayed emergency response, traffic congestion, and communication disruption. This research examines the eclipse-related preparedness and communication strategies of emergency management (EM) stakeholders in Arkansas, and specifically in the City of Russellville. The research question for this study is “What strategies are EM stakeholders implementing related to the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse preparedness …

Glp-1 Receptor Antagonists Medicaid Utilization Trends And Obesity Rates In The Us, Faith Magwenzi

Liberty University Research Week

Approximately 42% of adults in the US today are classified as obese, an additional 30% categorized as overweight, and it is projected that half of the adult U.S. population will meet the criteria for obesity by 2030. Obesity is associated with negative health outcomes, compounded by substantial economic ramifications for affected individuals. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1s) receptor agonists like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have garnered attention as promising weight-loss treatments. However, their widespread adoption has been impeded by financial constraints to the healthcare system. Our study aims to explore the association between prescription rates and costs of GLP-1 medications and obesity trends …

Demographic Trends Of Annual Dental Visits By Adults (Ages 18+) In Virginia, 2020, Rachel Hanzes

Liberty University Research Week

Introduction/Background: Access to oral healthcare is impacted by determinants such as socioeconomic status, race, and geographic conditions. Disparities in oral healthcare and equity affect the oral health and overall wellbeing of disadvantaged groups. Investigating oral health disparities involves analyzing resource allocation, service utilization, professional interactions, and financial burdens, forming interconnected domains for thorough examination. This study aims to determine the demographic trends of annual dental visits by adults (ages 18+) in Virginia during the 2020 calendar year. Methods: A secondary analysis was performed using data from the National Oral Health Surveillance System (NOHSS) adult indicators survey. After manually screening for …

The Examination Of The Relationship Social Media Usage And Self-Diagnosis Of Mental Disorders, Felicity West

ATU Scholars Symposium

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between algorithmic social media platforms and self-diagnosis of mental disorders. Looking specifically at psychopathology, the enhancements and pioneering of new algorithmic social media platforms have made the facilitation of forged disorders and exaggerated symptoms quickly widespread. The most notable example, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), has led a plethora of youth to self-diagnose and romanticize one of the most serious and rare mental health disorders recognized by the APA (Hatigan et al., 2023). This becomes increasingly problematic because it diminishes the severity and urgency for those who are clinically diagnosed with DID. To investigate the …

Hybrid Pv-Teg System, Anna-Marie Pesaresi, Paige Woolheater, Chance Eoff, Nicholas Colburn

ATU Scholars Symposium

This research is focused on an innovative approach to improving the efficiency of a well- established renewable energy source. Solar cells are becoming more prominent as the power industry is shifting towards using more clean energy sources. Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells can only absorb a portion of the irradiance spectrum. The portion that is not absorbed raises the temperature of the system. The efficiency of PV cells drastically decreases as the temperature of the module rises and more energy is lost in the form of heat waste. Thermoelectric generator (TEG), when combined with PV cell, thrives off of the PV …

Prevalence Of Acanthocephalan Species In Dabbler Ducks In The Western Wisconsin Region, Kelli G. Beall, Abigail A. Nelson, Juanita Dewald, Bethany G. Basile, Sydney Taylor

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The phylum acanthocephalan is home to over 1100 species of intestinal parasites that inhabit the small intestines of vertebrates. Waterfowl are known definitive hosts of acanthocephalans and 52 species have been reported specifically in ducks. Determining the most common species of acanthocephalan in local waterfowl is an important step in discovering possible impacts of infection and, subsequently, prevention. Acanthocephalan samples have been collected from duck dissections conducted by Winona State University Students over the course of five years (2019-2024). The ducks were donated by hunters and all donated ducks were gathered from western Wisconsin. Using these samples the most prevalent …

Investigating Chemotherapeutic Resistance In Glioblastoma Multiforme A, Katrina M. Yaeger

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Glioblastoma (GBM) multiforme A is a highly variable, grade four cancer that affects the glial tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Cancer cells, including GBM, have purine metabolism markers that make them distinguishable for biochemical research, marked through the rate limiting step in the conversion of inosine monophosphate (IMP) to guanosine triphosphate (GTP), catalyzed by inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). Cell cultures for both 3T3 cells, used to study normal cell cycles, and GBM cells were grown and replicated, until sufficient cells existed to extract the desired proteins. These proteins were then run through a gel electrophoresis apparatus, followed by …

Investigating How Illumination Affects Infrared Gesture Recognition, Lindsey C. Arndt

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The proposed research aims to investigate the impact of illumination on the accuracy and efficiency of infrared gesture recognition systems. Specifically, the study seeks to explore whether infrared gesture sensors exhibit greater accuracy in low illumination environments compared to environments with high direct illumination. The experimental setup includes a controlled environment with a moveable light source and a table holding the infrared gesture sensor. Fifty-six tests were conducted, with participants performing gesture recognition tasks under varying illumination levels ranging from 600 lux to 1200 lux. After experimentation, a t-test determined if there is a statistically significant difference in the accuracy …

My Experience As An It Data Intern, Annajo V. Vonseth

Research & Creative Achievement Day

This poster presentation is focused on my internship as an IT Data Intern with B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO). I was able to use the skills already learned through courses here at WSU to help project and produce high-end reports. Additionally, I was in-charge of the creation of the survey all the way to creating the PowerPoint presentation with the results. I will also discuss how Microsoft Suites played a huge role in my day-to-day work, from large, complex data sets to cleaning and refining old data, I will be discussing the skills I learned during my time as an …