Honors Students' Works
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This collection contains capstone papers and projects from UMD Honor Students from 2015 to the present.
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Browsing Honors Students' Works by Type "Presentation"
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Item Comparative Study on Elder Care in Fredrikstad, Duluth, and Sefrou: Reality for Elders Living in Three Small Urban Cultural Contexts(2021-04-29) Myrah, StineAs the world population ages, the need for elder care continues to increase. Current systems are struggling to keep up with the demand, and those providing care to the elderly are often overworked and overstressed. In different cultures there are a variety of ways that elderly are cared for. Through cross-cultural comparison of Fredrikstad (Norway), Sefrou (Morocco), and Duluth (Minnesota, United States) this study highlights useful perspectives regarding the holistic needs of the elderly and those who care for them. By interviewing both caregivers and receivers, this project, by emphasizing first-hand experiences, highlights pros and cons of the current models of care in each cultural setting. Surveys also revealed broader societal realities surrounding both personal thoughts on elder care as well as the reality of elder roles within society. Due to the extensive needs of the elderly it was highlighted cross-culturally that greater support systems, both for family and institutional care facilities, are needed. Along with this, a greater emphasis needs to be placed on the mental well-being of the elderly, specifically targeting the issue of loneliness. Community amongst peers of similar cultural identity is key in facilitating the flourishing of elder emotional health. It is also imperative that elder care systems expand to account for the care of those who do not fit into the traditional systems in place. Among other recommendations I will present in my conclusions, these three are most significant: 1) A future study could be on how capitalism has affected our sense of humanity, specifically by engaging with elderly who live in capitalist based societies versus those who live in Indigenous communities; 2) Study immigrant workers in nursing homes and other care centers to understand how cultural differences affect those receiving care; 3) Further studies should be done surrounding the broader implications of elder care, specifically the opportunities integrating elderly into communities has for society as a whole.Item Differences in Academic Burnout and Coping Styles Between Moroccan and American University Students(2022-11-15) McClintock, LinneaThe aim of this cross-cultural comparative study was to investigate the differences in academic burnout, coping styles, and learning-related achievement emotions between university students in Morocco (studying at the International University of Rabat) and in the United States (studying at the University of Minnesota Duluth). This study addressed three objectives: (1) to evaluate the different perceptions of academic burnout between both cultures, (2) to compare the coping strategies used by Moroccan and American students when responding to stress, and (3) to investigate differences in learning-related achievement emotions. Findings of this study revealed that UMD students reported higher levels of exhaustion in academic-related activities, UIR students had higher levels of hope and pride when learning academic material. Future research might examine how distinct cultural values and environments can have psychological impacts on university students’ academic experiences.Item Differences in COVID-19 Guideline Adherence Among Sports Enthusiasts(2022) Swanson, Abby; Hjelle, Ryan JThis study aims to find out if there are between-group differences among sport enthusiasts (e.g., football fan, hockey fan, etc.) regarding COVID-19 regulation adherence/beliefs, while considering any moderating effects of personality differences, narcissism, anxiety, and political beliefs.Item Food Availability for Wood Turtles (Glyptemys Insculpta) in Managed and Natural Woodlands(2016) Goebel, Katelin; Cochrane, Madaline; Brown, Donald; Moen, RonA study on wood turtles was started in the spring of 2015 by UMD scientists and the MN DNR to assess habitat use and responses to management actions. Turtles were fitted with GPS units and VHF transmitters for tracking purposes. Wood turtles are largely terrestrial and use forested areas for foraging.Item Melainabacteria Metabolism Pathways in the Ground Squirrel Gut Microbiome(2023-03-31) Walters, AlexisMammals and their associated microbiomes have been coevolving for 300 million years providing a consistent environment for the microbes and in turn the microbiome supports host health. However, for mammals that hibernate, the internal microbial home environment is radically disrupted with near-freezing temperatures and little or no food availability for up to six months. We know that the gut microbiome undergoes extreme restructuring during hibernation but remains active producing nitrogen and amino acids that facilitate host tissue protein synthesis.The thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) uses hibernation to combat nutrient shortage in winter. In preparation for this hibernation state, the ground squirrel transitions from actively functioning to a state of torpor. This transition is marked by a drop in internal body temperature from 37℃ (active state) to about 5 ℃ (torpor state). Throughout winter hibernation, the ground squirrel experiences interbout arousals where body temperature rises back to 37°C for ~24 hours. One bacterial phylum thrives during hibernation, Melainabacter. Melainabacteria are a deep branching phyla of cyanobacteria but are non–photosynthetic and appear to have the ability to survive in warm and cold environmental conditions. During torpor and interbout arousals, levels of Melainabacteria increase to above those of the active state cycle. These complex conditions create an extraordinary set of challenges for the microbes involved in the gut metabolism process. This study reveals the mechanisms behind Melaniabacterial carbohydrate metabolism, carbon fixation, and amino acid metabolism through genomic reconstruction and explores key microbial pathways during hibernation.Item Moose Use of Aquatic Resources for Cooling and Sodium Needs(2016) Reno, Cord; Alston, Jesse; Windels, Steve K; Moen, Ron AItem The Perceived Value of English in Moroccan Society Across Generational Lines(2024-04-18) Broten, Johanna CThe importance of English cannot be ignored. Increasingly, non-native speakers need to communicate and interpret information in the English language worldwide. Morocco is no exception. Because of the growing importance of international tourism in Morocco and the rise of its status on the global stage, this research seeks to better understand the instrumentality and desirability of the English language in the eyes of Moroccans. The current understanding of the value of English in Morocco exists primarily from the perspective of students, providing an important but incomplete view of the importance of English in Moroccan society. To gain a fuller understanding of its perceived value, this research examines the attitudes and opinions of people across generational lines. This research was guided by the question “What is the perceived value of English in Moroccan society across generational lines?” We answered this question through a survey that gathered information on demographics, English language background, English use (e.g. what percent of your daily conversations are in English?), and English attitudes (e.g. how important do you think English will be in your future?). After comparing responses across generational lines to identify any important differences, we found a strong correlation between attitudes towards English and actual use of the language suggesting that English is highly valued in Morocco, especially among the younger generation.Item Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Psychopathy and Cerebral Lateralization During Empathic Challenge(2023-04-19) Gunther, Gavrielle J; Lloyd, Robert L; Hjelle, Ryan JHemispherical dominance or cerebral lateralization is characterized as activity in the brain being elevated in one hemisphere more than the other, typically during presentations of affectively laden stimuli. The right hemisphere is associated with feelings of negative affect, while the left hemisphere is associated with positive emotions (Robinson and Price, 1982). Empathetic responses in relation to hemispheric dominance and the degree of psychopathy has not been examined in non-clinical populations, and sex of participant even less so. Social/emotional processing in females may differ from males; the human brain is sexually dimorphic, various structures being different between the sexes (Nopoulos et al., 2000). Using the ratio of alpha power between the left and right frontal cortices (F3 vs. F4) as an index of relative cerebral activity, we found a non-significant relationship between right hemisphere lateralization and psychopathy when viewing a highly empathic video of someone in distress. The correlation between LSRP scores and the left to right hemisphere ratio was not significant in females (p = .394 [-.199, .623]). The correlation between LSRP scores and the left to right hemisphere ratio was not significant in males, p = .919 [-.432, .337]. There was a non-significant relationship that showed females had a stronger LSRP and left-to-right alpha ratio (R² = 0.060, linear; R² =0.207, quadratic., see figure 1) compared to males R² = 0.001, linear; R² =0.052, quadratic., see figure 2), but significance was not reached.Item Virtual Reality Exercise Effects on College Students with Anxiety and Depression: A Pilot Study(2023) Larson, HannaBoth within and outside of the classroom, mental health has become a primary concern across college campuses. Using virtual reality (VR) to provide an alternative exercise environment may amplify the beneficial effects of traditional exercise on mental health that have already been established. The purpose of this study is to investigate the physiological and psychological effects of VR exercise on college students with anxiety and/or depression. A sample of fourteen participants (Mage =19.86 ± 1.16; 11 females) with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression was recruited from the University of Minnesota Duluth campus. Participants performed two 20-minute sessions of VirZoom immersive VR exercise biking and VirZoom biking without the VR system (traditional condition) on separate days. Participants’ heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), enjoyment, self-efficacy, and mood were measured at various points during each of the two biking sessions. The VR biking sessions resulted in significant improvements in exercise self-efficacy, as well as the mood subscales of anger, confusion, depression, tension, and vigor. The traditional sessions resulted in significant improvements in only three mood subscales (depression, tension and vigor). A paired t-test indicated there were no significant differences in average HR or RPE between the two exercise conditions. College students suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression can benefit from 20 minutes of exercise biking, regardless of the use of VR. While the physiological response may be comparable between the two exercise conditions, VR exercise may be more effective in enhancing mood and self-efficacy compared to traditional bike exercise. The results of this study may lend themselves to improved long-term exercise adherence in individuals suffering from mental illness and suggest a potential way to improve mood supplemental to traditional therapies.Item Why Students Avoid Free Public Transportation to UMD(2019) Epstein, JulianaThis research evaluates factors influencing public transportation use among students at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). All UMD students have the opportunity to ride the public transit of Duluth for free with their university identification card; however, many students do not use the bus to regularly get to campus. Past research identifies reasons that logistically impede people from conveniently taking the public transit. The research pinpoints attitudes and beliefs that may stop people from riding public buses. Perceived barriers of time inefficiency and the inexperience of busing experience stop students from riding the public buses in Duluth.