Tag: Capstones Fall 2023

Carissa Cole

Biochemical Pregnancies

Biochemical pregnancies are an early-stage miscarriage and one of the most common types. Unfortunately, it can take an emotional toll on the parents who are trying to conceive a child. In this paper, I go through some of the reasons that this event may occur. It is first important to understand the process of fertilization, implantation, and development of the conceptus. With an understanding, it is easier to grasp the complexities of pregnancy and why mistakes may occur during development. Early miscarriage can occur for a few different reasons. Research has found that most occur from chromosomal abnormalities, specifically aneuploidy and sperm DNA fragmentation. There is also evidence that there can be endometrial complications. The thickness of the endometrium plays a role in keeping the fertilized egg alive. Findings also suggest that implantation can determine if a biochemical pregnancy happens. The mother’s uterus can reject the implanting embryo, and there seems to be a preferred window of implantation that allows the conceptus to survive. Most interestingly, it has been found that women who undergo in-vitro fertilization are less likely to have an early miscarriage when compared to those who have a sporadic pregnancy. While there is some research dedicated to answering the question of why chemical pregnancies occur, there is not much dedicated to preventative measures. Evidence does suggest that there are a few, specifically preventing aneuploidy, but there are minimal resources dedicated to this research. Overall, biochemical pregnancies are an unfortunate occurrence that plagues many women, and because of this, more time and resources need to be dedicated to research on early pregnancy loss.

BIOL 499, Senior Capstone

Paul Allee

Womack 100

1:30 – 2 PM

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Taylor Copenhaver

The Association Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Cognitive Impairment in Adulthood

In this evidence-based synthesis paper, I reviewed 23 journal articles, both empirical studies and literature reviews, dating from 2013 to 2023 examining the association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cognitive impairment in adulthood. Many researchers found significant results suggesting that the decline in the cognitive function of memory is associated with PTSD. Additionally, researchers concluded that neurocognitive disorder is strongly associated with PTSD, but the specific neurocognitive disorder of Alzheimer’s disease is not directly correlated with PTSD. Furthermore, it has been discovered that the comorbid relationship of PTSD and depressive symptoms is the strongest correlation with cognitive impairment. When it is not comorbid, PTSD is more closely associated with cognitive impairment than other mental disorders. A few limitations within the research are that many of the studies included symptoms of mental disorders and not clinical diagnoses, the sample sizes of some studies were not large enough to make a generalization of the researched population, and there is not enough evidence to suggest a causal relationship between PTSD and cognitive impairment.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Erin Mueller

Womack 100

10 – 10:30 AM

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Chase Dean

Listening Project

Guy Itzchakov defines high quality listening as listening that offers empathy, interest-taking, and unconditional regard.

Bushnell University traditional undergraduates are emerging adults. Monisha Pasupathi’s research shows that high quality listening helps emerging adults become more confident in their adult decisions through emerging adulthood.

What I sought to do is provide a space in the community to discuss what it takes to practice high quality listening and how easy it can be. During a gathering of Bushnell students at chapel I explained the elements of high quality listening and in one gathering we practiced high quality listening.

I then asked students throughout the next 3 weeks to practice the skills to develop comfortability in high quality listening. Once they had practiced this level of high quality listening they were to put stickers on a poster board in Womack Hall as a checkmark of their practice. I sought to get 30 stickers on this poster

After the 3 weeks had passed we had a total of 15 stickers on the poster board

COMM 499, Senior Capstone

Doyle Srader

Richardson 100

11 – 11:30 AM

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Ethan Ferry

The Therapeutic Benefits of Well-Integrated Religion and Spirituality

In this evidence-based synthesis paper, I reviewed the findings of 18 peer-reviewed, empirical studies dating from 2001 to 2022. The goal of this review was to determine effective methods of integrating religion and spirituality into counseling. In addition, I focused on some of the mental and physical benefits of religion and spirituality in the face of struggles, such as trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, and chronic illness. In the last 20 years, the constructs of religion and spirituality and their relation to mental health have increasingly become the subject of research. Most studies have shown that including religion and spirituality in counseling is helpful for patients who value religion and spirituality. There are various assessments that counselors can include during intake and treatment which help gauge the client’s religion and spirituality as well as help the counselor to protect against bias. There is evidence suggesting that the integration of these into counseling increases positive affect, strengthens the client-counselor relationship, and increases positive treatment outcomes. Religion and spirituality as coping strategies lose effectiveness in adolescents as they age. Additionally, religion and spirituality have also been found to be detrimental to clients who do not have strong theodicies and clients with low levels of engagement in faith. Negative religious coping strategies were also found to be associated with more negative outcomes in comparison to individuals who use positive or other non-religious coping strategies.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Erin Mueller

Womack 100

10:30 – 11 AM

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Daniel Furman

Effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and Head Injuries on Athletes

In this synthesis-based evidence paper, I reviewed findings from 17 different empirical articles from 2015 to 2023 to provide an overview of findings on the lasting effects of head injuries and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) on athletes. The term CTE was derived in 1940 from Bowman and Blau. They define CTE as a neurodegenerative condition that is thought to be partially brought on by repeated head trauma. The results from the peer-reviewed articles revealed the severity and far-reaching effects frequent head traumas can have. These traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affect the patient’s psychological and physiological states of mind. Findings between the articles showed similar lasting consequences of CTE across different athletes. Results revealed that high-contact sports, and in rare cases, low-contact sports, can result in lasting head trauma and potential neurocognitive impairments. Most researchers agreed that playing in a high-contact sport like football for long enough will eventually cause some sort of traumatic brain injury, or potentially CTE. Some limitations to the research on CTE and head injuries were that the results could not be generalized around the globe, studies on CTE are done postmortem, and there are no findings on the immediate effects of CTE. The development of techniques for diagnosing CTE during life, as well as additional research into the validity, precision, and practicality of the recently released diagnostic criteria for CTE, are imperative to address these, and other significant concerns for head trauma.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Erin Mueller

Womack 100

11 – 11:30 AM

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Katie Johnson

Continuous Glucose Monitors

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are changing the way providers treat and manage diabetes. It is time to utilize the power of connection through technology for our health and well-being. The number of people with diabetes is increasing around the world. Assistive technology can play a vital role in addressing major complications associated with diabetes. Studies show that utilization of CGM devices can dramatically help patients make smarter decisions about food and activity in the moment to better control blood glucose levels. Better control means fewer health complications and a better quality of life for those struggling to manage this disease.

IDS 499, Senior Capstone

James Berry

Bucher Room

10 AM – Noon

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Sarah Lemke

To be a Christian: What it Means to Have an Identity in Christ

Identity is an important topic of conversation for everyone, including Christians. A Christian’s core identity should be in Christ, and I will be explaining what this identity is. I will explore the created self which is made in the image of God, the crooked self which is our sinful nature, the resurrected self which is the new self we have in Christ, and the transfigured self which is who we are becoming through our faith.

BTM 499, Senior Capstone

Agam Iheanyi-Igwe

P103

10:30 – 11 AM

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Victoria Messer

Ethical Implications of Social Media Screening in Applicant Evaluation

This paper raises questions with the growing use of social media alongside hiring processes with business: Should individuals have artistic freedom on their social media presence despite professional qualifications? Does online expression accurately mirror one’s real-life persona? What boundaries should exist in scrutinizing an applicant’s digital footprint in the hiring process? This paper contends that the pervasive use of social media in hiring introduces biases, limits freedom of expression, and inadequately evaluates qualifications. It explores the ethical dimensions intertwined with businesses’ reliance on social platforms to screen applicants. By navigating the delicate balance between technological advancements and equitable hiring, this study aims to underscore the importance of upholding fairness and respect for privacy in recruitment practices. The significance of this research lies in illuminating the intricate relationship between technological progress and equity in hiring processes. The paper underscores the illegitimacy and corruption inherent in discriminatory practices based on individuals’ social media content and the violation of their freedom of expression.

IDS 499, Senior Capstone

James Berry

P114

1:30 – 2 PM

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Kalani Miller

In God We Trust: Religious Trauma in the American Evangelical Church

I will begin by discussing what religious trauma is and what Conservative American Evangelical Christianity is. I will then look at causes of religious trauma in Conservative American Evangelical Christianity as seen through a literature review and personally conducted research. Then, it will be concluded with looking at how the Bible addresses the aforementioned causes, and discussing what this means for today.

BTM 499, Honors: Senior Thesis

Agam Iheanyi-Igwe

L203 (click here to view the live stream)

1:30 – 2:30 PM

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Sam Morehouse

The Effectiveness of a StoryBrand Framework

This paper will discuss the effectiveness of a marketing strategy called the StoryBrand Framework created by Donald Miller. This strategy focuses on the customer rather than the company. The goal of creating a StoryBrand is to communicate effectively with the customer. In order to do this, the company’s message and advertising must consistent and simple. Throughout this paper, I will be applying the aspects of the StoryBrand Framework to Mahlo Cider, a small business based in Springfield, Oregon. To understand Mahalo Cider’s customers, there must first be an understanding of the company’s internal and external factors that are affecting the company. An internal analysis describes the factors within the business. They include who is on staff, where they are located, the experience of the current staff and what the company is attempting to sell. The external analysis will employ the use of a PESTLE analysis which stands for Political, Economic, Socio/demographic, Technological, Legal and Environmental factors that surround the company.

Through the analysis of the company, Mahalo Cider can find their target market. In an interview with the owner, I learned that Mahalo Cider Company’s target market are adults aged 25 to 40 and Mahalo Cider sells more to women than men. With a knowledge of the target market, to understand the customer, Mahalo needs to create a customer persona. This is a made-up person who represents a large portion of the target market. I have created the personal of Ashley Burch for Mahalo Cider. If Mahalo Cider can understand what she wants, they will be able to appeal to their market.

One of the most important steps in the StoryBrand Frame work is for the company to guide the customer to success. Companies can guide customers through authority and empathy. Companies use authority to show that they are knowledgeable in the industry, and they can deliver a quality product. Empathy shows that the company understands the needs and desires of the customer. Mahalo Cider Company can show authority and empathy effectively through social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.

With the customer’s trust in Mahalo’s ability to be a guide in their journey to find a good cider, Mahalo needs to call the customer to action. Based off of Mahalo’s knowledge about themselves as a company, and knowledge of the customer, they can give an effective call that will generate sales.

The last two steps of Miller’s StoryBrand Framework are to discuss the customer’s potential to failure, and how they can end their journey in success. As the guide, Mahalo needs to show that not buying cider is a failure while buying Mahalo Cider is a success.

IDS 499, Senior Capstone

James Berry

P114

11:30 AM – Noon

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Brooke Silvernail

The Ins and Outs of Studying Abroad

Before I had gone to Granada, Spain, I had always dreamed of knowing what it would be like to travel to a different country and learn about its culture. Now that I have studied abroad, I know all of the ins and outs of how to study abroad: finding a program, preparing for departure, starting your experience, and enjoying your stay. Although it may seem like an arduous task, the hardest part to studying abroad is getting there. After listening to my story, you will learn about the study abroad process and get a glimpse of what it feels like to be an international student.

SPAN 499, Senior Capstone

Jenae Cazares

P103

11:30 AM – Noon

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Zoe Tomlin

An Understanding of Jonah.

This capstone paper is about the Biblical book of Jonah. It is taking all the elements found in Jonah and tying in psychological theories and ideas to see if Jonah was truly a loser or if there is another element of the story people have been missing. Jonah is a prophet called by God to go to the great city of Nineveh and preach to them about repenting or else they would be destroyed. The city of Nineveh is hated by most and does many sinful acts, so it would be understandable that Jonah would want to avoid that area. According to Jonah, he would rather die then help the helpless. But Jonah is God’s prophet and he is called to deliver God’s Word.

IDS 499, Senior Capstone

James Berry

P114

1 – 1:30 PM

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Cole Vamos

Social Anxiety, Depression, and Peer Pressure Amongst College Life

In this evidence-based synthesis paper, I reviewed findings and discoveries across 15 empirical studies ranging from 2001 to 2023 to summarize current knowledge and new information about social anxiety, peer pressure, and depressive disorders within college students. I included different demographics and geographics, ethnicity, age, and gender. The main methods of research conducted through these studies were questionnaires to access and categorize the different levels of anxiety or depression, depending on the study. These methods allowed discoveries with emerging adults entering college life, and those who already attend college, therefore showing where these symptoms form or have originally formed prior to college life. Overall, there was an increase in prevalence of cases of college students dealing with different forms of social anxiety, as well as depressive symptoms. Symptoms varied depending on cases, the majority related to negative habits like drinking or drug addiction which led to negative self-esteem, even deliberate self-harm. Furthermore, future studies will only extend further knowledge or develop more evidence based facts about depressive symptoms and social anxiety amongst college life.

PSY 499, Senior Capstone

Erin Mueller

Womack 100

11:30 AM – Noon

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Ian Woodcock

Synthetic Generation of Genomic Datasets using Synthetic Data Vault

Many wonder what the mysterious world of coding can allow you to do. The first things that come to mind are software UI (User Interface) or UX (User Experience), maybe game development, and many other things out there. But there is one field that may seem to be hidden from the world. All are found in some virtual underground dungeon. No, I am not taking you to the dark web. I am talking about data analysis and machine learning. Python is the best programming language that allows you to manipulate Excel datasets. From containing personal information of customers to numbers of statistics of a store and their items. We can use those kinds of datasets and use one to program it to run through an algorithm to give us simply a score. In this, we will be dealing with DNA genomic datatsets and we will put it through an algorithm that creates synthetic genomic data. The score will specifically focus on the broadness to unuiqueness of the type of genomic data in the original dataset and the new dataset.

SFTE 499, Senior Capstone

Ernest Bonat

Richardson 100

10 – 10:30 AM

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