STRATA

STRATA, the STudent Research, Academic, and Talent Archive, is a collection of selected Fort Lewis College student work, including undergraduate research, senior seminar papers, published works, conference presentations, and other creative and artistic projects. Search by name, subject, title, or academic department.


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Validation of Perfectphorm: A Motion Analysis Study
PerfectPhorm is a recently released motion tracking system that needs to be validated before its implementation in any field of study, specifically medicine and sports. The purpose of this study was to see if PerfectPhorm is a valid tool for measuring joint angles when compared to a current gold standard, the Vicon System. Both the PerfectPhorm and Vicon System measured lower-extremity joint angles in 21 subjects during the performance of a squat, lunge, and vertical jump. The collected data was then analyzed via paired t-tests to compare the maximum and minimum joint angles of the ankle, knee and hip from the three movements. The research showed that PerfectPhrorm was not completely accurate valid tool for motion tracking. Although our study showed that PerfectPhorm is not a valid tool for lower body motion tracking, more research is needed to analyze its validity in tracking the upper body as well as more complex movements.
Vertical Ground Reaction Forces Produced in Shod Running vs. Barefoot Running During a Moderate-Intensity Jog
The focus of this study was to compare ground reaction forces produced in shod running vs. barefoot running during a moderate-intensity jog. Ground reaction force data was collected indoors on a 16-foot firm, flat surface using a force platform. Prior to data collection, each subject was asked to select a comfortable running pace. The subject-selected running pace was to remain consistent and was used for all trials. Each subject completed five trials barefoot and five trials in their personal running shoes at the subject-selected speed in a random order. No significant difference was found between the vertical ground reaction forces produced by shod (M=321.05, SD=58.11) and barefoot running (M=317.79, SD=57.98), t(df)=15, p=0.21. However, the calculated mean forces produced by shod running were greater than barefoot running. Results indicate that the differing ground reaction forces produced by shod and barefoot running most likely occurred on an individual basis and therefore cannot be generalized to a larger population.
Vodicka - Consent Form
Consent form for "Ethnography of Memeing: The Efficacy of Using Internet Memes to Communicate Political Messages" by Amanda Vodicka
Water Flow Restrictor for Use in EWB Water Systems
This project addresses the need for new solutions to correct problems in existing EWB water systems, specifically the need to control flow rates and water pressures at selected points within a water supply system. The proposed solution is to design and implement a variable flow pressure restrictor (VFPR) that can be installed into the existing water systems. Traditional pressure regulators are cost prohibitive for this application, so the main point of the research is to find a simpler, less expensive alternative that still maintains functionality and reliability. The study covers the selection of suitable hardware for the purpose, design of the new VFPR, method of testing, and results of testing the selected type of restrictor. Through testing it was determined that the simple orifice restriction hardware, with interchangeable orifice sizes, would be suitable for the application. A table of orifice sizes with pressure and flow characteristics related to each was created as a guide for student engineers to use while installing this hardware in the field.
Water for the World, Testing the Effectiveness of Homemade Water Filters at Removing Disease Causing Bacteria
Bacterially contaminated water is a common source of infection in developing countries for various diarrheal diseases which infect millions annually. Therefore water filtration that is both cheap and effective has recently gained attention for its importance in preventing these diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine how effective homemade ceramic filters and sari cloth might be at removing bacteria. The study uses E. coli specifically because of the current lack of research on how effective these cheap filters might be at removing it. Ceramic filters were made using equal part terracotta and coffee grounds, and firing until the coffee burned away; a silk sari cloth was used. Nutrient broth was inoculated with non-pathogenic E. coli to a McFarland standard of 5. The filters were then sterilized and 10 ml of broth was run through each of the filters, another 10 ml was given no filtration. The filtered broth was then pipetted onto 15 nutrient plates for each treatment. The nutrient plates were then incubated and the colony numbers recorded. The ceramic filters resulted in significantly less growth than both the control and the sari cloth, p < .01. The sari cloth resulted in significantly less growth than the control, p< .03. The ceramic filter resulted in approximately 58% less colony growth than the control, and the sari cloth filter resulted in 6.6% less colony growth.
We Would Not Be Broken
Short story by Jessica Lewis, published in the Fall 2012-Winter 2013 issue of Images.
Web Design and the Creative Process
Understanding our processes as we set out to do our work or to accomplish goals can teach us a lot about ourselves and help us improve our craft. Whether our field is creative in nature or not, we all engage in processes that we can learn from. Oftentimes the outcomes become the sole focus of our endeavors and we forget that sometimes the journey can be as important as—or even more important than—the destination. Designers often deal with being labeled as "creatives" or "artists," while design tends to be a process that focuses more on problem solving than on sole artistic expression. Web design is a field in which problem-solving especially comes into play. To address a given problem, a web designer must work within a given set of constraints (both creative and technical) in order come up with an appropriate solution. In this presentation I will be addressing the creative process through the lens of web design and my experience working on an independent research project where I researched, planned, designed, and developed my portfolio website. My project encompassed researching current web design and web development best practices, current trends in web design, and best practices in content strategy for the web. After gathering information and acquiring new knowledge, I proceeded to plan how to apply it to my project. The planning and research stage included determining which goals the website should meet and how the content and wireframe should be structured. I then proceeded to designing the user experience and user interface of the website, which culminated into the ongoing development of the design.
Welai
Photograph by Rise Fujita from Fall 2013 - Winter 2014 issue of Images
What Constitutes Native American Identity?
The history of a people interacting with the environment? The policies that have centered on defining and reducing the plethora of cultures? The languages that are spoken? Or the degree of blood that can be measured through Blood Quantum requirements? I came to these questions because of my personal status as an enrolled member of the Muskogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma. Although I have never been to the reservation lands associated with my tribe, I don't know oral stories that define my culture, and I have never heard my native language, I nevertheless do receive the Native American Tuition Waiver from Fort Lewis College. The consequential identity crisis premeditated by institutions that tell me who I am without asking me have led to this research project. According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs I am 3/32 Creek Indian proven through the display of my great grandmother's name on a single page of the 1906 Dawes rolls. From this document I have been able to interrogate my personal identity that was originally mandated from federal, state and college institutional perspectives. I argue that institutionalized identity marginalizes the importance of geography, story, and traditional practices among Native American groups. Through genealogical study, geographical map compilation, historical analysis through research, a DNA fingerprint test, and a survey of Native American students attending Fort Lewis College, I have started to construct the lost history of my Native American identity.
What Others See: Bipolar Disorder in the Eyes of Society
Bipolar Disorder (BPD) is a mental illness that over the years has become more frequently diagnosed yet continues to be misperceived by the general population. Past research shows that it is the stigmatization of mental illness that creates this misunderstanding of mental health, specifically certain disorders such as BPD. In this study, the perception of Bipolar Disorder (BPD) was assessed from 137 undergraduate level students. Participants were asked to rate a combination of social distancing, DSM-IV TR criteria of BPD and etiology of the disorder questions formatted in a questionnaire assessment. A one way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine a difference between subject's responses to the causation of BPD. There was a significant difference found between biological, psychological and environmental factors causing BPD (Figure 1) F (2, 133) = 33.88, P<.001. The results show participants are more likely to rate BPD as being caused by a psychological factor than both a biological factor P= .002, and an environmental factor P=.001. The difference between biological factors and environmental factors was also significantly different with P= .001. DSM-IV TR criteria for BPD, Schizophrenia, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), along with made up symptoms were analyzed with a one way repeated measures ANOVA to establish differences between criteria. Mean scores of each measure indicate significant findings F (3, 110) = 23.99, P< .001. Participants rated OCD symptoms (5.81) and made up symptoms (6.194) higher than actual BPD symptoms (5.61). Findings show that there is still a lack of knowledge regarding BPD especially in basic areas of causation and classification of symptoms. Results suggest there is a possible misconception of the causation of BPD in identifying the disorder as being more psychological, although there are no known causes for the disorder. Past research supports the idea that there is a strong genetic connection with BPD making it a more biological factor. In addition, results imply a misunderstanding of the actual criteria associated with BPD. This can also promote the need for continuous education regarding the subject matter of mental health.
When Iemania Blesses Us
Poem by Isabel Viana in Fall 2008 - Winter 2009 issue of Images.
Whet Your Apatite: A Dietary Reconstruction Using Stable Carbon Isotopes From Human Tooth Enamel at Tel Dothan
keywords: Stable carbon isotope, Tel Dothan, Human tooth enamel, National Science Foundation-Research Experiences for Undergraduates abstract:Stable isotope analysis represents an effective means of reconstructing diet in ancient populations. In this study, stable carbon isotope values were used to assess diet among individuals from Tell Dothan's Western Cemetery, located in the modern-day West Bank. Carbonate was isolated from human maxillary left first molars (n=34) and faunal (n=6) teeth, and analyzed using an isometric ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). We hypothesized that there would be significantly different 13C enrichment between teeth from the Late Bronze (1400-1300 BC; Level 1; n=17) and Early Iron (1200-1100 BC; Level 4; n=17) Ages, possibly reflecting significant cultural changes - including increased trade, migration, and political unrest - that occurred in the region during this time. We also hypothesized that samples would exhibit depleted d13Cap values due to a diet high in C3 grains, widely thought to be the standard diet of the period. Results showed homogeneity and continuity between the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages at Tell Dothan, with no statistically significant difference in d13Cap values (Mann-Whitney U, p=0.9) or variance (Levene's test, p=0.6) between Level 1 (-11.9 ± 0.4‰) and Level 4 (-11.9 ± 0.6‰). These data suggest that the inhabitants of Tell Dothan consumed mostly C3 grains, with few C4 or marine resources, and maintained a similar diet over time despite considerable cultural changes. Faunal samples had a less negative mean d13Cap ratio (-9.2 ± 1.9‰), indicating that domesticated animals at the site consumed more C4 resources than their human counterparts. This research was supported by the National Science Foundation-Research Experiences for Undergraduates (SES #1005158) Bioarchaeology Program at the University of Notre Dame. Mentor: Dr. Dawn Mulhern

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