Honors Theses and Projects

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A collection of theses and projects submitted to the Centennial Honors College in various disciplines.

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Now showing 1 - 11 of 11

Analysis of Pollutants in Local Freshwater Sources Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
(Western Illinois University, 2025-05-02) Christensen, Breanna
Environmental pollutants require intensive monitoring to ensure that freshwater sources are not contaminated and drinking water is kept safe for human use. However, agricultural use of pesticides often results in off-target movement of the chemical into the aqueous environment by way of direct spraying, spray drift, surface runoff, leaching, or subsurface drainage. Ingestion of such chemicals can pose considerable health risks to both humans and aquatic organisms, especially in terms of fertility and cancer, while harming the local ecosystem. Thus, it is necessary to detect and quantify pesticides so that their harm to non-target species may be reduced. Research aimed to detect and quantify the levels of the pesticide dicamba® in freshwater sources surrounding Macomb, Illinois. Water samples were taken from monitoring wells and several ambient water sources. Analysis was performed using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. These instruments separate the components of the sample and facilitate quantification of the targeted analyte. The external calibration method could not quantify the level of dicamba® with reasonable precision; the standard addition method experienced an unacceptable amount of variability between samples. The results indicated that high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection is not a sensitive enough technique for suitable analysis of dicamba® in water.
LGBTQ+ Literature across the fiction genres: Exploration of Identity through Fantasy, Science, and Realistic Fiction
(Western Illinois University, 2025-05-01) White, Jamariah
Over the course of three semesters, I focused on the representation of LGBTQIA+ identities, focusing on relationships and sexuality in the realm of fiction. I wrote and revised nine short stories, three each in the genres of Fantasy, Science, and Realistic fiction. Science Fiction is the only genre whose stories relate to each other, the other six have nothing in common on the surface. I read novels from each genre and used two craft books on narrative and writing suspense to guide me as I wrote. After the completion of each story, I wrote a reflective essay that discussed what techniques I used and the writing and revision process for each story.
Media's Portrayal of an "Ideal" Body Image: Consequences for Young Women's Body Satisfaction and Self-Esteem
(Western Illinois University, 2007) Hemberger, Sarah
Media's portrayal of women, particularly body size and shape, has drastically changed over the past decades, which may be a contributing factor in lower body satisfaction and self-esteem in adolescent females. This study examines the relationship between mass media's portrayal of an ideal body image and the ratings of young adolescent and older adolescent females' body satisfaction and self-esteem. The motivation used for reading magazines was examined as well as a number of beauty and fashion magazines read. A total of 49 young adolescent females (ages 10-14) and 71 older adolescent females (ages 18-22) were given four questionnaires: demographics questionnaire, reading motivations questionnaire, Body Parts Satisfaction Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Results suggest that those who reported using self-evaluation as a reading motivation had lower scores on self-reports of body satisfaction and self-esteem. Young adolescent females do not use self-evaluation as a reading motivation more often than older adolescent females. However, older adolescent females reported using self-improvement more often. Young adolescent females reported higher satisfaction with body image and more self-esteem than older adolescent females. These results suggest that young adolescents do not have lower body satisfaction and self-esteem than older adolescents. However, using self-evaluation to read beauty and fashion magazines can negatively affect body satisfaction and self-esteem. This information can help adolescents learn how to use media for comparison in a way that does not affect body satisfaction or self-esteem. It can also influence the media to be concerned about the effects on the current ideal image of adolescents' body satisfaction.
Motoric and Cognitive Effects of Risperidone and Haloperidol in an Animal Model of Schizophrenia
(Western Illinois University, 2007) Cook, Audrey
Motor disturbances (also known as extrapyramidal side effects) and cognitive deficits are common side effects of antipsychotic drug therapies. Research has suggested that the prevalence rate of motor side effects is greater in typical antipsychotic drug therapies than in atypical antipsychotic drug therapies. The aims of the present study are to evaluate the ketamine-model of schizophrenia and determine whether the difference in the prevalence of motor side effects between typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs is due to the drug type itself or the typical dosage levels of these drugs. Forty, healthy, male Long-Evans hooded rats, Rattus norvegicus, served as the subjects for this study. The rats were approximately 120 days old. In order to observe motor disturbances and cognitive deficits, the rats were divided into four treatment groups: the control group, the ketamine group, the ketamine/haloperidol group, and the ketamine/risperidone group. The rats were put through an Alternative Task (t-maze), an Open-Field Activity Task, and a Swim Test. Significant differences in motor and cognitive abilities among the four treatment groups for each task were indicated by Kruskal-Wallis tests and differentiated by Mann-Whitney U post-hoc tests. Results indicate that the ketamine-model of schizophrenia is valid. A higher prevalence of motor side effects was indicated in the rats treated with the typical antipsychotic drug.
Pain Tolerance and Sensitivity in Redheads
(Western Illinois University, 2025-04-22) Betker, Alexis
Red hair makes up about 1-2% of the world’s population. Of this 1-2%, there are about 2-6% of redheads in the United States. Redheads carry the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene that controls the production of melanin, leading to red hair. This gene produces high amounts of the pigment pheomelanin which results in characteristics of freckles, fair skin, and darker eye color. Redheads possess more of the hormone MC4R which results in a higher pain sensitivity, meaning that they can sense pain at lower levels of exposure than a typical person. They also possess higher levels of the hormone, OPRM1, which leads to the opioid inhibitor imbalance and a higher pain threshold. The imbalance of these two hormones, OPRM1 being the predominant hormone, leads to the need for more anesthesia during medical procedures. Research has shown that the pain threshold in redheads, due to MC1R, exhibit a higher pain tolerance than non-redheads. While this study was performed on mice, the MC1R gene functions in similar fashion in humans. The effects that the MC1R gene has on the pain threshold in redheads may be useful to those in the medical field so that they may provide better pain control during treatment, procedures, and recovery. Future research should investigate the pain tolerance differences between redheads and non-redheads. The rating of pain on a 1-10 scale through the application of electrical stimulation by the application of surface EMG induced muscle discomfort. We will explore the pros, cons, risks, limitations, and efficiency of five different options to conclude why electrical stimulation is the best option and the steps to perform for future exploration. An example of a study is also included for future exploration.
PTSD-like Behaviors in Zebrafish Models: Cannabidiol’s Interaction with Fundamental Biological Components of PTSD
(Western Illinois University, 2025-05-07) Bloom, Nathaniel
This study aims to examine the behavioral effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on fear and anxiety related behaviors utilizing zebrafish (Danio rerio). Recent human studies have shown CBD to be an effective anxiolytic agent, alongside various other beneficial qualities. CBD has also displayed promising results when especially given to human subjects with PTSD. While the results of these human studies are optimistic, examining the biological underpinnings of CBD on fear and anxiety related behaviors utilizing a viable animal model remains poorly understood. Zebrafish serve as a viable model due to their robust behavioral phenotypes, established cannabinoid system, and high neural homogeneity to humans. The study utilizes larval zebrafish to undergo a Chronic Unpredictable Stress (CUS) schedule followed by CBD administration to examine CBD’s anxiolytic effects via light/dark preference testing. A total of 90 zebrafish will be assigned to six experiment conditions depending on stress exposure (no-stress, stress) and treatment type (CBD, vehicle-control, and control). Behavioral outcomes will be evaluated over a seven-day light/dark preference testing period, with evaluations focusing on time spent in the lighted chamber, movement frequency, and thigmotaxis behaviors. The light/dark test utilizes a tank containing a light and dark chamber with a digital camera monitoring the light chamber to capture behavioral outcomes. By examining CBD’s role in modulating biological fear responses, this research aims to guide the growth of future literature into exploring CBD as a potential treatment alternative for PTSD and anxiety-related disorders.
Quantification of Cannabichromene among Nineteen Cannabinoids in Key Lime Pie Hemp Flowers by Liquid Chromatography Ultraviolet Detection
(Western Illinois University, 2024-12-09) Mulholland, Jillian
The recent increase in popularity of Cannabis indica and sativa for its recreational and medicinal purposes produced the demand for analytical methods that are reliable and accurate for the identification and quantification of cannabinoids. A liquid chromatography ultraviolet detection (LC-UV) method was developed for the quantification of cannabichromene (CBC) in key lime pie hemp flowers among nineteen cannabinoids. The quantification was achieved using external standard calibration between 0.02 and 25 μg/mL. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was determined to be 0.04% CBC in hemp flowers. To recover CBC, the sample was combined with methanol to prepare a 25 mg/mL mixture. After ultrasonication, centrifugation and filtration, the extract was serially diluted to 50 μg/mL and analyzed by LC-UV. The CBC content in key lime pie hemp flowers was measured to be 0.59% with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.6% in triplicate. The method was not interfered with by other cannabinoids present in hemp flowers.
The Effect of Number of Sexual Partners on the Sacredness of Sex, Sexual Anxiety, Endorsement of Promiscuity, and Time to Sex
(Western Illinois University, 2007) Kandlik, Stephanie
This study looked at number of sexual partners participants had had, the extent to which they believed that sex is sacred, their sexual anxiety, their endorsement of sexual promiscuity, and the time to sex in their most recent relationship. Two studies were carried out. The hypothesis tested in Study One was that a negative relationship would be found between the number of sexual partners participants had had and the time between first meeting their most recent partner romantically and engaging in sex and that this relationship would be mediated by the belief that sex is not sacred, low sexual anxiety, and the endorsement of sexual promiscuity. College students filled out measures of the extent to which they believed that sex is sacred, their sexual anxiety, their endorsement of sexual promiscuity, and the time to sex in their most recent relationship. Number of sexual partners was not correlated with time to sex; thus the hypothesis was not supported and mediational analyses were not carried out However, number of sexual partners was correlated with the belief that sex was not sacred, low sexual anxiety, and endorsement of sexual promiscuity. Study Two was carried out to test the hypotheses that number of sexual partners was causally related to the belief that sex is not sacred, low sexual anxiety, and the endorsement of sexual promiscuity. To do this, participants filled out measures of number of sexual partners, the belief that sex is not sacred, low sexual anxiety, and the endorsement of sexual promiscuity at the beginning and end of a semester. Number of sexual partners at the beginning of the semester was correlated with the belief that sex was not sacred at the end of the semester and vice versa. Since the first correlation was not larger than the second, causation could not be inferred. Similar analyses were carried out for low sexual anxiety and endorsement of sexual promiscuity. Although number of sexual partners was found to be correlated with the belief that sex was not sacred and endorsement of sexual promiscuity, no evidence of causation was found. Thus the hypotheses of Study Two were not supported.
The Investigation of Anxiety Sensitivity and Its Relationship with Attachment Among A College Population
(Western Illinois University, 2007) Margentina, Samantha J.
The prevalence of anxiety has led to the investigation of anxiety sensitivity as a predictor of future psychopathologies. This notion has fueled an examination of a: relationship between attachment styles and anxiety sensitivity in a sample of 76 college students from the Western Illinois University population. The Experiences in Close Relationship-revised (ECR-R; Fraley, Waller & Brennan, 2000) was used to categorize participants into four attachment styles: secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dismissive. These categories were validated by the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment scale (IPP A; Armsden & Greenberg, 1989). Anxiety Sensitivity was evaluated by the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI, Peterson & Reiss, 1992) and was validated by the State Trait Anxiety Inventory-State and Trait scales (ST AI-T; Spielberger, et al., 1983). Lastly, the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (POSS; Shear, et al, 1997) was implemented to explore participants that may have a vulnerability to acquiring Panic Disorder in the future. Results in this study supported the hypothesis that individuals that are fearful or preoccupied in attachment had higher levels of anxiety sensitivity than individuals in secure and dismissive attachment. Lastly, the Panic Disorder Severity Scale highlighted those individuals with high anxiety sensitivity as individuals that may be at risk for psychopathologies.
The Self-Conversion Phenomenon as A Treatment for Behavior Change
(Western Illinois University, 2007) Mazias, Melissa G.
The self-conversion phenomenon states that when one tries to convince another, one convinces themselves. This phenomenon can be utilized to make treatment methods more effective. This method can be used as an aid in alcohol, drug, and criminal treatments for improving outcomes and everyday lifestyle changes including weight loss. Utilizing this method could make current treatment programs less costly, more available, and more effective. Participants were introductory psychology students attending a mid-sized, Midwestern university. Participants filled out a demographic questionnaire and an attitude assessment before the experiment. Participants were asked to give speeches to convince a student in which they believed was at risk for alcohol related problems. They were then asked to take another version of the attitudes assessment. The difference in scores between the two assessments was the measure of self-conversion. The control group gave the same speech to a video camera. The hypothesis was that the experimental group would have a larger measure of self-conversion. The study showed that the hypothesis was correct for four of the assessment items.
Understanding Media's Role in Autism Perception: A Critical Review
(Western Illinois University, 2025-04-30) Gulley, Diamand
In the complex landscape of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), families often face their first challenge immediately after diagnosis: navigating an overwhelming sea of information about resources and treatments. While research has established that autism has no definitive cure and its origins likely stem from an intricate interplay of genetic and environmental factors, a crucial yet often overlooked influence shapes how society understands and responds to autism: media representation. For the purposes of this study, media is defined to includes Social Online forums, print media like journals and newspapers, traditional media, including film and television. This study examines the critical intersection between media portrayal and autism awareness, questioning how media narratives influence public understanding, potentially perpetuate harmful stigmas, and impact treatment approaches. By investigating the media's role in shaping autism discourse, this research seeks to understand not only what messages are being conveyed to the public but also their tangible effects on the autism community. Furthermore, this analysis aims to identify practical solutions for promoting more accurate, and responsible media coverage of autism spectrum disorder, working toward a more informed public with unlimited access to support services.

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