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“On Deaf Stories” : Reflecting on the Oral Histories of Kalamazoo Deaf Individuals
No full textxi, 96 p.As a hearing individual, I do not speak on behalf of the Deaf community. However, I want to use this project as a way to elevate the struggles, joys, and histories of Deaf individuals in the Kalamazoo area using the resources available to me to spread awareness of their stories. I would like to make it clear at the start that my paper roots itself in the life experiences of the two d/Deaf individuals I have had the pleasure of interviewing, and then my analysis of what their stories enlighten for us. I do not want to make light of the fact that I am a hearing individual who has not lived the Deaf experience writing about the Deaf experience. It is for this reason that I chose to incorporate d/Deaf voices into the narrative of this essay whenever possible. I have found that, all too often, Deaf individuals and their needs (not to mention disabled individuals as a whole) are commonly ignored by the larger community. Even now, as Americans grow more and more accustomed to working with ADA laws, we must acknowledge the all too recent attention to the needs of disabled people. The Americans with Disabilities Act was only signed into law in July of 1990. Less than forty years ago, if the needs of Disabled Americans did not fit into the pre-established norms, then they would simply not be met. This resulted in many Disabled people suffering, both vocally and in silence, in order to live even half as well as that of able-bodied folks, and the Deaf community is no different. Able-bodied and hearing people must do better in realizing that we live in a world designed and built for able-bodied and hearing people to thrive, while the people that don’t meet those requirements work to catch up in a society that did not prepare for their arrival
Development of iOS Applications ‘LBW Live Scores’ and ‘Kova’ Using OpenAI’s ChatGPT
No full textv, 55 p.My venture into this realm commenced with a collaborative project alongside Usaid Bin Shafqat, a distinguished alumnus of Kalamazoo College and a close friend. Together, we developed ‘LBW Live Scores,’ an innovative iOS application that effectively utilizes the Live Activities feature of iOS 16. This project went beyond mere coding and app design, serving as an immersive experience into the world of SwiftUI, a powerful tool for constructing sophisticated user interfaces. As I navigated through the intricacies of SwiftUI, I gained invaluable insights and established a strong foundation in application development. Building upon the momentum and expertise acquired from this collaborative effort, I initiated my own independent project: ‘Kova.’ Focused on Object Detection, ‘Kova’ integrates Machine Learning models and OpenAI’s GPT 4 Vision API, which is currently undergoing development. This venture transcended the boundaries of a typical application, representing an exploration into the cutting-edge intersection of machine learning and AI within the iOS ecosystem. ‘Kova’ serves as proof to my growth as a developer, showcasing my ability to seamlessly blend technical proficiency with innovative problem-solving. The journey through the development of ‘LBW Live Scores’ and ‘Kova’ has been a cornerstone of my academic and professional growth. These projects have not only enhanced my technical skill set but also deepened my comprehension of the possibilities and challenges within the realm of modern app development. They exemplify the fusion of creativity and technical knowledge, underscoring the essence of innovation in the field of technology
Evaluating Rheumatoid Factor Binding post-COVID-19
No full textiv, 31p.Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that develops when the body recognizes self-antigens as foreign, thus generating an immune response in which rheumatoid factors (RFs) are suspected to play an important role. RFs are antibodies of any isotype such as IgM, IgA, and IgG that can develop reactivity to the Fc region of IgG, a process which is strongly associated with RA. The ‘mucosal origins’ hypothesis suggests that RA can originate at one or more mucosal sites interacting with viral respiratory infections, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and generate post-translational modifications (e.g., citrullination or homocitrullination) of peptides involved in the pathogenesis of RA. Amjadi et al. showed evidence that some post-COVID-19 patients make RFs 1-5 weeks post-resolution of COVID-19 symptoms (2023). This study attempts to answer two questions: what happens to RFs in post-COVID-19 patients over time and does RF reactivity shift between native peptides, citrullinated peptides, homocitrullinated peptides, or peptides that are both citrullinated and homocitrullinated over time? These questions were evaluated using ELISA assays and serum samples at various time points post-resolution of COVID-19 symptoms from 52 subjects unvaccinated at time of initial infection. We found that RF signals remained consistent over time. Results also indicated that RF reactivity was greatest with native and citrullinated peptides. Understanding RF reactivity in post-COVID-19 patients can broaden our understanding of RA pathogenesis as well as help us understand what the long-term consequences of COVID-19 are and how we can best help the large population of people post-COVID-19
Working to Close the Gap Between HIV Prevention Awareness and Social Determinates of Health
No full textiii, 15p.HIV is a very prevalent virus in the United States today. Since its official reporting in the 1980’s, more and more research has been done on the virus and how it attacks the immune system and how it is spread. The people that are affected by the virus the most are black/African Americans. This is mainly due to the disparity of social determinants of health in most urban cities in the United States. This literature review will go over the background of HIV, stigmas of the virus and how they affect HIV positive individuals what social determinants of health are, why they play into the role of HIV, treatments for HIV, and steps that cities around the country are taking to get HIV education and treatment more accessible to areas that are at a high risk
Notes from the Field: last stand for semaphore signals
No full text6 p. with photographs by the authorThis piece reports on the current condition of the remaining active semaphore signals on the original route of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in northeast New Mexico. It should be noted that this “short take” article is a follow up to a much more in-depth treatment that Koenig penned for the same publication (Railroad History) four years prior (Issue Number 221, Fall-Winter 2019). In addition to twelve hundred words, Koenig supplies six photographs of the subject, taken in the Land of Enchantment during the spring of 2023.This is a six-page article (plus front and back covers) published in Railroad History, published by the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society. Reproduced with permission of the Railway & Locomotive Society. Originally published in Railroad History, Issue Number 229, Fall-Winter 2023
An Analysis of the Monetary Components of the MIAA and NCAC Division III Athletics Conferences with a Focus on the Discrepancies Between the Women's and Men's Programs
No full textii, 39 p.The goal of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is to provide student athletes with top-notch academic and athletic experiences that have a significant positive impact on their long-term health. Division III in particular permits students to concentrate primarily on their academic work and degree whilst competing in athletics. Title IX guarantees equal opportunities for everyone to participate in athletics and has expanded the participation of women and girls in sports. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there are any disparities in the finances of the women's and men's athletic programs in the MIAA and NCAC, two different Division III conferences. Four interviews with individuals from the various institutions were conducted in addition to the gathering and analyzing of data from the Equity and Athletics Database (EADA) for the purpose of investigating this question. It was found following the initial round of analysis that there was no difference between the two conferences in any of the monetary categories. Furthermore, there were few disparities between the women's and men's programs in the majority of the categories with the exception of assistant coach salaries, total expenses, and total revenues. The interviews provided insight into the specifics of each particular athletic programs’ operations, with attention to how money is allocated and spent within the organizations
Single Center Experience of Surveillance Biopsies in Pediatric Kidney Transplants
No full text1 Broadside. 48"W x 36"HAcute rejection is a significant risk factor for allograft loss in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Previous evidence suggests surveillance biopsies identify subclinical rejection and allow for prompt intervention that increases allograft function and survival. There are no strong patient demographic patterns associated with increased risk of subclinical rejection. Surveillance biopsy time intervals have yet to be standardized to minimize risk and maximize clinical outcomes.Kalamazoo College. Department of Biology. Diebold Symposium, 202
Before its Forgotten : An Example of the Life of Art Through Technology
No full text8 p.I've truly enjoyed working on my SIP. I've learned a lot, especially about CSS, Bootstrap, and HTML. Moreover, I've gained valuable insight and confidence in troubleshooting issues independently. Specifically, I've learned to recognize when it's time to move on from a project or a detail if it hasn't worked after numerous attempts. Reflecting on it, I might have taken on too much with this project due to my excitement. Currently, I have a homepage, four content pages, and a background page. If I were to continue this project in the future, I would aim to integrate it with a database to allow users to log in, save their work, and submit their own pieces. Additionally, I plan to expand the content by adding more pages—I've already curated some pictures and drawings for potential red or purple content pages. The primary goal behind this project was to bridge my two passions and interests: technology and art. At the very least, I've accomplished that. I've also reinforced my desire to merge these aspects in my life and career, as that's when I feel most confident and enthusiastic. On the technological front, this project involved learning a new framework (Bootstrap), translating ideas into functional code and components, and navigating web hosting. The artistic side of the project is evident everywhere: from the visuals on the homepage to the poems and paragraphs on the content pages, and the scattered drawings and doodles throughout the site. Before It’s Forgotten was envisioned as a platform where my friends, family, and even strangers could explore various forms of artwork in a setting outside of social media
An Overview of Mowing, Grazing, and Prescribed Burns as Restoration Methods for Michigan’s Prairie Ecosystems
No full textiv, 13p.Conscious land management is more important than ever as we navigate conservation through altering environments. While the definition of a ‘managed landscape’ is dependent on multiple variables, the goals of prairie restoration in Michigan are understood as suppression of woody species, facilitation of imperiled or valuable native species, and control of invasive species which may hinder the livelihood of those which inhabit grassland areas. Land managers use a variety of tools to ensure these goals are met. Today, mechanical and chemical means are more prevalent in land management rather than non-mechanical practices such as animal grazing, burning, etc. While mechanical management may be faster and seemingly more efficient, it is missing a vital consideration of land history, soil health, and ecosystem harmony. This literature review aims to give an analysis of different restoration methods including mechanical mowing, prescribed burns, and sheep grazing for the restoration of prairies in Southwest Michigan. With an understanding of each restoration method along with location history and restoration needs, a more sustainable and restoration-centered approach to prairie management can be obtained. While future research is still needed concerning Michigan-specific grazing techniques and how a combination of methods could be useful, existing literature provides positive responses to sustainable methods which could change the way we manage land in the future
A reflection on shadowing a dermatology surgeon
No full text1 Broadside. 48"W x 36"HNo information provided.Kalamazoo College. Department of Biology. Diebold Symposium, 202