Digital Commons Network^™

Monitoring The Leaching Of Bisphenol-A From Feminine Hygiene Products Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Madison Easley

Honors Theses

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a compound commonly used as a stabilizer in plastic products, including food storage containers and thermal paper receipts. Because BPA can bind to and activate estrogen receptors, it is linked to reduced fertility, altered development, and hormone-related cancers. A recent study at NYU Medical School confirmed the presence of BPA in pantyliners, pads, tampons, feminine washes and deodorants. This is concerning due to the high absorption capacity of the vulvar skin.

For the research performed in our lab this summer, the goal was to determine if fluorescence spectrophotometry could be used to determine the presence of BPA …

Reasons For Stigma Surrounding Emotional Support Animals And How It Can Be Addressed, Natalie Helms

Honors Theses

Multiple factors that influence how emotional support animals (ESAs) are perceived will be investigated in this study, including how the stigma surrounding mental illness has the potential to affect how a person views using ESAs as a treatment for anxiety.

The Changing Role Of Women In Journalism, Caroline Derby

Honors Theses

Throughout the course of time, the role of women in journalism has changed tremendously. Women in journalism were considered inferior to men and had to fight their way up the ladder to be given the same roles and responsibilities as a man. However, when given breaking stories or interviews with heads of states, women still weren't paid as greatly as a man was, despite the level of work they were doing. We see the remnants of this in today's society. However, thanks to groundbreaking women in journalism, women are now able to be in positions, the same positions within a …

The Effects Of Differing Light Wavelengths And Gravity On, Reese Chesshir

Honors Theses

Physarum is a slime mold in the class of Mycetozoan and the family of Physaraceae. It is a single cellular, multinuclear organism that is not classified as an animal, plant, or fungi. Physarum growth for long-term space travel would be beneficial because it is a decomposer and is able to break down material and waste to recycle. This is important for transferring energy and allowing other organisms to grow. The purpose of this experiment is to study the effect of different light wavelengths and the influence of gravity on Physarum growth patterns.

Education Opportunities For The Aspiring Aquatic Professional: A Qualitative Analysis Of Experience-Based Building Blocks For Success, Hannah Hickman

Honors Theses

While recent growth in the aquatics industry requires professionals to be more skilled and knowledgeable than ever before, educational opportunities for students pursuing this career are limited. There is not an all-encompassing course or degree program titled, "How to be an Aquatic Professional." This study utilizes interviews from 10 aquatic professionals regarding their experiences and opinions on this topic to explore the need for promoting aquatics education to students and to help outline a series of building blocks that students could potentially take to pursue a career as an aquatic professional. It attempts to answer the question: How do educational …

Female Electoral Success In State Legislative Races: A Case Study Review Of Gender Influence On Incumbency, Fundraising, Recruitment, And Policy, Izzy Baughn

Honors Theses

Since the beginning of recorded history, female representation in elective office has been drastically lower than that of the U.S. population. Over the years, there have been many records set for women in office, including the 28% of the 118th Congress represented by women. Considering both chambers of Congress, the House and the Senate, women account for 153 of the 540 seats of the body. This number marks a record high, demonstrating commitment and strength in numbers by women in politics. While 28% female is still a small number in comparison to the amount of women accounted for in the …

Retinoids And Their Clinical Benefits To Treating Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Baker Kendrick

Honors Theses

Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) is a deadly form on non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects the skin. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma means that the lymphoma does not have the presence of Reed-Sternberg lymphocytes. A lymphoma, also known as lymphatic cancer, affects the lymphoid tissues, which plays a major role in the immune system. Lymphoid organs include the lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. Lymphatic fluid, also known as lymph, travels through the bloodstream to transport lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, to and from lymphatic organs. Due to a high concentration of lymphocytes in the skin, lymphoma primarily affects cutaneous areas. …

From The Village To Entrepreneurial Mentality: A Transformative Path For Africa's Economic Development, Morris Tsuma

Honors Theses

Because the economic development in Africa is at an inflection point, the continent needs to use the transformative process of going from the village mentality to the entrepreneurial mentality. They need to go from the dependency village mentality to the free market entrepreneurial mentality to affect Africa’s economic future.

Many factors affect the path from the village mentality to the entrepreneurial mentality. Some of these factors and examples that I explore in this paper are international companies investing in local intelligence and people finding role models/goals to aspire to. Another factor is individuals going through difficulty and needing change. However, …

What We Do For Each Other: Assessing Disparity In K-12 Education Across The State Of Arkansas, Noah K. Sanders

Honors Theses

This thesis observes data and attempts to draw conclusions about disparities plaguing K-12 Arkansas schools inside and outside the classroom.

The Beliefs Of The Oldest Fraternity, Bella Blankenship

Honors Theses

The Freemasons have a belief system that follows believing in a God of some sort and that there is a sacred text to be used and that they rules and rituals that they must abide by. They use a variety of symbols to explain what they believe and have essential beliefs that all freemasons must follow. The Freemason belief system is full of inconsistent ideas about God, how to relate with others, and symbols that show how to live moral lives.

The Effects Of Light Intensity And Cell Structure On The Cultivation Of Arthrospira Platensis, Taylor Barnhart

Honors Theses

As scientists explore further into space, more cost-effective resources are needed for long-term space travel. An interesting solution is Arthrospira platensis, a filamentous cyanobacteria high in proteins and nutrients, and known for its helical structure. In unfavorable conditions, coiled spirulina cells become straight. Spirulina converts carbon dioxide gas into pure oxygen and the different cell structures stimulate different responses in oxygen production and cultivation. In these experiments, 2.3 L containers of pure coiled spirulina and mixed (coiled and straight) spirulina were placed into 3 incubators with different light intensities: 51μmol/m2/s, 25μmol/m2/s, 12μmol/m2/s. Each experiment length was 72 hours and the …

Putting The Fun In Foreign Language: Defining And Justifying Leisure Language Learning And The Implications For Foreign Language Educators And Students, Graca Webster

Honors Theses

In a world where learning a foreign language has never been more accessible than it is right now, many people believe that the endeavor is beyond their capabilities and an unworthy use of their time. In Western civilizations, there has been a serious decrease in true hobby/leisure activities over the last 15 years. With technological innovations like social media that provide endless hours of scrolling, media streaming services such as Netflix, and even regular cable TV, we have access to endless entertainment that decreases the desire to have a hobby. In March 2020, worldwide lockdowns due to Covid-19 kept most …

Keeping The Heart: Contemporizing The Parables Of Jesus, Hannah Tullos

Honors Theses

One of the main teaching techniques of Jesus was his usage of stories, also known as parables. Although the power of his words never fades, the impact of the details of his stories inevitably gets lost when the stories are read in a different cultural context. This thesis provides a method that brings Jesus’s parables into a modern context. In being able to completely transform parables into a modern context, the message of the parables can reach wider audiences on a more personal level. The goal is to revive the heart of storytelling within the parables of Jesus and communicate …

Increasing Exclusive Breastfeeding: Baby-Friendly Initiatives, Courtney Ragsdell

Honors Theses

This research investigates the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and Baby-Friendly Community Initiative on increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates; it also suggests a plan for implementing the Baby-Friendly Community Initiative protocols within a small community.

Money Makes The Diamond: A Creation Of A Predictive Model To Forecast On-Field Performance Through Usage Of Past Financial Data, Jacob Bowman

Honors Theses

This paper examines the feasibility of using statistics to predict win values for major league baseball. Definite correlations were discovered between a Major League organization’s finances and on-field performance. Stated correlations are used to generate a predictive model that will predict on-field outcomes. Using regression analysis, such a model is construed, and successfully predicted win ratios for Major League Baseball organizations using only available past financial data.

The K-Wave And Its Impact On The South Korean Economy, Jessica Johnson

Honors Theses

During the last few years, Korean entertainment has captivated audiences globally. Parasite was the first foreign film to win Best Picture at the Oscars, BTS was nominated for a Grammy Award, and Squid Game was one of the most popular TV shows of 2021. A discussion of the merits of these works I will leave to the artists and critics. My question is, what does this wave of popularity mean to the South Korean economy?

How To Become A Butterfly, Jillian Parsons

Honors Theses

Few could naturally imagine how a lowly caterpillar can become a majestic butterfly. And yet, God uses the very parts that make up the humble insect to form and grow it into unequaled beauty. He works with what is available; the components are already present. My goal with this paper is to inspire you to think about what goes on inside that chrysalis from a perspective of God’s original purpose for humanity and how Jesus has renewed that original purpose. As you linger in these pages, try to imagine how God workshopped the butterfly and decided the transformation should come …

Paul And Seneca On The Immanence Of God, Mason Campbell

Honors Theses

This Thesis is a comparative study of the apostle Paul and the Stoic philosopher Seneca on the immanence of God. The study compares Paul and Seneca’s views on the divine, the self, and the immanence of the divine. The study compares epistle 41 of Seneca’s letters to Lucilius and Romans 8:9-11.

History, Methods, And Psychology Of Illustrations In Children's Literature, Kelsi Coleman

Honors Theses

This honors thesis includes two parts. The first is a paper written on the history of illustration in children's literature, the ways in which illustrations are created, and the psychological reasoning and effect of illustration in children's literature. The second part is a book created for children to inspire an interest in illustration and give basic information about different kinds of illustration.

Aunt Patti's Good Cooking: An Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook And Guide, Emma Starkman

Honors Theses

The concept for this project is a cookbook full of anti-inflammatory recipes and information about the diet. These include some of my favorite recipes that I have somehow modified to align more with the diet. There are also sections that give readers information about the diet including what the types of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory foods are, tips for eating out, how to stock the pantry, and more.

Alif: Building A Bridge: Arabic Calligraphy And Arabic Typography In Design, Saba Esho

Honors Theses

The project is centered around the exploration of Arabic typography and its multi-faceted uses. Arabic calligraphy is an old practice and tradition that has been studied and refined since it was founded. Comparatively, Arabic typography is a much more recent creative study that is still developing, thus there has not been much literature that covers it. Therefore, the main goal of the project is to highlight and integrate Arabic typography with Arabic calligraphy. By doing so, the project builds a bridge within Arabic graphic design, connecting the rich Arabic calligraphy to its newer counterpart, Arabic typography.

In our day and …

I Don't Have A Clue: A First-Time Director's Guide By A First-Time Director, Isabella Owen

Honors Theses

This thesis is a resource for a first-time director of theatre written by a first-time director. The survival guide format outlines the basics of what you need to know before you start directing.

Zebrafish Feeding And Breeding: Adapting Best Practices For Zebrafish Husbandry, Abbigale Sullins

Honors Theses

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a tropical, freshwater fish that serve as a key research model for human health and disease. The anatomical and genetic similarities shared by humans and zebrafish make establishing a zebrafish laboratory advantageous for undergraduate research and coursework. Zebrafish feeding protocols utilize two primary food types: dry (flake or pelleted) food and live prey such as artemia (brine shrimp) or rotifers. Adopting a feeding protocol that incorporates both dry and live feed optimizes considerations of nutrition and cost for maintaining healthy fish. Best practices for feeding were adapted from authoritative sources in the current literature and published …

Fostering Language Development And Literacy In Children From Birth To Two Years Old, Vanessa Vives

Honors Theses

This thesis explores what language is and how its development can impact literacy. It includes a brochure with practical tips for parents and guardians to foster language and literacy development in children from birth to two years old.

The Stigmatization Of Eating Disorders Based On Cultures: The South Vs The World, Maria Urbina Turcios

Honors Theses

Introduction: Eating Disorders (ED) are a current pandemic affecting boys, girls, men, and women of all ages, races, sizes, and backgrounds. Just in the United States alone, nine percent of the population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.¹ This statistic only takes into account the people who sought help, but there are still millions that go untreated or undiagnosed throughout their lifetime. According to the American Psychiatric Association, ED is defined as behavioral conditions characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions.³ Some of the …

Are We Good Or Bad Or Somewhere In Between?: An Original Novel, Faith Lymburner

Honors Theses

This thesis is an original fantasy/crime/mystery novel that takes a look at the concept that no one is just good or bad; instead, everyone is somewhere in between. The process/challenges of writing my first novel and leading into writing a mystery/crime novel (this is the first draft).

When Mental Health Becomes Physical, Piper Fain

Honors Theses

Glaucoma, the presence of elevated intraocular pressure, has been shown to directly correlate to elevated blood pressure levels. Likewise, numerous studies have been conducted on the relationship between elevated blood pressure and anxiety in individuals suffering from both. One might wonder, then, if there is any correlation between glaucoma and anxiety? My thesis expands upon this question utilizing a survey distributed to patients at local optometry clinics.

Mountains In The Deep, Andy Strauss

Honors Theses

When Evan, prince of the Fourth Quadrant, sees a vision of a ghost-like crown hovering over his father's head, he is sent on a dangerous mission to face the mystical shadow beast ravaging his kingdom--the same beast that has marked him as its prey and that will stop at nothing to hunt him down.

An Investigation Into The New Testament Understanding Of "Israel", Ashton Hurst

Honors Theses

God chose his people in the Old Testament (OT) beginning with a man named Abraham. In Genesis chapter 12, God makes a promise to Abraham, "I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you." 1 From Abraham, Israel developed into a great nation that followed God intently sometimes but ultimately found themselves in a never-ending circle of betraying, …

How Properly Contextualized Christianity Could Benefit Japan, Benjamin Highsmith

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to ask the question “how could Christianity, if properly contextualized, benefit Japan?” It does so through the use of academic sources, interviews, and personal observations. Topics covered include Japanese culture, its perception of Christianity, and the lifestyles of Japanese Christians. This thesis uses cultural concepts to explain how Christianity and Japanese culture might find themselves at odds, but also explains how Christianity could work in unison with Japanese culture in order to benefit Japanese society as a whole, defending its argument using Biblical concepts intertwined with Japanese values.