Digital Commons Network^™

Lifestyle And Activity Patterns Of The Classic Period Maya From Chac Balam And San Juan, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Abigail L. Hornbeck

Honors Theses

Bioarchaeological research often uses skeletal remains to reconstruct patterns of activity and labor in past populations. This study examines potential sex-based differences in long bone morphology among individuals from the Classic Maya sites of Chac Balam and San Juan on Ambergris Caye, Belize. These coastal communities participated in maritime trade networks, and daily activities such as cargo transport, canoe travel, and fishing may have placed distinctive mechanical stresses on the skeleton. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether measurable differences in bone structure between males and females reflect differences in habitual activity patterns.

Two complementary methods were used …

Esports Cosmopolitan Canopy, Reice Hicks

Honors Theses

This thesis concerns the area of sociology. Specifically, it is a sociological study of a community on Ole Miss’s campus and how they form what is known within the sociology field as a “cosmopolitan canopy,” a term coined by Elijah Anderson. Using this term, I proceed to prove not only how the Ole Miss Esports club falls under this jurisdiction, but the effects of esports on the youth as a whole, both positive and negative. All of my data was extracted via literature review, online research, note-taking, visual observation, and one-on-one interviews with people involved with the club. The entire …

Phytomining Potential Of Native Rocky Mountain Plants, Halle Cogley

Honors Theses

Standard mining practices of the past have left valuable, critical minerals remaining within mine waste and tailings piles. Phytoremediation, or the use of plants to uptake and store heavy metals, has grown in popularity for these sites. A new technology, phytomining, is being developed that not only offers the benefits of phytoremediation but also allows a new pathway to extract and generate revenue from these untouched critical minerals. Certain plants have been identified as hyperaccumulators with the ability to bioaccumulate a high level of certain minerals in their plant tissue. This study explored different species of native plants within the …

Quantifying Genetic Diversity In Nematode Feeding Rate, Jacob King

Honors Theses

Understanding how populations persist under changing environmental conditions is a central question in ecology and evolutionary biology. Variation in traits related to resource acquisition may play a key role in determining population survival when resources are limited or fluctuate over time. In this study, I investigated how variation in feeding-related traits influences population persistence using a combination of computational modeling and laboratory experiments. I developed a stochastic, individual-based consumer–resource model to simulate population dynamics across varying levels of trait variance and resource regimes. Across 60,000 simulated populations, increased trait variation consistently reduced extinction risk and extended persistence time, although the …

Phytoextraction Potential Of Willows (Salix Spp.) For Common Heavy Metal Contaminants., Johannes Chandler

Honors Theses

Phytoextraction is a method for removal and recovery of heavy metals from contaminated substrates using plants. There is a growing need to test, identify, and further understand species effective for phytoextraction to feasibly remove and recover heavy metals. In this study, the phytoextraction capacity of Willow (Salix) species was tested for metal contaminated soils and waters from legacy mining in Butte, Montana. The willows were grown in a hydroponic system in two 8-week long growth trials, employing a 2x2 factorial design of contaminated soil, clay beads, contaminated mine water and uncontaminated water as the media. Heavy metal concentrations (Mn, Zn, …

Integrating Movement In Elementary Classrooms: Teacher Perceptions And Student Benefits In A Kindergarten Setting, Ferriday R. Green

Honors Theses

Movement integration has been shown to positively influence elementary students’ cognitive performance, engagement, and on-task behavior; however, its use in classrooms remains inconsistent due to various teacher-perceived barriers. This qualitative study investigates the challenges teachers face when implementing movement integration in elementary classrooms and examines whether access to structured, movement-integrated lesson plans influences instructional practices. The study was conducted with one kindergarten teacher at Lafayette Elementary School. Data were collected through two semi-structured interviews—one conducted prior to implementation and one following a two-week intervention period during which the teacher implemented pre-developed, movement-integrated lesson plans aligned with required academic standards. Interview …

Preserving Fashion History: Conservation And Storage Solutions For Eastern Kentucky University’S Applied Human Sciences Department’S Historic Costume Collection, Kylie Farler

Honors Theses

Dress archives are critical repositories of material culture that preserve garments, textiles, and related objects as primary sources of historical evidence. Unlike written records, which often showcase elite perspectives, clothing provides insight into the everyday lives, identities, and experiences of individuals across social classes. This project examines the significance of dress archives and documents the process of organizing and preserving the Eastern Kentucky University Applied Human Sciences Department’s dress collection. Through an assessment of existing materials, storage conditions, and preservation needs, this study identifies both the challenges and opportunities present in managing a mixed media, partially undocumented collection. Guided by …

From Crops To Kilowatts: The Growing Energy Potential Of Modern Agriculture, Karlee M. Crowe

Honors Theses

Agriculture has traditionally been defined as merely the production of food, fiber, and raw materials. Growing global challenges such as rising energy demand, resource depletion, and environmental degradation are reshaping the agricultural industry. This paper argues that modern agriculture has the potential to expand beyond its conventional roles by integrating renewable energy production—specifically through agrivoltaics and biomass generation—into existing agricultural practices. By focusing on these two main systems, this study highlights how the agriculture industry can implement energy production into already existing practices. Drawing on scientific literature and government sources, this study analyzes the environmental, economic, and social implications of …

Eastern Kentucky Drowning: Floods And Relief Efforts, Lynsey Joseph

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the impacts of repeated flash floods in Eastern Kentucky, focusing on the flood events of 2022 and 2025, to understand how environmental conditions, disaster policy, and socioeconomic factors have shaped the community vulnerability and recovery in the region. This research is relevant due to the increased frequency of extreme weather events that have had disproportionate effects on rural and low-income regions. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the effectiveness of federal disaster response programs like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and to analyze these systems compared to community-based recovery efforts. This was done using a …

Pfas Drinking Water Contamination In Madison County, Ky Association With Reproductive Health Outcomes., Jessica L. Stone

Honors Theses

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent, manmade chemicals used since the 1950s in a wide variety of consumer products. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as PFAS, have been linked to an increase in hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and prostate, decreased fertility, decreased sperm count, genital malformations, and early puberty. This study utilized a mixed methods approach, including a literature review, a survey consisting of surface water and drinking water analysis, and a spatial analysis of public cancer data. Analyzed cancer data stratified by Kentucky River lower subbasin versus the remainder of the sectors, resulted in three significant p-values, …

Handmade Vs Ai, A 2d Animator’S Perspective, Leilani Scarambone

Honors Theses

My honors thesis covers various aspects of animation and techniques used by animators to lessen time spent on a project, a brief summary of how AI functions and processes inputs, and finally a simple cross comparison of hand made animation and AI generated products of varying type. Animation with a fast-approaching deadline often requires animation tricks to be able to get the product out in time. I listed a few of the most prominent animation techniques and gave a brief overview of the evolution of 2D animation as it grew towards an easier workflow. 2D animation, even then, takes a …

Beyond The Game: The Real Impact Of Cte, Leah R. Rennels Ms

Honors Theses

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is very new in the world of sports medicine and the clinical features and symptoms of CTE are wide ranging. Some of these features include: executive function decline, memory problems, depressive episodes, behavioral changes, and mood swings. The affected populations include contact sport athletes, military veterans, and physical abuse victims. Continued research in the field has also broadened the scope of its effect. CTE research can affect sports administration, medicine, and even legal fields. Sports administration and medicine can both make advancements to protect our contact sport athletes and medicine can even help people with similarly …

Arete - The Balance Of Nature: A Study And Creation Of Greek Tragedy From The Modern World, Grace Margaret Merrill

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the gender roles in ancient Greece through a creative lens. It aims to reach an understanding of the inequalities between men and women. Some of these inequalities involve women’s rights, abortion, and divorce. The main goal of this project is to reveal the discrimination women faced in ancient Greece. Once this is accomplished, I will then use the research to create a play inspired by the traditional Greek tragedy format. This play addresses controversial topics of the time and how individuals would have approached them. While there is ample research into the focus of my topic, there …

Inbreeding And The Fall Of The Spanish Habsburg Dynasty, Kira L. Kent

Honors Theses

Inbreeding and the Fall of the Spanish Habsburg Dynasty examines how centuries of consanguineous marriages within the Spanish Habsburg family contributed to the dynasty’s decline and eventual extinction. Focusing on the reign and health of Carlos II of Spain, this study explores how dynastic marriage strategies, which were designed to consolidate political power and preserve royal lineage, ultimately produced severe genetic consequences. This thesis analyzes patterns of intermarriage beginning with Carlos I and continuing through the next four monarchs, highlighting the repeated marriages between close relatives. These practices significantly increased the likelihood of inheriting harmful recessive traits. In addition, this …

(Human)Ities In The Field Of Business, Emma M. Bitting

Honors Theses

Business is often seen as a field driven by numbers, but it is fundamentally powered by shared narratives, such as branding and mission statements. Increased optimization and efficiency has resulted in industries stripped of their humanity, leaving professionals interpersonally deficient. In an increasingly competitive workforce, one’s humanity has become a primary differentiator from the competition (artificial or otherwise). The division between the humanities and business has become a professional liability apparent to any observer, yet it is rarely addressed as the systemic failure it has become. This very divide increasingly hinders progress, rather than serving as the specialization of fields …

Beat Behind The Bark: Investigating The Effects Of Music Tempo On Canine Physiological And Psychological States, Marley Lanier

Honors Theses

This study explores how the tempo of music, measured in beats per minute (BPM), affects dogs' heart rate and oxytocin levels, adding to past research that shows that music affects physiological and behavioral states in dogs. Being able to understand these effects holds practical implications for improving overall well-being in canines in environments such as homes, shelters, and clinical environments. Using a within-subjects design, the dogs were exposed to slow and fast versions of one instrumental track, along with a white noise baseline condition before each randomized condition. Heart rate was recorded continuously throughout the session, and oxytocin saliva samples …

Comparing Two Emergent Literacy Screeners: The Reading House And Star Early Literacy In A Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (Vpk) Program, Jaime D. Swenbeck

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Acute Effects Of The Psychoactive Pollutant Fluoxetine On The Antipredator Behavior Of The Gulf Killifish (Fundulus Grandis), Semyra Reus

Honors Theses

Pharmaceutical contaminants are increasingly prevalent in aquatic environments, yet their sublethal effects on ecologically relevant behaviors remain poorly understood, particularly in estuarine systems. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, are of particular concern due to the conserved role of serotonin in regulating behavior across vertebrates. Here, we investigated how acute exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of fluoxetine influences anti-predator behavior in Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis), a key estuarine fish commonly found in saltmarsh habitats. Killifish were exposed to control (0 ng/L), low (17.8 ng/L), and high (596 ng/L) fluoxetine concentrations and subsequently tested in the presence …

Urea-Based Boronium Salts As Antimicrobial Agents, Gabriel Allen Merchant

Honors Theses

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are widely used in disinfectants due to their ability to inhibit the growth of and eliminate microbes. The potency, broad-spectrum activity, and low cost of QACs have made them a cornerstone of modem hygiene. In recent years, QACs have garnered many health and safety concerns due to their overuse and subsequent accumulation in the environment. The increased use of QACs has further led to an increase in antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, making the synthesis of novel antibacterial compounds vital to combat this growing threat. Recent advances in boronium salts offer a unique alternative to address these adverse effects. …

Spectral Characterization Of Colorectal Cancer Using Excitation-Scanning Hyperspectral Imaging, Natalie Hadad

Honors Theses

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide, with a lifetime risk of approximately one in twenty-three for men and one in twenty-five for women. Although early detection significantly improves survival, current diagnostic approaches such as tissue biopsy are invasive, reliant on subjective interpretation, have extended turnaround times, and risk missing flat or depressed lesions that are more difficult to detect than raised polyps. These limitations highlight the need for objective, minimally invasive technologies capable of detecting early tissue changes. This study investigates excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging (Ex-HSI) as a label-free optical approach for identifying colorectal cancer–associated …

Red 40 Riot: An Interdisciplinary Perspective On The Fight For Food Additive Regulation, Margaret Q. Gray

Honors Theses

This paper explores the chemical, business, and governmental influences that impact the perception and future of Red 40. This inquiry was inspired by the increasing trends towards health-conscious consumer preferences and the 2025 Red 3 ban. This thesis examines foundational research, modern sources, and public-facing articles to create a comprehensive understanding of both sides of the argument in support of and against regulation. The paper concludes that a three-pronged approach would be ideal to target each key perspective included: chemistry, business, government. The approaches include confirming chemical research method validity, encouraging governmental regulation, and corporate accountability and enforcement. The paper …

The Oncoming Light: An Experiential Approach To Psychological Exposition Through Dialogue-Driven Narrative, Benjamin G. Dewitt

Honors Theses

Narrative is a lens through which we understand ourselves, our histories, our futures, and our ties to those around us. Narrative form has undergone vast transformations over time, and in the case of “postmodern” literature, pushes the boundaries of form into the experimental, questioning the truth of knowledge itself. While these experimental works can give rise to uniquely powerful emotional experiences, some components of narrative, when abandoned, may only hinder the immersion of the reader. This thesis evaluates several experimental, dialogue-driven narrative works against these components: linguistic, literal, emotional, and intellectual significance, in a hierarchy of importance as proposed by …

“Who Are We?”: Exploring Adolescent Identity And Community Through Collaborative Mural Art, Rachel E. Stacy

Honors Theses

This thesis explores how participation in a high school mural club influences students’ sense of personal identity and community. By creating and leading a mural club, I guided students in designing and painting murals around their school and extending this work into the local community, all focused on how students defined themselves within the context of the school’s motto: “A Star is Rising”. I used qualitative methods including surveys, observational notes, artist statements, and visual documentation to examine and analyze how students experienced identity and collaboration throughout the process. The findings show that the creation of these murals provided students …

Creative Nonfiction Essays, Colby S. Langley

Honors Theses

To write about the present with any authority requires a keen eye for the past. To write from our lives into meaningful creative nonfiction requires a firm understanding that experience is the composite of life experience blending into the current moment. The writing is then drawn irreversibly towards emotion: indulgent and oppressive. The extremity of emotion dictates the difficulty of transcribing the experience onto the page, and violence is a source of both extreme emotion and experience. It is important to note that I am primarily considering personal violence for this essay, while societal and institutional violence have their own …

A Narrative Of The Plague Doctor And How Its Historical Context Translates To The Modern View Of The Plague Doctor, Callie P. Johnston

Honors Theses

The Plague Doctor was once a historical figure who practiced medicine primarily on those infected with the bubonic plague. The plague doctor, as a historical figure and physician, has been transformed in modern culture and media. Originally perceived as a harbinger of both hope and death, the Plague Doctor has undergone a historical transformation from a masked physician to a more stylized character that appears in modern media, digital art, toys, costumes, video games, and popular culture. This thesis examines the evolution of the Plague Doctor from its historical role as a plague physician to its current iconography as a …

Evaluating The Effects Of Urbanization On Meiofauna Biodiversity In Chattanooga’S Lentic Ecosystems Through Gis Applications, Keyle M. Bryant

Honors Theses

Urbanization is a leading driver of biodiversity loss in freshwater ecosystems, yet its effects on meiofauna—microscopic invertebrates that serve as key bioindicators of ecosystem health—remain poorly understood in lentic environments. This study evaluated the effects of urbanization on meiofaunal biodiversity in ten lentic waterbodies across Hamilton County, Chattanooga, Tennessee, by integrating environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding, in-situ abiotic measurements, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based land use analysis. Water samples were collected between January and April 2023 and processed using 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing to assess biodiversity as richness (amplicon sequence variants or ASVs, phylogenetic diversity or PD, and community composition). Land …

How Do Community Gardens Contribute To A Thriving National Park City: A Case Study Of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ansley B. Barry

Honors Theses

On April 3, 2025, Chattanooga, Tennessee became the first National Park City (NPC) in North America. With a long, industrial history, Chattanooga has made quite the pivot from being widely renowned for its low air quality and particulate pollution to being recognized as the Best Outdoor City in the US by Outdoor magazine. The goals emphasized by the National Park City campaign are creating a city-wide common interest of community-led sustainability efforts. While the initiative highlights many important initiatives to make the city more sustainable and resilient, community gardens are noticeably left out of the conversation. This paper argues that …

Resilience By Living With The Land And Community: A Case Study Of A Local Food Forest, Olivia Beck

Honors Theses

Imagine a public space where food, leisure, outdoor activity, and community engagement occur in one place, all in an urban forest ecosystem. For many, this is a hopeful vision of the future, and that is exactly what the idea of an urban food forest provides. In agroecology, a food forest or forest garden consists of planting diverse edible plants and mimicking the patterns of natural ecosystems. The intricate planning and design ensure the forest is self-sustaining, much like a natural forest, making it very resilient once established. However, they face many challenges and take time to grow and develop to …

Unraveling The Modernist Grid: An Exploration Of Femininity And Containment In Design History, Riley Hayes

Honors Theses

This paper examines the Swiss grid as both a foundational tool of modernist graphic design and a cultural system embedded with ideological assumptions about order, neutrality, and authority. While the Swiss design tradition is widely celebrated for its clarity, rationality, and universality, this study argues that such principles are not neutral but historically situated, shaping how postwar Western visual culture organizes information, bodies, and value systems. Focusing on the circulation of Swiss design principles through editorial and advertising media, the paper situates the grid as a structuring logic that extends beyond layout into the framing of identity and gender. This …

A Low-Cost Motion Classification System For A Stuffed Animal Using An Imu And Machine Learning, Rachel N. Guynes

Honors Theses

One of the many fields that has seen the integration of robots is therapy. Zoomorphic robots (ZR) are designed to look and behave like animals to assist in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) practices. Studies show that ZRs can provide benefits similar to working with an actual animal; however, their high cost limits their accessibility. This thesis documents the process of building a real-time, low-cost motion classification system that can be attached to a stuffed animal to make it more interactive. Using a Random Forest (RF) classifier, the system identifies movements with approximately 81.67% accuracy.