Digital Commons Network^™

The Contribution Of Environmental Education To Dismantling An Increasingly Dysfunctional Environmental Attitude, Jenna Patricia Santacroce

Honors Theses

In part one, this thesis explains how a widespread environmental attitude, which is that it is permissible for humans to dominate the Earth, originated in early human history and remains prevalent today. This “domination attitude” is accompanied by American physical and social structures, otherwise referred to as provisioning systems, which largely constitute a current, prominent paradigm. This paradigm is leading to irreversible environmental degradation which adversely impacts all life on Earth. In part two, this thesis claims that this trajectory can be effectively diverted through a paradigm shift, one where the domination attitude is abandoned, humans pursue a more harmonious …

A Man Not A Monster : Reimagining Disability In Hollow Crown's Richard Iii, Taylor E. Uphus

Honors Theses

Traditional portrayals of William Shakespeare’s Richard III (1592) in film interpret Richard’s physical disability as an outward reflection of his evil. In recent years, disabilities studies scholars have reconsidered the historic association of Richard’s physical deformity with immorality. Unlike previous Richard III films, the BBC’s Hollow Crown: Richard III (Dominic Cooke, 2016) highlights Richard’s mental abuse and trauma. While the film does not shy away from Richard’s villainy, its more empathic depiction of Richard contests the one-dimensional stage and film representation of him as a conniving monster. Ultimately, this film presents Richard III to critique society’s treatment of disabled individuals.

A Modern War: How Large Dairy Corporations Negatively Affect The Relationship Between Dairy Cows, Humans, And The Environment, Mikayla M. Marti

Honors Theses

I created a short romantic story to represent the mostly negative relationship between humans, dairy cows, and the environment. The research was conducted relating to dairy consumption’s effect on human health, the effect of large dairy corporations on cows’ health and well-being, and the effect of dairy production on the environment. The desired evidence through scientific findings was minimal to nonexistent due to the political nature of the dairy industry. This is represented best in the war setting of the short story as war is highly politicized and rarely unanimously agreed upon as either good or bad. My argument started …

From Reality To Fiction: How Women’S Mental Health Was Portrayed In 19th Century Literature, Sara Mason

Honors Theses

This thesis is an examination of the history of mental health treatment for women in the 19^th century. Fictional literature written during this time by American and English female authors is used to explore the underlying attitudes towards women who were perceived to have a mental illness. This thesis explores the three works Jane Eyre, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” and The Awakening, as well as the biography of the female authors. This information is used to explore the patriarchal society represented in these works and how that is shown through the authors’ writing. The medical profession is also …

The Mechanistic Basis For The Toxicity Difference Between Juvenile Rats And Mice Following Exposure To The Agricultural Insecticide Chlorpyrifos, Katelyn Sette

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Assay Development For Investigating The Contributions Of P75 Neurotrophin Receptor (P75ntr) Signaling To Neurodegeneration Associated With Parkinson’S Disease, Samantha A. Radomski

Honors Theses

The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75^NTR) possesses the ability to promote cell survival or apoptosis upon activation. The specific signaling cascades regulated by p75^NTR in neurodegenerative pathologies are poorly understood due to the multifaceted nature of the receptor. Prior studies associate oxidative stress, a cellular condition induced by an overwhelming presence of reactive oxygen species, with promoting proteolysis and subsequent activation of p75^NTR in dopaminergic neurons. Dopaminergic neurons express p75^NTR and are of interest in neurodegenerative research. The degeneration of these neurons occur during the progression of Parkinson’s Disease. Here, we optimized an in vivo and …

Nectar Source Preferences Of The Hummingbird: A Field Study From South Texas, Jasmine Benavidez

Honors Theses

With the rise of urbanization, comes a rise in urban-like activities—most notable is birdfeeding. Given the increasing popularity of bird-feeding, especially in hummingbird feeding, concern for implications, if any, has mounted. There is reason to believe that artificial feeders can impact the surrounding environment; that is, it is possible that feeders could attract pollinators away from flowering plants, which, in turn, could bring repercussions for pollination and all associated with it. However, literature, on the matter, is rather limited. To add to this, past studies provide two opposing arguments. This study aims to explore the nectar source preferences of hummingbirds …

The Impact Of Anaerobic Exposure And Propionate On The Kinetics And Pathogenesis Of Listeria Monocytogenes, Mackenzie T. Martin

Honors Theses

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen commonly found in ready-to-eat deli and dairy products. This foodborne pathogen is responsible for the disease listeriosis, which disproportionately impacts immunocompromised individuals. This research aims to evaluate how natural intestinal environments influence the pathogenesis of Listeria. One particular environmental condition that has a well-documented effect on Listeria is varying levels of oxygen. Specifically, anaerobic exposure during the growth of Listeria greatly impacts subsequent intracellular pathogenesis. When grown and adapted under anaerobic conditions, Listeria overall exhibits decreased intracellular survival and decreased cell to cell spread. However, the presence of propionate, a natural byproduct of fermentation …

Narratives Of The Black Mother In The U.S.: Exploring The Black Maternalist Framework In Black Activism, Anna Biesecker-Mast

Honors Theses

My historical research seeks to reveal how exactly White European notions of Blackness, womanhood, and motherhood (and the intersections of all three) were inscribed onto the lived experiences of enslaved women and mothers from the early Atlantic period through the antebellum era. What emerges from a critical analysis of archival omissions are Black women’s voices and experiences—who demonstrate over and over that they resisted and are resisting. I will demonstrate how other people’s rhetorical use of Black motherhood constructs and shapes the lived experience of these women and creates a tension between the ‘ideal’ Black mother and those that don’t …

Effect Of Declaw Bans On Shelter Cat Populations, Lauren Bowles

Honors Theses

Growing concern over animal welfare has led to new policies that ban declaw procedures on cats. In the United States, several cities have instituted bans, including Denver, Colorado. This study examines whether the ban has resulted in changed euthanasia rates and adoption rates in an animal shelter system. Data on euthanasia rates and adoption rates were gathered for thirteen years prior to the ban and for five years following implementation. The euthanasia rate was found to have decreased while the adoption rate increased. Several possible explanations are explored and a recommendation for public policy is given.

Substituent Effect Analysis Of The Synthesis Of 1-Azabicyclo[2.2.1]Heptan-2-One Using Diels-Alder Reactions, Vida Robertson

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

A Starling In A Pear Tree: Assessing The Influence Of Bird Dispersal On Callery Pear (Pyrus Calleryana), Olivia Clark

Honors Theses

Invasive species can disrupt ecosystems and negatively affect other species. Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) is an invasive ornamental tree that is spreading quickly throughout the United States. It is possible that birds are responsible for spreading Callery pear by eating the fruit and depositing seeds in new areas. European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) and American robins (Turdus migratorius) are mentioned in most studies as responsible for the dispersal of Callery pear. However, there is also evidence that Cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) also feed on the tree. Invasive plants can impact avian health, reproduction, and migration. Additionally, there are many aspects of …

Ain't No Sunshine When They're Gone: Pollinators In A Solar Prarie, Brigid M. Morgan

Honors Theses

Around the world, pollinator populations are decreasing due to climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, pesticide use, and disease. A solar prairie can provide that habitat space with native plants to attract and promote the growth of native pollinator populations. In this study at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, I sought to find out if native pollinators were using the habitats inside and around the solar panels at Curran Place. By using pan traps weekly throughout the summer months to collect the insects, I found that native pollinators are using the habitats between the rows of …

Towards A "Pedagogy Of Beauty": The New Evangelization, English Education, And Renewal Of The Catholic School, Elena Niese

Honors Theses

In the complex cultural landscape of the modern world, evangelization, or the proclamation of the Gospel, cannot look the same as it once did. In 1975, Pope Paul VI addressed this need for renewal, calling for a “new evangelization.” Subsequent popes, including Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis, have continued to place this missionary impulse at the forefront of their initiatives. Yet, despite this emphasis, much remains elusive. What exactly is the new evangelization? This thesis will trace the evolution of the new evangelization from its conception to today, proposing how the English educator within the Catholic school can …

Examining The Impacts Of Flooding On Public Health, Lauren Gibson

Honors Theses

Over the past 10 years, South Carolina has experienced over five major weather events that have led to extreme flooding along the coast. These types of repeated major events have the potential to significantly impact people’s lives and livelihoods. When looking at the issue from a public health perspective, it is known that natural disasters such as flooding can negatively affect community health. However, little research has been done to analyze the impacts on individual health from flooding. This issue inspired a more in-depth research analysis to examine those health impacts from local Horry County residents. This research aims to …

Defining The Leading Edge Of The Marine – Non-Marine Transition In The Pee Dee Basin: Influences, And Dynamic Parameters Of A Highly Dynamic System, Nicole Mchugh

Honors Theses

Among estuaries, there is a large block of co-dependent and independent variables shaping habitat and environmental conditions within a critical area. Historical data proxies and indexes from seven different stations were assessed to consider temporal and spatial variability of the marine and non-marine transition along the South Carolina Pee Dee River Basin. Historical datasets from the upper reaches of Winyah Bay and lower section of the Pee Dee River basin were compiled along with shorter termed deployments of a new instrument station installed near Georgetown, SC. This area is representative of the marine-non-marine transition in drowned river mouth estuaries. Water …

The Importance Of Public Space During The Covid-19 Pandemic With A Case Study Of The City Of Kalamazoo’S Kik Pool, Natalie Baker

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Providing Culturally Competent Eldercare For Asian Americans, Britney Ngo

Honors Theses

As the Asian American elderly population continues to grow, it is important to acknowledge cultural factors that may impact their behavior, attitudes, preferences, and decisions in the context of eldercare. Cultural competency acknowledges and considers these factors while providing care that includes biophysical factors of healthcare as well as non-medical dimensions of care such as language and culture.

This thesis seeks to address the applications of providing culturally competent eldercare to Asian Americans and offer future recommendations to care settings that have limited resources by utilizing a multidisciplinary review of literature accompanied by interviews with representatives from On Lok, a …

"A Woman's Lot To Suffer" : Recognizing The Intersectionality Of Oppression And Resistance In Min Jin Lee's Pachinko, Elianna Srikureja

Honors Theses

Min Jin Lee's novel Pachinko (2017) portrays the historically based lives of a displaced Korean family during Japan's colonization of Korea from 1905-1945. The novel's attention to the ways that colonial endeavors complicate Confucian family and national structures exemplifies the interrelation between gender and racial oppression facing Lee's Korean women in both the public and private domain.

However, by centering female voices all too often silenced, Lee also depicts resistance modes that subvert such oppression. Using feminist and postcolonial theory, historical analysis, and close reading analysis, this project examines both the construction of oppression and the subversive resistance measures taken …

Phonotactic Tuning In Female Cricket Acheta Domesticus, Jessica Rim

Honors Theses

Phonotactic behavior of female cricket Acheta domesticus has been shown to vary among individuals. While some females are finely tuned to calls with syllable periods in the natural range of conspecific males, others respond phonotactically to a wider range of syllable periods and therefore lack the ability to discriminate between attractive and unattractive calls. When females are exposed to males but prevented from mating, their ability to discriminate attractive calls is reduced, suggesting that factors other than mating alter phonotactic behavior. This study evaluated the effect of male exposure on females’ phonotactic tuning and responsiveness in relation to underlying neural …

Reassessing The Parameters Of Phonotaxis In Female Acheta Domesticus, Jewel Murray

Honors Theses

To study phonotaxis in crickets a trackball system has been traditionally used, which consists of a spherical, air supported styrofoam ball placed in a soundproof container in which crickets are tethered to. Two computer mice detect its movement. A speaker is at one end of the container, and it is connected to a computer which generates calls with pre-set parameters. Once a cricket is attached to the trackball system, it can freely navigate toward the source of the sound, while the styrofoam ball remains stationary.

This apparatus has been used to measure the walking distance and angular orientation. When evaluating …

Phonotactic Tuning In Female Cricket Acheta Domesticus, Jessica Rim

Honors Theses

Phonotactic behavior of female cricket Acheta domesticus has been shown to vary among individuals. While some females are finely tuned to calls with syllable periods in the natural range of conspecific males, others respond phonotactically to a wider range of syllable periods and therefore lack the ability to discriminate between attractive and unattractive calls. When females are exposed to males but prevented from mating, their ability to discriminate attractive calls is reduced, suggesting that factors other than mating alter phonotactic behavior.

This study evaluated the effect of male exposure on females’ phonotactic tuning and responsiveness in relation to underlying neural …

Tracing Stigma: The Evolution Of The Tattoo In The Middle Ages, Isabella Fusillo

Honors Theses

In the Western world, tattooing began as a mechanism for marking slaves and prisoners in Ancient Greece and Rome. As a result of changes in religion and philosophy, the period between 1100 and 1600 CE set the stage for the tattoo to transform from something that was forcibly done to represent a communal identity into an individual expression of self. This project traces the use and meaning of tattooing from the ancient world into the 1600’s.

Examining Katniss Everdeen's Gender Ambiguity In The Hunger Games : How Suzanne Collins Utilizes The Ya Genre To Resist Feminine Stereotypes, Moriah K. Mcdonald

Honors Theses

Even those who passively engage with modern media are likely to notice a binary frequently imposed on young adult women—that of the kind, reputable and trustworthy “good girl” or the mean, scandalous and deceitful “bad girl.” Such themes remain significantly featured in young adult (YA) literature, a genre specifically aimed at teenagers. Thus, in analyzing The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, I undertake a twofold analysis. I illustrate how Collins’s works tackle the specific issue of binary representation of women in the media, thereby validating the usefulness of the YA genre in commenting on current day issues facing teens.

Monitoring The Immune Status Of Calves At The Agricultural Education Center, Jared Wallen

Honors Theses

Each year at the Andrews University Agriculture Education Center calves born to the resident cows and calves that are purchased are raised by the students in the animal science program. In each of the previous two years that calves have been raised, morbidities and mortalities have been observed. In order to prevent any calves from dying and reduce the rate of illness this research project was designed to monitor the calves’ immune status. By doing weekly blood draws, the total serum protein levels were determined and used as a standard for their health. Body temperature, food and water intake, and …

Why Do Shadows Change Throughout The Day?, Caitlin M. Hallam

Honors Theses

In this lesson, elementary students use a hands-on demonstration to study why shadows change throughout the data. They collect data using a model of the earth and sun system, and then use their own shadows to verify their data collection.

The Syntax Of Passives And Related Constructions In Mandarin Chinese, Shangyan Pan

Honors Theses

This thesis discusses the Mandarin Chinese passive, a construction that differs in significant ways from its better known, European counterparts. While the passive is one of the most well-studied constructions in syntax, the passive in Chinese remains understudied and not as well understood. The thesis offers an analysis of multiple passive markers in Chinese, focusing on bei and gei. Superficially, the two markers both participate in passive and passive-like constructions. However, upon closer scrutiny, it is demonstrated that only bei qualifies as a true passive marker, while gei is shown to belong to a more general category of Non-Active …

Developing A Circuit Model To Study The Mechanisms Of Dna Damage And Repair Feedback Dynamics In Cancer Cells, Thomas M. Deangelo

Honors Theses

Cancer therapies over the last decade have promoted a growing interest in the manipulation of DNA damage and repair pathways due to its beneficial consequences on cancer cell viability. Simultaneously attacking genetic code with DNA-damaging chemotherapies while eliminating mechanisms of DNA repair – the protectors of our genome – has enormous therapeutic potential. Biological circuit engineering interfaces biochemistry and systems biology with electrical engineering analyses to accurately model and simulate biological pathways such as DNA damage and repair. Circuit models can also be used to identify weaknesses within pathways, highlighting the most efficient protein targets for drugs that aim to …

The Role Of Socioeconomic Status In Cognition And Brain Health Across The Lifespan, Erica Chung

Honors Theses

Disparities in cognition are inevitable throughout the lifespan due to socioeconomic gaps. Individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES) may have fewer access to environmental resources, especially with regard to education, than individuals of higher socioeconomic status. Differences in available resources from a young age may affect brain development, leading to detriments in cognition and behavior, further impacting socioeconomic success in adulthood. In the present study, we modeled the development of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and changes in cognitive function throughout the life trajectory in the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research Rockland Sample. The DLPFC volume was predicted to …

The Perceptions And Practices Of Japanese Identity In Contemporary France, Sara Gardner

Honors Theses

France is well known for promoting dominant white ideals of “Frenchness” over all others, stemming from the French republican ideal of culture-blind and colorblind universalism.. This universalism, however, is often criticized for glossing over individual heritage and struggles, and studies surrounding this issue often focus on ethnic groups that have made headlines, such as Muslim and North African populations in France. But what about less studied communities, such as the Japanese in France? These less studied populations are worth investigating as we can look at their experiences to further understand the impact of French nationalism. Through a primarily interview-based ethnographic …