Digital Commons Network^™

Activism As A Source Of Strength For Black College Students At Predominately White Institutions, Caroline M. Reid

Honors Theses

Racism is deeply ingrained in American society, and white supremacy and the oppression of people of color has greatly contributed to the establishment of the very institutions that continue to perpetuate its existence today. Racism manifests itself in a variety of ways, and its most constant and daily appearance is in instances of microaggressions. These experiences contribute to feelings of invisibility, frustration, and anger, an experience known as racism-related stress, which research has shown to severely and negatively impact mental health. In order to combat the insidious effects of racism, Black Americans have utilized coping mechanisms for generations. This resiliency …

Determining The Role Of Fatty Acid Composition In Antibiotic Resistance, Andrew Deak

Honors Theses

Bacterial infections that can no longer be treated by antibiotics because of bacterial mutations cause many infections and deaths each year. My research conducted aims to study how membrane fatty acid composition can affect membrane susceptibility to antibiotics. Listeria monocytogenes, a gram-negative facultative anaerobe, is the bacterium that I am testing. Listeria has 80-90% branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) which allow membrane fluidity and sufficient protection against invaders. When Listeria is grown in the presence of butyrate, the BCFAs become straight-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and make the once fluid membrane more rigid. This allows for easier antibiotic penetration of the phospholipid …

The Influence Of Self-Enhancement And Stress On Weight Gain: A Biopsychosocial Approach, Olivia G. Grondalski

Honors Theses

The current longitudinal study was conducted to test if people perceive their physical body size to be smaller than it is, and if people do self-enhance their body size, then how do body self-enhancement and stress interact to predict subsequent Body Mass Index (BMI). This study toke a biopsychosocial approach to understanding why people make health decisions by measuring participants’ self-enhancement, perceived stress, cortisol baseline levels, and stress reactivity and observing their associations and interactions with subsequent weight gain. Self-enhancement is a type of positive illusion characterized by overly positive attitudes people have towards themselves, which is used for promotion …

The Stigma Of Homelessness As An Identity: Homelessness As A Gendered Condition, Jamie Vieson

Honors Theses

The main goal of my thesis is to articulate the problem of homelessness. In order to do this, I examine philosopher Eva Kittay’s work on disability and equality. Throughout her work, Kittay uses the terms human interconnectedness, oppression and citizenship. These three terms serve as the major concepts I explore. Human interconnectedness highlights the links that humans share with one another as interdependent beings. Oppression is the term used to describe how certain individuals or groups in society are treated unequally or are rejected from society. Finally, exploration of citizenship shows the importance of identities in society and how they …

Physiological And Psychological Effects Of Being Weighed In Female Participants, Julia Carroccio

Honors Theses

Stressful experiences such as constantly thinking about one's weight lead to harmful long-term physiological and psychological effects on the body. Many studies have examined the presence of weight stigma in society at large, but fewer studies have sought to determine the physical and psychological outcomes of that stigma. In the short-term, even momentary stressors could have an impact on factors such as blood pressure, for example when patients are stressed due to weighing before blood pressure is measured. This study tested whether female participants’ (N = 55) attitudes about their bodies, anxiety levels, and blood pressures were affected by being …

Changes In Herbaceous Plant Diversity In An Old-Growth Ohio Forest Before And After Emerald Ash Borer Invasion, Taylor Melissa Buskey

Honors Theses

The herbaceous layer of eastern North American deciduous forests is an important contributor to biodiversity in this region. One of the greatest threats to herbaceous plant diversity is the introduction of invasive species, which can suppress native species and alter local environmental conditions. Agrilus planipennis (emerald ash borer) is a non-native insect pest that has caused a mass death of ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in North America since its introduction to the United States. The resultant changes in canopy structure may affect local conditions and thus have indirect impacts on herbaceous layer composition. Drew Woods State Nature Preserve is a …

The Application Of Neurologically-Controlled Robotics To Actuated Feeding Arms, Timothy Dombrowski

Honors Theses

The medical industry is constantly performing research and trying to combat various diseases that afflict humans. Despite advancements in technology, there still remain diseases that have no cure but seem prime candidates for neurologically controlled robots. One such category of diseases consists of various muscular dystrophic diseases. Diseases such as ALS and Parkinson’s have limited options regarding treatment, but by brain controlled interfaces (BCI’s), robotics can help mitigate the impact on a patient’s quality of life. By utilizing a functioning mind, an electroencephalographic (EEG) helmet can be used to control various exoskeletal systems and even prosthesis in order to compensate …

Mentoring Strategies For The Support Of High School Students Experiencing Anxiety And Depression: A Case-Study Of Two Catholic High Schools, Karin E. Forsthoefel

Honors Theses

There is a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive related disorders among adolescents ages 13-18 in the United States, and these statistics do not include the undiagnosed experiences of anxiety and depression that are typical during adolescence. This case study examines the supports provided for students experiencing anxiety and depression in two Catholic high schools. The aims of the study were to collect a list of strategies and interventions being used in Catholic high schools to address the needs of high school students experiencing anxiety and depression, and to investigate the use of mentoring opportunities through which teacher-student relationships can …

Development Of An Evidence-Based Strength Training Program For Individuals With Dementia Participating In Adult Day Services, Jaclyn Franz

Honors Theses

Falling and loss of mobility present serious risks for elderly adults, especially those with cognitive impairments such as dementia. These risks are shown to be significantly reduced when elderly adults participate in exercises focusing on strength and balance of sufficient intensity. Despite these potential benefits, many adult day programs do not incorporate exercise in a systematic and progressive fashion to achieve desirable improvements in function.

The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence-based exercise program, later titled Simply Strong, for reducing fall risk and improving mobility in elderly adults with dementia participating in Goodwill Easter Seals adult day …

Chronic Administration Of Probiotic L. Rhamnosus Increases Anxiety-Like Behavior In Group-Housed Male Long Evans Rats, Parker Maddison Griff

Honors Theses

Early life stress is a risk factor for later development of alcohol use disorders and anxiety disorders in humans. Using rodent experimental models, we know that rats experiencing social isolation as early-life stress exhibit greater anxiety-like behavior and alcohol consumption than rats housed in groups. Examining potential preventive strategies, we investigated the effects of probiotics, which have previously been shown to decrease rodent anxiety-like behavior, on the relationship between early-life stress and anxiety-like behavior in rats. We hypothesized that probiotics consumption would decrease anxiety-like behavior in socially isolated rats, as well as in rats housed in groups. To our surprise, …

Differences In The Development Of Internalizing And Externalizing Behaviors In Offspring Of Depressed Mothers, Hannah Jackson

Honors Theses

This study examines the development of internalizing and externalizing behaviors in offspring raised by mothers with depression. Specifically, it explores mediating variables that explain differential associations of maternal depression with the offspring outcomes of internalizing problems and externalizing problems. Previous research has established that there is an association between maternal depression and the development of emotional and depressive (internalizing) behaviors as well as delinquency and antisocial (externalizing) behaviors in children. This study evaluates factors such as family instability, parental patterns and behaviors, and mother-offspring relationships in order to better understand the intervening processes that explain the link from maternal depression …

Wives’ Perceptions Of Husbands’ Housework And Parenting Contributions, Reilly Kate Kincaid

Honors Theses

Although husbands today may contribute more home and family labor than in previous decades, the type of contributions they make tend to be those of a “helpmate,” leaving the responsibility for organizing and managing housework and childcare to their wives. Gordon and Whelan-Berry (2005) found that husbands generally spent more time “doing” rather than “managing” in the household. The present study sought to examine working wives’ perceptions of how much their husbands “do” and/or “manage” in terms of housework and childcare. Results provide quantitative support for the high incidence of high-doing but low-managing husbands and shed light on the different …

How Academic And Extracurricular Workload And Stress Impacts The Mental And Physical Health Of College Students, Aidan Koch

Honors Theses

Academic workload and extracurricular involvement can be sources of stress for college students. Academic workload is characterized as the student's major, course work and future graduate school and/or career path plans. Extracurricular involvement can pertain from anything to intramural sports to being the President of a student organization. The current research sought to investigate changes in mental and physical health over a semester by examining physiological and perceived stress levels in college students, in conjunction with academic workload and extracurricular involvement. Previous research found an association between stress and physical health (Peer, Hillman, Van Hoet 2015). Studies have shown sympathetic …

Health Policy Responses And Infrastructure Re-Use In Host Cities Of Mega-Sporting Events In Non-Traditional Host Countries, Andrew Kramer

Honors Theses

The IOC has increased their focus on long-term effects for hosts of the Olympic Games, coinciding with increased academic interest in studying the positive and negative legacies of mega-sporting events in the host city. Recently, cities in relatively underdeveloped countries have won bids for mega-sporting events. City officials and the IOC have begun marketing mega-sporting events as transformational events for underdeveloped cities’ economies, urban infrastructure, social landscape, and health. The thesis investigates the impact of hosting mega-sporting events for public health and infrastructure in three case studies: the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the 2014 Winter Olympics …

Personality Types And Self-Reported Eating Habits, Thomas R. Lawler

Honors Theses

People with different personality types lead very different lifestyles; these personality types also affect the eating habits of an individual. Poor eating habits can lead to a myriad of health problems, including obesity and diabetes, while healthy eating habits can promote longevity. An associated problem is inaccurate reporting of eating habits by research participants and medical patients. While many studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between eating disorders and personality types, very few, if any, have examined the effects of personality types on actual eating habits as well as perceived eating habits. The proposed study will test for …

The Effects Of Adolescent Housing Condition And Voluntary Exercise On Alcohol Intake And Stress Response In Male Long-Evans Rats, Caroline Lynch

Honors Theses

Can regular exercise during adolescence, combined with living in a social environment, decrease the negative effects of chronic stress and lower alcohol intake later in life? The aim of this research is to answer this question using a rat model that introduces a novel behavioral intervention in the form of regular voluntary exercise in order to counteract the negative effects of chronic stress caused by socially isolated housing during adolescence. Chronic stress has been linked to the development of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in humans, and this study attempts to both model and hamper this phenomenon in rats using voluntary …

The Effects Of Anxiety Induction On Olfactory Function In Healthy Young Adults, Lauren T. Olson

Honors Theses

There is significant overlap in the neural structures involved in the human limbic (emotion) and olfactory systems, and prior research findings have suggested both positive and negative associations between anxiety and odor detection sensitivity (threshold), odor identification accuracy, and odor hedonic ratings (Havlicek et al., 2012; Krusemark et al., 2013). However, knowledge about whether anxiety causes changes in olfactory perception remains unclear due to limited research findings. The present study aimed to extend the literature on olfaction and state anxiety by investing the impact of an anxiety induction on odor detection sensitivity, odor identification accuracy, and odor hedonic ratings. It …

Probabilistic Modeling Of Student Interactions During A Passing Period At The University Of Dayton, Allyson Pacifico

Honors Theses

The University of Dayton is composed of five colleges and schools: College of Arts and Sciences, School of Law, School of Business Administration, School of Education and Health Sciences, and School of Engineering. The University of Dayton is composed of about 11,000 students on campus who all have distinct class schedules and paths they take between their classes. In this study, I wanted to know the probability of meeting my friends with a different class schedule as I walk between classes. The data consisted of one to two students from each college, except for the School of Law, who documented …

Interference Of The Inflammasome Via Interferonβ, Madeline Sauer

Honors Theses

Metabolic disorders such as type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity are known to have a chronic low grade inflammatory tissue environment as well as an increase in excess lipids. Current research suggests that a tightly regulated oligoprotein complex known as the NLRP3 inflammasome is highly activated in T2DM and obesity. However, it is not well understood the interplay between excess lipids, which was previously shown in our lab to cause lysosome damage, and inflammation. A key transcription factor that is known to have both an inflammatory effect as well as an effect on lipid metabolism is PPARγ. For this …

Do Normative And Pathological Personality Traits Overlap? Exploratory And Confirmatory Factor Analyses Of The Neo-Pi-3 And Pid-5, Lisa Eileen Stone

Honors Theses

Historically, personality disorders have been conceptualized as qualitatively distinct clinical syndromes, based on operational criteria. Consistent with this model, ten distinct set personality disorder criteria are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). However, debate persists about the clinical utility of this categorical model, with many (Krueger, et al.) researchers supporting a dimensional model that focuses on pathological levels of normative personality traits.

An exploratory factor analysis (De Fruyt et al., 2013) of the NEO Personality Inventory-3 (NEOPI-3; Costa & McCrae, 2010) and The Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5; Krueger, Derringer, …

“Eat, Sleep, Hydrate, Masturbate!” Sexuality Education, Digital Media And Creator Identity Implications, Emma Venetis

Honors Theses

The introduction of sexuality information to young people has been a point of tension in our society for decades as adults argue over how, when, or if young people should learn such information. However, with the rise of digital technology, the ability of adults to regulate young people’s access to information about sexuality has minimized significantly. Yet the curriculum in sexuality education classrooms continues to be debated while little research has been done examining the easily-accessible information that lives on the Internet. This thesis analyzes two popular sexuality education channels on YouTube, sexplanations and lacigreen, with subscriber counts ranging from …

The Effect Of Oral Rehydration Solutions (Sports Drinks) On Strength, Speed, And Endurance: A Field Study, Andrea Wisniewski

Honors Theses

Research Objective: The specific objective of this study is to contrast three different oral rehydration solutions (sports drinks) during a prolonged exercise trial on muscular strength, speed, and endurance in healthy young adult males.

Methodology: Thirteen (13) healthy male subjects will participate in a 5-mile walk on an outdoor track carrying a 40-pound rucksack on three separate occasions while drinking one of three (3) oral rehydration solutions (sports drinks) at a rate of 250 mL every 15 minutes as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine. All three trails will be performed outdoors and differences in environmental conditions accounted …

Yellow Jack's Wrath: The 1878 Yellow Fever Epidemic And Public Health In Mississippi, Kyle Winston

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

To “Converse With The Most Excellent Men”: Classical Education, Cultural Capital, And The Formation Of A Ruling Class In The Antebellum South, Katherine E. Aberle

Honors Theses

Caroline Winterer writes in The Culture of Classicism: Ancient Greece and Rome in Intellectual Life, 1780-1910that “Next to Christianity, the central intellectual project in American colleges before the nineteenth century was classicism.” Classics had been the heart of education among social elites in Europe and North America at least since the Renaissance, but the tradition would have particular importance in the American South. From such early planters as William Byrd II to such founding fathers as Jefferson and Madison, to planters at the end of the antebellum period, knowledge of classical languages and the history of classical antiquity was a …

Caffeine Rush! Examining The Effects Of Caffeine On Spatial Working Memory, Alexander Lawriw

Honors Theses

Past research concerning caffeine and its effects on memory have yielded varying results. One study found that a 3-mg/kg dose of caffeine decreased reaction time during a selective attention task. However, this improvement was only found during a low display load, with no effect on reaction time occurring within a high display load (Lorist, Snell, Kok, & Mulder,1996). As such, the effects of caffeine may be dependent on a variety of other factors, such as the difficulty of the task at hand (Nehlig, 2004). This present study aimed to explore further the potential memory-enhancing qualities of caffeine with respect to …

Olfaction And Disgust As Predictors Of Elevated Perfectionism, Maia Mclin

Honors Theses

Odor detection and disgust sensitivity were once vital to survival by providing a means to assess if foods were safe for consumption. Along with odor detection and disgust sensitivity, obsessivecompulsive traits, such as checking, may have increased chance of survival by decreasing the likelihood of consuming contaminated foods leading to an evolutionary advantage (Rozin & Fallon, 1987). Current regulations that prevent the distribution of spoiled and contaminated foods in developed societies make these processes less necessary to survival today; as a result, obsessive compulsive traits that may have once been advantageous may now be pathological. Neural connections also suggest a …

Colonization To Globalization: French-Algerian Integration Analysis From Historical, Societal, And Economic Perspectives, Stephanie Soledad Rodriguez

Honors Theses

This cross-disciplinary research on French-Algerian relations is designed to expose the influence of historical, societal, and economic perspectives on the present and future of cultural and economic integration. Using a multi-disciplinary approach to analyze French-Algerian relations, this research comprehensively leverages seemingly unrelated factors that have impacted the transition of France-Algeria from European colonization to globalization. In this work, their colonial history and statistics on population, immigration, and employment are used to introduce the development of French-Algerian relations from 1830-2016. This research considers how French and Algerian government policies have shaped the development of societal factors by analyzing data on immigrant …

Comparative Economic Analysis Of Beef Calf Preconditioning Programs, Breanthony Baker

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Development And Assessment Of Interactive Learning Supplement Tools For Engineering Mechanics, Emma Neuweiler

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Attitude Change Intervention For Victim Blaming Of Sexual Assault, Catharine Sciolla

Honors Theses

This research explores the possibility of an Attitude Change based intervention for victim blaming following and surrounding incidents of sexual assault and sexual violence. The study aimed at creating an intervention to successfully decrease and minimize victim blaming attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and tendencies through a combination of internalization strategies, self-reference effects, and empirically supported attitude change methods. There were 149 participants who completed the study. Participants were tasked to complete a series questionnaires measuring Hostile sexism, Benevolent sexism, Just World Bias, Robbery Victim Blame, then complete the intervention, a brief educational reading and a self-generated response to a fictional rape …