Digital Commons Network^™

Relationships Among Institutional Betrayal, Adverse Healthcare Experiences, And College Student Health, Saba Mustafa

Honors Theses

Institutional betrayal is defined as the trauma experienced by an individual who feels that their trust in the ability of an institution to keep the individual safe is broken. Healthcare-related institutional betrayal has primarily been explored among working adults, individuals with chronic conditions, and individuals from racially diverse backgrounds. However, healthcare-related institutional betrayal has seldom been explored in college student samples, who may have different healthcare needs compared to other patient populations. The present study explored college students’ experiences with institutional betrayal due to negative healthcare experiences. Survey data were gathered from 157 college students. Measures included healthcare provider trust, …

The Effect Of An English Mother Tongue On Spanish Language Acquisition, Erin Wallace

Honors Theses

This study investigates how English influences the Spanish acquisition of English-speaking learners by analyzing written errors, background factors, and interview data. Using two linguistic classification frameworks, it identifies both the types and underlying causes of errors, revealing that gender and plural agreement issues, verb forms, word order problems, and subjunctive misuse are the most frequent difficulties. These errors primarily stem from first-language transfer, overgeneralization, and instructional gaps. The findings highlight the need for targeted practice, contrastive analysis, and greater exposure to authentic Spanish input. Despite limitations such as small sample size and incomplete interview participation, the study offers direction for …

Expression, Purification And Characterization Of Full Length Tdp-43, Danya Abouzaid

Honors Theses

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a 43 kDa RNA-binding protein linked to several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Alzheimer’s disease. 5-7,28,30,33 Studying full-length TDP-43 has been difficult because of its intrinsic instability and tendency to aggregate.19,25,28,33,36 In this study, we focused on overcoming the difficulties to express full-length TDP-43 in E. coli recombinantly. We focused on expressing full-length TDP-43 as a fusion construct with a maltose-binding protein (MBP) to improve solubility and stability. Our strategy was to purify TDP-43-MBP fusion and make biomolecular condensates with RNA before cleaving the tag with thrombin protease. …

Neural Rrp6 Depletion Drives Circrna Accumulation And Motor Impairment In Drosophila Melanogaster Neurons, Joseph Serio

Honors Theses

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of ubiquitous eukaryotic RNAs created by back splicing. These noncoding RNAs can modulate gene expression and are implicated in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. To limit the contribution of circRNAs to aging and pathobiology, it is essential to understand how turnover of these molecules is regulated, as it is not clear which enzymes are chiefly responsible for degrading circRNAs in neurons. This study evaluates the roles of ribonucleases potentially involved in neural circRNA turnover using the model fly Drosophila melanogaster. A mifepristone-activated GAL4/UAS GeneSwitch expressed RNAi transgenes and inactivated the ribonucleases. Flies were evaluated on …

Nursing Students’ Attitudes Regarding Technical Standards For Entrance Into A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Program, Jordyn Cook

Honors Theses

Admission into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program requires students to meet specific criteria including a non-negotiable set of technical standards. Technical standards encompass physical abilities including twisting, bending, and handling objects of varying weights (Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science, n.d.). While physical capabilities may hold significance in bedside nursing, the American Nurses Association does not establish specific physical qualifications (American Nurses Association, 2010). Due to admission criteria and technical standards, individuals with disabilities are rarely found among career nurses and nursing students (Leslie & Miller, 2020).

This study aims to determine nursing students’ attitudes towards …

Identifying Barriers For Community Pharmacies As Vaccines For Children (Vfc) Providers In Rural Alabama: Opportunities For Solutions, Myra Bajwa

Honors Theses

Significant Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination disparities exist between rural and urban areas in the US. A primary contributor is low access to preventive care in rural areas. Among the most promising strategies to overcome this is increasing access through offering HPV vaccination in non-traditional, convenient health settings such as pharmacies. In rural areas, community pharmacies are trusted, convenient pillars of the community. In Alabama, community pharmacies are eligible for enrollment in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, a federally-funded program that provides free vaccines to children and adolescents under 18 years old who are uninsured, underinsured, American Indian, or Alaska …

False Narratives And Fierce Hope: Recentering Appalachian Rhetorics Of Place And Health, Sarah G. Cardwell

Honors Theses

This research seeks to analyze the rhetorical dimensions of how health is discussed in Appalachia, focusing specifically on Letcher County, Kentucky. In Letcher County, as in many Appalachian communities, rhetorics of healthcare and poverty are inextricably linked, largely due to media portrayals. One of the most impactful of these media portrayals is the 1964 CBS special entitled Christmas in Appalachia. In this special, host Charles Kuralt visits Letcher County and makes a pointed effort to speak to families who are living in poverty, asking them questions about their daily lives and if they “want better” for their children than their …

The Impact Of Colonization On The Political Development Of Colonized Nations Post-Independence: The French Colonization Of Lebanon, Mariam Faleh

Honors Theses

Colonization is characterized in literature through the lens of the colonizer, defined primarily by its successes. From the discovery of the New World by Columbus in 1492 to the establishment of the United States of America by the EU, spread of democracy across the globe, and its association with the idea of globalization, colonization is seen as the pioneer of the modern world. While colonization has played a large role in the development of the world as we know it, paving the way for the success of many independent nations, it has also simultaneously hindered the development of many. This …

Influence Of Depressive Symptomatology On Vocal Production, Olivia Taylor

Honors Theses

Language has been widely recognized as a crucial form of social connection, providing both contextual and semantic information, including intonation, pitch, rate of speech, and pauses. As mental health conditions begin to rise while mental health providers begin to decrease, research in psychology has focused on investigating other factors that may aid in the diagnosis of mental health disorders. Research has indicated that physiological factors, including vocal production, may highlight specific shifts in speech patterns or vocal characteristics. Limited research has been conducted to investigate the possible implications for the emerging adult population, despite the group obtaining the highest prevalence …

Transcription Factors And Regulatory Proteins In The Control Of Eukaryotic Gene Expression, Maya M. Minkara

Honors Theses

Transcription factors (TFs) function as precision switches that integrate signaling inputs, chromatin state, and protein homeostasis to control gene expression. This thesis unites three interconnected research themes: (1) mechanistic studies of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in regulating eukaryotic TFs, focusing on polymerase-associated Factor 1 (Paf1) and TATA-box binding protein-associated factor 2 (Taf2); (2) identification of biomarker genes within odor-related TF networks; and (3) integration of published undergraduate research linking molecular regulation, bioinformatics, and synthetic biology. These themes are purposefully structured so that mechanistic insight into TF control sets up network-level discovery and, in turn, motivates applied and translational directions. In …

Cultural Roots Of Eating: A Comparative Analysis Of Organic Discourse And Marketing Practices In China And The United States, Zubing (Jane) Guo

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how cultural frameworks influence the development of the organic food market and shape individual attitudes towards the label “organic” in the U.S. and China. While the popularity of organic food has increased in recent years, cognitive and behavioral reactions toward the label “organic” have differed across societies. In the U.S., healthy eating discourse aligns closely with the individualistic culture and atomistic cognitive style, highlighting the importance of salient elements such as specific nutrients or chemical use. In contrast, Chinese healthy eating discourse is based on balance and harmony, which is directly related to traditional Chinese culture of …

Perceptions Of Mississippi Parents Of Youth And Young Adults With Autism Regarding Relationship Training And Sex Education, Peter Mccormick

Honors Theses

This study used analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine if there was a significant difference between the age of a parent with a youth or young adult with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and the age of their child when they plan to discuss the three sex education and relationship training topics of sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, and contraception. The results of the ANOVA were not significant for the sex education and relationship topics of sexual intercourse F (2, 22) = 1.485, p = 0.248 and contraception F (2,22) = 3.059, p = 0.0667. However, the results of the ANOVA …

Teacher Perceptions Of School Leadership: Trust, Fairness, And Support As Predictors Of Student Achievement, Trever B. Smith

Honors Theses

This quantitative study examined the relationship between staff–leadership working conditions and student achievement outcomes in Kentucky high schools. This research makes use of extant data from the Impact Kentucky Working Conditions Survey for the 2023-2024 school year. The researcher particularly studied the correlation between teacher perceptions of trust, fairness, and support from principals and student achievement in the Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA). Teacher perceptions of working conditions were generally favorable, though trust and perceptions of school leadership emerged as weaker areas. Correlation analyses indicated only weak, nonsignificant associations between leadership working conditions and student achievement outcomes at the statewide level. …

Who Was It Truly For?: Bernard Bragg, David Hays, And National Theatre Of The Deaf, Eni Buckhanan

Honors Theses

National Theatre of the Deaf is known for being the first professional sign language theatre company in the United States; however, the complexities of its origins and founders are rarely examined. This thesis explores the relationship between Deaf performer and educator Bernard Bragg and hearing set designer David Hays, along with what was prioritized in the creation of the company, and the aftereffects of these choices on the National Theatre of the Deaf and their Deaf and hearing audiences.

Bragg and Hays began correspondence in 1966, as they developed plans for what would become the National Theatre of the Deaf. …

Sync, Lauren Brown

Honors Theses

The goal of my thesis is to develop an efficient way for dance professionals to network with each other. The dance industry is saturated with talent; therefore, relationships are key to booking jobs. Relationships connect mentors and collaborative spaces that lead to consistent and long-term growth. Dancers enter the professional industry with limited experience. The financial pressure to afford the living costs in dance hub cities like New York and Los Angeles often requires dancers to work multiple jobs. Balancing multiple jobs causes dancers to struggle to find time and opportunities to network meaningfully. Thus, the core problem is when, …

The Inner Workings Of The Flipped Classroom, Kimberly Y. Resendiz

Honors Theses

This paper will be exploring what a flipped classroom is; specifically how teachers use the flipped classroom. First, it is important to note that the flipped classroom is a relatively new method that has popped up as early as the early 2000s. In general, this method allows for teachers to switch the environments in which learning the concepts and doing an activity are switched. The purpose of this paper is to explore the implementation of the four pillars of the flipped classroom, as well as the benefits and challenges STEM teachers face when using flipped classrooms. I have collected data …

Becoming Her, Paris Meller

Honors Theses

This dance-for-camera project explores the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Using a mix of interviews, choreography, and 70s-inspired sound, the project highlights women stepping into male-dominated spaces and reclaiming their power, creativity, and confidence on and off the stage. Ultimately, it serves as a celebration of self-expression and a reminder that identity is something we define for ourselves, not something the world decides for us.

The work is approximately five minutes in length and combines contemporary dance, pedestrian movement, and multimedia editing to create a layered performance for the camera. The project features …

Anonymity And Social Pressure: A Sociological Analysis Of Lolcows On Kiwifarms, Mary R. Smith

Honors Theses

This research assesses the website KiwiFarms using a mixed-methods approach, including content analysis and descriptive statistics, to determine whether demographic factors, such as weight, disability, and sexuality, influence an individual’s susceptibility to online trolling for others' entertainment.

The study found that most disproportionately targeted group was found to be overweight females. Meanwhile, Kiwi Farms users were found to be predominantly male, aged 18-24, and reside in the United States. The study's results indicate that the expressions of anomie on KiwiFarms are predominantly disciplinary, suggesting that KiwiFarms users mainly focus their criticism on rule violations rather than targeting individuals based on …

The Social Psychology Of Group Dynamics In Cults: Exploring The Influence Of Leadership And Organizational Structure In The Heaven’S Gate Cult, Mellanie L N Douglas

Honors Theses

Social Psychology of Group Dynamics in Cults: Exploring the Influence of Leadership and Organizational Structure in the Heaven’s Gate Cult Mellanie Douglas Dr. Kristen Campbell, Department of Psychology

Cults are extreme religious or political groups that rely on social and psychological influence to attract followers and maintain loyalty to a charismatic leader. Heaven's Gate is recognized as a historic new age religious and science fiction cult. It was founded in the 1970s by Marshall Herff Applewhite and Bonnie Lou Nettles during the counterculture movement and ended in 1997 with a mass suicide of 39 members. Accounts from within and regarding …

Rats With Wings: The Villainization Of The Pigeon And Its Portrayal In Modern Art And Literature, Emily Dutton

Honors Theses

For millennia, humans have had an increasingly intimate relationship with pigeons. These birds have been called a wide range of names and served a myriad of purposes alongside their human handlers; however, since the populations of feral rock pigeons have increased in American cities, the general public has ascribed a negative connotation to the pigeons that they were once closely associated with. The increasing populations of pigeons along with their decreasing perceived usefulness to humanity has led to a sharp decline in their image. This thesis aims to examine how the pigeon became so loathed after it was coveted for …

From Paper To Pixels: How Covid-19 Changed Teachers’ Perspectives Toward Technology, Nora Knight

Honors Theses

As schools transitioned to virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers faced numerous instructional, technological, and emotional challenges. The purpose of this research study is to explore how K-5 elementary school teachers navigated the transition to remote instruction during all stages of the pandemic. Additionally, it examines teachers’ perspectives on technology integration in their classrooms throughout COVID-19, focusing on their preparedness, confidence, and instructional decision-making as they adapted to online teaching. A mixed-methods survey was distributed to 108 elementary school teachers in Madison County, Kentucky. The results revealed educators’ feelings and experiences with educational technology before, during, and after the …

What About Us? The Exclusion Of Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In The Disaster Planning Process., Elizabeth Ogorek

Honors Theses

Intellectual/Developmental disabilities, or I/DDs, refers to a wide variety of conditions that can affect a person’s ability to process information and their environment. Individuals with I/DDs have a plethora of unique vulnerabilities before, during, and after major disasters. Some of these include difficulty understanding instructions, a tendency to become more easily overwhelmed by external stimuli, and reliance on 1-1 support. Despite this, very little evidence exists both in the research and the practice of emergency management to demonstrate that they have been included in meaningful ways. Many state Emergency Operations Plans, or EOPs, fail to acknowledge intellectually/developmentally disabled individuals as …

Mapping Social Vulnerabilities: Importance And Relevance In Disasters, Madelynn H. Linet

Honors Theses

This report provides a comprehensive overview of disaster management, socially vulnerable populations, and geographic information systems. Mapping at-risk populations using GIS shows promise for improving decision making across all phases of emergency management. The paper describes the context of each of these concepts, including national policies that lay the foundational framework for this thesis. These include multiple documents from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other governmental partners and agencies that aim to provide guidance for disaster planning purposes, especially relating to socially vulnerable populations. The next section explains the methodology for the accompanied …

Level Up: How Video Games Can Be Beneficial And Spark Creative Imagination In Players, Makendra M. Phipps

Honors Theses

Since the 2010’s, a technological trend has been flourishing: the development and enhancement of video games across different platforms. The early 1970s began the evolution of video game systems, from Atari and Magnavox Odyssey (1972) to Game Boy (1989) to Nintendo Switch 2 (2025) today. Video games themselves have also evolved, from the first basic computer games of the 1950s (such as OXO and Tennis for Two), to the introduction of arcade games in the 1970s (Pong, Space Invaders, PAC-Man), to the popular video games of today (Grand Theft Auto, Minecraft, Fortnite, R.E.P.O., to name …

Good Intentions Gone Wrong: The Hidden Consequences Of Benevolent Sexism For Women Seeking Justice, Mia Thomas

Honors Theses

Sexism and gender-stereotypes have long impacted societal and criminal justice system responses to victims of violent crime. Scholarly research has demonstrated that sexism is complex and takes varying forms (i.e., ambivalent, hostile, institutional, internalized and more). Of particular interest here is benevolent sexism, which is broadly defined as holding attitudes towards women that are seemingly positive, but which ultimately increase the patronization of women and reinforce their subordination. Such examples include the cultural customs of chivalry or the act of maintaining sexist attitudes with “good intentions.” Drawing on media case studies and scholarly literature, I examine the influence of benevolent …

Double Lenses: Understanding Adhd–Autism Comorbidity Across Gender And Pathways To Intervention, Grace A. Peak

Honors Theses

Each year, the number of people diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) rises. This rising number is due to the abundance of research done on each disorder. Because of this increase in information, many adults and children are getting a comorbid diagnosis, meaning that they are being diagnosed with both disorders at the same time. There is one catch, however; research has shown that ADHD and ASD are spectrums, meaning that they have symptoms that can range in frequency and severity while also affecting each person differently. A large portion of the research conducted …

Maternal Nutritional Status And Immune Regulation In Early Offspring Development, Caroline C. Pagan

Honors Theses

Maternal nutrition, immune function, and microbiome health work together to shape fetal development in ways that influence health across the lifespan and even into future generations. This paper synthesizes evidence from molecular biology, nutrition science, immunology, and public health to show that essential nutrients-such as omega-3 fatty acids, folate, iron, zinc, and vitamin D-directly affect fetal immune programming, neurodevelopment, placental function, and metabolic regulation. Research on the maternal microbiome further demonstrates that microbial diversity and metabolite production modify nutrient absorption, inflammatory balance, and fetal gene expression, underscoring the microbiome’s role as both a mediator and amplifier of nutritional effects. At …

Social Drivers Of Health: Shifting The Focus Of Health Indicators From The Biological Code To The Zip Code, Jenna M. Barlage

Honors Theses

This study explored how healthcare facilities in Kentucky and Ohio are adapting to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 2024 mandate requiring the collection and reporting of Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) data. Through literature review and interviews with healthcare administrators responsible for SDOH screening, documentation, and reporting, the research evaluated the central hypothesis: while the mandate has expanded the amount of available SDOH data, healthcare organizations continue to face substantial financial, technological, and organizational barriers in addressing identified patient needs. Findings indicated that many facilities have broadened and standardized their screening practices, leading to clearer early trends …

The Leap Through Reality: The Connections Between Quantum Leap’S Tropes Within Natural Science, Annamarie G. Seamans

Honors Theses

Quantum Leap aired in 1989 and became known for the show's combination of science fiction tropes. The combination of switching consciousness and time travel was an uncommon method for storytelling and stood out among the many science fiction shows released in the 1980s. Time travel has been a storytelling tool for centuries and many scientists have developed theories that allow time travel to be possible in the natural world. Many of the theories developed become improbable due to causality. However, if causality is no longer maintained there are models of time travel that become more likely. Similarly, the science behind …

Idlewild Documentary, Arise Rock

Honors Theses

This honors thesis and documentary, “I Can Breathe, the story of how Idlewild changed my life,” explores my personal journey to Idlewild with the Lee Honors College Study in the States Program. Over the past three years, I have attended every trip to Idlewild, and captured footage showcasing the enduring legacy and spirit of Idlewild, Michigan. This place was a once-thriving African American resort community during the Jim Crow era, and now is home to year-round locals who seek hope and restoration for the community. Through a deeply personal lens, this project seeks to honor Idlewild’s past and also envision …