Digital Commons Network^™

Targeted Delivery Of Ribonucleotide Reductase Sirna In Cancer Cells Via Gold Nanoplexes, John Caleb Grenn

Honors Theses

Cancer treatment has much room for improvement, as therapies today cannot differentiate well between what cells are part of a tumor and which are healthy. Our research involves targeting cancer cells by their overexpressed folic acid receptors, and delivering small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to silence genes crucial to cell survival by the RNA interference gene knockdown pathway. By using Gaussia luciferase siRNA (siGLuc) as a model for cell delivery, we have been able to test our ability to deliver siRNA via a gold nanoparticle delivery system, also developed in our lab. We also synthesized ribonucleotide reductase siRNA (siRRM2), which will …

Popularity Of Virtual Reality Immersion In Theme Park Attractions Of North America, Jessica A. Jelinski

Honors Theses

Theme parks continually change to incorporate new technology. Since the development of virtual reality, designers of theme park attractions have utilized several different immersion technology systems. Most of the current attractions are based on the Head-Mounted Display system and the Cave Automatic Virtual Environment system. To date, few studies or papers have been published concerning the effect virtual reality and the accompanying immersion technology may have on theme park attractions. One hundred and seventy-eight attractions from eight theme parks were categorized based on level of immersion and then analyzed for this study. Wait times for these attractions were used to …

“I Have Beene A Reall Actor”: Analyzing The Writings Of John Smith Through The Lens Of Performative Documentary Theory, Kristen L. Walker

Honors Theses

In this thesis I turn to two of the originating texts of American literature: John Smith’s The Generall Historie of Virginia, and A True Relation. The General Historie was first published in 1624, sixteen years after Smith had returned to England, and A True Relation was published in 1608, just a year after Smith arrived Jamestown. These two were not the first or only texts Smith published. During his time spent as a mercenary, solider, and explorer, Smith also wrote eight other works. These two featured texts, The Generall Historie and A True Relation, present Smith’s time …

Drosophila T-Box Transcription Factor Midline Functions In The Notch-Delta Signaling Pathway To Regulate Sensory Organ Precursor Cell Fate And Cell Survival And Embryonic Development Profile Of Midline, Senseless, And Achaete In The Cns And Pns, Joseph D. Saucier

Honors Theses

The gene mid of Drosophila is a highly conserved gene that codes for a T-box transcription factor with similar functionality to its vertebrate homolog Tbx20. Mid and Tbx20 are important for their roles in heart and CNS development. Additionally, these transcription factors aid in proper eye development but this area of research is vastly understudied. This study uses the eye of Drosophila to report that mid and its paralog H15 expression aid in the specification of sensory organ precursor (SOP) cell fates and cell survival in the pupal eye imaginal disc. Using RNAi interference to reduce mid expression resulted in …

The Search Continues: Modernizing The Quest For The Holy Grail In Film, Jody C. Balius

Honors Theses

I focus here on The Natural (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and The Fisher King (1991). These three are clearly Grail-oriented stories that have different definitions of what the Grail truly is and means, but all have characters with internalized quests to find both greatness and peace within themselves. I used a literary approach to analyzing the films’ plots, themes, and motifs. Being a narrative analysis, the study focuses on the plot, characters, and content. Certain visual aspects of the films are also important to these narrative components, but the visual will be discussed insofar as it …

The Level Of Commitment Of Intrinsic Religiosity And Relational Aggression In Middle-Aged Women, Hannah E. Allen

Honors Theses

The study examined the relationship between the level of commitment to intrinsic religiosity and the role of relational aggression in the lives of middle-aged women. Research has shown that middle-aged women participate in relational aggression, but few studies have investigated it. The causes and methods of prevention in relational aggression are something to be considered, and a first step is examining risk and protective factors. Is intrinsic religiosity a protective or risk factor for participating as an instigator in relational aggression? Does intrinsic religiosity actually buffer the negative effects associated with victimization in relational aggression? Based on research that previously …

As Seen In Vogue: An Analytical Observation Of Nudity In French And American Vogue, Elizabeth A. Kiehn

Honors Theses

For centuries, Europe has been the leader in fashion production and innovation. At the heart of this continent lies the fashion capital of the world—France. French designers have always been on the cutting edge of fashion. Setting trends, shocking consumers, and enticing the world have been normal everyday activities for them as if it is in their blood. French culture is much more daring and open about sexuality in comparison to American culture, however, American designers and retailers are still heavily influenced by French fashion designs. This begs the question then: Are French fashion magazines equally influential on American fashion …

Built On Friendship: A Study Of Formal And Informal Business Culture In Carbondale, Illinois, Sarah E. Depuy

Honors Theses

Business practices in urban centers have garnered much of the research and interest by anthropologists, sociologists, and economists with very little focus on small business communities in rural areas. In this paper I explored the social connections and relationships between business owners in the region of Southern Illinois and their communities and the ways in which they integrate their public and private lives. To do this, I interviewed members of the formal, semi-formal, informal, and online business communities in Carbondale, Illinois. For my analysis, I used a variety of sources including Claudia Strauss' Partly Fragmented, Partly Integrated: An Anthropological …

Super Terror: The Complex Relationship Between Sequential Art And Real World Political Violence, Tyler R. Chance

Honors Theses

While scholars have recognized that the media plays a very important role in the understanding of terrorism and other forms of political violence, alternative and popular forms of media (such as the Comic Strip, Graphic Novel, Cartoon, etc.) have not been examined as closely by social scientists.

This research is concerned with the reaction by graphic narratives to events of terror and the graphic work as a way of influencing the public in its opinion of terror.

The main piece examined is Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta which was made as a discussion of the justification of terror witch specific …

Contemporary Hollywood And The Attention Economy, Caitlin Falco

Honors Theses

This thesis had two goals: to explore the transformation of Hollywood from the 1930s to present, and to investigate how Contemporary Hollywood functions in a growing attention economy. Evident in the types of films that it produces as well as its evolving industrial structure, Contemporary Hollywood significantly differs from the Classical Hollywood of the 1930s. New digital technologies like surround sound and computer-generated imagery (CGI) have allowed studios to create a different type of film like the blockbuster and to have more extensive control over their films. Additionally, growing exhibition and distribution platforms have also fundamentally altered the industrial landscape …

Visual Branding In Graphic Design, Leslie E. Kirk

Honors Theses

Brands are all around us - no matter where we go, no matter what we do. As consumers, we are bombarded by images of logos and advertising campaigns every day. However, we rarely think about the process by which brands enter our lives. Before any product is ever produced or sold, it must first be branded. Every idea, from initial sketches to patented logos, supports a branding strategy, or the decisions a production team has made about what will drive a consumer to choose their brand over that of their competitors.

One problem small companies face when trying to get …

Dive Into The Pit: Moshing And Its Effects On Perceived Stress, Sense Of Belonging, & Self-Esteem In College Undergraduates, William Tyler Edwards

Honors Theses

Moshing has been underrepresented in the research field. This is especially true in the area of Therapeutic Recreation. Moshing has been seen as a dangerous and violent form of dance. However, in a controlled environment moshing has the potential to be used as a therapeutic modality.

This study examined the effects of moshing on perceived stress, sense of belonging, and self esteem in undergraduate college students at the University of Southern Mississippi. Data was collected during a five-week moshing dance session through the use of three assessments/surveys, which included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Rosenburg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the …

If You Build It, They Will Come: A Study Of Imperial Design In Victorian Britain, Scarlett A. Jones

Honors Theses

The Crystal Palace (1851) and Paddington Station (1854) utilized imperial design in their construction as a tool to infuse the British public with pride in the empire. This study considered how the buildings were discussed in the press and other descriptive materials, such as guidebooks and architectural critiques to provide a general perception of how imperial propaganda utilized descriptions of imperial design to garner support for the empire. The study concluded that the impact of imperial design as propaganda for the empire was influenced by the function of the buildings. Attitudes towards imperial design varied, hinting at a division in …

Deletion Of Putative Msa Operon Gene Fragment And Its Phenotypic Characterization In Community Acquired-Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Usa300 Strain Lac, Reem A. Dawoud

Honors Theses

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen that causes a wide variety of diseases. Many S. aureus strains have emerged which are resistant to the penicillin class of antibiotics. Of primary importance is methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which has cause frequent hospitalizations due to infections. In the past, MRSA was typically confined to hospital settings, but recently, community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) have been reported. CA-MRSA poses a major public health threat because of increased virulence and success in infecting otherwise healthy individuals. Previously we discovered a gene, msa, which plays a critical role in biofilm formation and regulation of the …

Study Of Students' Knowledge Of The Profession Of Graphic Design, Rachael C. Thomas

Honors Theses

Research, or rather the lack thereof, seems to indicate a lack of appreciation for graphic design, designers themselves, and the work they do in both the public and scholarly society. Without proper acknowledgement from the public and academia, graphic design as a profession is in danger of disappearing. The problem may stem from graphic design being a relatively new field if one is to think of it as really taking off with the invention of computers. This lack of understanding may also contribute to the absence of a single definition for graphic design. To address these concerns, this study will …

Movement Marketing Of Nonprofit Organizations: Creating Consumer Advocates, Laura B. Hunt

Honors Theses

The title of my thesis is called Movement Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations: Creating Consumer Advocates. The purpose of the study was to determine how nonprofit organizations use marketing to further their cause. The study involved interviewing employees of nonprofit organizations using a standard questionnaire to gather information about how the organization utilizes marketing internally and externally. After analyzing the information gathered from the personal interviews, several techniques were used by all of the organizations. The organizations use movement marketing by first starting to spread the passion for their cause within the organization through employees, volunteers, and board members. These advocates …

Water Simulation On Webgl And Three.Js, Kerim J. Pereira

Honors Theses

Technology is constantly moving forward. Computers are getting better and better every single day. Processors, memory, hard drives, and video cards are getting more powerful and more accessible to the users. With all of this hardware progressing, it is also logical that users want software to evolve as fast as the hardware.

Since this new hardware is available to the user, the easiest way to make graphics even more accessible to everyone is through the web browser. This move to the browser simplifies the life of the end user so that he does not have to install any additional software. …

The Council Of Conservative Citizens: Extolling Nativism And Perpetuating Stereotypes, Jordan M. Tinnon

Honors Theses

The Council of Conservative Citizens (CofCC), an overtly pro-white, anti-immigrant political organization, uses biased news articles laden with racial stereotypes to promote and propagate their dogma of white superiority and nativism. In these articles particular attention is paid to the supposed threats of Hispanic immigration, attempting to make the case that Hispanics put white Americans’ health and safety, along with the white American way of life, at risk. Six recent articles from the CofCC website are shown to capitalize on the fear of the public to further advance and support a doctrine of nativism. Nativism has serious ramifications both to …

Facebook As A Job Screening Tool: Are Sales Employers Discriminating Against Job Applicants Based On Their Facebook Profiles?, Jocelyn M. Lockhart

Honors Theses

Social media networking sites are an exceptionally popular resource of self-expression in modern society. They allow friends, families and lovers across the globe to connect and stay in touch with one another. It has become increasingly common for hiring employers to utilize these sites as job-screening platforms. This research will explore how sales employers specifically examine job candidates’ Facebook profiles. Furthermore it will examine whether or not they are discriminating against these applicants based on their Facebook content.

Professional First Ladies In The Media: Framing Of Clinton, Bush, And Obama In The Washington Post, Jazmyne E. Butler

Honors Theses

This study examines how the news media portray and frame modern first ladies. By prefacing the research with background information about the history of the role of first ladies, and media theories such as framing, the reader is able to better understand the implications of this coverage. Other previous research delved into gender roles and how deviation from these roles is subject to criticism. The goal of the research is to examine the first 100 days of a presidency to determine if a first lady who steps out of bounds with the traditional societal female gender role is subject to …

Changing The Nature Of The Beast: An Analysis Of Significant Variations From Madame De Beaumont’S La Belle Et La Bête In Disney’S Beauty And The Beast, Heather A. Stevens

Honors Theses

Madame Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont wrote and published La Belle et La Bête while working as a governess and educator in 1757. She told the tale to a young female audience as a means of teaching important life lessons. Walt Disney’s animated film Beauty and the Beast, released in 1991, is clearly inspired by Beaumont’s story, yet Disney makes many alterations to her characters. This thesis locates and analyzes these changes, arguing that they greatly alter the message of Beaumont’s story from one that is empowering to women to one that is harmful and ultimately anti-woman. This thesis also examines …

How Not To Spot A Terrorist: The Prevent Strategy’S Effect On British Muslims, Haddy K. Rikabi

Honors Theses

The United Kingdom’s Prevent Strategy is a unique government response to the threat of domestic terrorism. The program mixes social interaction and police work to dissuade suspected political extremists from participating in or supporting terrorist activities. This approach to preventing terrorist threats has had its share of criticism, though. British activists decried the Prevent Strategy for promoting discrimination against Muslims in Britain, misuse of public funding for programs, and a fear of government intrusion into private lives. In addition to a divisive history between Muslims and British natives, the Prevent Strategy’s emphasis on threats posed by Al-Qaeda and other Islamist …

Cloning And Expression Of The Cbbo (0910) Gene From Halothiobacillus Neapolitanus And Its Potential To Code For Rubisco Activase, Emily F.E. Bustin

Honors Theses

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase or RubisCO is an enzyme found in autotrophic organisms that functions to fix CO₂ and therefore plays an important role in the global carbon cycle. In order for RubisCO to increase its slow enzymatic rate, it must be exposed to high amounts of its substrate, CO₂. Carboxysomes, which sequester the RubisCO and its substrate, provide this function. It was previously believed that all the components necessary for carboxysome function were encoded by genes within the traditional cso operon. Recently, however, a gene in an operon located downstream of the cso operon was found to encode …

Using Manipulative Models To Develop Tree-Thinking, Donaven C. Mclaurin

Honors Theses

It is well known that students often struggle with tree-thinking, a core aspect of evolutionary education. Scientists consider phylogenetic trees multidimensional hypotheses of evolutionary relationships. However, student view textbook diagrams as static, two-dimensional images. Physical manipulatives have been used to facilitate learning science content in areas such as genetics, but these instructional tools have not yet been tested in tree-thinking. In order to circumvent students’ tree-thinking struggles, I investigated the use of manipulative, three-dimensional tree models in an introductory biology course designed for non-science majors (n=163). Specifically my research questions included: What are the differences in tree-thinking learning gains when …

Characterization Of The Function Of A Mold Specific Gene, Ms95, In The Pathogenic Dimorphic Fungus, Histoplasma Capsulatum, Danielle J. Williamson

Honors Theses

Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus that causes the respiratory disease histoplasmosis. At 25°C, the fungus grows as a multicellular mold in soils contaminated by bird and bat excreta. Once the soil is disturbed, spores are released and inhaled into the lungs. The fungus shifts to a unicellular, pathogenic yeast within the lungs at 37°C. Our laboratory’s main objective is to characterize the genes that are involved in the mold-to-yeast dimorphism. This study focuses on the mold-specific gene, MS95. According to The Broad Institute Histoplasma capsulatum GenBank Blastx search, MS95 has several homologs, including the well-studied Saccharomyces cerevisiae. …

Identification Of An Unknown Intracellular Organism In Karenia Brevis, Daniel O. Mcarthur

Honors Theses

The dinoflagellate K. brevis is a mixotrophic marine alga that is of ecological importance in coastal waters especially along the Gulf of Mexico. They are one of a few species of algae responsible for the production of “harmful algae blooms” or HABs in which they release neurotoxins called brevetoxins which negatively impact fishing industries, local wildlife, tourism, and coastal health. Because of the danger these algae pose their lifecycle and characteristics merit intensive study.

During a previous experiment in Dr. McLean’s lab involving salinity stressing cultured K. brevis, the stressed cultures exhibited an unusual data pattern when having their …

Intergenic Regions And Repeating Gene Sequences In The Dinoflagellate Karenia Brevis, Colleen A. Gregg

Honors Theses

Karenia brevis is a species of dinoflagellates that is responsible for “red tides” (more formally known as harmful algal blooms) found in the Gulf of Mexico. The blooms have adverse effects on humans and marine animals. Karenia brevis produces toxins that, in humans, can cause upper and lower respiratory problems as well as nausea and vomiting. For marine mammals, birds, fish, and other marine organisms, exposure to brevetoxins can result in morbidity and even death.

Even with the technology and resources we have today, scientist do not fully understand the mechanisms behind toxin production and bloom initiation. Because cellular processes …

Aaarrrggg I’M A Pirate: Cloud-Streaming Services And Their Effects On Music Consumption And Music Piracy, Caitlin M. Seale

Honors Theses

With advances in technology, music consumption among listeners has vastly changed throughout the years. These changes in technology have allowed piracy to thrive and prosper while physical sales vastly decreased. Previous studies have explored how music piracy effects music consumption. This study goes beyond the work that previous studies have explored by examining a new form of music consumption—cloud-streaming websites. This thesis examines how cloud-streaming services have affected music consumption and music piracy through an analysis of an online study distributed to music consumers. The results showed that cloud-streaming services do change the way that people consume music. Respondents demonstrated …

The Relation Between Language And Social Skills In Children With Down Syndrome: Examination Of Pressure Equalization Tube Placement During The Critical Developmental Period, Brandi M. Ellis

Honors Theses

The current study examined the relation among status regarding placement of pressure equalization tubes (PET), expressive language, receptive language, and social skills in children with Down syndrome. Previous research has documented the importance of PET placement for children with Down syndrome who suffer from chronic otitis media during the critical developmental period for language —not only to treat ear infections but also to prevent permanent damage leading to hearing loss. For the current study, the critical developmental period was defined as birth to 36 months. Parents and teachers of three children with Down syndrome (ages 12 to 15 years) completed …

Delivery Of Antiviral Sirna With Gold Nanoparticle Against Dengue Virus, Amanda J. Cooley

Honors Theses

The goal of this study was to use specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA) sequences to target the E gene of the Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2). It was predicted that this targeted binding of siRNA would prevent subsequent translation of the E gene protein, as well as virion production in infected cells. Due to the instability of the antiviral siRNA, the siRNA was conjugated to gold nano-particles (AuNP) in order to provide stability during delivery to the infected Vero cells. Cells were transfected with siRNA-AuNP complexes prior to DENV-2 infection. The siRNA-AuNP complexes tested included two different siRNA sequences (at varying …