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Honors Theses

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Not Extinct: A Year In The Life Of The American Chesnut, Kristen Julina Stanfill Mar 2013

Not Extinct: A Year In The Life Of The American Chesnut, Kristen Julina Stanfill

Honors Theses

After the widespread infection of the American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata) due to the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica the species was nearly brought to extinction and now merely exists as stump sprouts. Since the fungus infects the bark of the tree but not the root systems new shoots are able to emerge and grow before once again being girdled by the fungus. Cryphonectria parasitica is believed to have been brought to America on Asian species of chestnut which possess resistance to the blight caused by the fungus. It is the plan of the American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) to integrate the genes …


White Female Criminals In Civil War Richmond, 1860-1865, Frances Sisson Jan 2013

White Female Criminals In Civil War Richmond, 1860-1865, Frances Sisson

Honors Theses

This study tells the story of white female criminals and addresses the problem of the white female criminality and the resulting reaction of the patriarchal society in Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War, specifically the years 1861-1864. During the Civil War, white female criminality became a daily occurrence because of the wartime conditions in Richmond, such as inflation and overpopulation. Because of the established patriarchal society and the lack of emphasis on the women's rights movement in the South, the female involvement in crime during the war was extremely shocking to the male driven society. The judicial system struggled with …


Self-Presentation Symbols And Their Effect On Heroic And Villainous Drive, Amelia Knight Jan 2013

Self-Presentation Symbols And Their Effect On Heroic And Villainous Drive, Amelia Knight

Honors Theses

There is a significant body of research reflecting that human beings are drawn to hero stories. This fascination stems from a basic human need for hope and the inspiration to achieve greatness. Most hero stories, especially fictional ones, contain symbolically embedded information, which helps us to mentally represent particular heroes. For example, when asked to visualize Batman and Superman two distinct images come to mind: Batman’s mask and Superman’s cape. In the real world, these symbols are a little more obscure, like a Policeman’s badge or a Fireman’s hat. Symbols are important for the understanding of viewers, but they can …


Investigating The Effects Of Bag3 Knockdown On The Cytotoxicity Of The Anticancer Drug Laromustine, Kayla Gross Jan 2013

Investigating The Effects Of Bag3 Knockdown On The Cytotoxicity Of The Anticancer Drug Laromustine, Kayla Gross

Honors Theses

Laromustine is a sulfonylhydrazine anticancer prodrug whose cytotoxicity results from the formation of interstrand cross-links caused by the synergistic action of co- generated 2-chloroethylating and carbamoylating species. The cytotoxic activities of Laromustine involve the induction of apoptosis. Described herein is an investigation into this drug’s effects on apoptotic gene expression in HL-60 cells using qRT-PCR. Significant changes in the expression levels of 13 genes were observed, most dramatically in the upregulation of the bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) gene. Given the pro-survival role of BAG3 in the cell, this investigation sought to decrease BAG3 mRNA levels in HL-60 cells using transient …


Aiding Or Abetting? An Analysis Of Medical Humanitarian Aid In Complex Humanitarian Emergencies, Claire Dunn Jan 2013

Aiding Or Abetting? An Analysis Of Medical Humanitarian Aid In Complex Humanitarian Emergencies, Claire Dunn

Honors Theses

Medical humanitarianism is generally viewed very positively by society. Selfless humanitarians are going to war-torn, disaster-affected, or otherwise undesirable locations to provide medical care to those who are in need. However, when considered more carefully, it becomes clear that there are many problematic aspects of humanitarian aid. That is not to say that humanitarian aid is unnecessary, but rather that humanitarian actions are likely to have some unintended consequences or fail to live up to their potential no matter how well-meaning the intentions. Acknowledging that medical humanitarianism is but a single component of the response to complex humanitarian emergencies and …


Investigating The Interaction Of Zinc-Finger Peptides And Nicked Dna Using Phage Display, Rachel Maria Guerra Jan 2013

Investigating The Interaction Of Zinc-Finger Peptides And Nicked Dna Using Phage Display, Rachel Maria Guerra

Honors Theses

Recognition of structural features of DNA such as gaps, nicks and abasic sites is critical for many DNA-binding proteins, such as those involved in DNA damage repair. This study explores a novel strategy to model these protein-DNA interactions using phage display. Phage display has been commonly used to identity zinc fingers that bind to DNA sequences, but selection of peptides that binding to specific DNA structures has not been reported in the literature. A phage library of 109 variants was created based on one of three zinc finger domains of the DNA repair protein poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase I. The library, …


When The Walls Talk: Political Graffiti At La Universidad Nacional In Bogotá, Colombia, Abbott Grey Matthews Jan 2013

When The Walls Talk: Political Graffiti At La Universidad Nacional In Bogotá, Colombia, Abbott Grey Matthews

Honors Theses

Graffiti in Latin America is often political. This thesis considers the political graffiti found at la Universidad Nacional (UNAL) in Bogotá, Colombia. Unlike many other nations in the region, Colombia has not experienced the same political history of repressive dictatorships. As a result, the current literature on political graffiti does not cover the outlier case of Colombia. This research uses survey responses from and interviews with students at UNAL in order to better understand what the graffiti says and how it impacts students at the university. Moreover, this thesis seeks to answer why political graffiti persists at UNAL despite attempts …


An Unexpected Verdict: Exploring The Economic Implications Of An Expanding Chinese Presence In Dakar's Informal Market, Georgina Hurst Jan 2013

An Unexpected Verdict: Exploring The Economic Implications Of An Expanding Chinese Presence In Dakar's Informal Market, Georgina Hurst

Honors Theses

Through examination of literature, statistical analysis, and field research in Dakar, Senegal, this study explores the economic implications of an expanding Chinese presence on Senegalese retailers in the informal market of Dakar, and on Senegalese consumers of cheap goods that shop primarily in this market. Since the early 1990s, a neighborhood of Chinese storefronts selling cheap goods has developed in the Centenaire region of downtown Dakar. The Chinese entrepreneurs, primarily in Dakar for wholesale, have adapted to the demands of low-end Senegalese retailers and consumers, focusing their products on basic necessities, such as clothing, and imitation commodities, such as Islamic …


Investigating The Role Of Epibiotic Bacteria In Defense Against Chytridiomycosis In The Green Frog, Lithobates Clamitans, Sarah Nalven Jan 2013

Investigating The Role Of Epibiotic Bacteria In Defense Against Chytridiomycosis In The Green Frog, Lithobates Clamitans, Sarah Nalven

Honors Theses

Amphibian populations have been declining for several decades, in part due to the emerging fungal skin disease, chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Chytridiomycosis has caused extinctions and extirpations in many parts of the world, but its influence varies across species, populations, and individuals. The Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans), which inhabits the eastern half of the United States, seems capable of sustaining Bd infections without experiencing die-offs. It is possible that the Green Frog's epibiotic bacteria are contributing to its defense against Bd as the epibiotic bacteria of several amphibian species are known to play …


Through The Eyes Of Urban Students: Educational Inequality And Socioeconomic Disparities In Santiago, Chile, Hillary Sapanski Jan 2013

Through The Eyes Of Urban Students: Educational Inequality And Socioeconomic Disparities In Santiago, Chile, Hillary Sapanski

Honors Theses

This project explores student perceptions of educational inequality in Santiago, Chile. Educational inequality in Santiago is statistically well documented; this study is novel in that it gives voice to the students. Despite a major emerging middle class, across all classes there is an overwhelming awareness of inequality. The results in this study are two-fold: not only do the diverse student experiences illustrate the stark divisions in the Chilean education system and society, but their experiences also demonstrate the development of a critical consciousness empowering students to act. Although there are limitations, student contributions to the ongoing conversation about inequality and …


Notes On The Politics Of The Auteur: Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson, And The Spectator, Michael Perreault Jan 2013

Notes On The Politics Of The Auteur: Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson, And The Spectator, Michael Perreault

Honors Theses

What is an author, and what does it matter? Questions about authority in the cinema have been the subject of debate since the late 1940s, when Alexandre Astruc posited the notion of the camera-stylo in France. A slightly reductive understanding of the term “auteur”—a term that Cahiers du Cinéma would later adopt—states that, with the shadow of the World War II era of censorship still looming in the 1950s, the many individual voices of the cinema needed to be both heard and promoted. Namely, the director should be regarded as (and should consider his or her primary objective to …


The Aesthetic Of Failure: Authenticity, Effort, And Imperfection In American Contemporary Dance, Delaney Mcdonough Jan 2013

The Aesthetic Of Failure: Authenticity, Effort, And Imperfection In American Contemporary Dance, Delaney Mcdonough

Honors Theses

This research examines a slice of American contemporary dance artists and their audiences. American postmodern choreographers such as David Dorfman, Heidi Henderson, Sara Hook, and Paul Matteson use what I am calling the aesthetic of failure as a method to punctuate their work, momentarily blur clarity, steer the viewer’s gaze, make space for live choice making, and in some cases draw laughter. Almost any emotion can be associated with failure: anger, grief, hilarity, absurdity, etc. The underpinning of failure in live performance is the medium of the craft, human bodies. Consider the phrase “humanly possible:” jump as high as humanly …


Relationship Of Cross-Linking Potential To Mechanism Of Cell Death, Adam N. Spierer Jan 2013

Relationship Of Cross-Linking Potential To Mechanism Of Cell Death, Adam N. Spierer

Honors Theses

Mechlorethamine (HN2), a nitrogen derivative of mustard gas, was the first synthetic anti-tumor chemotherapeutic because it forms covalent cross-links between strands of duplex DNA. HN2 represents a class of bifunctional alkylating agents that are both chemotherapeutic and carcinogenic: diepoxybutane (DEB), the active form of the pro-drug treosulfan, and epichlorohydrin (ECH), a structural hybrid of HN2 and DEB, also form covalent cross-links between DNA. While HN2 and DEB are clinically used as anti-tumor chemotherapeutics, ECH is a structural hybrid of these two compounds not used in a clinical setting. Accordingly, we aimed to understand the relationship between the cross-linking potential of …


We Came! We Stripped! We Conquered! The Sextremist Feminists Of Femen In Ukrainian Historical Context And Contemporary Controversy, Jayeon Kim Jan 2013

We Came! We Stripped! We Conquered! The Sextremist Feminists Of Femen In Ukrainian Historical Context And Contemporary Controversy, Jayeon Kim

Honors Theses

In 2008, Anna Hutsol, an economist by training, founded feminist organization FEMEN (Megginson 2011). Comprised mostly of university-educated women, FEMEN has received international media coverage, encountered controversy, and received death threats for their topless protests. For their activism, French magazine Madame Figaro ranked one of the founding members Inna Schevchenko on the 13th position in their list of Women of the Year (Madame Figaro 2012). They have delivered lectures on their movement at international forums and universities. FEMEN now has chapters in Brazil, Tunisia, France and Germany. FEMEN activists attribute their visibility to “sextremism,” their tactic of using the …


Does Exchange Market React To Central Bank Governor Replacements: Evidence From A New Dataset Using Narrative Approach, Siyang Xu Jan 2013

Does Exchange Market React To Central Bank Governor Replacements: Evidence From A New Dataset Using Narrative Approach, Siyang Xu

Honors Theses

This paper contributes to the literature that analyzes the exchange market reaction to the event of a central bank governor replacement. In order to solve the endogeneity problem, we develop a narrative approach-based on reports from credible newspapers-that classifies central bank governor replacements by their nature and causes. Using this new dataset on central bank independence for 31 countries over the period 1967-2012, we decompose all replacements into endogenous and exogenous cases with respect to inflation and financial market performance. We find that such a distinction is critical in understanding the exchange market reactions. We show that i) endogenous replacements, …


Finite To Fail, Infinite To Venture: Interactivism And Relational Ethics, Rachel A. Rosenbaum Jan 2013

Finite To Fail, Infinite To Venture: Interactivism And Relational Ethics, Rachel A. Rosenbaum

Honors Theses

This project tells the story of a group of anonymous activists at Colby College that I call 'The EDFC.' To tell the story of The EDFC I build a theory of activism that I call 'Interactivism as Anarchism' that reveals how certain structures and processes affect activism. My goals are to highlight the subjectivity of the members of the group, the creation of the collective, and the process of our activism in ways that reveal the broader implications that this group has on: 1) what makes activism effective, 2) what inhibits and incites activism at Colby, and 3) what does …


A Comparative Analysis Of The Trickster Figure In Africa, The Caribbean, And North America, Douglas Odom Jan 2013

A Comparative Analysis Of The Trickster Figure In Africa, The Caribbean, And North America, Douglas Odom

Honors Theses

Nearly every society or ethnic group on the planet possesses a literary culture uniquely tied to the customs of that group. Additionally, each of these literary cultures has a folk tale tradition, which encompasses parables, songs, praise poetry, didactic stories, and many other characteristics of oral literature. One of the more engaging sub genres of the folk tale is the trickster tale. This thesis specifically focuses on three distinct trickster figures: Ajapa, a tortoise popular in Yoruba culture in Nigeria; Ananse, a spider whose exploits attempt to undermine the social order of the Akan ethnic group and has also been …


Synthesis Of A New Scytovirin Protein Derivative, Sd1-Sd2-Sd2, To Decrease Hiv-1 Binding Affinity, Alexandra M. Wood Jan 2013

Synthesis Of A New Scytovirin Protein Derivative, Sd1-Sd2-Sd2, To Decrease Hiv-1 Binding Affinity, Alexandra M. Wood

Honors Theses

Scytovirin is a novel anti-viral protein isolated from the cyanobacterium Scytonema varium. This protein has produced great scientific interest for its anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity. Scytovirin disrupts the mechanism of HV infection by binding to HIV-1 proteins glycoprotein 120, glycoprotein 160, and glycoprotein 41. It does not bind to the CD4 receptor on human immune cells. The wild-type protein consists of a single 95 amino acid chain. When folded, Scytovirin's amino acid sequence is arranged into two distinct domains, each with a high degree of sequence conservation. This implicates the importance of both domains in anti-HIV activity. Primers were …


Effects Of Micro-Solvation On Room Temperature Ionic Liquids, Joseph Wellington Golden Jan 2013

Effects Of Micro-Solvation On Room Temperature Ionic Liquids, Joseph Wellington Golden

Honors Theses

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have received much attention lately. These compounds are made completely of ions and are liquid at or near room temperature. These liquid salts have a number of unique properties that make them an interesting system to study. These properties include almost zero vapor pressure, thermal stability, large liquidus range, etc. Due to these properties and others, ionic liquids (ILs) have attracted much attention in the emerging field of green chemistry as potentially new solvents for many of the hazardous and volatile solvents currently in use. Moreover, the complex interactions of the anion and cation systems …


The Impact Of Social Media On Marketing Strategy; Insights From Retail Organizations And Consumers, Margaret Anne Mcdonald Jan 2013

The Impact Of Social Media On Marketing Strategy; Insights From Retail Organizations And Consumers, Margaret Anne Mcdonald

Honors Theses

The rise in the popularity of social media platforms has been the catalyst for businesses to take notice of this new marketing tool that facilitates the interaction with potential target markets. Consumers of all demographics have begun integrating social media into their everyday lives, recognizing that participating in a social media platform is an efficient use of their time. No longer is social media only for the young and techsavvy; All markets can find a platform that caters to their interests. Businesses are having a hard time when trying to figure out how to use social media in a way …


A Level Playing Field: The Big Business Of College Sports And Recommendations For Reform, Orry Stephen Thomas Mcdonald Jan 2013

A Level Playing Field: The Big Business Of College Sports And Recommendations For Reform, Orry Stephen Thomas Mcdonald

Honors Theses

"A Le\-el Playing Field: The Big Business of College Sports" was inspired b} the controversies that e.xist \\'ithin collegiate sport. B>' using both primaiy and secondar}- sources, information v\’as gathered to help shed light on the true nature of college athletics. This infonuation was primarily of a historical or financial nature. .Ufter close examination, it appears nearly impossible to detemiine whether or not most college athletic programs generate substemtial revenues, although man\- uni\’ersities seem to benefit from the indirect benefits of fielding "big-time” sports teams (increased enrollment, increased alumni donations, economic stimulation, etc.). However, the college athletes are left …


Resolving The Structural Paradox Of Retail Transnational Corporations: A Case Study Of Walmart In Latin America, Arlissa Nicole Whisenant Jan 2013

Resolving The Structural Paradox Of Retail Transnational Corporations: A Case Study Of Walmart In Latin America, Arlissa Nicole Whisenant

Honors Theses

This research focuses on the structural paradox of retail transnational corporations through a case study of Walmart in Latin America. The structural paradox is defined as the struggle to find a successful balance between localization and standardization efforts. Through the analysis of the failures and successes of Walmart in Latin America and supplemental examples of Walmart in other markets, I argue that intense localization efforts in areas with direct customer contact (front-end operations), as well as in areas without direct customer contact, like management and planning (back-end operations), are necessary in order to be successful in international markets.


Recycling Behavior In Germany In The Early 1990s: Person-Level And Contextual Determinants Of Recycling, Jacqueline Grace Boyce Jan 2013

Recycling Behavior In Germany In The Early 1990s: Person-Level And Contextual Determinants Of Recycling, Jacqueline Grace Boyce

Honors Theses

Although there is an abundance of information about recycling determinants and the effects of German reunification, this thesis combines these two areas to fill in a gap that has not previously been researched. This research aims to investigate factors that make a person more likely to recycle, particularly a German in the early 1990s, while especially targeting the difference between eastern and western Germans. This project involves background research, statistical analysis and interviews and reaches two conclusions. Firstly, recycling behavior is difficult to explain in Germany at this time because of the high rates of recycling in place. Secondly, recycling …


Congress And Its Other Budget Problem: An Examination Of The Effect Of Campaign Contributions On Congress' Decision-Making, Joe Hollis Higdon Jan 2013

Congress And Its Other Budget Problem: An Examination Of The Effect Of Campaign Contributions On Congress' Decision-Making, Joe Hollis Higdon

Honors Theses

While there is significant study concerning the source of money in Congressional campaigns, comparatively little is geared towards demonstrating the link between Congress’s decision-making and the interests of the donors. By examining individual statements made during the Congressional “Supercommittee” meetings and the overall voting behavior of the Congress during specific debates, this paper finds that the link between donors’ interests and members’ votes are varyingly correlated due to other factors, but in general the link is more tenuous than is popularly believed.


Attitudes Towards Homosexuality In China, Mallory Elaine Lee Jan 2013

Attitudes Towards Homosexuality In China, Mallory Elaine Lee

Honors Theses

Since Mao Zedong’s rise to power in China, homosexuality is has been a relatively under-studied topic. In order to identify factors that influence both self-identification of homosexuality and attitudes towards homosexuality, both qualitative and quantitative analysis was utilized. While the data analysis found that the variables were not significant in relation to one another, it is obvious that various factors may influence both a person’s willingness to come out as homosexual and the attitudes of Chinese people towards homosexual. While these conclusions are not definitive, this thesis opens the door for further research into attitudes towards homosexuality and self-identification of …


Sheparding Gender: Queering Video Games In The Mass Effect Series, Karina Rene Popp Jan 2013

Sheparding Gender: Queering Video Games In The Mass Effect Series, Karina Rene Popp

Honors Theses

The Mass Effect series is discussed as a case study for how video games construct gendered aspects of their lore and gameplay in order to appease what developers believe, and most likely is, their consumer base. While queering is possible both for the characters in the game and the gameplay as a performance it is also limited by appeasing an implied straight, male gamer.


Language Revitalization And Maintenance Of Indigenous Languages In Chile, Blake Everett Pruett Jan 2013

Language Revitalization And Maintenance Of Indigenous Languages In Chile, Blake Everett Pruett

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.


Divided We Stand? The Effects Of Identity Crisis On Democratic Institutionalization In Ukraine, Rebecca Elizabeth Pocase Jan 2013

Divided We Stand? The Effects Of Identity Crisis On Democratic Institutionalization In Ukraine, Rebecca Elizabeth Pocase

Honors Theses

Following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, a new name appeared on the map of Europe- Ukraine. No longer simply the borderland of the empires of Europe, Ukraine was now a sovereign nation. Traditional literature argues that to craft and maintain a nation requires a nation-building identity, a solid understanding of who is the in-group and who is the out-group; such an identity has not coalesced in the two decades of an independent Ukraine. This thesis analyses the interplay between democratic consolidation, both institutionally and culturally, economic development, and identity volatility in Ukraine through the lens of the …


Elementary School Teachers' Perspectives And Practices Toward Foods Allowed In The Classroom, Jennifer Leigh Varner Jan 2013

Elementary School Teachers' Perspectives And Practices Toward Foods Allowed In The Classroom, Jennifer Leigh Varner

Honors Theses

The Mississippi Healthy Students Act passed in 2007, with the intention of addressing childhood obesity and improving the school nutrition environment. While polices target foods offered through school meals and vending, foods allowed in the classroom have not been addressed. The purpose of this research was to investigate elementary teachers’ practices of allowing foods of low nutritional value in the classroom for special occasions, as rewards for academic achievement and as incentives for good behavior. During fall of 2012, 277 teachers from 10 public schools completed surveys. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate percentage of agreement and disagreement to questions …


The Sinaloa Drug Cartel: A Clear And Present Danger, Connor Anthony Hagan Jan 2013

The Sinaloa Drug Cartel: A Clear And Present Danger, Connor Anthony Hagan

Honors Theses

The Sinaloa drug cartel of Mexico poses perhaps the greatest threat to the citizens of the United States of America. The history of this organization, an analysis of its leaders and its current methods of operating, offer a clearer picture of its decision-making power structure. The two-branched structure that the Sinaloa cartel utilizes includes compartmentalization and extensive corruption within and outside of Mexico. This thesis is meant to propose a framework to understand the Sinaloa cartel and point out areas in which the cartel both excels and fails. This thesis is also intended to assist law enforcement with background information …