Digital Commons Network^™

Relationship Between Anxiety And Dietary Quality In College Students, Katie Darnell

Honors Theses

College students across many universities show high levels of anxiety in the transition from high school to college. These students must learn to adapt to a higher demand of focus and work that a college education requires, and some students find the pressure to be too much to handle. The purpose of this study was to determine whether college students with high anxiety displayed a poorer diet quality. The sample was college students (N=44) enrolled in undergraduate studies at the University of Mississippi. Students completed an anonymous 39-item questionnaire about their prevalence of anxiety and consumption rates of …

Synthesis Of Novel Long Chain Unsaturated Fatty Acid Analogs Of Capsaicin, Eli Bettiga

Honors Theses

A number of key studies have shown that the natural product capsaicin displays in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects against a variety of cancers, however, both the analgesic and cancer-related therapeutic potential of capsaicin have been limited by its unpleasant pungent side effects and modest potency. N-acyl vanillylamides (N-AVAMs) are a unique class of compounds that are simple side chain modified capsaicin derivatives. Limited structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of N-AVAMs demonstrated that substitution of the capsaicin side-chain with longer unsaturated fatty acid groups results in non-pungent analogs with improved anti-invasive activity relative to capsaicin. In an effort to ultimately …

The Effect Of Chronic Alcohol Consumption On Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage In Young Men, Emma Hamilton, Grant Hilliard

Honors Theses

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on exercise-induced muscle damage of the knee extensors in young men. METHODS: Twenty-one males (age 21.9 ± 1.1 yr; weight 183.4 ± 27.6 lbs; height 174.0 ± 13.1 cm) performed 100 maximal eccentric contractions at 30°/sec of the knee extensors using their non-dominant leg. The isometric and isokinetic muscle strengths (60°/sec and 180°/sec) were measured pre-exercise and immediately, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, and 120 h post-exercise. Muscle soreness and plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity were measured pre-exercise and 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, and …

Measuring Food Consumption Within A Foodrx Program, Katie Howell

Honors Theses

This pilot study set out to assess food consumption measures within the Charleston FoodRx program. Assessments made through this investigation aim to improve the Charleston program as well as provide suggestions for future programs. Charleston FoodRx provides enrolled households with fruits and vegetables in a supply intended to last for two weeks. These goals combine social and pharmaceutical science, by addressing barriers in food environment and insecurity, nutritional health, and preventative treatment. Though the idea behind FoodRx has existed prior to recent pilot programs, research behind FoodRx and its possible integration within the healthcare system lack published and replicable research …

Primary And Secondary Interventions To Address Common Female Reproductive Health Issues On College Campuses, Alison Yelsma

Honors Theses

My public health capstone/honors thesis was about primary and secondary interventions for college students on the topic of, and surrounding, common female reproductive health issues. I requested current female college students to complete a questionnaire with questions that addressed their knowledge, attitudes and practices in this area. Responses from process and content questions were used to develop suggested peer support and educational sessions for college campuses surrounding endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Prebiotic And Probiotic Knowledge And Consumption In Collegiate Athletes, Hannah Kahn

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate gastrointestinal disturbances in collegiate athletes and their knowledge of gastrointestinal health, or lack thereof, specifically pertaining to nutrition choices including prebiotic fiber and probiotic foods, sources, and supplements. Student-athletes at the division one level endure rigorous training for competition. Although one may have competent knowledge on the importance of fueling their body for their sport, there may be gaps in understanding the digestive mechanisms of their diet, importance of a diverse gut microbiome, and subsequent nutrient uptake. This study and questionnaire explored the relationship between gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances a student-athletes may experience …

The Impact Of Wine Nutrition And Ingredient Labeling On Consumers’ Attitudes And Purchase Intentions, Kara Tate

Honors Theses

Current TTB regulations do not require that US wine producers display nutrition and ingredient labeling on their wine labels. However, recent attempts at passing legislation to mandate that such information be provided on labels in the EU suggests that US policy makers will soon follow suit. Research on how this addition would impact consumers has been scarce and has been primarily conducted in Europe, but what is available suggests that consumers are unaware of the nutritional values in a glass of wine and many do not look at the back label when selecting a bottle to purchase. We conducted a …

Assessing Arthropod Responses To Volatile Organic Compounds From The Algal Microbiome Of A Sloth Using Drosophila Melanogaster, Lilli Gordon

Honors Theses

Sloths contain an unexplored ecosystem of microbial diversity in their fur, including algae, fungi, bacteria, and arthropods. These symbionts are able to communicate through the chemicals they release, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can lead to unique ecological interactions. The VOCs released from the algal polycultures of sloth hairs merit further investigation in their ability to cause a response from other organisms in this microbial community and within a broader ecological context. This research team aimed to assess the response of Drosophila melanogaster as test subjects when exposed to VOCs of the algal microbiome of a sloth. Exploratory research …

Food Security Status And Disordered Eating Of Male High School Football Players In Rural, Appalachian Mississippi Participating In A Food Education Program, Miller Carlton

Honors Theses

Food insecurity is associated with disordered eating in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) male athletes. This study evaluated the impact of a food education program on youth food security and disordered eating of high school football players in rural, Appalachian Mississippi. A Pre-Post design was utilized. Prospective participants (n=47) were recruited in July, 2019. The 12-week season-long food education program included weekly education with practical food-based sport nutrition principles along with food packages to implement principles at home. Youth food security was measured using Self-administered Youth Food Security Module (Connell, 2004). Disordered eating was measured using 5-item scale (Morgan, Reid, …

Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Chhs Students, Macey Seal

Honors Theses

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has impacted students in various ways. Students around the world / in the U.S have been impacted in financial, emotional, mental, and physical ways as COVID-19 continues to change the way the world is navigated. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the feelings and vulnerabilities of students at the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) building during the 2020 Pandemic. In order to succeed in school, students need to feel financially stable, physically stable and mentally stable. While many students have struggled with this balance in the past, the effect of COVID-19 has …

The Influence Of A Mindfulness-Based Curriculum On Executive Function In Four-Year-Olds, Victoria Mccann

Honors Theses

Research on the effectiveness of mindfulness as a method for improving a variety of psychological, social, and emotional skills has grown throughout the last decade. Extensive literature reviews show promising results for the improvement of executive function skills utilizing mindfulness-based interventions, though the current literature is primarily focused on adults, adolescents, and older children. Preliminary work has suggested that training executive function skills using mindfulness-based interventions in early childhood would be beneficial, but few studies investigating mindfulness-based interventions for young children exist. The purpose of this study was to examine whether a 12-week mindfulness-based curriculum using yoga had an impact …

Investigating The Economic Effects Of Food Affordability, Food Access, And Education On Obesity Rates In Mississippi Counties, Youssef Osman

Honors Theses

The growing rate of obesity across the United States is a topic of great concern considering both the health and financial costs associated with the disease. Many researchers have sought to determine the major causes of obesity so that policy suggestions can be made to reduce its occurrence. Some of the referenced drivers of obesity include high food costs, poor access to healthy food, and a lack of knowledge regarding nutrition. This thesis seeks to find the effects of county-level food prices, income, food access, and education level on obesity rates in Mississippi counties. The analysis uses cross-sectional data from …

Enamel Corrosion Levels On Squirrel Teeth From The Fox Canyon Locality, Pliocene Of Kansas, Emma Tennyson

Honors Theses

The enamel of teeth may be corroded after death, especially if the teeth pass through the digestive tract of a predator with low gastric pH. This study characterized enamel corrosion of fossil squirrel teeth from two species (Otospermophilus rexroadensis and Ictidomys meadensis) obtained from the Fox Canyon locality of Kansas. Using microscopic imaging, I categorized teeth based on corrosion level. Overall, 45% of specimens exhibited heavy to extreme corrosion. There were no significant differences in the distribution of corrosion categories between both upper and lower teeth of either species (O. rexroadensis: X2 (3, N = 140) = .562, p= .905; …

Nurses' Perceptions Of Person-Centered Care In Long-Term Care, Sophia A. Lefevers

Honors Theses

Over the years, the average lifespan of Americans has slowly increased, nearing almost 79 years of age. This increase has resulted in individuals ultimately becoming more likely to experience one of many underlying health conditions, such as dementia. The result of a condition like dementia is the requirement of more specialized care than an individual or their family can provide for them. This results in them seeking more skilled and focused care, such as within long-term care facilities. One of the goals of long-term care facilities is to provide individuals with a high level of care that promotes their quality …

Impact Of Antibiotic Alternatives On Concentrations Of Escherichia Coli Harbored By Broiler Chickens Challenged With Coccidiosis, Emma King

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Novel Chemical Timer, Mitchell Harvey

Honors Theses

The goal of this thesis is to develop a chemical timer for Chem-E Car (Chemical Engineering Car), that is as inherently safe as possible. Chem-E Car is an undergraduate competition held at the regional and national conferences of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers that, “increases awareness of the chemical engineering discipline among the public, industry leaders, educators, and other students” (“Chem-E-Car Competition,” 2020). Students are tasked to build a shoebox sized car powered and stopped by chemical reactions and this car must travel a distance between fifteen and thirty meters in under two minutes. Teams are scored on traveling …

Warming Stimulates Sporulation Rates And Alters Community Structure Of Litter-Associated Fungi In Streamside Channel Experiment, Kaitlin D. Beasley-Polko

Honors Theses

Fungi, such as aquatic hyphomycetes, are important decomposers of plant litter in temperate forested headwater streams providing energy and nutrients for the higher trophic levels in these ecosystems. According to current climate change predictions, stream water temperatures are expected to rise significantly in the near future. This project addressed the effects of temperature on sporulation rates and community structure of aquatic hyphomycetes on substrates of different carbon quality (maple and rhododendron leaf litter and wood veneers). The experiment was conducted in streamside channels fed with stream water (ambient, +2°C and +4°C) and set up to mimic small streams. We found …

Effects Of Caffeine Consumption On Cognitive Performance In Anatomy And Physiology Students, Sydney Wingfield

Honors Theses

Caffeine has often been associated with college students and their study habits; however, little research has been done to explore if it is actually beneficial to the students’ cognitive performance and academic success. While current studies have explored various aspects of caffeine’s influence on specific areas of cognition relevant to their own studies, there is a lack of research on how it influences academic settings. Within the present study, it is believed that caffeine usage will not cause a significant improvement in individual academic performance despite of the known physiological and cognitive effects on the students. The study consisted of …

Microbiome Community And Parasitic Infections In Wild Bees, Mark G. Young

Honors Theses

The microbiome is increasingly recognized for its complex relationship with host fitness. Akin to primates and other social animals, bumblebees harbor a specific microbiome derived from social contact. The bumblebee microbiome is characteristically species poor, with just a few “core” phylotypes accounting for the majority of total abundance. Genomic analyses reveal phylogenetic congruence and adaptation of the core endosymbionts to the bumblebee gut, indicating a shared evolutionary history. Prior investigations reveal that the relative abundance of core microbes is negatively associated with infection by a trypanosome, Crithidia bombi, and that the microbiome has a mechanistic role in immunity. As …

Caregiver Knowledge, Perceived Self-Efficacy, And Level Of Confidence In Limiting Bedtime Screen Use In Preschoolers, Emily Hollingsworth

Honors Theses

Screen time usage is a major factor leading to negative behavioral and health consequences in young children. Screen time also affects sleep, with prior research showing a significant association between screen time, particularly at bedtime, and reduced sleep duration and increased sleep problems. The initial aim of this research was to measure and attempt to increase, through an educational intervention, the knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, and confidence of study participants/primary caregivers with regard to limiting the bedtime screen use of their preschoolers with the goal of health promotion. It was intended to be a quantitative, quasi-experimental, multi-site, pre- post-intervention case study. …

Ogt Glycosylation Of Histones In T Cells May Participate In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Jared Luke Ridgeway

Honors Theses

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects women. The etiology is not known yet, but genetics and environmental factors trigger the disease. These epigenetic changes modify gene expression and contribute to the development of the disease. It is known that T cells from patients with lupus overexpress genes that may contribute to the onset and progression of the disease. Dr. Gorelik has shown that OGT (O-linked N-acetyl-Glucosamine Transferase), which is an X-linked gene, is overexpressed in women with SLE. OGT adds b-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to serine and threonine residues of proteins. …

Food Insecurity At Bucknell University: A Look At Student Experiences And Contributing Factors, Emma Curtin

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the prevalence of food insecurity at Bucknell and examines the contributing factors. Two research questions frame the present study: 1) What factors contribute to food insecurity on Bucknell’s campus? And 2) How do students at Bucknell experience food insecurity? Additionally, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college student food insecurity is explored. The theoretical framework used in this thesis is Bourdieu’s theory of social reproduction. This framework coupled with a phenomenological approach to analyzing the data are the most appropriate for the present study because food insecurity is a systemic phenomenon, maintained by institutions but lived …

Korean Fusion: Consuming A Globalized Korea Through Food And Music, Ashley Hong

Honors Theses

In Koreatown, Los Angeles, one of the largest centers of Korean immigrants in the Western hemisphere, restaurant owners are constantly creating new forms of Korean cuisine that both challenge and preserve traditional methods of Korean culinary methods. Based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews conducted in Koreatown, Los Angeles in December 2020, I examine how Korean restaurant owners are navigating the current food scene while also maintaining their ethnic identity in a globalized landscape such as Los Angeles. I conceptualize the idea of a “twist” which can be understood as components of fusion food that allow Korean restaurant owners to …

Comparison Of Cardiac Muscle Between Male And Female Rats With Exercise And Aging: Analyzing Vitals, Gdnf Expression, Ngf Expression, Rna Expression, Sympathetic Innervation, Parasympathetic Innervation, And Sensory Innervation, Katelyn Kurrie

Honors Theses

The direction of my research-based thesis answers the question of how exercise affects the cardiovascular system with aging in male and female rats. My study would highlight the important differences of the cardiovascular system of both sexes which could lead to sex-specific insight on the cardiovascular disease epidemic which prevails as the most common cause of death in the United States. The studies completed will test the hypothesis: neurotrophic factor will be higher in females than males due to the higher presence of estrogen in females. The trophic factor is predicted to increase in both males and females with regular …

Industry 4.0 In The Retail Sector: Sustainability Of Food Retail With A Focus On Food Insecurity In Dayton, Oh, Katrina Alexis Coleman

Honors Theses

In recent years, large scale agricultural and food processing industries have experienced a great worldwide digital transformation. The advent of Industry 4.0, which has become popular in Europe, has helped many industries optimize their operations. Relatively new is the idea that food processing industries and other stakeholders in the food distribution supply chain cannot only optimize their processes but also, track and provide timely customer service. This has technical and managerial challenges that might limit the potential benefits of industry 4.0 in the efficient distribution of fresh food produce. For example, food retailers have to meet the increasing customer desire …

Designing And Implementing A Peer-To-Peer Led Behavioral And Energy Reduction Program For Low-Income Neighborhoods, Jenn Hoody

Honors Theses

Reduction in energy consumption from fossil fuels is a necessary step toward combating climate change as more and more studies are revealing the catastrophic outcomes if the current trends do not change. Residential programs generally managed by energy utilities promoting energy cost savings and reduced consumption are being enacted to decrease the greenhouse emissions. However, thus far, little to no measures have been taken to extend the reach of such programs to low-income communities. Reducing household energy consumption would be particularly beneficial for these communities as it would lower utility bills for low-income households who spend a substantially greater portion …

Implementing Askme3 Approach To Adult Learning Through The Kalamazoo Literacy Council, Hailey Beyer

Honors Theses

Background: Ask Me 3 was developed as a tool to help individuals successfully communicate with their healthcare providers (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, n.d.). This was designed to study the effectiveness of this tool in educating adult learners of Kalamazoo, MI, through the Kalamazoo Literacy Council (KLC) Virtual Learning Center.

Objective: The objective was to determine whether learners of the Kalamazoo Literacy Council gained confidence communicating with a healthcare provider through the implementation of a distance education Ask Me 3 program.

Methods: Learners associated with the KLC were sent a pre-lesson survey asking them to assess their confidence levels with using …

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Guide For Caregivers, Camryn Keane

Honors Theses

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a condition that affects infants who have faced exposure to certain drugs in utero. The incidence of NAS is dramatically rising in the United States. This increase is primarily due to the growth in opioid prescribing to pregnant women. NAS has an immediate effect on four primary areas of occupation: activities of daily living (ADLs), sleep, social participation, and play. This paper aims to review the background of NAS, then describe how this condition impacts an infant’s occupational performance. Moreover, this paper identifies models of occupational therapy intervention that can guide the treatment of NAS. …

Remote Careers And Entertainment: The Shift From Gaming Console Entertainment To Pc Capabilities, Jacob Sanderson

Honors Theses

This study arose from a conversation with my roommate about the state of the gaming industry in terms of devices on which consumers play. We perceived a shift in our attitudes towards gaming PCs due to Covid-19 and other aspects. I wondered if this affected a wider population. If this change in attitude was widespread, it would affect different companies in the gaming industry as well and would alter consumer behavior related to large purchases in the gaming industry.

To examine these issues, I conducted five in depth interviews and administered a survey developed through Qualtrics to two WMU business …

Out Of Mind: Undergraduate Predictors Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms, Michael S. Lanzaro

Honors Theses

Demographic factors associated with anxiety have been studied extensively and are often characterized by interconnected relationships. These associations between variables provide insight into the predictive ability of anxiety in undergraduate populations. However, few studies if any have investigated the relationships between class level, sex, honors status, and undergraduate specialization as predictors of anxiety among an undergraduate American university sample. The results of this study provide key insight into the psychopathological development of undergraduate students and anxiety levels as it pertains to academic and demographic variables. By using a multiple linear regression analysis, demographic variables of American undergraduate students are compared …