Digital Commons Network^™

Compositional Differences In Bacterial Communities In Fresh And Saltwater Wetlands Of The Gulf Coast, Mary Grace Bass

Honors Theses

Wetlands are important reservoirs for biodiversity and ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling. However, the anthropogenic stressors of sea-level rise and eutrophication threaten these habitats. In this study, I examined the bacterial communities at six locations along the US Gulf Coast between Louisiana and Florida, focusing on how these communities were affected by salinity, depth, and site location. At each of six locations, five 30cm-deep soil cores were taken from a tidal fresh marsh and either a tidal brackish marsh or tidal saltmarsh. Bacterial DNA was extracted from both the surface layer and the root layer of each soil core. …

Lost In Translation: Challenges And Solutions To Language Barriers In Healthcare In Mississippi, Galina Ostrovsky

Honors Theses

Language barriers can impede access to healthcare and compromise quality of care for limited English proficiency (LEP) patients. Although a rights-based framework would suggest and federal mandates require healthcare facilities to provide language access services, multiple factors result in the persistence of language barriers in healthcare. As the literature review shows, these factors include limitations in policy, enforcement, standardization, resources, and ability to recruit and retain professional interpreters. This thesis uses a multi-method case study entailing Mississippi in general and information from two specific sites, a rural Delta county and an urban central county, to assess the issue of language …

The Latino South: Race And Racialization, Brittany M. Brown

Honors Theses

Taking into consideration the South’s historic black-white racial binary, this multi-media research project documents the place-specific experiences of 23 Latinos living in Oxford, Mississippi, using anthropologic methods. A digital archive accompanies the written thesis. Through interdisciplinary methods, this research examines and seeks to understand how the Latino community is conforming to or challenging the staunch view of race and identity in the U.S. South, where race is and has always been at the forefront of culture and society. Through knowing the history of race in the South and understanding the black-white racial binary, the presence of Latinos is creating space …

Views From Above: Recent Forest History In The Far North Of Madagascar, Nathanael R. Bartosch

Honors Theses

This study is a spatial analysis of the forests west of Mt. d’Ambre National Park in the far northern portion of Madagascar. This area has little spatial, ethnographic, or historic data pertaining to the environment. After a research trip to this area from June to August 2017, the need for a temporal study of forest change materialized. Utilizing Landsat data, NDVIs were generated to assess forest cover density from 1978 to 2018. This spatial analysis saw deforestation across the study area. Deforestation in this area is mainly caused by agriculture, large foreign companies, recent immigration, and local exploitation of timber …

Drawing The Line: Ancient Hominins And The Species Question, Erin Hurley, Carolyn Dillian

Honors Theses

he present paper asserts that groups such as Neandertals and Denisovans should be considered subspecies of H. sapiens. This contention is based upon the biological species concept and the fact that these groups interbred to create viable offspring. It is also stated that introgression from these groups made several positive contributions to the evolution of H. sapiens and their genome that may have served to promote the persistence of H. sapiens in Eurasia.

A Comparison Of Phytoplankton Nutrient Limitation Between The Marsh And Beach Environments Of Waties Island, Sc, Raymond Sgambati, George Boneillo

Honors Theses

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in nutrient limitation within the beach and marsh environments at Waties Island, SC. Conducting the experiment on Waties Island allowed most physical factors to be held as constant, meaning the marsh and beach environments would serve as the only variables. Experiments were performed in the winter, spring, summer and fall of 2018 to determine temporal changes in limitation to phytoplankton and cyanobacteria growth. Nutrient additions included dissolved inorganic nitrogen (nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium), dissolved organic nitrogen (urea), and phosphate. To test for co-limitation, a nitrate & phosphate treatment was also …

Use Of Co-Immunoprecipitations And 2d Gel Electrophoresis To Identify Protein-Protein Interactions Of Maturase K, Lauren Angello

Honors Theses

Maturase K (MatK) is the only group II intron encoded protein in the chloroplast of land plants. Maturases are prokaryotic enzymes that catalyze formation of the lariat structure needed for intron removal from precursor RNAs. The chloroplast maturase MatK, is a descendant of prokaryotic maturases, however, unlike its prokaryotic relatives, MatK is thought to catalyze excision of, not only its own intron, but also the introns of other group II introns in the plastome. Similar to the multiprotein and snRNA spliceosomal complex of the nucleus, it is postulated that MatK is not working alone to excise these introns but most …

The Effects Of Exercise On The Cognitive Function Of Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease, Amanda Savitski

Honors Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is America’s most common neurodegenerative disease affecting over 5.4 million Americans (Fernández et al., 2017). A literature review was completed to assess the possible relation between physical activity and the progression of AD. Articles were collected from various peer-reviewed, published journals using the available databases of Western Michigan University library which included PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the National Institute of Health (NIH). Keywords used for the database searches included “Alzheimer”, “Alzheimer’s Disease”, “neurodegeneration”, “aging brain”, “exercise”, and “physical activity”. Based upon the literature reviewed, aerobic exercise appears to slow the progression of AD and possibly reverses it slightly …

The Influence Of Predisposing, Enabling And Reinforcing Factors On The Solid Waste Management System. A Case Study On Kampala And Nairobi., Bethel Mwenze

Honors Theses

This study is a literature review on available research on the solid waste management issues that are overwhelming the cities of Kampala and Nairobi. The populations of these cities are growing as these cities attempt to fast track development in their cities. With this, means a multitude of issues that are too overwhelming for the current infrastructure. If these issues are not properly dealt with environmental and health problems are sure to ensue This study distributes these issues on the individuals, workers and policy makers in reference to their responsibilities. So, one can understand the predisposing factors such as knowledge …

The Effects Of Feliway On The Stress Of Cats During Veterinary Examination, Colleen Doonan

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Feliway® during veterinary examination. Feliway® contains a synthetic version of the F3 pheromone, secreted from the cheeks of Felis sylvestris catus when rubbing against objects in the environment. It is presumed to allow cats to establish a home range to feel secure. A double-blind study was conducted to address the limitations of another study that concluded Feliway® is useful for reducing stress experienced by cats during veterinary examination. The current study found that Feliway® is not useful by itself for adequate stress reduction during feline examinations. It was concluded …

Discovery From Failure: Understanding Developing Countries' Battles With Poverty And Culturally Appropriate Answers To Them, Daniel Tennant

Honors Theses

This paper is an examination of a failed research attempt, followed by examination of successful research literature on the subject of the informal economy and poverty. The research is centered on peripheral regions of the world, namely in Sub-Saharan countries such as Senegal. The informal economy continues to grow without thorough understanding or measurement of it creating greater problems in the future. The examination highlights the need for culturally appropriate questions, methodologies, and answers to issues of poverty in developing countries. Western World bias needs to be considered when creating and executing research in developing countries if the results are …

Mirror Therapy, A Pain Management Therapy, Gabriella Andrews

Honors Theses

This project was undertaken to explore the use of mirror therapy (MT) as a palliative for stroke patients and amputees experiencing phantom limb pain. MT is a relatively new treatment and while it has limited research, it is starting to be used more within the rehabilitation setting. Research suggests MT has beneficial effects occur with phantom limb pain as well as post-stroke patients. This study will explain the history, uses, and research behind MT not only as a form of therapy but also a non-medicinal pain reliever.

Included are interviews from physical therapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT) along with …

The Use Of Neurologic Music Therapy And Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation As Treatment For Parkinson’S Disease, Shaima Shebrain

Honors Theses

Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a progressive, neurodegenerative disease, is common in people who are 50 years of age or older. It is characterized by the loss of function of the substantia nigra in producing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that allows for smooth and coordinated movement. Due to the lack of dopamine, an individual with PD experiences involuntary and stiff movements such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, and abnormal gait patterns along with other motor symptoms. Over the years, the motor symptoms that are associated with PD progressively worsen; thus, limiting the individual’s independency and ability to perform daily tasks. Those with …

Sexual Harassment Of Biology And Biomedical Sciences Undergraduates: A Study On The Effects Of Larry Nassar And William Strampel, Kathleen Ryan

Honors Theses

Sexual harassment amongst undergraduate women of science is a prominent issue, gaining much media attention. The goal of this study is to determine if, and how, major sexual harassment cases impact women pursuing science-related careers, and what the sexual harassment climate is like for these individuals. The study will examine prevalence of harassment, common types of sexual misconduct, perpetrators, and severity through an anonymous survey. Additionally, this study will look into the effects of the Nassar and Strampel cases regarding desire to report harassment, and students’ fear of experiencing harassment in their future educations and careers. It is hypothesized that …

Applications Of Passive Solar Energy And Reclaimed Heat From Livestock Manure Decomposition, Naomi Elizabeth Schalle

Honors Theses

One energy intensive part of raising livestock in colder climates is keeping water warm and easily accessible to the animals in the winter. The objective of this project is to increase the sustainability of livestock farms by developing and implementing an energy conservation measure to decrease electric energy usage on the heating of water for livestock in the winter. One thing farmers have in excess is manure, an abundant and renewable resource for the farmers. This project will capitalize on that excess to encourage a creative use of resources often seen as waste, through implementing aspects of sustainability and conservation …

Structure-Activity Relationship Of Novel Rgd-Containing Cyclic Peptides Against Αvβ3 Integrin, Aaron Silva

Honors Theses

The αvβ3 integrin, a receptor for many extracellular matrix proteins with the RGD sequence motif, is involved in multiple physiological processes. The integrin is highly expressed on tumor cells, therefore making it a target for cancer therapy and imaging. Efforts have been made to develop an RGD-containing ligand against the αvβ3 integrin.

A series of RGD-containing cyclic octapeptides (LXW analogs) were previously synthesized, tested in vitro, and screened as integrin antagonists with a different binding affinity (Xiao et al., 2010; Wang et al., 2015), but the structure-activity relationship remains to be elucidated. In the current study, the structures of three …

Vertical Transmission Of Zika Virus In Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus, Stephanie Cantu

Honors Theses

Arboviruses such as Zika (ZIKV), dengue, chikungunya are responsible causing over 4 million people to live with debilitating conditions and may produce long-term health consequences. Zika virus, a newly emerging arbovirus, has potentially severe neurological complications and a potential to cause severe birth defects. There are no current vaccines for Zika virus, and the primary method for control the spread of this disease is through early detection and vector control. Assessing and quantifying viral transmission patterns is critical for successful control efforts. Zika virus shows some unique (among arboviruses) transmission patterns, notably the ability to be sexually transmitted. One aspect …

Cigarette Litter Leachates: A Statistical Study Of Elements In Freshwater And Saltwater, Cintly Guzman Hernandez

Honors Theses

Cigarette butts are the most common item found in coastal litter cleanups as approximately 4.5 trillion smoked cigarette butts are discarded into the environment every year. Cigarette butts can leach toxic heavy metals and nicotine along with other compounds from tobacco combustion. Past research in our lab has analyzed elements leached from cigarette butts into freshwater. The cigarette butts consisted of smoked and unsmoked butts that were soaked varying periods of time, and at different pH levels to identify the relationship of these variables to the amount of metal leached. The elements analyzed were Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, …

Evaluation Of A Natural Challenge Model Of Zebrafish With Influenza A Virus, Kelvin Blade

Honors Theses

Influenza A virus (IAV) presents as a global public health concern, resulting in an extensive burden on morbidity and mortality rates in humans. IAV has high mutation rates, influencing emergence of new virus strains, which could lead to increased antiviral resistivity and altered virulence. Although prevention and treatment of influenza infections have been improved, animal models still play a major role in understanding of host responses and the pathogenesis of IAV infection. Zebrafish are useful host models for evaluating infectious diseases processes, especially with the ability to manipulate the genome of zebrafish. Research by others have shown that parenteral applied …

Effect Of Reinforcement Selection On Mate Selection Rates Of Gambusia Affinis And Gambusia Holbrooki, Molly Stephens

Honors Theses

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects that reinforcement selection has on non-hybridized and hybridized populations of two separate species of Gambusia (G. affinis and G. holbrooki). In order to examine if organisms from a population that had been previously exposed to hybridization would choose mates so as to not produce species hybrid offspring, 29 trials consisting of 9 different mate preference combinations and 87 individuals were recorded and analyzed. Once mate preference was determined for each female used in each trial, the effect that reproductive isolation had on reinforcement in hybrid zones was analyzed. The results …

The Intersection Of Literacy And Digital Literacy: Incorporating Writing Standards With Computer Technology Standards, Grace Mcpherson

Honors Theses

This project aims to increase access to computer science/computer technology education by providing teachers resources to enable them to teach computer science/computer technology. A survey was taken to discover the interests and needs of teachers in Hamilton County, Tennessee. The project resulted in the creation of several lesson plans that integrate English and computer science through hands-on web development exercises, computational thinking opportunities, and critical thinking.

Use Of Stereolithographic 3d Printing For Fabrication Of Micro And Millifluidic Devices For Undergraduate Engineering Studies, Cooper Thome

Honors Theses

Undergraduate STEM student performance is greatly benefited by supplementary, hands-on laboratory experience. Micro and millifluidic devices provide a multitude of opportunities for interactive study of concepts and phenomena encountered in nearly every field of engineering, as well as in chemistry, biology, and other disciplines. Unfortunately, due to the cost and difficulty of standard micro and millifluidic device fabrication methods, many undergraduate students do not have access to these versatile educational tools. Luckily, 3D printing offers an inexpensive and simple solution to this issue. This work aims to demonstrate the capability of stereolithographic (SLA) 3D printing for the fabrication of micro …

The Grotesque Self: Finding Identity Through The Grotesque In The Works Of Carson Mccullers, Colton Greganti

Honors Theses

Historically speaking, the South has maintained rigid, male dominated constructions of gender, which have manifested themselves in almost every aspect of the southern individual’s actions, sense of self, and appearance. While much of southern culture has been centered on this rigid identity, the southern gothic literary tradition strays from this stark binary, especially in its depiction of female characters. Through the use of grotesque representations, these characters are able to form a unique identity and deviate from the phallocentric social norms, though it often comes at the cost of social alienation. However, even when tragedies strike these gothic heroines, their …

Koh Treated Biochar: An Improved Material For The Removal Of Aqueous Contaminants, Cody Layne

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Gene Expression Changes By Neuroprotectant Novel Antidotes To Organophosphates, Meghan L. Brino

Honors Theses

Recent assassinations and terrorist attacks demonstrate the need for a more effective antidote against nerve agents and other organophosphate (OP) compounds which inhibit the nervous system enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). This study explored the changes in gene expression induced by novel phenoxyalkyl pyridinium oximes (U.S. patent 9,277,937) that have demonstrated the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and attenuate brain damage in a rat model. More specifically, this study determined whether rats treated with high levels of a surrogate for the nerve agent sarin (nitrophenyl isopropyl methylphosphonate; NIMP) and rats treated with NIMP followed by a novel oxime displayed significant differences …

Population Genetics Of The Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes Flavipes, In The Southern Appalachian Mountains, Lee Ann Passarella

Honors Theses

As an area rich in biodiversity, the Appalachian Mountains are an ideal place for biological research. The pronounced impacts of Pleistocene climatic cycles on forest distributions over time have shaped the evolutionary history of animals that depend on these habitats, underpinning the research that is presented here. The present study on the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes, was conducted to better understand the spatial distribution of genetic diversity within and among populations of this species in the context of the aforementioned historical climatic changes in the southern Appalachian Mountain region. I hypothesized that there would be geographically localized, distinct genetic …

Catching The Perfect Serial Killer: How Bacterial Evidence Can Be Used To Advance A Forensic Investigation, Catherine Wood

Honors Theses

Catching the Perfect Serial Killer: How Bacterial Evidence Can Advance a Forensic Investigation is a short story and process statement that serves to bring attention to the forensic possibilities that the field application of bacterial evidence presents. This project also allows individuals not familiar with the field to have a better understanding as to how bacterial evidence could be used to link a perpetrator to their crime. The short story, Catching the Perfect Serial Killer, follows Professor Amanda Newman at the University of California. A serial killer in her neighborhood leaves no forensic evidence behind. When the FBI takes …

Characterizing Diatom Biofilms And Their Influence On The Sand Biogeochemistry Of High Energy Beaches, Logan C. Jarrell

Honors Theses

High energy beaches are among the most dynamic ecological settings on Earth. Compared to mudflats, diatoms of high energy beaches have been more neglected in the literature, particularly true of the intertidal biofilms that form and dissipate with nutrient cycling and light intensity over the tidal cycle. Although short lived, the productivity of these biofilms may be critical to the organic-poor sand. Through sediment coring and subsequent analyses of the uppermost sand of three suspected biofilm stations—non-runnel, runnel crest, and runnel trough—along with seemingly bare sand as a control, this study sought to verify the presence of diatom biofilms and …

Quantifying The Effect Of Dietary Restriction On Lifespans In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Kathryn Rouse

Honors Theses

Dietary restriction (DR) increases lifespan in many organisms. The effect of DR is best studied in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae; however, previous studies of the DR effect on yeast lifespan tend to be qualitative. Here, we quantitatively study the effect of DR on lifespan for a selection of gene deletions in a 168-strain set of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Lifespans of these yeast mutants were measured in YPD with 2% glucose and 0.05% glucose conditions. To quantify the aging process and its influence by DR, we fit yeast lifespan data with a three-parameter network aging model that is informative of the …

Laurel Dace (Chrosomus Saylori) Reproductive Behaviors, Christopher Cronnon

Honors Theses

This thesis focuses on observations of the reproductive behaviors of the Laurel Dace (Chrosomus saylori), an endangered fish species in which reproductive behaviors have not been previously documented in a scientific publication. I worked with the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute (TNACI) to determine the reproductive behaviors for the Laurel Dace. The results from this study will be used to inform the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) on the likely reproductive behaviors of Laurel Dace and to help these agencies determine the best protocols for a future propagation program to facilitate captive breeding …