Digital Commons Network^™

Diaryl Oxazoles As Cleavable Linkers For Drug Discovery Platforms, Elizabeth Taggart

Honors Theses

Within the field of medicine and pharmacology, discovering small molecule or biologic based molecules with therapeutic potential is a difficult task. Current methods involve individually screening hundreds of compounds on a potential target biomolecule, and recent technologies have explored peptide encoded libraries (PELs) as a means of making this screening process more high-throughput. These libraries produce a large number of small molecule drug candidates each conjugated to a unique peptide fragment, functioning as a barcode. Analysis of PELs requires the capture of hit small molecules and the subsequent release of their peptide tags; however, current approaches are limited in their …

The Third Horseman: Preventability Versus Apocalypse In The Great Famine Of 1315 And The Irish Potato Famine, Luke Ziegler

Honors Theses

Famine is a huge problem for societies, even in the modern world. Throughout history, famine has reared its ugly head and brought about demographic and societal collapse. The Great Famine of 1315 Famine and the Irish Potato Famine, despite their differences, had similar underlying factors of land management and overpopulation paired with an environmental catalyst, and also show that governmental response has the potential to both cause and prevent a famine, but only if the scale of the problem is limited. They both examine the question of national identity and create a multitude of debates in later historiography. Although these …

Odorant Binding Causes Cytoskeletal Rearrangement, Leading To Detectable Changes In Endothelial And Epithelial Barrier Function And Micromotion, Annabella Nilon

Honors Theses

Non-olfactory cells have excellent biosensor potential because they express functional olfactory receptors (ORs) and are non-neuronal cells that are easy to culture. ORs are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), and there is a well-established link between different classes of G-proteins and cytoskeletal structure changes affecting cellular morphology that has been unexplored for odorant sensing. Thus, the present study was conducted to determine if odorant binding in non-olfactory cells causes cytoskeletal changes that will lead to cell changes detectable by electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). To this end, we used the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which express OR10J5, and the …

Impact Of Body Image Ideals On Form And Frequency Of Exercise In College Students, Isabella Dipippo

Honors Theses

Objective: Body image issues are very prevalent among college students and can cause a variety of physical and mental health problems as determined by previous research. The SUNY Cortland student population, which tends to have a higher active student population than other campuses, may have a unique correlation between exercise and body image. This study aims to examine the impact of body image ideals in SUNY Cortland students in relation to exercise habits.

Methods: This study was conducted through survey-based methodology and distributed to various classes and organizations of undergraduate SUNY Cortland students through Google Forms. A total sample of …

Does Social Organization, Litter Size, Sexual Dimorphism, And Phylogeny Influence Multiple Paternity In Mammals?, Madison Roberts

Honors Theses

Animal social systems are complex and the dynamics of one component could influence the dynamics of another. The aim of this literature search research was to determine the interrelatedness between mammalian social organization and mating system, two components of social systems. The mating system was represented by multiple paternity, the number of litters with more than one father, as genetic analysis tells which individuals reproduced with who. Variables that might influence multiple paternity amongst extant mammalian species included in this study are variable social organization, male social organization, mean litter size, sexual dimorphism, and phylogenetics. Analysis was conducted using 56 …

Impacts Of Disturbance And Nutrient Addition On Coastal Dune Arthropod Communities, Kayla Beitzel

Honors Theses

Coastal dune ecosystems are globally distributed ecosystems that occur from the tropics to the poles and serve as the first line of defense during storms. They are critical habitats for a variety of organisms and also play a critical role in stabilizing coastal habitats. These systems face increased pressure via urban development, recreational expansion, and sea-level rise (Newman et al. 2023; Webster et al. 2005). Insects are vital consumers in coastal ecosystems and act as regulators of plant growth. Low-diversity ecosystems, like coastal dune systems, often contain a higher abundance of low-diverse insect consumers (Ripple et al. 2021), which can …

An Exploration Into Health Equity Discourse In Mississippi: Organizational Commitments And Practitioner Perspectives, Thuy-Vy Lillian Pham

Honors Theses

This thesis takes a sociological approach to examine healthcare workers' beliefs and medical organizations’ solidarity statements related to diversity and equity and how these discourses aligned and/or diverged. Through interviews with healthcare providers in Mississippi and content analysis of solidarity statements, the study finds that discussions on health disparities more frequently addressed socioeconomic inequality rather than systemic racism, diverging from organizational statements. This emphasis may partly stem from the demographics of the study participants, who were predominantly White—which also reflected the staff where they worked. Additionally, while healthcare workers recognized structural issues related to health disparities, they often showed hesitancy …

Investigating The Relationship Between Consistent Workout Regimen On Quality Of Life Among Crossfitters In South Mississippi, Christian Glass

Honors Theses

Robust literature exists to support the utility of CrossFit in improving metabolic and cardiovascular well-being. However, a metaphorical chasm exists not in the study of the physiological effects of CrossFit but in the psychological effects, namely quality of life (QOL). This thesis aimed to offer an installment into this gap by investigating trends among a population of 81 CrossFitters in south Mississippi. To best fulfill this task, a quantitative study was conducted using a 32-item survey composed of a mixture of questions from the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL- BREF) to assess reported quality of life …

Examining The Microbial Diversity Of A Generalist Ant Along An Urban-Rural Gradient, Abdol-Munim Abazid

Honors Theses

After sampling the exoskeleton microbiomes of 225 ants from 3 different locations along a rural-urban gradient in the Chattanooga area, a photo library was collected and microbial diversity and morphospecies evenness of each location was determined. It was determined that there was no significant difference in either microbial diversity or morphospecies evenness between sites along the rural-urban gradient, even after adjusting data to be between only rural and urban areas. Urbanization was quantified using % impervious surface; however, a future study could quantify urbanization by other means, such as soil nutrient composition. Additionally, it was determined that there was no …

Exploring The Ethics Of Human Space Travel: Navigating The Challenges And Implications Of Missions Past, Present, And Future, Emily A. Brettschneider

Honors Theses

This comprehensive exploration delves into the multifaceted landscape of human space travel, spanning physiological challenges, astronaut training, spacecraft manufacturing, ethical considerations, societal influences, and technological frontiers. The study elucidates the physiological impacts of microgravity on astronauts, emphasizing the necessity of personalized interventions and rigorous exercise protocols. Psychological dimensions, including isolation, interpersonal dynamics, and support systems, emerge as critical considerations. Astronaut training is dissected, encompassing physical conditioning, systems proficiency, and cultural competence. The paper delves into spacecraft manufacturing, emphasizing adherence to stringent standards, quality control measures, and the integration of additive manufacturing. Space governance challenges, the role of the private sector, …

Unraveling The Impact Of Trap-Neuter-Release (Tnr) Programs On Feral Cat Populations, Emma Koch

Honors Theses

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane and effective method for managing outdoor cat populations. The process involves trapping feral or free-roaming cats, sterilizing them, and then returning them to their original location. While sterilization is crucial in curbing population growth, successful TNR programs require more than just the surgical aspect. Vetting is essential for addressing health concerns and ensuring the overall well-being of the cats. Moreover, colony care, including regular feeding and monitoring, is vital for their survival. Outdoor cats, often considered an invasive species, pose a threat to local wildlife and natural habitats. TNR provides a humane and long-lasting solution …

Notions Of Liberty- Traditional And Modern, Zachary D. Weston

Honors Theses

This essay examines, primarily, how notions of liberty have evolved over time in America. Starting from the point of establishing America’s foundation in Thomistic natural law, the essay then seeks to identify, define, and analyze different segments of American political thought that have sprung off from this staring point. Three segments are identified, Conservatism, Liberalism, and Progressivism, and then defined on how they view the self. The conservatives from God, the liberals from reason, and the progressives from how the individual interacts with society. After this, these different segments of American political thought are contrasted by viewing how they offer …

Determining The Effects Of Propionate On Listeria Monocytogenes Lysozyme Susceptibility, Jeanne Paula E. Sering

Honors Theses

Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive facultative anaerobe and harmful pathogen transmitted through contaminated food. Listeriosis, the infection associated with L. monocytogenes, is rare but potentially fatal, with a twenty to thirty percent mortality rate. For that reason, the lack of safe strategies to prevent infections can be detrimental to public health. Current infection preventative strategies rely on stringent food surveillance and recalls, but we want to determine alternative tactics to further protect the public from L. monocytogenes. More specifically, we want to identify environmental factors that can compromise the ability of L. monocytogenes to cause infections before the pathogen reaches …

Effect Of Ploidy On Salinity And Temperature Tolerance In Early Life Stages Of The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica), Christian Boudreaux, Jessica Pruett, Alexz Carpenter, Kristie Willett, Deborah Gochfeld

Honors Theses

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico contains the largest remaining wild oyster fishery in the world, but populations have declined in recent decades. A growing interest in off-bottom aquaculture that relies on triploid eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) has emerged in the Gulf region, yet these faster growing oysters suffer high mortality as adults during low salinity events (< 5 ppt) in warmer summer months. The combined effects of salinity and temperature stressors on early life stages of triploid oysters are unknown. Early life stages are particularly crucial to understand because triploid oysters do not occur naturally and must be reared in hatchery settings, requiring appropriate water conditions to yield the greatest survival and growth. Thus, we tested the effects of different temperatures (28oC and 32oC) and salinities (5, 10, and 15 ppt) on diploid and triploid oysters at three critical production stages: veliger, pediveliger, and spat. Veliger survival was significantly lower for triploids relative to diploid oysters at all experimental conditions, but triploid veligers had faster growth than diploids at 32oC and 15 ppt. Pediveliger settlement was not affected by ploidy type and only reduced at high temperature (32oC) and the lowest salinity (5 ppt). Diploid spat showed highest survival at 28oC and 15 ppt, while triploids survived best at 32oC and 15 ppt. Triploid spat attained greater shell height compared to diploids in our 6-day exposures, but growth decreased for both ploidies at lower salinities. At the salinity and temperature levels examined, diploid early life stages performed best at 28oC and 15 ppt, whereas triploids were more successful at 32oC and 15 ppt. A broader understanding of the combined effects of environmental stressors will improve the success of hatchery production yields and the resulting economic and environmental benefits of the oyster industry.

Emulating Evolutionary Principles For Agriculture: Designing A Biomimetic Vertical Garden By Mimicking Tracheophyte Evolution, Earl M. Riddell

Honors Theses

Biodiversity, particularly in the world’s equatorial regions, is under threat from human industry. Among the most daunting problems facing these biomes is that of the food industry’s continual expansion into what was once rainforest. Expansive monoculture (large cultivated swaths of a single crop species) are the primary threat to tropical biodiversity. This method of agriculture is harmful because it requires the clearing of land that once supported thousands of species in order to replace it with rows of a single crop. If more plants could be grown in a smaller horizontal square footage, farms need not rely so heavily on …

Role Of G1p3-Rab5 Interaction In Breast Cancer Gene Expression, Madelyn Terrell

Honors Theses

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide with millions of cases diagnosed each year. Despite modern treatments, over 40% of patients can expect to relapse after initial cancer eradication. Consequently, it is crucial to unravel the mechanisms by which breast cells confer their cancerous properties to develop novel treatments that improve patient survival. G1P3 is a mitochondrial localized protein found to be upregulated 50x in estrogen receptorpositive breast cancer and is correlated with overall poor patient survival. G1P3-overexpressing cells display increased amounts of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and G1P3 as an ISG indicates these genes potential to promote …

How To Improve The Kentucky Workplace For The Sake Of Workers' Mental And Physical Health, Hailey Simonds

Honors Theses

Given the current state of the economy and Americans’ “workaholic” culture, it is not unreasonable for Kentuckians to be stressed in the workplace. Is it true that Kentuckians are stressed and dissatisfied with their jobs, or are workers simply pessimistic? The purpose of this study is to determine the satisfaction of Kentuckians with their current jobs, characteristics of their job which may impact satisfaction, and explore solutions to create healthier relationships between workers and their jobs. An online survey was distributed to Kentuckian workers aged 18 and older via social media and flyers posted on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus. Results …

“Go, Go, Godzilla!” Defining And Creating Meaning In The Godzilla Franchise, Jc Dyer

Honors Theses

Godzilla is one of the longest running film franchises in history. Its core anti-nuclear message has stood the test of time, giving it continued relevance in the modern world, especially in its home country of Japan. However, after 69 years and 36 movies, it is safe to say that Godzilla, both as a movie franchise and as a character, has changed drastically since 1954. These changes, coupled with the globalization of the franchise and the creation of a new, US based Godzilla series, have created a complex and at times contradictory web of differing themes and adaptations. This project examines …

The Effects Of Artificial Sweeteners On The Human Body And Microbiome, Lauren K. Steely

Honors Theses

While artificial sweeteners are becoming a popular sugar alternative, their negative effects remain understudied and obscure to the general public. Whether people purposely incorporate them into their diet, artificial sweeteners are found in thousands of products and are consumed by all ages. The calories and weight gain associated with refined sugar often cause people to turn to zero-calorie options, thinking they are healthier; however, artificial sweeteners serve just as, if not greater, a threat to one’s health. Artificial sweeteners have been associated with weight gain, numerous health risks, type 2 diabetes, and negative effects on the gut microbiome. The goal …

Risks Of Being A Female Athlete: Prevalence Of The Female Athlete Triad And Awareness Of It By The Athletic And Student Population, Mary M. Wilson

Honors Theses

The Female Athlete Triad is an interrelationship between energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and bone health. It effects many female athletes, specifically those that participate in lean physique sports. This condition can cause many issues with one of the most common being time loss injuries from bone stress issues. Athletes and athletic support staff have limited knowledge over the Triad, partially because of limited policies and procedures in place to treat and educate for it. This thesis will conduct a literature review to better understand prevalence and general knowledge of the Female Athlete Triad in athletic populations and to assess the …

Occupational Balance Education: A Prerequisite To Healthy Habit Formation, Maggie Hall

Honors Theses

The transition to college elicits newfound independence for those who are moving from their homes to campus. With this transition, the individuals are now forced to establish their own routines and habits in a completely new environment. Because of this, college students are more likely to experience high levels of stress, poor dietary habits, low sleep quality, and decreased physical activity. Individual behaviors cause around 50% of premature deaths, so establishing healthy habits as early as possible is the best thing a person can do to keep chronic illness and unwanted medical struggles away. Occupational balance, or the pleasant integration …

Effects Of Parental Support On Relationship With First-Generation College Students, Kylie N. Mcmillon

Honors Theses

The lack of parental support for first-generation college students is not a new subject for research. Many researchers have found data showing that, compared to non-first-generation students, first-generation students receive less support from their parents with different collegiate areas and in general; however, more research can be done on how this lack of support affects the relationship between the parents and the student. This comparative study will analyze how much parental support first-generation and non-first-generation students feel that they receive, and whether or not this has affected their parent-child relationship. Through the use of a self-administered questionnaire, controlled focus group, …

The Effects Of Styles Of Love On College Students’ Personal Well-Being, Makenna Eckstein

Honors Theses

In 1986, Clyde and Susan Hendrick proposed and researched the six styles of love: Eros, Ludus, Storge, Pragma, Mania, and Agape. Their theory has been a major point in research about love and relationships. Though this is a large topic of discussion in the world of psychological literature, there has not been research done about how an individual love style can affect personal well-being, especially between different sexes and genders. This study found that queer individuals reported higher levels of stress, lower scores of well-being, and more likely to be Agapic lovers. Furthermore, honors college students reported lower levels of …

Understanding Favorability In Diels-Alder Reaction For Hydrogel Synthesis: A Computational Study, Sejal Bhasin

Honors Theses

This study delves into analyzing the change in reaction enthalpy and activation energies of the Diels-Alder reaction for the synthesis of hydrogels, possessing diverse applications in scientific domains due to their unique properties. Utilizing the Diels-Alder reaction for hydrogel creation allows tailored structures responsive to specific stimuli. Theoretical calculations, employing computational methods, utilized the latest Spartan software (version 20) and conducting gas-phase calculations with semi-empirical methods (PM3) and Hartree-Fock (6-31G*). This research examines the hypothesis regarding the potential enhancement of reaction favorability through the introduction of an aromatic ring into the product, along with the incorporation of an electron-donating group …

Fostering A Sense Of Wonder: Promoting Experiential Learning Through Outdoor Discoveries On The Coast Of Maine, Joslyn Primicias

Honors Theses

Recent generations of children have been experiencing a decrease in connection to Nature, causing various negative effects on personal development and well-being. Researchers are studying the impact of environmental education programs as a potential resolution to this issue dubbed “nature deficit disorder.” Studies have shown that while citizen science by youth is rapidly expanding, little research addresses conservation science with environmental education. Recognizing this gap, the summer camps at Wells NERR are designed to ensure children’s environmental stewardship as they learn about estuarine ecology alongside environmental issues. This educational study focuses on how environmental education through estuarine activities at summer …

Exogenous Exposure To Dihydroxyacetone Mimics High Fructose Induced Oxidative Stress And Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Raj Mehta

Honors Theses

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a three-carbon sugar that is the active ingredient in sunless tanning products and a by-product of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) combustion. Increased use of sunless tanning products and e-cigarettes has elevated exposures to DHA through inhalation and absorption. Studies have confirmed that DHA is rapidly absorbed into cells and can enter into metabolic pathways following phosphorylation to dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), a product of fructose metabolism. Recent reports have suggested metabolic imbalance and cellular stress results from DHA exposures. However, the impact of elevated exposure to DHA on human health is currently under-investigated. We propose that exogenous exposures to …

Circadian Rhythm In Design: An Application Of Circadian Rhythmic Elements To The Ridgedale Mill, Jesse Hayes

Honors Theses

Through the study of the phases of circadian rhythm and by applying associated environmental cues, can a building further promote health and well-being through design? This study argues that by applying design elements associated with each phase of the circadian rhythmic cycle to a built environment, overall human health and well-being are increased. Research shows, that if the circadian rhythm is disrupted “metabolic syndrome and obesity, premature aging, diabetes, cardiac arrhythmias, immune deficiencies, hypertension, and abnormal sleep cycles develop” (Brainard, 2015, p. 1). Furthermore, if the circadian rhythm is promoted through environmental cues it benefits the body by supporting the …

An Analysis Of Skylight And Alternative Applications In The Adaptive Reuse Of The Ridgedale Mill, Robyn Wood

Honors Theses

Designing sustainably, at its core, holds the health and wellbeing of the users of the space and the price of ongoing maintenance and installation costs in balance with environmental wellbeing. With each of these points playing a major role, spaces can be designed to be healthy and affordable while also benefiting the overall functional health and efficiency of the space. A key method in designing sustainably is the incorporation of natural daylight within a space to provide general lighting in an energy efficient way and to positively impact the atmosphere of the built environment. For the users of the space, …

The Effectiveness Of Drawing As A Study Tool For Success In Human Anatomy And Physiology, Gracie C. Willis

Honors Theses

Human Anatomy and Physiology courses are packed with substantial information to obtain and retain over a semester. Study techniques students integrate into their studies are indispensable in affecting their success or failure in Human Anatomy and Physiology courses. This study aimed to determine if using drawing as a study technique would positively or negatively impact students' success or failure rate in Human Anatomy and Physiology I (A&P I) at the University of Mississippi. Participants were divided into three groups based on the degree of participation. Group A students chose only to release their unidentified test scores. Group B students released …

Isolation And Identification Of Phage-Host Protein Interactions As Possible Mediators Of Mycobacteriophage Phayonce Gene Host Cytotoxicity, Matthew Defreitas

Honors Theses

Bacteriophages are ubiquitous viruses containing extremely diverse genomes. Many phage genomes have been bioinformatically annotated; however, many genes lack wet-bench functional characterization. Elucidating individual phage gene function via the isolation of phage-host protein interactions allows for the exploration of novel antibacterial therapies within the context of phage-host biology. Mycobacteriophage Phayonce, infecting the host Mycobacterium smegmatis, encodes two cytotoxic gene, 41 and 64, which lack an annotated function. Using a bacterial two-hybrid screen along with the construction of fusion-protein expression vectors, multiple punitive phage-host protein interactions were isolated for both genes. Once these interactions were verified and sequenced, multiple host …