Digital Commons Network^™

Pay Gaps At The Top: How Ceo–Executive Compensation Disparity Affect Firm Performance, Anh Que Diep

Honors Theses

This paper examines the relationship between executive compensation disparity and firm performance using S&P 500 firms. CEO Pay Slice (CPS) is used to measure pay disparity, and firm performance is measured by Tobin’s Q and ROA. The results from fixed effects models show an inverted U-shaped relationship between CPS and firm performance, with performance maximized at approximately a 60% CEO Pay Slice. Further analysis decomposes CPS into fixed and performance-based components. The results show that fixed compensation disparity is positively and consistently associated with firm performance, while performance-based disparity has weaker and less robust effects. Taken together, the findings suggest …

Cultural Roots Of Eating: A Comparative Analysis Of Organic Discourse And Marketing Practices In China And The United States, Zubin (Jane) Guo

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how cultural frameworks influence the development of the organic food market and shape individual attitudes towards the label “organic” in the U.S. and China. While the popularity of organic food has increased in recent years, cognitive and behavioral reactions toward the label “organic” have differed across societies. In the U.S., healthy eating discourse aligns closely with the individualistic culture and atomistic cognitive style, highlighting the importance of salient elements such as specific nutrients or chemical use. In contrast, Chinese healthy eating discourse is based on balance and harmony, which is directly related to traditional Chinese culture of …

La Mode Comme Arme À Double Tranchant : Construction Et Déconstruction De L’Indochine Coloniale, Sasha Hanson

Honors Theses

Cette thèse explore la façon dont la mode façonnait le pouvoir, l’identité et la résistance dans l’Indochine française à travers trois oeuvres littéraires : Un barrage contre le Pacifique (1950) de Marguerite Duras, Métisse blanche (1989) de Kim Lefèvre et The Book of Salt (2003) de Monique Truong. En appuyant sur les théories postcoloniales de Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Frantz Fanon et Homi K. Bhabha, j’argumente que la mode et les vêtements font plus que révéler les hiérarchies coloniales de race, classe et genre ; ils les renforcent activement. Alors que dans son récit, Duras expose les inégalités socio-économiques à l'intérieur …

N-Allylation Of Secondary Amides With Unsymmetrical Propionates, Remi Graff

Honors Theses

The combination of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) and Et3N promotes the N-allylation of 4-methoxyacetanilide 2 with unsymmetrical propionates 1 (eq 1). The amide substrate is believed to undergo conversion to a nucleophilic silyl imidate in the presence of TMSOTf and the amine base, which concurrently promotes carbocation formation in the same flask through the loss of trimethylsilyl propionate, leading to N-allylation of the amide. A range of unsymmetrical propionates, accessed by varying the R and R’ substituents, react efficiently in this one-pot process with yields ranging from 44% to 99%, affording regioselective ratios of up to >20:1 through formation of regioisomers …

Gender-Diverse State Legislative Candidates In The United States: Identity Used Strategically On Campaign Websites, Nicholas Mossman

Honors Theses

In this honors thesis, I evaluate how transgender, nonbinary, and other gender-diverse state legislative candidates in the United States use their campaign websites to communicate messages related to gender identity to voters, and the potential effects of communication on electoral success. I used a dataset of eighty-nine candidates between 2014 and 2024, and coded fifty-four candidate websites to measure how candidates describe their personal identity and communicate about issues related to gender identity, like LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination and gender-affirming care. While existing research evaluates how voters respond to LGBTQ+ candidates, this thesis examines how candidates potentially attract voters through their campaign …

Net Carbonyl Ene Reactions Of Olefins With Aldehydes, Alexandra Mock

Honors Theses

Aldehydes and olefins react in the presence of base and TMSOTf to yield homoallylic alcohols. In this net ene reaction, TMSOTf acts as a Lewis acid to activate the aldehyde, leading to a strong oxygen-silicon bond that acts as a driving force in the reaction. In the proposed mechanism, the α-methylstyrene attacks the carbonyl carbon of the TMSOTf-activated aldehyde to produce a carbocationic intermediate. Elimination using a relatively bulky base (2,6-lutidine) provides the homoallylic alcohol. This reaction has proven robust in terms of the aldehyde and olefin scope.

Mechanisms Driving Disparities In Income Mobility Across The Income Distribution, Joe Larkins

Honors Theses

This study examines intergenerational income persistence across the income distribution, testing whether mechanisms driving inequality differ between families in the top and bottom halves of the income distribution. Using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88), a nationally representative longitudinal survey of 8th grade students and their parents, this research estimates an interaction model comparing parental income effects for children in advantaged versus disadvantaged economic circumstances. The analysis reveals that a $1,000 increase in parental income yields eight times greater income gains for children in the bottom half of the distribution compared to those in the top …

Crafting The “Greatest Classics” Of Girlhood: Advice Columns, Diaries, And The Emotional Lives Of American Teenage Girls, 1918-1939, Kylee Violet King

Honors Theses

“Crafting the ‘Greatest Classics’ of Girlhood: Advice Columns, Diaries, and the Emotional Lives of American Teenage Girls, 1918-1939” explores how American teenage girls who came of age between 1918 and 1939 used writing as a form of expression. As a response to the heightened anxieties—the “storm and the stress”—that was caused by the social structure of the era, teenage girls used writing in advice column letters and diaries as a form of self-fashioning, self-reflection, and self-therapy to discuss courtship, dating, and romantic relationships. Additionally, depending on the medium, writing acted as a form of advice seeking and community support. Writing …

Rockyou2024: What’S Your Password?, Yixuan Zhang

Honors Theses

Passwords remain a critical part of almost every account security system. As a result, password guessing attacks remain one of the most widespread yet profitable attacks possible. Setting a password resistant to attacks is thus an important task for account holders. In this paper, we use the RockYou2024 database, a collection of approximately 10 billion real-world passwords collected from data breaches, to analyze the characteristics of passwords found in real life. We start with basic statistical property analysis, such as length, distribution of digits and symbols, and proceed onto more complicated properties such as frequencies of combinations of characters, entropy …

Mnes Vs. Local Firms’ Resilience To Global Shocks: Evidence From The 2008 Financial Crisis And Covid-19, Yijie Wang

Honors Theses

This thesis examines whether multinational enterprises (MNEs) are more resilient than domestic firms during major global shocks, using the 2008 Financial Crisis and COVID-19 as case studies. Although MNEs may benefit from diversification, internal capital markets, and foreign linkages, they may also face greater exposure to global demand shrinkage and supplychain disruption.

Using Compustat North America firm-level panel data from WRDS, this study analyzes publicly listed U.S. and Canadian firms across 2007–2013 and 2018–2024. Firm resilience is measured through net sales, net income, and gross profit using a two-way fixed effects panel model. Multinational status is identified through two different …

From Shock To Routine: The Evolving Impact Of Shutdown-Related Sentiment On Stock Markets, Yiran Shao

Honors Theses

To address gaps in existing research, this paper selects two U.S. government shutdown periods, 2018-2019 and 2025, as research samples to explore the effect of policy uncertainty on sentiment. This paper primarily analyzes the following two research questions.

First, what is the correlation between government shutdown-related sentiment during the shutdown period and daily market fluctuations? Specifically, can the sentiment index constructed from shutdown-related news effectively predict the next-day stock return during the event period?

Second, does the market have a learning effect? That is, between 2018-2019 and 2025, has the relationship between shutdown-related emotions and market outcomes weakened, shortened the …

Borrowing By Committee: An Analysis Of The Link Between Government Type And Sovereign Debt, René Polanco

Honors Theses

Previous literature is divided about the impact of democracy on sovereign debt. In the context of the third wave of autocratization (Lührmann & Lindberg, 2019), this paper uses a new dataset (the Episodes of Regime Transformation) focused on regime transitions to analyze the impact of democracy and regime change on the levels of sovereign debt for a panel of 167 nations between 2008 and 2024. I examine how democracy impacts debt level, borrowing, and debt service and dovetail these results with analogous ones regarding how states of transition impact the same measures. By including this extra wrinkle of government transition, …

Associations Between College Students' Belonging, Classroom-Based Relationships, And Mental Health Outcomes, Ella Grace Will

Honors Theses

Humans have a fundamental need to belong (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). A lack of belonging is associated with negative mental health outcomes, making it important to study student belonging in higher education (Strayhorn, 2019). Classroom-based relationships with professors and peers positively impact students' belonging (Tinto, 1993). The purpose of this study was to evaluate: the relative contribution of professor trust and peer interactions to classroom and university belonging, and to assess the associations between student belonging and internalizing symptoms. Survey data were collected via Qualtrics in September 2025 (baseline) and December 2025 from students in 32 first-year seminars participating in …

External Impacts On Internal Accounting, Maggie E. Boswell

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how external economic, legal, political, and consumer pressures can affect internal operations, accounting, and audit risk, using PepsiCo, Inc. as a case study. The analysis draws on PepsiCo’s annual reports and Form 10-K, company disclosures, government materials, and business and news sources. Attention is given to the Make America Healthy Again initiative, changing health expectations, food regulation, tariffs, and sustainability concerns. The analysis finds that these pressures could increase research and development, production, inventory, legal, and supply-chain costs while also creating opportunities for PepsiCo to expand healthier products and sustainable practices. These operational changes may also increase …

Design, Synthesis And Biological Activities Of N-Substituted Phthalimide Derivative, Beaula Mangundah

Honors Theses

Phthalimides are a group of compounds among bicyclic non-aromatic nitrogen heterocycles that have gained recognition for their bioactivity across various fields, notably anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory. This study discusses the synthesis of a novel phthalimide derivative and provides an analysis of its biological activity. It was conducted through a Boric acid Imide synthesis and yielded a successful derivative using hexylamine. The product was evaluated in vitro for antimicrobial, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory properties using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion, clotting time, hemolysis inhibition, and protein denaturation assays. It showed mild anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Effects Of Pamam Dendrimer Size On Antimicrobial Activity For Acne Treatment, Elise M. Inae

Honors Theses

This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of G1, G2, and G3-Hex-NH2 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers with an emphasis on how dendrimer size influenced their efficacy against C. acnes and S. epidermidis. Dendrimers are nano-sized, radially symmetric polymers composed of highly branched units that extend out from a central core. Dendrimers are known to exhibit antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria by disrupting the lipid bilayer and causing membrane damage. This study explored their effect on a different group of microorganisms–Gram-positive skin flora. Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion tests were performed to evaluate minimum inhibitory concentrations for each dendrimer solution. All generations of PAMAM dendrimers …

Green Synthesis Of And Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Of (2z)-2-[(4-Fluorophenyl)Methylidene]-1-Benzofuran-3-One, Rod Albert C. Olofernes

Honors Theses

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health challenge, rendering once-effective antibiotics less potent or entirely ineffective. In response, there is increasing interest in developing antimicrobial agents through environmentally sustainable methods. In this study, a fluorinated aurone derivative, (2Z)-2-[(4-fluorophenyl)methylidene]-1-benzofuran-3-one, was synthesized using a green Knoevenagel condensation approach. Eco-friendly catalysts were employed to minimize environmental impact and avoid hazardous byproducts. Product formation was confirmed to avoid wasting resources. The compound was evaluated for antimicrobial properties using a Kirby-Bauer plate, but did not demonstrate consistent or significant antimicrobial activity, therefore lacking promise as a standalone antibiotic.

Effectiveness Of Dna Recovery Success From Porcine Metacarpals And Phalanges Submerged In Household Chemicals, Jessica Di Re

Honors Theses

This experiment evaluated the DNA recovery success from phalanges and metacarpals isolated from fleshed porcine feet that were soaked in different household cleaners and chemicals. Three sets of two porcine feet were submerged in Drano, method: All-Purpose Cleaner, and a 1:1 dilution of lemon juice to tap water, respectively. Another set of two porcine feet, assigned to the control group, was left unsubmerged. All four sets were left to decompose for 28 days. Pictures and weights were taken once a week for the duration, before the bones were isolated and powdered for extraction using the BTA Prepfiler Kit, followed by …

Intradistrict Inequality: Examining Educational Opportunity In Richmond Elementary Schools, Tara Sheehan

Honors Theses

Educational inequality in the U.S. is often discussed across district lines, but differences between schools within the same district are just as significant. This paper examines intradistrict disparities in Richmond Public Schools (RPS) by comparing William Fox Elementary and Broad Rock Elementary. Although both schools operate under the same district, they serve very different student populations and produce markedly different outcomes. William Fox serves mostly White and economically advantaged students, with higher test scores, lower absenteeism, fewer behavioral incidents, and access to a wide range of enrichment programs. Broad Rock, on the other hand, serves predominantly Hispanic and Black students, …

Effects Of Proactive Interference On Adults With Adhd: A Sex-Based Study, Julia Switzer

Honors Theses

ADHD is a widespread phenomenon that affects individuals in a variety of ways. Many individuals exhibit strong proactive interference, in which past memories interfere with the memorization and recall of new information. One of the ways symptoms differ is through the biological sex of individuals, although differences in proactive interference have not been studied in relation to sex. This study hypothesized that women with ADHD are better at resisting proactive interference than males with ADHD. The study involved a digital activity in which a series of colored shapes was shown to participants, who identified whether the previously displayed shapes or …

The Dynamic Interplay Between Monovalent Salts And Ribosomal Protein S1 In Regulating Rna G-Quadruplex Structure, Chloe M. Martin

Honors Theses

Many remarkable discoveries, especially in the last decade, have shown scientists just how important RNA is. In this study, the secondary structure of RNA, G-Quadruplexes, is the topic of interest and how they are affected by salts and S1 protein. To obtain the S1 protein it was transformed from E. Coli using a bacterial plasmid. The S1 protein was then purified from the bacteria through the use of many purification methods. The monovalent cationic salts used were LiCl and KCl which have different ionic radii size that contributes to the stability of RNA G-Quadruplexes. This stability was observed and affected …

Effects Of Beach Renourishment On Sea Turtle Nesting Success, Caydence Pennington

Honors Theses

Beach geomorphology has a profound influence on nesting animals, particularly sea turtles, whose reproductive success depends on suitable sand conditions and stable shorelines. In many densely populated coastal regions, beach renourishment projects are implemented to combat erosion and protect infrastructure, yet these alterations can also affect sea turtle nesting ecology. This study evaluated the effects of beach renourishment on loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting activity on Longboat Key, Florida, from 2021-2024. Nesting activity, hatch success, and depredation patterns were compared between nourished and reference beach zones to determine whether nourishment had an impact on these events. Nesting …

Chinese Intellectual Property Theft On United States Innovation In The Aerospace, Energy, And Pharmaceutical Economic Sectors Through Human Intelligence And Cyber Intelligence Collection, Preston Martz

Honors Theses

In cases of Chinese intellectual property theft on aerospace, energy, and pharmaceutical sectors in the United States, does Chinese intelligence collection favor HUMINT or CYBINT for collection? Sub questions also arise, including: to what extent does the amount of information collected vary by collection through HUMINT vs. CYBINT? Furthermore, does the sector where IP theft is used change the method of collection used? Finally, to what extend do case factors and outcomes affect the collection method used?

Effects Of Beach Morphology On Nesting Behavior And Success Of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta) In South Carolina, Reagan Rutkowski

Honors Theses

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) rely on sandy beach habitats for successful reproduction, yet nesting success is strongly influenced by physical beach features. This study examines the impact of beach morphology on nest survivorship across six nesting beaches in Horry and Georgetown counties, South Carolina. Three key hypotheses were tested: (1) nests placed at higher elevations exhibit greater survivorship, (2) nests located further from the recent high tide line experience higher survivorship, and (3) overall beach morphology influences nesting behavior and outcomes. Beach morphology variables—including elevation, slope, and nest-to-water distances—were measured at individual nest sites, while survivorship data …

Interdependence In Practice: U.S. Travel Advisories And Turkey’S Economic Resilience, Matthew Michael Mccall

Honors Theses

This study examines the U.S. Travel Advisory and its economic impact on foreign nations, with a focus on Turkey between 2016 and 2024. Grounded in the theories of functional and asymmetrical interdependence, this approach employs a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative analysis of tourism revenue, GDP, and GNI with qualitative examination of geopolitical events that may raise or lower the Travel Advisory rating. Rather than assuming the advisory acts as a tool of coercive foreign policy, this study tests whether advisory changes meaningfully shape Turkey’s economic performance or whether they simply reflect moments of instability inside the country. The findings support …

Imagery Intelligence And Presidential Crisis Decision-Making: The Case Of The Cuban Missile Crisis, Codie Mcdonald

Honors Theses

Although the Cuban Missile Crisis was a short period of time relative to our nation’s history, this research has illuminated how much information, tension, and impactful moments lie within each minute; and the fact is, intelligence collection absolutely is a main factor in the de-escalation of the nuclear threat. Without the intelligence collection and production that was completed and given to Kennedy, policy would not be able to be made nearly as easy. Throughout each moment of the crisis, generally speaking, IMINT was able to provide and support the most aid to President Kennedy and his advisers. While the degree …

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Amidoximes As Potential Pharmaceuticals Against Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria, Prudence Mange

Honors Theses

The rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the healthcare industry has led to devastating effects in recent years, ranging from increased risks associated with hospital treatment to longer illness duration, which may eventually lead to increased death rates (Naghavi, Mohsen et al, 2024). To combat this ongoing challenge, this project aims to synthesize amidoximes, which are organic derivatives of carboxylic acids with an oxime and an amino acid group. Amidoximes have been utilized in various clinical applications, including antituberculosis medication, hypotensives, antiarrhythmics, antibacterials, and antifungals (J. Chil et al., 2011). -- The focus of this project was to test their antibacterial …

Running From The Headlines: Evaluating Levels Of News Consumption Attitudes Across Generations, Andrew Francis

Honors Theses

The primary goal of this research is to answer the question "What behavioral trends exist across various generations and other demographics when it comes to how people consume and interact with news coverage?" With newspapers and other traditional mediums for news consumption being largely phased out of our increasingly digital society, it is important for communicators and journalists to have a comprehensive understanding of how to best reach members of their desired audience. I have studied the data collected and analyzed what trends are apparent in the survey's sample size, which can hopefully be applied to the larger population. To …

An Exploratory Evaluation Of The Kalamazoo River Watershed Council: Assessing Organizational Impact And Value, Alexander Mendez

Honors Theses

The Kalamazoo River Watershed Council (KRWC) plays a central role in protecting, restoring, and promoting the long-term health of the Kalamazoo River watershed, a geographically expansive and ecologically complex system facing persistent challenges from legacy contamination, nonpoint source pollution, land-use pressures, and inequitable access to watershed resources. This honors thesis presents an exploratory organizational evaluation of the KRWC, assessing its role and relevance within the watershed, the effectiveness of its programs and partnerships, the strengths and limitations of its governance structure, and opportunities to strengthen its long-term sustainability and impact.

Guided by principles of Practical Participatory Evaluation (PP-E) and Fourth …

The Effectiveness Of Telemedicine As A Pivotal Tool In Providing Accessible Medical Care, Peyton Wilt

Honors Theses

Telemedicine has emerged as one of the most transformative innovations in modern healthcare, offering new opportunities to bridge long-standing gaps in access, quality, and continuity of care. Rural and underserved communities in the United States face persistent barriers to healthcare, including provider shortages, geographic isolation, limited access to specialty services, transportation challenges, and socioeconomic disparities. These structural barriers often delay diagnosis, disrupt chronic disease management, and worsen overall health outcomes. Telemedicine provides a mechanism to address many of these obstacles by enabling remote consultations, real-time monitoring, follow-up appointments, and access to specialty providers through digital platforms.

This thesis examines the …