Digital Commons Network^™

In The Absence Of Family: How Ideas Of The Substitute Family In Honduran Children's Homes Shape Perception Of The Needs Of At-Risk Youth, Stephanie Bowman

Honors Theses

Through an interdisciplinary analysis of children’s homes in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, this project reflects on how conceptions of family affect the prioritization of the needs of the homes’ beneficiaries. One consequence of the impoverished nature of Honduras are orphaned, abandoned, mistreated, malnourished, abused, neglected and disowned children who have come to live in group children’s homes that, for the most part, meet their short-term physical needs. But what about children’s developmental, social and educational needs? In this study, we analyze what needs homes meet according to the kind of familial substitute they provide as either a group home or …

An Bhuil Gaeilge Agat?: Perspectives On The Irish Language In Ireland, Georgia Katherine Fyke

Honors Theses

The future of Irish as a living language is uncertain, and some fear it will vanish completely. In this paper I explore how the main language of Ireland shifted from Irish to English and discuss the perspectives of the Irish themselves toward the Irish language. Chapter 1 summarizes the history of the language from its introduction to the island by the earliest Celts to its current secondary role. Chapter 2 reviews the concepts of language death and revitalization both generally and as they apply to Irish, using models by David Crystal and Joshua Fishman. The final chapter is an analysis …

A Designer’S Portfolio, Hallie Landon Marshall

Honors Theses

The professional graphic design portfolio is a window into the graphic designer’s soul: reflecting both the personal style of the artist and the artist’s ability to adapt their skill and creativity to the needs of a particular project. The designer’s portfolio is also his introduction to the interview and career processes. This portfolio was created to reflect the designer’s lifelong interest in publications and to become the first step in a graphic design career. The project included development of the design pieces; printing and mounting the portfolio; and creating a digital portfolio by designing a website in Adobe Flash. The …

An Analysis Of Networking Between Top Executives Of Companies Suspected Of Backdating Stock Options, Rebecca Kin-Ming Lo

Honors Theses

"More than 100 companies are under investigation for options backdating... If options backdating problems are found at more companies, Congress may be driven to act. ” - Brian Cleaiy (Cleary 2007). The purpose of this thesis is to analyze how the practice of backdating employee stock options has become so widely used. The first hypothesis for this research is that networking between executives and board members of corporations has caused the idea of backdating employee stock options to spread. The second hypothesis is that particular auditing firms are more likely than others to audit corporations accused of backdating employee stock …

Characterization Of The Lipopolysaccharide Binding Site On The Plasma Protein High Molecular Weight Kininogen, Ryan Cory Perkins

Honors Theses

Bradykinin (BK) participates in the control of local blood flow and blood pressure by causing vascular hyperemia and vascular inflammation. The Bradykinin generating pathway of human plasma consists of prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP), prekallikrein (PK), and high molecular weight kininogen (HK). When the complex of HK-PK assembles on endothelial cells or an artificial negatively charged surface, PK is immediately converted to kallikrein by the enzyme PRCP. The formed kallikrein then autodigests HK to liberate BK. The BK that is formed then plays an important role in vascular permeability by stimulating constitutive Bradykinin B2 and inducible B1 receptors to release prostacyclin and nitric …

Optimization Studies Of The Important Drug Lead Kahalalide F Which Acts On A Novel Cancer Target Rps25, Kully Lynn Woodruff

Honors Theses

Kahalalide F (KF, 1) is the largest and most biologically active cyclic peptide of the naturally occurring kahalalide family of depsipeptides. Previous evaluations of the compound have shown significant in vitro and in vivo activity against various forms of cancer. KF has been investigated in phase I clinical trials and is being evaluated in phase II clinical studies. The objective of this experiment was to prepare analogues of KF through semisynthetic modification of the parent compound to optimize activity against a slate of pathogens, as well as cancerous cells. Data revealed that KF and analogues were not active against malaria, …

The Evolution Of Sexuality In Vampire Novels, Elizabeth Lauren Butler

Honors Theses

Sexuality is a common theme in vampire novels, especially in those intended for adults. The first vampire novels appeared in the 19^ century, and I was curious to know the sexual themes have changed as society has changed. The book industry has been inundated with vampire novels in the last fifteen years, so I read early vampire novels and short stories, vampire novels from the 1970s, and modem vampire novels to analyze how sexuality is dealt with in each. I also read scholarly journals dealing wdth sexuality in vampire novels. Vampirism as a metaphor for sexuality has evolved along with …

Pink Wave Or Red Threat? Bolivia's And Venezuela's Hydrocarbons Policies In Perspective, Patrick Hunter Dogan

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Hartz Commission Vs. The Alliance For Jobs: A Study In German Labor Market Reform, Robert Russell Lynch

Honors Theses

The political system of Germany is oftentimes characterized by incremental developments which shy away from major, controversial reform. This is especially true for economic reforms centered around the German labor market. However, despite this incremental system a series of controversial and comprehensive reforms of the German labor market, collectively known as the Hartz reforms, were successfully implemented in 2004. This is especially peculiar when the failed Alliance for Jobs, an attempt at similar reforms in the late 1990’s to early 2000’s, is taken into consideration. This thesis will explore how the Hartz reforms were passed in this incremental system by …

The Perils Of Privatizing Water: The Case Of Buenos Aires In Comparative Perspective, Joshua Lee Norris

Honors Theses

In 1993, the water providing service of Buenos Aires was privatized in order to increase the number of constituents with water access and improve water quality. The government also needed an infusion of cash to pay off foreign debt and support a new monetary policy pegged to the dollar. Given these two situations, privatization seemed to provide the most logical answer to each of these problems. However, after ten years of water rate increases that prohibited many citizens fi*om receiving water access, the state renationalized water service in Buenos Aires, Although privatization is generally accepted as the most efficient means …

The Use Of Presidential Decrees In New Democracies: A Study Of Argentina And Chile, Lindsey Michelle Stringer

Honors Theses

The presidents of both Argentina and Chile have the power to issue decrees under various circumstances. However, these powers have been used more extensively in Argentina. In this thesis I answer the questions of how presidential decree powers have been used in Argentina and Chile and how these uses have affected democracy. In Chapter 1,1 define decree powers and describe the powers held by presidents in Argentina and Chile since the more recent transitions to democracy. In Chapters 2 and 3, I analyze how these powers have been used in first Argentina, then Chile. Finally, in Chapter 4,1 suggest how …

Freetime!?!? Theatre: The Creation Of A Successful Production Company, Brian Martin Tichnell

Honors Theses

The following is a description of a theatre production company created by Biran Tichnell and Derek Van Barham. The production company produced five successful plays over the course of two yars. Included is the story of how the company was crated, problems faced and lessons learned. Photographs are also included. No argument is made nor any research completed. This document's purpose is to make known the work, dedication, and love that went into the creation of FreeTime!?!? Theatre.

An Investigation Of Short Sellers' Behavior Around Short Interest Announcement Dates, Wei Wei

Honors Theses

In this thesis, we examine the traders shorting behavior before and after the short interest settlement day. We investigate whether short sellers influence short interest by excessively opening new positions before short interest data collection. We find no evidence suggesting the existence of short sellers’ short interest influencing activities. However, in the course of examining the differences among daily short levels, we demonstrate the danger and consequences of ignoring the panel structure of the data. Plus, we find results that are inconsistent with our understanding of the short interest collection process. Thus, we also give detailed discussions on panel data …

The Foundation, Education, And Practice Of Osteopathic Medicine, Anthony P. Salvador

Honors Theses

Osteopathic medicine has quickly grown into a successful and respectable branch of medical practice. It was created out of a necessity for change in the late 1800s, and continues to be a credible form of alternative medicine. After reviewing literary material, journal articles, and numerous osteopathic college sources it was seen that osteopathic medicine can be practiced in numerous settings and will become integral in the near future due to the shortage of physicians in the United States. Today, osteopaths work closely with all types of medical personal including medical doctors.

Movement Patterns And Feeding Behavior Of The Limpet Tectura Testudinalis (Müller) Along The Mid-Maine Coast, Joshua Lord

Honors Theses

Tectura testudinalis is a limpet that lives in the mid-intertidal zone along the coast of Maine and grazes on a variety of encrusting algae. A previous study asserted that T. testudinalis preferred to feed and rest on the encrusting alga Clathromorphum circumscriptum and that this species of limpet displayed homing behavior. However, I show that T. testudinalis does not home or return to any specific substrate while resting. Conclusive evidence was found for nocturnal movement. I show that C. circumscriptum was the preferred food source for this limpet, closely followed by Hildenbrandia rubra, another encrusting alga. Field and lab experiments …

Object Usage Processing Improves Memory, Joseph C. Tann

Honors Theses

JOSEPH C. TANN: Usage as a Beneficial Method of Encoding

Many psychologists have attempted to find the most effective method of processing information in human memory. For years, the pleasantness method of processing was considered to be among the best methods for enhancing memory performance. One recent theory (Nairne, 2007) has suggested that processing items in terms oftheir survival value may be an even more proficient method of processing. Another theory (Reysen & Adair, 2008) attempted to prove that survival may not be the reason for the enhanced performance, but the individual’s connection with the specific object’s usage. My experiment …

Jean-Paul Marat: The Politics Of Death, Joseph Paul Wallace

Honors Theses

The following thesis discusses the death and quasi-deification of Jean-Paul Marat, politician and journalist of the French Revolution. I focus on the tensions between social, artistic, and political movements that sprung up in the wake of the radical’s martyrdom. I also demonstrate the drastic change in general attitudes and policies— political, social and artistic—toward Marat between the years of the Terror and Thermidor. I hope to prove that Marat, in transcending his own policies and words after death by becoming a visual and tactile symbol representing both social justice and political terror, is a pivotal figure for the French Revolution. …

Leaving It On The Field: A Review Of The Bowl Championship Series And Proposal Of A Postseason Playoff To Remedy The Negative Ethical Implications On Higher Education Of The Current Model, Thomas Benton York

Honors Theses

This thesis considers the current format of the postseason for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), critiques its ethical implications, and proposes a twelve-team postseason playoff to remedy the ethical dilemmas caused by the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and the commercialization of football at the Division I-FBS level. Research was focused on sports law journals, books detailing the history of college football, transcripts from Congressional hearings, and articles from prominent sports news sources. The first chapter outlines the evolution of college football since the advent of television as mass media and highlights the medium’s direct …

The Expression And Characterization Of Full-Length Prcp In Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells, Mubina Aziz Isani

Honors Theses

Prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) is involved in the conversion of angiotensin II (Ang II, a potent vasoconstrictor) to angiotensin 1-7 and conversion of bradykinin (BK, a vasodilator) to form des Arg9 bradykinin. PRCP converts plasma prekallikrein (PK) to plasma kallikrein when the high molecular weight kininogen (HK) combines with PK, forming the HK-PK complex that binds to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) membranes. Formed kallikrein then liberates BK jfrom HK, which leads to vasodilation. This physiological function is mediated by the BK type 2 receptor in the G protein-coupled receptor family. The balance between BK production and Ang II inactivation is …

Concert Promotion In A College Community: A Guide For The Hopeful Concert Promoter, Lori Ann Simpson

Honors Theses

This thesis was comprised of research in action in an attempt to plan and promote a concert in a college community. Research began in the summer of 2007 with an internship with Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter. After spending three months working in the live music industry, I decided to put that knowledge into practice by organizing an awareness concert for Mississippi Blood Services in Oxford, Mississippi. I spent much time planning this concert, first as a large outdoor event, and after it became evident that would not be possible, a smaller, local event at an Oxford venue. …

Current Model For A Narrow Bipolar Pulse, Samuel Stewart Watson

Honors Theses

Narrow bipolar pulses (NBPs) are a class of high-altitude, high-energy discharges that occur during some thunderstorms. The mechanism responsible for initiation of these discharges is not known, but a explanation called runaway breakdown has been proposed by Gurevich et al. 2004. In runaway breakdown, fast ‘seed’ electrons are continually accelerated by the ambient electric field causing the discharge. As the runaway electrons collide with atoms in the air, they create a cascade of other runaway electrons as well as slower free electrons. In accordance with this suggestion, we model a current that increases exponentially along its propagation channel (MTLEI). The …

The Magnitude Of Repression By Cro Protein In The Presence Of Lambda Operator Variants, Shabnam Sarker

Honors Theses

Synthetic genetic circuits were constructed to observe the dynamics of repression by the Cro and scCro repressors. Each circuit contained at least one repressor and a reporter gene. Cro repressor is one of two opposite repressors. This artificial switch also had a single-chain cro (scCro) protein that would not have to dimerize like Cro to be fimctional. Such repressors bind operator sites to prevent fiirther transcription fi-om the promoters. The Lac Repressor (LacR) was used to prevent transcription firom Pr. The inducer EPTG was used to remove the Lac Repressor. A reporter gene LacZ is transcribed from Pr. The protein …

The Politics Of Memory: A Study Of The Formation And Influence Of Public Memory Of The Military Regime In Argentina, Alexandra Azema Rodriguez

Honors Theses

[This study investigated the influence of various political and non-political factors public memory of the period of military regime rule in Argentina from 1976 through 1983. The sources utilized in the study mainly include scholarly works, in addition to several news articles, poll data, and a series of films concerning the subject. The study found that the development of public memory of this particular political event has been influenced by a complex array of interest groups. Each group utilized a unique set of methods and mediums to convey its preferred account of the period of regime rule. The interest groups …

Nouveau: A Feminist Magazine Launch, Meghan Cori Blalock

Honors Theses

The following thesis is a combination of research on the history of feminism and magazines in America and a business plan with accompanying prototype for the launch of a feminist magazine called Nouveau. The research took several months to complete with the business plan and prototype requiring approximately one additional academic year to finish. Based on research and general knowledge of the magazine publishing industry, I found that there is a niche in feminist publications waiting to be filled; Nouveau, which aims to redefine feminism for young professional women, will fill that niche by presenting women with the option of …

Textbook Bundling : Is It Really Worth The Sum Of Its Parts, Kati Simmons

Honors Theses

Studies have been conducted examining the impact of commodity bundling on company profits and the premium prices charged for these bundles. With recent news of the skyrocketing costs of higher education, it is critical to highlight the specific effects of commodity bundling on the prices of textbooks. A study performed by the Government Accountability Office in 2005 cited that a main cause of increasing textbook prices is the recent inclusion of textbook supplements such as software and workbooks. This paper investigates the impact that different types of supplements have on the overall price paid for the bundle. Aggregate sales data …

Modulation Of Fast-Inactivating Potassium Channels By Accessory Subunits And Fatty Acids : A Role For Calcium?, Michelle M. Drzewiecki

Honors Theses

Potassium channel interacting proteins (KChIPs) co-assemble with Kv4 a subunits to form native complexes that encode considerable components of neuronal somatodendritic A- type K+current (Is,J in neurons, and transient outward current (ho) in cardiac myocytes. The binding of KChIPs to the cytoplasmic N-termini of Kv4 a subunits enhances surface expression by facilitating intracellular trafficking, stimulates subunit assembly, and regulates the functional gating properties of Kv4 channels. KChIPs, like many other neuronal calcium sensor proteins, contain four EF-hand calcium binding sites; two of which (EF-3 and 4) have particularly high affinity for calcium. Because Ca2+ is an important signaling molecule for …

The Exploration Of Novel Symbiotic Bacteria That May Have Influential Roles In Sponge Life History, Brittany E. West

Honors Theses

Sponges produce an impressive variety of secondary metabolites that perform a variety of ecological functions. Many marine sponges even harbor diverse carotenoid compounds, an unusual class of secondary metabolites that animals are incapable of producing. Furthermore, sponges serve as hosts to an astonishingly diverse microbial community that can occupy up to sixty percent of a sponge's biomass. Our research ultimately hopes to link microbial species to the production of secondary compounds, like carotenoids, and to assess the ecological role of such compounds and their effect on sponge life history strategy. This study describes the ecological distribution of two species of …

Fostering Leaders For Social Justice : Ally Identity Development And Efficacy, Allison M. Duval

Honors Theses

The goal of this thesis is to develop a conceptual understanding of ally identity and effective and sustainable ally behaviors in order to analyze ally development at the University of Richmond and synthesize brief recommendations for practical applications for cultivating allies. This first chapter on "Enduring Inequality and the Need for Allies" defines allies, explores privilege and constructions of difference in terms of race and gender, exposes the reality of current injustices, and demonstrates the need for allies as leaders of dominant social groups to work alongside leaders of non-dominant social groups in effecting broad social change. The second chapter …

Behind The Plexi-Glass Partitions: An Intern's View Of American Museums, Brittany L. Miller

Honors Theses

Describes the author's experiences as an intern in museums. She notes the lack of cohesion between the roles of museums as organizations and as interpreters of history.

Individual Autonomy And The Work Of Resistance: How Authors Of The 1950s Reject State Absorption Through Imagination And Reaffirmation Of The Body, Benjamin L. Boroughf

Honors Theses

The purpose of comparing two works of literature is to highlight similarities and differences that might provide a greater understanding of the works. When comparing the two works, one can emphasize various elements of the texts, including national or international conventions, periods, genres, themes, influences, culture, movements, or aesthetic choices. At the same time, however, this process may actually distort the way in which one views the works. A reader can easily seize upon surface similarities and identify some "deep" relationship between the works that may not in fact actually exist. Moreover, a reader can easily focus on surface similarities …