Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing The Damage: Moral Realism And The Evolutionary Debunking Argument, Olivia Denton

Honors Theses

For millennia, prominent thinkers have believed that moral sentiments were the recognition of external, objective truths, be they of divine, Platonic, or natural origin. Now the challenge is to find any objective tether at all for our evaluative judgements. The theory of evolution’s encroachment on metaethics is practically as old as Charles Darwin himself, but the more evolved version of this attack on the justification for moral realism (the position that avers the existence of objective moral truths and that we can know at least some of them) comes in the form of Evolutionary Debunking Arguments (EDAs). The (specifically, materialist) …

Wait, Is That Legal?: A Defense Of The Rights Of The Mentally Ill In The United States Prison System, Sophie Owen

Honors Theses

The ever-evolving question of what the legal requirements are regarding providing mental health care in prisons has been debated for decades. This thesis presents a meta-analysis that examines the Eighth Amendment Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause in regards to the mentally ill in the Criminal Justice System and applies it to present day prison systems in the United States. This research creates a clear picture of the inadequate care that is provided and the systemic issues that allow this level of mistreatment and lack of care to prevail. It examines the requirements for mental health care as set by the …

Prototyping A Novel Mach-Zehnder Interferometer With Acousto-Optic Modulators, Jon Mills

Honors Theses

The Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is a ubiquitous optical tool that has been used for decades in a variety of applications. However, its design has undergone little to no updating throughout this time, and it remains expensive to install and difficult to scale. This limitation is due to the need for precise translation stages and mirrors to carefully direct the beams. Because of this, we propose the use of acousto-optic devices to simplify the design of the MZI and make it more accessible and scalable. By using acousto-optic modulators (AOMs), it is possible to direct the beams using radio frequency (RF) …

The Mutagenic And Cytotoxic Effects Of Exposure To Heavy Metals And Other Oxidative Species From E-Cigarettes On Epithelial Cells, Braxton A. Chafin

Honors Theses

The goal of this project was to investigate the effects that the products present in the components of e-cigarettes would have on the cellular level. It was postulated that the presence of heavy metals or other reactive oxidative species (ROS) would cause damage and either mutate the cells or result in cellular death. The experiments that were carried out focused heating element and the vape juice. The experiments regarding the heating element involved treating the media with an electrified heating element then observing the effect on the cells. There were significant limitations with this study so most of the data …

Holistic Education: How And Why, Amanda Krebs

Honors Theses

Since standardized testing began in the early 2000s, teachers and administrators began to focus on grades and numbers due to pressure placed by these measures. Students are not numbers and therefore are not getting a holistic education that develops their whole being, only their academics. How do we incorporate methods into the classroom to develop the whole child, not just academics, and why is this important?

The most common way in the present day is through socio-emotional learning platforms or curriculums. These may be stand alone lessons or techniques on incorporation into lessons and school culture in general. Normally, whole …

Kentucky Dental Health With Regards To Social Factors, John Pattison

Honors Theses

This honors thesis researched the current dental standing of Kentucky compared to the other US States in a variety of factors. The information collected was compared to the national average dental health and will be used to expand on the statewide education on dental health. A wide range of demographics were be surveyed from across the state to get the most accurate representation of the true population. The survey included questions regarding the participants background dental information and social statuses. Also included were questions regarding county of residence, income, race, age, gender, consumption of certain foods and drinks, status of …

Rejecting The Paradigm: Reimagining The Philosophy Of Punishment To Address The Criminal Justice Crisis In Twenty-First Century America, Jon E. Mcgee

Honors Theses

Legal punishment has been subject to cacophonous debate and transformation throughout the history of American political and philosophical discourse. As a growing body of academic literature indicates a failure in the punitive techniques practiced by American institutions, the necessity for a precise diagnosis of such ailments paired with a new model addressing American concerns for reform remains increasingly pertinent. With due consideration to the previous recommendations of scholars, this paper illustrates the crisis in criminal justice currently felt in the United States. Through statistical, theoretical, and comparative analyses, existing alternatives are examined and an alternative fit to serve the United …

The Shadow Of Fast Fashion: The Quilting Industry, Elizabeth Y. Barnes

Honors Theses

The purpose behind this creative research project is to bring the contemporary quilting industry to attention when discussing environmental concerns that are typically associated with the textile industry. Quilting, despite its origins in inadvertent conservatism, has evolved into a consumerist business that can be most adequately compared to that of fast fashion. Through analysis of the different types of fibers, manufacturing processes, and environmental implications, an extensive background of the textile industry was given so that the consequences discussed later in the paper can be fully realized. By comparing examples of need-based quilting, like the quilts of Gee’s Bend, to …

“What Is The Environment Doing To Our Genes?”: A Pedigree Analysis Of The Possible Genetic Basis Of A Set Of Familial Clinical Disorders, Emily N. Goodman

Honors Theses

The exact contribution the environment plays in human health is unknown; however, it is estimated that 24% of the global disease burden and 23% of deaths are attributed to environmental factors (Remoundou and Koundouri 2009). With the statistics from previous studies drawing attention to the impact of the environment on humans, it makes sense why the number of clinical disorders is on the rise. Many are being impacted more frequently than in previous generations by clinical disorders. This study was conducted to investigate a personal pedigree to gain insight and analysis to determine a possible connection between the environment and …

Emotionally Unavailable: A Comparison On The Ability Of Children With Developmental Language Disorders To Interpret Emotions In Humans And Inanimate Objects, Savanna B. Gullett

Honors Theses

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a neuro-developmental condition that emerges in early childhood and can persist into adulthood, manifesting as a variety of symptoms that can be significantly different in each individual. It has an estimated prevalence of 7.58% and is nearly 7 times more common in children than autism spectrum disorder (McGregor, 2020). As a population, individuals with DLD are at risk of facing significant issues in associating areas of language, including reading comprehension, problem-solving abilities, and social skills. Professionals have noticed emotional disconnect amongst individuals with DLD, leading to the proposition that those with DLD may have a …

Indirectly And Directly Involved Students' Perspectives On Multi-Modal Communication Treatment In Persons With Aphasia, Emily Lewis

Honors Theses

Our study investigated the perspectives of students who were either directly or indirectly involved in the Multi-modal communication treatment (MCT) sessions for persons with aphasia. Two undergraduate and two graduate students were recruited from the University of Mississippi who participated in the MCT sessions. We collected their perspectives through semi-structured interviews and used thematic qualitative analysis to analyze our data. We reported themes from the indirectly involved students and the directly involved students and compared how the themes were similar and different between the indirectly and directly involved students. We discussed that both direct and indirect experience for clinical therapy …

The Effects Of Cross-Training On A Barrel Horse, Autumn Gallagher

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Examining The Use Of Naturally Occurring Free Radical Scavengers Against Uv Light Damage In Cancer Prevention, Tanner Justice

Honors Theses

A strong association has been found between mutated p53 tumor suppressor genes and cancers in humans. Cancers arise from a culmination of genetic and environmental factors, including exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Prolonged exposure to UV has proven negative effects on cell homeostasis. Much of the damage caused by UV light exposure is through generation of free radicals. Zeaxanthin and melatonin are known antioxidant/free radical scavengers which protect cells by neutralizing damage causing free radical molecules. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of zeaxanthin and melatonin in preventing the negative effects of UV light on …

Environmental Pollutants And Adverse Health: An Environmental Health Perspective On Living Conditions In Rubbertown, Kentucky, Elizabeth Carter

Honors Theses

Rubbertown, located in west-end downtown Louisville stretching along the Ohio River started producing synthetic rubber during World War II in the 1940s has since evolved into a span of 19 facilities, with the majority of which being chemical plants. The population surrounding Rubbertown has expanded with the adjacent neighborhoods housing approximately 5,000 people, and has been projected to continue to gain population. Those living near Rubbertown are prone to a variety of environmental factors due to the large emittance of products, ranging from oil products, calcium carbide, plastics, paint products, polymers, rubbers, and many more. These volatile compounds can be …

Anxious Attachment As A Mediator Between Parental Abuse In Childhood And Partner Attributions In Adulthood, Naomi Michele Pearson

Honors Theses

Parenting in childhood can positively or negatively affect physical and mental health and behaviors in adulthood. When a child undergoes abuse or neglect from their caregiver, they often develop inadequate adjustment, due to insecurity in close relationships, which may continue throughout their lives. Furthermore, this insecurity, established in childhood, can manifest in adult romantic relationships, as assurance-seeking, jealousy, and hostility, causing insecurely-attached individuals to attribute blame onto their partners, internal attributes, or circumstances.

These pessimistic attributions, caused by parental- influenced feelings of ambivalence and separation anxiety, may lead to increased tension and dissatisfaction within close relationships. A sample of 150 …

Elastomer O-Ring Seal Swell Measurements For Sustainable Aviation Fuel Material Compatibility, Conor J. Faulhaber

Honors Theses

As efforts continue to fight climate change by transitioning energy sources away from fossil fuels and towards renewable alternative, the commercial aviation sector finds itself at danger of falling behind in emissions reductions. To combat this, the best term opportunity to reduce the industry’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions has been identified as sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, derived from renewable feedstocks like agricultural waste or used cooking oil. Currently, SAF is regulated to a 50%v blending limit with conventional petroleum-based fuel to maintain certain jet fuel properties, including material compatibility with elastomer o-ring seals. When these seals come in …

Communication Techniques For Nursing Students, Erin Raby

Honors Theses

This thesis will discuss the effects nursing preceptors have on nursing students' clinical experience. This thesis will explore multiple factors that negatively impact nursing student’s communication with their preceptors. It has been found that clinical experiences are extremely important for the future of nursing students. However, there is often a communication barrier between nursing students and their preceptors. This barrier can lead to negative outcomes for new nurses entering the field. Strained communication can also create dangerous situations for patients. Students who fear harsh comments or vertical violence may be reluctant to disclose the limitations of their knowledge. We completed …

Effects Of Zeaxanthin And Uv Light On Cell Viability And P53 Level: Examining The Use Of Naturally Occurring Free Radical Scavengers Against Uv Light Damage In Cancer Prevention, Tanner Justice

Honors Theses

A strong association has been found between mutated p53 tumor suppressor genes and cancers in humans. Cancers arise from a culmination of genetic and environmental factors, including exposure ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun. Long exposure to UV has proven negative effects on cell homeostasis. Much of the damage caused by UV light exposure is through generation of free radicals. Zeaxanthin is a known antioxidant/free radical scavenger which protects cells by neutralizing damage causing free radical molecules. This study was conducted to determine the effects of zeaxanthin on preventing the negative effects of UV light on cell viability, cell cycle …

When Smart Kids Fall Behind: Root Causes And Remediation, Victor T. Logan

Honors Theses

Absenteeism, alongside root causes such as socio-economic status and health indicators, is a primary driving force in young students falling short of academic goals, particularly in elementary and middle school. Determining the root causes of this chronic absence, and the mechanisms by which it hinders student achievement, is necessary to effectively fight back. Which sources of absences are preventable? Which are not? Is it better to construct a system of remediation that broadly addresses the challenges these students face, or to develop multiple smaller systems designed to more specifically target the needs of students based on their particular situation? These …

Their Health Is In Our Hands: A Systematic Review Of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids) In The United States And Ireland, Chelsea G. Cox

Honors Theses

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has had a significant global impact on infant death rates since before the 1990s. Despite various social campaigns resulting in a significant drop in rates, SIDS is still the leading cause of infant death in the United States. By comparing cultural normalities, risk factors, and incidence internationally, new research can be conducted. Ireland was chosen as the comparative country due to similar socioeconomic statuses, environmental terrains, and heritages. Research was collected first-hand in Ireland through a study abroad experience where key contacts and observations were made. There is no known cause or cure known for …

Descriptive Representation In State Legislatures: Exploring The Educational Backgrounds Of State Representatives And Senators, Skylar Dykes

Honors Theses

This project will investigate the influence of descriptive representation as it pertains to efficacy in a democratic system. It is possible that policy outputs are heavily dependent upon motivations of an elected official, even more so than the anticipated or predictable effects of an ideological stance. We expect that, following the juxtaposition of a state legislator’s voting records with his or her biographical data, these claims will be supported by data related to higher education and its funding allocations. We are especially interested in the specific relationship between the educational background of state legislators, and whether or not a correlation …

Microplastic Fiber Abundance For South Carolina White Shrimp, Litopenaeus Setiferus, Across Two Habitats, Adriene Funck

Honors Theses

Coastal South Carolina is a prime destination for shrimping. The commercial White Shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus, is one of the main species found in South Carolina estuaries and coastline. There are commercial and recreation fishing practices in South Carolina for L. setiferus, making it a species of interest for the public. Microplastics are additionally a large interest in the public and scientific community for research and solutions. The threats of plastic pollution are not fully understood in the marine environment, but there has been a boom of research discussing various effects and distributions of microplastics in the ocean recently. Shrimp species …

Coded: Dialect Diversity In The Secondary American Classroom, Madeline Dunn

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the differences between dialects along racial, cultural, and ethnic lines with a specific focus on Black and Latine students inside the public secondary classrooms of America. The focus of the paper is on two linguistic tactics: “code-switching,” a linguistic practice which teaches students to separate their home language from the language they use in formal or professional settings, and “code-meshing,” a linguistic practice to teach students how to mesh together multiple dialects with which a student is familiar. Through the creation of a historical framework and an analysis of existing literature, theory, and pedagogical practices regarding the …

Arabidopsis Shoot Gravitropism Requires The Mediator Coactivator Complex, Gabriella Newton

Honors Theses

Gravitropism is a plant response to gravity in directing the growth of its organs, such as the root and the stem. Gravity is sensed by statocytes, unique cells that contain starch-filled amyloplasts, which trigger gravitropic growth response by modulating the distribution of growth hormone auxin in the elongation zone of the stem and root. Despite the fact that multiple factors have been identified as key regulators of shoot negative gravitropism, how these factors are regulated at the transcriptional level is largely unknown. In this study, we explore the role of transcriptional machinery in regulating shoot gravity sensing and responses by …

Organizational Effectiveness Of Rabies Division Of South Carolina Dhec, Camden Daniel Sasfai

Honors Theses

There are two types of rabies, known as furious and paralytic, that are both spread mostly through saliva of wild or domesticated animals via scratches and bites. Both types can ultimately result in death of the human victim, yet both are vaccine-preventable diseases. Transmission of the rabies disease to humans is usually found following a deep bite or scratch from an infected animal, and transmission to humans by rabid dogs accounts for up to 99% of human infection cases, though bats are now an increasing source of human death due to rabies as well. Surprisingly enough, human deaths following exposure …

Aboutness: The Lyric Essay, Alicia Gladman

Honors Theses

In “Structure: Lifeblood of the Lyric Essay,” Lesh Karan writes: “I had discovered a prose genre where the writer leans on form… to eloquently hold the inexpressible aboutness, to let meaning dance in the spaces between its juxtaposed parts.” The lyric essay engages us in a search for an elusive truth, and attempts to give definition to things that, while hanging heavy above us, may have been unclear until put to paper. This form provides a powerful medium through which an author can explore their own conflicting perspectives, giving voice to emotions and experiences that illuminate our paradoxical and imprecise …

Poetry, Prose, And The Loss Of Verse, Jackson Rowe

Honors Theses

In this essay, I argue that the presence of verse in a text initiates a mutually generative relationship between a text’s sonic and semantic qualities, and that critics’ tendency to praise great prose passages as “poetic” is a result of poetry’s historical connection to verse and the semantic elegance which said verse tends to inspire. I base this argument on Fredrich Nietzsche’s first book, The Birth of Tragedy, and explore, through it, various examples of prosimetrum - that is, works combining poetry and prose.

A Probable Case Of Osteosarcoma: A Differential Diagnosis Of Cancers In The Ancient World, Katherine A. Hosick

Honors Theses

Ongoing archaeological investigations at the North Tombs Cemetery, Tell El-Amarna, Egypt, have, to date, yielded a skeletal sample of 141 graves and at least 252 individuals that have been recovered, representing the non-elite responsible for erecting, and inhabiting a new city (c. 1353 BCE) (Dabbs, 2020) . Recent data on the recovered remains show a trend toward pathological changes in the skeletons attributable to occupational stress-related injuries, specifically those associated with demanding physical labor. One individual (Individual 1154), who was buried wrapped in textile, as is typical of the cemetery exhibited an abnormal bony abnormal bony proliferative lesion on the …

Distinctive Sans Forgetica Font Does Not Benefit Memory Accuracy In The Drm Paradigm, Anie Mitchell

Honors Theses

A common method used by memory scholars to enhance retention is to make materials more challenging to learn—a benefit termed desirable difficulties. Recently, researchers have investigated the efficacy of Sans Forgetica, a perceptually disfluent or distinctive font, which may increase the processing effort required at study and, as a result, enhance memory. We examined the effects of Sans Forgetica relative to a standard control font (Arial) on both correct memory and associative memory errors using the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) false memory paradigm. Across four experiments which included nearly 300 participants, Sans Forgetica was found to have no impact on correct or …

A Faunal Composition Of The Late Cretaceous Blue Springs Site In Northeastern Mississippi And Evidence For Potential Paleoenvironmental Differences Between Beds, Ginger Trochesset

Honors Theses

The Maastrichtian-age Blue Springs locality of the Coon Creek Member of the Ripley Formation is known for abundant, well-preserved marine fossils, including many genera of microfossils, bivalves, gastropods, decapods, cephalopods, actinopterygians, and other vertebrate organisms. This research contributes to the understanding of the paleontology of the site, as well as the changing paleoenvironmental conditions of the beds throughout deposition.

This project analyzed bulk material collected in 2021 from three fossiliferous beds at Blue Springs: the Lower Corbula Bed (Bed C), the Pebble Bed (Bed G), and the Exogyra-Pycnodonte Bed (Bed J). Unconsolidated material from Beds C and J was processed …