Digital Commons Network^™

When They Lost Their Words: The Impact Of Microaggressions And Exclusion On Chinese International Students’ Linguistic Capacity And Leadership Emergence, Kexin Li

Honors Theses

This research investigates the impact of microaggressions and social exclusion on Chinese international students’ English fluency and leadership emergence. We entered a group of Chinese international students into an online study in which they filmed two videos of themselves speaking English before and after being exposed to either an identity-threatening or an identity-safe condition, both presenting an ostensible group they would be joining and with the identity-safe condition added small inclusionary changes. The results demonstrated that Chinese international students speak English more fluently and tend to show more interest in participating in group activities when put into an identity-safe environment. …

Using An Intersectionality Framework To Examine Disparities In The Steps To Kidney Transplantation In Patients With End Stage Renal Disease, Kacy Workman

Honors Theses

Intersectionality is a theory examining how individuals’ different identities intersect to create a new lived experience, often with compounded oppressions. This theory has recently been utilized in health research to help understand and find effective ways of addressing health disparities (Bowleg, 2012). However, while studies have theorized broadly about intersectionality theory in health research, it has seldom been used to specifically address health disparities in patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). This study conducted a systematic literature review of past research that has examined barriers to kidney transplantation among ESRD patients with intersectional identities, particularly concerning race and gender. …

The Case For The Moral Rationale Of Diversity, Will Walker Jr.

Honors Theses

Although there is much literature highlighting the instrumental benefits of diversity (Gurin et al., 2002; Gurin et al., 2004; Hurtado,2006; Jayakumar,2008), little research focuses on the effects of diversity that arise because of moral rationales for diversity. Expanding into the question of diversity rationale’s effect, we in this study measured the relationship between institutional rationales for diversity and undergraduate students’ perceived feelings of belonging. Using one-tailed multivariate analysis of variance (N=257), our results show that the moral rationale for diversity has more beneficial outcomes for undergraduate students, regardless of their race or ethnicity. More specifically, our analyses show that undergraduate …

Doing Good Better: The ‘Do Good’ App, Emily Trumble

Honors Theses

Although we all want to do the right thing, doing so reliably is often extremely difficult because we do not always know what the right thing to do is. Personal biases undermine our ability to perceive information in a way that does not favor ourselves. Additionally, even without those biases we often do not have enough information to make adequately informed decisions . The solution to this problem is the Do Good App, an app which would assist people in making the correct decisions. Unlike humans, the Do Good app would not be biased and it would have easy access …

Does Duration Matter?: Assessing The Role Of Duration In Adverse Childhood Experiences, Miranda Thompson

Honors Theses

Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with several negative physical and mental health outcomes in adulthood (Felitti et al., 1998). However, a criticism of the ACEs measure is that it does not account for the duration of these events (McLennan et al., 2020). Thus, I aim to replicate previous ACE findings and determine whether an ACEs measure accounting for duration is a better predictor of mental health outcomes. Methods: 244 adult participants reported on their ACEs with duration and their mental and physical health. Three ACE scales were formulated: the traditional ACEs scale, and two duration-based scales, ACEs Years …

Access Alone: The Unintentionality Of The Diversification Of Higher Education, Katherine Szeluga

Honors Theses

Recently, American colleges and universities have seen an increase in hate and bias incidents. These incidents are, unfortunately, nothing new. In coming to terms with the continuity of discrimination in higher education, history matters. The process of diversification challenged higher education in seen and unforeseen ways. Namely, institutions of higher education often fail to reconcile the distinctions between their stated institutional claims and actual practices. More bluntly, university administrations have not been as intentional about inclusivity and diversity as they would like the public to believe. Many of America’s universities have failed to institute apparati that might allow diversity to …

Interactive Neuroscience: Designing And Implementing Web-Based Simulations To Teach Cognitive Neuroscience Concepts In An Online Classroom A Pilot Study, Kendall Stewart

Honors Theses

While computer simulations are effective tools when learning difficult concepts, little is currently known about the most effective learning environment for the implementation of computer simulations in the classroom. The current study aimed to determine if the effectiveness of simulations depends on the learning environment in which they are implemented. Tested within various passive and active learning environments, this study begins to shed light on the impact of the instructional method in which simulations are implemented on learning outcomes for novice learners. Results from this study suggest that within passive learning environments, simulated animations may be more effective than informationally …

The Commercialization Of Crime Solving: Ethical Implication Of Forensic Genetic Genealogy, Hannah Lee

Honors Theses

With the advancement of DNA technology and expansion of direct-to-consumer DNA services, a growing number of cold cases have been solved using a revolutionary new investigative method: familial DNA mapping. While the technique has been lauded by law enforcement as revolutionizing criminal identification, others are concerned by the privacy implications and impact on the family structure. In this thesis I will draw on communitarian, liberal rights, utilitarian, and social justice arguments for and against the practice. I conclude that this method has the potential to increase security and provide justice for victims and families, but absent comprehensive regulation and privacy …

Religious Tolerance And Anti-Trinitarianism: The Influence Of Socinianism On English And American Leaders And The Separation Of Church And State, Keeley Harris

Honors Theses

This research focuses on a sect of Christian thinkers who originated in mid-16th century Poland called Socinians. They had radical Christian views built upon ideas from humanism and the Protestant Reformation, including Anti-Trinitarianism and rejecting the divinity of Christ. Most importantly, they believed that in order to follow Christ’s message, separation of church and state and religious toleration were necessary. Socinianism spread across Europe into England, first permeating subtly while England remained intolerant, but it came to the forefront during the English Civil War. Socinian ideas helped further political agendas of Royalists and ultimately influenced Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke …

Power And Performance: The Role Of Witchcraft In The Leadership Of Queen Elizabeth I And James I Of England, Sabrina Garcia

Honors Theses

Modern day beliefs about the Early Modern European witchcraft trials portray this time period as ignorant and superstitious, easily falling pretty to religious fervor. However, when looking at the primary source materials from the Elizabethan and Jacobean reigns one can see that beliefs on witchcraft were quite varied and complex. By using primary documents, as well as popular plays at the time that focus on malleus maleficarum (harmful magic) this thesis attempts to explore what witchcraft beliefs can reflect about the leadership performance styles of the monarchs Queen Elizabeth I and James I of England. Witchcraft was an intellectual battleground …

Responsible Belief- An Interpersonal Approach, R J. Conk

Honors Theses

Beliefs occupy a powerful role in all aspects of our lives and are essential to many of the most impactful realms of human activity. All intellectual, political, and social activity relies on the stable function of our belief practices, and our everyday experience certainly reflects this. At times, we find it fitting to hold people

responsible for the beliefs they develop, and if these beliefs are in some way bad or incorrect, to blame them for them. However, this is in tension with the popular sentiment that opinions are open to (mostly) free adoption and expression. So long as your …

The Pandemic In Pieces, Cam Hudson

Honors Theses

This thesis attempts to reconcile with the year of our lives that was blanketed by the heavy weight of a global pandemic. It is told in flash memoirs in the hopes that it will not be overwhelming to read or grapple with. It explores mental illness, lack of control, impermanence, and the suffocatingly cyclical nature of daily life during COVID. I hope this thesis finds you well.

Controlled Nature Homes, Henry Creamer

Honors Theses

Analysis of how combinations of shapes, colors, and textures can be used in a building to create an association between certain areas and actions to help the occupants live a superior life style.

Comparative Analysis Of Women’S Healthcare On A Global Scale, Lana Sawar

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research paper is to compare the three health care systems of the following highly advanced industrialized countries: The United States of America, Canada, and Germany. The first segment of the research paper will focus on the description of health care systems in the above-mentioned countries, while the second part will analyze, evaluate, and compare the three systems on their initiative to address global health issues as they pertain to women. Lastly, an overview of proposed future reforms for the U.S. will be provided. I will start by providing a general description of global health.

Honors Accounting Thesis, David Falkenheiner

Honors Theses

During the fall and spring semesters of the 2019-2020 University of Mississippi school year, I had the privilege of taking Dr. Vicki Dickinson’s Honors Accounting class and benefit from it greatly. This course was based around challenging its participants throughout various aspects of not only accounting coursework but real scenarios that arise as an accounting professional. Dr. Dickinson did an outstanding job at preparing her students not only for their internship experience in the spring of their senior year but also for interviewing for those positions. This class gives its participants a drastic advantage over the normal accounting undergraduate through …

Prospective Physical Therapy Education Revisions According To Appalachian Physical Therapists And Physical Therapist Assistants, Paige N. Freeman

Honors Theses

Abstract

Physical Therapy Education Revisions According to Appalachian Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants

Paige Freeman

Dr. Michael Lane PhD, Department of Exercise Science

According to the American Physical Therapy Association and associated literature, the Physical Therapy profession has not changed significantly since its modern beginnings despite the obvious changes in technology and research. The lack of these changes can leave graduates underprepared for the challenges of the workplace and have an increased variability in practice, yet students continue to pay more for the same inadequate education. These issues exist overall within the Physical Therapy and Physical Therapist Assistant professions …

The Relationship Between Classroom Distractions And Off-Task Students, Michelle L. Andrus, Ashton K. Harrison, Kathryn E. Wojnar

Honors Theses

This study focuses on the prevalence of classroom distractions in elementary education candidates’ field experiences. Classroom disturbances challenge students’ ability to focus on, and process the information that is being taught (Frisby, et al. 2018). Disturbances can occur for a variety of reasons. Intentional distractions, or anti-citizenship behaviors are classroom disturbances that are created by students with the goal of distracting others (Myers, et al. 2015). Classroom disturbances can also be unintentional, yet still equally distracting.

Throughout the duration of this research, the candidates have conducted observations and research in a variety of grade levels. In this paper, the candidates …

Cosmological Inflation In N-Dimensional Gaussian Random Fields With Algorithmic Data Compression, Connor A. Painter

Honors Theses

The leading modern theories of cosmological inflation are increasingly multi-dimensional. The “inflaton field” φ that has been postulated to drive accelerating expansion in the very early universe has a corresponding potential function V , the details of which, such as the number of dimensions and shape, have yet to be specified. We consider a natural hypothesis that V ought to be maximally random. We realize this idea by defining the V as a Gaussian random field in some number N of dimensions. We repeatedly simulate of the evolution of φ given a set of conditions on the “landscape” of V …

What’S In An Ace: The Role Of Ace2 In Covid-19’S Tissue Damaging Effects, Christian White

Honors Theses

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is the disease state caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the current pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infects cells via the membrane bound form of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Aside from its role in viral entry, the role of ACE2 in the morbidity and mortality of severe COVID-19 is often overlooked. ACE2 functions as a member of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by cleaving the angiotensin II into angiotensin (1-7). Angiotensin II increases inflammation, thrombosis, and inflammation, whereas angiotensin (1-7) decreases these phenomena, making ACE2 an important balancing agent. ACE2 is …

Trading Addiction: An Analysis Of Prescription And Non-Prescription Opioid Abuse, Jordan Brock, Lisa S. Middleton

Honors Theses

Opioid abuse, addiction, and overdose is a serious public health concern that has plagued the healthcare system for the last thirty years. The compiled research in the following paper explores the rise of the opioid epidemic, the implications of more recent prescription monitoring and pain management programs, the relationship between non-prescription and prescription opioids, and the current face of the epidemic, illicit opioids. Kentucky has, unfortunately, been at the forefront of this epidemic with regard to both prescription and illicit opioids. Policy reformation and preventative action must be taken into consideration in regard to the relationship between prescription and non-prescription …

God In Government: The Influence Of Religion In The Eisenhower, Reagan, And George W. Bush Administrations, Megan L. Baumgardner

Honors Theses

This research seeks to examine the interconnected nature of religion and politics in the United States through the lens of the influence of the political elite. This relationship, though seemingly contradictory to the separation of church and state on which the U.S. was built, is especially apparent in how political leaders have projected their political goals through religious rhetoric. The use of religious rhetoric in the inaugural and state of the union addresses of United States presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush was analyzed for how the frequency of such rhetoric correlated to the purpose of …

An Analysis Of The Utilization Rates For Eastern Kentucky University’S Fleet Of Training Aircraft, Erica J. Gilbert

Honors Theses

For years, aviation industry experts have warned of a looming pilot shortage in our nation’s air transportation system. As outreach efforts have yielded positive results in recruiting pilots, many flight training programs have seen unprecedented increases in enrollment. Eastern Kentucky University is no exception. Partly because of this industry wide growth, the price of acquiring, maintaining, and fueling aircraft goes up each year. As a flight training program grows and resources become scarcer, it is incumbent upon the governing body to maintain control over tangible assets and human assets for the interest of all stakeholders. Through analysis of historical and …

Research Towards Understanding Hox Regulation By Cdx, Joshua M. Fisher

Honors Theses

In this project, we aim to functionally test the contribution that individual Cdx binding sites have in hox gene regulation. We will achieve this by individually blocking Cdx binding sites using CRISPR/dCas9 in the zebrafish and then analyzing changes in the time, distribution, and levels of hox gene transcription.

We will focus our analysis in only one of the seven zebrafish hox clusters, the hoxca cluster. We are focusing on the hoxca gene cluster because it has lost the least number of genes relative to other clusters and is involved in specifying the axial identity of cells in …

Discovering The Wire: Dominance Effects In The Processing Of Polysemes In Sentences, Gwynna Ryan

Honors Theses

Previous research examining the processing of polysemous words presented in neutral sentence contexts has revealed conflicting results. Two different models attempt to explain these divergent patterns. The first predicts that the subordinate sense of an ambiguous word is more difficult to retrieve and process while the second predicts no differences in processing difficulty between the subordinate and dominant senses of ambiguous words. The current study tested the different predictions of these models by presenting sentences with polysemes in a neutral context. Critically, the sense relatedness of the polysemes and the sentence structure were held constant, while the sense frequency of …

The Comparison Between Social Media Marketing Strategies In The United Kingdom And United States Professional Soccer Teams, Lerol Parchment

Honors Theses

Communication is a lot different today than it was 20 years ago. People today spend hours on their social media where they receive the majority of the information about the world. Thus, social media is one of the most influential platforms in the professional sports industry to market sports and engage with fans. The purpose of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the common and different social media strategies adopted by professional soccer teams in the UK soccer leagues, and United States soccer league to market their products to consumers all over the world. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, …

Story And Sorority: How Sisters Shape The Novels Of Jane Austen, Morgan Elizabeth Reid

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the impact and use of sisters and sorority in the novels of Jane Austen, answering the question of how they are shaping the narratives of the stories. Focusing in particular on Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility, I highlight the ways that Austen’s writing crafts plots that rely upon sisters to function. Austen also uses sister figures to reveal the characteristics of her main protagonists and to express the themes she is most concerned about within each story. I also show Austen’s pattern of affirming the value and importance of …

Composition And Oxidative Potential Of Fine Particulate Matter From Pascagoula, Ms, Madison Smith

Honors Theses

Air pollution is one of the top-ranking risk factors for death and disability around the world, accounting for nearly 4.9 million deaths worldwide (State of Global Air, 2019). Specifically, fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) has been linked to many adverse effects on human health, yet there is very little known about what characteristics exactly cause these adverse health effects and how they cause them. Samples for this study were collected from Pascagoula, MS, a small town located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that is home to many industrial yards, from September 2013 to December 2013. Black carbon (BC) analysis …

Effects Of Crowding Agents On I-Motif Dna, Hayden Brines

Honors Theses

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a well-known double stranded, helical, biological molecule. In addition to its more commonly known structure, DNA can also form more complicated structures like G-quadruplexes and i-motifs (iM). The iMs are formed by cytosine rich DNA and are a four stranded structure that is typically looped around itself. The iM formation is typically pH-dependent and is favored in more acidic conditions; the pKa value is approximately 6.5. This pKa value allows for potential in vivo formation, since the cells have a pH of approximately 7.3. Due to this, iMs are thought to be powerful, innovative molecules for …

Simian Varicella Virus Antibody Response In Recombinant Svv-Siv Immunized Primates, Kiser Horne

Honors Theses

Since its emergence in the early 1980’s HIV has killed approximately 32 million people, and continues to kill over half a million people every year. Significant research into potential vaccines and cures for HIV has been ongoing for decades but has been largely unsuccessful. One of the more promising technologies that is being investigated to develop an HIV vaccine is recombinant vaccine technology. The study presented in this thesis aims to use simian varicella virus (SVV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) to act as a model for recombinant vaccine development. If a recombinant SVV-SIV vaccine can be proven safe and …

Greco-Roman Paganism And Women Leaders: The Foundation Of Early Christian Art, Rowan Murry

Honors Theses

In this thesis, I explore the impact of Greco-Roman pagan motifs as well as women leaders and officials on the development of Early Christian art by analyzing catacomb paintings, sarcophagi, and minor arts such as finger rings and carved gemstones. I also discuss surviving primary sources written by Tertullian, Eusebius, St. Jerome, and Clement of Alexandria, to gain a better understanding of anti-art views in the first few centuries of the Church’s rise to power. These anti-art sentiments were often rooted in attempts to disassociate themselves from pagan practices while Early Christian art was emerging amongst the lower classes who …