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The Social Psychology Of Group Dynamics In Cults: Exploring The Influence Of Leadership And Organizational Structure In The Heaven’S Gate Cult, Mellanie L N Douglas

Honors Theses

Social Psychology of Group Dynamics in Cults: Exploring the Influence of Leadership and Organizational Structure in the Heaven’s Gate Cult Mellanie Douglas Dr. Kristen Campbell, Department of Psychology

Cults are extreme religious or political groups that rely on social and psychological influence to attract followers and maintain loyalty to a charismatic leader. Heaven's Gate is recognized as a historic new age religious and science fiction cult. It was founded in the 1970s by Marshall Herff Applewhite and Bonnie Lou Nettles during the counterculture movement and ended in 1997 with a mass suicide of 39 members. Accounts from within and regarding …

Characterizing The Frequency Response Of Pressure-Sensitive Paint, Charles J. Strunc

Honors Theses

Pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) enables full-field, optical pressure measurement through oxygen quenching of luminescent molecules but is limited by slow response times at high frequencies. To evaluate dynamic PSP behavior, a resonance tube system was developed in this study capable of generating standing pressure waves up to 60 kHz using a high-frequency super tweeter. Synchronized pressure transducer and high-speed optical data were analyzed in both time and frequency domains to assess PSP phase lag and frequency response. The paint accurately tracked input frequencies up to approximately 2–3 kHz, beyond which optical and electronic noise dominated. Primary noise sources included excitation laser …

Quasi-Static Electro-Mechanical Response Of Circular Dielectric Elastomer Membranes Under Dc Voltages, Nathan T. Benham

Honors Theses

Dielectric elastomers have attracted significant attention because of their large voltage-induced mechanical strains, fast response times, high specific elastic energy (3.4 J/g), and strong electro-mechanical conversion efficiency. Circular dielectric elastomer membrane actuators (DEAs) have proven valuable for evaluating new elastomers, electrodes and their combinations; eliciting interesting vibratory and dynamic response; and validating new electro-mechanical constitutive models and membrane mechanics models. Despite their practical importance, experimental data quantifying the quasi-static voltage-stretch response of circular DEAs under the action of DC voltages is limited. To address this, we perform an experimental program designed to interrogate the impact of electrode diameter and membrane …

Benefits Of Intergenerational Programming In Occupational Therapy, Rachel Mitchell

Honors Theses

Occupational therapy helps clients work toward their meaningful occupational goals. Within this career, a person’s roles and habits are also addressed and taken into account when creating intervention plans. Many individuals live in a multi-generational home, living with others of different generations, or even interacting with them in their daily lives. Intergenerational programming is designed to bring people of different generations together. Whether the client lives with someone from a different generation, or sees them in their life, it is vital to have an understanding of each other. Areas that can be addressed include mental health, cultural identity, social isolation …

Sticky Situation: An Investigation Into The Applicability Of Charcoal Coated Tape In Fire Debris Analysis, Grace Boyer

Honors Theses

In the recovery of ignitable liquids (IL), passive headspace concentration using activated charcoal strips (ACS) is the standard method. Activated charcoal powder (ACP) is a less expensive alternative to ACS but is more difficult to use due to its powder form. This research quantitatively evaluates the use of adhesive tapes as a solid vehicle for the ACP and cost-effective replacement of ACS in the process of passive headspace concentration. In order to effectively replace ACS, the tapes should retain an adequate amount of charcoal for the duration of a headspace extraction, effectively adsorb volatile analytes for extraction, and exhibit minimal …

Rats With Wings: The Villainization Of The Pigeon And Its Portrayal In Modern Art And Literature, Emily Dutton

Honors Theses

For millennia, humans have had an increasingly intimate relationship with pigeons. These birds have been called a wide range of names and served a myriad of purposes alongside their human handlers; however, since the populations of feral rock pigeons have increased in American cities, the general public has ascribed a negative connotation to the pigeons that they were once closely associated with. The increasing populations of pigeons along with their decreasing perceived usefulness to humanity has led to a sharp decline in their image. This thesis aims to examine how the pigeon became so loathed after it was coveted for …

From Paper To Pixels: How Covid-19 Changed Teachers’ Perspectives Toward Technology, Nora Knight

Honors Theses

As schools transitioned to virtual education during the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers faced numerous instructional, technological, and emotional challenges. The purpose of this research study is to explore how K-5 elementary school teachers navigated the transition to remote instruction during all stages of the pandemic. Additionally, it examines teachers’ perspectives on technology integration in their classrooms throughout COVID-19, focusing on their preparedness, confidence, and instructional decision-making as they adapted to online teaching. A mixed-methods survey was distributed to 108 elementary school teachers in Madison County, Kentucky. The results revealed educators’ feelings and experiences with educational technology before, during, and after the …

What About Us? The Exclusion Of Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In The Disaster Planning Process., Elizabeth Ogorek

Honors Theses

Intellectual/Developmental disabilities, or I/DDs, refers to a wide variety of conditions that can affect a person’s ability to process information and their environment. Individuals with I/DDs have a plethora of unique vulnerabilities before, during, and after major disasters. Some of these include difficulty understanding instructions, a tendency to become more easily overwhelmed by external stimuli, and reliance on 1-1 support. Despite this, very little evidence exists both in the research and the practice of emergency management to demonstrate that they have been included in meaningful ways. Many state Emergency Operations Plans, or EOPs, fail to acknowledge intellectually/developmentally disabled individuals as …

Comparing Pre-Pt Student To Pre-Pt Professor Upper Extremity Range Of Motion Reliability Using Virtual Measurements, Brittnee L. Franklin

Honors Theses

A reliability study was performed using a sample of convenience to determine the reliability of a Pre-PT student and Pre-PT professor when performing virtual and in-person goniometric measurements of forearm pronation and supination. Second, to see how a Pre-PT student compares to a Pre-PT professor at the end of the undergraduate degree. Our methodology was designed to be simple and consistent between both testers. Participants were instructed to hold a pencil in their right hand; elbow fixed at 90°; elbow by the side of the body; could not have any previous injuries to the shoulder/forearm; and must be able to …

Mapping Social Vulnerabilities: Importance And Relevance In Disasters, Madelynn H. Linet

Honors Theses

This report provides a comprehensive overview of disaster management, socially vulnerable populations, and geographic information systems. Mapping at-risk populations using GIS shows promise for improving decision making across all phases of emergency management. The paper describes the context of each of these concepts, including national policies that lay the foundational framework for this thesis. These include multiple documents from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other governmental partners and agencies that aim to provide guidance for disaster planning purposes, especially relating to socially vulnerable populations. The next section explains the methodology for the accompanied …

Caring For Our Planet: A “Green” Reaction Method Of 2,2’-Bipyridine Through Phosphorus Extrusion, Alessandra T. Palumbo

Honors Theses

Phosphorus extrusion is the process of removing the phosphorus ion from a molecule specifically a phosphonium salt. Currently many phosphorus extrusion methods are harsh for the environment because they require the addition of strong acids, strong bases, oxidation reagents, or heating the reaction to extremely high temperatures. In this thesis, mild phosphorus extrusion conditions were used to synthesize 2,2’-bipyridine from diphenyldi(2-pyridyl)phosphonium bromide ([Dipyphos]Br). The main goal is to increase bipy yield while decreasing waste which will in turn be better for the environment. These conditions can be manipulated to increase bipy yield: Lewis acid, nucleophile, temperature, reaction time, reaction solvent, …

Level Up: How Video Games Can Be Beneficial And Spark Creative Imagination In Players, Makendra M. Phipps

Honors Theses

Since the 2010’s, a technological trend has been flourishing: the development and enhancement of video games across different platforms. The early 1970s began the evolution of video game systems, from Atari and Magnavox Odyssey (1972) to Game Boy (1989) to Nintendo Switch 2 (2025) today. Video games themselves have also evolved, from the first basic computer games of the 1950s (such as OXO and Tennis for Two), to the introduction of arcade games in the 1970s (Pong, Space Invaders, PAC-Man), to the popular video games of today (Grand Theft Auto, Minecraft, Fortnite, R.E.P.O., to name …

Good Intentions Gone Wrong: The Hidden Consequences Of Benevolent Sexism For Women Seeking Justice, Mia Thomas

Honors Theses

Sexism and gender-stereotypes have long impacted societal and criminal justice system responses to victims of violent crime. Scholarly research has demonstrated that sexism is complex and takes varying forms (i.e., ambivalent, hostile, institutional, internalized and more). Of particular interest here is benevolent sexism, which is broadly defined as holding attitudes towards women that are seemingly positive, but which ultimately increase the patronization of women and reinforce their subordination. Such examples include the cultural customs of chivalry or the act of maintaining sexist attitudes with “good intentions.” Drawing on media case studies and scholarly literature, I examine the influence of benevolent …

From Chaos To Calm: How Ferappease Shapes Calf Behavior And Eases Weaning Woes, Rinna Tarter

Honors Theses

Weaning is widely recognized as one of the most stressful practices within the beef industry, as calves are separated from their dams and must manage changes in environment, social structure, and nutrition. This process provides indicators of stress, including increased vocalizations, reduced feed intake, pacing, and a stop in weight gain. Traditional management strategies include fenceline separation, nose flaps, and abrupt separation. Some research has begun to investigate approaches that target the biological mechanisms underlying the physiological stress response. One approach involves the use of a maternal bovine appeasing substance (mBAS), a synthetic analog of pheromones produced naturally by lactating …

Double Lenses: Understanding Adhd–Autism Comorbidity Across Gender And Pathways To Intervention, Grace A. Peak

Honors Theses

Each year, the number of people diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) rises. This rising number is due to the abundance of research done on each disorder. Because of this increase in information, many adults and children are getting a comorbid diagnosis, meaning that they are being diagnosed with both disorders at the same time. There is one catch, however; research has shown that ADHD and ASD are spectrums, meaning that they have symptoms that can range in frequency and severity while also affecting each person differently. A large portion of the research conducted …

Maternal Nutritional Status And Immune Regulation In Early Offspring Development, Caroline C. Pagan

Honors Theses

Maternal nutrition, immune function, and microbiome health work together to shape fetal development in ways that influence health across the lifespan and even into future generations. This paper synthesizes evidence from molecular biology, nutrition science, immunology, and public health to show that essential nutrients-such as omega-3 fatty acids, folate, iron, zinc, and vitamin D-directly affect fetal immune programming, neurodevelopment, placental function, and metabolic regulation. Research on the maternal microbiome further demonstrates that microbial diversity and metabolite production modify nutrient absorption, inflammatory balance, and fetal gene expression, underscoring the microbiome’s role as both a mediator and amplifier of nutritional effects. At …

Friend And Foe: Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized But Heavily Restricted, Monica Ronkainen

Honors Theses

Marijuana legalization has become prevalent in the United States, sparking discussion about the positive and negative effects of marijuana and marijuana legalization. Although the legality of marijuana has varied in the past, many states are passing legislation that attempts to address the negative and positive effects of legalization and form policies that keep communities safe. Current research clearly indicates harmful effects of marijuana use, including driving under the influence, undesirable later-life circumstances, cognitive deficits, mental health issues, and developmental issues resulting from marijuana use during pregnancy. Marijuana use and legalization also have benefits, including advanced treatment of medical issues, decreases …

Social Drivers Of Health: Shifting The Focus Of Health Indicators From The Biological Code To The Zip Code, Jenna M. Barlage

Honors Theses

This study explored how healthcare facilities in Kentucky and Ohio are adapting to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 2024 mandate requiring the collection and reporting of Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) data. Through literature review and interviews with healthcare administrators responsible for SDOH screening, documentation, and reporting, the research evaluated the central hypothesis: while the mandate has expanded the amount of available SDOH data, healthcare organizations continue to face substantial financial, technological, and organizational barriers in addressing identified patient needs. Findings indicated that many facilities have broadened and standardized their screening practices, leading to clearer early trends …

The Leap Through Reality: The Connections Between Quantum Leap’S Tropes Within Natural Science, Annamarie G. Seamans

Honors Theses

Quantum Leap aired in 1989 and became known for the show's combination of science fiction tropes. The combination of switching consciousness and time travel was an uncommon method for storytelling and stood out among the many science fiction shows released in the 1980s. Time travel has been a storytelling tool for centuries and many scientists have developed theories that allow time travel to be possible in the natural world. Many of the theories developed become improbable due to causality. However, if causality is no longer maintained there are models of time travel that become more likely. Similarly, the science behind …

The Impact Of Environmental Factors On Blood Detection: Effects Of Uv And Temperature On Blood Samples, Delaney Mccarthy

Honors Theses

Biological evidence, such as blood, is one of the most important types of forensic evidence collected from crime scenes. Blood can provide valuable information that can help identify victims, perpetrators, and give insight into what transpired. However, outdoor environments leave biological samples exposed to changing and often harsh weather conditions that can compromise the evidence’s integrity. Ultraviolet (UV) light and variable temperatures are two major factors that can degrade both the physical and chemical properties of blood. This study aimed to determine the effects of UV exposure on the detection and analysis of human blood using presumptive and confirmatory serological …

Native Plants And Water Quality At Coastal Carolina University, Sarah M. Limmer

Honors Theses

Native riparian vegetation is an extremely important part of the natural world as its adaptation to  the local environment and climate offers an increased array of ecosystem services, including soil  stabilization and water filtration. Therefore, while not the only element, native plants are a key  regulator of water quality. This study used quantitative and qualitative analysis methods to  determine how the presence or lack thereof of native vegetation affects water quality in both  landscaped ponds and natural wetlands on Coastal Carolina University’s campus. It was concluded  that there is a slight correlation between the two variables, mainly being in that …

Examining The Spatial Inequities Of Urban Heat Islands And Tree Canopy In Conway, Sc, Patrick W. Da Silva

Honors Theses

This study examines spatial inequities in urban heat island (UHI) effects and urban tree canopy (UTC) distribution in Conway, South Carolina, through an interdisciplinary environmental justice framework. Integrating qualitative field observations, quantitative temperature measurements, and geospatial analysis using GIS and remote sensing techniques, the research evaluates how land surface characteristics and vegetation influence localized temperature variation across eight representative sites, including residential neighborhoods and downtown streetscapes. Results demonstrate a consistent relationship between reduced tree canopy cover, increased land surface temperatures, and elevated ambient temperatures. Areas with limited vegetation—particularly lower-income public housing communities—experienced the highest thermal burdens, while locations with established …

Idlewild Documentary, Arise Rock

Honors Theses

This honors thesis and documentary, “I Can Breathe, the story of how Idlewild changed my life,” explores my personal journey to Idlewild with the Lee Honors College Study in the States Program. Over the past three years, I have attended every trip to Idlewild, and captured footage showcasing the enduring legacy and spirit of Idlewild, Michigan. This place was a once-thriving African American resort community during the Jim Crow era, and now is home to year-round locals who seek hope and restoration for the community. Through a deeply personal lens, this project seeks to honor Idlewild’s past and also envision …

Impact Of Urban Fine Particulate Matter Exposure On Cardiovascular Health, Shelby P. Briggs

Honors Theses

Air pollution, particularly exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), poses a growing threat to cardiopulmonary health. PM2.5 consists of microscopic particles smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter and originates from industrial combustion, transportation, and urban dust. These particles are classified as xenobiotics and are capable of bypassing respiratory defenses to enter systemic circulation, where they cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular dysfunction. This study examines the effects of PM2.5 on cardiovascular function using a murine model. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into control (saline), subchronic (10 µg), and chronic (100 µg) groups and were exposed weekly for 11 weeks via …

Enduring The Torturing Shears: Gardens And Novel Conventions In The Brontës' Novels, Grace Mattingly

Honors Theses

This thesis is a literary analysis of the use of gardens and garden imagery in Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, and Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights to subvert Victorian novel conventions. This work is part of the larger conversation of how female authors in the literary canon express dissatisfaction with or resistance to Victorian social mores. This thesis is divided into three chapters, each focusing on one novel, and it primarily evaluates how gardens are employed by the Brontës to challenge plot and genre conventions. The work examines concerns surrounding the Victorian marriage institution, female …

Integrated Sustainability: Unlocking Environmental Potential In Electric Vehicles And Solar Panels, Zachary C. Anderson

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the environmental, economic, and individual level factors influencing consumer adoption of electric vehicles and solar panels. Through a comprehensive scoping review and case-based analysis, it identifies key incentives and barriers related to purchase intentions for each alternative energy technology. Central factors influencing adoption include cost-related concerns, individual purchasing power, demographic effects, and policy impact. These findings suggest that targeted interventions – specifically those used to amplify incentives and mitigate barriers – can positively impact individual consumer purchase intention, including through bundling options. Highlighting the importance of integrated sustainability, this study explored how electric vehicles and solar panels …

Development Of A High-Performance, Cost-Effective Architecture For Real-Time Fourier Transform Analysis On An Efinix Trion Fpga, Luke Cashwell

Honors Theses

This project presents the development of a high-performance, cost-effective, and powerefficient pipelined architecture designed to execute 10,000 Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) per second on an Efinix Trion T120 FPGA. Each FFT processes 4096 signed 13-bit elements, facilitating real-time data analysis for a Time-Domain Impedance Probe (TDIP) operating at a maximum data rate of 490 Mbit/s. The algorithm utilizes the built-in multipliers and dual-port memory cells of the FPGA to optimize data storage, transfer, and processing. It achieves this high performance while only using approximately 4% of the Look-Up Tables (LUTs), 7% of the integrated RAM cells, and 15% of the …

Funded To Win? Super Pacs And Electoral Advantage In The Southeast, Kyle Winstead

Honors Theses

2010 saw the introduction of a new player on the field of electoral finance, the super PAC. This introduction came with much controversy due to the widespread fear that super PACs could undermine the election system by giving wealthy individuals or organizations an undue influence. The literature on super PACs influence on the electoral system is inconclusive, with different studies having mixed results, meaning more information needs to be gathered. In this paper, I attempt to learn more about super PACs influence, particularly on congressional elections, by examining the results of congressional elections across three states: Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. …

Getting An Airman Medical Certificate With Cerebral Palsy, Stefan Crisp

Honors Theses

This paper aims to document the personal experience of Stefan Crisp attempting to gain an airman medical certificate. It also aims to expose the airman medical certificate process for people with cerebral palsy in the United States. Stefan Crisp, who has cerebral palsy, attempted to gain an airman medical certificate through three attempts across multiple years. Research was done to compare the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to reveal similarities and differences between accessibility and requirements. Despite successfully navigating through Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 67, Stefan was unable …

How Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Mbsr) Techniques Affect Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Literature Review, Piper Ritke

Honors Theses

This literature review examines the potential effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) as a non-invasive therapeutic intervention for individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Traditional treatments for OCD, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP), are evidence-based but can be distressing for some patients. MBSR, originally developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, emphasizes nonjudgmental awareness of thoughts and may offer a less intrusive alternative. Three peer-reviewed studies were analyzed: a randomized controlled trial comparing MBSR with cognitive therapies, a technology-supported mindfulness intervention utilizing EEG feedback, and a case study documenting individualized MBSR treatment. All studies demonstrated reductions in …