Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Cortisol In Modern Society: Linking Psychosocial Stress And Health, Logan Dwayne Fair

Honors Theses

Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones, which can act on almost all cells in vertebrate tissue through binding to glucocorticoid receptor. Cortisol, which falls into this class, is released in response to stress and provides our bodies with the necessary energy to cope with a wide variety of stressors. This function of cortisol is brought about through its action on numerous metabolic and immunological pathways. However, when cortisol levels remain elevated for extended periods of time, many of these acute effects of cortisol can bring about long-term health problems, including many associated with metabolic S5mdrome, such as obesity and …

An Analysis Of The Hurricane Insurance Markets In The Southeastern United States, Stephanie Jeanette Jabaley

Honors Theses

As hurricanes are some of the most devastating natural catastrophes in the United States, property insurance for coastal home and business owners is a consistently evolving market. The southeast, specifically the Gulf of Mexico region, is where most hurricanes are concentrated and has accumulated a large amount of losses over the past few decades. After Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, less private insurers have offered windstorm coverage for coastal property owners and the state wind pools have increased their amounts of risk exposure. This thesis analyzes the use of wind pools in the Gulf of Mexico, specifically Mississippi, and other …

The Effect Of Extended Durations Of Walking In Different Footwear On Measures Of Balance, Rebecca Lane Macneill

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of extended walking durations on a hard firm surface in different types of industrial footwear on balance and postural control. Postural sway variables (RMS sway and sway velocity in the medio lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) directions) were measured, based on center of pressure (COP) movement, with the NeuroCom Equitest Balance Master-Posture Platform Sensory Organization Test (SOT). Fourteen healthy adult males participated, and measures were taken at 30 minute time intervals over 4 hours of standing/walking. The eyes open (EO) condition of the SOT was utilized for this study. Each …

The Effects Of The Histidine-Alanine-Valine Peptide On The Dimerization Of Neural Cadherin, Ariel Jeanette Rodgers

Honors Theses

Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecules whose general structure is characterized by three regions: a conserved carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic region, a transmembrane segment and an extracellular region that binds calcium. Cadherins mediate cell to cell adhesion by the formation of homophilic dimers between these extracellular regions, during which one cadherin molecule interacts with another cadherin molecule of the same type. The adhesive interface is a strand-crossover structure between two protomers from adjacent cells. The PA-strand detaches from its own protomer and crosses over to dock a critical tryptophan residue in a hydrophobic partner protomer. Disruption of the formation of the adhesive …

Knowing Nothing: The Writing Of A Play, Taylor Elaine Ragan

Honors Theses

Similar to straight theater and musicals, one-person shows began through the art of oral tradition. Before written language existed, people relied upon passing stories orally. Most likely, these stories began with gatherings, where people discussed events of the day. With the emergence of written languages, these stories were transcribed. Eventually many performers were added to fulfill the roles of each character. Although this has become the norm for theater, it is important to remember that theater began as a one-person show with that lone storyteller. Even today, a prominent form of one-person shows consists of stand-up comedy. However, there does …

Diurnal Time-Activity Budgets Of Schoolmaster Snapper (Lutjanus Apodus) In South Water Caye Marine Reserve (Belize), Catherine Filley Howe

Honors Theses

Diurnal time-activity budgets from a sample of 588 schoolmaster snapper (Lu^'anus apodus. Family Lutjanidae) were recorded over a period of two and a half weeks in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve (Belize) during May and June of 2010. Each fish was observed for a 20-second time period, and the amount of time they spent swimming, stationaiy (resting), foraging, and performing “other” (less common activities) behaviors was recorded. The specific objectives of my study were to: (1) quantitatively describe the behavior of schoolmaster with time-activity budgets, (2) assess differences in schoolmaster size distribution by location (habitat type), and (3) analyze …

Oil Wells And Well-Oiled Guns: The Resource Curse And Government-Directed Violence During The Arab Spring Uprisings, Vihara Anjalee Dharmaratne

Honors Theses

This thesis analyzes whether there is a positive correlation between the levels of government-directed violence and oil wealth, against the backdrop of the Arab Spring. Have governments of the Middle East and North African (MENA) states that possess more oil wealth used more violence on their protesting citizens than governments of states that have little or no oil wealth? Does the so-called “resource curse” apply to the outcomes of the Arab Spring? This thesis attempted to answer these questions by (1) studying the levels of government-directed violence in the Arab Spring uprisings and (2) examining the oil wealth and oil …

Intellectual Property And Culture: Differences And Origins, Evan James Extine

Honors Theses

China has for many years been criticized for its poor record of protecting intellectual property rights. However, recent evidence has shown that China may now not be as lax in its protections as previously assessed. This thesis aims to build on these new findings by (1) demonstrating the continued gap in the robustness of Chinese and American copyright laws and (2) finding the possible origins of this perceived gap. The main method for answering the first question centers on the comparison of the American and Chinese “fair use” clauses. Through the findings of this method, China’s “fair use” clause proves …

A Higher Duty:' The Sectionalization Of American Institutions Of Higher Education, Patricia Grace Ethel Gauthier

Honors Theses

This thesis is a comparative study of the rise of sectionalism in northern and southern antebellum American institutions of higher education. The West Point Military Academy, which maintained a roughly equal number of southern and northern cadets. presents a case-study of how faculty, staff, and students dealt with sectionalism in a mixed group. Information was gathered from numerous sources including college histories, archival material from the University of Mississippi, and southern military school studies. Several general trends were discovered from this data. 1) Southern academia actively encouraged the development of sectionalism because it provided public funding and enrollment for southern …

Anything New Under The Sun?: Walker Percy And The Search For A Third Way And Place, Matthew Jordan Griesbeck

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate how Walker Percy, through fiction, explores the various inadequacies of place, ontology, and religious belief through his representation of his characters* engagement with these three areas in their attempt to live a meaningful life. 1 analyze three of Percy's novels. The Moviegoer (1961), The Last Gentleman (1966). and The Second Cowmg (1980), as well as Percy's non-fiction essays and Percy criticism. I find that the novels are continuous with Percy's non-fiction, and that Percy critics too often simply restate the author's beliefs instead of undergoing a thorough examination of what the author …

Untranslatables, Nicholas Varner Judin

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

S㭠Se Puede... ¿Leer?: Assessing The Success Of The Cuban And Nicaraguan Literacy Initiatives, Camille Lyn Lesseig

Honors Theses

This research examines the literacy programs conducted in 1961 Cuba and 1980 Nicaragua. Given the similarities in the structure and implementation of the plan as well as the congruencies in rhetoric promoting the plans, this thesis explores the various internal and external variables that affected each country’s program to better understand the widely different results. To research these countries’ programs, I examined both primary and secondary source material related to each country, their educational programs specifically, as well as information about US foreign policy relationships with the countries during this time. Although both programs were initially successful in reducing illiteracy …

Healthcare Reform In Context Of The Unique Case Of Mississippi's Diabetic Population, Alley Estelle Ronaldi

Honors Theses

Healthcare reform in the United States is a highly complex issue that is influenced by a number of economic, social, and political factors. These factors have converged in Mississippi to exacerbate reliance on acute care and the high costs associated with tertiary-level diabetes treatment. It has been thoroughly researched that continuous primary care is most the cost effective and convenient treatment for diabetes, yet such treatment centers are scarce in Mississippi due to healthcare payment structures. It is for these reasons that Mississippi is used as an excellent test case for reform proposals. Two of the most polar and popular …

Conditioned Place Preference As A Means To Measure Analgesic Drug Effects On Cancer Pain In Murine Models, Hannah Elizabeth Burson

Honors Theses

Pain associated with cancer is unpredictable and may reflect an inability to quantify it in animals. We hypothesize that Conditioned Place Preference (CPP) testing is sensitive to pain relieving drugs in animal models of cancer pain and that CPP scores will reflect varying degrees of pain relief To test this, mice were assigned to one of four groups: tumor or non-tumor groups conditioned to saline or morphine during preference testing. After baseline preference testing in the CPP apparatus, animals received either saline or morphine in the S+ chamber (initially non-preferred chamber). All animals received saline in the S- chamber (initially …

‘The Triple Bottom Line’: Examining Eu Support For Organic Agriculture With Examples From Italian Wine Producers, Kimberly M. Biagini

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Ethnic Tourism’S Effect On Bai Ethnic Minority’S Identity In Dali, China, Tabitha Bandi

Honors Theses

This thesis focuses on the Bai minority group in the town of Dali, in China's Yunnan Province and examines the effect of ethnic tourism upon the identity ofthe Bai people. Through an analysis of governmental policies, both on the national and provincial level, economic policies, and different sources of Bai identity, such as travel magazines and articles, I have come to find that the Chinese state and Han Chinese have played a decisive role in the shaping and defining of Bai identity. Through the promotion of tourism and state policies, the Bai people have created a stronger sense ofidentity.

TABITHA …

Celebratory Activism: A Media Portrayal Of Southern Identity, Elizabeth Myhr Lynch

Honors Theses

Celebratory Activism: A Media Portrayal of Southern Identity (Under the Direction of Dr. Mark Dolan)

The objective ofthis paper is to investigate the media's role in portraying southern identity and to determine the media's effect on the surrounding communities. It specifically addresses the three media institutions of Thacker Mountain Radio, The Oxford American, and The Southern Foodways Alliance and determines how they represent and celebrate southern culture. The methodology of the paper consists of the assessment of existing literature in the field of the media's depiction of the South followed by case studies on Thacker Mountain Radio, The Oxford American, …

The Effectiveness Of Common Language: A Contextual Analysis Of Thomas Paine’S Common Sense And Rev. Martin Luther King’S Letter From A Birmingham Jail, Mack Arthur Turner Jr.

Honors Theses

MACK-ARTHUR TURNER, JR: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMON LANGUAGE: A CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF THOMAS PAINE'S COMMON SENSE AND REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING'S LETTER FROM A BIRMINGHAM JAIL )

People are different in several ways; however, we are also share many similarities. For example, we all have ways in which we can communicate others. One of the problems in communicating is connecting with one's intended audience. The way that people construct their ideas and convey them could be effective based on the audiences' ability to understand, interpret, and react. In this paper, I examine the way in which many powerful and influential …

Shakespeare's Newest Stage: The Reshaping Of Cultural Capital Through Youtube, Ben G. Long

Honors Theses

Since its launch in 2005, YouTube has quickly situated itself as a major facet of popular culture. The prevalence of Shakespeare on YouTube is fascinating considering the diversity of the videos found, and the tremendous audience response to these clips. Is YouTube helping or hurting Shakespeare's reputation? This thesis explores this question through the lens of Pierre Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital. The argument is that amidst the process of reinvention, a redefining of what is Shakespeare is occurring. The support provided is framed through numerous video analyses, that cover a wide range of topics including: Shakespeare in education, Shakespeare …

The Impact Of Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals: Supply Chain Issues And Resolutions, Anna Elizabeth Baker

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Protein Kinase C In The Supraesophageal Ganglion Of Female Acheta Domesticus, Sunny Kim

Honors Theses

The phonotactic response of female Acheta domesticus to the male's calling song is modulated by hormones. The presence of Juvenile Hormone III in the supraesophageal ganglion causes crickets to be more selective. This project evaluates the possibility of a second messenger system involving protein kinase C as the molecular mechanism of Juvenile Hormone III control. A solution of Juvenile Hormone III and a protein kinase C blocker was nanoinjected into the supraesophageal ganglion of nselective female crickets, causing them to remain unselective. This suggests that Juvenile Hormone III utilizes a protein kinase C-mediated second messenger system.

Effect Of Velvetleaf Root Exudates On Indole-3-Acetic Acid Production By Rhizobium Rubi At3-4rs/6, Amy Nadane

Honors Theses

Rhizobium rubi AT3-4RS/6 was isolated from the velvetleaf rhizosphere and is being tested as a potential biological control of velvetleaf. The purpose of this research is to test the levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) produced by Rhizobium rubi AT3-4RS/6 after exposure to and incubation in velvetleaf root exudates. IAA production has been found in other rhizobacteria that are deleterious to weed growth. Velvetleaf seeds were sprouted and the roots suspended in a sterile mineral solution, which was then recovered and inoculated with R. rubi. Levels of IAA and numbers of viable bacterial colonies were then determined. The average level of …

The Effects Of Chloro Linoleate Acylal Prodrugs On The Inositol Biosynthetic Pathway In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Steffie-Ann Dujon

Honors Theses

Bipolar disorder is a debilitating mental illness characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and depression. FDA-approved drugs lithium and valproate, are the most common treatments for this disorder. Currently, omega-3 fatty acids are being researched as an alternative treatment, free of the negative side effects valproate and lithium exhibit. The mechanisms by which valproate and lithium work are unclear, however they effectively lower intracellular inositol levels. Valproate and omega-3 fatty acids similarly inhibit yeast cell growth as well as protein kinase C activity. We hypothesize that omega-3 fatty acids can also decrease inositol levels. A prodrug combining structural properties of …

Mating Patterns And Breeding Success In The Larus Glaucescens-Occidentalis Complex, Protection Island, Washington, Andre E. Moncrieff

Honors Theses

Glaucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescens) and Western gulls (Larus occidentalis) are found along the Pacific Coast. Where their breeding ranges overlap in Oregon and Washington they hybridize, producing a continuum of phenotypic variation. Whereas most colonies containing these hybrids are found on islands along the coast, several, including a large colony on Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge, WA, are located in the Salish Sea. In 2010 I scored the henotypes of 81 gull pairs at the Protection Island cology using an index based on plumage melanism and bare-part coloration. Gulls from the entire range of phenotypes in the L. glaucescens-occidentalis complex, …

The Effect Of 4-Aminopyridine On Phonotactic Selectivity In Female Crickets, Lauren Martin

Honors Theses

My research project was designed to explore the effects of 4-aminopyridine (a potassium channel blocker) on phonotactic selectivity in female crickets, Acheta domesticus. These crickets underwent pre-tests for selectivity on a non-compensating treadmill during which their response to a range of male calling songs (30-90ms syllable periods) was recorded. A solution of 9.2 nl of saline or 10(-5)M 4-aminopyridine was nanoinjected into the supraesophageal ganglion. After a ten-minute recovery period, post-tests were performed, identical to the pre-tests. There was no significant effect of 4-aminopyridine on the females' selectivity.

Developing An Intracellular Neurobiology Lab Sequence For Use In An Interdisciplinary Neurobiology Course, Aleksandra Kozlova-Harris

Honors Theses

The goal of my research was to evaluate procedures currently used in the Intracellular Leech Lab in order to modify the Neurobiology ZOOL475 Lab to increase the rate of successful intracellular recordings for future Neurobiology students. Two approaches were used: the first was to evaluate the possibility of using a less expensive leech species in order to allow students unlimited attempts at recording from ganglia without budget constraints. The second was to evaluate various raising conditions (water, temperature, and age) to optimize the quality of the leech ganglia. Both approaches provided useful information to improve lab success.

Intraindividual Variation In The Calling Songs Of The Cricket Gryllus Pennsylvanicus, Lauren Van Putten

Honors Theses

The goal of this project was to examine intraindividual variability in the calling song of the male cricket, Gryllus pennsylvanicus. We evaluated syllable period and chirp period lengths under both constant and changing temperature conditions. Significant variability in chirp and syllable period length was found under constant conditions, suggesting males are subject to internal variability without any effects from the environment. Significant variability was also seen in chirp and syllable period length for crickets under changing temperature condtions. There was a two to five minute delay in response to the temperature change.

The Effects Of Pyrilamine On The Selectivity Of Phonotaxis, Kristin Chung

Honors Theses

Hormones modulate phonotactic behaviors of female crickets (Acheta domesticus). This project seeks to observe the changes in phonotactic behavior when anti-histamine is injected in the prothoracic ganglion. The anti-histamine used, pyrilamine, resulted in older, unselective females becoming more selective to the male calling songs. Females injected with saline (controls) remained unselective. The experiments with pyrilamine (anti-histamine) validates histamine's proposed role on phonotactic selectivity by enhancing inhibition of syllable period selective neural circuits in the prothoracic ganglion.

The Effects Of A Valproate Fatty Acid Prodrug On The Inositol Biosynthetic Pathway, Gina Kang

Honors Theses

Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating episodes of mania and extreme depression. Compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids and valproate individually treat symptons of bipolar disorder, one of which is elevated inositol levels. Lithium and valproate are known to reduce iniositol levels. The goal of this project is to combine linoleic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid substitute) with valproate and observe the prodrug's effects on the inositol biosynthetic pathway using Saccharomyces cervisiae yeast as the model system. Since inositol is required for growth, the effects of the prodrug on the inositol biosynthetic pathway was determined by comparing its impact on …

In Time, Bfa Thesis Exhibition By Clay Crawford, Clay Howell Crawford

Honors Theses

In Time, my BFA solo exhibition, was an installation of three four-foot-by-six-foot looping video projections shone directly onto the walls of Meek Hall's Gallery 130. create this body of work, I performed as both photographer and subject. Performance in its simplest form exists completely autonomous of technology, and when the photographer or videographer documents a performance s/he produces something and more tangible than simply engaging in the performance's live exchange. As I work with time-based media, the idea of time is central to my art-making process and conceptual development. In these works, I alter standard time structures by imposing my …