Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of P2y1 And P2y2 Receptors In Human Neural Stem Cell Proliferation, Daria Sokolova

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) are located in specialized niches of the adult brain and play a vital role in both neurogenesis and neuronal repair. However, declines in NSC proliferation and metabolism associated with age and pathology make these cells less efficient at responding to neurodegenerative disease. Understanding signaling pathways that regulate NSC function is therefore essential for the understanding and development of treatments for these conditions. P2Y receptors are G-protein-coupled purinergic receptors that are activated by extracellular nucleotides and regulate cellular metabolism and proliferation. Among the eight known P2Y subtypes, P2Y1 and P2Y2 have been linked to neuronal signaling …

Recurrence And Co-Occurrence Of Enhancer-Promoter Interactions Across Human Samples, Satvik Gunjala

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Experimental mapping of enhancer-promoter interactions (EPIs) is resource-intensive, and current computational prediction methods struggle with intrinsic genomic complexity and reliance on limited training data. To address this bottleneck and provide insights for improved computational methods, this study systematically analyzed chromatin contact datasets to investigate the recurrence and co-occurrence of enhancer-promoter interactions across human samples. Putative interactions were evaluated across two HiChIP datasets comprising 218 total samples and one Hi-C dataset comprising 266 samples to assess recurrence across samples and assess sequencing depth related to unique EPIs. Additionally, a preliminary item-based collaborative filtering recommender model was developed to assess co-occurrence patterns …

Pretrial Publicity In A Modern World: Exploration Of Defense Attorney Experiences And Perspectives, Giray Uzen

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This research examined how pretrial publicity, like statements made by law enforcement and prosecutors, affects criminal defense strategy. Using a qualitative, phenomenological design, interviews were held with practicing defense attorneys to understand how they deal with media coverage, protect their clients’ rights, and adjust their strategy when a case starts getting attention. The project identifies common themes, including attorney concerns about biased jurors, distorted narratives, and pressure created by public commentary. Findings work towards reforming policy discussions to respect free speech while protecting the constitutional right to an impartial jury in our modern media environment.

Magnesium-Based Metal Matrix Nanocomposite Implants And Nanobubble-Based Delivery Systems: Integrated Strategies For Bone Loss Treatment With Cytocompatibility Evaluation, Lucas José Martinho Bizuti

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis intends to investigate the development of different multimodal therapeutic strategies for combating bone loss. Most specifically, this paper will emphasize the utilization of Magnesium-Based Metal Matrix Nanocomposite Implants (MMNC) and Nanobubble-Based Delivery Systems as options for future treatment focus. The effects of biodegradable magnesium implants were evaluated for cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility via Hematoxylin and Eosin, and Masson’s Trichrome staining, as well as radiological images. The Nanobubble-Based Delivery System is being developed and optimized as a delivery system to target osteoclast activity. This paper focused on optimizing experimental parameters, which include Rotational speeds for nanobubble stimulation under microgravity conditions …

Examining Bias In The Death Qualification Process: Mental Health Attitudes And Support For The Death Penalty, Aliana N. Lemmey

Honors Undergraduate Theses

For an individual to serve on a capital jury, they must first undergo voir dire, a preliminary examination of potential jurors to assess impartiality regarding death penalty use. This process is called death qualification and is carried out so that attorneys can identify and exclude individuals who are unwilling to impose capital punishment (Haney, 1984). Over the last four decades, this selection process has been criticized by researchers and legal scholars for its biasing effects in capital cases (Butler, 2007; Butler & Moran, 2007a; Fitzgerald & Ellsworth, 1984; Haney, 1984; Thompson et al., 1984). Since the 1980s, psychologists have investigated …

Addressing Barriers To Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome In Low-Income Populations: A Pediatric Nursing Approach To Advocacy And Education, Deborah Fayomi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a serious issue that affects infants, especially in low-income communities. This paper examines ways to prevent SBS through education, advocacy, and nurse-led interventions. Fifteen articles published between 2001 and 2025 were reviewed, with a focus on risk factors, prevention programs, and the role of health visitors in the United Kingdom. The research shows that poverty, parental stress, and low social support increase the risk of abusive head trauma. The thesis explores the range of intervention measures that have been successful to prevent SBS. Health visitors play a critical role, providing community-based support, culturally sensitive guidance, …

The Female Perspective: An Analysis Of Differences In Manuscript Culture Between Convents On The Iberian Peninsula And The Holy Roman Empire From 1300-1530, Aiyana K. Gross

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Within medieval studies, manuscripts and monastic culture and female scribes are becoming a well-studied topic, but the role of women in convents working as scribes in the Iberian Peninsula is not nearly as prevalent in the historiography. This may be attributed to a lack of surviving manuscripts, or a lack of resources devoted to the digitization and accessibility of the sources that do exist. Focusing on Cistercian convents on the Iberian Peninsula, including the Abbey of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas in Burgos, Spain, I use this case study to prove that there was significant scribal activity occurring …

Immigration Securitization And Educational Access: The Impact Of U.S. Immigration Policy On International Students, Cossir Carter

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines the securitization of international students within the broader transformation of United States immigration policy from the post-9/11 era to the present administration. Following the September 11 attacks, immigration governance was increasingly reorganized under a national security framework, significantly altering the regulatory environment surrounding student visas. Subsequent policy shifts have intensified monitoring mechanisms and administrative controls that directly shape international students’ access to education and mobility. Given the sensitivity of immigration-related participation in the current political climate, this research employs qualitative policy analysis rather than direct student surveys. Under the Trump administration, this securitization intensified through stricter visa …

Bloody Sunday: A Comparative Analysis Of Nonviolent Marches In Selma And Derry, Samantha J. Romero

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis examines two different nonviolent civil rights marches: Selma’s march for voting rights in 1965 in the United States and Derry’s march to end internment without trial in 1972 in Northern Ireland. The two marches yielded drastically different outcomes despite employing the shared tactic of nonviolence. This research addresses the vital role that the political opportunity structure, rather than tactical repertoire alone, plays in determining whether state repression leads to reform or further conflict. Through a controlled comparative analysis, the research positions the march itself as a constant across the two cases. Subsequently, governmental allies, institutional openness, and regime …

From Lap To Map: How Musical Scale, Place, And Play Drive The Interconnected Mario Kart World, Cameron Cummins

Honors Undergraduate Theses

With their deserts, castles, and ghost houses, the environments of Super Mario games are colorful, whimsical, and charming, but why are they so compelling, and what happens when our analysis of these environments extends beyond individual levels to expansive game worlds? Drawing on Cresswell’s theory of place (2014) and recent work on musical place-building in Mario Kart 8 (Heazlewood-Dale, 2024), I propose a spectrum between localized and globalized scale in games. As game environments become increasingly globalized, the music may be similarly altered to account for this shift in scale. Consequently, players may then encounter a broader, less musically congruent …

A Hispanic Generational View On Mental Health, Daniela Martinez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study aims to investigate the relationship between generation status and acculturation on mental health literacy and stigma, specifically with Binge Eating Disorder in Hispanic populations. The current literature focuses on mental health literacy levels in Hispanic populations in relation to depression and anxiety, but not binge eating disorder. Additionally, there is very little on how generation status and acculturation interact and can affect mental health literacy all together. To study their relationship, a survey and a short narrative piece about a character who is experiencing Binge Eating Disorder while in college were created alongside questions about the behaviors displayed …

Investigating The Relationship Between Metacognition And False Feedback, Sarah M. Grillo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Accepting false feedback may lead to performance decreases and skewed confidence. Identifying who is more susceptible to false feedback can help us understand how to prevent performance declines and overconfidence. We believe that individuals with low metacognition may be more susceptible to blindly accepting false feedback because they often rely on external sources of feedback for self-evaluation, whereas high metacognitive individuals may be protected because they often rely on accurate internal judgements for self-evaluation. Feedback is important for successful task execution; it can highlight errors (negative feedback) or successful behaviors (positive feedback) to guide future behavior. Individuals with higher metacognition …

The Hungry Mind: Fasting, And Executive Functions In Muslim College Students Living In America, Fatima Alziyad

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Ramadan fasting represents a unique intersection of religious observance and academic responsibility for Muslim college students in the United States. Despite the growing Muslim student population, no U.S.-based research has examined how fasting influences executive functioning within this group. This study investigated the effects of voluntary Islamic fasting on executive functions, specifically working memory, inhibitory control, and sustained attention, using a within-subject crossover design. Muslim undergraduate and graduate students who regularly observe Sunnah fasts completed cognitive testing on one fasting day and one non-fasting day. Working memory was assessed using the 2-back task, inhibitory control using the Stroop task, and …

Quantifying Ai Hallucinations In Legal And Financial Documents, Emily M. Mcguigan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

With the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, it has become recognized that hallucinations may be interwoven into documents. Hallucinations are statements that do not have a basis in fact, even though they appear to be true. My thesis will be centered on how hallucinations can be quantified in financial documents and legal documents. These two areas were chosen because they have an immeasurable effect on business. Recently, there have been several court cases in which an attorney included case citations that were hallucinations rather than being real cases. The attorney was fined by the judge. A new development might be for …

The Signature Of The Self: Toward A Critique Of The Phenomenological Origins Of Self-Constitution, Dylan Mendez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis is primarily concerned with how the narrative self emerges, as conceptualized in literature spanning phenomenology, philosophy of identity, and psychology. The first chapter focuses on an argument given by Dan Zahavi, in which he claims that an account of narrative self-constitution necessitates an account of minimal subjectivity, which he terms the “minimal self.” I argue against this claim on the grounds that an account of minimal intersubjectivity is a far more pragmatic and compatible model in determining how the narrative self emerges and develops throughout the lifespan. The model of minimal intersubjectivity that I propose is Trevarthen’s primary …

Vibration-Based Control Of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems, Ossyris N. Bury

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis investigates vibration-based stability as a mechanism for achieving self-stabilizing nonlinear dynamic motion in engineered systems. Inspired by biological hovering flight, in which periodic wing motion can passively enhance stability, the study explores how controlled oscillations can be used to stabilize otherwise unstable mechanical configurations. The research centers on a simplified dynamic model based on the Kapitza pendulum, an inverted pendulum with a vertically oscillating base, which serves as a foundation for understanding vibration-induced stabilization. Analytical modeling using Lagrangian mechanics is employed to derive the governing equations of motion and identify the excitation conditions required for stable inverted behavior. …

Borderline Personality Traits And Their Impact On Facial Ambiguity, Perceived Rejection, And Self-Esteem, Anya Mathur

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The present study examined whether borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits are associated with differences in self-esteem and interpretations of ambiguous facial expressions, as well as how rejection sensitivity relates to these processes. Participants (N = 135) completed measures of BPD traits, rejection sensitivity, and self-esteem, and rated ambiguous facial expressions on perceived emotion, social inclusion, and evaluation. Results indicated that individuals with higher BPD traits reported significantly lower post-task self-esteem and showed a decrease in self-esteem following the task compared to those with lower BPD traits. Contrary to expectations, no significant group differences were found in interpretations of ambiguous facial …

Ai-Thropology: A Study Of Artificial Intelligence Use In Anthropology, Carly R. Junod

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines how undergraduate anthropology students utilize Artificial Intelligence tools in their coursework and the impact on perceptions of learning. As the use of AI becomes more commonplace, I investigated whether it has been integrated into the praxis of undergraduate anthropology students. Using a Likert-scale survey distributed to 26 anthropology students across multiple subfields, I investigated AI usage patterns, perceptions of academic integrity, and correlations with demographic factors. The results reveal that anthropology students exhibit conservative AI usage patterns, with the majority rarely using AI for core academic tasks such as drafting papers. ChatGPT and Grammarly emerged as the …

Effects Of Musical Tempo On Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, And Heart-Rate Variability, Om Pathak

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines how changes in rhythmic patterns and tempo of music affect physiological measures of homeostasis, such as heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). HRV is shown to be a biological indicator of aging, to a higher sensitivity than HR and BP. While both HR and BP have shown to remain stagnant and less variable, HRV steadily declines over time - indicative of the declining function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Previous studies have demonstrated a physiological effect of music on bodily function - such as through emotive changes and variability within homeostatic …

Being-Online: Towards A Phenomenological Account Of Virtual Place And Narrative Selfhood, Ben Runey

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to explore and explicate a phenomenology of virtual place by investigating how environments motivated by computers and smart devices appear within lived experience as well as how these virtual places found and mediate interpretative narratives of self-identity. Many individuals today spend vast portions of their waking hours concerned with or engaged within virtual domains. While contemporary scientific research aims to uncover the effects of this on human psychology, physiology, and social structures, phenomenology must be utilized to reveal the existential, lived dimensions of virtual places. This investigation will be founded upon, but not limited …

Development Of A Split Deoxyribozyme-Based Assay For Detecting Hepatitis B Virus, Dalila Zovko

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Rapid, accessible nucleic acid-based detection methods are needed for hepatitis B virus (HBV). A split deoxyribozyme assay was developed for sequence-specific fluorescence detection. The assay was evaluated using synthetic target and plasmid-derived material. The assay showed target-dependent fluorescence and low-concentration linear range with a LOD of 1.9 nM. The assay supports detection and semi-quantification of HBV genetic material as shown using plasmid-derived transcript samples from HBV genotypes B, C, and D. The selected target corresponded to nt 363–406 of the HBV genome and was chosen based on sequence alignment showing conservation across most genotypes. Genotype-specific detection remains a future application …

Investigation Of The Impact Of The Shape Of The Wings On Formula E Racing Car Performance: Enhancements For Optimal Aerodynamics, Ednie Marthe Adlaikah Jozil

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The aerodynamic performance of a Formula E chassis significantly dictates its overall race efficiency, directly impacting crucial parameters such as battery range and thermal management. This thesis investigates the external aerodynamics of the baseline Gen 2 Formula E car and evaluates the performance gains of two novel aerodynamic packages: a "Fully Modified" configuration and a "Flat Rear Wing" design. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted to analyze drag coefficients (Cd), downforce generation, and vehicle wake structures at race-relevant free-stream velocities (e.g., 37 m/s and 89 m/s). To ensure numerical robustness, the computational setup was validated using a smooth sphere …

Spanish-Speaking Parents' Health Literacy And Comprehension Of Idea Terminology, Daria Hernandez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study aims to examine how personal health literacy can affect Spanish-speaking parents’ comprehension of special education documentation, specifically within the scope of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) terminology; in order to gain insight into the readability of commonly used terms within special education documents. Across the United States, limited health literacy across organizations and individuals is an extremely pressing issue as it can limit the ability for individuals to make the proper decisions involving their healthcare and education. This issue is exacerbated when considering Hispanic populations, with their personal health literacy levels …

The Effects Of Bicultural Identity On Risk-Taking And Moral Decision-Making In South Asian American College Students, Meera Puthukkudy

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis was to explore how biculturalism in South Asian American college students impacts their behaviors, specifically moral decision-making and risk-taking behaviors. Bicultural individuals must navigate the complexities of their identity by integrating norms, values, and expectations from both their heritage culture and their dominant Western culture, which inherently creates a unique cognitive and psychological framework for evaluating choices. Participants in this study completed a survey online and were asked to complete three measures. First, the extent to which participants feel cultural harmony or conflict between their respective cultural identities was measured using the Bicultural Identity Integration …

Discomfort In Silence: Investigating Workplace Discrimination In Relation To Employee Disclosure Of Menopausal Health Issues, Alysia Furbish

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Menopause is a universal developmental transition for women that often coincides with peak career years, yet it remains underexamined in organizational research and is frequently treated as a private or taboo workplace topic. This lack of visibility shapes whether women feel able to disclose menopause-related challenges, seek accommodations, and access organizational support. Drawing on literature related to pregnancy and motherhood discrimination, menopause stereotypes, and disclosure literature, this study examines how symptom burden, ideal worker norms, and stigma-related identity management contribute to anticipated workplace discrimination and disclosure decisions. Data were collected via an online survey of 106 working women recruited through …

To Print A Remake: An Analysis Of Hollywood Remakes And Their Cultural Value, Connor F. Seaton

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In recent years, audiences and movie critics have expressed concern that Hollywood’s growing reliance on remakes, sequels, franchises, and similar adaptations has led to a broader worry that originality is fading from modern cinema and that the industry is instead focused on using adaptations to maximize profits. Although adaptation is often seen as a commercially driven framework for reproducing existing intellectual property in a new media format, this thesis argues that it should be recognized as an autonomous cultural category with its own artistic, historical, and social significance and merit. By analyzing adaptation scholarship and reviewing its complex historical development, …

Dna Half-Adder Based Calculator Driven By 4j Molecular Switches, Andrea Gissele Canizalez Covaleda

Honors Undergraduate Theses

DNA nanostructures have computing functions due to the predictable base pairing of nucleic acids (Watson–Crick). This property allows the programming of DNA circuits that integrate DNA logic gates capable of recognizing oligonucleotides. This molecular device offers the advantages of biocompatibility and potential applications in personalized medicine for diagnosis and therapies.

Our lab has developed DNA logic gates formed by the connection of YES strands via DNA four-way junctions (4J), which can function as molecular switches to develop a DNA-based calculator. Our DNA half-adder calculator nanostructure is designed to recognize up to three combinations of DNA inputs using three DNA strands …

How Religious Priming Affects Morality In Sports, Daniel Prias

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This research focuses on filling the hole in existing literature regarding religious priming and how it affects morality in sports. This study examined whether different types of moral priming influenced moral reasoning in undergraduate soccer athletes. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: an external religious prime, an internal religious prime, a secular prime, or a no-prime control group. Moral reasoning was assessed using the Moral Reasoning in Sports Scenarios Questionnaire (MRSSQ), strength of religious faith was measured using the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ), and personality traits were assessed using the Mini International Personality …

Evaluating The Comparison Of Different Body Locations For Data Collection Using Galvanic Skin Response Of Forensic Chemistry Students When In Lecture And Laboratory Environments, Elisa Guerrero

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Anxiety is the response that humans can have when exposed to a stimulus. It can be caused by a multitude of factors, such as psychological, biological, or physiological stimuli. Anxiety can be presented as a state or as a trait in a person. Trait anxiety is typically seen as a more stable personality trait, whereas state anxiety is a more intense temporary emotional state. In our study, anxiety was regarded as a more state-like characteristic. A galvanic skin response (GSR) Shimmer3+ device can measure skin electro-conductance changes following stimulation. In a situation where a participant is experiencing anxiety, levels of …

Enteral Nutrition Guidelines Improve Critically Ill Patients’ Outcomes: A Quasiexperimental Study, Marwa Abdo, Sara Elsayed Hegazy

Nursing

Background: Optimal nutritional support is a fundamental element of treatment for critically ill patients. Adherence to evidence-based enteral nutrition guidelines is essential to promote patient care and prevent potential complications. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of enteral nutrition guidelines in improving critically ill patients’ outcomes. Method: A quasiexperimental study evaluated 68 critically ill patients divided into 2 groups. The intervention group received their nutrition based on the evidence-based enteral nutrition guidelines, while the control group received their nutrition based on the unit’s routine care. The study was conducted in the surgical intensive care units of Mansoura Emergency Hospital in Egypt. …