Digital Commons Network^™

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, …

Quantifying Amendment Impact On Microbial Respiration Rate, Qwynn Starrwalker

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Wetlands play a critical role in the global carbon cycle by acting as carbon sinks, where the flooded anaerobic conditions cause slow microbial respiration compared to other soils. Comparatively more carbon is stored in the soil as organic matter than is released as carbon dioxide (CO₂). Making wetland pools of soil organic matter less available to microbes for respiration could reduce overall atmospheric CO₂ and slow global warming. This study examined the effect of kaolinite, goethite, and lime on microbial respiration rates in wetland soils under alternating hydrologic conditions. Homogenized soil from a cypress dome was separated …

The Impact Of Social Media Movements On Policy Changes Made In The United States, Michelle Levy Korine

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study focuses on researching the relationship between social media movements and policy changes in the United States. Over the last decade, digital platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and X have become important tools to encourage political involvement. These platforms have led to an increase in public participation, movements to become more popular and to organize protests. Many current studies focus on the social and cultural aspects of online activism, but fewer examine wither these movements lead to the legislative change asked for.

This thesis relies on the question, "To what extent does social media activism contribute to policy change …

Creation And Representation: Rhetorical Effectiveness Of Audience Construction Within The Deaf Vlogging Community, Imani Rodriguez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Diverse minority groups use YouTube as a platform to share stories, grow brands, and develop communities online. While previous research has investigated Deaf-focused videos on YouTube, past focus has been on video genres, creator purpose, and how content engages with existing representation and stigma (Hibbard & Fels, 2011; Li et al., 2022; Souza et al., 2023; Martzos et al., 2021; Oliveira et al., 2021; Parton, 2016). There has also been research on how online communities can initiate open conversation for many minority groups that may not be possible due to location, disability, or censorship (Case, 2012).

This research focuses on …

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 …

"The Guyana Chronicle's" Gender Portrayals When Covering Intimate Partner Violence And Suicide, Raiya Shaw

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Guyana, a geographically South American yet culturally Caribbean country, has the highest suicide rate in the Western hemisphere and has maintained one of the highest suicide rates globally for over a decade. Despite this public health crisis, limited research exists examining the issue. High rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) exist concurrently with the country’s high suicide rates, yet limited research exists examining these issues together. Considering the effect of the media on public perception and belief structures, this reflexive thematic analysis explores how gender is presented in articles regarding IPV and suicide from Guyana’s government-managed newspaper The Guyana Chronicle. …

Effect Of Plant-Based Vs. Standard American Diet On Cardiovascular Parameters In College Students, Timothy J. Horanic

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines how adherence to different dietary patterns—specifically a plant-based diet compared to the standard American diet—can influence physiological indicators tied to cardiovascular health, including heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). Among these markers, HRV is considered especially sensitive to autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation and may offer earlier insight into physiological stress or dysfunction than HR or BP alone. Although nutritional habits are widely believed to impact heart health, few investigations have focused on how specific long-term diets affect autonomic and cardiovascular metrics in healthy, college-aged adults. This study aims to investigate if …

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 …

Exploring The Link Between Hospice Setting And Caregiver-Reported Quality Scores, Aidan J. John

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Access to high quality hospice care largely varies across different care environments and regions within the United States. This can shape the experiences of family caregivers who support patients at the end of life. As hospice enrollment expands nationwide, understanding how care delivery changes between home-based services and more skilled inpatient and outpatient services has become integral for examining overall performance.  There are many noticeable differences in provider availability and resources between different programs that can influence the level of support families receive, including timeliness of symptom management and effectiveness of communication with hospice staff. This study evaluated whether hospice …

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 …

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 …

Bridging The Gap: Investigating The Impact Of Adequate Prenatal Care On Adverse Maternal Outcomes Among Black And African American Women, Ciaera Ambroise

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The United States continues to face a maternal health crisis marked by persistent racial disparities, with Black women experiencing pregnancy-related mortality rates three times higher than those of White women. Despite national efforts to expand access to prenatal services, inequities in maternal outcomes remain, indicating that the quality of prenatal care may be as critical as its timing and frequency. The purpose of this thesis is to examine whether adequate prenatal care, compared to inadequate prenatal care, is associated with reduced adverse maternal outcomes among Black and African American women in the United States. Guided by a PICO question, this …

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 …

Relationships Between Quadriceps Neuromuscular Function And Time From Surgery Following Acl Reconstruction Are Sex-Specific, Tatiana Restrepo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is associated with persistent quadriceps dysfunction, including muscular weakness and altered spinal and cortical excitability. While recovery has been widely studied, most investigations focus on isolated domains and fixed postoperative time points. Emerging evidence suggests females often experience slower or less complete quadriceps recovery compared to males, yet the time-dependent nature of these sex-specific outcomes remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to examine whether relationships between time since ACLR and quadriceps neuromuscular outcomes differ by sex across muscular, spinal, and cortical domains. Adults aged 18–35 with a history of primary, unilateral ACLR were …

Evaluation Of The Long-Term Sealability Performance Of Aramid Fiber Nitrile-Based Gaskets, Salome Ramirez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The reliability of sealed, oil-filled containers is critical for maintaining the operation of high-voltage energy systems, in which the sensitive electronics need to be isolated from the cyclic conditions associated with outdoor environments. New materials bring the possibility of extending service lifetimes and maintenance intervals. Aramid fiber nitrile-based gaskets are an attractive alternative to conventional gasket choices due to their long-term stability in various environments and compatibility with porcelain, metals, and plastics. For newly designed porcelain-to-metal fittings, understanding the behavior of the candidate gasket material under realistic loading conditions is essential to ensure long-term seal integrity and equipment safety. Traditional …

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 …

Breaking The Silence: The Intersection Of Neuropsychology, Storytelling, And Mental Health Stigma, Judiene S. Gordon

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis unites the disciplines of neuropsychology and creative writing to explore the complexities of mental health stigma, with a particular focus on substance use. Through a collection of original poems and short fiction, the project seeks to illuminate the lived experiences of individuals affected by these issues and challenge prevailing misconceptions and stereotypes. Drawing on accounts from individuals who have experience with mental illness and substance use, the creative work integrates psychological insight, personal narrative, and authentic voices to foster empathy and understanding. By merging scientific awareness with artistic expression, this thesis aims to humanize often-stigmatized experiences and contribute …

Exploring Anticholinergic Neurotoxicity: Diphenhydramine's Impact On Neuro-2a Cell Morphology, Expression, And Viability, Jordan B. Mcintyre

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Anticholinergic medications, such as diphenhydramine (commonly known as Benadryl), are increasingly recognized for their association with cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disease. These medications, which inhibit the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for the formation and utilization of the central and peripheral nervous system, have been implicated in conditions such as dementia and may impact fundamental cellular processes like neurogenesis and cell proliferation. This study investigates the effects of diphenhydramine on neurogenesis when introduced to Neuro-2a cells during differentiation. For all studies cells were plated on coverslips or in 6-well plates with differentiation media containing 0 ng/mL, 50 ng/mL, …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Youtube-Based Dietary Messaging On Type 2 Diabetes For South Asians, Sukhmani K. Dhaliwal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

While South Asians experience a disproportionately high risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), culturally tailored dietary guidance remains limited within healthcare settings. As digital platforms increasingly serve as sources of health information, YouTube has grown as a prominent space for the publishing and consumption of dietary advice. This study examines how diet-related messaging about T2DM is communicated in YouTube videos directed at South Asian populations.

Using qualitative thematic analysis, 21 videos published between 2016 and 2025 by influencers with a wide reach were analyzed. Videos were selected based on relevance to South Asian audiences, focus on dietary management of …

The Price Of Labor: The Kafala System And Human Rights Violations, Susana El Souki El Assal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The present research analyzes the Kafala sponsorship system and how it impacts the rights and lives of migrant workers in Middle Eastern and Arab Gulf countries. The Kafala system connects a worker's legal status to their employer, providing companies with significant power over their employees' occupations, movements, and ability to leave the nation. Although some governments as well as businesses maintain that the system promotes economic growth and provides important labor, many studies reveal that it can result in exploitation, such as passport seizure, postponed wages, unsafe working conditions, and reduced freedom. The objective of this study is to understand …

“Mother Earth” Faces Sexism” (The Relationship Between Gender, Sexism, And Politics To Climate Change Recognition), Sierra E. Nichols

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Climate change is a prominent scientific and political issue today. Research has shown women to be uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and subject towards political opinions that can be rooted in sexism. This study aims to draw a correlation between these factors. It provides an overview of the topic of climate change and women’s linkages with the environment through the topic of ecofeminism. It analyzes the topic of sexism and analyzes research surrounding different types of sexism: hostile, benevolent, and modern sexism. It discusses how studies that have categorized climate change as a gendered issue, climate change …

A Secondary Analysis Of The Short-Term Effects Of Kettlebell Swings On Lumbopelvic Pressure Pain Thresholds: A Randomized Controlled Trial, William J. Hanney V

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study was a secondary analysis of The Short-Term Effect of Kettlebell Swings on Lumbopelvic Pressure Pain Thresholds: A Randomized Controlled Trial as authored by Keilman et al. The study contained 40 healthy young adults and measured the effects of kettlebell swings (KBS) on acute pain perception using pressure pain threshold (PPT). Overall, this secondary analysis utilized a repeated measures ANOVA to determine the significance on dynamic versus static KBS on acute pain perception as measured with PPT. The results were not statistically significant, which suggests that either exercise variation could be performed with similar results in pain perception. Although …

Centralism: Ecuador's Major Constraint Towards Decentralization, Daniel A. Moreira Castañeda

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Centralized governance has predominantly characterized Latin America, with few countries adopting decentralized systems or federalism. This study explores why decentralization and federalism remain uncommon in the region, focusing on Ecuador’s persistent centralist traditions. Despite federalism being proposed as an alternative governance model, its adoption has been limited due to structural constraints and historical legacies. Ecuador’s centralized authority, rooted in its independence, has shaped institutional arrangements and political dynamics over time. Through a comparative analysis of the decentralization process and governance quality in Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina, the research argues that Ecuador’s ongoing centralist practices stem from historical path dependency. This …

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 …

A Systematic Literature Review Of The Menstrual Cycle And Its Impact On Aerobic Performance In Female Athletes, Jaymie G. Loidolt

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this systematic review is to examine existing literature regarding the menstrual cycle and its impact on aerobic performance in female athletes. This comprehensive review was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 method of analysis. All studies included involved normally menstruating females conditioned in endurance sport. Studies analyzing anaerobic sports, abnormally menstruating females, or physically inactive females were excluded. The databases used included: PubMed, Sport Discus, and Web of Science. The results of these were imported into JBIsumari for deduplication, title and abstract, and full text screening. The results conclude objective performance variables are unchanged regarding the phase of …

Healthcare Access And Community Nursing Outreach Effectiveness In Underserved Zip Codes In Central Florida, Miah Sanchez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Access to healthcare depends on more than whether healthcare services are available. A person’s ZIP code, income, education, transportation options, health literacy, and neighborhood resources can all affect whether care is reached at the right time and in an appropriate setting. This literature review examines healthcare access and the role of community nursing outreach in underserved ZIP codes across Central Florida. The review synthesizes current literature on social determinants of health, geographic disparities, medically underserved populations, and community-based nursing interventions to better understand how these factors shape access to care. Across the literature, poverty, limited transportation, lower educational attainment, neighborhood …