Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Differences In Mental Health Disorders: The Importance Of Mental Health Literacy, Hannah More

Honors Theses

This study was conducted to see college-aged students' mental health literacy with specific disorders. The disorders studied were anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorder. I predicted that certain disorders such as anxiety and depression would have a higher mental health literacy than PTSD and substance use disorder.

Assessing The Nutrition Knowledge Of Track And Cross-Country Athletes, Emma Kathleen Conner

Honors Theses

Research shows that 76% of athletes arrive at practice and/or games already one percent dehydrated. Furthermore, roughly 84% of athletes have engaged in disordered eating patterns and as 70% of female athletes have been found to be falling short in their energy needs. These statistics show the importance of exposing athletes to appropriate sport nutrition education which allows athletes the opportunity to fuel their bodies well, prevent injuries, and improve performance. Additionally, Ouachita does not have a sports nutrition registered dietitian on campus to be used as a resource. Due to these statistics, there is reason to believe athletes are …

Pediatric Anxiety Disorders And Their Accommodation In The Classrom, Olivia Hobson

Honors Theses

This project is an exploration of the origins, neurology and impacts of pediatric anxiety disorders, as well as the research-backed best practices for their accomodation within the school classroom setting.

A Comparative Analysis Of Japan And United States School Lunch Programs, Julie Phillips

Honors Theses

Question: Are school lunch policies and programs in Japan beneficial and applicable to the United States?

Main points: Japan has a certification program that allows dietitians to teach nutrition. Japan also includes agricultural experiences as part of its academic curriculum to promote holistic development in students.

Conclusion: The School Lunch program in the United States would benefit from providing an avenue through which dietitians are able to teach students nutrition and from increasing the number of schools involved in Farm to School so that more students have experiences with nature.

Stride By Stride: Assessing The Impact, Advantages, And Disadvantages Of Running-Specific Prostheses, Emily Castilaw

Honors Theses

Running-specific prostheses (RSP) have made a profound impact in the field of athletics. RSP have both advantages and disadvantages in how they are used. This thesis will discuss those impacts.

Monitoring The Leaching Of Bisphenol-A From Feminine Hygiene Products Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Madison Easley

Honors Theses

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a compound commonly used as a stabilizer in plastic products, including food storage containers and thermal paper receipts. Because BPA can bind to and activate estrogen receptors, it is linked to reduced fertility, altered development, and hormone-related cancers. A recent study at NYU Medical School confirmed the presence of BPA in pantyliners, pads, tampons, feminine washes and deodorants. This is concerning due to the high absorption capacity of the vulvar skin.

For the research performed in our lab this summer, the goal was to determine if fluorescence spectrophotometry could be used to determine the presence of BPA …

Reasons For Stigma Surrounding Emotional Support Animals And How It Can Be Addressed, Natalie Helms

Honors Theses

Multiple factors that influence how emotional support animals (ESAs) are perceived will be investigated in this study, including how the stigma surrounding mental illness has the potential to affect how a person views using ESAs as a treatment for anxiety.

Education Opportunities For The Aspiring Aquatic Professional: A Qualitative Analysis Of Experience-Based Building Blocks For Success, Hannah Hickman

Honors Theses

While recent growth in the aquatics industry requires professionals to be more skilled and knowledgeable than ever before, educational opportunities for students pursuing this career are limited. There is not an all-encompassing course or degree program titled, "How to be an Aquatic Professional." This study utilizes interviews from 10 aquatic professionals regarding their experiences and opinions on this topic to explore the need for promoting aquatics education to students and to help outline a series of building blocks that students could potentially take to pursue a career as an aquatic professional. It attempts to answer the question: How do educational …

The Effects Of Differing Light Wavelengths And Gravity On, Reese Chesshir

Honors Theses

Physarum is a slime mold in the class of Mycetozoan and the family of Physaraceae. It is a single cellular, multinuclear organism that is not classified as an animal, plant, or fungi. Physarum growth for long-term space travel would be beneficial because it is a decomposer and is able to break down material and waste to recycle. This is important for transferring energy and allowing other organisms to grow. The purpose of this experiment is to study the effect of different light wavelengths and the influence of gravity on Physarum growth patterns.

Retinoids And Their Clinical Benefits To Treating Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Baker Kendrick

Honors Theses

Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) is a deadly form on non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects the skin. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma means that the lymphoma does not have the presence of Reed-Sternberg lymphocytes. A lymphoma, also known as lymphatic cancer, affects the lymphoid tissues, which plays a major role in the immune system. Lymphoid organs include the lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. Lymphatic fluid, also known as lymph, travels through the bloodstream to transport lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, to and from lymphatic organs. Due to a high concentration of lymphocytes in the skin, lymphoma primarily affects cutaneous areas. …

The Effects Of Light Intensity And Cell Structure On The Cultivation Of Arthrospira Platensis, Taylor Barnhart

Honors Theses

As scientists explore further into space, more cost-effective resources are needed for long-term space travel. An interesting solution is Arthrospira platensis, a filamentous cyanobacteria high in proteins and nutrients, and known for its helical structure. In unfavorable conditions, coiled spirulina cells become straight. Spirulina converts carbon dioxide gas into pure oxygen and the different cell structures stimulate different responses in oxygen production and cultivation. In these experiments, 2.3 L containers of pure coiled spirulina and mixed (coiled and straight) spirulina were placed into 3 incubators with different light intensities: 51μmol/m2/s, 25μmol/m2/s, 12μmol/m2/s. Each experiment length was 72 hours and the …

Increasing Exclusive Breastfeeding: Baby-Friendly Initiatives, Courtney Ragsdell

Honors Theses

This research investigates the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and Baby-Friendly Community Initiative on increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates; it also suggests a plan for implementing the Baby-Friendly Community Initiative protocols within a small community.

Aunt Patti's Good Cooking: An Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook And Guide, Emma Starkman

Honors Theses

The concept for this project is a cookbook full of anti-inflammatory recipes and information about the diet. These include some of my favorite recipes that I have somehow modified to align more with the diet. There are also sections that give readers information about the diet including what the types of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory foods are, tips for eating out, how to stock the pantry, and more.

The Stigmatization Of Eating Disorders Based On Cultures: The South Vs The World, Maria Urbina Turcios

Honors Theses

Introduction: Eating Disorders (ED) are a current pandemic affecting boys, girls, men, and women of all ages, races, sizes, and backgrounds. Just in the United States alone, nine percent of the population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.¹ This statistic only takes into account the people who sought help, but there are still millions that go untreated or undiagnosed throughout their lifetime. According to the American Psychiatric Association, ED is defined as behavioral conditions characterized by severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors and associated distressing thoughts and emotions.³ Some of the …

When Mental Health Becomes Physical, Piper Fain

Honors Theses

Glaucoma, the presence of elevated intraocular pressure, has been shown to directly correlate to elevated blood pressure levels. Likewise, numerous studies have been conducted on the relationship between elevated blood pressure and anxiety in individuals suffering from both. One might wonder, then, if there is any correlation between glaucoma and anxiety? My thesis expands upon this question utilizing a survey distributed to patients at local optometry clinics.

The Effects Of Exercise On Adults With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Addison Bates

Honors Theses

Exercise is essential for a healthy life and many people are unable to participate due to barriers. One population that seems to be extremely impacted by these barriers are persons with disabilities. People with disabilities are more likely to become obese and suffer from serious, chronic illnesses. There is a need for exercise programs catered to this population. There is a lack of exercise programs focused on people with disabilities, so through this research we are interested to see the impact of a 12-week exercise program and what results might occur from this lifestyle change. With the 12-week virtual program …

The Effects Of Light Intensity And Cell Structure On The Cultivation Of Arthrospira Platensis, Taylor Barnhart

Honors Theses

As scientists explore further into space, more cost-effective resources are needed for long-term space travel. An interesting solution is Arthrospira platensis, a filamentous cyanobacteria high in proteins and nutrients, and known for its helical structure. In unfavorable conditions, coiled spirulina cells become straight. Spirulina converts carbon dioxide gas into pure oxygen and the different cell structures stimulate different responses in oxygen production and cultivation. In these experiments, 2.3 L containers of pure coiled spirulina and mixed (coiled and straight) spirulina were placed into 3 incubators with different light intensities: 51µmol/m2/s, 25µmol/m2/s, 12µmol/m2/s. Each experiment length was 72 hours and the …

Effects Of Red Light Intensity On Cultivation And Oxygen Production In Arthrospira Platensis, Abigail Roberts

Honors Theses

Maintaining life sustaining resources during long-term space travel has encouraged scientists to turn their attention to the potential benefits of a cyanobacteria named Arthrospira platensis, commonly known as Spirulina algae. This experiment measures the oxygen production and cell population growth of two structurally different Spirulina cultures under two different levels of red light intensities, 8 µmol/m2/s (high); 3 µmol/m2/s (low). The cell population, oxygen produced, and oxygen produced per cell measurements were observed and recorded at three 24 hour intervals. It was found there was not a significant difference between high and low light intensities when considering the cell concentration …

Effects Of Red Light Intensity On Cultivation & Oxygen Production In Arthrospira Plantensis, Abigail Roberts

Honors Theses

Maintaining life sustaining resources during long-term space travel has encouraged scientists to turn their attention to the potential benefits of a cyanobacteria named Arthrospira platensis, commonly known as Spirulina algae. This experiment measures the oxygen production and cell population growth of two structurally different Spirulina cultures under two different levels of red light intensities, 8 µmol/m 2Js (high); 3 µmol/m2/s (low). The cell population, oxygen produced, and oxygen produced per cell measurements were observed and recorded at three 24 hour intervals. It was found there was not a significant difference between high and low light intensities when considering the cell …

Bacteriophages: Paving The Road For The Future Of Medicine, Luke Brinkerhoff

Honors Theses

Bacteriophages are a possible solution to antibiotic resistance, which is predicted to be detrimental world-wide by the year 2050. Personal field research was also conducted for a project studying the characteristics of two bacteriophages on a single bacterial host.

Effects Of Storage Conditions On Bpa Leaching From Infant Oral Hygiene Products Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Emma Bynum

Honors Theses

Infants are at the highest risk of BPA exposure compared to any other stage of life. Because an infant’s endocrine system is developing, exposure to an endocrine-disruptor, such as BPA, can be especially harmful. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a structural component in many plastic products, which acts as an endocrine-disruptor mimicking estrogen. This hormonal disruption has been linked to obesity, reproductive issues, cardiovascular problems, and the neurodevelopment disorders. While the FDA monitors things like baby bottles, canned goods, and plastic containers for BPA, infantile oral hygiene products are not closely monitored. Previous research tested infant toothbrushes on the market using a …

A Comparison Of Stigma Levels For Individuals With Psychological Disorders And Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Isabella E. Wood

Honors Theses

This study compared nine aspects of stigmatization (blame, anger, pity, help, dangerousness, fear, avoidance, segregation, coercion) amongst schizophrenia, binge eating, and intellectual disabilities. The overall MANOVA was significant, F(18, 183) = 89.95, p < .001, Wilks’ Lambda = .10. When the results for the dependent variables were considered separately, all nine dependent variables reached significance (p < .001). Schizophrenia scored highest in all categories except blame and pity. Blame was the highest for binge eating and pity was the highest for intellectual disabilities. Efforts to reduce stigmatization must be tailored to each disorder.

Developing Novel Water-Soluble Porphyrins For Potential Use As Photosensitizers In Photodynamic Therapy, Kayla R. Whittington

Honors Theses

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality for various illnesses, including some types of cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The prevalence of lung cancer in certain gender, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups add to existing health disparities in the United States. For this reason, it is necessary to address the social determinants underlying lung cancer disparities, as well as improve treatment options. These treatment options should be cost effective, convenient, and increase survival rates. This research focused on synthesizing novel water-soluble porphyrin compounds for use as photosensitive agents in PDT for …

A Meta-Analysis On The Differences In Neuroplasticity Between Women And Men After Traumatic Brain Injuries, Victoria A. Martin

Honors Theses

The current meta-analysis investigates the differences in neuroplasticity between women and men after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research on the differences in neuroplasticity between women and men is relatively new and few studies have reported outcome variables by gender after TBIs. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt and change particularly because of learning or brain injuries. TBI is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide; because of this, learning more about these differences can give scientists and clinicians more information on how to better treat people with brain injuries. Current research is inconsistent on whether there is …

Counseling For Psychosocial Stress Factors Associated With Hearing Loss, Emily Mcmaster

Honors Theses

Audiologists play a major role in helping people with hearing loss learn how to better communicate and how to connect to the world around them. The purpose of this project investigates the extent to which audiologists counsel their clients for the psychosocial stress factors caused by hearing loss, along with determining the extent in which patients with hearing loss feel they would benefit from counseling services implemented into their appointments. In addition to psychosocial stress factors, the thesis will analyze the extent to which clients are educated on their hearing loss and given practical ways to adjust to their loss …

Grasping The Intangible: The Perseverance Of Physical Music Media In A Digital World, Sam Youmans

Honors Theses

Music is a unique economic good with several interesting characteristics: as an art form, its value is immensely subjective and changes with the culture; it is most widely consumed via online streaming platforms but still embedded onto physical formats and sold through retailers; and the United States music business had to pivot through substantial economic disruption at the turn of the century with the advent of peer-to-peer file sharing. Given the digital world in which we live, this thesis explains why people still purchase music on physical formats. This is accomplished by discussing revenue data from the past few years, …

Rock Climbing Therapy For Individuals With Disabilities, Grace Loftin

Honors Theses

This thesis explores what it means to be living with a disability, the background of cerebral palsy, and how participating in a climbing program can benefit these individuals and improve their quality of life. These advantages are discussed in detail and how further research on this topic may be conducted is expanded upon

A Case For Early Intervention Speech Therapy For All Children In The Foster Care System, Moriah Manchack

Honors Theses

A look into the need for Early Intervention speech therapy services for children in the foster care system, as well as the laws and provisions for these services.

Importance Of The Social Model Of Disability In The Field Of Speech/Language Pathology, Sidney Salyers

Honors Theses

The social model of disability seeks to differentiate between an individual's impairment and the ways in which society is disabling to them. In this thesis, I explore how the social model of disability can be implemented in the field of speech/language pathology, specifically highlighting appropriate language use and stigma.

Defying The Darkness: Countering Cancer With Light, Travis Hankins

Honors Theses

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) accounts for upwards of 15% of reported breast cancer cases. This subtype of breast cancer poses a greater threat to those diagnosed as compared to other types of breast cancer due to the lack of treatment options available. Additionally, TNBC grows and spreads faster, tends to be more aggressive, and has a greater chance of recurrence than its counterparts. Altogether, TNBC cases generally have a worse prognosis over other types of breast cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is currently being researched as a way to treat TNBC. Photodynamic therapy agents are light-activated materials used for localized disease …