Honors Program Theses
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10675.2/560340
The Honors Program curriculum culminates in the Honors thesis, a directed undergraduate research project designed and completed by an individual student under the guidance of a faculty member working in his or her area of expertise. Depending on the field in which the work is being done, an Honors thesis may take a variety of forms: e.g., traditional library research, an original piece of quantitative or qualitative research, an exhibit or performance accompanied by a reflective, analytic essay, or a substantial work of fiction, drama, or poetry.
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Item Open Access Assessment of Fear Responses to Threatening Images(Augusta University, 2021) Cuevas-Gomez, Kyara; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisAnxiety and fear, characterized by physiological symptoms of increased heart rate and sweating, often rely on studies based on picture databases composed of “disturbing” images. These images are utilized to elicit anxiety and fear responses in research participants. Having an abundance of images, provided through the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), allows us to categorize images such as cultural threats and evolutionary threats. Although these images have been normed to elicit fear or neutral emotions, these images might not seem threatening or neutral to all. This study aimed to examine the effect of evolutionarily threatening images and culturally threatening images on the expression of fear. Our measures were electrodermal activity (EDA) and scores on a self report instrument of emotion, the Self-Assessment Mannequin (SAM). We hypothesized that EDA would be higher for threatening images than for neutral images. We also hypothesized that SAM valence ratings would be lower (more unpleasant) for threatening images than for neutral images and SAM arousal ratings would be higher for threatening images than for neutral images. These findings are discussed in the context of providing a greater understanding of cultural factors involved in threat assessment, with the intention that these findings are salient and encourage study reproducibility.Item Open Access Assessment of p65 in the Novel Microglial NF-κB Animal Model(Augusta University, 2021) Frerichs, Ryan; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisItem Open Access Assessing Local Parks For Their Infrastructure Availability And Use Along With Physical Activity Levels Of The Local Children.(Augusta University, 2020) Shabu, Elizabath; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisItem Open Access Application of Tungsten (W) Attenuators for the Reduction of Downscatter Photons in Dual-Isotope Simultaneous-Acquisition Nuclear Cardiology Imaging(Augusta University, 2017) Passmore, Greg; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisItem Open Access AN ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMY OF GREECE(Augusta University, 2019) Mack, Michaela; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisItem Open Access Are NFL teams getting the most out of their wins? The Efficiency of Year End Revenues of Ten NFL Teams(Augusta University, 2018) Gonzales, Savanna; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisItem Open Access Anion Monitoring of Rae’s Creek by Ion Chromatography(Augusta University, 2018) Walton, Amberly; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisGolf courses generally require large amounts of fertilizer to maintain their course appearance. Fertilizer is a source of phosphate- and nitrogen-based compounds. These compounds can have negative effects on aquatic life if there are large amounts introduced to the surface water. The effect of a golf course on anion concentrations in Rae’s Creek was studied using ion chromatography. Over the course of one year, the following anions were tracked: nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, phosphate, bromide, and chloride. The concentrations of the anions were high enough to allow quantitative measurements and changes were observed, but the concentrations remained below EPA guidelines for streams.Item Open Access AN ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMY OF GREECE(Augusta University, 2018) Mack, Michaela; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisItem Open Access THE 2004 EUROPEAN UNION ENLARGEMENT: THE CASE OF HUNGARY(Augusta University, 2004) Masters, Boglarka Balanyi; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisItem Open Access ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN THE COMPOSITE AND MINT FAMILIES(Augusta University, 2003) West, Katie Nicole; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisThe design of this project is such that extracts from identified plants can be tested for antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Experimental plants were collected along roadsides, in fields and in wooded areas in the following counties of Georgia: Burke, Columbia, Richmond, and Thomas. Plant material from the root, stem, leaf and flower were extracted in methylene chloride (Fischer, Fair Lawn, NJ). The plants were tested for antimicrobial activity using the agar diffusion assay method. Antimicrobial activities of these plant parts were compared to solvent control bactericidal data, and then the most active plants were further tested in hopes of determining quantitatively the amounts of antimicrobial activity, as well as the minimal inhibitory concentrations and the minimal bacterial concentrations. After extensive testing, it was concluded that methylene chloride should not be used in extracting plant materials, due to its high evaporative rate, resulting in toxicity of bacteria, yielding false positive results.Item Open Access Alonzo Rexall Fearneyhough: Coming of Age(Augusta University, 2001) Sansbury, Sarah Le Duc; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisItem Open Access Aquatic Therapy Strength Training Benefits for the Leg Strength of Children with Cerebral Palsy(Augusta University, 2015-05-06) Quick, Elizabeth; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta UniversityThe purpose of this thesis is to track the aspects and results of applying aquatic therapy strength training exercises to children with cerebral palsy and determine whether or not the therapy is beneficial for leg strengthening in comparison to a usual physical therapy clinical setting. The experiment was carried out twice a week, for 12 weeks. Two groups of six children with cerebral palsy participated in the experiment, in which they were administered leg strengthening exercises. The control group was administered a set of exercises in a normal physical therapy clinical environment. The experimental group was administered a similar set of exercises in an aquatic therapy setting. The results showed no statistically significant data supporting that aquatic therapy leg strengthening exercises benefited the children more than the usual physical therapy leg strengthening exercises did. The results did however suggest that aquatic therapy is similarly effective to usual physical therapy in improving the leg strength of children with cerebral palsy.Item Open Access All of This- A Young Adult Novel(Augusta University, 2014) Schaeffer, Anna L.; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta UniversityItem Open Access The 1391 Riot In Barcelona and Perceptions of the Jews(Augusta University, 2013) Calkins-Reed, Emily; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta UniversityItem Open Access Analysis of Gene Regulation in the Bacterium Vibrio Fischeri(Augusta University, 2008-10-14) Truitt, Mary; Augusta State University Honors Thesis; Augusta State University Honors ThesisItem Restricted The Effects of Urbanization on Euchee Creek Macroinvertebrate Populations(Augusta University, 2022-06) Floyd, Kayla; BiologyThis study aims to determine the effects of urbanization on freshwater streams. Freshwater is a vital resource for a variety of species including humans. Euchee Creek in Evans, GA was selected as the primary focus for this study as the creek travels through several neighborhoods, a golf course, a housing construction site, and a paved walking trail. This study assessed several biological and chemical factors to determine the water quality at selected sample sites along the creek over four seasons. Abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrate populations inhabiting creeks have been shown to serve as good biomarkers because some macroinvertebrates are more sensitive to changes in water quality. This study did not find definitive evidence of water quality issues in Euchee Creek, but the limited abundance and diversity found in some of the macroinvertebrate samples suggest that there may be water quality issues present and further studies are warranted.Item Unknown Ibuprofen Conjugates as Potential Anti-Inflammatory Drug Candidates(Augusta University, 2021-05) Wade, Margaret; Department of Chemistry and PhysicsInflammation is a common immune response to harmful pathogens or damaged cells. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NAIDs) are commonly used to treat inflammation and pain. These drugs can also be used to treat inflammation due to diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. NSAIDs accomplish this through the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme systems. Selectivity for the inhibition of the COX-2 pathway is an aim in the development of NSAIDs. The COX-2 enzyme predominates at sites of inflammation and releases enzymes responsible for vasodilation. While the inhibition of the COX-1 pathway results in adverse side effects, such as gastric lesions and perforation. The current drug design process has focused on modifying existing NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen. In the current study, conjugates of ibuprofen were developed by incorporating triazole ring in the conjugated molecules through a ‘click’ chemistry approach. The anti-inflammatory properties of the conjugates were evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw edema method.Item Unknown Design and Synthesis of Metformin Derivatives as Anticancer Agents(Augusta University, 2021-05) Thomas, Eyana; Department of Biological SciencesMetformin is the first-line medication for type II diabetes. It initially entered the spotlight as a promising anti-cancer agent due to epidemiologic reports that reduced cancer risk and improved clinical outcomes in diabetic patients taking Metformin. To uncover the anti-cancer mechanisms of Metformin, preclinical studies determined that Metformin impairs cellular metabolism and suppresses oncogenic signaling pathways. Recently, the anti-cancer potential of Metformin has gained increasing interest due to its inhibitory effects on cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are associated with tumor metastasis, drug resistance, and relapse. There is a need to optimize this drug to target a more general audience of non-diabetic cancer patients. Metformin has low bioavailability, a narrow absorption window, and extensive liver metabolism. Its oral administration is accompanied by gastrointestinal adverse effects, including nausea, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, flatulence, dyspepsia, and anorexia, resulting in up to 50% of patients. We have synthesized metformin hybrid conjugates with aromatics compounds. Spectral studies characterized all the synthesized compounds. The hybrid conjugates showed improved LogP values, determined from computational analyses, over tenfold of Metformin's 0.15, suggesting that these candidates will show better bioavailability in the body.Item Unknown The examination of tianeptine as a possible treatment for traumatic brain injury(Augusta University, 2021-05) Ravula, Havilah; Department of Psychological SciencesTianeptine is an analgesic, antidepressant drug that has been previously studied for its benefits in improving recovery conditions in rodent models post injury or stress. In particular, it is of interest in the treatment of traumatic brain injury in humans, especially since there is currently no reliable treatment for human TBI patients. This project examined tianeptine’s efficacy in reducing ventricular enlargement in rodent models caused by TBI. Brain tissue samples were collected from the rodents and studied and the average areas of the lateral ventricle region were compared. The study found that, when administered to rodents with TBI, tianeptine treatments, while not significantly different, showed a strong trend for smaller ventricular areas when compared to saline vehicle treatments; overall, the ventricular area was smallest in rodents with sham surgeries and tianeptine treatments. In rodent models, tianeptine may be beneficial in reducing ventricular enlargement caused by TBI. It is worth exploring the anti-inflammatory benefits of tianeptine for its use as a treatment for TBI.Item Unknown Role of Dendritic Cells in Post-Extraction Alveolar Bone Healing(Augusta University, 2021-05) Patel, Jaimini; Department of Biological SciencesDendritic cells (DCs) are considered the main antigen presenting cells in the body. They are an essential link between innate and adaptive immunity. The plasticity of DCs allows them to initiate an immune response against foreign antigens while maintaining tolerance to commensal microbes. DCs have been recognized as important players in osteoimmunology through their role in regulation of inflammation-induced bone loss. DCs have been identified in inflammatory synovial and periodontal tissues, where they interact with activated T cells to form aggregates called lymphoid foci. DCs have shown an indirect role in inflammation-induced bone loss through activation of RANKL-producing T cells. However, a direct role has also been implicated through the ability of some DC subsets to transdifferentiate into osteoclasts. Although the role of DCs in inflammation-induced bone loss is well recognized, their role in alveolar bone healing and repair remains to be elucidated. We hypothesize here that ablation of DCs in the oral microenvironment will have a negative effect on alveolar bone healing following a maxillary molar extraction in mice due to disruption of osteo-immune homeostasis. Our hypothesis was tested using a classical dendritic cell ablation mouse model, in transgenic Zbtb46 tm1 (DTR)Mnz/J (ZDC-DTR) mice, which are rendered DC deficient by diphtheria toxin injection. Histological analysis of photomicrographs of bone sections at the extraction sites showed a significant increase in osteocyte death in the DC-deficient animals compared to wild type (WT) animals which had normal DC number and activity. Further, the animals deficient in DCs showed less bone regeneration in the extraction socket compared with WT animals. Our results shed light on the important role of DCs in post-extraction homeostasis of alveolar bone healing, allowing for a better understanding of the complex biological process of bone healing.