Honors College Capstones

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10877/17056

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Creativity in Art Education: A Documentary
(2023-12) Yoo, Gina; Summers, Emily J.; Fong, Carlton
This documentary plus its accompanying written script provides ocular evidence to creativity in art, both in and beyond the classroom. Society—especially its students—need examples of visual expression, in part through art within school contexts. I explore how art teachers offer fun alongside policy constraints. Through this documentary I explore how educators, parents, and art in public spaces and student portfolios inspires and affirms community, connection, and individual points-of-view. I conducted interviews with parents and art teachers, alongside capturing public and student-created art.
Targeting iNAMPT to Break the Obesity-Associated Liver Cancer Link: An In Vitro and In Vivo Approach
(2023-12) Thornton, Kelly Rene; Salcedo-Price, Ramona
Background: Studies have shown that obesity is linked to liver cancer through metabolic mechanisms. Obesity can promote tumor growth through metabolic impairment, decreased lipid metabolism, and the interference of energy balance in the liver. NAMPT is an enzyme expressed in the liver and is involved in the progression of tumors in obesogenic environments. iNAMPT is known to be the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of NAD, an essential coenzyme involved in ATP synthesis which promotes a pro-growth environment in the context of obesity. Because iNAMPT and cellular energetics, a hallmark of cancer, plays an important role in liver cancer progression, it has become a target for therapies focused on inhibiting its behavior in cancer cells. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of NAD biosynthesis in obesity-induced liver cancer progression. Methods: Cell studies were conducted with serum from mice randomized to a diet-induced obesity (OB) or control chow (CR) + FK866 (iNAMPT inhibitor) in SNU, HepG2 human liver cancer cells and Hepa 1-6 murine cells. Analysis of proteins pAkt and pERK was performed by immunoblot. Proliferation, ROS, cytotoxicity, and invasion were also measured in liver cancer cells. For the mouse model, C57/BL mice were randomized to OB chow or CR chow. At 21 weeks of age, mice were injected subcutaneously with Hepa 1-6 liver cancer cells. At 23 weeks, mice received an I.P. injection of FK8666 (30 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. Tumor and mouse weights were measured. Results: Cells exposed to OB sera increased proliferation, LDH secretion, ROS, invasion. FK866 decreased proliferation, LDH secretion, ROS, and invasion in all liver cancer cells. Cells exposed to NW sera and OB + FK866 resulted in more LDH suggesting increased apoptosis compared to OB sera. OB sera increased phosphorylation of Akt which was suppressed by FK866 compared to OB. In liver cancer cells, physiological and cellular signaling were differentially affected when inhibiting NAD biosynthesis in an in vitro model of obesity and liver cancer. In vivo, OB mice weighed significantly more than mice fed a control diet. In addition, 66% of OB mice developed tumors compared to 16% in CR mice. Impact: Identifying pre-clinical strategies to reverse the impact of obesity on liver cancer progression is important due to the strongly increased risk of liver cancer and its poor prognosis. Future translation research studies will build from this pre-clinical foundational research.
Arms Control and Deterrence Theory in the Nuclear Policy of Global Powers
(2023-12) Acree, Mackenzie; Doyle, Thomas; Popescu, Ionut
This research project explores the relationship between deterrence theory and arms control in the nuclear policies of the United States, Russia, and China. The centrality of nuclear deterrence in defense policy negates the possibility of nuclear disarmament. Within the current nuclear order, mutual deterrence dynamics are modulated by arms control agreements which promote cooperation between nuclear weapon states (NWS) on limiting their strategic weapons and preventing nuclear conflict. The three NWS relevant to this study hold diverse and sometimes conflicting strategic aims. While American nuclear policy is outwardly based on deterrence theory, it often seeks to undermine the effects of mutual deterrence in order to further its own national interests. The American nuclear umbrella presents a specific strategic challenge as North Atlantic treaty Organization (NATO) allies have faced increasing revisionist aggression from Russia. Russia has leveraged its coercive capacity in the illegal invasion of Ukraine and suspension of a key arms control treaty, the New Strategic Arms Reduction treaty (New START), which have disrupted the status quo nuclear order. I argue that this presents the greatest current threat to stability. Our European adversary’s recent actions have also complicated the American relationship with China, the world’s fastest growing NWS. Differences in strategic thinking between American and Chinese leaders must be understood by both sides in order to effectively cooperate on nuclear security concerns. I put forth that bilateral Sino-American arms control talks may be the best avenue for maintaining the balance of power and preventing nuclear use. I further argue that a condition of minimal nuclear deterrence is our best bet for maintaining that norm of non-use. This transition would allow for continued mutual deterrence while increasing the cost of first use and thus reducing the likelihood of both accidental and intentional nuclear use.
Juror Evaluation of Eyewitness Evidence
(2023-12) Lee, Kara Mae; Jones, Angela M.
Since 1989, there have been 935 exonerations due in part to mistaken identification of eyewitnesses. The vast majority (94%) of these cases came from jury trials. These statistics suggest jurors lack understanding of what affects eyewitness’ memories and decisions. The current study assessed general knowledge of eyewitness procedures as well as mock jurors' evaluation of a hypothetical case that varied in the use of two lineup procedures to secure an identification. We examined mock jurors’ verdict decisions using a 2 (lineup instructions: absent vs. present) x 2 (lineup administration: single-blind vs. double-blind) between-subjects factorial design. We hypothesized that mock jurors would be more likely to convict the defendant when lineup instructions were unbiased, and the lineup was double-blind compared to either biased lineup instructions or single-blind lineups. Results indicated knowledge was lacking for several, but not all interview and lineup procedures. Additionally, mock jurors were not sensitive to lineup practices. Neither lineup instructions nor administration influenced legal judgments. These results suggest jurors need additional education in the form of judicial instructions or expert testimony to aid their evaluations of eyewitness evidence.
Shaping Community: How Intentional Design in Residential Halls Can Influence Community
(2023-12) Barr, Jackson; Prince, Benjamin
For many young adults the first year of college marks the first chance to live independently and meet new people with whom they will form a community. A residence hall, formerly known as a dormitory or dorm, is on campus housing designed for this purpose. The experiences they foster, or preclude, are critical to the relationships they build and has the potential to shape long-term expectations and patterns of socialization. The thesis of this research is that the intentional design of residential halls can promote positive socialization and allow residents to build mature relationships with their peers. Review of research on this topic reveals that the spatial configurations of residence halls can impact the type and quality of students’ social relationships. Amenities, like study rooms and shared living spaces, allow students to become involved within their hall’s community, while suite-style rooms and computer rooms, can inhibit community building. Consideration of the role, goals and forms of residential halls requires universities and architects to move beyond efficient housing, to consider the how these incubators of society can contribute to broader goals of liberally educated, capable, and well-adjusted young adults.
Homecoming: A Short Film on Unraveling Identity and Generational Pressures
(2023-12) Soria, Nicole; Silverstein, Annie
In this drama short film, "Homecoming," we meet Gabriela, an art student facing the dual challenge of completing a painting of her childhood home for her art final while longing for her parents' asylum and return from Mexico. While Gabriela struggles to capture the essence of her childhood on canvas, an enigmatic presence in a hallway closet consistently disrupts her creative process with haunting knocks that are only audible to her own ear. Each knock torments her inner turmoil of choosing her passion instead of following tradition and longing for her parents' return. In the conclusion, we see that after Gabriela allows herself to fully accept herself and her art, she falls into a dream-like state; waking up to find her finished painting in the very closet that tormented her. Gabriela's painting becomes a metaphor for finding a way to finally piece her fragmented sense of self together in her own way. This film explores the impact of generational pressures and sheds light on the struggles immigrant children face to embrace their identity without guilt.
Beyond the Tournament: Bridging the Gap Between Collegiate Forensics and the Outside World
(2023-12) Bass, Haley; Miller, Joshua; Paz, Mark
"Beyond the Tournament” is a podcast series that interviews collegiate forensics competitors—that is, collegiate speech and debate competitors—about the speeches and pieces they competed with during the 2022-2023 academic year. Each episode interviews a unique competitor from universities across the United States, speaking about an individual speech and debate “event.” The format of each episode first explores the nature and rules of the event in question, then interviews a competitor about their experience performing that event, and finally concludes with a recording of the piece itself. Through the podcast medium, this project attempts to examine the gap between the insular speech and debate community as the typical audience of these competitors and a more diverse, outside audience. Though not all speech and debate events are persuasive in nature, all seek to examine a social or political phenomenon and either persuade an audience to shift their perspective or broaden their knowledge base. Because of the inherent demographic similarities among the competitors and judges who traditionally view these events, I ask competitors to examine whether the typical tournament audience can be persuaded or affected by their pieces. Finally, by publicly posting their interviews, I give them access to a more diverse audience typical of the world outside of collegiate forensics and open the door to outside engagement with the speech and debate community.
Impact of Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Stress on Telomere Shortening, Mortality, and Incidence of Age-Associated Diseases in Humans
(2023-12) Hearn, Kennedy A.; Lewis, L. Kevin
When human and animal cells divide, they go through the cell cycle to replicate their DNA and ensure that all new cells receive a copy of each chromosome. Most of the chromosomal DNA is replicated accurately and efficiently by large enzyme complexes called DNA polymerase delta and DNA polymerase epsilon. A problem arises, however, with DNA replication at the ends of chromosomes in regions called telomeres. Telomeres are short in comparison to the full length of a chromosome and act as protective caps at the ends to prevent degradation. The two major DNA polymerases cannot replicate the ends completely and small numbers of base-pairs are lost from the telomeres with each replication cycle. Such ends must be replicated by a specialized DNA polymerase called telomerase. Most human cells stop producing telomerase during embryonic development and the telomeres subsequently get shorter over time. The rate of telomere shortening varies among individuals and evidence suggests that people with shorter telomeres have increased vulnerability to age-associated diseases such as heart disease, cancer and other ailments. Rates of telomere shortening are influenced by several factors. These influences include nutrition, psychological factors, lifestyle/behavioral choices, plus other predetermined factors like biological sex and genetics. In the current study the medical literature related to telomere shortening and human health has been comprehensively reviewed and the results summarized.
Anxiety in the General Population vs. Athletes: Differential Causes and Treatments
(2023-12) Hewig, Carley; Osborne, Randall
Anxiety is the intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations and is often accompanied by fast heart rate, sweating, and feelings of tiredness. Everyone will experience anxiety sometime in their life, some people more than others. In today’s world, one important group of people that tends to suffer from anxiety is athletes. People tend to idolize them and put pressure on them to perform their absolute best. But at what cost? This research compares causes of anxiety in the general population versus athletes. Research shows that most anxiety in the general population is caused by things like sleep deprivation, being overcaffeinated, or sitting down for too long. On the other hand, athletes’ anxiety mainly stems from fear of failure, public scrutiny, impractical expectations, and so much more. This research also addresses the most commonly used techniques for treating anxiety in athletes versus the general public. Although some of these techniques can work for both – such as breathing techniques, positive self-talk, and muscle relaxation – there are treatments that are more specific for the primary causes of anxiety in athletes. Furthermore, this work explores the differences in causes of anxiety in individual versus team sport athletes and considers whether the treatment techniques differ. Lastly, to understand how this relates to athletes today, a case study is proposed, and a treatment plan is developed that works best for this athlete.
Phantom Limb Pain: The Pain of a Missing Limb
(2023-12) Klovenski, Madison; Etherton, Joseph; Carter, Teri
Phantom limb pain is the perception of pain in a limb that has been amputated; this sensation has been described as cramping, burning, stabbing, crushing, etc. which can be an excruciating pain lasting years. The feeling of pain in a region of the body that is no longer present is a phenomenon that does not have one single explanation or treatment, yet a variety of theories and treatment options exist. The term Phantom Limb Pain was first coined after the Civil War because of the large number of veterans with amputations, yet this pain existed long before the medical terminology. Over 200 million Americans are living with an amputation; 85% of amputees experience PLP yet each individual has different experiences. Amputations can be the by-product of tragic motor vehicle or war accidents and also due to planned surgeries resulting from diabetes or vascular disease. There is a wide range of theories that describe PLP, most involving the central nervous system. These include cortical remapping which is brain regions taking over portions of the brain that were once controlled by the amputated limb, somatosensory plasticity which is the brain's ability to alter over time, and nerve theories such as Dorsal Root Ganglion Abnormal Activity. Additionally, there has been much more research on different types of treatment that can alleviate phantom pain such as mirror therapy, virtual reality, and reconstruction surgeries. In my capstone, I will go into detail to describe the sensation and impact of PLP as well as describe current theories and treatments. It is important for amputees and the public to understand what phantom limb pain is so that more research is done to find additional treatment options to lessen this life-altering chronic pain.
A Local Solution to Plastic Pollution
(2023-12) Quinto, Michael; Talley, Austin
Plastic pollution is a well-known issue across the globe with staggering facts such as: “Only 9% of all plastic produced has been recycled,” and “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a floating island of plastic waste spanning an area that is over twice the size of the state of Texas.” Locally, this issue persists as 73% of Texas resident’s recycling bins go to the landfill and most municipal recycling facilities only recycle two types of plastic. The driving question behind my capstone was: How can we as consumers take plastic recycling into our own hands? Over the past three years, I have been working to build a plastic recycling workspace on campus. Using the available equipment in the Ingram Hall Makerspace I have built a series of small-scale recycling machines to process plastic for recycling. Using compression and injection molding techniques, we can take post-consumer plastic waste and repurpose it into new products. But there is more work to do like improvements to the machines and optimized processes that future Texas State students can tackle in the next three-to-five years.
Chickasaw Cartography: Comparing Historical and Modern Maps of the Sovereign Chickasaw Nation
(2023-12) Smith, Alexandra; Giordano, Alberto
This paper collects sources of maps, treaties, and other relevant writing to explore the location of the Chickasaw Nation since the eighteenth century. In addition, I will use my learning of cartographic aspects and techniques to compare historic spatial depictions of the Indigenous community to that of their current geographic representations. Prior to discussing such findings, it is pertinent to acknowledge that studies on any Native entity are complex, as even a narrow scope often requires researchers to have a broader understanding of the historical, political, and cultural influences at play. Thus, a literature review is necessarily included for accurate descriptions of such.
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted a Future Generation of Veterinarians
(2023-12) Martin, Lauren R.; Sims, Reagan
Our study will provide insight into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pre-veterinary students and recent veterinarian graduates, specifically from the perspective of established veterinarians. This mixed methods study will explore these veterinarian perspectives via survey data collection and further analysis. This study aims not only to review the effects of COVID-19 on veterinary professionals and pre-veterinary students but also to discuss the implications on the profession's future. How will newly graduated veterinarians practice clinical medicine, and to what degree? How will pre-veterinary students perform in veterinary school? Overall, how did the COVID-19 pandemic impact a future generation of veterinarians? To answer these questions, our study will provide a unique perspective strictly from veterinarians, which has yet to be evaluated.
Beyond the Frames: Unveiling the Depth of Early 2000s South and Southeast Asian Female Characters
(2023-12) Mangadu, Preethi; Balzhiser, Deborah
The early 2000s was a time of Juicy Couture, iPods, Beyblades, and more, but it was also when multiculturalism was starting to be reflected more in English-language films and shows. South and Southeast Asian women were a group who began to be showcased but were only authentically portrayed on occasion. This research uses framing theory to see how early 2000s media depicted and viewed South and Southeast Asian women through stereotypes and archetypes. To explore further, this study analyzes how Jess Bharma from Bend It Like Beckham and London Tipton from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody are framed through feminist and critical race theories and compares them to broadly known stereotypes and archetypes derived from those theories such as “the nerd,” “the comedic relief”, and the “exotic other.” Before going further, it is important to note that this project is severely limited as South and Southeast Asians, especially women, were not given lead roles in English-language media as often, especially with character traits that differed from common stereotypes, so when Jess and London were, audiences perceived them as exceeding the norm. This research compares these characters, stereotypes, and archetypes to identify whether Jess’s and London’s individuality beyond stereotypes is surface level, fully developed, or a little bit of both. These results then discuss how the characters socially mirror the creator’s worldview, which can further reflect collective societal and individual perceptions and give a lens into a fragment of the early 2000s.
Change in the Music Industry? In Your Wildest Dreams! One Indie Band's Experience
(2023-05) Zarate, Ivan; Martinez, Gilbert D.
The music industry we see today has become the subject of a massive overhaul with the introduction of social media. Social media has amplified the presence of music in each person's everyday life, affecting how an artist navigates the music industry. Using present and past literature along with an interview with an amateur artist, I will attempt to create a guide for the new artist. The problems we see major artists go through are notable examples of how change in the industry is so big that it must come from the top of the pillar. These problems are universal, and new artists face these problems on a minuscule scale though the implications they have on their financial livelihood are greater. Social media has made an impact on the music industry, but has it benefited artists? These findings will educate music industry newcomers and will help them succeed.
Substances of Abuse and the Fetal Nervous System
(2023-05) Benoit, Maddison; Davenport, Rachel; Aspbury, Andrea
The human nervous system is a specialized organ system composed of two distinct components: the central and peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system contains the brain and the spinal cord, which perform various functions, including receiving, processing, and responding to sensory information. The fetal nervous system development begins at nine weeks gestation and continues after the fetus is born. A teratogen is a substance that causes congenital disorders within a developing fetus. A critical period is the length of time an organ system is most at risk for teratogenic consequences; the central nervous system has the most extended fetal critical period, ranging from nine weeks gestation until the fetus's birth. Common abuse substances that act as teratogens include stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, prescription medications, and illegal drugs, as well as depressants including alcohol, marijuana, and opioids. These substances have varying teratogenic effects depending on the type and amount used and the fetus's exposure duration.
Investigation of the Injectability, Cytocompatibility, Thermal Response, and Drug Release Capability of Dynamic Poly (Ethylene Glycol) Hydrogels
(2023-05) Otakpor, Mackenzie; Betancourt, Tania; Rosales, Adrianne
Hydrogels are versatile biomaterials composed of hydrophilic polymers that are crosslinked to form a network. Hydrogels are often used to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), which contains macromolecules that aid in the physical and chemical support of cells. In addition, they can be utilized as drug delivery systems, wound healing dressings, and materials for cell growth. In all these applications, the properties of the hydrogels must be tailored to match the distinct characteristics of various tissues in the body and to provide the function needed. For this reason, the hydrogel’s stiffness, stress-relaxation properties, ability to present and release growth factors and therapeutic agents, cell encapsulation capabilities, and cytocompatibility must be optimized. Our collaborative group previously reported the development of dynamic poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels crosslinked via reversible thiolMichael covalent bonds. The equilibrium nature of these bonds permits modulation of the properties of the hydrogels in response to changes in pH, temperature, and photothermal stimuli. Our laboratory is specifically interested in photothermal modulation of the hydrogels through the laser activation of entrapped poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanoparticles since this provides the means to tailor the hydrogel’s properties externally with spatiotemporal control and opens the doors to applications in on-demand drug delivery. The work herein described focuses on studying the factors that affect the hydrogel’s injectability, cytocompatibility, stability, thermal response, and drug release capabilities. This thesis is broken up into two parts. One part focuses on the injectability, rheology, and cytocompatibility of dynamic hydrogels prepared with 4-arm PEG macromers with benzalcyanoacetamide end groups (PEG-RBCA) and 4-arm PEG macromers with thiol end groups (PEG-SH). The second part focuses on the thermal behavior, stability, drug release, and cytocompatibility of more stable hydrogels including dynamic PEGRBCA/PEG-SH crosslinks and nondynamic PEG-SH/PEG-Maleimide crosslinks.
Art, Music, and Dungeons and Dragons: An Exploration of Postmodern Creativity
(2023-05) Wright, Audra; Ippolito, Michael
The element of chance is a fundamental aspect of life that has been the topic of much philosophical exploration. Throughout history and flourishing in the 20th century artists, musicians, and other creators alike sought ways to include aleatory, or chance, in their work. Through a personal exercise in using chance in the creative process, I composed a musical work which utilizes the dice rolls from a Dungeons & Dragons campaign and converts them into pitches. As the world of indeterminate artworks continues to grow, this paper seeks to explore the various ways in which creators have worked in tandem with chance to imbue their creations with a certain humanity that determinism cannot replicate. That is, how can leaving some elements of creative endeavors up to chance, paradoxically, make them more “human,” and how has chance given my composition a life of its own?
From Prohibition to Progress: The Journey Towards Decriminalizing Psychedelics and Transforming Public Health
(2023-05) Junk, Samuel; Carter, Nicholas; Reilly, Frank K.
Since the beginning of recorded history humans have utilized psychedelics for promoting wellness and treating illness. In more recent times, the War on drugs drove these practices into the underground by stigmatizing drug use and in turn users face an unregulated and dangerous drug market. This has prevented the safe and therapeutic use of psychedelics for people suffering from a myriad of illnesses. This thesis argues that the decriminalization of psychedelics is necessary for ensuring public safety and promoting responsible drug use. First, I will provide the history of popular psychedelics and how it shaped the current psychedelic cultures' shift to the underground. Second, I will examine the current research that points towards the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and discuss the pathways to legalization under the medical model of the FDA in the United States. Third, I will discuss the current status of psychedelic decriminalization in the United States and how this framework promotes beneficial practices for the use of psychedelics. Overall, this thesis seeks to provide a broad yet comprehensive understanding of psychedelics, the benefits and risks involved and the implications of decriminalization for the future of psychedelics and humanity.
The Best Bullfighter
(2023-05) Reyna, Ally; Fauerso, Johanna
The Best Bullfighter is an original illustrated story in which anthropomorphic bulls engage in the tradition of bullfighting and grapple with perpetuating violence against their own kind. It follows two characters, Florian and Oscar, who are indoctrinated into the world of bullfighting at a young age. Each must choose as he enters adulthood whether he is willing to continue hurting and killing his peers for the sake of fame. Bullfighting in this story represents patriarchal violence done to men, by men. Men are simultaneous victims and perpetrators of constrictive male gender roles, and so too are bulls the victims and perpetrators of bullfighting in this universe. I wanted to explore the ways that young boys are harmed by patriarchy, as well as the choice they have as they grow to end that cycle or inflict it on their peers and the next generation.

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