Digital Commons Network^™

An Updated Viscoplastic Self-Consistent Model To Capture The Effects Of Residual Stress, Microstructural Heterogeneity, And Precipitation In Cold-Sprayed Aluminum Alloys, Aulora Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Cold spray additively manufactured (CSAM) aluminum alloys exhibit heterogenous microstructures and mechanical properties, primarily due to high dislocation densities, sub-grain structures, and variation in inter-particle (intersplat) bonding arising from high-velocity particle impacts. Thermal post-processing has been shown to enhance intersplat bonding, reduce high residual stress concentrations, and lower dislocation densities, thereby improving the overall mechanical properties. Building on previous advancements with a mean-field viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) model, integrating intersplat boundary terms, Hall-Petch relations, and physically informed residual stress parameters, the current work extends the model to include precipitates and their effects. Observations of CSAM aluminum 7050 alloy indicate precipitate congregation …

Using Cutting Immersion To Apply Rooting Hormone For Propagation Of Camellia Japonica., Tanner R. Marlow, Richard L. Harkess

Honors Theses

Few varieties of Camellia japonica have a high success rate in rooting cuttings. Once rooted, the subsequent growth rate is slow and differs by variety. This makes the commercial production of Camellia challenging. Previous research on C. japonica propagation confirms that using a basal cut dip in indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) is effective in rooting C. japonica. However, basal dip applications can be time-consuming. Foliar applications and total cutting immersion are more efficient methods of rooting hormone application, but they have not been thoroughly tested with Camellia. The objective of this research was to determine the effective IBA concentration applied as …

Gnns For Network Classification In Single Cell Rna Sequencing Data, Reid C. Sewell

Capstone Projects

A common technique when investigating a disease is to profile gene expression, as this gives unique insights into the functions of a cell. Gene expression data gathered from single cell RNA sequencing can be encoded into a gene co-expression network, which is a graph of potential relationships between different genes. One method for interpreting data encoded as a graph is to use a graph neural network, or GNN. This project designs and implements a GNN architecture to accomplish classification tasks on graph data. Then, given a dataset of gene co-expression networks made from multiple single cell RNA sequencing studies, the …

Resale Revolution: Trend Implications From Media Presence Transcended To Luxury Retail Markets, Penelope Prochnow

Capstone Projects

This study aims to deepen understanding of fashion trend decline from peak popularity to obsolescence, with implications for sustainability and producer profit margins. It investigates how the attributes and media presence of fashion items influence their journey from high-end editorial coverage to resale platforms. Using survival analysis to model trend lifetimes and cosine similarity metrics to compare resale and magazine keyword frequencies, alongside machine learning for price prediction, the study uncovers critical temporal patterns. Results show that resale trends reflect magazine content with a lag of approximately 18 to 30 months and draw from long-wave revivals spanning 6 to 14 …

Psycho-Sociodemographic And Substance-Related Correlates Of Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior, Nicole Doyle, Krishen Samuel, Samantha Cohen-Winans Ms, M. Allison Ford, Vinayak K. Nahar, Oluwatoyin Olatunde, Juliet Igboanugo, Mercy Irungu, Robert E. Davis

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: College students face challenging environments in which risky coping mechanisms, such as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and substance use may be used to mitigate psychological strain. The purpose of this research was to examine relationships between substance use, psychological distress, and various aspects of NSSI.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from students recruited from a large university in the southern United States (n = 502). Instrumentation included validated and reliable scales on substance use, psychological conditions, NSSI behaviors, demographics, and suicidality measures.

Results: In all, 21% reported engagement in some form of NSSI within the past year. A …

Spatial Distribution Of The Bankfull Discharge Recurrence Interval Across Tennessee, Usa, Brayden P. Flanagan

Honors Theses

Stream restoration and water resources engineers use a wide variety of hydrological tools and refer to multiple databases to determine accurate watershed and stream characteristics required for site assessment and restoration projects. Regional curves provide significant watershed and stream data that stream restoration engineers use in various restoration projects. However, developing these curves is time-consuming, costly, and complex, as data collection and validation require extensive field studies at multiple sites within the restoration areas. This study evaluates whether pertinent information on regional curves and streamflow frequency could be combined to provide practical guidance on determining design peak flow discharges for …

The Evolution Of Technology In Nighttime Spectaculars At Disney Theme Parks, Kathryn Petersen

Honors Theses

Disney nighttime spectaculars are "can't miss" attractions at Disney theme parks around the world. Performed on and around beloved Disney icons (i.e. the castles at each theme park), these shows are artistic masterpieces, merging both storytelling and technology. This research took a detailed look "behind-the-scenes" of the technologies, including pyrotechnics, projection mapping, fountains, water screens, and drones, used to bring nighttime spectaculars to life. Data was gathered via online articles and recordings of nighttime spectaculars freely available online on the technology utilized in nighttime spectaculars over its 70 year history. The data was compiled for each technology in each nighttime …

“Take This Job And Shove It”: How Black Women’S Fight For Economic Rights Informed Their Participation In The Broader Social Movements Of The Twentieth Century, Kyndle Diane Lee

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the vital role of Black women in the American labor movement during the twentieth century, emphasizing how their leadership and union participation were central to both labor organizing and the broader fight for human rights. Black women workers navigated and resisted the effects of racism, sexism, and class exploitation in a century marked by industrial expansion, economic upheaval, and major civil rights struggles. Far from passive participants, they emerged as key organizers, negotiators, and strategists in their communities, labor unions, and national movements. Additionally, their work extended beyond their demands for better wages and safer working conditions. …

Elemental Humanity: A Hybrid Collection Of Creative Work & A Critical Introduction Exploring Relevant Genres & Themes, Haylee G. Morman

Honors Theses

This project is a creative and critical endeavor with two components: a creative portion and a critical introduction. The creative portion is a hybrid collection of poems and short prose spanning across genres and forms, linked by thematic consistencies, united by their emphasis on nature and family. Furthermore, the collection is rooted in my interest in magic realism and ekphrasis, which will be discussed in the critical introduction. The approximately 30 pages of original, creative writing reveals how delving into natural elements for inspiration spurred the creation of poems and stories that grapple with notions of familial connection, time, place, …

Storytelling Or Telling Stories: An Analysis Of Disnarration In Music Videos, Victoria Garrett

Honors Theses

Music videos have grown in popularity in recent years and have begun to augment the stories being told by the lyrics of their songs. This is done by using narrative techniques, such as disnarration, to develop complex narratives that can conflict with the lyrical content. Through analysis of the videos "Willow" (2020 dir. Taylor Swift) by Taylor Swift, "The One That Got Away" (2012 dir. Floria Sigismoni) by Katy Perry, and "One Beer" (2020 dir. Justin Clough) by HARDY, the distinction between the plots of the videos and the lyrics can be brought into focus. This distinction in the stories …

Fff Process Parameter Identification With Machine Learning Models, Owen Davis Smith

Honors Theses

Additive manufacturing (AM) has seen increasing popularity in recent times, owing to its efficiency and high speeds, particularly with processes such as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). Input process parameters have large impacts on the final part. Incomplete process parameters, which can occur for a variety of reasons, make tasks such as replicating AM studies difficult. A machine learning model can be trained on in-situ layer-wise images collected during a print to combat this issue, predicting process parameters with sufficient data. In this study, two parameters were tested: infill pattern orientation and extrusion width. Twelve parts were produced per parameter and …

Using A Process Evaluation In Extension Programming: Takeaways For Teams, Cristina Connolly, Jeantyl Norze, Stacey F. Stearns

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Health fields use process evaluations to measure how closely an intervention aligns with its intended delivery. Despite their potential for improving Cooperative Extension programming and impacts, process evaluations are not widely used outside the medical sciences. We adapted the process evaluation framework for Extension use. The components assess project components such as content, dose delivered, dose received, and reach, as well as moderating factors such as quality of delivery, participant responsiveness, complexity, facilitation strategy, recruitment, and context. The modified process evaluation framework was used to assess an Extension project in the Northeast region of the U.S. Extension teams in the …

Growing Pains: Assessing The Strategic Organizational Communication Approaches Of An Expanding Extension Organization, Anissa M. Mattox, Ashley Mcleod-Morin, Lauri Baker, Angela B. Lindsey

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

As social structures evolve, strategic organizational communication (SOC) must also evolve for organizations to best meet the ever-changing needs of stakeholders. Assessing communications can guide the direction of an organization while also elevating the organization to the next level. For this study, researchers assessed the SOC strategy of the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) through qualitative focus groups. Results of this study revealed internal communication and resources provided by the organization were perceived as positive communication approaches, while external communication and visibility were identified as negative communication approaches. Other Extension organizations could benefit from the results of this research as …

Men In Family Science Courses: Perspectives Of Family Science Faculty And Administrators, Michael Langlais, J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, Sophia Rotella

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The goal of this qualitative study is to describe the perspectives of higher education family science faculty and administrators regarding men’s enrollment in family science courses. University family science courses educate students on how to promote developmental potential for individuals, couples, and families. Information from these classes can assist students’ personal and professional development regardless of gender, yet there are far fewer men enrolled in these courses compared to women. Data come from 78 faculty members and 12 administrators from randomly selected universities using the National Council on Family Relations’ Degree Programs in Family Science directory. Using coding reliability thematic …

Growing Confidence: Women Forest Landowner Workshops In Georgia, Neil R. Dingley Jr., Nicholas E. Fuhrman, Kris Irwin, Elizabeth Mccarty

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The number of female forest landowners (FFLs) has been growing throughout the United States. This growth demands educational outreach for a demographic that is often behind their male counterparts in experience and education. The purpose of this exploratory study was to design and host educational workshops geared towards FFLs and to answer the following questions using quantitative and qualitative methods: (1) Are the workshops changing FFLs’ confidence in land management? (2) What are FFLs’ intentions after attending workshops? (3) Does confidence or participants’ intentions with their land vary with demographics? (4) Are workshops providing a platform to start FFL social …

Reap What You Sow: Using Historic Enrollment Data To Strategically Recruit Students, Hayden Cherry

Honors Theses

As the higher education landscape continues to become more competitive, adapting our marketing strategies to affordably recruit students will be imperative to maintaining both relevance and financial stability. Research has predicted an increase in tension as institutions weather the enrollment cliff, a period characterized by a steep decline in the number of college-age students in the United States. While this research is useful in informing our outlook in the coming years, there is little research surrounding the most efficacious methods for recruiting college students. Using data from Mississippi State University's Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness on student status and …

Using Eeg To Measure Attentional Spreading Across Objects, Dawson L. Green, Michael Pratte

Honors Theses

Abstract: Attention may not solely be restricted to a spatial area or a feature of an object, but rather can “spread” across all parts of an object in space, enhancing the processing of its features collectively (Duncan, 1984). This phenomenon suggests that attention operates at the level of whole objects, enhancing the representation of all features associated with the attended object while suppressing competing stimuli. Building on this object-based framework, the present thesis examines the functional and neural dissociation between attention and awareness using steady-state visually evoked potentials (SSVEPs) as a frequency-tagging method in EEG. Leveraging the high temporal resolution …

Assessing The Behavioral Impact Of Pyridostigmine Bromide In Rats, Noah A. Martin

Honors Theses

Pyridostigmine bromide (PB) is an organophosphate (OP) nerve agent prophylactic used to protect warfighters against chemical warfare agents. OPs inhibit the neural enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain. This leads to the buildup of acetylcholine, causing respiratory failure, seizures, and death. PB functions by inhibiting ~30% of peripheral AChE temporarily, protecting the enzymes so that the body is able to restore sufficient cholinergic function post-exposure. PB does not cross the blood-brain barrier, though it may still indirectly affect toxicity in the brain due to repeated AChE inhibition throughout treatment, or by inhibition of non-target ChE’s in the blood. The aim …

Dr-4429: Social Perceptions And Narratives Of The 2019 Mississippi Delta Flood, Lily B. Langstaff

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the social perceptions and narratives surrounding the 2019 Mississippi Delta flood. Recognizing flooding as a “wicked problem,” the research highlights how socioeconomic and cultural identities relate to access to resources and assistance for affected communities, with an emphasis on infrastructure. Through qualitative analysis, including thematic coding of journalistic media sources covering the flood, the study explores the perceptions and experiences as well as the concept of ‘deservingness’ and its relationship with government resources and assistance. Findings indicate that the Mississippi Delta community faced temporal barriers to post-flood recovery due to disparities in representation and perception, underscoring the …

Analyzing The Chemical Composition & Morphology Of Hydroxyapatite Coating On Magnesium Biomaterials, Khaoula Kamal

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to further explore the capabilities of magnesium metal to serve in biodegradable orthopedic implant applications. Current standards for orthopedic implants involve metals that cause many issues such as high risk of infection due to the need for secondary surgery. Despite magnesium’s biocompatibility, it presents a challenge that will be addressed in this thesis: a fast degradation rate. To combat this problem, hydroxyapatite (HA), an integral component of bone, was used to coat the surface of magnesium scaffolds and offer a slower degradation rate. Previous Priddy Lab studies have confirmed the presence of HA coating …

Exploring The Impacts Of An Adaptive Haptic Heartbeat Within A Socially Assistive Robot, Jade Thompson

Honors Theses

This research investigates the therapeutic effects of an adaptive haptic heartbeat within Therabot, a stuffed robotic dog. A simulated haptic heartbeat that adjusts its own speed based on user heart rate was developed for integration within Therabot. A user study evaluated the effects of various heartbeat behaviors on user experiences with Therabot, with respect to improvements in self-reported state anxiety, physiological improvements, and perceptions of the robot. A relationship was found between improvements in self-reported state anxiety and positive opinions of Therabot, regardless of condition. Additionally, differences were found between conditions with respect to improved aspects of state anxiety, with …

Protective And Risk-Related Factors Associated With College Student Burnout, Dominic X. Chavez

Honors Theses

Burnout is an occupational phenomenon commonly defined by the exhaustion, cynicism, and lack of efficacy a person experiences with regard to their role (i.e., educator, healthcare worker, student, etc.). Despite the prevalence of burnout in academia, very few research studies have attempted to examine the variables associated with burnout’s severity in the case of American college and university students. Thus, the current study sought to analyze the protective and risk-related factors previously determined to be associated with academic burnout within a college population. Specifically, burnout self-ratings were compared to perceived burnout stigma, resilience, perceived social support, help-seeking attitudes, and perceived …

Integrating Environmental Analyses And Awareness To The Senior Chemical Plant Design Course Che 4233, Lucie I. Leblanc

Honors Theses

The EPA has implemented and increased environmental regulations and safeguards for carbon dioxide (CO2) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions for the past 70 years. These regulations have affected the technology and methodology used in industrial chemical production processes. As newly graduated engineers enter the work field, they will encounter current and future EPA regulations, and they will have to adjust their production units to meet these safeguards. This report loosely follows the structure of the Plant Design Course (CHE 4233) to show the process of designing a conventional cumene production plant. The conventional process is compared to a new …

Ultrasonography As A Method For Identifying Biological Sex In Captive Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis), Logan N. Collom

Honors Theses

The hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is the United States’ largest aquatic salamander and is mainly found across the eastern U.S. There are two subspecies of hellbenders, one of which is listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the other considered a species of conservation concern and a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. There have been several captive breeding programs established at zoos and universities across the U.S., which require a dependable method for sexing their individuals. Ultrasound imaging has previously been used to identify the sex of other amphibian species and track …

Asymmetric Effects Of The Ebbinghaus Illusion On Relative Depth Judgments In A Perceptual Matching Task, Caden J. Thompson

Honors Theses

The Ebbinghaus illusion, also know as Titchner Circles, is a perceptual illusion that is typically presented as a two-dimensional set of disks. These disks are configured as a central disk surrounded by an annulus of smaller or larger disks. Numerous studies have found the illusion to have an effect on size perception, but fewer studies have analyzed its effects on depth judgments. This study utilized a head-worn virtual reality environment as well as a three-dimensional display to examine the effects of the Ebbinghaus illusion on relative depth judgments in a perceptual matching task. Findings indicated that Ebbinghaus configurations featuring an …

Paper Or Digital? Comparing Vocabulary Learning From Internet Search To A Physical Dictionary, Olivia L. Hamilton

Honors Theses

There is an increasing presence of technology found in the educational environment. With that there are many questions about the effectiveness of learning when information can be re-accessed with the click of a mouse. Information is more accessible than ever online but expecting to be able to rely on the internet may make learning less effective than other learning methods, such as paper. Continuing research has shown deficits, which could imply a digital presence is harming the learning environment. 125 students completed this study which compared differences between paper versus online learning platforms. The study tested peoples word translation accuracy …

"To Keep Men In Awe": Religious Subversion And Anti-Providentialism In Marlowe's Tamburlaine And The Jew Of Malta, Will White

Honors Theses

In early modern England, the term “atheist” held quite a different meaning from its modern usage. Most often, it referred not to person who rejected God’s existence, but who rejected the validity of divine providence: the notion that God exerts control and order over the events of Earth. This understanding of atheism informs the reading of the 16th century playwright Christopher Marlowe, whose connection to atheistic ideas is perhaps more visible than any of his contemporaries. In this thesis, I argue that the unifying element of religion in Marlowe’s drama is anti-providentialism – a rejection of providence. I examine two …

Designing A Combination Keyboard And Mouse Device For One-Handed Use, Calvin Brinkman

Honors Theses

This paper proposes a device designed to allow a one-handed individual to effectively interface with a computer. The design aims to minimize the efficiency gap between one-handed and two-handed individuals by increasing typing speed and reducing transition time between keyboard and mouse. This paper outlines the rationale behind the design, the components and methods used in building the prototype, and the current state of the research. This design is a promising alternative to standard keyboard and mouse layouts that holds the potential to open up one-handed individuals to more job opportunities in computer dominated fields.

Associations Between Parental Depression And Child Internalizing Behaviors: The Role Of Gender, Abigail M. Webb

Honors Theses

The present study is a cross-sectional examination of associations between mother and father depression as it relates to child internalizing symptoms and anxious and depressed symptomatology. The study builds on the literature that underscores the importance of parental mental health for child outcomes, particularly anxiety and depression symptoms, by examining the role of gender in the link between parental depression and child internalizing symptoms. This study included 256 children (M age = 9.53 years; SD = 29.97 months; 123 males) and their mothers, fathers, and teachers. The measures included the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Teacher Report …

Almost Last Again? Mississippi's Labor Force Participation Rate: Causes And Solutions, John Martin Fox

Honors Theses

Mississippi is currently ranked second to last in labor force participation rate in the country. This is the latest damning statistic inhibiting the state from growing and becoming a more nationally recognized state with higher economic output. This thesis examines how Mississippi arrived at this bleak labor force participation rate and what is currently ongoing to alleviate it. It also examines some possible proposed solutions to accelerate those efforts. Through extensive research and numerous interviews with officials from public and private sector employees directly dealing with this predicament, this thesis has assembled a thorough and comprehensive picture of how the …