Digital Commons Network^™

"How It Was Made", Bethany Fitts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This is a meta-autoethnography describing the researcher’s unfocused, rhizomatic research process throughout the COVID19 pandemic. Themes explored are the COVID19 pandemic, family, death, climate change, queer love, represenation, academia, genre, and religion. The study shows how multiple scales of grief arise during the research process. I locate this method within postcolonial theory of autoethnography that seeks to diversify structures within the academic genre.

Serially Concatenated Continuous Phase Modulation With Sova Turbo Decoding, Zhijie Guo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For a Serially Concatenated Continuous Phase Modulation (SCCPM) system that concatenates a rate of 1/2 Convolutional Code (CC) and an M-ary full response continuous phase modulation (CPM) signal, we design a turbo decoding scheme using the Soft Output Viterbi algorithm (SOVA) and study the system performance. A decomposition model is used in CPM to reduce the number of states and separate the continuous phase encoder (CPE) with the modulator. As a soft-input soft-output (SISO) decoding algorithm, SOVA is used to generate and update the soft information of decoded signal symbols during the iterative process for both the CPM signal and …

Opioid Tapering And Mental Health Crisis In Older Adults, Shishir Maharjan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Opioid tapering and discontinuation have been increasing in recent years with the implementation of national prescribing guidelines. The study aimed to examine the relationship between opioid tapering and mental health crisis events in older Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted using the 2012-2018 5% national Medicare claims data. Older adults with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) who were receiving long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) were included in the study Cases were defined as individuals experiencing mental health crisis events; controls were identified using incidence density sampling. The opioid tapering velocity was measured in the 120-day hazard period that …

Repetition And Retracing In Aphasia Across Discourse Types, Emily Anna Culbertson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Fluency is an important criterion to classify subtypes of aphasia. Previous studies have discussed the factors of fluency using various speech-language aspects. However, limited research investigated how much lexical hesitations (i.e., repetitions and retraces) are produced in people with aphasia. Lexical hesitations are important indicators of word finding difficulty and self-error detection skills which may be mediated by cognitive-linguistic demands across different discourse tasks. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the lexical hesitations production in people with fluent and non-fluent aphasia compared to neurologically intact adults in various discourse tasks.Method: Three groups of people with fluent …

Resilience Capacity Of School Meal Programs In Southeastern U.S. School Districts During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Findings From Mississippi, Louisiana, And West Virginia, Kritika Gupta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mississippi (MS), Louisiana (LA), and West Virginia (WV) have some of the nation’s highest rates of poverty and health disparities, reflected in high rates of food insecurity. Many of the school districts in these states have greater than 40% of students qualifying for free meals and, under community eligibility, can provide meals free to all children. School meals play an important role in addressing food insecurity in the U.S. and those were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability of social systems (schools) to continue operations during adverse circumstances (pandemic) to ensure the sustained outcome of interest (food security) …

Linguistic Landscape-Economics, Marta Galindo Parra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is the result of studies in two fields, the linguistic landscape (LL) and the economics of language (EL), and the relationship between them. In particular, this study concentrates on: (1) the analysis of the language used in public signs in two specific areas in the southern U.S., Ybor City and West Tampa, both located in the City of Tampa, Florida; and (2) the evaluation of the language skills and labor market performance of the agency involved in the public signs. The literature review focuses on the theories and methodologies more commonly used in previous LL research and language …

On Statistical Models For Signal Detection, Adedotun Michael Lawal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A thesis on developing statistical models that will aid in predicting signal detection at an infrasound sensor given a noise model for the sensor. The thesis aims first to provide a means to sample from a set of atmospheric profiles effectively using a statistical model, so we can have a smaller sample space to generate transmission loss values, saving time for running propagation models. And secondly, it aims to provide a formalism for a signal detection criterion using signal-to-noise ratio. The statistical model is developed using Empirical Orthogonal Function Analysis also known as Principal Component Analysis, and Inverse Transform Sampling. …

An Exploration Of Interdisciplinary Graduate Education And Training: Currently Available Information, Perspectives, And Beliefs, David D. Allen Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background and Objectives

Interdisciplinary research has come into the limelight over the last 30 years. Current literature identifies interdisciplinary research as having the potential to assist in solving complex contemporary problems or issues through the inclusion of multiple disciplinary perspectives to account for the systematic intricacies therein. This project served as an exploration of interdisciplinary graduate education, graduate interdisciplinary research training, and the practice of interdisciplinary research, using three primary objectives. We first sought to identify and present current information around interdisciplinary graduate education and research training. Second, study personnel aimed to explore opinions and beliefs on interdisciplinary education and …

Beginning Teachers' Perceptions Of New Teacher Mentoring In A Suburban Mississippi School District, Kelly Anne Ladner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

New teacher attrition rates are continuously increasing, thus resulting in large numbers of teacher turnover from year to year. With the ever-growing teacher shortage, replacing new teachers has become even more challenging. If the trend continues, school leaders in the K-12 system will continuously be faced with hiring and training new teachers each year.

The current recruitment model compels teachers to “fake until they make it,” thus resulting in low teacher morale and job satisfaction. Most new teachers experience low morale, classroom management challenges, feelings of isolation, and lack of support from coworkers and administration, which leads to continuously increasing …

Exploratory Studies On The Feasibility Of Developing Microneedles Using Hot Melt Extrusion Coupled With Fused Deposition Modeling 3-D Printing, Nikeeta Palande

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Transdermal drug delivery enables efficient local and systematic drug delivery while offering advantages such as non-invasiveness, patient compliance, and avoidance of first pass metabolism compared to parenteral administration. Due to strong and the multi-layered structure of the skin creates complex barriers which makes the delivery of therapeutic agents across the skin becomes challenging. Microneedles have been shown to deliver drugs through the transdermal route by penetrating the skin’s protective barrier, stratum corneum (SC) and creating a pathway for drug permeation to the dermal tissue. Traditionally, microneedles were fabricated using various types of materials and process such as casting, injection moulding, …

A Comparison Of Student Academic Policies Across University Of Mississippi Medical Center (Ummc), Farrah Banks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project is a three-part Dissertation in Practice (DiP) that provides a comparison of academic student policies at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). For the purpose of this study, the term “student academic policies” relates to rules and procedures for grievances, student dismissals, sanctions, and suspensions. At UMMC, potential violations on the part of students can occur based on failure to maintain required academic standards or lapses in professional conduct. An important goal of the manuscript is to reflect on ways to help ensure consistency and fairness in academic student policies based on a comparison of academic standards …

The Role Of Technology: Graduate Students' Experiences In An Ed.D. Program, Veronica C. Crawford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study contributes to our understanding of online learning in a graduate program – the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – designed to prepare practitioners to impact their local contexts, practices, and communities. Online learning is one of the fastest-growing trends in the instructional use of technology (Means, Toyama, Murphy, & Baki, 2013; Nguyen, 2015). However, the literature is scant on how graduate students learn in technology-rich environments. This study aimed to explore how graduate students perceive the online learning environment in an Ed.D. program at a public, not-for-profit research institution in the United States. Unequivocally, online education is ubiquitous. However, …

Implementing Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports At Johnson Elementary School: An Applied Research Study, Authur Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Establishing positive relationships in a school is essential to how the administrators, teachers, students, and staff shape the culture and climate in the learning environment. The purpose of the applied research project was to implement a school wide PBIS program at Johnson Elementary School. Providing the staff with PBIS initial and ongoing professional development was a vital component of the research project. Additionally, utilizing a PBIS Team was pivotal in the project's sustainability. Based on the two-year pre- and post-PBIS implementation data, student discipline decreased significantly with the onset and continuation of PBIS during the 1st year of implementation; however, …

Physiological Corticosterone Attenautes Gp120-Mediated Microglial Activation And Is Associated With Reduced Anxiety-Like Behavior In Gp120-Expressing Mice, Emaya Marie Moss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) persists as a global pandemic. Despite the benefits of combinatorial antiretroviral therapies (cART), virotoxic HIV proteins are still detectable within the central nervous system and approximately half of all cART-treated patients contend with neurological impairments. The mechanisms underlying these effects are not known, but likely involve actions of virotoxic HIV proteins including glycoprotein 120 (gp120). Glycoprotein 120 is neurotoxic, in part due to its capacity to activate microglia. Corticosterone, an endogenous anti-inflammatory, has been found to attenuate neuronal death caused by gp120-induced microglial cytokine production in vitro. But, the concentration-dependent effects of corticosterone to influence microglial …

Linguistic Expressions Of Pidgin In Nigerian Stand-Up Comedy, Jimoh Junior Braimoh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a study of the comics’ lexical choices and how they achieve their goals with words. The comics’ choice of words is far from being incidental, superficial, or supplementary. Performers’ choices of words show how their ideas are embodied in language. That is to say, the effect of how a comedian uses words and humor strategies is vital for understanding the contextual meaning of jokes and how they appeal to logic and reason. The objectives are to identify and categorize lexical choices and interpret their denotative, connotative, and affective meanings. Based on the Incongruity Theory (Attardo, 1994) Data …

Socialization To Research And Sponsored Programs Administration Through Transformative Learning: A Qualitative Exploration Of Faculty Perceptions At The University Of Mississippi, Melissa Hodge-Penn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined faculty socialization at the University of Mississippi regarding research and sponsored program administration through the lens of transformative learning. Participants were 10 tenure track faculty who had been employed at the University of Mississippi no less than one year, no more than seven years, and who had submitted a proposal to or been awarded by an external sponsor to support their research. This study uses a phenomenological design of inquiry where the researcher describes the lived experiences of individuals regarding a phenomenon as defined by the participants through semi-structured interviews. Findings suggested that sponsored research faculty perceived …

Motivation Of Individual Directors: A Consolidated Perspective, Yankun Jia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation studies the motivation of individual directors on the corporate board and the impact of the motivation of individual directors. Building on previous work, I synthesize self-determination theory, identity theory, and social identity theory to build a comprehensive framework to understand the motivation of individual directors. By analyzing the satisfaction or frustration of basic psychological needs, the engagement of social roles, and the self-categorization and social identification process, this dissertation delivers a preliminary probe into the micro-foundations of the motivation of individual directors in the corporate governance literature.

Guests Attitude And Purchase Intention Towards Hotel Vacation Rentals, Daegeun Kim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated hotel guests’ attitude towards hotel vacation rentals and their purchase intention by applying consumption value theory (CVT) and in the perspective of brand extension. More specifically, this study was divided in to 2 parts in which the first study attempted to investigate how potential hotel vacation rentals guests’ consumption values would affect their purchase intention (PUR) and whether brand loyalty plays a moderating role between the relationships. The second study examined the role of consumer brand identity (CBI) as a success factor of brand extension and which factors have an influence on potential hotel rental guests’ attitude …

The Effects Of Advocate Disclosure On Perceptions Of A Female Child Who Stutters, Peyton Mcknight

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research indicates that people who stutter are frequently attributed with negative stereotypes by listeners as a result of their speech. Previous research has examined the use of self-disclosure in offering the stuttering community a means of acknowledging and sharing the presence of their stuttering with a conversation partner. Subsequently, stuttering self-disclosure has been shown to reduce negative listener perceptions. Select advocate disclosures have also been found to yield beneficial results for a male child who stutters, but the effects of advocate disclosure on perceptions of a female who stutters has remained unexplored. This study expands upon previous research and examines …

Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: A Model To Level The Playing Field For Black Students In A High Poverty Middle School, Shanika Mckinney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Academic failure and achievement gaps plague high-poverty school districts with majority-minority student populations. Culturally responsive pedagogy provides an opportunity for educators to bridge the gap caused by poverty and educational disparities. This applied research aimed to create a culture of teaching and learning that impacted student behavior and growth and proficiency in English Language Arts and math at a high poverty middle school. The eighth-grade teachers and students were exposed to this pilot program to increase teacher capacity in cultural responsiveness and increase student achievement. This applied research study utilized two action plan elements, which included professional development and implementation …

Using Ab Initio Quantum Mechanical Methods For The Characterization And Isomerization Of Novel Compounds, Kimberley N. Poland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Computational quantum chemistry is the branch of chemistry derived from quantum mechanics to calculate structures and properties of molecules utilizing rigorous mathematical equations and approximations. This work focuses on utilizing wavefunction based methods to compute molecular properties such as optimized geometries, harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies, dipole moments, strain energy, and isomerization channels with high degrees of accuracy, allowing for a direct comparison with previous work and experiment. Electronic structure modeling using various \textit{ab intio} methods can provide insight into the characterization and behavior of molecules otherwise unobserved, including, but not limited to, detection in the interestellar medium.

The Effect Of Pitch Height On Instrument Gender Ratings, Raven Gordon Thompson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pitch height on instrument gender ratings. This study’s participants (N=64) consisted of music major (n=32) and non-music major (n=32) students who are enrolled at the University of Mississippi. Using a 5-point semantic rating scale, participants rated the perceived masculinity and femininity of six musical instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba) as they are played at the approximate midpoint of their ranges and as they played in ranges that countered their established instrument-sex-stereotype. Specifically, female instruments (flute, clarinet) played in their low ranges while male instruments (trombone, tuba) played …

Building Rapport Via Telepractice: The Perceptions And Strategies Used By Speech-Language Pathologists In Speech-Language Telepractice Sessions, Jaret Webb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Telepractice has been increasingly used in the field of speech-language pathology. Within this study, we aimed to explore the perceptions and strategies speech-language pathologists (SLPs) use to build rapport with their clients via telepractice. Two populations were considered to evaluate their influences, children with speech sound disorders (SSD) and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition, two age groups were also studied within these disorder populations, including children ages 0-3 and children ages 4-8.

20/20, Rucy Cui

Yalobusha Review

Winner of the 2021 Barry Hannah Prize in Fiction, judged by Raven Leilani

Acceptability And Feasibility Of Healthcare Communication Considerations For Altering Perceptions Towards Influenza Vaccine: A Qualitative Study, Saumil Jadhav

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background

Influenza (influenza) is a contagious disease, causing thousands of deaths every year. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine annual influenza vaccination for all people over 6 months of age who do not have contraindications, yet the vaccination coverage for 2018-19 season was 49.2%, around 20% less than the goal set by Healthy People 2030 of 70% coverage. The national foundation of infectious diseases survey showed that 51% of respondents do not think the flu vaccine works, 34% are concerned with the side effects from the vaccine, and 22% are concerned about getting flu from the vaccine. …

The Effects Of A Blended Learning Environment On Students' Discourse In A Secondary Mathematics Classroom, Brandi Blake

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To prepare students for college and careers, the Common Core Mathematical Practice Standards propose teachers engage students in classroom discourse where they make sense of mathematics by working collaboratively and communicating their thinking. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the relationship between a blended learning environment and the discourse students produce while in an AP Calculus AP course. Participants in this study are members of a large high school enrolled in either hybrid or virtual learning environments. Data were collected through recorded observations, coded using the Mathematics Classroom Observation Practices Protocol (MCOP2) and analyzed using statistical …

Program Evaluation Of Music Teacher Education In Ghana: Implications For Practice, Policy, And Research, George Blankson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The improvement of music teacher education programs is inevitably tied to improvement of the quality of music instruction in schools. As such, one of the essential avenues for improving educational programs is conducting regular program evaluations. Given the ever-evolving national standards for school music, along with the changing socio-cultural dynamics in Ghana, a corresponding review of the music teacher education programs is needed. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the music teacher education programs in Ghana. By overlaying the Content, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) evaluation model as a conceptual framework, I sought the …

Online Learning Readiness Among International Students, Brandon Mcleod

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The United States holds a commanding 22% of the market share of international students, more than double that of the second leading country (United Kingdom). The number of international students studying at U.S. institutions has had a steady incline for decades and these students now make up approximately 5% of all higher education students in the U.S. Even still, there have been previous examinations of international students’ perceptions of online learning readiness. As online and blended learning elements are an integral part of nearly every degree program, and, indeed, nearly every course, it is imperative that we gain a better …

Bridging The Gap Between Journalism 273 And Graduation, And Beyond, Mackenzie Slate Ross

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While Journalism 273: Creative Visual Thinking is a requirement for all undergraduate students majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications and some students majoring in Journalism, there are students who end up graduating from the University of Mississippi with a desire for more knowledge of graphic design. Feedback from current students in the School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi as well as alumni of the program was gathered in two surveys to understand better how Journalism 273 benefits them and pinpoints opportunities for improvement. One hundred nineteen students who took Journalism 273 and were enrolled in the …

Effects Of Stuttering Severity Disclosures On Listener Perceptions Of A Female Adolescent Who Stutters, Mikayla Ryan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure whether factual self-disclosure statements with differing levels of overt stuttering severity have effect on listener perceptions regarding an adolescent female who stutters (AFWS). Method: A total of 759 adults participated in this study. Participants were gathered through a nationwide campaign to various universities via email. There were four overt severity experimental conditions (control, fluent, mild and moderate-severe); participant assignments were balanced such that each experimental condition had comparable population demographics. Each condition contained a video stimulus of an adolescent female providing a factual disclosure statement identifying herself as a person who …