Digital Commons Network^™

Influences Of Post-Fledging Protein Supplementation On Growth And Reactive Stress Response In Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia Castanotis), Gabrielle Morris, Mary Lindley Tharp

Honors Theses

Protein needs of non-poultry birds, like Zebra Finches (ZF) are understudied. ZFs consume proteinaceous half-ripe seeds during breeding and chicken eggs are recommended supplements for captive ZFs; but developmental needs are unclear. Eggs contain essential amino acids that impact the “stress” hormone, corticosterone (CORT). Diet and corticosterone influence avian growth and stress management. Juvenile egg-fed ZFs outgrow seed-fed birds. Juvenile egg-supplementation boosts adult male attractiveness due to cheek patch augmentation compared to seed-only birds. Across studies, timing of diet (nestling Vs. fledgling) varies, both sexes have not been included, and simultaneous measures of growth and corticosterone are lacking. We are …

Prescription Drug Misuse Among Graduate Students: Prevalence And Links To Mental Health And Academic Burnout, Madison De Gruiter

Honors Theses

The aims of this study are to examine the prevalence of prescription drug misuse (PDM) among doctoral students and assess associations between PDM and anxiety and burnout in this population. Additional analyses analyzed differential associations by doctoral degree type (i.e., research versus professional programs). A sample of doctoral students (n=131) affiliated with the University of Mississippi participated in an anonymous survey to assess research aims.

The Design Estimate Of A Warehouse Refrigeration System, Jackson Dear

Honors Theses

The intention of this project was to provide a design and cost estimate for the refrigeration systems within an industrial cold storage distribution center for Magnolia Country Frozen Foods, Inc. in East Rutherford, NJ. The facility includes eighteen 300,000 ft3 units (200 ft x 100 ft x 15 ft). These units require 200 tons of refrigeration at a maintained temperature of 0oF. This project's scope included choosing an optimal refrigeration system, selecting a refrigerant for use within the system, and providing a cost estimate for the purchase of the refrigeration system equipment and for the yearly cost associated with running …

Synthesis Of Tert-Butyl Ester And Ethyl Ester Prodrugs Of L-Gamma-Methyleneglutamic Acid Amides For The Treatment Of Cancer, Tristan D. Tran

Honors Theses

Metabolic pathways differ in cancer cells compared to noncancerous cells. Glutaminolysis is the primary producer of biosynthetic precursors in cancer cells, which allows for the cells to proliferate. In previous publications, the Le lab has established efficient synthetic routes to L-γ-methyleneglutamic acid amides which have shown to be as efficacious as tamoxifen and olaparib in inhibiting the growth of various breast cancer cell lines. These compounds have shown to inhibit the growth of MCF-7, SK-BR-3, and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines after 24 or 72 h of exposure. Furthermore, these compounds were selective in inhibiting the growth of cancer …

The Effects Of Acute Exercise On Memory: Considerations Of The Testing Effect, Philip Christian

Honors Theses

This study had three main objectives. The first objective was to determine whether or not there was evidence of a testing effect being present when a short-term memory assessment is included along with a long-term memory assessment. The second objective was to determine whether acute exercise can improve long-term memory recall over a control condition. The third objective was to determine if the potential effects of acute exercise on long-term memory are confounded by the inclusion of a short-term memory assessment. Participants were 54 undergraduate students at the University of Mississippi, with an age range of 18-22 years old. Participants …

Identification Of Signal Transducers In Plant Shoot Gravitropism Using Genetic Screens, Lilla Reed

Honors Theses

Gravitropism is an essential response for plant growth and architecture. The signal transduction pathway that links gravity sensing to gravity response remains unclear because the key signal transducers involved in this pathway are unknown. In this project, we applied an artificial microRNA(amiRNA)-assisted genetic screen in isolating mutants displaying altered gravitropic phenotype in the darkness. Two amiRNA lines showed a significantly decreased gravitropic phenotype in the hypocotyl, and amiRNAs in these lines were identified to target a hypothetical transmembrane protein and a receptor kinase, respectively. Further experiments need to be done to confirm their phenotypes and establish them as signal transducers …

What Happens When A Company's Marketing Strategy No Longer Mirrors The Shopping Trends Of The American Consumer: A Case Study Of Sears, Roebuck And Company, Savannah Burnett

Honors Theses

Once America’s largest mass merchandiser, Sears is a name that remains recognizable for many people. Throughout our country’s history, the U.S. retail industry has often shifted alongside its country’s major historical events. However, one major corporation who once mirrored the ebbs and flows of the United States economy slowly faded out of the minds of the American consumer. This thesis seeks to answer if Sears’ fall from grace was a direct reflection of American consumer trends.

Secondary data was gathered through books accessed from the university library, newspaper articles, scholarly journals, and online news sources, as well as the company’s …

Synthesis Of Salvimadol Analogues For The Studies Of Pain, Anxiety, And Depression, Seth Mccaughan

Honors Theses

From 2001 to 2013, worldwide prescriptions of opioids more than doubled from around 3 billion daily opioid doses per year to 7 billion due to major shifts in pain management culture and attitude.¹ This surge in opioid prescriptions brought quick pain relief to patients, but it also brought new challenges, such as nonmedical opioid use, opioid use disorders, and overdose deaths.² In 2015, 33,091 of the 52,404 drug overdose deaths were contributed to opioids, and in 2013, the cost of opioid overdose and addiction was estimated to be $78 billion in economic burden.^3,4 The social and economic …

Functional And Location Context Effects On Reading Sentences In Healthy Young Adults: Evidence From Eye Tracking Methods, Elizabeth Baird

Honors Theses

Spreading activation theory proves the way our brains are semantically wired to accept outside information and understand it. Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of spreading activation theory in different settings and activities. These effects are important to understand because they can be used in therapy and assessment for communication disorders. This study explores how the context of sentences affects reading time on noun targets in healthy young adults using an eye tracking method. Specifically, we compared functional and location context types and manipulated the context to be incongruent or congruent to the targets. Our research questions were (1) whether …

The Auditory Radiations And Migraines: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study, Eva Kiparizoska

Honors Theses

Previous literature shows that there is a known correlation between the presence of migraines and hearing loss. The purpose of the current study was to better understand how a history of migraines can affect the integrity of the auditory radiations and the increased risk of hearing loss in individuals with migraine history. We used Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in order to examine the effect of a history of migraines on the auditory radiation systems in the brain. The DTI neuroimaging data was collected from the Nathan Kline Institute-Rockland Sample, and participants’ demographics closely paralleled the United States demographic distributions. Our …

Kindness Without Barriers: An Investigation Of The Benefits Of Social Organizations For Students With Disabilities, Abby Newton

Honors Theses

While legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) has made monumental progress in education for individuals with disabilities, there is still an evident need for increased accessibility and equity of opportunity within the K-12 environment. IDEA guarantees students with disabilities will receive a Free Appropriate Public Education, but this law does not include discussion on the evolving barriers to social participation students with disabilities often face, and sequentially, the impact this has on one’s learning environment. This report will examine the benefits of extracurricular activities for …

The Association Between Sleep And Relationship Quality Among Undergraduate Students, Catherine Smith

Honors Theses

This study sought out to examine the association between sleep and relationship quality in undergraduate student populations. Attending university is a novel experience for emerging adults but is subsequently associated with increased sleep difficulties and increased exposure to various social relationships. Indeed, the literature suggests social relationships can influence sleep in all populations, but few have explored relationship quality in the context of conflict and support in undergraduates. The quality of different social relationships (romantic, family, and friend), the severity of insomnia symptoms, and length of sleep duration were investigated. The current study collected data from a sample of ten …

Para Todes: ¿Sí O No? The Use Of Inclusive-Language Alternatives In The Spanish Language In Montevideo, Uruguay, Gabrielle Goulet

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the attitudes towards the possible implementation of gender-neutral language, through the use of the -e, on official documents and schools in Montevideo, Uruguay, and how the attitudes of Spanish speakers in Uruguay align with the country’s history of inclusivity. In this context, Uruguay is considered an inclusive country because there is evidence of legal changes that promote gender equality, thus creating an gender-inclusive environment. This thesis utilizes a mixed-methods approach which includes both qualitative and quantitative research. The findings show that many people will use inclusive language when asked of them. They also believe that this usage …

A Case Study Of California's Maternal Health Landscape And Recommendations For Mississippi, Kinley Miller

Honors Theses

This paper is a case study of California’s maternal health landscape, reflecting its exceptional approach to the maternal health crisis. I review several policies: the creation of the Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, the Maternal Data Center, and the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, maternal health toolkits, Medicaid expansion, extended postpartum Medicaid coverage, paid family leave, C-Section Honor Roll, and maternal mental health measures. The case study suggests that all of these policies in conjunction with one another correlates with a decrease maternal mortality. California’s proactive approach and ability to mobilize public and private entities are key attributors to its success in …

Ms. Eep's Compass: A Hope-Filled Story Inspired By A Trauma-Informed Teaching Framework, Sadie Stocks

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the literature on childhood trauma, its manifestations in the classroom, and effective trauma-informed teaching practices. The literature indicates the widespread prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the consequences these experiences have on both the developing brains of children and future health risks. While drawing the correlation of this widespread trauma to its common manifestations in the classroom, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs further justifies the indispensable link of safety preceding learning. Trauma-Informed teaching practices include environmental considerations like safety, the value of relationship building, a strengths-based guided classroom, models of self-regulation, developmentally appropriate practice, and an emphasis …

Anticoagulant And Anti-Sars-Cov-2 Effects Of Botryocladia Occidentalis Sulfated Glycans, Reena Thara

Honors Theses

Marine algal species are composed of various macromolecules endowed with potential biological actions, such as carbohydrates. Sugars are complex in nature with a multitude of monosaccharides constructed into polymers. We call complex carbohydrate polysaccharides those of great structural variation. The sulfation pattern adds to their complexity, creating scientific interest in the aquatic organisms from which these molecules can be extracted. Sulfated polysaccharides are now increasingly studied for their potential biological properties as anticoagulants and as antivirals. Heparin is a naturally occurring sugar in the human body that is necessary for proper anticoagulation. Many people today suffer from a dysfunctional coagulation …

Financial Accounting Case Studies, Winn Sams

Honors Theses

This thesis is an assembly of eleven accounting case studies completed during the 2021-2022 academic year, while enrolled in the ACCY 420 course instructed by Dr. Victoria Dickinson. The case studies included in this thesis cover a broad range of topics within the field of accounting. These topics include the impact of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on businesses, the financial effects of COVID-19 on Pfizer Inc., examining cities of future residence for accounting careers, an interview with a business owner, and an Excel verification course. Cases 6 through 11 are dedicated to the analysis of ExxonMobil and its …

The Great Transition: A Qualitative Examination Of The Transition From Pharmacy Student To Pharmacist, Jessica Marlee Wilson

Honors Theses

Background: Over the years, community pharmacy practice has expanded and increased the number of responsibilities pharmacists must manage. Tasks such as managing the pharmacy, counseling patients, and administering vaccines are among the duties that pharmacists must carry out. The recent Covid-19 pandemic placed a significant strain on the retail pharmacy work environment and acted as an obstacle to the jobs of community pharmacists. Recent pharmacy graduates are often thrown into this variable work environment, and it seems that there is limited literature regarding the preparedness that they feel in this area of pharmacy work.

Objectives: To uncover the level of …

Southern Sustainability: An Examination Of Waste Management Mechanisms Within The University Of Mississippi Community, Haley Clift

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze and study local mechanisms surrounding waste management at The University of Mississippi. The research study gathers quantitative and qualitative research to make conclusions about sustainability and recycling practices on The University of Mississippi's campus. The thesis discusses whether those practices are effective for those in The University of Mississippi's community based on the data collected and research conducted. The researcher also offers proposals for the University of Mississippi community based on the research conducted.

The gap that exists in the waste management processes at The University of Mississippi was addressed by blending …

The Adventures Of A Right-Handed Debitor, James Aubrey Christian

Honors Theses

The Accounting Capstone is designed to force accounting students to think through problems in the accounting industry. This will be accomplished by working through a series of case studies dealing with several areas of financial reporting. After selecting the group’s focus area, my group and I presented a case study regarding tax recommendations for Goldman Sachs.

Links Between Mental Health And Employment Outcomes Among Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emma Atkinson

Honors Theses

Problem: Mental health outcomes related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been extensively researched, although most research in the area is on children with ASD. Studies on adults with ASD are scarcer. More specifically, studies that analyze the association between mental health and work-life balance (WLB) as well as mental health and job satisfaction (JS) among employed adults with ASD is limited. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between mental health and WLB among adults with ASD, the association between mental health and perceived JS among adults with ASD, and whether or not ASD severity moderates …

An Application Of The Pagerank Algorithm To Ncaa Football Team Rankings, Morgan Majors

Honors Theses

We investigate the use of Google’s PageRank algorithm to rank sports teams. The PageRank algorithm is used in web searches to return a list of the websites that are of most interest to the user. The structure of the NCAA FBS football schedule is used to construct a network with a similar structure to the world wide web. Parallels are drawn between pages that are linked in the world wide web with the results of a contest between two sports teams. The teams under consideration here are the members of the 2021 Football Bowl Subdivision. We achieve a total ordering …

How Medical Cannabis Took Root In Mississippi, Loral Winn

Honors Theses

How Medical Cannabis Took Root in Mississippi

(Under the direction of Dr. Iveta Imre)

How Medical Cannabis Took Root in Mississippi is a multimedia journalism piece that follows the timeline of medical cannabis’ legalization in Mississippi through the lives and lenses of characters from each sector of the medical marijuana industry. Written in a journalistic style with hints of narrative methods, the article tells the story of medical cannabis advocates, current patients, state registered practitioners, dispensary owners and employees, and a family-owned cultivation facility while also providing concrete evidence and facts about the legislation and regulations included in the state’s …

Human-Wildlife Conflict In Tanzania: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of A Collaborative, Community-Engaged Approach To Conservation Challenges, Kylie Page

Honors Theses

This paper describes the development, implementation and outcomes of a conservation education program designed to empower youth and adults to address the problem of human-wildlife conflict in rural Tanzania. The participatory approach included a three day workshop at Mikumi National Park (MNP) and community-based fieldwork that employed techniques for active engagement, such as games, role plays, field trips, and the photovoice method, which combines photography and storytelling with solution finding. Focusing on the problem of human-lion conflict, adults and youth from two villages came together with lion experts, park wardens, and educators for training at Mikumi National Park in which …

Calculating Risk: A Scoping Review Of Ncaa D1 Football Players’ Motivations To Play And The Correlation To Demographic Characteristics And Injury Experiences, Kathleen D. Walsh

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research was to investigate the motivations of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 (D1) football players for playing the game and how these motivations are associated with their socioeconomic status (SES). Further, the research aimed to investigate how the uncovered motivations were linked to injury experiences. The original project was designed as a survey-based mixed methods study on a national scale. However, issues with participant recruitment led to sidelining of that primary research. The research presented is a scoping review of the available literature pertaining to the research question: What is known from existing literature …

The Relationship Between Coping Behaviors And Misophonia Symptom Severity And Impairment, Ruth Emmon Tyson

Honors Theses

Misophonia is a complex disorder that is characterized by an extreme disliking of sounds. Individuals with misophonia may engage in anxiety-driven coping behaviors that constitute avoidance and safety behaviors. Current literature shows that while coping behavior may offer temporary relief of anxiety and distress, they can lead to persisting anxiety and avoidance of experiences. Given preliminary evidence demonstrating a link between coping behaviors and maintained or worsening symptoms, additional research is warranted to further understand the role of coping behaviors in misophonia. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between coping behaviors and maintenance or worsening of misophonia symptom severity …

Who Changes Who? Political Implications Of The Rising Hispanic Population, Drayton Purvis

Honors Theses

Studying the growth of the Hispanic population yields specific political implications to be drawn based on the rate of growth for each Congressional District. Using Data from 2000, 2010, and 2020 Censuses along with Harvard’s Data Set titled, “Historical Congressional Legislation and District Demographics 1972-2014”, the information allows for interpretations to be made based on a Congressional District’s NOMINATE score and its percentage of the Hispanic population. After researching specific influences that help shape the Latino population in a political sense, like country of origin and level of generation in the United States, there were certain characteristics that have been …

Medical Cannabis In Mississippi: Practitioner Education And Continuing Research, Andrea Cleveland

Honors Theses

Use of medical cannabis in Mississippi was legalized in February 2022 following many years of cannabis research at the University of Mississippi. Issues immediately became apparent, beginning with the lack of education about medical cannabis among providers. A 2017 study showed that the majority of physicians are not exposed to information about medical cannabis despite its legalization in 37 states. Another issue with Mississippi’s medical cannabis program is the cost of the product itself. The most effective way to decrease spending on medication is for patients to have access to medication that is guaranteed to work. Further research on cannabis …

The Impact Of A Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill On Exercise Regulation, Camille Couey

Honors Theses

Objective: The benefits of lower body positive pressure treadmills have recently been investigated as a tool for rehabilitation, but research is lacking on whether participants can regulate exercise utilizing rate of perceived exertion (RPE) at reduced body weight loads on lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmills. The purpose of the study is to examine the potential for RPE production estimation at various body weight loads. Methods: Fifteen apparently healthy young adults between the ages of 18-35 participated and completed this study. Each participant completed a graded VO_2max test after being familiarized with an OMNI pictorial RPE scale ranging from …

Spanish Club For Healthcare Professionals, Sophie Stallings

Honors Theses

Spanish Club for Healthcare Professionals was registered as an approved student organization in January of 2023, and the first meeting was January 30. The objective of this club is to educate students entering different healthcare fields on how to communicate with Spanish speaking patients. During my time serving as the founder and president of this organization, I strived to provide a resource that would help lower the language barrier that is present in today’s society with regards to a lack of Spanish- speaking healthcare professionals. The goal is not for students to be fully fluent in Spanish but simply learn …