Digital Commons Network^™

Challenges Us Study Abroad Students Face When Acculturating To A Foreign Food Environment, Sydney C. Davis

Honors Theses

Studying abroad presents a unique opportunity for college students to immerse themselves in new cultures, including experiencing different food environments and dietary customs. However, adapting to a foreign food culture can pose various challenges that impact students’ overall health, eating behaviors, and study abroad experiences. The purpose of this study to develop a survey instrument designed to investigate the extent to which U.S. study abroad students embrace, accept, and face challenges with different aspects of Italian food culture, using the Social Ecological Model (SEM) as a guiding framework. Initial survey items were developed with information obtained from focus group discussions …

Effects Of Acute Exercise On Cognition: Consideration Of Potential Moderators, Lucy C. Wilson, Elizabeth Carwile, Mara Liston, Elizabeth Gaines, Mckenzie Cotten, Mary Griffin

Honors Theses

The present thesis aims to determine the effects, if any, of six potential moderators on the effects of acute moderate-intensity exercise on cognitive functioning. The modes of exercise undertaken by the participants included treadmill (Experiment 1) and stationary bike (Experiment 2) exercise. Participants in each experiment either exercised or rested for twenty minutes and then participated in either a memory recall task or cognitive functioning (“Stroop”) task. The bouts of either exercise or rest on the stationary bike were followed by a rest period during which the participant would be exposed to either standard air oxygen levels (normoxia) or hypoxic …

A Search For Transcriptional Cofactors Of Gcm/Repo Involved In Determining Glia Cell Fate In Drosophila Melanogaster, Nivedha Kosalram

Honors Theses

In Drosophila melanogaster, the mechanism influencing the differentiation of glia and neurons is directed by a key transcription factor known as glial cells missing (gcm). gcm is a crucial regulator of cell fate decision, functioning as a binary switch to direct glial fate in gcm- positive cells and neuronal fate in gcm-negative cells (Jones, et.al, 1995; Hosoya, et.al, 1995; and Vincent, et.al, 1996). In addition to directing gliogenesis, gcm and its homolog gcm2 facilitate the determination of macrophages and tendon cells, highlighting that gcm acts with supplementary factors to induce various signaling pathways in different contexts (Jones, 2005; Johnson, et …

Over-The-Counter Cold Medication Usage Self-Efficacy Among Undergraduate Students In The United States, Ray Goodwin

Honors Theses

Background

This study looks at the trends in over-the-counter medication usage and self-efficacy among undergraduate college students in the United States. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications serve as the most easily accessible and commonly purchased medications and can be used as a basis to determine this demographic’s attitudes and behaviors towards self-medication. In addition, undergraduates represent a diverse population for analyzing differences among demographic groups.

Methods

A Qualtrics survey was sent out to undergraduates across the US via a panel, and the team received 403 useable responses. As part of a larger study, the survey presented participants with four different scenarios at …

Institutional Connectedness And Social Support Among College Students: Links To Campus Involvement, Carissa Strum

Honors Theses

Background. College is a pivotal period in the lives of students, and an important aspect of the experience is involvement within the campus. College student wellness is also a growing area of interest in higher education, with increased attention on ways to help students thrive. This study explores which aspects of campus involvement contribute to students’ feelings of connectedness and social support. This study aims to 1) assess the association between campus involvement and social support among college students, 2) assess the association between campus involvement and institutional connectedness among college students, and 3) examine whether the association between campus …

Associations Between Tiktok Use And Undergraduate Nursing Professional Identity, Parker M. Watts

Honors Theses

Background. The global surge in social media usage prompts extensive research into its links with nursing professional identity. College-aged individuals who are in nursing school or are going to be in nursing school in the future must navigate their professional identity as they face heightened susceptibility to subjective opinions about the career of a nurse due to their frequent engagement with social media platforms. Among these platforms is that of TikTok, a platform of which has rapidly gained traction, especially among younger demographics. TikTok remains relatively underexplored in terms of its impact on nursing professional identity. This study seeks to …

Cooking For A Cause: Food Insecurity In Lafayette County, Ms, Anna K. Richie

Honors Theses

Many people in Lafayette County, MS, experience ongoing difficulties with consistent access to healthy food options. According to the Mississippi Health & Hunger Atlas, “food insecurity rates in Mississippi are consistently and statistically higher than national averages—having been ranked as #1 or #2 for highest food insecurity rate every year for the past 15 years” (Haggard, Cafer & Green, 2017). This capstone project examines how a Little Free Pantry (LFP) initiative can contribute to local food security efforts and evaluates cooking demonstration outcomes using ingredients found in LFPs. The approach combines quantitative and qualitative methods by tracking pantry inventory data …

Red Strings: A Collection Of Creative Works, Natalie Gumm

Honors Theses

This thesis is a collection of creative nonfiction and poetry exploring different aspects of my identity, including my passions, appearance, sexuality, and the places I’ve called home.

Economic Development In Cartersville, Ms: A Case Study Of A Non-Profit Organization's Community Development Projects, Mckenzie B. Perkins

Honors Theses

The Mississippi Delta Region has long faced significant economic, educational, and health challenges and a steady population decline since the 1940s. In response, community development projects have emerged as powerful tools to promote health, well-being, and social mobility. This thesis investigates the impact of community development initiatives in Cartersville, MS, focusing on the dental clinic, educational programs, and the economic development center established by a non-profit organization. Through the lens of community development theories, the research explores how community leadership, particularly partnerships between EverHope Ministries and Cartersville leaders, is pivotal in addressing health disparities in historically marginalized populations. By engaging …

A Local Assessment Of Glp-1 Use For Weight Loss: An Interview Study, Maci Bradley

Honors Theses

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a novel class of medications used primarily for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as well as for chronic weight management. The first GLP-1 medication, exenatide, was FDA-approved in April of 2005 for glycemic control, however, it was not until December of 2014 when liraglutide became the first GLP-1 FDA-approved for weight loss. There are now eight FDA-approved GLP-1s, only two of which are approved for weight loss. GLP-1 use has become increasingly popular in recent years, even extending to the college-aged population. The purpose of this study is to examine the trends in …

Could Policy Replication Improve Maternal And Infant Mortality In Mississippi? Perceptions Of Healthcare Workers, Allison G. Holland

Honors Theses

Despite medical advancements and policy reform, rates of maternal and infant mortality remain disproportionately high in various regions of the United States. The state of Mississippi consistently yields some of the highest rates of both infant and maternal mortality rates nationally. In the past decade, California has developed a series of initiatives and policies to combat rates of maternal and infant mortality across the state. Through state-level policy efforts such as the Maternal Quality Care Collaborative and Mandated Paid Maternity Leave, California consistently leads the nation with the lowest rates of maternal mortality. Initiatives such as the Black Infant Health …

Bridging The Justice Gap: Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic At North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, Emma-Kathryn Bond

Honors Theses

Over the course of two years, I spent more than 130 hours completing on-the- ground volunteer work with the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC), a clinic within North Mississippi Rural Legal Services that provides free legal assistance to individuals navigating disputes with the IRS. While the Sixth Amendment guarantees legal representation in criminal cases, no such guarantee exists for civil matters such as tax disputes, housing instability, or loss of public benefits. Clinics like LITC fill a crucial gap by offering support in areas that are often overlooked, such as tax law, where clients risk audits, wage garnishments, and court proceedings …

Empowering Youth Through Cooking Classes, Jamiya C. Mason

Honors Theses

Chronic health issues and poor dietary habits continue to disproportionately impact rural communities in Mississippi, especially among children. Research has shown that early exposure to healthy foods and cooking practices can positively influence lifelong health behaviors. Cooking classes have also been linked to improved food literacy, culinary confidence, and willingness to try new foods. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a short-term culinary program on children’s cooking self-efficacy and food behaviors in Quitman County, Mississippi.

Four cooking classes were conducted with youth (grades 4–7) in a local after-school program. Lessons included vegetable-based recipes, including zucchini …

Building Community Through Food And Health: Student Initiatives To Address Food Insecurity In Mississippi, Sarah E. Sawaya

Honors Theses

This thesis explores food insecurity in Oxford and Lafayette County, Mississippi, within the broader context of state, national, and global challenges. Over a four-year period, student-led and community organizations collaborated to design programs that addressed both food access and chronic illness prevention through education, outreach, and direct service. Community input was gathered through health screenings, campus engagement, and informal interviews with residents, which guided the development of practical tools like recipe kits, QR code-based cookbooks, and on-site health education. These efforts were rooted in local partnerships and shaped by the lived experiences of those most affected. This project demonstrates that …

Health Fairs: An Effective Approach To Health Promotion Through Community Engagement And Community-Campus Partnerships, Brookleigh Brumfield

Honors Theses

Community engagement seeks to achieve long-term outcomes through collaborating with community and campus partners to address the issues affecting the community by centering their voices, concerns, and solutions. This capstone project seeks to offer health and language access for residents in Lafayette, Pontotoc, and Union Counties, and to evaluate the health fair model from the perspective of participating community and campus partners. With this information from organizations, it will be possible to create the most efficient, beneficial health fairs in these counties. The community partner perspectives show the importance of community engagement, but also the significance for the campus as …

Assumption Reinsurance By Life Insurance Companies: An Update In, Thomas M. Brown, Michael D. Mullaney, Joel D. Klaassen

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Narcissistic Men Are Drawn To Gossip, Study Finds, Jordan Karnbach

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – To be talked about or to be ignored, which is better? It's not a Shakespearean question, but one that a research team led by a University of Mississippi professor wanted to answer.

Individual Retirement Accounts: An Update After The Dra, Labh S. Hira, Robert D. Swanson

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Estate Planning: Significant Recent Developments Concerning Estate Planning (Part I), Byrle M. Abbin, David K. Carlson

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

The Tax Adviser, Volume 16, Number 4, April 1985, American Institute Of Certified Public Accountants

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Employee Benefits Under The Dra (Part I), Thomas G. Tracy, Deborah Walker

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Jtc 25: Bridging Medicine And Community, Harrison Holley

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2025 Journey to Commencement series, which celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their outstanding academic and personal journeys from college student to college graduate.

05.05.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Research Showcase Photos

Showcase Raffle Winners

Chancellor's Award for Research and Creative Scholarship

Video of the ORED website

Jtc 25: Double Doctor, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2025 Journey to Commencement series, which celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their outstanding academic and personal journeys from college student to college graduate.

Jtc 25: Balancing Crowns And Chemistry, Marvis Herring

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2025 Journey to Commencement series, which celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their outstanding academic and personal journeys from college student to college graduate.

Pharmacy Professor Works To Unlock Secrets Of Cellular Sugar, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – A University of Mississippi pharmacy professor will study how sugar molecules on proteins could lead to new ways to detect and treat diseases using a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation.

Conflict, Human Development, And Neonatal Health: A Regional Analysis Of The Eastern Mediterranean, Zynub A. Al-Sherri

Honors Theses

Background. The effects of war and conflict on a population are direct and indirect in nature. One of the most devastating consequences is the destruction of healthcare infrastructure, which severely disrupts access to essential services and impedes long-term socioeconomic development. Among those most affected are newborns, as the neonatal period represents the most vulnerable stage of a child’s life and serves as a sensitive indicator of a society’s overall health and socioeconomic conditions. Given the persistent instability in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), this study aimed to explore how conflict and human development are associated with neonatal health outcomes …

Impact Of Menstrual Cycle Phase On Upper Extremity Function, Emma D. Cochran, Kaitlyn M. Armstrong

Honors Theses

Abstract

The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Upper Extremity Function

Background: There has been a significant rise in the number of female athletes participating across the spectrum of sports. While there are a multitude of research studies looking at physiology in sports on performance, training methods, and injuries; this research is general across genders. When it comes to female-specific physiology concerning training and injuries, there is little research. One such gender-specific physiological focus is the menstrual cycle in the female population. The literature suggests changes in joint laxity and muscle repair throughout the various phases of the menstrual cycle, …

Issue 465: May 2025, The Local Voice

The Local Voice

No abstract provided.

Top Researchers, Scholars Honored With Inaugural Um Awards, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – A dozen outstanding faculty members at the University of Mississippi were recognized Tuesday (April 29) at the inaugural Chancellor's Awards for Research and Creative Scholarship.