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Crystallization Efforts For An Engineered Nickel-Binding Protein, Gold-Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoclusters, And An Artificial De Novo Tetramer Hydrogenase Mimic, Skyler Crane

Honors Theses

Protein crystallization is fundamental to modern research efforts given its ability to determine a protein’s structure as well as the interactions that structure allows and relies upon. This process, though lacking direct application, provides necessary information for subsequent research efforts for which applicationsmay be explored. As such, efforts were taken to crystallize nickel-binding protein (NBP) reengineered from Copper Storage Protein 1 (Csp1) in its apo and metal bound form, Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) in its apo and gold bound form (Au-BSA), and an artificial de novo tetramer hydrogenase mimic peptide to better inform future research actions for these respective molecules. …

The Differences In Talk About Violence And Terrorism: A Case Study Of Northern Ireland And The Basque Country, Mcclellan Davis

Honors Theses

The Northern Irish and Basque conflicts have been studied throughout the years, as both serve as examples of conflicts involving ethnonationalist terrorist groups and successful disarmaments. While there are similarities, there are also distinctions between the two conflicts. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) and Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) both fought for independence from a larger government, inflicted horrific pain on populations where they considered themselves members, but ultimately both ended without accomplishing their goal of separatism. This thesis seeks to understand the differences within these conflicts and their subsequent peace processes/disarmaments, which I believe contribute to the differences in ‘talk’ …

The Red Swimsuit: Essays, Jacqueline Knirnschild

Honors Theses

This thesis is a collection of creative non-fiction essays that offers a collage of ethnography, reportage and memoir. The Red Swimsuit blurs the lines between what is considered social science, journalism and art. These essays will become part of a book- length work of creative non-fiction that will explore what it’s like to grow up as a woman in a globalized world wrought with social media, hookup culture and cross-cultural interactions. The Red Swimsuit provides first-hand experience, reflexive narration, and reflection on life as a member of Generation Z, also known as iGen.

Evaluation Of The Bax-Vdac Interaction And Their Influence On Apoptosis In Drosophila Melanogaster, Frances Marie Gatlin

Honors Theses

Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, is a cellular process used for development or for when cells undergo injury or stress. The Bcl2 family of proteins includes both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins that control the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Understanding the mechanisms and influence these proteins have on apoptosis is an important area of research focused on in Dr. Jones’s lab. Evidence shows a homology amongst the Bcl2 family of proteins at the BH3 domain. Dr. Jekabsons' lab has found a potential homology amongst VDAC 1-3 and the Bcl2 family at the BH3 domain.

Specifically, our lab is using …

Assessment Of Orofacial Myofunctional Profiles Of Undergraduate Students In The United States, Rachel Yockey

Honors Theses

Background: Previous research indicates a high prevalence of orofacial myofunctional disorders in the general population. It was further reported that orofacial dysfunction may have wide ramifications, such as teeth displacement, articulation errors, swallowing difficulties, middle ear infections, and frequent colds. The purpose of this study was to examine orofacial myofunctional profiles of undergraduate students in the United States.

Method: The English version of the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S) was used to assess 55 undergraduate university students (age range:18 to 23 years). In addition, each participant completed a standard hearing screening, as well as a hearing history questionnaire.

Results: In our …

An Assessment Of Herb-Drug Interaction Potential Of Two Herbs: Momordica Charantia And Phyllanthus Amarus, Faridah Salau

Honors Theses

The use of natural supplements alongside prescribed medications is on the increase. Thus, it is important to analyze different properties of herbal supplements that can be implicated in eliciting herb-drug interactions. The herb Momordica charnatia is used throughout the world for its antidiabetic properties, and the herb Phyllanthus amarus is used in tropical and subtropical areas of the world for its hepatoprotective properties. Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) activation capabilities of these herbs was measured using a reporter gene assay. Additionally, Cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform induction potential for CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2B6, and CYP2C9 was determined through an enzymatic assay in hepatic …

Independent Thinker - Journey To Commencement, Benita Whitehorn

Journey to Commencement

Bella St. Amant is ready to take on the world

Two Um Faculty Members Appointed As Distinguished Professors, Shea Stewart

University of Mississippi News

Arunachalam Rajendran and Ron Rychlak honored for research, teaching excellence, service

Feminism And Low Breastfeeding Rates In France, Megan Wadsworth

Honors Theses

Breastfeeding rates in France are among the lowest in high-income countries, indicating that French mothers do not breastfeed for nearly as long as is recommended by healthcare professionals and international health organizations. French government, society and conflicting feminist perspectives all influence the likelihood that mothers will breastfeed. The French government has regulations in place to protect women’s right to breastfeed in public and in the workplace, but it is unclear if these are truly beneficial for French women. French society is a seemingly inhospitable environment in which mothers do not feel safe and secure to breastfeed publicly. Motherhood and feminism …

James Crow Jr., Esquire And Voter Suppression, Samantha Henderson

Honors Theses

This thesis lays out Voter ID laws and the effects they have on minorities. A new era of Jim Crow legislation in the 21st century as referred to by the well-respected, civil activist, Al Sharpton, as James Crow Jr., Esquire, creating laws that negatively impact voting. “Fait accompli,” a term used to describe the plight and pressure put upon the minority who are already at a disadvantage because the laws are established to discriminate against them. How can a silenced group change legislation when they cannot access the ballot? I will explore Supreme Court cases such as Yick Wo v. …

Clarifying The Conceptualization Of Empire: Is China's Belt And Road Initiative An Attempt At Empire?, Olivia Melvin

Honors Theses

Is 21st century China building an empire through the Belt and Road Initiative? Where do modern imperialist trends fit into the post-colonial world? This study explores different conceptualizations of empire used in previous academic studies and explores how the Belt and Road Initiative fits in this narrative of empire. Clarifying the discourse surrounding modern expansionist and imperialist behavior is a necessary first step in comparing phenomena that occur in very different historical periods. For example, when comparing former imperial dynasties of China to modern Chinese expansionist behavior, over 500 years of development divide these two historical periods. Newer terms such …

‘How Has Art Refocused Consumers’ Attention Within A Visual World Through The Exploration Of Package Design?’, Frances Hackney

Honors Theses

The art of design has refocused the attention of consumers as they have entered into a visually demanding world. While this concept is complex and perplexing, stemming from endless influencing factors, the elements of design can be broken down into areas of focus to dissect the visual world of marketing. A simple way to communicate the influence of design on the consumers is to unveil the answers through the study of art.

In this thesis, the study will turn to the world of art to learn more about consumerism. The goal is to understand how visual images and the ongoing …

American Indian Sovereignty And Climate Change: Emerging Spaces And Coalitions To Assert American Indian Sovereignty During A Climate Crisis, Brenna Q. Gardner

Honors Theses

Climate change is a global issue that will affect most, if not all, populations on earth; however, it will not affect groups equally. While vulnerability varies between groups, poor, frontline, marginalized, and Indigenous people are particularly vulnerable. This thesis explores if the challenge of climate change as affecting multiple vulnerable populations presents emerging spaces in which American Indian sovereignty can be asserted. I provide a literature review on federal Indian policy and the American Indian Sovereignty movement in the 1960’s and 1970’s. I then analyze primary materials produced by the Indigenous Environmental Network and primary material surrounding the #NoDAPL movement. …

The Hair You Wished To Comb, Sarah Barch

Honors Theses

This thesis is a collection of poems exploring gender and trauma in Greek mythology by retelling classical stories in a female voice.

The Embeddedness Of Racial Microaggressions In International Student Experiences At The University Of Mississippi, Morgan Blythe

Honors Theses

This study explores the lived experiences of international students at the University of Mississippi (UM). Using a phenomenological approach, the participants’ stories were understood and offered as a counter-narrative to existing literature dominated by White Americans. The interviews were processed through the lens of Critical Race Theory, specifically the microaggressions framework to account for modern-day racism as it evolves alongside culture. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with international students at UM ranging from exchange to PhD candidates. These participants are from various countries around the globe, chosen through convenience sampling. The interviews were coded using NVivo12. The results of this …

"Army, I'M Home!": Digital Community And Mediated Intimacy In K-Pop Fandom, Olivia George

Honors Theses

In this paper, I argue that we should turn our attention to the affective labor in the pop culture industry in South Korea. Using the House of BTS event as a case study of K- Pop fandom, I will address the affective labor practices and its impacts in K-Pop fandom. Idol group BTS (방탄소년단) and their company Big Hit Entertainment are a particularly apt study for this choice because they deliberately adopt mediated intimacy as a marketing tactic, creating content outside of music and across social networking platforms that cater to fans’ desire to “know” and adore BTS members. In …

Cell Proliferation And Viability Inhibition By Resveratrol On Breast Cancer Cell Lines, Kyle Ford Gordon Jr

Honors Theses

Antioxidants are well-known for their various health benefits. They are able to protect cells from being damaged by free radicals that are produced by vital biochemical processes. It has long been known that antioxidants are important in our everyday health, but their potential as disease preventers and potential therapeutic agents is a relatively new field of study. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol and well-known antioxidant, is found in plants, fruits, and products derived from them, like red wine. Resveratrol has been shown to have various properties, including antiaging, anti-aggregation of platelets, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Because of their many health benefits, …

The Roots Of Wellbeing: Positive Effects Of Nature Writing, Grace Turner

Honors Theses

Fostering healthy relationships between humans and the environment is beneficial for people and for the natural world around us. Efforts to foster these relationships are more important now than ever before due to the rapid deterioration of the climate and the growing divide between people and nature. There is abundant research documenting the positive physical, psychological, and social effects of time spent in nature, such as positive mood, life satisfaction, connection to nature, pro-environmental behavior, and feelings of transcendence. However, actual experiences in nature may be inconvenient, inaccessible, or otherwise unavailable. Addressing this concern, researchers are now examining the possible …

The Effects Of Largazole, A Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, On Breast Cancer Cell Viability And Metastasis, Hannah Mccowan

Honors Theses

Histone deacetylase enzymes modify epigenetic characteristics of a genome by removing acetyl groups from histone proteins in chromatin. Histone deacetylase inhibitors work by stopping this activity which can have various results in a cell including apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, differentiation, and migration. The purpose of these experiments was to see how largazole, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, affected cell viability for breast cancer and associated metastatic cell lines in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The experiment was completed by setting up two 96-well plates with varying concentrations of largazole and conducting a sulforhodamine viability assay. The specific cell lines used in …

A Tale Of Two Cities, Maybe Three A Look At Financial Literacy And Economic Development In Three Mississippi Cities: Fulton, Clarksdale, And Oxford, Kellie Reed Cleveland

Honors Theses

This paper explores the backbones of economic growth and how the backbones influence economic development in three cities in Mississippi. It further seeks to promote education in financial literacy throughout the state to create a base for individuals to further their financial education, create small businesses, or to simply be a knowledgeable citizen. The research sifts through backbones such as population health and small & big business influence, to explore how financial literacy influences daily life and the catalyst for businesses to start and grow. The Mississippi cities Fulton, Clarksdale, and Oxford are studied more in-depth through photos of the …

Center Work-Study Students Set To Graduate, Rebecca Lauck Cleary

Blog Posts

Written By Rebecca Lauck Cleary Each semester, two work-study students are employed at the Center for the Study for the Southern Culture to help with various tasks. For the past two years, Samantha Henderson has been a familiar face in the lobby, and Naiome Young started this past fall. On May 9, both of them are graduating.

From Fine Arts To Automobiles - Journey To Commencement, Abigail Meisel

Journey to Commencement

Graphic design major Sarah Roper finds expression in branding

Embracing Every Challenge - Journey To Commencement, Emily Howorth

Journey to Commencement

Senior from Senatobia builds community as Greek Man of Year, NPHC President

Virtual Reality Courses Offer Immersion Into Remote Instruction, Edwin B. Smith

University of Mississippi News

Interactive VR instructor and classroom both educational and entertaining for students

Six Freshmen Receive Odk Leadership Awards, Edwin B. Smith

University of Mississippi News

Prestigious honor recognizes outstanding skills and community involvement

Imitators To Creators: The Emergence Of A Confident National Identity In Contemporary Korea As Observed Through K-Pop And Masculinity, Kaitlyn Diane Read

Honors Theses

South Korea’s national narrative has evolved from one familiar with destruction and outside control to one that can now afford to be more challenging and confrontational. Korea’s ascent to both economic and political prominence on the international landscape in record time is well established. The rapid transformation currently impacts Korean society with the country choosing to concentrate on strengthening its soft power and nation brand exporting. This thesis aims to reveal how Korea’s recently acquired position of significance on the global stage permits the Korean national identity to be assured and stimulating, in contrast with a derivative narrative once perceived …

When An Education Is A Transformation - Journey To Commencement, Abigail Meisel

Journey to Commencement

A summer in Barcelona brought new insights for UM sociology major

Journey To Commencement Series Highlights Class Of 2020, Staff Report

University of Mississippi News

Ole Miss students share stories of determination, perseverance on path to graduation

How Misinformation And Mistrust Compound The Threat Of Epidemics, William Boyd

Honors Theses

This thesis was conducted to study the effects of misinformation and medical mistrust on the public health field. I use the events of the Chapare Virus outbreak in Bolivia in the summer of 2019 and the public dialogue during that time period to discuss these themes. I used data from market survey's in La Paz, newspaper articles from Página Siete, and Tweets from the time period of the outbreak. My findings suggest that misinformation and medical mistrust affected public health measures, which has major implications for the way the public health field should address future public health events.

View Of Pakistani Residents Toward Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) During A Rapid Outbreak: A Rapid Online Survey, Khezar Hayat, Meagen Rosenthal, Sen Xu, Muhammad Arshed, Pengchao Li, Panpan Zhai, Gebrehaweria Kassa Desalegn, Yu Fang

Faculty and Student Publications

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a deadly disease that is affecting most of the countries worldwide. Public understanding, including knowledge about signs and symptoms, mode of transmission, and hygiene of COVID-19, is vital for designing effective control strategies during a public health crisis. The current study is aimed at investigating the public’s perspective about COVID-19, including their knowledge, attitude, and practices. Methods: A rapid online survey comprising 22 items was administered during the rapid outbreak of COVID-19 in Pakistan. Questions were focused on the prevention, transmission, clinical features, and control of …