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Following A Family Tradition - Journey To Commencement, Edwin Smith

Journey to Commencement

Ph.D. candidate Prabhdeep Sandha is a third-generation postgraduate

Foster A Better Future: A Comparative Analysis Of Foster Care Programs For Transition-Age Foster Youth And A Recommendation For The State Of Mississippi, Caroline Glaze

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to find and evaluate different programs aimed at

supporting older youth in foster care. This population of youth could be those in

high school and extends to youth who have aged out of the foster care system.

Through the evaluation of the selected programs based on a set of characteristics,

the study provides a policy recommendation for the state of Mississippi to begin to

better the lives of Mississippi foster youth. The methodology of this study is

qualitative and literature-based. Data was gathered from websites and other

published articles of the selected programs and …

A Study Of The Social Credit Score System And The Implications It May Have In Chinese Society, Glennis Mcwilliams

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the social credit score (SCS) system of China and the implications that it may have in Chinese society. The SCS is a revolutionary accountability system that is touted to ascertain a person’s trustworthiness of a person. An individualized score is produced by a complex algorithm which takes into account both social and financial behaviors. My research, comprised primarily from secondary qualitative data, discusses the SCS system and analyzes the political, social, and economic implications that the SCS may have on Chinese society. Conflict theory is utilized to help contextualize my findings and explain the increase in authoritative …

Teacher Evaluation Of An Integrated Nutrition Curriculum For Mississippi Schools, Janiya A. Davis

Honors Theses

The prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States has more than tripled over the last four decades from 5 percent in 1978 to 18.5 percent in 2016, and according to the Mississippi Obesity Action Plan, 40.4% of Mississippi elementary school children (grades K-5) were either overweight or obese. Some reports have suggested that Mississippi’s overall obesity rate could reach 66.7% by 2030. Although the literature on best practices for the prevention of this condition is limited, some success has been achieved through the use of school-based nutrition interventions, in which children are taught how to make healthy food choices. …

Is Fitspiration Truly An Inspiration? How Social Media Accounts Dedicated To Fitness And Nutrition Affect Physical Activity Levels And Body Image Among College Students, Anna Bowles

Honors Theses

Fitspiration accounts on social media are established to influence those that view or follow them to live a healthier lifestyle. However, just because these accounts are being viewed does not mean that the individuals are following the advice of these influencers. The purpose of this study is to gather data on how physical activity levels and body image are affected by the use, or knowledge of “fitspiration,” or inspiration on fitness and nutrition, accounts on social media among students at the University of Mississippi. The participants were 361 undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 25 at the University …

The Teaching Of Performance Enhancing Drugs In U.S. Schools And Colleges Of Pharmacy, Sara Dorothy Green

Honors Theses

The teaching of performance enhancing drugs in U.S. schools and colleges of pharmacy is necessary to better help patients who are athletes especially those who compete in high-level athletics such as the Olympics or the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). There is no master list for banned substances, they differ for each organization and have many exceptions. Pharmacists can play a key role in preventing unintentional disqualifications of athletes as there are many medications considered performance enhancing drugs including some supplements and stimulants. For example, commonly used cold medications may contain pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, a banned substance in the world of …

Perceptions Of School Nutrition Standard Rollbacks By Child Nutrition Program Directors In Mississippi, Payton Meadows

Honors Theses

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 established national nutrition standards for school meals, these standards included mandates for whole grain serving requirements and sodium and flavored milk restrictions. In 2017, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture relaxed the standards allowing schools to serve 1% flavored milk, half of grains offered as refined grains, and halted reduction of sodium standards. This study investigated perceptions of child nutrition program directors in Mississippi regarding these changes. An online survey was used to assess Mississippi child nutrition program directors’ perceived barriers to implementation of the original standards and their perceptions of the recent changes …

Ectomycorrhizal Fungi And Effects Of Soil Microbes Associated With Slash Pine Encroachment Into Native Longleaf Pine Habitat, Madison Brooke Woodruff

Honors Theses

Biological invasions can cause substantial changes to the environment: indigenous species can be reduced or even eliminated, soil characteristics shifted, and nutrient cycles altered. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are thought to be key biological controllers of some plant invasions, especially benefiting Pinus species in invasions at exotic sites, but less is understood about the role of ECM fungi and other soil microbes in encroachment by one plant species into the habitat of another in their native ranges. In this study, soil was collected from three habitats in southern Mississippi, USA: native slash pine maritime forest, longleaf pine savanna encroached by slash …

Baseline Health Assessment Of A Rural Delta Community, Sydney Mitchell

Honors Theses

The Lower Mississippi Delta is characterized by poverty, chronic health issues, health disparities, and food insecurity. The rural Delta communities are primarily African American, experiencing disproportionately higher rates of poverty, job loss, and chronic health problems. Historically, chronic health issues have persisted in these areas over time, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, which have only seemed to increase in this region. The food environment in this rural region tends to assist in the creation of the largely obesogenic population which, in turn, contributes to the increased prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and a lower quality of life. Many residents in …

Examining The Institution Of Public Health: The Case Of The James C. Kennedy Wellness Center, Hannah Hoang

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to function as an analysis of the James C. Kennedy Center and the impact capacity the Center has on community health and wellness in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. Poor health is a global problem that is especially prominent in Tallahatchie County which ranked 81st out of 82 Mississippi counties in 2012. This thesis used institutional theory to explain the relationship between the Center and public health. Through interviews and data analysis, a broad evaluation was performed on the Center’s programs and community impact. Results showed that the Kennedy Center has made a large impact in improving the health …

The Nightmare Before Delivery: A Study Of Nightmares, Depressive Symptoms, And Suicidality In Pregnant Women, Denise Frantz

Honors Theses

Pregnancy is notoriously a time of immense changes. Some of which are characterized by disturbances in sleep such as trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, waking after sleep onset, snoring, leg discomfort, and nightmares (Foley, Ancoli-Israel, Britz, and Walsh, 2004; Lee and Gay, 2004; Köthe & Pietrowsky, 2001). Nightmares specifically have been associated with depressive symptoms and suicidality in non-pregnant individuals (Cukrowicz et al., 2006; Tanskanen et al., 2001), but these relations are not as well understood in the pregnant population. The aim of this study was to assess any potential relation between nightmares and depressive symptoms and suicidality in …

Effects Of Prolonged Downhill Running On Upper Body Muscle Functions, Robert J. Benton

Honors Theses

Downhill running exercise has shown damaging effects on the lower body muscles. However, its effects on the remote nonlocal upper limb muscle’s neuromuscular functions are not well studied. Purpose: To examine the potential effects of a 1-hour downhill running exercise on the elbow flexor muscle neuromuscular functions and performance. Methods: Seventeen healthy and physically active young adults (Control: n = 9; Running: n = 8) participated in and completed this study. The Control group rested for 30 minutes while the Running group performed 1-hour of downhill running at a 10% decline on a treadmill. Before (Pre), immediately after (Post), 24 …

The Effects Of Alpha-Tocopherol And Ascorbic Acid On Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells, Scout Treadwell

Honors Theses

Breast cancer is a multifaceted, complex disease that affects hundreds of thousands of patients every year. Although there has a been a decline in the mortality rate of this disease, it is still vital to investigate and discover new possible treatments. One area of research involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells and the possibility of ROS-induced apoptosis. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E have been shown to serve as pro-oxidants. Instead of detoxifying the cell from damaging ROS, these compounds can stimulate ROS production, triggering an apoptotic cascade in the cell. In this …

Socioeconomic Status And Symptoms Of Anxiety And Depression In Pregnant Women, Meagan Mandabach

Honors Theses

Pregnancy is a period of great change in a woman’s body as her baby develops. During this period, women commonly experience symptoms of anxiety (Dennis et al., 2017) and depression (Shidhaye & Giri, 2014). Literature has suggested that socioeconomic status (SES) can contribute to the severity at which pregnant women experience anxiety and depression (Arora & Aeri, 2019; Field et al., 2008; Shagufta & Shams, 2019), and women of low socioeconomic status may be more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy (Field et al., 2008). The present study aimed to assess the relationships between household income …

Breast Cancer Sub-Clones That Metastasize To Lung And Bone Exhibit Different Metabolic Preferences, Mollie Merrell

Honors Theses

Metastasis is responsible for the majority of cancer related deaths. In breast cancer the lungs and bones are the major sites for metastasis. Previous studies used the metastatic aggressive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer line to isolate sub-clones that preferentially invade the lungs (LM line) or bones (BoM line). While genes associated with the tissue specific metastasis have been identified, it is unknown if metabolic adaptations contribute to the growth of the LM and BoM lines in their respective organs. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that the LM and BoM lines exhibit differences in glucose and glutamine …

Education In Liberal Political Theories, Amy Cain

Honors Theses

This paper examines two sources of conflict within the literature on education in liberal political theories: the proper justifications for a state-mandated education and the necessary standard for education in a liberal state. After arguing that a liberal state must offer a child-centered justification for the universal mandate and uphold an equality standard of education, this paper proceeds to examine two common objections to such a system of compulsory education in a liberal state. This paper concludes that the perennial objections based upon concerns for familial rights and pluralism do not present a significant obstacle for incorporating a system of …

Measuring The Accessibility Of Mississippi High Schools' School Wellness Policy Documents, Samikshya Thapa

Honors Theses

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern and its

prevalence is increasing. Since children spend much of their time in schools, programs available in this setting can play an important role in promoting student health and reducing obesity. With the purpose of addressing childhood obesity, the U.S. Congress passed the Healthy Hunger Free Kids (HHFK) Act, 2010, which strengthened the mandate and regulations for schools to develop and implement School Wellness (SW) policies put into place to promote students health. Transparency and accessibility of SW policies among schools and public communities are important and required for the development …

Smoke And Mirrors: Policy Solutions For Deterring Adolescent Use Of Nicotine Electronic Cigarettes, Austin Davis Fiala

Honors Theses

In recent years, there has been a dramatic spike in the number of adolescents that regularly use nicotine electronic cigarettes. As recently as 2019, a large outbreak of e- cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injuries was observed in adolescents, leading many to question the safety of these devices, particularly when use by adolescents. By way of a literature review, this thesis will examine the history of nicotine and electronic cigarettes in the United States, as well as existing data on the nature of nicotine electronic cigarettes and the ways in which they are marketed.

From these findings, it is …

Examining The Possibilities Of Telehealth In Tallahatchie County, Taran Carrasco

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to analyze Tallahatchie County and determine the feasibility of establishing a telehealth program in the county. Telehealth is an evolving aspect in the medical field that incorporates technology with healthcare. This thesis used sociotechnical theory to explain how the feasibility of telehealth could be made more likely as the technology is used over time.Through interviewing UMMC telehealth directors, Tallahatchie Wellness center workers, and citizens of Charleston, this study aims to gauge professional and personal opinions on how feasible it would be to implement telehealth into the Charleston community, as well as how positively telehealth would be accepted …

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 …

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 …

An Evaluation Of Community Based Food Intervention: Cooking Matters In Charleston, Ms, Lindsay Fournier

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Cooking Matters classes in producing improvement in individuals’ cooking skills and confidence, as well as their eating behaviors, shopping skills, and perceptions of cooking in rural Charleston, MS. These classes have reported great success in more urban areas such as Atlanta, GA; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington, DC; however, different challenges may be faced in rural Mississippi. To study the effectiveness of the interventions in a new context, pre- and post-intervention self-report surveys were performed and evaluated using Wilcoxon statistical analysis as well as paired sample t tests, and bootstrap …

Blood Glucose Levels Of Esports Athletes During High Intensity Gaming, Gunner Rhoden

Honors Theses

Given the rise in popularity of Esports, it is important to better understand the relationship between Esports and the human body. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between blood glucose levels and performance in Esports. Ten undergraduate students (9 male, 1 female; age = 20.3±1.2 years; BMI = 28.8±7.6; Esports mean hours per week = 18.9±14.3) were recruited from the Esports club at the University of Mississippi. Blood glucose levels were measured using a HemoCue Glucose 201 Analyzer (Angelhome, Sweden) a total of 8 times (4 per session). After the completion of an initial familiarization session, …

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 …

Faculty Member Honored As Outstanding Dietetics Educator, Halleigh Derrick

University of Mississippi News

Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognizes Janie Cole for contributions to the field

An Evaluation Of The Eating Behaviors Of Honors College Undergraduate Students At The University Of Mississippi, Anna Bouthillier

Honors Theses

Eating disorders are defined as an illness that changes one’s relationship with food, that ultimately affects one’s emotions, thoughts, and physical well-being. Three types of eating disorders most commonly diagnosed are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and disordered eating. It is important to note that disordered eating is a term used to describe abnormal eating behaviors and feelings related to food that may or may not fall into a certain diagnostic category (Anderson, 2018). Many college students today are diagnosed with an eating disorder or disordered eating as a result of the increasing anxiety and pressures experienced at this age.

The …

Food Insecurity Resources At The University Of Mississippi, Summer Jefferson, Anne Cafer, Georgianna Mann

APCRL Policy Briefs

Food security is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as, "access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle." Estimates of food insecurity on college campuses range from 19-46%, but 20-25% of students who are not classified as food insecure still report anxiety about food shortage. The purpose of this policy brief is to contextualize the results from research on the campus awareness of the Ole Miss Food Bank and the nutritional analysis of the Food Bank's offerings.

Covid‐19 Response: Feeding Mississippi Children During School Closure, Emily Broad Leib, Suzanne Donahue, Emma I. Scott

Delta Directions: Publications

Across the country, states have needed to use school closures and remote learning as strategies for reducing the spread of COVID‐19. On April 14, 2020, Mississippi leaders announced that children would stay home from their school facilities for the rest of the academic year. Extended school closures make it difficult to meet children’s nutritional needs: students who rely on free and reduced‐price meals from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) lose their best source of daily nutrition. About 74% of Mississippi public school students qualify for free or reduced‐price meals; the change could thus negatively …

Weaving Charlotte's Web: An In-Depth Guide To Cannabidiol, Lauren Pitts

Honors Theses

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, first gathered national spotlight after Charlotte Figi and her mother Paige were able to find two physicians willing to prescribe CBD to treat Charlotte’s seizures. Charlotte suffered from Dravet Syndrome, but was able to find relief from CBD, which decreased the number and severity of her seizures. This sparked national interest and was the catalyst that lead to research and changes surrounding CBD uses and legality. Cannabidiol is a single cannabinoid that is found within the Cannabis sativa plant family—the same family that includes marijuana. This cannabinoid differs from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and does not provide …

Graduate Student Lends A Green Thumb For Families In Need, Sarah Sapp

University of Mississippi News

School of Applied Sciences unveils new public health and health sciences program amidst crisis