Digital Commons Network^™

Computational Modeling Of Lamina Cribrosa Biomechanics, Lydia Schwartz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The lamina cribrosa is a critical structural component of the optic nerve head and is believed to play a central role in the development of glaucoma. Understanding how its geometry and microarchitecture influence the mechanical behavior is essential for improving computational models of the optic nerve head. However, the complex structure of the lamina cribrosa presents a difficult challenge for experimental and computational investigations. In this study, two computational modeling approaches were developed to investigate the influence of structural representation on lamina cribrosa biomechanics. A curvature-based continuum model was used to examine the effects of the anterior surface geometry, parameterized …

Customizable Acoustic Array Processor Using System-On-Chip Device, Aidan Stanford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recently, a number of System-On-Chip (SoC) devices have been released that combine conventional microprocessors with a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) in the same package. While these devices have had success in other scientific fields, there is still much to explore regarding their applications to acoustics. Their flexibility in configuration may prove very useful in cases where upstream audio acquisition hardware must be changed on the fly, or when a scientist may decide to change parameters of their processing task. To explore the application of these devices to acoustic sensing, we investigate the use of a Xilinx SoC device to implement …

Iterative Decoding For Sccpm With Markov And Hidden Markov Sources, Zhijie Guo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) is an excellent digital modulation scheme recognized for its constant envelope property, continuous phase transitions, and inherent memory. These characteristics enable excellent spectral and power efficiency, allow compatibility with nonlinear amplifiers, and make CPM particularly attractive for power- and bandwidth-constrained applications such as satellite and deep space communications. Serially Concatenated Continuous Phase Modulation (SCCPM) with iterative decoding further improves error performance, and its flexibility enables it to evolve alongside state-of-the-art channel coding technologies and show significant potential for performance enhancement.

This dissertation investigates SCCPM systems with binary Markov and Hidden Markov Model (HMM) data sources and …

Predicting Future Positions Based On Spatiotemporal Data, Andrew John Heskett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how different multi-agent prediction architectures perform when forecasting future player positions in soccer using only ball and player coordinate data, with-out relying on pretrained knowledge of soccer rules or tactical concepts. Spatial positioning is a fundamental part of soccer and is often a defining characteristic of high-level players. However, there is still no fully deterministic method for evaluating how effectively a player uses space. As multi-agent trajectory prediction methods have improved over the last decade, it has become increasingly feasible to develop systems that can analyze and eventually grade player movement. A necessary first step toward that …

The 6th United States Volunteer Infantry: The Last Of The Galvanized Yankees, Seth Ihde

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the formation, service, post-war life, and impact of the 6th United States Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This regiment and the five preceding it consisted of Confederate POWs who enlisted in the Union Army between 1864 and 1865. The project intersects with a few different historiographies, including Confederate nationalism/dissent and the military’s role in westward expansion. The 6th was formed from soldiers in Camp Douglas, Illinois, Camp Morton, Indiana, and Camp Chase, Ohio. The soldiers were predominantly young and poor southern farmers. These men represent a form of southern dissent to Confederate nationalism and the claims of the Lost …

Physicochemical Interactions At The Ionic Liquid-Polymer-Biological Nanointerface, Sara Xuan Edgecomb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Treatment of central nervous systems (CNS) disorders remains a critical challenge in drug delivery. The blood brain barrier (BBB) is an obstacle preventing targeted delivery. Small and large drug molecules are unable to cross the BBB, highly limiting drug therapies. Only invasive techniques and symptom care are currently employed for neurological diseases.

This demands an innovative drug delivery approach to improve efficiency of targeted delivery to the brain, hence polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) being a promising solution. With their advantageous tunability, they can encapsulate various biomolecules and perform specific targeting. Ionic liquids (ILs) have become a novel surface modification of NPs …

Foundations And Scope Of Moral Standing, Vikas Beniwal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the foundational grounds of moral standing. I contend that sentience, while frequently cited as the primary criterion, lacks sufficient justification when asserted as a necessary condition. I propose an alternate feature as sufficient grounds of moral standing.

That Song Sounds Familiar: An Analysis Of U.S. Copyright Considerations In Popular Music, Jessica Johnson

Honors Theses

Much of popular music has started to bear resemblance to songs of the past as artists rely on techniques, including sampling and interpolations, to ensure their song is a guaranteed hit. But what are the legal implications behind that, and is the line between inspiration and copying getting blurred? This thesis aims to consider the precedent of copyright law as applied to modern musical works and how the landscape of popular music has evolved over time to raise more copyright concerns. It also looks at two modern case studies of musical inspiration that have resulted in legal claims: the song …

Picc-Pal: A Support Band For Independent Picc Line Use, Kylie Luker

Honors Theses

This project presents the design and evaluation of PICC-PAL, a wearable assistive device intended to improve independence and usability for patients managing peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) at home. Current at-home PICC line management often requires help due to the fine motor skills needed to connect and secure tubing. This increases reliance on caregivers and introduces potential risks such as infection and dislodgement. Through stakeholder analysis, prior art evaluation, and iterative prototyping, a device was developed to stabilize the PICC line lumen and enable one-handed connection of medical tubing. Throughout the project, multiple design concepts were explored, with the …

April 30, 2026, The Daily Mississippian

Daily Mississippian (all digitized issues)

No abstract provided.

Storytelling Ai Could Help Identify Loneliness, Depression In Elders, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Social isolation and loneliness produce serious impacts on mental and physical health, and older adults are likely to experience these conditions. A new project aims to use artificial intelligence to help identify loneliness of older adults as they tell the stories of their lives.

Navigating Uncertainty: A Deep Insight Into Tariffs’ Effects On The Automotive Industry, Gavin J. Gautier

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to address the financial, strategic, and external effects caused by tariffs within the automotive industry, with a specific focus on the effects caused by the Section 232 tariffs imposed on aluminum and steel. More Specifically this thesis will examine a comparative analysis of General Motors between 2017 and 2018 during the Section 232 enactment. While traditional studies tend to observe the input-cost effect, my hope is to examine the broader effects at the firm-level, such as inventory shifts, cost management, and risk hedging procedure. Through an evaluation of GM’s 10-K filings, key financial ratios, …

The Use Of Cognitive Biases In Russian Cyber Operations, Emma Manning

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how Russia has employed reflexive control through cyber operations to influence decision-making in foreign states, focusing on disinformation campaigns during the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Reflexive control, a concept rooted in Russian military doctrine, seeks to shape an adversary's perceptions and decision-making by providing carefully crafted information that leads targets to make choices favorable to the initiator. This research argues that while the fundamental objectives of reflexive control have remained consistent, technological advances have significantly expanded Russia's ability to conduct operations in developing cyber domains.

Using qualitative analysis of open-source intelligence, …

What You Need To Know For Ole Miss 2026 Commencement Week, Eli Bryant

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi is set to celebrate its 173rd Commencement ceremonies, celebrating more than 5,800 graduates, with Convocation set for 9 a.m. May 10 in the Grove.

Mississippi Coastal Bacterial Community Response To Lowered Salinty, Jackson C. Sues

Honors Theses

Microbial communities are essential to the function of coastal ecosystems; however, few studies have examined their response to short-term reductions in salinity. This study used a microcosm approach to examine how decreased salinity over five days affected seawater bacterial community composition, diversity, and richness. Microcosms were assigned to three treatments: unmanipulated seawater (control) collected from the Mississippi coast, seawater amended with natural freshwater, and seawater amended with sterilized freshwater. Length of time bacteria spent in the microcosms was found to have the strongest effect on bacterial community composition, while salinity effects were weaker but still statistically significant. All treatments shifted …

Alkaloid Profiling Of Narcissus Poeticus L. Bulbs And Their Inhibitory Activity Of Cholinesterases, Maël Gainche, Isabelle Ripoche, Elodie Jagu

Oxford ICSB

The Amaryllidaceae family is well known for its rich diversity of alkaloids, including lycorine- and galantamine-type structures with potent cholinesterase inhibitory properties. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical composition and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of alkaloids isolated from Narcissus poeticus L., a species native to the botanically rich Auvergne region of France. Phytochemical analysis and bioguided fractionation of bulb extracts led to the identification of three known alkaloids, pseudolycorine, norgalantamine, and 2-O-(3’-hydroxybutanoyl)-lycorine, as well as a newly characterized tetrahydroquinoline derivative, poeticine A. The inhibitory activities of these compounds against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) were assessed using both a standard …

Evaluation Of Fasted And Fed Gastrointestinal Transformation Of Withania Somnifera Plant Extracts And Bioactive Compounds Via Uplc-Ms/Ms And Untargeted Metabolomics, Sarah Barr, Wendy Strangman, R. Thomas Williamson, Amala Soumyanath, Melissa Bollen

Oxford ICSB

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a widely consumed botanical supplement recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties. Despite its extensive use, limited information exists on how its complex chemical composition changes during gastrointestinal digestion. An untargeted UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics approach enables analysis of discrete changes in complex mixtures. Previous in vitro studies of W. somnifera relied on simulated gastric and intestinal models composed primarily of buffers and digestive enzymes. This study advances those methods by incorporating bile salts and phospholipids under fasted and fed conditions to better simulate physiological digestion of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of W. somnifera root and leaf. …

The Evolution And Impact Of Fashion Marketing In The Age Of Social Media, Lillie L. Warrington

Honors Theses

This research paper aims to analyze the effect of social media on consumer behavior in fashion marketing by investigating how fashion brands have adapted their strategies to leverage social media platforms effectively and exploring the role of social media influencers in shaping brand perception and consumer loyalty. By addressing these objectives, this research seeks to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on digital marketing in the fashion industry, offering valuable insights.

The study will be conducted through a comprehensive review of existing research and primary research, including a survey of 143 participants, to better understand how social media affects …

Jtc 26: Finding His Purpose At Ole Miss, Michael Newsom

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2026 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.

Ginsenoside-Based Theranostic Agents For Alzheimer's Disease: Implications For Brain Penetration, Cellular Uptake, And Anti-Aging Effects, Hak Soo Choi

Oxford ICSB

Red ginseng and its bioactive constituents, ginsenosides, have long been associated with neuroprotection and anti-aging effects, yet their limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and poorly characterized biodistribution have hindered therapeutic translation. To address this, we developed a library of “ginsenoprobes” by conjugating major red ginseng components (Rg1, Rg3, Rb1, Rh2, Rk1, Rg5) and red ginseng extract (RGE) to a zwitterionic near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore (ZW800-1C), enabling real-time tracking of their fate in vitro and in vivo. All ginsenoprobes were purified to >95% homogeneity via preparative HPLC and rigorously characterized for optical properties, including molar extinction coefficients and dye-to-ginsenoside …

Yeast As A "Microbial Factory", Kaila Fuller, Betsy Jean Yakes

Oxford ICSB

Yeast are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms that are members of Kingdom Fungi, and in the world of dietary supplements, yeast qualify as a dietary ingredient as a botanical. During fermentation, yeast naturally produce byproducts that can be harvested, purified, and sold in a dietary supplement. Advances in biotechnology have allowed for genetic modification of yeast so that yeast can produce large quantities of native or non-native constituents during fermentation, effectively making yeast a “microbial factory” for various chemicals. Chemicals produced this way can qualify as a dietary ingredient as a constituent of a botanical. Relevant examples of past submitted notifications (public …

Math In Melody: How Music Strikes A Chord With Memory And Learning, Aidan V. Waters

Honors Theses

As a result of personal curiosity, this thesis seeks to understand the current status of music integration within educational settings, discussing its importance and potential impact. By considering existing literature, it analyzes music’s effectiveness in K-12 education, particularly within the mathematics classroom. Based on the current body of research, the study identifies three key features of music integration: its effectiveness as an energizer, a memory tool, and a means of creating structure within the classroom. Building on these findings, a proposed ten-day, music-integrated Algebra I unit on functions is presented, applying the research in a variety of ways. The unit …

Um Joins Regional Universities To Create Mid-South Ai Consortium, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – With the signing of a new regional agreement today (April 20), the University of Mississippi is joining forces with partner institutions to position the Mid-South as a national hub for applied artificial intelligence research.

Jtc 26: Making The Leap From Patient To Provider, Emily Howorth

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2026 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.

Causes, Effects, And Solutions Of Wrongful Convictions, Allison B. Gobuzzi

Honors Theses

This study examines the wrongful conviction of Anthony Hinton and other examples that illustrate the causes of wrongful convictions in the United States and the effects that wrongful convictions have on the wrongfully accused and their families. This study uses research from scholarly articles and legal cases to analyze the factors that contribute to wrongful convictions and the impact on the wrongfully accused and their families. The research concludes that wrongful convictions are frequently the result of both evidentiary and procedural issues within the criminal justice system.

Hotty Toddy To The Moon And Back, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – A University of Mississippi mechanical engineering degree helped alumna Addison McNutt get astronauts around the dark side of the moon.

April 16, 2026, The Daily Mississippian

Daily Mississippian (all digitized issues)

No abstract provided.

Ole Miss Goldwater Scholar Searches Molecules For Life's Origins, Marvis Herring

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Sealed in the frozen dust of a distant comet, there may be a molecule that helps explain how life began.

April 9, 2026, The Daily Mississippian

Daily Mississippian (all digitized issues)

No abstract provided.

University Recognizes Top Researchers, Scholars With Annual Awards, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi recognized nine outstanding faculty members Tuesday (April 7) at the second annual Chancellor's Awards for Research and Creative Scholarship.