Digital Commons Network^™

Nutritional Content Of Mississippi Child Care Centers Participating In The Child And Adult Care Food Program: 1995 To 2019, Katelyn Marie Inserra

Honors Theses

Childhood obesity rates are increasing in the United States and the condition is more prevalent in the Southeast than in other areas of the country. Children who are obese or overweight during childhood have a much higher chance of remaining overweight throughout their lives, and the best way to combat child obesity is through influencing young children’s nutrition patterns. Many children spend a significant amount of time in childcare outside of their home, which may be responsible for providing adequate nutrition for at least two meals per day. This study evaluated the menus of Mississippi childcare centers participating in the …

Student Perceptions On Being Assessed By The Actfl Opi Before And After Studying Abroad, Kayla P. Vonburg

Honors Theses

In this study I investigated students’ perceptions of being assessed with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) before and after studying abroad. This study aimed to determine if students’ study abroad experiences might affect their perceptions of being assessed by means of this exam and, if so, how. The participants were 96 college juniors and seniors who were International Studies majors at the University of Mississippi. Students in this program take a foreign language course every semester, study abroad for at least one semester, and take the ACTFL OPI before graduation. The …

Who's Liable? The Intersection Of Free Speech And Content Regulation On Social Media Platforms, Hayden Benge

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the developing legal environment surrounding speech liability, and the extent of free speech that goes with it, on social media platforms. As this new media has grown exponentially in the last decade, the legal questions facing the platforms have also expanded in range, from privacy to security to speech. By looking at the guiding statute, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, as well as the case law involving online intermediary liability, this project uncovers where the law currently stands and what critics point to as its greatest flaws. The current protection given to social media under …

The Last Of Anything, Malerie V. Lovejoy

Honors Theses

DR. MARCUS HALL BENNETT is lead archaeologist on a site in Northumberland, England dated after the Norman Conquest. The excavation seems standard until the discovery of Artifact XX.46.8.2, a collection of animal skins covered in writing. To translate the writing, Hall calls in DR. QUINN PRESTON, a linguist studying Middle English as a creole. As Quinn begins to analyze the writing, she realizes they have discovered a new pidgin—a perfect storm of changing language during a time of political upheaval. Through months of study, Quinn understands the text as a history of the tribe leading up to their extinction at …

Parents’ Perspectives On Early Intervention For Children With Speech And Language Delays, Alissa Ann Williams

Honors Theses

Parents play an important role in the success of a child’s language development. Further, research on early intervention has documented that parents can successfully learn and implement at-home therapy that results in positive language development of children with developmental disabilities. While the effectiveness of early intervention has been well-documented, there is little research exploring parents’ perspectives on early intervention and their involvement in therapy at home. The purpose of this study is to fill that gap by examining: 1) how informed and involved parents report feeling regarding their child’s therapy, 2) how parents perceive their relationship with their child’s speech-language …

Teacher Perceptions Of Arts Integration In Lower Elementary School Classrooms, Holly Kate Badger

Honors Theses

In this thesis, I will address the perceptions of elementary school teachers on the use of arts integration as a teaching practice in their classrooms and how those perceptions impact student performance. Throughout my student teaching experience this year, I engaged in a reflective practice of making field notes as I observed, assisted with, and taught arts-integrated lessons in a kindergarten classroom. Additionally, I conducted one-on-one interviews with three in-service teachers at the rural Mississippi elementary school in which I was placed. I made this a mixed methods study by adding a third source of data via an online questionnaire …

Staff Perceptions Of Healthy Eating Opportunities And Choices On A Southern University Campus, Rebecca Gwendolyn Miller

Honors Theses

Maintaining a healthy workforce can help an employer to save money in the long run, due to factors such as fewer health-related absences and higher employee productivity. Obesity, a disease with many factors, is accompanied by many comorbidities. Food and beverage choices can play a strong role in the development of obesity. The purpose of this study was to explore factors that influence staff eating behavior in a large university in the Southeastern United States, using a qualitative research design. Additionally, staff members provided possible solutions to improve the eating environment on the University’s main campus. Using a structured question …

A Compilation Of Accounting Case Studies, Madelyn Smith

Honors Theses

The following thesis is a compilation of case studies in various areas of financial accounting that I completed over the course of two semesters under the advisory of Dr. Victoria Dickinson. During the class we reviewed different case studies that focused on various accounting concepts and principles that we were learning about in Intermediate Accounting. After analyzing each case and having discussions about the material in class, we would complete questions that required us to understand conceptually and practically how the information provided to us would affect the company. We dealt with companies that followed U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, …

Descriptive Study Of Reading Comprehension Skills In Individuals With Down Syndrome, Katherine Hubbard

Honors Theses

Problem Statement: Previous research has documented that individuals with Down syndrome are able to read and have identified strengths and weakness demonstrated within the reading domain, but research on their reading comprehension abilities is scarce. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze strengths and weaknesses of reading comprehension in individuals with Down syndrome, including within the word identification and language comprehension subdomains. Methods: Reading comprehension, word identification, phonological decoding, language comprehension, vocabulary, and syntax were the dependent variables in this study. Nine standardized assessments/subtests were used to measure these variables in 11 adolescents and adults with Down syndrome. …

An Exploration Of Key Accounting Concepts Through Case Studies, Morgan L. Cannon

Honors Theses

Accounting is a profession characterized by precision, innovation, and evolution. In an everchanging environment, it essential to ascertain a firm foundation in understanding Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. The following case studies present extensive explanations to promote the understanding of key accounting concepts, preparation and analysis of financial statements, as well as spotlights special topics in the current accounting climate. These case studies contextualize critical accounting concepts to demonstrate the connection between the principles and standards presented in academia as they are adapted in practice. The case studies were completed under the direction …

Carbon Dioxide Reduction Using Redox-Active Macrocyclic Catalysts, Dawson Kendall Buettner

Honors Theses

The current energy crisis experienced by society today is in desperate need of a solution. Through carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction, we can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas that is warming our planet as well as create a source of renewable energy. Significant challenges currently inhibit the reduction of CO2 to more desirable products. Current limitations can be addressed through the design and synthesis of more efficient catalysts that are selective, durable, and operate close to the target thermodynamic potential of CO2 reduction. In this work, three redox-active macrocyclic ligands have been synthesized and studied for the development of potential …

A Self-Study Of Purposeful Grouping For Collaborative Learning, Allie Cameron Roberson

Honors Theses

Groups are commonly seen and used in mathematics classrooms. During my time student teaching, I have used what I call, “timely, flexible, dynamic, purposeful” groups. I call groups “purposeful” when there is a defined purpose for using them, there is an ability to change groups when needed, and the groups are formed from a timely assessment. During my self-study, I have looked at how I used these purposeful groups in my classroom, and how it differs from common group-types. I give an example of a specific class period, how I used the data from the opener to form purposeful groups, …

Sustainability In The Sanctuary: An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Christian Churches And The Environment, Katelyn Campbell

Honors Theses

Paper bulletins, weekly customized song sheets, disposable coffee cups—all parts of a regular communal church gathering on Sunday mornings. Where do these products go after the service is over and the pews are empty? Combining the topics of environmental sustainability and organized religion, this thesis explores how local churches view the intersection of environmental sustainability and faith practices in Oxford, Mississippi. Preliminary research has shown that while many global denominations publicly issue statements supporting environmental practices and encouraging sustainable behavior, often these statements are not effective in directly influencing a local church’s behavior as it relates to implementing environmentally sustainable …

There She Evolves: The Financial, Marketing And Journalistic Sustainability Of The Miss America Organization, Blair Wortsmith

Honors Theses

Adrian Phillips, a Pageant President and volunteer in the Miss America Organization for more than seven decades, stated that, “Things evolve. The press likes to refer to ‘changes,’ but most everything that has happened has been a precedent of something evolving. It comes by evolving and it disappears by evolving. And that has been the history of the Miss America Pageant” (Bivans). With the centennial anniversary quickly approaching and drastic changes made recently within the Miss America Organization, my Thesis examines the program’s evolution and evaluates its sustainability through finance, marketing and journalism perspectives. To do this, I drew information …

The Effect Of Instructional Expenditures On Student Outcomes: Evidence From St. Louis-Area Public School Districts, Noah Antle

Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to contribute to the broader conversation over the relationship between school spending and student outcomes. Using twenty-two public school districts in the St. Louis area, annual data on instructional expenditures and two measures of student outcomes (average composite ACT score and the percentage of high school graduates to enroll at a 2- or 4- year college or university within 180 days of graduation) was collected by request from the Missouri Department of Education and Secondary Education. Regression analysis was conducted with this data to determine whether or not raw changes in instructional expenditures per student or the …

[Female]: A Collection Of Profiles Featuring Influential, Inspiring, Modern American Women Who Have Made History, Tara Lyn Hawkins

Honors Theses

[FEMALE] is a collection of profiles that feature the stories of some of the most influential and inspiring modern American women and how they have influenced the world. The profiles look into the lives and careers of female athletes, entrepreneurs, political figures and entertainers who are currently alive in 2019. Each profile includes dialogue from recorded interviews with the featured women. The idea for this project came from wanting to learn more about the successful, influential role models in my life. To learn about the hardships and odds they overcame in order to achieve their dreams and become the women …

Analysis And Optimization Of A Triple Notch Ultra-Wideband Antenna, Caleb D. Keathley

Honors Theses

This paper analyzes a microstrip fed triple notch band Ultra-Wideband (UWB) antenna designed with an inverted pi slot and a Defected Microstrip Structure (DMS) Band-Stop Filter (BSF) from the design stage to the testing stage. This paper systematically steps through each phase of the antenna from simulation, to fabrication, and finally testing. The results of the simulation and testing phases are both compared to each other before comparing the entire project's results to the source paper's results. After determining the accuracy of the fabricated antenna, the paper discusses future avenues for optimization of an Ultra Wide-Band antenna.

6th-12th Grade Math Teachers And Their Experiences With The Mississippi College- And Career-Readiness Standards, Dorothy Reid

Honors Theses

This thesis identifies and describes 6th-12th grade math teachers and their experiences with the Mississippi College- and Career- Readiness Standards. There are two parts to this thesis: 1) a survey distributed to public school math teachers across the state and 2) the written thesis. In my thesis, I craft teacher narratives from the quantitative and qualitative results of the survey. Listening to the teachers’ narratives provides beneficial insights to the implementation of the MCCRS at the classroom level. Teachers have many different experiences. My thesis offers policy recommendations, based on the teacher narratives, to three levels of education: teachers, schools …

Evaluation Of School Wellness Policies Implementation As Measured By The Organizational Readiness To Change Theory, Elizabeth B. Quirk

Honors Theses

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity trends have been increasing drastically for the past twenty years. School wellness policies have been put into place to help decrease overweight and obesity prevalence. Analyzing a school’s organizational readiness to change for full implementation of wellness policies could identify areas that are contributing or hindering successful implementation of federal regulation of policies and policy outcomes. METHODS: This pilot study included 21 participants, all of whom served as a school wellness coordinator, either at the district or school level in Mississippi. Each participant completed a six-part questionnaire addressing school wellness policy implementation. Survey item development was …

Silent Majorities: The Brief History Of A Curious Term, 1920-1980, Jordan R. Holman

Honors Theses

This paper examines the use of the term “the silent majority” from 1920-1980, tracing the term from its roots in the prohibition and moral movements of the 1920s and 1930s, to its resurfacing in the 1950s in connection to race and integration, to finally Nixon’s popularization of the term. The sources in which the term was used as such were located through Google Books, the University of Mississippi’s One Search tool, and the Chronicling America database. The Google Ngram Viewer was also utilized in creating a graph that tracked the usage of “the silent majority” in digitized literature through the …

Generational Expressions Of Basque Nationalism, Mollie Bradford

Honors Theses

This work studies the difference in the expressions of Basque nationalism between the Basque youth and the older generations of the Basque population in the Basque Country of Spain, or Euskadi. I hypothesized that the Basque youth would express nationalism banally, or in everyday activities, while the older generations would be intentional and active in their expressions, due to the older generations’ experiences with the Franco regime and ETA, the Basque terrorist group. I researched using articles from a Basque newspaper, Euskal Irrati Telebista. I chose key words and searched through articles written in 2017. I also conducted a survey …

A New Consultation Service For Community Pharmacies? An Investigation Of Pharmacists' Perspective On Implementing A Weight Management Program, Shelby N. Strength

Honors Theses

Pharmacists are capable and interested in providing a targeted weight management intervention addressing the high rates, and associated risk, of obesity. A series of in-depth phone interviews with Mississippi community pharmacists were used to gain their perspective on a systematic approach for delivering a weight and obesity management service to patients. Using qualitative content analysis, three themes were identified and analyzed. These themes included: pharmacist’s perceptions of patient’s needs, program structural components, and pharmacist’s implementational needs. These findings can be used to expand the role of pharmacists, serve as a model for the development of other consultation services, improve health …

Dismantling The “Deep State”: The Evolution Of Legitimacy In The American Intelligence Community, Sydney Carol Stanard

Honors Theses

SYDNEY CAROL STANARD: Dismantling the “Deep State”: The Evolution of Legitimacy in the American Intelligence Community (Under the direction of Dr. John Winkle)

This thesis explores the nature of legitimacy and how it applies to the American intelligence community. The laws and regulations that allow the intelligence community to be a legitimate actor within the American democracy have changed over the years, and there have been periods where these safeguards have failed. I will examine how and why these legitimacy crises, were rectified in the past and how current legitimacy questions are affecting the intelligence community. My research is based …

Microadventures: Student-Empowered, Trauma Informed Outdoor Learning Projects, Jennifer Lyn Flaumenhaft

Honors Theses

This project began with colored Post-It notes and a classroom of Colby College students with a mission to promote student voice in an under-resourced rural elementary school. Lyn Mikel Brown’s Youth-Fueled Activism class paired with Transforming Rural Experience in Education (TREE), an organization that transforms rural communities into hubs for opportunity and civic empowerment.1 TREE uses trauma-informed principles to improve the school experience for students at Seabrook and Portside Elementary Schools. Our class worked with TREE to engage in curricular reform that reimagines learning in a way that promotes student voice. Our class took Maine Common Core State Standards and …

Do Global Cities Make Green Cities? How Global Governance Impacts Transportation In Bogotá And Medellín, Eleanor Jackson

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how global and local governance has combined to deliver effective and sustainable public transportation in cities by comparing Bogotá’s bus rapid transit (BRT) system, TransMilenio, with Medellín’s mass transit system, STIMVA, often referred to as Metro de Medellín. After considering the rationales used to justify local and global authority over climate change, this analysis problematizes the supposed benefits of empowering global and local actors by highlighting the conflicts of interest that plague the elites who mediate the global and the local. In analyzing the global and local interactions, this work draws from extensive literature to highlight three …

This Is Your Brain On Music: The Study Of Musical Influence On The Cognitive Mindset And Learning, Allysa N. Lipsey

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the use of musical influence on the brain with an emphasis on the effects on cognitive mindset and learning in mathematics education. It explores the idea of the use of different trials and methods to potentially unlock new knowledge about the brain through listening to music during in-class group work, individual work, and class assessments. It allows for an analysis of the music’s effect on the brain and creates discussion in multiple classrooms and age groups through the eyes of a participant observer in an ethnographic research scenario. By analyzing behaviors of body language, musical taste and …

State And Regional Comparisons Of Breastfeeding Policies And Rates: A National Study, Erin Johnson

Honors Theses

State legislation focused on promoting and supporting breastfeeding is relatively new, beginning in the 1990s. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is an association between state breastfeeding rates and state breastfeeding legislation and other institutional policies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releases breastfeeding report cards with the most up-to-date state breastfeeding rates. These reports are used to examine the relationship between state breastfeeding rates and number of breastfeeding policies passed by a state. Government initiatives, such as Healthy People Initiative, and organizational practices, such as Baby-Friendly USA Inc., are also studied to determine their …

Fungal-Algal Speed Dating: Exploring Symbiotic Potential Of Fungal-Algal Cocultures, Natalie S. Williams

Honors Theses

Symbiotic relationships are widely studied phenomena in the biological world. Of particular interest are the ubiquitous relationships that exist between fungi and photoautotrophs. While much is known about the commonly occurring interactions that persist between fungi and a wide range of terrestrial plants, we are interested in exploring the symbiotic capacity between fungi and earlier diverging lineages of the plant kingdom, notably green algae. We developed an experiment to allow for a medium-throughput analysis of fungal-algal interactions using three model green algae: Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella vulgaris, and Penium margaritaceum. With numerous replicated assays, these algae were individually paired with a …

Assessing The Effects Of Antioxidants On Oxidative Stress In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Via Protein Carbonylation, Dalton Sheffield

Honors Theses

Breast cancer is a highly complex, heterogeneous disease, and potential effective treatment options are being continuously researched in order to provide a method of halting cancer growth and metastasis. One area in particular involves alleviating oxidative stress within cancer cells. Oxidative stress is generally defined as an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant species in favor of the oxidants. Cancer cells use this oxidative stress to initiate carcinogenesis in cells through different mechanisms, and protein carbonylation is a primary biomarker used to quantify oxidative stress levels. Antioxidant compounds are those used to alleviate oxidative stress within cells. Here breast cancer cells …

Code-Switching Practices In The Foreign-Language Classroom: Instructor Nativeness And Students' Perceptions, Zachary Ty Gill

Honors Theses

In this study we investigated code-switching practices in the foreign language classroom among instructors who are native speakers of the target language (Spanish) and instructors who are non-native speakers of the target language, as well as students’ perceptions of L1 use. Participants were three college instructors of Spanish and 38 college students in an intermediate level Spanish course. The participants were observed and recorded during two hour-long classes involving group work. After the observations, the instructors completed an interview, and the students completed an online questionnaire. This study found that native instructors use less English than non-native instructors and the …