Digital Commons Network^™

Language Attitudes And The Learning Environment: The Effects Of Regional Dialect On Perceptions Of Teacher Credibility, Marissa C. Mcgillis

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate how differences in regional dialect affect students’ perceptions of teacher credibility. In a broader sense, the research aimed to improve teacher-student interactions by identifying communication barriers created through cultural differences. 109 students at the University of Southern Mississippi who identified as natives to the American South participated in the study. 52 of the participants listened to a lecture given by a Standard American English speaker, and the other 57 participants listened to the same lecture delivered in American Southern English. Both groups completed a survey with twelve seven-point semantic differential scales, measuring …

The Implications Of Rising Turnover And Voluntary Turnover Within The Federal Government, Laura E. Kirkman

Honors Theses

Human Resources (HR) is a dynamic, changing, and vital part of every business whether commercial or governmental. HR is also often left to deal with voluntary turnover and the difficulties it brings. This study focuses on the implications of rising turnover/voluntary turnover within the federal government. The aim of this study was to analyze the data collected by the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to determine the connections between turnover/voluntary turnover and demographic factors, workplace satisfaction factors, and organizational/relational factors within the federal government. This analysis examined the Fed Scope data from 2011 through 2016, and employee surveys …

Identifying Behavioral Response Trends Following Aggression In Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus), Breanna M. Cheri

Honors Theses

In group-living species, an individual’s response to aggression from another animal can reveal information about the complexities of their social relationships. The current study sought to categorize behavioral responses between conspecifics following direct aggression. Agonistic behavioral interactions were analyzed in a semi-captive group of bottlenose dolphins housed at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences, whose population dynamics mirror those observed in the wild. Interactions began at the onset of an aggressive behavior, and all concomitant behaviors between aggressor(s) and recipient(s) were coded chronologically for the length of each event. Results revealed five response types present following aggression: retaliation, reconciliation, avoidance, …

Decoding The Contents Of Working Memory Using Eeg Provides Evidence For The Sensory Recruitment Hypothesis, Allison L. Bruning

Honors Theses

Recent fMRI studies have shown that the contents of visual working memory can be decoded from early visual areas, including V1. This result has been interpreted as support for the sensory recruitment hypothesis: the idea that the neurons responsible for vision also sub-serve visual working memory and visual imagery. However, whereas these results imply that the same brain areas are responsible for vision and visual memory, they do not rule out the possibility that these processes rely on completely different populations of neurons within these areas. For example, although viewing and remembering an orientation might lead to the same global …

A Comparison Of Three Reading Interventions For Three Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alexandra D. Utley

Honors Theses

Brief experimental analyses (BEA) have been used in the present literature to identify the most effective reading strategy in increasing oral reading fluency (ORF) for typically-developing students. The current researcher extends the research by implementing three reading intervention to three children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to study whether a BEA is effective in identifying the most effective reading intervention for children with developmental disabilities. There were three interventions implemented throughout the duration of the study: Repeated Reading, Phrase Drill, and Contingent Reinforcement. Additionally, the present study implements an extended intervention (EA) to test the accuracy of the BEA results. …

Generation Of Mutant Snap-23 To Arrest Mast Cell Degranulation At Trans-Snare Complex Formation, Suzette Wafford-Turner

Honors Theses

Regulated secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules (e.g, histamines, proteases) from mast cells plays critical roles in immunity, allergic reactions, cardiovascular disease and cancer. These molecules are stored in secretory granules inside the cell and are rapidly released into the extracellular environment when mast cells are activated. It is known that mast cell degranulation depends upon membrane anchored SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleidimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors) and accessory proteins that form the trans-SNARE complex, a 4 helical bundle central to exocytic fusion. There are three SNARE proteins that contribute to the 4-helical bundle during exocytosis; Syntaxin and VAMP proteins each provide one helix …

Barfield, Kazik, Nazaykinskaya, And Beyond: A Discussion Of The Commission Process Regarding Trombone Literature, S. Kyle Moore

Honors Theses

There has historically been limited repertoire for trombonists to perform outside of orchestral writing—so limited that the first trombone solo recital was performed by Davis Shuman in 1947. The trombone has been present in the musical community since the mid-fifteenth century, yet it has only recently emerged as a unique, virtuosic instrument. Due to its delayed emergence and limited repertoire, the need to advance the instrument and its musical literature has led to the commission process between artists and composers: Interested parties approach composers with the prospect of writing music for compensation. In this manner, the composer is compensated for …

Production Of Antibodies For Specific Detection Of Dengue Virus-2 By Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, E. Ashley Thompson

Honors Theses

Dengue Virus (DENV) is a flavivirus spread by mosquitoes that are endemic in tropic and subtropic climates. It is the causative pathogen of Dengue Fever, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, and Dengue Shock Syndrome. Besides mosquito transmission, DENV can also be transmitted through blood transfusion. Due to the high expense and expertise needed to run tests like ELISA and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based-assays for DENV detection, a rapid, sensitive and cost effective gold nanoparticles mediated surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) assay has been developed as an alternative assay to detect DENV. In this project, I successfully produced a monoclonal antibody that specifically …

Ifrs In Higher Education: An Exploratory Study, Joshua A. Kalifeh

Honors Theses

Globalization of capital markets and technological advances enhancing global communications has led to the need for a set of international accounting standards. Comparability among financial statements prepared by numerous accounting standards depending upon the regulations of the country in which these statements are prepared is seriously impaired. Accordingly, serious convergence efforts have been made for the last few decades. Accordingly, higher education in the United States must reflect these changes in accounting curriculum available to students entering this environment. This exploratory study presents evidence that progress is being made in institutions. The progress, however, is not spread equally among the …

Delta Hands For Hope: A Force For Reconciliation And Sustainable Development In The Delta?, Mary D. Travis

Honors Theses

This case study focuses on the question of whether Delta Hands for Hope, a distinctive, possibly unique faith-based organization, is able to facilitate racial reconciliation and sustainable community development in the Delta community of Shaw. If so, is it a potential model for sustainable development for other communities of the Delta and beyond? This thesis builds on existing literature about sustainable development and development in the Mississippi Delta. The original, empirical research is based on Grounded Theory methodology, a participant/observer perspective, and data gathered through in-depth, open-ended interviews. This research work suggests that racial division is pervasive in every area …

Green Marketing Effects On The Consumer, Alice O. Townsend

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to gauge the influence of green marketing efforts directed at the consumer. Green marketing is a marketing strategy used by businesses that emphasizes the environmental improvements a company has implemented. Green marketing is not a new concept but it is one that is still relevant to consumers and companies alike as concern for the environment continues to grow. This particular study looks at a relatively new frontier for green marketing in how it appears on social media by testing brand perception and purchase intent of an environmentally conscientious social media post by a consumer …

Somos España: Building A New Spanish Identity, Lakelyn Taylor

Honors Theses

Establishing an identity is inherent to all individuals and communities. Sometimes creating an identity must be taken a step further by reconstructing a pre-existing identity in exchange for a more favorable one. Spain is currently undergoing a process to reconstruct part of their identity from being a nation with a lazy culture to one that is more progressive. Some Spanish rhetoricians perceive the best way to change Spain’s identity is to eliminate the tradition of siesta time. This study examines the rhetoric that agents utilize in order to create an audience that will help to rhetorically construct Spain’s new identity. …

Nurse Knowledge, Attitude, And Compliance Related To Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Ellen A. Suss

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine nurses’ knowledge of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the attitude they have towards patients with MRSA, and how well they comply with MRSA protocols. Forty-six nurses participated in this study. A questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude, and compliance was distributed via email to graduates of the University of Southern Mississippi. The survey had three sections to assess each variable, with 17 true/false questions about knowledge, 10 questions about attitude, and 6 questions about compliance. Overall, nurses in this study had adequate knowledge of MRSA, aside from overt lack of knowledge regarding antibiotic treatment. …

Predatory Nature And Food Preferences Among Captive Otolemur Garnettii, Morgan N. Ruby

Honors Theses

Observing the predatory nature in primates has yielded knowledge pertaining to their biology and evolutionary pathways; however, not many studies have focused on the complexities of their food preferences. This thesis focuses on food preferences among Garnett’s Greater Bushbaby (Otolemur garnettii): a small-bodied nocturnal primate native to Central and Southern Africa. Presented food options were raisins: dried mealworms and raisins: live mealworms. The population consists of fifteen bushbabies housed in The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Primate Behavior Research Facility. Ten trials of three different experiments were performed to identify the dominant hand and food preferences among the …

A Study Of Object Play In Captive Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus), Victoria L. Johnson

Honors Theses

Behaviors related to play are positively reinforcing as they promote the continued exhibition of play behaviors in a variety of animal species. Play in animals is thought to contribute to the development and practice of skills animals require across their lifespan (i.e., foraging, mating, etc.). In bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), several categories of play can be observed such as solitary play, social play, locomotor play, predatory play, and object play. The aim of the present study was to observe how variables of age-class, sex, object type, and play sociality influenced dolphin object play by utilizing video data from a …

A Retro Development In Education: Evaluating The Feasibility Of Integrating Place-Based Education Into Mississippi Curriculum Standards, Colby K. Mcclain

Honors Theses

This thesis evaluates the feasibility of integrating place-based environmental education activities from Think Green, Take Action: Books and Activities for Kids into the Mississippi Department of Education’s (MDE) Frameworks for Science and Social Studies for K-5. As children develop and experience the world, their ability to understand and interpret the surrounding environments expand; however, Mississippi schools are not focused on experiential environmental education, even though experiencing and understanding the surrounding environment is vital in fostering eagerness to learn. Due to a growing disconnect between humans and the natural world, this thesis examined 37 place- and environment-based activities for children, sixteen …

Sustainability Of Direct Sellers In Marketing, Ashten N. Holloway

Honors Theses

This paper examines the characteristics of people who are a good fit for a career in direct selling marketing as well as the characteristics of those who are not. It is also an examination of the motivations to join direct selling and the different levels of “success” that some may find in their careers as direct sellers. Some of the motivators for success came from emotional drives while some were situational. Analysis of the questionnaires given to each participant led to the discovery of three common determinants of what does make a successful direct seller and four determinants of characteristics …

African-American Perceptions Of Community-Oriented Policing Programs, Adrian L. Griggs

Honors Theses

Reports of police killings of unarmed African-American men have been commonly featured on the news in recent months. Protests in response to those incidents have occasionally turned into riots, and the tension between the minority community and police remains unchanged. There is always a racial variable implicit whenever the African-American community policing debate arises. Researchers have conducted studies on this challenge and have examined differences in perceptions of police officers between African Americans and other racial groups. Studies have been conducted that examine why there might be less satisfaction with police among African Americans but have not considered how these …

Efficient Denoising And Sharpening Of Color Images Through Numerical Solution Of Nonlinear Diffusion Equations, Linh T. Duong

Honors Theses

The purpose of this project is to enhance color images through denoising and sharpening, two important branches of image processing, by mathematically modeling the images. Modifications are made to two existing nonlinear diffusion image processing models to adapt them to color images. This is done by treating the red, green, and blue (RGB) channels of color images independently, contrary to the conventional idea that the channels should not be treated independently. A new numerical method is needed to solve our models for high resolution images since current methods are impractical. To produce an efficient method, the solution is represented as …

Religious Commitment, Job Satisfaction, And Social Acceptability Among Religious Groups, Kathryn E. Dozier

Honors Theses

This study seeks to develop a better understanding of the relationships between religious commitment, social support, and job satisfaction. This research specifically investigated the correlations between religious commitment and social support, religious commitment and job satisfaction, and social support and job satisfaction. After surveying undergraduate students from a southern university, there was no statistical evidence supporting the idea that the indicated combinations contributed to job satisfaction. The research did demonstrate, however, a correlation between religious commitment and social support. In addition, groups were tested for significant differences in levels of religious commitment, social support, and job satisfaction; the groups based …

A Survey Of Lake Thoreau’S Benthic Invertebrate Community, Elizabeth A. Dobronski

Honors Theses

This survey was conducted at the Lake Thoreau Environmental Center in Hattiesburg, MS. It began with four benthic samples taken in the deep area of the lake as well as four taken in the lake’s shallow area. Samples were taken with a 6”x6” Ekman Grab Sampler and filtered through a U.S. standard 30 mesh sieve (openings = 0.6 mm). The samples were initially stored in formaldehyde for 24 hours, and then transferred into ethanol. In the laboratory, macroinvertebrates were picked out of the samples while viewing the samples through a dissecting microscope. High densities of the phantom midge Chaoborus larvae …

Phylogenetic Relationships Of Salicaceae Based On Analyses Of Nuclear Dna Data, John Marshall Diffey

Honors Theses

Salicaceae are an economically and ecologically important family of flowering plants. The family includes willows and cottonwoods and was recently enlarged to include a large number of tropical species formerly placed in the family Flacourtiaceae. Relationships of these tropical relatives to willows and cottonwoods have been explored at a basic level using morphology and plastid DNA data, but to date no molecular phylogenies have been constructed with significant sampling of nuclear DNA, which sometimes results in a different picture of relationships because of its biparental inheritance. For this project, I sampled one region of nuclear DNA (GBSSI) across the family …

Jealousy And Romantic Relational Aggression Among Dating College Students, Ashlee A. Bryant

Honors Theses

Most of the research on relational aggression has been conducted with samples of older children and early adolescents and has focused primarily on same-sex peer relationships (Goldstein & Tisak, 2004). The aim of this study was to contribute to the relatively meager research on relational aggression in the context of college students’ romantic relationships by exploring the role of interpersonal jealousy. Participants included 377 undergraduate student volunteers (64 men and 313 women) ranging in age from 18 to 58 who were recruited through the Department of Psychology’s subject pool (i.e., Sona). The data were collected in the form of an …

Elucidating The Interplay Between Sodium Selenite On The Tick Amblyomma Maculatum Selenoprotein Gene Expression, Afnan M. Beauti

Honors Theses

Selenium (Se) is an element recognized as an essential micronutrient in eukaryote organisms. Selenoproteins contain selenium as selenocysteine, the 21st amino acid. Selenium plays a role in cell growth and functioning. At low concentrations, it can induce growth and at high concentrations, it can cause a cell to stop growing and potentially have toxic effects on the cell and organism. When selenium levels are high, oxidative stress results by the production of reactive oxidative species. Selenoproteins, however, can aid the antioxidant response in the cell. Ticks are arthropods of interest, as they are one of few that contain many selenogenes, …

The Effects Of Including Physical Activity In Classrooms With Children With Language Disorders, Shelby E. Auer

Honors Theses

As obesity becomes a rising concern in the United States and the importance of high test scores continues to add stress to students, physical activity opportunities are beginning to become less frequent in schools. The Center for Disease Control reports a total of 12.7 million children were classified as obese from 2011 to 2012 (CDC, 2015). While many researchers have also acknowledged this trend, the majority of studies focus on the correlation of physical activity in the classroom with increases in fitness and cognitive functioning levels among average population students, much like the research done by Webster, Russ, Vazou, Goh, …

Type 1a Supernova Models And Galactic Chemical Evolution, Spencer Henning

Honors Theses

Multiple models of type Ia supernovae are discussed, as well as the properties of white dwarf formation, electron degeneracy pressure, nucleosynthesis, and galactic chemical evolution (GCE). A GCE computer model is used to produce nuclear abundance data corresponding to Chandra (W7) and sub-Chandra (WDD2) type Ia supernovae models for Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, and Mn nuclei. Overall, a trend was found indicating that the WDD2 model had greater [x/Fe] abundance values than the W7 model at the end time of the model. Additionally, each model fit within total observed data, but observed data filtered to highlight white dwarf stars …

Delving Into Multicultural Literature With Inquiry, Juan Gonzalez

Honors Theses

This paper argues for the use of multicultural literature in the classroom, and puts forth a unit plan that uses critical literacy in an English 11 classroom, though it can be readapted to fit other grade levels. Bishop (1990) describes multicultural literature as a set of windows, that people use to view the experiences of others, and mirrors, that reflect and validate peoples’ experience, a core principal in this paper. Critical literacy is comprised of four dimensions (Lewison, Flint, & Van Sluys, 2002) that allows for analyzing literature in a different and meaningful way. The final part of this paper …

Camping For Children With Cerebral Palsy, Emily Scannell

Honors Theses

Children with cerebral palsy and their families may have needs that make camping difficult or seemingly inaccessible. Through an explanation of the research backing the benefits of camping, this paper makes it clear that camping is a worthwhile activity that can be optimized through modifications. Understanding cerebral palsy and the steps of basic camping activities, it is possible to create modifications to increase family and child wellness while camping. Through a hypothetical case study, a specific look can be had at the ways to prepare for an optimal camping experience- from adapted equipment, to modified preparatory strategies. Through a review …

Tales From The "Bad Ras", Narisse Martin

Honors Theses

The life of a Resident Assistant is anything and everything except dull. From training to duty nights, to suitemate mediations and the end of a contract, each day is a story that most others rarely understand, if it is even believed. From these experiences came a collection of short stories, fictionalized accounts of what it is like to be a Resident Assistant in the average American public university.

For four RAs, the stories of their Residence Life incidents are day in the life for them, even if not the day in the life they expected at the start of the …

Health Benefits Of A Plant-Based Diet, Jenna Jackson

Honors Theses

While the rise and spread of Western culture has created remarkable advances in science, healthcare, and technology, it has also brought about a variety of chronic diseases that never once existed. Much of these ailments can be attributed to the typical Western diet, which places heavy emphasis on meats, dairy, and refined grains, contrasting the typical Eastern or Oriental diet which primarily focuses on fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains. This dietary transition has resulted in increased glycemic load, increased levels of unhealthy fats and cholesterol, decreased micronutrient and fiber levels, and skewed acid-base and sodium-potassium ratios. All of these …