Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Additive Manufacturing On Canine Hind Limb Repairment Surgery, Annabel Keers

Honors Theses

The intention of this project is to explore some of the ways that additive manufacturing is affecting veterinary medicine. I will specifically be delving into canine hind limb repairment surgeries, such as cranial cruciate ligament reconstruction. 3D printed prototypes have been utilized in the human medical field for quite a while, and it has inspired such technology to expand into the world of veterinary medicine. Such emerging research is expected to take-off as the pet market grows in size and level of care for the health of our animals.

I took special interest in this field as I will be …

Framing Identity: Russian Media In The Baltics As A Mechanism Of Soft Power, Jackson Mcarthur

Honors Theses

Societal tensions surrounding language, national identity, collective memory, citizenship, and integration exist between the titular Baltic population and Russian speakers living in the Baltic states (Simons, 2015). The Russian government has tried to exploit these tensions via non-violent yet subversive political and cultural influence—or “soft power”—with limited success, particularly through Russian-language media (Kudors, 2015). While many scholars have focused on the reception of Russia’s soft power among the Baltic Russian-speaking population, which has been primarily ineffective at advancing Russia’s political goals (Cheskin, 2015; Kallas, 2016; Coolican, 2021), few have analyzed Russian-language media as a mechanism of Russian soft power in …

Moca Normative Data On Young Adults Using An Adapted Version And Remote Administration Via Zoom, Elizabeth Johns

Honors Theses

Overview:

Cognitive decline is often associated with the emergence of dementia and other negative developments in health. Due to the potential for harm that cognitive decline can cause, it is essential that clinicians are able to detect and identify when it is occurring. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is useful clinically mainly because of the test’s ability to identify mild cognitive impairment. Following the pandemic in 2020, telehealth has become prominent. Previous studies considering MoCA have mostly used samples of older adults, but it is important to understand the impact of traumatic brain injuries on young adults. The following study …

Climate Change In Mississippi: A Journalistic Exploration Of Education And Activism, Kala Nance

Honors Theses

Climate Change in Mississippi: A Journalistic Exploration of Education and Activism takes an investigative, journalistic approach toward climate change in Mississippi. Specifically, how education and awareness have a direct impact on Mississippi industries, people and legislation. The project explored the level of acknowledgement of climate change across the state, and how certain individuals used advocacy to encourage education about climate change to raise awareness of the severity of the situation. This project includes interviews with university professors and researchers, non-profit organizations, educational groups and working individuals in some of Mississippi’s largest areas of employment. Additionally, this project draws on research …

"Ole Miss": A Case For The Name's Removal And Steps Toward Implementation, William Henderson

Honors Theses

The purpose of this project is to provide one justification of why the University of Mississippi should cease its usage of its nickname, “Ole Miss,” and provide insight into what the next steps of the University should be. “Ole Miss” is a term that was installed with the intention of romanticizing the social order that the system of slavery provided in the Antebellum South. The attitudes toward plantation society that the name perpetuates pose several forms of harm to members of the University’s community. Institutions of higher learning maintain a special relationship with their students, which presents a strong obligation …

Manipulative, Dark, And Unethical Design Practices In Ui & Ux Design, Ryan Edward Brown

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the pervasive and detrimental effects of manipulative user interface and user experience design (UI/UX) practices on individuals and society. Focusing on three critical areas – accessibility, dark patterns, and polarization – the study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining findings from a comprehensive literature review, an analysis of specific design patterns and methods, and a survey of user experiences.
The literature review covers topics such as the importance of accessibility in design education, the prevalence of dark patterns in mobile and desktop sites, the role of personalization algorithms in shaping user experiences, and the formation of echo chambers …

Get It Out Of My Head: The Psychological Effects Of Music In Strategic Advertising Practices, Brady Jonah Wood

Honors Theses

For generations, music has served as a powerful marketing tool. When radio reigned supreme as the go-to source of household entertainment, savvy advertisers employed any means necessary to capture the listener's attention. Even today, music remains a powerful force in shaping culture, driving, and reinforcing consumer behavior.

This study aims to explore how brands leverage music in their advertisements to enhance consumers' recall of their products. By utilizing music as a marketing tool, advertisers can effectively ingrain their products in consumers' minds. Selected advertisements are examined to determine how the effect of advertising jingles can create a consistent and memorable …

Are We Ready: Envisioning An Inclusive Higher Education Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities At The University Of Mississippi, Bailey Beaird

Honors Theses

An inclusive higher education program (IHEP) exists for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) to foster academic success, employment equipping, interpersonal skill development, and active participation and value validation in the community. Establishing an IHEP can benefit current university students, faculty, and staff, and individuals with I/DDs and their families to create a more informed, inclusive environment. The University of Mississippi (UM) does not currently have an IHEP. Therefore, my advocacy initiative seeks to provide an opportunity for individuals with I/DDs to receive a college education and experience at UM. For two and a half years, I independently researched …

Danny The Diabetic Dinosaur: A Resource For Families Impacted By Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Emily E. Welch

Honors Theses

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic condition that impacts approximately a quarter of a million children in the United States alone. T1DM is a complicated diagnosis that requires specialized treatment and education. Research has shown that families of children with T1DM experience a burden related to a lack of education in the healthcare system. Educational resources such as children’s books can act as a bridge between the healthcare system and families as they allow parents and children to increase their knowledge about T1DM and open the doors for communication. Education is shown to decrease further complications related to …

Closing The Circle: The Need For Patient Outcomes In The Prehospital Setting, Sydney Key

Honors Theses

The integration of EMS into the healthcare system is relatively new compared to other fields like nursing. As a result, there has been a scarce amount of research performed in the prehospital setting. This research focused on studying the effects of giving detailed feedback to prehospital providers by evaluating the improvements in provider mental health and patient outcomes in cardiac arrest patients. Prehospital providers rarely receive patient outcomes from hospitals. Oftentimes, when someone is experiencing a life-threatening event, EMS providers are forced to “load-and-go” from the point of patient contact, transport drop them to the nearest appropriate hospital, and turn …

Financial Assessment Of Executive Decision-Making And Risk Management: A Case Study Of Autozone, Carolina Hollis

Honors Theses

This area of investigation pertains to the business organizational structure, executive summary, and risk management decisions of AutoZone within the 2022-2023 fiscal year. This analysis was performed by examining previous financial records, the yearly 10-K report, and various research databases regarding the financial performance of retail auto part companies. Many different sources were used to gather information about AutoZone. AutoZone has an intricate financial system that maintains the going concern by addressing current issues within the financial world to combat problems they could face in the future. These risk factors include inflation, interest rates, energy prices, political climates, and supply …

Exploring The Efficacy Of The Advancement Via Individual Determination (Avid) Program At Promoting Student Motivation, Nya Thompson, Nya J. Thompson

Honors Theses

The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program was founded by Mary Katherine Swanson in 1980 in Southern California. She created the program as a social justice initiative to provide additional resources to her students of marginalized backgrounds (e.g., low socioeconomic status, racial and ethnic backgrounds) to prepare them to graduate high school and be accepted into colleges. Decades later, the AVID program is nationwide, but there is only one school district in Mississippi with this program that is founded on the roots of equity. In this specific school district located in Northern Mississippi, the AVID program is available in elementary, …

Health, Politics, And Policy: Exploring The Interplay Of Health Status On Voting Behavior And Policy Knowledge Across Political Parties In The United States, Zoey Peters

Honors Theses

ABSTRACT

ZOEY LYNN PETERS: Health, Politics, and Policy: Exploring the Interplay of Health Status on Voting Behavior and Policy Knowledge Across Political Parties in the United States

(Under the direction of Dr. Hannah Allen)

Background. Citizens actively engaging with their politics and government is crucial for the survival of our democracy. Voting and policy knowledge are two significant indicators of citizen engagement and there are many factors that can affect whether people will vote or stay informed on relevant policy. The healthcare system in the United States is a constant topic of controversy in American politics and it impacts every …

Navigating The Modern Accounting Landscape: Esg, Audit Risks, And Tax Planning, Bruce Buehler

Honors Theses

This thesis contains a collection of case studies completed while completing the ACCY 420 course in the 2022-2023 academic year. These cases cover a wide variety of topics, including but not limited to Environmental Social Governance (ESG), audit risks, and tax planning. Other studies included examining current events, such as the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank and the derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train. These studies consisted of individual and group work, in order for substantial evidence to be obtained. Case 1 through Case 5 focuses on the analysis of Cadence Bank and their respective financials. A group …

Bursting At The Seams: An Examination Of The Enrollment Changes At The University Of Mississippi, Carrol Trent Imbler

Honors Theses

Enrollment at the University of Mississippi is at an all-time high. As one of the smallest public universities within the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Ole Miss has faced many changes within the past few years because of its growing population. This research answers the question: “How are offices and departments on campus managing their efforts to accommodate an increased number of students?” Through interviews with faculty, staff, and students on campus, I identified multiple departments who had to adjust their usual practices. These include housing, parking and transportation, advising offices within each school, admissions, and other student services. All these factors …

A Collection Of Accounting Case Studies, Danielle Gonsoulin

Honors Theses

Over the course of a year, I performed case studies on various economic and financial topics and events. For the first half of the year, I worked in a group with three of my peers to develop audit, advisory, and tax plans for a publicly traded company named Agilysys. We evaluated economic conditions and the company’s financial and nonfinancial data to determine what areas both internally and externally the company can target in order to improve its operations. Once the four case studies were written and reviewed, we created a slideshow and presented our ideas on Zoom to a group …

Huic Purchasing Group Llc. Business Plan, Grant Hull

Honors Theses

This business plan investigates the feasibility and best strategy to start a dental group purchasing company in the market today. Methods used consisted of interviewing industry professionals (Dentists, suppliers, and executives in a similar market), and market research through public information and trends. The 70 total interviews not only helped verify market projections and social trends, but also verified potential client willingness to join and verified a position in the market. Through this study it was concluded that: There is limited competition in the dental Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) space; to enter the market in a cost-effective way it is …

The Reach Of Accounting And How Our World Uses It For The Benefit Of All, Anna Butler

Honors Theses

The following thesis consists of case studies written throughout a year in order to dive deeper into the aspects of accounting and how our world is affected by the accounting profession. Each case provides an overview of the case study, along with an in-depth analysis of the topic covered. These case studies dive into the impacts of accounting on the economy, businesses, and investors who practice the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Along with the creation of these studies, the Patterson School of Accountancy required that the thesis be completed with group participation in …

An Analysis Of Accounting Principles: A Case Study On 3d Systems Corporation, Kelsey Mayhan

Honors Theses

This anthology of cases was completed during my junior year at the University of Mississippi. Working both in a group and individually, I conducted research on various topics related to the accounting profession and how they relate to 3D Systems Corporation and its financials. I spoke through the findings with accounting professionals on a regular basis, and at the end of the semester defended those results to my classmates and professionals in a final presentation.

An Analysis Of Financial Accounting And The Business Environment Through Case Studies, Sophie Trevathan

Honors Theses

The following collection of case studies were completed under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson throughout the course: Accountancy 420 – Independent Study. They were presented to numerous accounting firms at the end of the Fall Semester to fulfill the requirements of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. The collection consists of four case studies that specifically analyze AutoZone, Inc. We were placed into groups where we individually researched and analyzed each case and provided our thoughts in a collaborative case paper. We analyzed AutoZone’s financial accounting, operations, and business environment. Additionally, the collection consists of two case studies that …

The Real World Of Accounting, Colin Hartman

Honors Theses

This thesis was completed through the year 2023. There are six different accounting case studies that are included in this thesis. Each case has a different topic and focuses on different issues that accountants are or will face. Some of the topics that are discussed involve the Military Industrial Complex, Silicon Valley Bank, and the impact of ESG. These cases go into detail about the topic and discuss certain issues accountants may face. I also discuss what would be the best way to attack certain problems that arise. Each case was designed to challenge us to think outside the box …

Structural And Blood Co-Factor Binding Studies Of A Red Algal Sulfated Galactan, Anderson R. Dewitt

Honors Theses

The red alga Botryocladia occidentalis presents three distinct fractions of sulfated polysaccharides. The elucidation of structures of various B. occidentalis fractions has been explored in prior research. In this study, the first fraction with the least sulfation underwent NMR structure elucidation. Additionally, this sulfated polysaccharide underwent analysis following chemical modifications. Findings have unveiled the presence of both 4-linked α- and 3-linked β-galactose units with the following chemical characteristics: over half of the total galactose units are unsulfated, the α-units are primarily 3,6-anhydrogalactose units either 2-O-methylated or 2-O-sulfated, and the β-galactose units can be 4-O-sulfated or 2,4-O-disulfated. Results from SPR-based assays …

Exploring Accounting Events And Challenges: Delving Into An Ever Changing Industry, Ravyn Garrett

Honors Theses

This thesis is a result of a class that exists to facilitate discussion between future professionals regarding current events and modern day research in the accounting field as well as the business environment. The thesis course taken consists of a series of case studies that cover varying areas of financial reporting. These cases can vary greatly by topic; some include analyses of business ethics while others involve critically thinking about possible solutions to present day issues. Throughout the cases, my knowledge of the accounting subject continues to grow, and I make several personal discoveries along the way. The writing process …

A Classic Problem: Engaging Secondary Students In Reading The Canon, Marika Hall

Honors Theses

Secondary English students often demonstrate difficulty in comprehending and finding relevancy in reading works of classic literature when the canon is taught in a prescriptive fashion, often further widening the gap between students who are considered smart enough to read classic literature and those deemed incapable. My hypothesis is that when used in a dialogic classroom, teaching challenging, classic texts in a facilitative manner can help bridge this classic literature gap while also encouraging diversity and supporting student learning. Under my clinical instructor’s recommendations and requirements in my student teaching, I designed a unit lesson plan focusing on Roald Dahl’s …

Two Districts, Five Miles Apart: A Comparative Analysis Of The Lauderdale County And The Meridian Public School Districts, Daneel Konnar

Honors Theses

K-12 public education in Mississippi has sparked much conversation and debate regarding the factors and forces that influence school performance on test scores, teacher pay and salaries, infrastructure, and student performance. Mississippi’s children deserve the best quality education and opportunities to grow into the best version of themselves. However, school districts across Mississippi within the same county are facing many disparities. The purpose of this study is to examine the disparities between the Meridian Public School District and Lauderdale County School District in Meridian. I interviewed seven school officials to gain perspective on the differences between the two school districts. …

High Stakes: Analyzing The Legal And Law Enforcement Challenges Of Mississippi's Medical Marijuana Industry, Brighton Bensley

Honors Theses

Despite opposition from law enforcement and government officials, Mississippi citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of establishing a medical marijuana program in 2020. The passing of Senate Bill 2095 (or the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act) marks a significant shift in the state’s drug policy and is a rare example of my home state at the forefront of an emerging industry. My thesis examines the effects of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act by providing an overview of the challenges it creates for the state’s law enforcement agencies and legal community. By analyzing local news stories, public statements from officials, and studies from …

Role Of Dunc-13 Isoforms In Alcohol Sensitivity In Drosophila, Makenzie Havard

Honors Theses

Functional alcohol tolerance is an adaptation made by the nervous system to high doses of alcohol, and is seen by a significant reduction in sensitivity to this drug. This tolerance is a significant contributing factor in the progression to Alcohol Use Disorders. A major goal of alcohol research is to understand how alcohol induces this tolerance. Dunc13 is a presynaptic active zone protein essential in synaptic vesicle docking and priming. Alcohol binds to the C1 domain of Dunc13 at physiological concentrations, which inhibits Dunc13 from binding Diacylglycerol. This inhibition is predicted to reduce Dunc13 activity and presynaptic activity. Yet, genetically …

An Overview Of The Product Development Process For A Lounging Grove Chair: The Rebel Lounge, Gracey Massengill

Honors Theses

This report focuses on the process of completing my senior capstone project for the Center for Manufacturing Excellence with my teammates, Andrew Brady, Carter Doss, Brooke Grissinger, and Karson Wardell. It explains the development, design and manufacturing of the Rebel Lounge Chair, a comfortable, portable and versatile chair made with the University of Mississippi Grove in mind and the prospective customers that would purchase such a chair. The report describes the phases of brainstorming, market research, prototyping, manufacturing process development, and accounting analysis that the Rebel Lounge capstone team went through to create their product.

Due to out-of-the-box brainstorming and …

Breaking The Green Ceiling: A Study On The Impact Of State Legislatures' Gender Representation On The Implementation Of Environmental Policy, Isabelle Mcgill

Honors Theses

As the significance of climate change and other environmental issues escalates, it becomes imperative for lawmakers to address these pressing challenges. At the same time, our country is slowly electing more women to office, and legislatures are becoming more representative of their constituencies. In my research, I investigate whether greater gender representation influences the adoption of environmental policies in the context of U.S. state legislatures. The study begins by examining descriptive representation and its relationship to substantive representation, highlighting how the presence of women in legislative offices can impact policy outcomes. Drawing on research that shows a gender gap between …

Population At Risk: The Design And Production Of The Pollinator Plaza, Shane Houston Stephens

Honors Theses

This report focuses on the development and manufacturing of the Pollinator Plaza, a high-quality bug house created to combat pollinator population loss. According to countless studies, pollinator populations have seen a dramatic decrease in recent years, and this product was developed to address these alarming statistics by providing a suitable habitat for pollinators. A market analysis was used to identify our potential clientele and cost point. This research played an integral part in the design of the Pollinator Plaza, which was developed using AutoCAD software. This design became a reality through the construction of a physical prototype.

The Pollinator Plaza’s …