Digital Commons Network^™

Crops And Controversy: Industry’S Role In The Gmo Debate, Carina Wallack

Honors Theses

The use of genetically modified crops (also called GM crops, genetically modified organisms, or GMOs for short) has become a highly contested issue. New genetic modification technologies offer a variety of advantages for improving agricultural efficiency. However, some scientists argue that the safety testing conducted thus far does not provide enough information and worry about possible health and ecological risks. Private industry sponsors a great deal of research on genetically modified crops. As the international controversy regarding the use of GMOs has unfolded, the very companies responsible for commercializing genetically modified crops have gained substantial influence in the resulting scientific …

America's National Parks And The Anthropocene: Addressing The Present To Accommodate The Future In Acadia National Park, Sophie A. Swetz

Honors Theses

In 2000, atmospheric chemist, Paul J. Crutzen, and limnologist, Eugene Stoermer, formally proposed the idea of “the Anthropocene,” a new geologic epoch in which humans are the dominant force shaping the Earth. To claim the Anthropocene's existence is to declare that human actions have altered the Earth in such a way that geologic indicators render it a distinct epoch in the stratification of geologic time. This new epoch emerges as a consequence of increased technological development employed to accommodate an anthropocentric human existence. That is, rapid advancements in technology have driven the transformation from a primarily naturally controlled planet to …

Gender Perception Of The Rationales Behind Vegetarianism, Nicholas Tallant

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

L’Intégration De L’Immigré Africain Francophone Aux Etats-Unis Et En France : Opportunités Et Défis, Lily Calaycay

Honors Theses

Durant ces dernières années, l’immigration a considérablement augmenté dans plusieurs parties du monde, et par conséquent, l’intégration des immigrants dans la société est devenue un sujet largement discuté. Un immigré, selon la définition du Haut Conseil à l’intégration en 1991, est une personne résidant dans un pays qui est née dans un pays étranger (« Population immigrée » 96). Les mouvements migratoires africains ont une longue histoire, marquée par l’exploitation et la colonisation européenne du continent. L’histoire de l’immigration africaine est unique parmi les mouvements migratoires à cause des conditions qui ont accompagné un système brutal d’exploitation. La présence des …

Do Obsessive Beliefs Moderate The Relationship Between Obsessive-Compulsive And Depressive Symptoms?, Joanthan A. Teller

Honors Theses

There has been limited research investigating potential mechanisms that drive the association between obsessive-compulsive (OC) and depressive symptoms. Obsessive beliefs are implicated in the etiology and maintenance of OC symptoms and have been shown to correlate with depressive symptoms amongst OCD patients. I assessed whether obsessive beliefs moderate the relation between obsessive compulsive and depressive symptoms to replicate analyses from a study conducted by Teller et al. (2017). Forty-six participants with elevated OC symptoms were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Each participant completed the obsessing subscale of the Revised Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R), Dimensional Obsessive Compulsive Scale (DOCS), the Revised Obsessive …

As Good As Niu: Food Sovereignty In Samoa, Emily Gove

Honors Theses

Samoa’s history as an island nation, with its cultural heritage of migratory peoples, followed by settler colonialism and missionaries, has resulted in its uniquely amalgamated food system. Cuisine varies from traditional crops and recipes to imported canned goods, although dependence on the latter has led to wide-ranging health problems. A way to confront these problems is through reclaiming local cuisine, renewing its popularity and promoting the concept of food sovereignty. Through fieldwork based on surveys, interviews, and participant observation in Apia, complemented with a study of activist Robert Oliver’s new cookbooks on Pacific cuisine, this project examines current themes …

Le Bénévolat Introspectif: Une Réflexion Sur Médecins Sans Frontières, Tony Gonçalves Da Lomba

Honors Theses

Cet essai explore la théorie de faire du bénévolat tout en explorant aussi la mission de M.S.F. et son infrastructure. En même temps, c’est une occasion de juger que M.S.F. n’est pas une exagération du complexe du sauveur blanc mais un organisme qui sert bien d’autres personnes. Essayons de comprendre d’abord pourquoi on fait des services volontaires. Il faut remarquer comment l’identité collective, que ce soit l’éducation, la question de race ou la situation économique, influence les vraies raisons pour lesquelles on participe au bénévolat. Puis, le discours déconstruit comment ces fondations superficielles créent une illusion morale nourrie par la …

The Progression Of Lyme Disease In The State Of Virginia, Margaret Michel

Honors Theses

Lyme disease has spread in the United States from the northeast to more southern and western parts of the country. It has been shown that the tick which most often carries the Lyme disease pathogen (Borrelia burgdorferi) in North America, Ixodes scapularis, has also spread to these new areas of concern. In Virginia, the disease has progressed from the eastern shore to the western, more mountainous regions. Through obtaining historical museum specimens of mice from 11 locations in Virginia, we seek to determine whether the Lyme disease causing pathogen, B. burgdorferi, has always been present in …

Differential Equations Models Of Pathogen-Induced Single- And Multi-Organ Tissue Damage, Fiona Lynch

Honors Theses

The rise of antibiotic resistance has created a significant burden on healthcare systems around the world. Antibiotic resistance arises from the increased use of antibiotic drugs and antimicrobial agents, which kill susceptible bacterial strains, but have little effect on strains that have a mutation allowing them to survive antibiotic treatment, defined as “resistant” strains. With no non-resistant bacteria to compete for resources, the resistant bacteria thrives in this environment, continuing to reproduce and infect the host with an infection that does not respond to traditional antibiotic treatment.

A number of strategies have been proposed to tackle the problem of antibiotic …

The Familiarity Factor: How Semantic Similarity Affects Associative Memory In Older And Younger Adults, Paige Warner

Honors Theses

The role of semantic knowledge and familiarity on retrieval processes were investigated in a test of the associative deficit hypothesis (ADH), and the data were interpreted from the perspectives of fuzzy trace theory and source monitoring errors (Naveh-Benjamin, 2000). Younger and older adults (N=60) studied pairs of words for two recognition tests – an item test, for recognition of individual words, and an associative test, for recognition of word pairs. In the associative test, four word pairs were presented with a forced-choice response requirement (4AFC; Patterson & Hertzog, 2010). In addition to the studied, intact cue-target pair, three cue-target pairs …

Eating Your Feelings: The Relationship Between Core Affect And Food Choices, Kana V. Rolett

Honors Theses

The psychology of eating behavior is increasingly important given that more than one- third of Americans are obese, with 74% of men considered overweight or obese (Overweight and Obesity Statistics, 2012). This study examines the relationship between core affect and healthy food choices. Though previous research has examined relationships between specific emotions and eating behavior, little is known about core affect or about these relationships in more naturalistic settings (outside the lab). To evaluate the role of core affect in healthy food choices, a field study was conducted in the University of Richmond (UR) dining hall to measure UR students’ …

Development And Evaluation Of Quercetin Nanoparticles And Hot Melt Cast Films For Retinal Neuroprotection, Chau Truong

Honors Theses

The aim of this study was to prepare optimized nanoparticles and hot melt cast films of quercetin and to investigate the release and permeability profile across corneal membranes. The results demonstrate that all formulations can be successfully employed for delivery of quercetin into the eye through the topical route of administration, with films showing significantly better transcorneal permeability.

Dewey's Democratic Economy: A Pragmatic Justification For Uber, Christopher Nard

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the changing regulatory environment around the ride-sharing platform, Uber. As Uber continues to expand, it poses a challenge for existing regulatory systems. This thesis offers a policy recommendation for regulatory agencies under the framework of a Deweyan Democratic Economy. Research was conducted in the three steps: a literature review; quantitative analysis of Uber's wage, demographic, and surge pricing data; and a series of interviews with Uber drivers, consumers, and policy experts. In the literature review, it was found that a company could move towards a more democratic economy by increasing public access to information and economic participation. …

The Effect Of Font Type On Memory For Instruction, Courtney Upchurch

Honors Theses

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether or not one font type promotes superior memory retention for order over another. Participants were presented with one of three sets of instructions each displayed using a different style of font. They were asked to read the instructions and, following this, were provided with the instructions presented in a different, random order. Their task was to place the instructions back in the order in which they were originally presented. Results indicated that one font style led to better memory for order than the others. In addition, based on participant self-reports, …

Development Of Standard Operating Procedure: Admicellar Polymerization Of Polystyrene Thin Film (Aibn) On Polysciences 30-50Μm Glass Beads Using Cetyltrimethyl-Ammonium Bromide Surfactant, David Langford

Honors Theses

Poly(1-phenylethene), commonly referred to as Polystyrene, is one of the world's most common polymers. Made from the monomer styrene (ethenylbenzene), this polymer is used in a wide range of products from packing peanuts to disposable cutlery. The method of polymerization used in this research project is called admicellar polymerization. This process consists of four main steps: admicelle formation, adsolubilization, polymerization, and removal of admicelle and polymer. Admicellar polymerization has a number of advantages over related methods of thin film polymerization including simplicity and low cost of components and process.

Mississippi Choctaw Women: Preservation And Adaptation From Post-Removal To The 1970s, Elisabeth H. Pepper

Honors Theses

This project analyzes the processes of adaptation and preservation utilized by Choctaw women in Mississippi from the post-Removal period to the end of the 1970s. It focuses specifically on the areas of women's lives concerning work, the domestic sphere, leadership roles, and recreational activities. To inform my research, I used a variety of primary and secondary sources concerning the Mississippi Choctaws, even covering the period before Removal. I studied archival documents, microfilm, newspapers, magazines and pamphlets, as well as secondary resource books concerning this topic. From my research, I concluded that women actively engaged in strategies to preserve their Choctaw …

We The People: An Analysis Of The Supreme Court's Jurisprudence Relating To Constitutional Personhood, Emma Jennings

Honors Theses

This thesis studies the Supreme Court's jurisprudence on the issue of constitutional personhood and its historical lack of clarity and uniformity. I focus on three groups of persons who historically and frequently bring claims of constitutional protection before the Court: aliens, children, and felons. Across these three classes of claimants, case analysis shows that the Court lacks a clear framework for answering questions of constitutional personhood, instead relying on an individualistic approach in their decision-making, rendering a defined understanding of constitutional personhood impossible. I argue that the Court's current methods of decision- making produce inequality and second-class citizenship, and further, …

Please Accept My Love: Race, Culture, And B.B. King's Live In Cook County Jail, Eugene Brinson Polk Iii

Honors Theses

This thesis uses a specific event, B.B. King's performance in 1970 and subsequent album from Chicago's Cook County Jail, to study the intersections of race, music, and American culture. First, I trace the events leading up to the performance and album and contextualize both within King's career and the history of race relations in the South and in Chicago. Second, I detail the history of Cook County Jail and King's subsequent prison activism. All in all, this thesis argues that the sense of racial bondage shared between the blues, King, and the inmates at Cook County Jail, is the primary …

A Qualitative Process Evaluation Of A Meal Service Program, Grace Marie Sullivan

Honors Theses

This study serves to evaluate the process of a meal service program, local to Northeast Mississippi, in response to the need to evaluate methods of alleviating food insecurity as it continues to be a growing and evolving issue in the American South. The researcher chose to employ qualitative research methods in order to understand the program guests, volunteers, and board members' perceptions of the program's processes using data from interviews with members of each group, a focus group composed of program guests, and photovoice projects completed by program guests. The researcher used thematic analysis to interpret the data and defined …

Memory Retention Rates Of Gossip-Related Information, Hannah R. Rogers

Honors Theses

The aim of this study is to determine if gossip-related information produces higher memory retention rates than scientific information. Participants completed a two-part survey. During the first part of the survey, participants read nine paragraphs, separated into three categories. Three were scientific, three were non-celebrity gossip, and three were celebrity gossip. After reading each article, participants rated each on a scale of 1-10 based on both personal relevance and how interesting they found each article. After a week delay, participants completed a multiple-choice memory test about the articles read the week before. The study found that while scientific articles were …

Culture-Independent Analysis Of Microbial Communities Associated With Hydroponically Grown Living Lettuce, Abby Matthews

Honors Theses

The bacteria associated on and within a plant make up that plant's microbiome. Given recent interest in how microbes can affect human health, as well as developments in DNA sequencing that allow us to examine microbial communities without culture techniques, a number of recent studies have investigated the composition of the microbial communities on edible plants. Leafy green salad vegetables pose an added interest, since they are consumed without sterilization or cooking. This study investigated the bacterial composition of endophytic and epiphytic communities of hydroponically grown green leaf lettuce that is sold with the roots intact and referred to as …

Loneliness, Meaning In Life, And Depressive Symptomology In College Students, Abigail Oehler

Honors Theses

The present study aimed to better understand the relationship between loneliness, meaning in life, and depressive symptoms in college students. Two-hundred and forty-seven participants, ages 18-37, completed self-report measures about their experience with depressive symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale), loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale- Version 3), and meaning in life (Meaning in Life Questionnaire). The following was hypothesized: 1) symptoms of depression, loneliness, and meaning in life will be significantly related; 2) meaning in life will mediate the relation between loneliness and depressive symptoms. Results demonstrated all constructs were associated as expected (ps<.001). Contrary to hypothesis, meaning in life did not mediate the relation between loneliness and depressive symptomatology. However, post hoc regression analysis illustrated that loneliness was the only unique predictor of depressive symptoms. This study suggests more research is warranted on understanding specific mechanisms relating loneliness to depressive symptoms in college students.

Knowledge Of Epilepsy In Students Attending The University Of Mississippi Oxford Campus, Alyssa Reid

Honors Theses

Epilepsy is thought to be a very rare condition, and therefore many people do not know how to react or what to do when a person has a seizure. Epilepsy is in fact twice as common as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis combined. Furthermore, there is not a cure to stop the seizures for many people. Attending college is a challenging experience, but managing epilepsy while in college can be even more difficult. Hence it is important for all students to learn the basics of epilepsy and especially how to help a person having a seizure. …

Fixed And Growth Mindset In Undergraduate Students: Impacts On Academic Achievement And Resilient Behaviors, Ann Louise Seabrook

Honors Theses

The study of mindset is relevant to various outcomes that occur across the span of a college student's career. There are two different mindsets that all students view themselves through the lens of, a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. The fixed mindset implies that traits are unchangeable, whereas the growth mindset implies that traits are malleable (Dweck 2015). The current study sets out to examine the relationship between mindset and academic achievement, mindset and resilient behaviors, and the potential meditational variables between mindset and academic achievement, in an undergraduate population. Participants completed a Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act …

Examination Of Electroglottography (Egg) And Surface Electromyography (Semg) As Techniques To Assess Oral Motor Activity During Consumption Of Four Forms Of Chocolate, Taylor Patterson

Honors Theses

The study assessed individual oral motor activity while eating different types of chocolates through the use of electroglottography (EGG) and surface electromyography (sEMG). I hypothesized that chocolate samples with higher milk solids and cocoa composition would be preferred by subjects as assessed by subject evaluation of textural attributes for the four chocolate samples. I predicted that preference will be significantly and positively correlated with oral motor events [e.g. sEMG activity of master and suprahyoid muscles, total number of chewing actions, and time to last swallow (EGG)]. The experiment used a subject group of 40 students enrolled at the University of …

Dam Politics: Bolivian Indigeneity, Rhetoric, And Envirosocial Movements In A Developing State, Thomas Moorman

Honors Theses

How is the natural environment used and understood in contemporary Bolivian politics? To answer this question, this thesis examines two environmental conflicts, one past and one contemporary. In 2011, indigenous communities from the Indigenous Territory and Isiboro Secure National Park participated in the Eighth March for Territory and Dignity to protest the Villa Tunari—San Ignacio de Moxos Highway planned for construction through the TIPNIS. Using the existing literature, I show how this protest utilized distinct forms of environmentalism to combat state resource claims. My contribution to the field is the exposition of how the environment is used and understood surrounding …

Pens Up! The Development Of The Ole Miss Ballpoint Pen, Vera M. Gardner, Andrew M. Huff, Charles B. Mceuen

Honors Theses

This thesis will document and analyze the ideation, research and design, production, and optimization processes for the Center for Manufacturing Excellence Senior Capstone design project. The Pens Up! team consisted of six team members- four mechanical engineering majors, one accounting major, and one business major- working together to continuously improve the Ole Miss ballpoint pen's quality, design, and to standardize and eliminate wastes to its production process. After months of preparing and testing various ideas and ironing out kinks and mistakes, Pens Up! was able to produce a quality aluminum pen. This thesis will describe the various obstacles faced as …

Needs Assessment Of Healthcare Services For Transitioning College Students, Victoria M. Miller

Honors Theses

Investigators measured students' needs for healthcare services during their transition from pediatric to adult healthcare at The University of Mississippi. Also, investigators examined chronically ill students' adherence to their conditions needs and measured a baseline of college freshman's knowledge about healthcare. Data was collected using a self-administered cross-sectional survey online through Qualtrics. This study was divided into four focuses in order to assess the subject's health status, health knowledge, healthcare practices, and barriers to transitioning. The investigator found that most of the students' health status compares to the national average with minor differences, a number of students have little knowledge …

They Call It Le Big Mac: The Importance Of Adapting To Local Preferences In Marketing Strategy, Walker Bobo

Honors Theses

When McDonald's entered France in the 1970s, critics did not believe it would be a success. France is a country with a strong and longstanding gastronomic tradition, and it is proud and protective of its culture. In addition, the country has been known for its anti-globalization views. However, France is today the largest market for McDonald's, outside of the United States. How was McDonald's able to win over the French market and become so successful? This thesis analyses adaptations to marketing strategy that McDonald's undertook in France to better appeal to the local audience and connects these adaptations to trends …

The Pharmacodynamic Functions Of Low-Dose Rapamycin As A Model For Universal Influenza Protection, William Gust

Honors Theses

One of the most sought after breakthroughs in modern influenza research is the creation of a universal influenza vaccine that would protect against all strains of avian influenza. An unlikely model for this kind of protection might be found in the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. Traditionally used to prevent organ transplant rejection, low doses of rapamycin have been found to protect mice against infection with distinct subtypes of influenza. However, it is not understood how a partial block in this pathway provides optimal heterosubtypic immunity. Interestingly, previous experiments have shown that low dose rapamycin inhibits germinal center formation to reduce antibody …