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Honors Theses

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As Good As Niu: Food Sovereignty In Samoa, Emily Gove Jan 2017

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 …


Eating Your Feelings: The Relationship Between Core Affect And Food Choices, Kana V. Rolett Jan 2017

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’ …


A Qualitative Process Evaluation Of A Meal Service Program, Grace Marie Sullivan Jan 2017

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 …


Examination Of Electroglottography (Egg) And Surface Electromyography (Semg) As Techniques To Assess Oral Motor Activity During Consumption Of Four Forms Of Chocolate, Taylor Patterson Jan 2017

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 …


Needs Assessment Of Healthcare Services For Transitioning College Students, Victoria M. Miller Jan 2017

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 Jan 2017

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 …


Bring Your Own Device Initiative To Improve Engagement And Performance In Human Anatomy And Physiology I And Ii Laboratories, Kelsey Hillhouse Jan 2017

Bring Your Own Device Initiative To Improve Engagement And Performance In Human Anatomy And Physiology I And Ii Laboratories, Kelsey Hillhouse

Honors Theses

At the University of Mississippi, just 4.93% (2014) and 6% (2015) of Human Anatomy and Physiology students responding to an informal, opinion survey stated that their favorite lab activity was using microscopes. In addition, performance on lab practical questions involving the identification of specimens under a microscope is low with the average percent correct being as low as 31.85% and no higher than 41.94%. These numbers are troubling in that Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II are required courses for students desiring entry into many allied health professions where knowledge of tissues, obtaining samples for biopsy, and interpreting microscopic …


The United Nations Cluster Approach To Humanitarian Aid: A Critical Analysis And Reform Proposal Based On Focused Mitigation Efforts, Mary Margaret Gagnet Jan 2017

The United Nations Cluster Approach To Humanitarian Aid: A Critical Analysis And Reform Proposal Based On Focused Mitigation Efforts, Mary Margaret Gagnet

Honors Theses

Overlap and gaps in assistance within the Inter-Agency Standing Committee's Cluster Approach for humanitarian aid is a major issue plaguing the international community and its response to emergencies. The inefficiencies within the cooperative effort of involved agencies leads to prolonged suffering and death within the countries in need of humanitarian aid. With these dire consequences riding on the ability of this mobilization system to function effective, it is imperative that steps be taken to ensure competent humanitarian response. There is no clearly outlined path to assist those experiencing humanitarian crisis, but there is a particular objective in mind. This goal, …


An Analysis Of The Financial Literacy Of Senior Students Across Fields Of Study At The University Of Mississippi, Robert Hollis Burrow Jan 2017

An Analysis Of The Financial Literacy Of Senior Students Across Fields Of Study At The University Of Mississippi, Robert Hollis Burrow

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the financial literacy of senior students at the University of Mississippi, as well as which variables influence a student's financial literacy level. Financial literacy is crucial for both an individual's current and long-term well-being and financial health. Students in various major fields of study participated in a multiple-choice survey, including demographic, socioeconomic, and financial literacy questions. The student's answers were analyzed using univariate analyses, an ordinary least squares stepwise regression, and a logistic stepwise regression. The study found that the average student score of 2.75 out of five financial literacy questions was comparable to the national average …


Impacts Of Aplysina Red Band Syndrome On Secondary Metabolite Profiles And Antibacterial Activity Of The Caribbean Sponge Genus Aplysina, Mafie Claire Vickers Jan 2017

Impacts Of Aplysina Red Band Syndrome On Secondary Metabolite Profiles And Antibacterial Activity Of The Caribbean Sponge Genus Aplysina, Mafie Claire Vickers

Honors Theses

Coral reef ecosystems continue to decline due to abiotic and biotic factors, including disease. Although much of the existing scientific literature has focused on coral diseases, reports of sponge diseases have been increasing. This is a cause for concern, as sponges are increasingly dominant components of coral reef communities, where they are responsible for a wide range of ecological functions. A sponge disease of particular interest is Aplysina Red Band Syndrome (ARBS), which impacts the Caribbean's most abundant genus of sponges, Aplysina. Three morphotypes of branching sponges within this genus are affected, including Aplysina fulva, and the thin and thick …


Biochemical Variation In Caribbean Sponges Of The Genus Aplysina, Sarah L. Criddle Jan 2017

Biochemical Variation In Caribbean Sponges Of The Genus Aplysina, Sarah L. Criddle

Honors Theses

Sponges are among the simplest multicellular organisms, consisting of groupings of cells with similar functions rather than true tissues. Nonetheless, sponges are ecologically significant in many marine environments, including coral reefs. They are sedentary organisms that feed by filtration from the water column, which contributes to the numerous roles they play on coral reefs, including upkeep of the reef, production of usable energy, and recycling of nutrients. Like all multicellular organisms, sponges are made up of biologically significant macromolecules. These macromolecules provide the energy for the sponge, and their relative concentrations determine how sponges can store and access the energy …


Comparative Effectiveness Of An Exercise And Sedentary Break Intervention On Mood Profile And Dietary Behavior In Young Adults: Pilot Study, Hannah Dau Jan 2017

Comparative Effectiveness Of An Exercise And Sedentary Break Intervention On Mood Profile And Dietary Behavior In Young Adults: Pilot Study, Hannah Dau

Honors Theses

Exercise and sedentary behavior are both important subsets of PA (Physical Activity) to study, with emerging research demonstrating that sedentary behavior may predict mental health outcomes independent of PA. Additionally, a correlation has been observed between diet and PA, but few studies on this topic have employed an intervention design. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in PA and sedentary behavior influence mood profile and dietary behavior. The PA intervention consisted of progressively increasing their vigorous-intensity PA (jogging) over a 4-week period among an inactive population. The sedentary group was asked not to exercise, but …


Community Engagement Strategies For Civic Participation In Youth Development: The University Of Mississippi's Fight Against Poverty, Henry Lang-Vanderlaan Jan 2017

Community Engagement Strategies For Civic Participation In Youth Development: The University Of Mississippi's Fight Against Poverty, Henry Lang-Vanderlaan

Honors Theses

This thesis examined civic participation and community engagement strategies by the University of Mississippi to fight poverty through education in Mississippi. In 2014 the McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement started an innovative approach to fight poverty through education in Mississippi. The center began a Catalyzing Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) program to establish community-university partnerships for university students to engage in communities beyond campus. I served in the program as a CEED scholar from 2015-2017. In this thesis I explored the state of an afterschool program to determine its success, and to evaluate the community engagement strategy …


Examining Federalism In American Water Policy: Taking Stock Of A Modern Issue, James Harrison Ormesher Jan 2017

Examining Federalism In American Water Policy: Taking Stock Of A Modern Issue, James Harrison Ormesher

Honors Theses

As American water resources fall under increasing scrutiny, with shortages costing millions of dollars annually, questions about the effectiveness of the policy managing these resources arises. In particular blurred responsibilities and goals generated as a result of the American federalist system raise questions about the nature of the state and federal relationship and the ability of it effectively develop a functioning water policy. To garner an understanding of American federalism, American water policy, and the relationship between them, I utilized a comparative analysis of both the history of water policy and federalism in America. Following this history, I offer an …


Barriers To The Provision Of High-Quality Early Childhood Education In The Mississippi Delta, Mackenzie Poole Jan 2017

Barriers To The Provision Of High-Quality Early Childhood Education In The Mississippi Delta, Mackenzie Poole

Honors Theses

High-quality early childhood education has been shown to enhance the development of social, emotional, cognitive, language, and literacy skills in young children (Burchinal, Peisner-Feinberg, Bryant, & Clifford, 2000; Loeb, Fuller, Kagan, & Carrol, 2004; Peisner-Feinberg et al., 2001). Barriers encountered when attempting to provide high-quality early childhood education in the Mississippi Delta were investigated by analyzing the opinions and perceptions of early childhood educators. Requests for participation in the study were mailed to 92 child care facilities, and individuals from three licensed child care centers in the region participated. Opinions were gathered using questionnaires (n = 20) and interviews (n …


Price Controls In Argentina: A Case Of Urban Bias, Megan Freveletti Jan 2017

Price Controls In Argentina: A Case Of Urban Bias, Megan Freveletti

Honors Theses

Towards the end of 2016, President Mauricio Macri of Argentina announced that he would be re-enacting a program of price controls that had been introduced by his predecessor, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, called Precios Cuidados. However, this time the list of items would contain a greater amount than the previous program, almost 400 more products than before, the variety of them falling under agricultural products. This thesis looks to examine whether or not the implementation of a price control program by President Macri, that has failed in the past, can be explained by the theory of urban bias. After a …


The Prevalence Of Food Insecurity Within The University Of Mississippi Community And Knowledge Of And Opinions About The University Of Mississippi Food Bank, Megan Marie Eubanks Jan 2017

The Prevalence Of Food Insecurity Within The University Of Mississippi Community And Knowledge Of And Opinions About The University Of Mississippi Food Bank, Megan Marie Eubanks

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of food insecurity within the University of Mississippi community. The project also investigated whether the University of Mississippi (UM) community supports and/ or knows about the UM Food Bank. A survey to determine perceived levels of food insecurity and knowledge of and opinions about the UM Food Bank was dispersed through Qualtrics Survey Software via University email to one-third of the UM faculty, staff, graduate students (including Pharmacy and Law), and undergraduate students. The final survey response count was 356 (response rate: 6.48%). Data collected for questions pertaining to food …


A Picture Of Health: Art And Medicine In The Lives Of Late 19th-Century Artists Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec And Vincent Van Gogh, Smith Jessie Jan 2017

A Picture Of Health: Art And Medicine In The Lives Of Late 19th-Century Artists Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec And Vincent Van Gogh, Smith Jessie

Honors Theses

For this thesis, I wanted to explore a topic that I found interesting and that I could really enjoy researching. After a study abroad course in southern France in August 2015 during which we explored the locations that inspired artworks by Vincent van Gogh, I found my topic: health and art. After more research, I discovered that this topic could develop into a thesis. Specifically, this project investigates the ways in which the medical conditions of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Vincent van Gogh affected their perspectives and relationships, and in turn, their artwork. In it, I explore the biographies of …


Evaluation Of A Farmers' Market Intervention On Food Insecurity, Health, And Diet Of Individuals Living In Rural, Appalachian Mississippi, Heather A. Poole Jan 2017

Evaluation Of A Farmers' Market Intervention On Food Insecurity, Health, And Diet Of Individuals Living In Rural, Appalachian Mississippi, Heather A. Poole

Honors Theses

Objective: This study examined: 1) the impact of a farmers' market nutrition education and incentive intervention on household adult food security status, produce intake, perceived diet quality, and perceived health of individuals living in rural, Appalachian Mississippi; and 2) the relationship of household adult food security status to produce intake, perceived diet quality, and perceived health at baseline. Methods: Participants were recruited for a 12-week farmers' market nutrition education and incentive ($3.00/week) intervention at two rural farmers' markets in an economically distressed, Appalachian Mississippi county and completed pre- and post-intervention surveys. Results: The mean age of participants (n=60) was 57 …


Catalyzing Entrepreneurship And Economic Development Program: An Analysis Of The Educational Opportunities In Mississippi's Tourism Industry, Holly Ruth Pitts Jan 2017

Catalyzing Entrepreneurship And Economic Development Program: An Analysis Of The Educational Opportunities In Mississippi's Tourism Industry, Holly Ruth Pitts

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to provide an analysis of the educational opportunities provided by the tourism industry in Mississippi, and to highlight the University of Mississippi's efforts to institutionalize community engagement. I undertook this study as a result of my role as a Catalyzing Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) innovation scholar at the McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement. The McLean Institute was expanded as part of UM's 2020 strategic action plan, and its mission statement involves advancing transformative service and fighting poverty through education. I began my research as a participant observer serving as an …


A Weight Intervention Dismantling Study: The Effect Of Social Support And Self-Monitoring On Weight Management In College Students, Kathryn Prendergast Jan 2017

A Weight Intervention Dismantling Study: The Effect Of Social Support And Self-Monitoring On Weight Management In College Students, Kathryn Prendergast

Honors Theses

Evidence shows that psychological intervention with obese individuals facilitates improved diet, increased physical activity, weight loss, and maintenance of stable body weight over time. These interventions use techniques derived from broader theory and empirical work related to the health belief model (HBM), theory of planned behavior (TPB), and social cognitive theory (SCT) to target general health behaviors in terms of diet, patterns of eating, sleep, stress, and level of physical activity. These behaviors have been effectively targeted by multi-component evidence-based practices utilizing self-monitoring and social support: two common components that facilitate implementation, requiring few resources. While evidence suggests that interventions …


A 2-Part Study Examining; Hepatitis B Vaccination Rates Among High-Risk Adults And The Influence Of Education On Knowledge And Awareness Of Hepatitis B And The Use Of Vaccines As A Safe, Preventative Measure Among University Of Ms Students, Ariel Wilson Jan 2017

A 2-Part Study Examining; Hepatitis B Vaccination Rates Among High-Risk Adults And The Influence Of Education On Knowledge And Awareness Of Hepatitis B And The Use Of Vaccines As A Safe, Preventative Measure Among University Of Ms Students, Ariel Wilson

Honors Theses

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be prevented and controlled through vaccination. However, vaccination among high-risks adults in the U.S. is still low (50%). This poses serious threats for HBV transmission between infected individuals and high-risk individuals. Objective: The specific aims of this research were to (a) explore the prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination uptake from 2011-2014 (b) to examine intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational level factors associated with receiving hepatitis B vaccination among high-risk adults. Methods: Data were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011-2014 to (1) assess the prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination and …


Identifying And Applying Processes Common To Efforts In Improving The Relationship Between Humans And The Environment, Avery Thames Burns Jan 2017

Identifying And Applying Processes Common To Efforts In Improving The Relationship Between Humans And The Environment, Avery Thames Burns

Honors Theses

Environmental justice, corporate social responsibility and gendered discourses are three areas of research and practice in environmental efforts that this thesis research has found all suffer because they lack recognition of and cause marginalization of specific groups. This research has created a framework of four processes that help in understanding these similarities: inequality; disregarding the values and actions of outside groups; disconnect between stated and actualized values; and insider outsider ideals. By exploring how these common processes of reasoning operate in each of the three areas, the research contributes to improving understanding of the areas and increasing their effectiveness. The …


Pituitary Gland Functional Connectivity And Bmi, E. Paige Rucker Jan 2017

Pituitary Gland Functional Connectivity And Bmi, E. Paige Rucker

Honors Theses

This study examined the link between pituitary gland functional connectivity and BMI. The pituitary gland plays various roles in the body through the secretion of hormones, but its direct role in development of obesity and BMI management is unknown. Resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rsfMRI) brain data of individuals with diverse BMIs were analyzed by voxel-wise analysis to determine the functional connectivities of the pituitary gland to other regions of the brain. A significant negative correlation was found between BMI and pituitary gland functional connectivity in eleven different brain regions. These regions include the posterior thalamus, lingual gyrus, precuneus, …


Effects Of Temperature On Activity Of Aquatic Hyphomycetes: A Microcosm Study, Kyra Harrington‌‌ Dec 2016

Effects Of Temperature On Activity Of Aquatic Hyphomycetes: A Microcosm Study, Kyra Harrington‌‌

Honors Theses

Predicted increases in temperature under climate change scenarios are expected to affect not only atmospheric and water temperatures, but also the rate of heterotrophic activity and carbon dynamics and retention in ecosystems. The magnitude of the increase in metabolic activity of living organisms with increased temperature can be predicted by the Metabolic Theory of Ecology, however, multiple factors can cause deviations from simple predictions. The goal of this study is to assess the temperature sensitivity of aquatic hyphomycetes and fungi-mediated leaf litter decomposition by following responses to temperature of fungal biomass accrual, respiration and decomposition rates in laboratory microcosms simulating …


Managing A Crisis: Should America Continue To Encourage Its Youth To Participate In Football Given Recent Findings On Player Safety And Concussions, Brock Matava May 2016

Managing A Crisis: Should America Continue To Encourage Its Youth To Participate In Football Given Recent Findings On Player Safety And Concussions, Brock Matava

Honors Theses

In recent years, more light has been shed on player safety issues when it comes to youth sports, football especially. The major emphasis of concern is on reducing concussion rates among our youth and an exposure to the potentially lifelong disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Financially however, the National Football League (NFL), the highest level of football anywhere in the world, is healthier than it has ever been. If the NFL wants to stay on the fast-track it currently enjoys, concussions and player safety are two issues that it will undoubtedly be under pressure to face. The pros and cons …


Isolating Factors That Influence Grazing Patterns In Dairy Cattle, Julia N. Barney Mrs. May 2016

Isolating Factors That Influence Grazing Patterns In Dairy Cattle, Julia N. Barney Mrs.

Honors Theses

Factors influencing grazing patterns were identified utilizing remote sensors on lactating Holstein and Brown Swiss dairy cattle in order to recommend efficient management techniques to dairy farmers. Over the course of three separate two week periods- one in the spring, summer and fall- data was collected on the dairy herd at Eastern Kentucky University’s Meadowbrook Farm. Approximately 18 cows were used each trial period; half being Brown Swiss and the other half being Holstein. Data was collected via CowManager ear tags, which tracked the five behavioral patterns of eating, ruminating, high, medium, and no activity. These activities served as dependent …


Understanding Tacit Theories Of Nonprofit Administrators In Collaborative Interorganizational Networks, Ella C. Sanders May 2016

Understanding Tacit Theories Of Nonprofit Administrators In Collaborative Interorganizational Networks, Ella C. Sanders

Honors Theses

As the nonprofit sector increases in size, many organizations are choosing to collaborate as a new approach to delivering goods and services to the public. Collaboration occurs when “organizations work together to address problems through joint effort, resources, and decision making and share ownership of the final product or service” (Guo & Acar, 2005). In my research, I ask the question: How do nonprofit administrators conceptualize this kind of interorganizational collaboration? These conceptualizations are referred to as tacit theories: the wisdom and knowledge of administrators that is implicitly known as a result of experience. I compare these tacit theories to …


Awareness Of Biological Mechanisms Of Artificial Sweeteners And The Effects Of Increased Awareness Via Video Media On Intent To Change Dietary Habits In Traditional College-Age Students, Cassie A. Mahler May 2016

Awareness Of Biological Mechanisms Of Artificial Sweeteners And The Effects Of Increased Awareness Via Video Media On Intent To Change Dietary Habits In Traditional College-Age Students, Cassie A. Mahler

Honors Theses

In the past, artificial sweeteners have been touted as weight loss solutions because they theoretically do not interact with the body’s metabolism. However, new research is being done to test this theory, but what is the public awareness of these compounds’ interactions with the body? The purpose of this study is threefold: to assess the current awareness of the biological mechanisms of artificial sweeteners in traditional college-age individuals; to assess the effectiveness of video education in increasing this awareness; and to assess how the increase of this awareness might lead to intentions to change dietary habits. The study consisted of …


An Evaluation Of Two Peer Literacy Strategies For The Development Of Reading Comprehension In Third Grade, Low-Income Students, Olivia L. Herring May 2016

An Evaluation Of Two Peer Literacy Strategies For The Development Of Reading Comprehension In Third Grade, Low-Income Students, Olivia L. Herring

Honors Theses

Generally speaking, low-income students fall behind their peers when it comes to reading and comprehension. Comprehension is a necessary tool for success, both in school and beyond, and must be taught effectively to these struggling students (Beirne, & Velsor, 2012). Studies have shown the benefit of student discussion and utilization of peer reading strategies in the fostering of comprehension. This study will compare students’ success after reading passages using two peer reading comprehension strategies: Paragraph Shrinking (a component of Peer-Assisted Learning) and Reciprocal Teaching. There are many questions to explore: After using both strategies, does either one encourage greater independent …