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More Than Just Hyper: The Mislabeling And Overmedicating Of Adhd In Children Ages 5-10, Katlyn Waltz

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the frequency and consequences of the misdiagnosis and overmedicating of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in elementary school aged children, ages 5-10. The information within this paper utilizes recent evidence-based psychological and medical research done surrounding ADHD in children. Specifically focusing on what a misdiagnosis looks like and how this can affect the child. Physically, if an alternative diagnosis is overlooked, the severity of the problem worsens. Emotionally children often feel misunderstood. Misdiagnosis often occurs due to symptoms being shared with other disorders such as thyroid disease, sleep disordered breathing, developmental delays or anxiety/depression.

For children who are …

Musculoskeletal Risk Among Radiology Professionals: Ergo, The Importance Of Ergonomics, Jodie M. Caithamer

Honors Theses

Workers in physically demanding occupations are at increased risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), particularly with prolonged exposure to awkward postures and static loading. Healthcare workers, including those in radiology, are particularly affected. This study used an anonymous survey based on the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), to assess body regions of discomfort and ergonomic risk factors.

In total, 48 radiology healthcare workers participated. Musculoskeletal discomfort was highly prevalent, with 96% reporting symptoms in the past 12 months. The most affected areas were the lower back (76.1%), neck (56.5%), and shoulders (34.8%). Awkward postures such …

Media On Trial: The Effects Of Media Coverage On Legal Proceedings In High-Profile Cases, Julia Luxon

Honors Theses

This paper examines the constitutional tension between the First Amendment and the Sixth Amendment, specifically in relation to media coverage and the right to a fair trial in high-profile criminal cases. This study explores the contextual and media environments surrounding the high-profile cases of Sheppard v. Maxwell, The People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson, and State of South Carolina v. Richard Alexander Murdaugh. By conducting a comparative analysis, I examined the media narratives present in each case and how they influenced public perception and its impact on the administration of justice. This study …

You Hit Your Head, What Comes Next? How Can Speech-Language Pathologists Assist In Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery?, Elayna R. Wollam

Honors Theses

Traumatic Brain Injuries are complex injuries caused by an impact or penetrating wound to the head that disrupts the typical functioning of the brain. TBIs are highly prevalent and complex injuries. They can present in different severities, have numerous causes, and result in a variety of different types of symptoms and impairments. These impairments can include articulation disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders, swallowing disorders, social communication disorders, cognitive communication disorders, and more. Every injury will be different, and every individual will experience different symptoms and have different priorities for their recovery. This means treatment should also be nuanced to reflect …

Legalizing Sex Work: Transforming Hidden Jobs Into Professions, Sakura L. Wilder-Hamilton

Honors Theses

Prostitution, also known as the “world’s oldest profession,” has long been tried and remembered as a tolerated vice. However, sex work is still a stigmatized and criminalized profession around the globe that has yet to become a real profession. Because of this stigma and criminal label, sex workers have become a hidden population within society. Meaning, although there is a lot of stigma attached to sex work and sex workers, there is relatively little known about the realities of sex work, as sex workers are often excluded from scholarly research and discussions regarding their work. This research, through a thematic-chronological …

Gender Differences In Autism Diagnosis: The Need For Female-Specific Diagnostic Criteria, Leslieann R. Mahl

Honors Theses

Autism has a vastly growing diagnosis rate as more people are understanding the signs of this disorder. This thesis investigates how gender differences affect the presentation of autism in people. Also acknowledging the impact of how these different presentations can lead to misdiagnosis or late diagnosis in females specifically. Using a narrative analysis method, 23 articles were analyzed talking about how autism presents differently in different genders. Results show that females are better able to unconsciously or consciously match their behavior to those around them, allowing for them to not be recognized for their possible autism symptoms. This study describes …

All Harm, All Fouls: Human Trafficking At Large Sporting Events, Addison Caravona

Honors Theses

Human trafficking affects thousands of people worldwide every year. During large sporting events, this can become an issue as the line between consenting sex work and trafficking becomes blurred. The difficulty of quantifying human trafficking combined with the legality of sex work creates a predicament where measuring human trafficking statistics over a smaller period of time becomes incredibly difficult. Sporting events bring in millions of patrons every year, which produces unique challenges for law enforcement and advocacy groups to manage and prevent trafficking. This research investigates human trafficking surrounding large sporting events and the processes and legislation in place to …

"See Something, Say Something": The Effect Of Bystanders And Public Posting On Campus Crime Reporting, Makiah Hollinden

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to see if bystanders reacting (versus not reacting) and the presence (versus no presence) of a public crime post, on a college campus, affected student participants' intent to report a crime. We hypothesized that if bystanders responded to the crime, and if there is a public post about crime reporting, then participants would be more likely to intend to report the crime. Research participants (n = 68) were given an online survey assessing the intent to report the crime and other social norms in one of four vignette conditions: bystanders react/public post, bystanders do …

How Did We Get Here? The Rise Of Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric As A Sociopolitical Force In U.S. Immigration Discourse And Enforcement Policy Through A Latino Lens, Andrea Maldonado

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Comparing The Risk And Return Characteristics Of Ai Exchange-Traded Funds To Benchmark Stock Market Etfs, Aryan Malhotra

Honors Theses

Artificial intelligence exchange-traded funds (AI ETFs) have expanded rapidly as investors seek targeted exposure to firms developing or benefiting from AI technologies. This study compares the performance of 50 AI ETFs with two broad-market ETFs, SPY (S&P 500) and RSP (equal-weight S&P 500), from January 2018 to January 2026. AI ETFs exhibit higher expense ratios and strong correlations with both benchmarks, reflecting their concentration in large-cap technology stocks. Over the full sample, AI ETFs generated higher cumulative returns but with substantially greater volatility. Sub-period analysis further decomposes the post-COVID period into pre-ChatGPT (April 2020–November 2022) and post-ChatGPT (December 2022–January 2026) …

Appellate Review Of Child Custody In Mississippi, 1994-2024, Eleanor Detweiler

Honors Theses

This study examines changes in child custody decision-making within the Mississippi appellate court system over a thirty-year period, with a particular focus on the role of legal custody as a separate consideration from physical custody. Using a longitudinal empirical research design, appellate court decisions from 1994, 2004, 2014, and 2024 were analyzed using Nexis Uni. Cases were identified using the search term “child custody” with emphasis on case headnotes indexed under “child custody” as the area of law. Variables including party roles, types of custody sought, reasons for appeal, and case outcomes were recorded and evaluated to identify trends over …

Women Leading In Higher Education: Exploring The Experiences Of Women Leaders In Student Affairs, Amelia Lindsay

Honors Theses

Student affairs is a field within higher education that works to support students’ out-of-classroom needs and provide them with a college experience that promotes holistic growth. This study examines the experiences of women leaders in student affairs at a mid-sized university in the southeastern United States and the opportunities and barriers they encountered in their pathways to their careers. Through in-depth, qualitative interviews, clear themes emerged regarding both facilitators of and challenges to their progression to leadership. Data show that their early life characteristics, self-perceptions, collegiate involvement, and mentorship were the largest catalysts in their career trajectories while the challenge …

Exploring Student Academic And Grief Functioning After Loss: Perceptions And Influence Of Faculty Responses To Student Bereavement, Vivian Hale

Honors Theses

Bereavement is a common yet underrecognized experience among college students, with many experiencing the death of a loved one during their academic careers. The university environment can present unique challenges that may impede the grieving process. Thus, faculty members may play an important role in shaping students’ academic and emotional outcomes following a loss. Understanding how students are affected by their faculty’s response to loss is critical for identifying strategies to support bereaved students within the academic environment. This study builds on previous research demonstrating that bereaved college students experience academic and emotional challenges while specifically examining the role of …

Evaluating Current And Prospective Major League Soccer Marketing Strategies To Spanish Speakers In The United States, Larissa Lee

Honors Theses

This quantitative study identifies the relationship between Spanish-language marketing and Major League Soccer (MLS) fandom and support among consumers. Data were collected by administering a survey in both English and Spanish to ensure inclusivity and increase accessibility. A total of 497 responses were collected, and a series of simple linear regressions were conducted using SPSS to evaluate if MLS fandom and team support could be predicted by language preference for marketing campaigns, perceptions of current Spanish-language content availability, cultural representation, cultural inclusion, and demand for more Spanish-language content.

Results indicated statistically significant differences across all hypotheses. Regarding the dependent variable …

Evaluating Predictive Structure In Penny Stocks Using Machine Learning And Statistical Methods, Susom Hait

Honors Theses

Market prediction attempts have primarily focused on large-cap stocks due to their stability and market consistency. As such, studies that use time-series techniques to predict large-cap stocks have produced consistent results. Despite the success of large-cap predictions, penny stocks have remained unexplored in modern academia due to their high volatility, low liquidity, and structural instability. Regardless, unexplored market potential and technological advancements underscore the need for preliminary research into penny stock forecasting. This study aims to determine whether meaningful predictive structures exist in time-series penny stock data. This study utilizes an incremental approach. Various penny stocks were selected, pooled, and …

Analyzing Antibody Immune Response In Α1,3galt-Ko Mice After Intranasal Vaccination Of Α-Gal Virus-Like Particle, Faith Brown

Honors Theses

In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity of intranasal immunization with α-Gal-conjugated virus-like particles (VLPs) in an α1,3-galactosyltransferase-knockout (α1,3GalT-KO) mouse model that mimics the human immune response to the α-Gal epitope. The carbohydrate epitope galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) is expressed on the cell surface of several pathogens, including Leishmania species. This molecule is absent in humans and has emerged as a promising immunogenic vaccine target. α1,3GalT-KO mice were intranasally immunized with 10 μg either Qβ-α-Gal or Qβ per nostril and boosted twice prior to sample collection. Blood and lung lavage samples were used to evaluate the antibody response. The Qβ-α-Gal group developed …

Effects Of “Zero Sugar” Energy Drinks On Microbial Proliferation In Relation To The Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Madison Hines

Honors Theses

Energy drinks have rapidly increased in popularity and availability in recent years. With the rise of high-caffeine beverages, complications due to caffeine consumption have become more common in younger populations. The aim of this study was to use controlled laboratory methods to determine the effect of energy drinks on a variety of organisms commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The diverse and dynamic nature of microbes in the gut makes conditions of the GI tract difficult to replicate in a laboratory setting. As an alternative, isolates of bacteria commonly found as normal flora in the GI tract were plated …

Quantifying The Antifungal Properties Of Bacteria Using Cotton Strips, Lily Lofton

Honors Theses

Many bacteria have been known to have antifungal properties. Research has begun to determine how these bacteria can be used to protect cotton and other cellulose-rich textiles. In the present study, standardized cotton strips were inoculated with two different bacterial consortia that have exhibited anti-fungal properties. These strips were then inoculated with the melanized cellulolytic fungi, Chaetomium globosum and Rhinocladiella similis. Similarly, some cotton strips were also inoculated with a non-melanized fungus, Rhodotorula toruloides, which is also thought to be cellulolytic. The tensile strength of cotton strips was measured along with the ergosterol concentrations (fungal biomass) for each cotton strip …

The Spread Of Conspiracy Theories And Social Media Radicalization: “Stop The Steal” On Social Media, Zaynab Saleem

Honors Theses

This study examines how conspiracy-related content spread across social media platforms following the 2020 U.S. Presidential election, specifically the “Stop the Steal” (STS) movement. While conspiracy theories are often seen as influential on niche parts of the internet, less is known about how they compare to non-conspiracy content in terms of engagement, visibility, and how they change over time. To address this gap, this study uses a quantitative approach to compare STS and non-STS content across two distinct types of social media platforms: a text-based platform (Platform A) and a video-sharing platform (Platform B). Data was collected using keyword searches …

Properties Design For George C. Wolfe’S The Colored Museum, Giavanna Vainisi

Honors Theses

This thesis details the properties design process for the University of Southern Mississippi’s Fall 2025 production of George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum. Through analysis of the script, research into the subject matter and playwright, and collaboration with the artistic team, this student designed and constructed effective properties for this production.

Southern Miss: The Legacy Of Resilience, Ashley Lewis

Honors Theses

Southern Miss: The Legacy of Resilience is a creative work composed of two components: a short expository styled documentary and a written component primarily focused on the methods and techniques used to film the documentary. On February 10th, 2013, an EF-4 tornado significantly impacted the University of Southern Mississippi’s campus in Hattiesburg. The campus obtained significant damages to eight buildings located near Hardy Street on the southeastern portion of campus. The impact of the tornado left the university with over $20 million worth of damages. At the time, the university was temporarily closed for Mardi Gras break. However, a recovery …

Deep Learning-Based Automated Pneumonia Detection From Chest X-Rays: A Comparative Study Of Custom Cnn And Transfer Learning Architectures, Ahmed Sajim

Honors Theses

Pneumonia is a leading global cause of mortality, claiming approximately 2.5 million lives an-nually and placing exceptional diagnostic pressure on radiologists in resource-limited settings. Manual interpretation of chest X-ray (CXR) images is time-consuming, subject to inter-observer variability, and limited by radiologist availability. This thesis presents a systematic investiga-tion into deep learning-based automated pneumonia detection comparing five convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures: a custom-designed 2D CNN and four pretrained transfer learning models—ResNet, DenseNet, MobileNet, and VGG19.

A targeted data augmentation pipeline addresses the severe class imbalance in the Kag-gle Chest X-Ray Pneumonia dataset, expanding the Normal class from 1,583 to 9,495 …

Assessing Tracking Error Of The Municipal Bond Etfs, Maksym Chikin

Honors Theses

Municipal bond exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide diversified exposure to state and local government bonds through a single tradable security. They also provide interest that is usually exempt from federal income tax. This thesis examines 31 investment-grade and 3 high-yield municipal bond ETFs from April 2015 to February 2025 and compares them with three passively managed broad-market bond ETFs: BND (investment-grade bonds), SCHR (Treasury bonds), and JNK (high-yield corporate bonds). Using tracking error, volatility, and returns across the pre-COVID, COVID, and post-COVID periods, the results show that municipal bond ETFs—especially high-yield funds—have higher tracking errors, greater volatility, and more variable returns …

Ethical Attitudes Of Emerging Entrepreneurs: Unethical Business Practices And Informal Entrepreneurship, Reuben Mcdonald

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to analyze the connection between how entrepreneurs’ ethical attitudes impact their intentions in pursuing informal entrepreneurship practices. The research question of this thesis is, “To what extent do the ethical attitudes of pre-venture entrepreneurs affect their willingness to engage in informal business practices?” To answer this question, the researcher utilized both previously validated and developed scales to measure how ethical attitudes impact the informal entrepreneurship intentions of college students. Within this thesis, the researcher discusses the creation of the measurement instrument, the results of the data measured by the instrument, and the impact of ethical attitudes on …

Developing A Range Prediction For The Imperiled Florida Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex Badius) Using Species Distribution Modeling, Noah Williamson

Honors Theses

The Florida Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex badius) was once widespread and commonplace throughout the sandhills of the Southeastern United States, providing key ecosystem services, such as seed dispersal and soil aeration. Over recent decades, however, Florida Harvester Ant populations have declined in some areas. Current literature postulates that Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA), and the insecticides used to manage them, as well as further human encroachment onto their habitat, all likely contributed to Florida Harvester Ant population declines. Thus, to better protect these organisms, pursue data-driven conservation efforts, and guide management practices, more information about their nest site selection, as well …

Rural Health In Pike County: A Richard & Magnolia Community Health Needs Assessment, Victoria Bracey

Honors Theses

Rural communities across the United States suffer from poor health outcomes due to lack of resources and other compounding factors that make access to quality healthcare difficult. Mississippi is a predominantly rural state, and in the southwestern region of Mississippi lies the community of Magnolia and the community of Richard within Pike County. To better understand the health needs of Pike County, a community health needs assessment was conducted. This study aimed to assess the needs of Pike County in southwest Mississippi through the use of a community health needs assessment using focus groups. Two focus groups, with a total …

Justice And Peace Shall Kiss: A Comparative Analysis Of Law From Ancient Israel To Modern America, Evan Nix

Honors Theses

Modern legal scholarship frequently attributes American criminal jurisprudence to Roman structures, Enlightenment rationality, and English common law, which obscures the American system’s roots in Hebraic natural-law value frameworks. The present thesis asks: “To what extent does the American criminal justice system embody core values of ancient Hebrew law, and how does such a framework compare to purely secular models regarding societal stability and equity?” A comparative analysis draws on biblical texts of the Torah, Hebrew wisdom literature, and American constitutional and statutory provisions, tracing a genealogy from covenantal laws of ancient Israel to modern American constitutionalism. Findings indicate preservation of …

A Comparative Analysis Of Alternative Pathways To A Law License In The United States, Katherine Willis

Honors Theses

In recent years, there has been an ongoing discussion of how bar exams may be disproportionately unfair to certain demographic groups as a standard pathway to admission to law practice. Some states have had longstanding alternate pathways to the legal profession that sidestep the bar exam and/or law school, including California, Virginia, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire. In the years following 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, other states have joined these jurisdictions in offering alternative pathways to practice that would replace the law school and/or bar exam requirements for aspiring lawyers. This thesis aims to bridge a gap in the literature …

Tough Love Or Just Tough?: The Effect Of Juvenile Military Bootcamps On Adolescent Externalizing Behaviors, Paris Labadie

Honors Theses

Externalizing behaviors, which are mental health problems manifested as outward behavior, have negative impacts on the environment and relationships (Liu, 2004). They include traits such as impulsivity, aggression, and substance use. Externalizing behaviors are more common in justice-involved youth compared to those who were not involved. Interventions for justice-involved youth, such as military boot camps, offer an alternative to incarceration and provide rehabilitation opportunities and routine. Theoretical research suggests military boot camps are problematic, citing the ineffectiveness of “scared straight” tactics. To date, there are few studies examining changes because of completing boot camps. There are also no studies examining …

Revisiting The Hydrostatic Assumption In The Marine Atmospheric Surface Layer, Karina Griffin

Honors Theses

The marine atmospheric surface layer (MASL), defined as the lowest ~100 m of the atmosphere overlying the ocean, is a complicated environment influenced by air-sea interactions and regional  weather patterns. In the absence of air motion, air pressure in the MASL decreases with altitude at  a constant rate due to the reduction in weight of the overlying air column. This relationship is  defined by a linear hydrostatic equation and is applied under the assumption that any dynamic  vertical pressure gradients will be small relative to the hydrostatic pressure gradient. The  hydrostatic assumption is commonly applied in the MASL despite the …