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Honors Theses

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Insights For Marketers: College Student Consumer Trends, Jana Elisabeth Newcomer Jan 2015

Insights For Marketers: College Student Consumer Trends, Jana Elisabeth Newcomer

Honors Theses

This thesis will aim to examine the ways in which college students can best be reached by marketing efforts. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 21 million students will attend college this year—a whopping 5.7 million more than in 2000. Considering the impact of their preferences and the billions of dollars of discretionary money spent by college students annually, this segment of the market is a critical one. College students are consuming social media constantly, embracing technological change, and desiring for brands and products to help define them. Through the use of quantitative and qualitative data, this thesis …


Producer Perspectives: Local Food System Development In The Global South, Jillian Cowart Jan 2015

Producer Perspectives: Local Food System Development In The Global South, Jillian Cowart

Honors Theses

Local food systems can be used to promote more equitable and sustainable development in communities internationally, but farmers often face challenges in further developing and promoting the systems in which they participate. Through this comparative study of producers involved in two local food systems in the global south — Sokone, Senegal and Cleveland, Mississippi — farmers were interviewed to determine what challenges and opportunities they face in regard to this area of development. In addition to observations of the two communities' farmers markets, intensive interviews were conducted with ten farmers in Sokone and nine farmers in Cleveland. Qualitative data were …


Sandy Symbionts: How Tree Identity Shapes Ectomycorrhizal Fungus In Sand Pine, John Culbertson Jan 2015

Sandy Symbionts: How Tree Identity Shapes Ectomycorrhizal Fungus In Sand Pine, John Culbertson

Honors Theses

The purpose of my thesis was to investigate the structure and composition of the ectomycorrhizal (EMC) fungal communities of sand pine (Pinus clausa var. immuginata). Root tips were sampled from four trees located within Eglin Air Force Base. Colonization was shown to differ significantly based on tree identity. Abundance, species diversity, and the ratio of ECM fungi to pathogenic fungi did not differ significantly based on tree identity. A total of 35 ECM operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were shown to colonize the four trees. Helotiales4, Lactarius2, and Cenococcum geophilum were found to be the most abundant OTUs, while Lactarius1 was …


The Prescribed Advantage: An Examination And Ethical Discussion Of The Growing Prescription Stimulant Culture, Joseph L. Maxwell Jan 2015

The Prescribed Advantage: An Examination And Ethical Discussion Of The Growing Prescription Stimulant Culture, Joseph L. Maxwell

Honors Theses

The goal of this thesis is to examine the current state of prescription stimulant use, particularly on college campuses, and the impact of the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) dilemma. I will first discuss the science explaining and relating ADHD etiology and the effects of stimulant medications on the mind and body. I will then discuss the accepted criteria for ADHD diagnosis and the ambiguity they create. Next I will identify the central issue: the widespread illicit use of stimulant medications, particularly for academic purposes. I will expound on the development of this situation, the influence of the competitive collegiate atmosphere, and …


Immunization Perception And Education, Katie Day Jan 2015

Immunization Perception And Education, Katie Day

Honors Theses

With vaccination rates in the United States falling, there is now a growing need for immunization education. This study aimed to survey a large group of students to determine the most beneficial method of educating the public and to evaluate the locations that individuals are more likely to receive vaccinations. The survey highlights the increasing demand for physicians and pharmacists to improve immunization education to prevent individuals from dying each year due to vaccine preventable diseases.


An Examination Of Microbial Populations In Different Brands And Flavors Of Ice Cream, Madeline Campbell Jan 2015

An Examination Of Microbial Populations In Different Brands And Flavors Of Ice Cream, Madeline Campbell

Honors Theses

Outbreaks of foodborne illness are of concern to many Americans. While pasteurization of ingredients and freezing eliminates most microbiological hazards, ice cream can act as a vehicle for pathogen transmission and be a cause of foodborne disease. This study examined the bacterial content of seven nationally distributed brands of ice cream and one local farmer's market brand. The aims of the study were to (1) determine if there was a higher bacterial content in chocolate and strawberry ice cream compared to vanilla ice cream, potentially because of more ingredients and more opportunities for bacterial contamination in those flavors, and (2) …


Death, Maintenance And Revitalization Of The Quechua Language In Peru: A Case Study With A Focus On San Pedro De Cajas, Madeline Fumi Jan 2015

Death, Maintenance And Revitalization Of The Quechua Language In Peru: A Case Study With A Focus On San Pedro De Cajas, Madeline Fumi

Honors Theses

I would like to express my gratitude to several individuals who continuously supported me throughout the process of my thesis research and writing. I am very grateful to my advisor, Dr. Maria Fionda, whose constructive criticism helped challenge and develop my critical thinking and writing skills. A special thanks goes to my second reader, Dr. William Schenck, and my third reader, Dr. Felice Coles, who gave me useful feedback regarding how to incorporate my qualitative findings in my thesis to support my main arguments. I would also like to thank Maria Teresa Alvarado for her help with numerous Spanish translations …


A Translational Study Of The Correlation Between Low Birth Weight, Hypertension, And Kidney Function Using A Rat Model, Marcus Daniels Jan 2015

A Translational Study Of The Correlation Between Low Birth Weight, Hypertension, And Kidney Function Using A Rat Model, Marcus Daniels

Honors Theses

We studied the correlation between low birth weight, hypertension, and kidney function using a rat model. There is a strong correlation between these three phenomena especially in the Southeastern United States and in non-White populations. We hypothesized that the anti-hypertensive drugs Reserpine and Hydralazine would prevent hypertension and improve renal function in low birth weight rats. We used a rat model created by Dr. Barbara Alexander in this study. Pregnant rats were subjected to Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure surgery. Silver clips were placed on the abdominal aorta and uterine arteries approximately two weeks after fertilization in order to restrict blood …


X-Dimer Mutations And Their Effects On The Folding Stability And Assembly Of Ecad12 At The K14-D138 Interface, Martha Kaitlyn Coghlan Jan 2015

X-Dimer Mutations And Their Effects On The Folding Stability And Assembly Of Ecad12 At The K14-D138 Interface, Martha Kaitlyn Coghlan

Honors Theses

Classical cadherins were first identified by their function in mediating calcium-dependent cellular adhesion and constitute a large family of cellular adhesion receptor proteins whose differential binding is central to the development and maintenance of tissue architecture. The interface underlying the binding interaction reveals that all classical cadherins share a common adhesive interface in which the portion of the β-A strand closest to the N-terminus is swapped between EC1 domains of the adhesive partner protomers. A second dimeric configuration, known as the 'X-dimer', is the face-to-face association of two protomers in which their orientation is dictated by three symmetrical noncovalent interactions …


In Vino Veritas: A Comparison Of Organic Winemaking And Attitudes Towards Organic Wine In Four Global Regions, Mary Sloan Merkel Jan 2015

In Vino Veritas: A Comparison Of Organic Winemaking And Attitudes Towards Organic Wine In Four Global Regions, Mary Sloan Merkel

Honors Theses

Organic winemaking is a very high value adding activity for the economy, but the industry has seen different levels of growth throughout the world. It is unclear whether organic winemaking is a viable long-term activity in prominent winemaking regions. This thesis looks at the regulations dealing with organic winemaking and attitudes towards organic wine in four major wine producing areas in the world: the United States, Italy, Argentina, and New Zealand. This thesis uses an extensive literature review of existing studies and papers dealing with organic wine, as well as government regulations and private standards to determine the current practices …


Muscle Fatigue Resistance Via Energy Drink Consumption — Assessment Of Pre- And Post- Experiment Participant Feedback, Mary Kathleen Robbins Jan 2015

Muscle Fatigue Resistance Via Energy Drink Consumption — Assessment Of Pre- And Post- Experiment Participant Feedback, Mary Kathleen Robbins

Honors Theses

Energy drink consumption poses a health risk among college students, and long-term health implications are unclear. Because energy drinks are classified as dietary supplements, the FDA is not responsible for proving consumption is safe for the consumer. This research project studies the consumption of an energy drink and an energy bean's effect on muscle fatigue using a grip force transducer, subjective perceptions of the participants after consumption across the two trials, and subjects' opinion of energy drinks after the conclusion of the experiment. All subjects, ages 18-24 and regular users of caffeine, were recruited through email at the University of …


China's 'Leftover' Women Phenomenon: Media Portrayal And 'Leftover' Voices, Mazie Merriman Jan 2015

China's 'Leftover' Women Phenomenon: Media Portrayal And 'Leftover' Voices, Mazie Merriman

Honors Theses

China's shengnü — or leftover women — are a group of highly-educated, single, urban women that the Chinese government has targeted in a scare-mongering media campaign intent on pushing these women to give up their careers or education in order to marry and produce children for the betterment of the state. Since 2007, this group of women has faced highly negative articles and images published both by the All China Women's Federation and other news outlets encouraging shengnü to fix their problems and marry. These highly-educated, unmarried women are seen as violators of traditional gen-der norms and roles, and the …


From Lazarus To Theophilus: How Manuscript Digitization Led To The Historical, Chemical, And Technological Understanding Of Iron Gall Ink And Its Counterparts, Meredith Oliver Jan 2015

From Lazarus To Theophilus: How Manuscript Digitization Led To The Historical, Chemical, And Technological Understanding Of Iron Gall Ink And Its Counterparts, Meredith Oliver

Honors Theses

This paper examines the physical and chemical composition of iron gall ink, how such composition has changed throughout its use in history, and the current chemical, digital, and multi-spectral methods by which the digital humanities use to preserve ancient texts inscribed with such ink. By using spectral technology, I hypothesized it possible to date and locate the geographic origin of ink based on its chemical composition. Uv-vis, fluorescence, and micro-XRF spectrometry were used to analyze elemental composition. Ink samples were made to simulate the ink on ancient manuscripts for UV-vis and fluorescence spectral analysis. Micro-XRF was performed on the Vercelli …


A Raman Spectroscopic And Computational Study Of The Effects Of Halogen Bonding On Pyrimidine Containing Systems, Peyton Lindsey Reves Jan 2015

A Raman Spectroscopic And Computational Study Of The Effects Of Halogen Bonding On Pyrimidine Containing Systems, Peyton Lindsey Reves

Honors Theses

This thesis involves the study of the effects of halogen bonding on pyrimidine containing systems. Halogen bonding is a type of non-covalent interaction that can occur when a Lewis base interacts with an iodine, bromine, or chlorine atom in a second molecule. The phenomenon of halogen bonding is explained by the presence of a localized region of positive electrostatic potential that exists on the halogen. This positive region is referred to as the σ-hole, and gives halogen bonding its other common name, σ-hole bonding. The magnitude of the positive σ-hole depends on both the type of halogen molecule involved in …


Effect Of Atomoxetine On Attentional Lapses: An Animal Model, Pooja Chawla Jan 2015

Effect Of Atomoxetine On Attentional Lapses: An Animal Model, Pooja Chawla

Honors Theses

Atomoxetine (ATX) is a non-stimulant drug that has been used to treat symptoms of ADHD, including lapses of attention. These attentional lapses are depicted as a longer, positive skew in a reaction time distribution comprised of a normal and an exponential curve. The central tendency is thought to represent sensory-motor processing; while the positive skew is thought to be caused by attentional lapses in animal models. This positive skew is larger in individuals with ADHD and is thought to be a result of an increased number of attentional lapses. In the animal model used in this experiment reaction time is …


Delivery Of A Fatty Acid Signal Via Rtil For Biofilm Dispersion, Rachaud M. Keyes Jan 2015

Delivery Of A Fatty Acid Signal Via Rtil For Biofilm Dispersion, Rachaud M. Keyes

Honors Theses

A number of proposed applications for ionic liquids involve ionic liquid/water interfaces, such as, chemical separations or drug delivery systems. Therefore, an understanding of the solubility and micellar behavior of ionic liquids in an aqueous environment is critical fundamental knowledge. The long term goal of our study was ionic liquids for delivery of biological active agents; therefore, we chose the anion, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Tf2N) since it promotes water stability and forms water immiscible RTILs. The study then paired the Tf2N-anion with three different classes of cations. By adding apolar substituents (-CH2-) to the cation, the size of the molecule increases in …


An Examination Of Crisis Communications At Major Mississippi Universities, Virginia W. Mayo Jan 2015

An Examination Of Crisis Communications At Major Mississippi Universities, Virginia W. Mayo

Honors Theses

This thesis will examine current theory in how to prepare for, handle and communicate in a crisis supported by extensive research. The first chapter includes case studies from other college campuses, the importance of a crisis management plan, and dealing with the media in crisis situations. Next, the crisis communications theories will be applied to three major Mississippi universities through examination from interviews and the study of past crises at these universities. Interviews were conducted via email and in person, depending on the location of the school. The three Mississippi universities examined are The University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi State …


The Effects Of Acoustic Signals On The Endocrine Physiology Of Female Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Melissa Paige Dent Jan 2015

The Effects Of Acoustic Signals On The Endocrine Physiology Of Female Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Melissa Paige Dent

Honors Theses

The vocalizations of male H. cinerea stimulate cortisol production in male receivers during close-range interactions. In many vertebrate species, males and females possess similar sensory neuroendocrine pathways, suggesting that acoustic signals may also stimulate CORT production in females. Males of this species would potentially benefit from stimulating CORT production in females because elevated CORT levels significantly decrease the strength of female preferences for energetically costly calls (i.e., calls produced at rapid rates). The primary objective of my honors research was to assess how the acoustic signals produced by male green treefrogs, Hyla cinerea, influence the endocrine physiology of female signal …


Defining The Revolution: A Study Of Contemporary China's Sexual Transformation, Zackary L. Whitehead Jan 2015

Defining The Revolution: A Study Of Contemporary China's Sexual Transformation, Zackary L. Whitehead

Honors Theses

The use of the word revolution typifies much of the research and media coverage of contemporary shifts in Chinese sexual attitudes and behaviors. I argue that this language, while useful in intimating the extent of social transformation, remains clumsy due to the historical backdrop of Western sexual liberation and China's own cultural history. While the PRC government continues to disapprove and outlaw the proliferation of pornography, rising rates of premarital and extramarital sex and the spread of HIV/AIDS and other developments demonstrate ongoing shifts in Chinese society. Yet, the government's domination of politics and the Chinese people's desire for continued …


Women Hold Up Half The Internet: Examining The Political Identities Of Chinese Women Bloggers, Taylor Brack Jan 2015

Women Hold Up Half The Internet: Examining The Political Identities Of Chinese Women Bloggers, Taylor Brack

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.


The Role Of Acceptance In Ptsd Symptomatology Among A Nonclinical Sample, Amanda E. Gerard Jan 2015

The Role Of Acceptance In Ptsd Symptomatology Among A Nonclinical Sample, Amanda E. Gerard

Honors Theses

Studies have demonstrated the role of various psychological factors such as avoidance in PTSD (Marx & Sloan, 2005; Badour et al., 2012), but research examining the role of acceptance is limited. The few studies performed in the area have demonstrated significant associations between acceptance and PTSD symptomatology (Tull et al., 2007; Vujanovic et al., 2009) in addition to providing evidence that acceptance-based treatments can be effective for PTSD (Orsillo & Batten, 2005; Batten & Hayes, 2005). The current study aimed to expand previous research by using a large nonclinical sample and controlling for several relevant comorbidities. It was hypothesized that …


I Don't Need To Read, I'M Gonna Play Football: Male Collegiate Athletes' Perception Of Reading, Anna Kathryn Suggs Jan 2015

I Don't Need To Read, I'M Gonna Play Football: Male Collegiate Athletes' Perception Of Reading, Anna Kathryn Suggs

Honors Theses

My research is comprised of data collected from surveys and interviews to gain a better understanding of how college athletes, especially those from low-income backgrounds, perceive their past experience with reading. I surveyed ninety-three freshmen male athletes. I then narrowed my research to focus specifically on male freshmen athletes from all sports and football players of all years, since football has the highest percentage of athletes from low-income backgrounds. I then interviewed six student athletes on the football team. I found that whether or not a student athlete is read to as a child, enjoyed reading as a child, and …


Exploration Of Cannabinoid And Opioid Agents From Plants Used In Traditional Medicine, John Fitzpatrick Jan 2015

Exploration Of Cannabinoid And Opioid Agents From Plants Used In Traditional Medicine, John Fitzpatrick

Honors Theses

Ten plants, with known medicinal uses, were gathered to study for their possible production of secondary metabolites that act as opioid and cannabinoid agents. All plants were subjected to in vitro bioassays testing for their affinity for the opioid and cannabinoid receptors. Banisteriopsis caapi extracts displayed the greatest affinity for both opioid and cannabinoid receptors. B. caapi extracts underwent column fractionation yielding fractions that were subjected to further in vitro studies. We discovered that the ethanolic extract of this plant (foliage) binds to all three opioid receptors (µ, κ and δ) and cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) with values ranging …


Machismo In Chilean Politics: A Case Study Of The 2005 And 2013 Presidential Elections, Laura Bridges Jan 2015

Machismo In Chilean Politics: A Case Study Of The 2005 And 2013 Presidential Elections, Laura Bridges

Honors Theses

This thesis will answer the following question: Is there a relationship between the election of Bachelet in 2005 and 2013 and machismo? What, if any, influence did machismo have on her election? Chile is one of the more socially conservative countries in Latin America -- divorce was illegal until 2004, abortion is still illegal, etc. When Michelle Bachelet ran for the office of President in 2005, the arguments from her male opponents criticized her abilities based on gendered ideas of the roles of men and women should play in society. For example, they implied that because she was a woman, …


The Dimerization Kinetics Of Ncad12 With A Mutated Cis-X-Pro Bond, Victoria Mcclearn Jan 2015

The Dimerization Kinetics Of Ncad12 With A Mutated Cis-X-Pro Bond, Victoria Mcclearn

Honors Theses

VICTORIA RAE McCLEARN: DIMERIZATION KINECTICS OF NCAD12 P16A (Under the direction Dr. Susan Pedigo) Calcium binding causes a conformational change into a strand swapped dimer for the cadherins. However, regardless of the sequence similarity for Epithelial Cadherin (ECAD) and Neural Cadherin (NCAD), they respond to the presence of calcium differently. For NCAD, the rate of assembly and disassembly depends upon the presence of calcium, whereas for ECAD the rate of exchange is independent of calcium. Studies into a kinetic model to explain the differences between the rates have been recently conducted. It is believed that ECAD uses an X-dimer intermediate …


Secondary Metabolites Isolated From Perovskia Atriplicifolia And Their In Vitro Binding Affinity For Human Opioid And Cannabinoid Receptors, Ashli Fitzpatrick Jan 2015

Secondary Metabolites Isolated From Perovskia Atriplicifolia And Their In Vitro Binding Affinity For Human Opioid And Cannabinoid Receptors, Ashli Fitzpatrick

Honors Theses

Plants and their natural products have been utilized for thousands of years in the treatment of many human diseases. Because of their structural diversity, natural products are ideal lead compounds for drug development. In this thesis, the natural products of the plant Perovskia atriplicifolia were investigated, specifically their in vitro binding affinity to receptors in opioid and cannabinoid classes. Extracts that demonstrated good selective opioid and cannabinoid receptor binding were subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation. Four active compounds were identified from the crude extract in Perovskia atriplicifolia: 1) 5-hydroxy-3',4',6,7-tetramethoxy flavone, 2) 5,7-dihydroxy-3',4',6,-trimethoxy flavone, 3) 5-hydroxy-4',6,7-trimethoxy flavone, and 4) 5,7-dihydroxy-4',6,-dimethoxy flavone. Each …


The Effects Of Testosterone On Calling Behavior In Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Brandon Bunol Jan 2015

The Effects Of Testosterone On Calling Behavior In Green Treefrogs, Hyla Cinerea, Brandon Bunol

Honors Theses

Circulating androgen levels can have a profound effect on the expression of elaborate male traits and courtship behaviors that are important in attracting females. For example, elevated androgens are necessary for the expression of vocal displays used by male anurans (frogs and toads) to attract mates. However, the nature of the relationship between androgen levels and the extent, or magnitude, of vocalization in male anurans is unclear. For example, androgens may have a threshold effect on vocalization wherein elevation in androgens is required for vocal expression, but elevations above threshold do not mediate an increase in the magnitude or extent …


A Study Of The Impact Of Ph On The Structure And Stability Of Epithelial Cadherin, Catherine Abadie Jan 2015

A Study Of The Impact Of Ph On The Structure And Stability Of Epithelial Cadherin, Catherine Abadie

Honors Theses

Epithelial (E-) cadherin is a transmembrane protein whose function lies in cell-to-cell adhesion. It is a transmembrane component of adherens junctions of epithelial tissues, thereby connecting the actin cytoskeletons of adhered cells. It has five extracellular domains, a small transmembrane portion, and a cytoplasmic tail. The molecule must bind calcium in order to form an adhesive dimer with a cadherin molecule emanating from an adjacent cell. Cancer of the epithelial tissue, carcinoma, is accompanied by acidification of the tissue and a loss in cell adhesion. The long-term goal of this project is to determine the effect of a decrease in …


Modernizing The Marianne: The French Feminist Movement And Its Effects On Gender Equality, Hallie Grace Haines Jan 2015

Modernizing The Marianne: The French Feminist Movement And Its Effects On Gender Equality, Hallie Grace Haines

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.


Non-Covalent Ineteractions Of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (Tmao) And Urea In Water, John Prather Jan 2015

Non-Covalent Ineteractions Of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (Tmao) And Urea In Water, John Prather

Honors Theses

TMAO and urea are important osmolytes. Osmolytes help maintain cell volume with their presence inside and outside cells. Urea is used by kidney cells to neutralize strong osmotic gradients caused by excretion of hypertonic waste. Although urea is for volume- maintaining purposes, it is also known to be a strong denaturant of cellular proteins. The method by which urea destabilizes folded proteins is a debated topic. There is evidence that urea binds directly to amino acid side chains to make protein folding less thermodynamically favored. It has also been suggested that urea acts indirectly to denature proteins by destabilizing the …