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Honors Theses

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Transboundary Animal Diseases And Their Likelihood To Be Used In An Agroterrorist Attack On The United States, James Willard Allen Jan 2011

Transboundary Animal Diseases And Their Likelihood To Be Used In An Agroterrorist Attack On The United States, James Willard Allen

Honors Theses

All data and information contained in this investigation are open source and publically available. The assessment uses six different transboundary animal diseases which are not currently routine occurrences in the United States and through analytic methods, assesses the likelihood that each might be used in an agroterrorist attack on the United States' animal production sector. The assessment examines each disease using key details that would directly affect the likelihood of its use in an attack, focusing on potential economic damage. The three main animal populations considered are bovine, swine, and poultry due to their large size and value in domestic …


Effects Of Anticholinergics And Cholinergic Enhancers On Spatial Learning And Locomotion In Mice, Brittany Nicole Simpson Jan 2011

Effects Of Anticholinergics And Cholinergic Enhancers On Spatial Learning And Locomotion In Mice, Brittany Nicole Simpson

Honors Theses

To investigate the cholinergic system’s role In learning and memory, I. utilized the Morris water maze (MWM) task, which tests spatial ability. Subjects must locate a submerged, hidden platform using the various distal cues around the room to orient themselves in space to find the escape platform. The cholinergic system regulates spatial learning and memory necessary for tasks such as the MWM and also plays a role in locomotor activity. I performed a pilot study to demonstrate that outbred strains of mice perform the MWM task effectively. I then used an outbred strain of mice, Swiss Webster, in the MWM …


Ecophilosophies And Environmental Perspectives In The Amazon Rainforest: Conservation Through Sustainable Use Projects, Scarlett Ashlen Andrews Jan 2011

Ecophilosophies And Environmental Perspectives In The Amazon Rainforest: Conservation Through Sustainable Use Projects, Scarlett Ashlen Andrews

Honors Theses

Non-governmental organizations are on the forefront of conservation strategies throughout the world, and the Amazon Rainforest is one of the most crucial regions in the world for these efforts. Though many conservation strategies in the past focused on the establishment of protected areas, there has been a recent increase in projects aimed at sustainable use of land with the goal of conserving natural resources and ecosystem processes. This thesis is an exploration of sustainable use projects in the Andes-Amazon border region, specifically those projects which focus on agriculture and forestry. By comparing historical and theoretical ecophilosophies and analyzing survey responses …


Design And Construction Of A Reflectron Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometer For Multiphoton Ionization And Vibrational Spectroscopic Studies Of Mass-Selected Clusters, Matthew Dodd Mcdowell Jan 2011

Design And Construction Of A Reflectron Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometer For Multiphoton Ionization And Vibrational Spectroscopic Studies Of Mass-Selected Clusters, Matthew Dodd Mcdowell

Honors Theses

Mass spectrometry is typically employed for the elucidation and identification of elements and compounds. Its ability to select and isolate specific molecular clusters makes it an ideal tool for the fundamental spectroscopic study of the photophysical and geometric properties of molecules and molecular clusters. The design and construction of a reflectron time of flight mass spectrometer (reflectron TOF-MS) as well as its implementation for electronic and vibrational spectroscopic studies of various molecules and molecular clusters is discussed. The first chapter introduces basic theory related to electronic spectroscopy, multiphoton ionization, and vibrational spectroscopy. The second chapter entails the theoretical aspects of …


The Best Intentions: The Failure Of International Intervention In The Bosnian Genocide, James Michael Buchanan Jan 2011

The Best Intentions: The Failure Of International Intervention In The Bosnian Genocide, James Michael Buchanan

Honors Theses

I have so many people to thank for helping me through this grueling process. The first and foremost is my Thesis Mentor, Dr. Jacob Kathman. Without his advice and prodding, I never could have turned a “piece of garbage” into a decent scholarly work. I also need to express my gratitude to Dr. Gispen, who has been pushing me to exceed my expectations since my Freshman year. Dr. Schenck: Thank you so much for answering all ofmy incessant questions throughout this arduous process. I have really appreciated it. Dr. Allen, thank you so much for agreeing to help me with …


Conflicting Interests In The Swiss Alps: A Comparative Study Of International Environmental Governance, Shelley Clark Jan 2011

Conflicting Interests In The Swiss Alps: A Comparative Study Of International Environmental Governance, Shelley Clark

Honors Theses

I owe a great deal ofthanks to the people who helped with my thesis. First, my advisor Dr. John Sonnett helped shape and edit my thesis more than anyone else. My third-reader Dr. Ann Fisher-Wirth and my second-reader Dr. Kees Gispen should also be given credit for the completion ofmy thesis. Dr. Fisher-Wirth has been an inspiration to me since my first year at Ole Miss. She planted the seeds of environmentalism in my head and also fostered the exchange program with the University ofFribourg. Completing the thesis component for the Honors College and the Croft Institute has been an …


Investigations Of Bite Force In Northern Gulf Of Mexico Shark Species, With Emphasis On Blacknose And Sharpnose Sharks, Martha Frances Dalton Jan 2011

Investigations Of Bite Force In Northern Gulf Of Mexico Shark Species, With Emphasis On Blacknose And Sharpnose Sharks, Martha Frances Dalton

Honors Theses

Bite force was investigated for nine shark species common to the waters of the Northern Gulf of Mexico using a bite force meter developed for this study. The two primary species examined in this study were blacknose, {Corcharhinus acronotus) and sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) sharks. Other species examined included blacktip (Corcharhinus limbatus), spinner (Corcharhinus brevipinna), finetooth (Corcharhinus isodon), sandbar (Corcharhinus plumbeus), bull (Corcharhinus leucus), tiger (Galeocerdo cuvieri), and bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) sharks. Absolute bite force values ranged from 0.9 to 11.79 kg for blacknose, 0.05 to 5.44 kg for sharpnose, 1.36 to 11.34 for blacktip, 1.36 to 5.90 kg for spinner, …


Hydrogeologic Analyses For An Earthen Dam Proposal At The University Field Station, Maria Theresa Brown Jan 2011

Hydrogeologic Analyses For An Earthen Dam Proposal At The University Field Station, Maria Theresa Brown

Honors Theses

In response to a request for a new dam at the University of Mississippi Field Station (UMFS), BTJM Engineering prepared an initial feasibility assessment and continued investigations until a full construction plan was completed. This report details the hydrogeologic analyses involed in this process. Initial site investigations included mapping surficial geology, creating a generalized stratigraphic column, mapping the potentiometric surface, and developing a conceptual and quantitative understanding of the local hydrolgic budget. This data informed decisions regarding the location of a new dam, which was finally designed with full considerations of the local hydrogeology. After the dam was designed, analysis …


Variation In Enzymatic Capabilities Of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Along A Loblolly Pine Successional Gradient, Becky Anne Brasher Jan 2011

Variation In Enzymatic Capabilities Of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Along A Loblolly Pine Successional Gradient, Becky Anne Brasher

Honors Theses

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) are abundant symbionts of trees in many dominant terrestrial ecosystems. Moreover, ECM communities are speciose and vary in composition over time and space. However, we still understand surprisingly little about variation in function of different ECM species, and thus the consequences of variation in ECM community composition. I studied variation in ECM community composition and enzymatic activities on the roots of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) along a successional gradient from an old field to a second-growth mixed forest in northern Mississippi. I sought to determine not only whether ECM communities changed along the gradient, but also whether …


Reduced Density Of Calbindin Immunoreactive Gabaergic Neurons In Major Depressive Disorder: Relevance To Neuroimaging Studies And Future Directions, Jonathan Hughes Jan 2011

Reduced Density Of Calbindin Immunoreactive Gabaergic Neurons In Major Depressive Disorder: Relevance To Neuroimaging Studies And Future Directions, Jonathan Hughes

Honors Theses

Background: Several lines of evidence suggest dysfunction of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system in major depressive disorder. Neuroimaging studies report reduced levels of GABA in the dorsolateral prefrontal and occipital cortex of depressed patients. Our previous postmortem study re-vealed a reduction in the density and size of calbindin-immunoreactive (CB-IR) GABAergic neurons in the prefrontal cortex in major depressive disorder. The goal of this study was to test whether the changes in CB-IR neurons can also be detected in the occipital cortex, where neuroimaging studies report a prominent GABA decrease. Methods: A three-dimensional cell counting probe was used to assess the …


Shakespeare's Soundscape: Vocal Song In The Plays Of William Shakespeare And In Early Modern Culture., Julie Marcia Dhossche Jan 2011

Shakespeare's Soundscape: Vocal Song In The Plays Of William Shakespeare And In Early Modern Culture., Julie Marcia Dhossche

Honors Theses

In evaluating song in early modem times we see the traveling of music through the culture, an omnipresent current that flow's through social strata and situations and can be interpreted to connect all. However, while music was pervasive in early modem society and the dominant theory of music w'as a totalizing one outlining a harmony inherent of and inspired by music, music in fact had a variety of uses among interests groups and could be a main indicator of social division. In this thesis I analyze song in Shakespeare within the frame of this seemingly paradoxical phenomenon of music as …


An Examination Of Parent-Child Relationships And Teen Substance Use, Brianna Johnson Jan 2011

An Examination Of Parent-Child Relationships And Teen Substance Use, Brianna Johnson

Honors Theses

What is the relationship between parent-child relationships and teen substance use? Our relationship with our parents can impact our lives for the better or the worse. To study this we analyzed a survey done by the Community that Cares. Alcohol use, marijuana use and tobacco use were determined by the respondent's self-reported substance use within the last within their lifetime on a 7 point Likert scale that ranges from 0 times to 40 times. Parental Relationships was measured by the respondents' feelings about how close they felt to their parents on a 4 point Likert scale ranging from no to …


The Effects Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids On Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Inositol Pathway Mutants, Daniel Antonio Colon Hidalgo, Marlene Murray-Nseula Jan 2011

The Effects Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids On Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Inositol Pathway Mutants, Daniel Antonio Colon Hidalgo, Marlene Murray-Nseula

Honors Theses

Bipolar disease is a severe and chronic debilitating mental disorder affecting 1-3% of the population. Omega-3-fatty acids have been shown to relieve symptoms of bipolar disorder and are not associated with the negative side effects of lithium and valproate, two of the commonly used drugs for treating this condition. The mechanism of action of omega-3-fatty acids remains unknown. Therefore the purpose of this study was to determine if, like lithium and valproate, omega-3-fatty acids affect inositol metabolism. This was accomplished by investigating the effect of the omega-3-fatty acid docosahexanoic acid (DHA) on the growth of inositol pathway mutants. To measure …


Dermal Reduction Of Urushiols Using An Activated Charcoal Formulated Dermal Care Patch, Celena Cameron Jan 2011

Dermal Reduction Of Urushiols Using An Activated Charcoal Formulated Dermal Care Patch, Celena Cameron

Honors Theses

For centuries, activated Charcoal (AC) has been used externally in a poultice form to adsorb "poisons" trapped in the outer layers of skin and internally to relieve intestinal discomfort and to remove toxic materials. The largest use for activated charcoal, in our society, is as a filter bed in air and water remediation cartridges. Recently, scientists have formulated AC into a nonstick dermal bandage called the Charcoal Patch (CP), but the adsorption properties are not well understood for this new formulation. Experiments have been conducted to see if these dermal bandages can be used to adsorb oils such as poison …


The Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Imino Stilbenes, Shieun Jang Jan 2011

The Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Imino Stilbenes, Shieun Jang

Honors Theses

We are in the process of developing a two-step synthesis of imino stilbenes as potential molecular switches, which are important in biology, electronics and other applications especially at nanoscopic scale. While both imines and stilbenes are well known, we have not uncovered any prior research and documentation on our proposed imino stilbenes in the scientific literature. In pursuit of our goal we have developed a new procedure for synthesis of t-butyl imines derived from aromatic aldehydes and ketones. We are also currently evaluating four different stilbene synthesis methods. Future work will systematically investigate the effect of electron withdrawing and donating …


Synthesis And Testing Of Second Generation Azatilbenes, Maurice Hardy Jan 2011

Synthesis And Testing Of Second Generation Azatilbenes, Maurice Hardy

Honors Theses

Based on previous research, azastilbenes have been reported as effective chemical sensors for organophosphates and organothiophosphates; they are related classes and the active components of agricultural pesticides, environmental pollutants and chemical warfare agents. This project builds on previous work and involves the synthesis of a variety of these azastilbenes and the testing of their respective properties. Azastilbene sensors are prepared using high-yield organic synthetic methodology developed in Professor Murray's lab. The next step involves testing the sensors through a measure, by UV-Vis spectroscopy and fluorometry, of an optical change upon the addition of analyte to a solution containing azastilbene sensor.


The Effects Of Valproate Prodrugs On The Inositol Biosynthetic Pathway In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Yeast, Lisa Thompson Jan 2011

The Effects Of Valproate Prodrugs On The Inositol Biosynthetic Pathway In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Yeast, Lisa Thompson

Honors Theses

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder characterized by episodes of abnormally elevated mood followed by periods of extreme depression. Currently, valproate is one of the drugs used to treat the disorder but it is associated with many negative side effects. The goal of this project is to create a prodrug with structural similarities to valproate and determine if its effect on growth of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is similar to that of valproate. Yeast cells were grown in media with or without the prodrug in the presence or absence of inositol. The results showed that the prodrug inhibited growth.


Non-Labeled, Real-Time Detection Of H1n1 Dna Hybridization Using Combined Qcm-D System, Sandra P. Prieto Jan 2011

Non-Labeled, Real-Time Detection Of H1n1 Dna Hybridization Using Combined Qcm-D System, Sandra P. Prieto

Honors Theses

Detection of H1N1 or other seasonal and highly contagious viruses are of vital importance, since early diagnosis from a patient's fluid, such as saliva, would accelerate treatment and containment of the flu. Current lab tests often require cumbersome labeling steps and several hours to detect the presence of viral DNAs. The QCM-D (quartz crystal microbalances with dissipation) technology was used to detect presence as well as distinguish H1N1 and H1N5 DNAs in real-time (a few minutes) with the use of relatively small sample volume (200-500 ul). Single stranded complementary H1N1 DNA was immobilized via Neutravidin-biotin linkage on a gold substrate …


The Role Of Ci(-) Channel-Inhibition In The Brain On The Phonotactic Selectivity Of Female Crickets, Brent H. Sherwin Jan 2011

The Role Of Ci(-) Channel-Inhibition In The Brain On The Phonotactic Selectivity Of Female Crickets, Brent H. Sherwin

Honors Theses

The goal of this project was to determine if picrotoxin influences phonotactic selectivity of female crickets when nanoinjected into the supraesophageal ganglion. Adult females of Acheta domesticus were pre-tested for phonotaxis on a treadmill to a range of calling songs with different syllable periods. Following dissection to expose the brain, 9.2 nL of either saline (control group) or 10-5 M picrotoxin (experimental group) was nanoinjected into the supraesophageal ganglion. Post-tests following saline injection (10 min later) were similar to the pre-tests. Picrotoxin-treated females became more phonotactically selective displaying a preference for calling songs with the shorter syllable periods.


The Role Of The Cerebellum In The Zebra Finch Song Circuit, Matthew Gian Digiusto Jan 2011

The Role Of The Cerebellum In The Zebra Finch Song Circuit, Matthew Gian Digiusto

Honors Theses

The cerebellum was originally thought to be a brain area used just for motor coordination, but it is now known to play a role in complex cognition. Some of these complex roles include aspects of human speech such as rhyming, silent rehearsal, and timing of speech. There are many similarities between human speech and songbird song including a babbling stage, the necessity of a tutor to copy, and specialized neural structures for learning and production; however, it is not clear whether the cerebellum plays a similar role in the songbird song circuit. In this experiment I examined the role of …


Molecular Analysis Of Endophytic Bacteria Associated With Lettuce., Shelly Leigh Osborn Jan 2011

Molecular Analysis Of Endophytic Bacteria Associated With Lettuce., Shelly Leigh Osborn

Honors Theses

Bacteria associated with lettuce and spinach have been linked to outbreaks of infectious diseases in humans. While studies have examined the culturable bacteria residing on lettuce surfaces, few have evaluated the non-culturable bacteria within the plant. This study used molecular techniques to examine the bacterial community present in five different salad greens (green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, and baby spinach). Both conventionally and organically grown samples of each salad type were examined, and samples were processed as purchased and following surface sterilization. DNA was extracted from homogenized samples and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used …


An Analysis Of Culturable Bacteria Otained From Store Bought Leaf Vegetables, Kevin Christian Randolph Jan 2011

An Analysis Of Culturable Bacteria Otained From Store Bought Leaf Vegetables, Kevin Christian Randolph

Honors Theses

Samples of five different varieties of leaf vegetables obtained from a local supermarket were analyzed for the presence of bacteria on both the outside (epiphytic) and inside of the plant (endophytic). For each variety, both conventionally and organically cultivated samples were analyzed. Each sample was analyzed following a typical consumer wash (so detecting both epiphytic and endophytic bacteria), and also after being surface sterilized with 1:5 bleach solution (endophytic bacteria only). Viable counts on R2A and TSA agar suggested that the majority of the bacteria of leaf vegetables were epiphytic, and total numbers range from 10 To 10 CFU/g leaf …


Have You Put On Weight? A Study On The Effects Of Certain Factors On The Increased Presence Of Eating Disorders In Modern Chinese Women, Kelli Michele Beard Jan 2011

Have You Put On Weight? A Study On The Effects Of Certain Factors On The Increased Presence Of Eating Disorders In Modern Chinese Women, Kelli Michele Beard

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.


A Comparison And Cooperative Utilization Of Møller–Plesset Perturbation Theory And B3lyp Density Functional Theory On Weakly Bound Structures, Joshua Ryan Smith Jan 2011

A Comparison And Cooperative Utilization Of Møller–Plesset Perturbation Theory And B3lyp Density Functional Theory On Weakly Bound Structures, Joshua Ryan Smith

Honors Theses

Harold Burson is the founder of Burson-Marsteller, a New York-based public relations firm, and has been recognized by PRWeek as "the century's most influential PR figure." He has received numerous awards from different organizations, run one of the largest public relations firm in the world, helped the field of public relations become a prominent profession and was one of the first individuals to push for international firms among other things. This thesis tries to reveal why so many see Harold Burson as a leader who has revolutionized the field. This is accomplished through interviewing friends, colleagues and family of Harold …


My 21st Century Expedition: Following The Route Of Schoolcraft 1820, 1832 To The Source Of The Mississippi River, Lorah Patterson Oct 2010

My 21st Century Expedition: Following The Route Of Schoolcraft 1820, 1832 To The Source Of The Mississippi River, Lorah Patterson

Honors Theses

The journal of Lorah Patterson during her expedition from Schoolcraft, Michigan, to the source of the Mississippi River. Supplemental file contains complete Herbarium. The thesis includes only a few examples.


Incorporating The History Of Mathematics Into Secondary Curriculum, Lacy Gaines Jun 2010

Incorporating The History Of Mathematics Into Secondary Curriculum, Lacy Gaines

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.


Microbial Stoichiometry And Homeostasis Of Nutrient Ratios In Fungi, Desiree Leach May 2010

Microbial Stoichiometry And Homeostasis Of Nutrient Ratios In Fungi, Desiree Leach

Honors Theses

Stoichiometry is the ratio of elements in a substance or microbial biomass. This paper investigates microbial stoichiometry and the responses of microbes to dissolved nutrient concentrations and ratios. The current work assesses both autrotrophic and heterotrophic responses to nutrient enrichment: autotrophic and heterotrophic states are defined mainly by ecosystem primary production and respiration. In ecosystems dominated by autotrophic microbes, nutrient enrichment can lead to increased biomass and biomass-specific rates of primary production. Heterotrophic ecosystems rely on subsides of organic carbon from outside the system. Their enrichment with N and/or P can accelerate microbial respiration rates and result in carbon losses …


Catalytic Decomposition Of Peroxynitrite And Superoxide By Nafion Films Modified With Iron And Manganese Porphyrin, Amanda Stull, Victor Sarpong May 2010

Catalytic Decomposition Of Peroxynitrite And Superoxide By Nafion Films Modified With Iron And Manganese Porphyrin, Amanda Stull, Victor Sarpong

Honors Theses

Nafion films alone and modified with inert electrolytes and metalloporphyrins were tested in their effectiveness of decomposition of aqueous peroxynitrite (PN) and superoxide. Films that were modified with a cationic manganese porphyrin, which has been shown to be responsible for catalytic decomposition of superoxide ion, were found to be most effective. Peroxynitrite was generated in solution by the decomposition of 3-morpholinosydnonimime (SIN-1) that generates nitric oxide and superoxide ion, which rapidly combine to form peroxynitrite. The tyrosine analogue 4-hydroxyphenylacetic (4-HPA) was used to trap the PN in pH 7.00 PBS buffer and was its nitrated product was detected by observing …


Rhizocephalan Parasites Of Mud Crabs In South Carolina Estuaries, Erin Burnette May 2010

Rhizocephalan Parasites Of Mud Crabs In South Carolina Estuaries, Erin Burnette

Honors Theses

Rhizocephalan parasites often infect commercially important crustacean species such as the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). In this experiment, the prevalence of rhizocephalan parasites was determined by sampling mud crabs (Panopeus herbstii) in three different locations; Huntington Beach State Park, Waites Island, and Murrells Inlet. Crabs were determined to be parasitized by the presence of an externae extruding from their apron. Unparasitized crabs were also collected to serve as a control group. The externa were removed and DNA extractions were performed. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were done to prove whether the crabs were parasitized by Loxothylacus texanus or Loxothylacus panopaei. Results …


Growth Rate Of Mugil Cephalus From Two Isolated Ponds In Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina, Matthew Vincent May 2010

Growth Rate Of Mugil Cephalus From Two Isolated Ponds In Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina, Matthew Vincent

Honors Theses

Measurement of growth of the euryhaline teleost Mugil cephalus is quite common in open ocean settings, but growth rates of M. cephalus in isolated areas is non-existent. Two isolated ponds in Huntington Beach State, Horry County, South Carolina were selected to study the growth rate of M. cephalus; Sandpiper Pond with virtual no hydrologic connection to the ocean and Jetty Pond with adequate hydrologic connection to the ocean were the sites of sample collection. Scales from M. cephalus in both ponds were collected then aged by two readers, where agreeing ages were kept in the dataset. A von Bertalanffy growth …