Digital Commons Network^™

Glass From The Past: A Chemical And Spatial Analysis Of French Container Glass From Fort St. Joseph, Ian Walraven

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Navigating Screens For Neurodivergent Individuals, Avery Wilson

Honors Theses

As technology becomes more prevalent in everyday life, it is important to consider the implications that this may have for one's mind and well-being. These implications are particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as neurodivergent individuals, who may have unique sensitivities to technology consumption. This paper reviews current literature to provide an overview of the implications of using media on the neurodivergent population, such as individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), who often possess unique brain sensitivities that influence technology consumption.

To begin, the paper examines the changes in brain structure and functioning in children …

The Impact Of Cannabis Use On Pulmonary Function Among Young Adults: A Literature Review, Ava Petersen

Honors Theses

Cannabis is the most used illicit drug among young adults and many of these users perceive cannabis as harmless and do not believe the drug to be addictive. Cannabis is derived from the flower of the hemp plant and contains cannabinoids THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the psychoactive component that interacts with the endocannabinoid system to produce a coveted euphoric state among users. Cannabis can be consumed in an edible or combusted and inhaled via joint, pipe, bong, etc. The purpose of this review is to examine the effects of inhaled cannabis on pulmonary function with a specific …

Causes, Effects, And Solutions Of Wrongful Convictions, Allison B. Gobuzzi

Honors Theses

This study examines the wrongful conviction of Anthony Hinton and other examples that illustrate the causes of wrongful convictions in the United States and the effects that wrongful convictions have on the wrongfully accused and their families. This study uses research from scholarly articles and legal cases to analyze the factors that contribute to wrongful convictions and the impact on the wrongfully accused and their families. The research concludes that wrongful convictions are frequently the result of both evidentiary and procedural issues within the criminal justice system.

The Laureate - An Undergraduate Literary Journal, Amelia Perleberg

Honors Theses

This thesis reflects on the editorial and publication process of the 24th edition of The Laureate, an undergraduate literary arts journal, during the 2025-2026 academic year. This thesis displays the role of editor-in-chief and examines the responsibilities, challenges, and personal growth that accompanied leading the journal. Through overseeing submissions, editing creative works, coordinating with the Design Center, and organizing the launch event, this thesis explores the collaborative and creative work required to produce a successful publication. The Laureate accepts a wide range of creative works, including poetry, fiction pieces, personal essays, photography, painting, scripts, etc. allowing undergraduate students to …

The Effects Of Solvent Vapor Annealing On Organic Semiconductor Materials, Nicholas Cox

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Growing Healthy Habits: Impacts Of A Youth Community Garden For Children In Rural Mississippi, Olivia G. Degravelle

Honors Theses

This study examines the implementation and outcomes of a Youth Garden Program conducted in Pontotoc, Mississippi. Funded by the Allstate Community Service Project Grant, the Youth Garden was constructed within the previously established Pontotoc Community Garden. The initiative comprised four weekly workshops designed for participants ranging from preschool to adolescence. Each session incorporated hands-on fruit and vegetable (FV) planting or harvesting, an educational lesson, and a complementary craft activity. Children’s FV consumption patterns, nutritional knowledge, and attitudes toward FV were assessed through pre- and post-program surveys. In addition, the photo-elicitation interview method invited participants to take digital photographs of garden …

Evaluating Sand Characteristics And Their Influence On Sea Turtle Nest Incubation Conditions, Thomas Naylor

Honors Theses

The embryonic development of sea turtles is strongly influenced by the environmental factors experienced during incubation within the nest. These environmental factors can influence hatchling sex ratios, body condition, and their success emerging from nests. Adult female sea turtles lay nests across a range of sites throughout the nesting season, resulting in each nest encountering unique abiotic conditions. This study aims to identify how variation in sand characteristics, such as grain size proportions, permeability, and color, influences nest temperature and subsequent hatchling outcomes of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) and Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) from …

An Investigation Into The Student And Faculty Knowledge, Perception, And Usage Of Chatgpt, Isabella Burns

Honors Theses

Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT) has become a significant topic in academia. Professors and university officials have been contemplating an all-out ban on utilizing such tools for undergraduate academic work. Sullivan et al (2023) noted “…student behaviors led some universities to ban the use of ChatGPT…” (p. 32). Instead of teaching students how to leverage ChatGPT as a powerful resource to enhance the learning process, universities have deemed use of ChatGPT unacceptable, equating its use with serious academic dishonesty offenses consistent with plagiarism (Hawdon et al., 2025). Directly copying from ChatGPT can constitute plagiarism and poses a significant issue for college-level studies, …

Exploring Undergraduate Student’S Perceptions Of Agriculture, Cayden J. Barton

Honors Theses

Americans today, both young and old, face issues with agricultural knowledge regarding the food and fiber industry and production agriculture as a whole (Frick et al., 1995). In a society where consumers are separated from production agriculture, public interaction with agriculture is less prevalent and the importance of agriculture is undervalued. A person’s knowledge of agriculture, or agricultural literacy affects the way that they perceive agricultural commodities and the agricultural industry (Specht, McKim, & Rutherford, 2014). Without adequate knowledge of the agricultural industry consumers cannot make well informed decisions about food safety or processing methods. In addition to consumers, government …

Empowering Futures: Inspiring Young Girls In Stem Through Comics, Angel M. Griggs

Honors Theses

Women have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields. In my analysis, I explored how children’s literature representing historical women role models empower young girls to possibly pursue STEM careers. I applied Vekiri’s et. al (2024) research on attracting girls to STEM through interactive video games displaying STEM role models to comic books. In this project, I review academic literature, historical sources, and research articles to develop an educational comic book about historical women in STEM to help support the idea that creative activities and resources displaying role models can be influential to young children, specifically young girls. I focused on …

The Impact Of Sex Education On College Student’S Perceptions Of Sexual Taboos, Noel Gamon

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research is to explore how college students' differing levels of sex education are associated with their views about sexual behavior, particularly behaviors defined as taboo. In comparison to 25 years ago, adolescents are less likely to receive important sex education today; and are unlikely to receive valuable information until after their first sexual experience. Conventionally, the benefits of a sex education program are linked with its ability to lower STI rates, unplanned pregnancies, unwanted behavior, etc. Sexual taboos are sexual practices excluded from the hegemonic heterosexual monogamous relationship model. Presently, society acknowledges a wider range of …

G1p3 Dysregulates Interferon-Stimulated Gene Expression In Er (+) Breast Cancer Cells, Karina Santana

Honors Theses

Even with advances in diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women, with nearly 90% of fatalities linked to drug resistance driven by metastasis and recurrence. G1P3, an anti-apoptotic mitochondrial protein, is upregulated in breast cancer and has been associated with increased metastatic potential and poor prognosis. Recent findings show that G1P3 enhances interactions between Rab5-containing endosomes (RCEs) and mitochondria, and emerging evidence suggests that mitochondria play a critical role in initiating interferon (IFN) responses. Based on this, we hypothesized that G1P3-mediated interactions between RCEs and mitochondria promote interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression in …

A Comparative Study Of Plans For Residential Building Construction In The United States And Mexico: Analysis Of Processes, Systems, And Materials, Juan Hernandez

Honors Theses

Residential building construction is an essential part of a country’s economy and development. Finding ways to improve aspects of residential building construction can greatly impact the performance and sustainability of residential buildings. This study analyzes the plans for residential building construction in the United States and Mexico. The processes, systems, and materials in each country were investigated to form comparisons between the two countries. Journals and articles containing data on residential building construction in each country were used to gather information on each area of study. Factors such as climate, economy, and politics were also considered as they have direct …

Exploring The Synthesis, Characterization, And Aggregation Properties Of Perylene Diimide Derivatives, Erica Salinas

Honors Theses

Once widely used for its vivid presence in an array of industrial dyes, perylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) is a known precursor for perylene diimides (PDIs). These compounds are an alternative for sustainable energy within organic solar cells (OSCs) and for improving organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). PDIs are a great candidate for organic semiconductor applications because of their overall flexibility and low manufacturing cost as an organic photovoltaic. Its extended π-conjugation results in a planar structure promoting strong π- π intermolecular stacking, giving aggregated PDIs high electron mobility, allowing a flow of electrons to move through these stacked …

Nutritional Knowledge Of Collegiate Track Athletes, Haleigh Risner

Honors Theses

There are rising concerns on whether collegiate athletes are being diligent with their nutritional practices. With an increase in RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in sports) cases in athletes, their knowledge about their nutritional needs comes into question. Nutrition has a significant impact on athletic performance and the development in an athlete’s specialty. To assess the current knowledge of athletes, the track athletes of East Texas A&M University were asked to participate in a nutritional assessment to determine their knowledge of nutrition in regard to their sport. It was hypothesized that the majority of athletes surveyed would not possess adequate knowledge …

Evaluating United Nations Peacekeeping In Africa: Successes, Failures, And The Challenges Of Contemporary Conflict, Gabrielle Josselyn

Honors Theses

This thesis evaluated the effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping missions in promoting stability, civilian protection, and post-conflict recovery in Africa. It asked: To what extent have UN peacekeeping operations in Africa been effective, and what structural and strategic factors explain their successes or failures? To answer this question, the study conducted comparative case analyses of Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC/MONUSCO), and Ethiopia–Eritrea (UNMEE), with a focus on mission mandates, troop composition, resource allocation, and cooperation with host states. Using qualitative content analysis and policy evaluation, the findings demonstrate that missions with robust mandates, adequate resources, and …

Still Within Reach, Lauren Matz

Honors Theses

For my Graduating Presentation and Honors Thesis, I created a piece based on my two sister and me, as I found myself yearning for our moments together while growing up but recognize that we will never be that age and all together again. The idea of being apart is scary, but inevitable, and rather than dwell on the idea of it, I wanted to create a piece of reflection and growth for all three of us.

During the development of my concept, I revisited old home videos and journaled out a path of how the piece would progress. The first …

Intrinsic Motivation In The General Education Classroom, Rachel E. Deaton

Honors Theses

This research is investigating how to increase intrinsic motivation within the general education classroom using classroom lessons and procedures. Research was gathered using One Search on the University of Mississippi library website. After narrowing down the research, I used information to inform the making of my Unit by Design and procedural guide. Through research we found that in order to support intrinsic motivation that students need three psychological needs to meet: relatedness, competency, and autonomy. The best ways to meet these needs in classroom gamification, teacher motivation, and movement integration. There are things that you can do to help support …

Social Media’S Impact On Body Image Perception, Rachel Murino

Honors Theses

This study aims to analyze the relationship between social media use and body image perception, specifically focusing on universal and culturally unique factors. Survey data was collected from participants ages 18-47. By analyzing ethnic differences, this study seeks to identify how culture can shape beauty standards and if social media use and pressure play a role in reinforcing these ideals. The findings were expected to reveal a relationship between perceived social media pressure and negative body image perception, along with cultural trends. Results indicated a significant relationship between social media pressure and body image perception, along with a significant interaction …

Behavioral Analyses Of Reproductive Behaviors Of The River Dolphin Tucuxi (Sotalia Fluviatilis), Jaden Wee

Honors Theses

This research project investigates the reproductive behavior of the tucuxi river dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis), whose mating strategies are poorly documented. In 2022, over Lake Amanã, Brazil, Dr. Gonzalez-Socoloske captured drone footage of a natural mating event involving multiple tucuxi individuals, which provided us a rare opportunity to study their behavior. Using Behavioral Observation Research Interactive Software (BORIS), behavioral states and point events, such as intromission, proximity, synchrony, and periods of non-visibility, were coded and quantified, enabling statistical and graphical analyses that characterize the tucuxi’s social and reproductive interaction patterns. The results indicate that 30 intromission events occurred within the 13-minute …

A+ For Attitude: How Social Emotional Learning Impacts Academic Achievement In Private Schools, Abigail Wheatley

Honors Theses

This study examined the relationship between social emotional learning (SEL) and academic achievement in private elementary school settings. Data were collected from a sample of private elementary school teachers in Kentucky (n=33) using a mixed methods design. Teachers completed an anonymous survey where SEL exposure was measured by the CASEL School-Based Staff Survey, and teacher behavior was measured by the Social Emotional Checklist of Early Care and Education Practice for Teachers (SEC-ECEP). Academic achievement was operationally measured by the number of students that were actively at or below 89% in various core subjects. Correlation analyses revealed largely nonsignificant relationships between …

Faith-Based Coping In Crisis: How Religious Beliefs Shape Trauma, Resilience, And Recovery Across Contexts, Kailyn M. Howard

Honors Theses

This study examines the relationship between religious belief and responses to trauma, with a focus on how faith-based coping mechanisms influence resilience in crisis situations. Drawing on interdisciplinary research in psychology, theology, and education, the paper analyzes how individuals interpret and respond to trauma through religious frameworks. The biblical book of Job is examined alongside contemporary psychological theories of trauma and recovery to identify areas of alignment and tension. Using a comparative approach, the study explores common themes across religious traditions, including meaning-making, suffering, community support, and hope, and evaluates how these factors contribute to or hinder emotional healing. The …

Heroes Or Villains: Journalism In Movies And The Public’S Opinion, Emily R. Kessler

Honors Theses

In movies, journalists are portrayed as heroic, such as All the President’s Men or Good Night, and Good Luck, or they’re portrayed as villains, such as Broadcast News or Shattered Glass. In the heroic films, journalists are stopping the corrupt government official or spending every waking moment in the office. The villains are representing journalists in a negative light through being unethical or irresponsible with their work and sources. Stereotypes of journalists continue to be present in movies as well. However, the everyday working journalist is not represented in movies. As mistrust in the media is increasing, due to government …

Neurodivergence In Children's Literature: A Tool For Raising Young Readers’ Awareness To Lived Experiences Beyond The Neurotypical, Taylor Mellett

Honors Theses

This creative thesis explores the lack of accurate and authentic representation of neurodivergence in children’s literature by creating an original picture book and paired lesson plan. The project highlights how literature has evolved since the 1960s while emphasizing the prevalent underrepresentation and misrepresentation of neurodivergent characters. Utilizing foundational scholarship and a review of current studies, the thesis identifies a gap in both literature and research regarding how children respond to neurodivergent characters and how such portrayals influence people's perceptions. In response, the creation of “Better Together: A Story of Three Thinkers” was developed as a picture book centered on three …

Reaching The Heart Of The Matter: Uncovering Novel Mechanisms Of Cardio-Neuronal Regulation And Therapeutic Implications, Olivia Sloan

Honors Theses

Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are the leading causes of mortality in the United States and across the world [1-3]. Patients with heart diseases have been shown to have neurological deficits [4-6]. While various drug classes reduce mortality and morbidity in cancer patients, many of these treatments present life-threatening adverse effects, particularly cardiotoxicity and/or neurotoxicity.

To uncover novel mechanisms of differentiation of neuronal cells induced by cardiac cells. I hypothesized that cardiac cell-induced neurodifferentiation is mediated by noncanonical metabolic factors. To address this, I sought to identify which molecules are involved in the induction of neurodifferentiation of PC12 cells by H9C2 …

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 …

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 …

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) …

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 …