Digital Commons Network^™

Seasonal Detection Of Coliphages In Freshwater Bodies At Coastal Carolina University, Ella Caldwell

Honors Theses

Bacteriophages, commonly referred to as phages, are non-living viruses that only infect bacteria. As the most abundant biological entities on Earth, understanding their role in regulating microbial populations is essential. This ongoing research aims to identify naturally occurring bacteriophages that could effectively control bacteria blooms. The primary objective of this study is to detect coliphages on Coastal Carolina University's campus and determine their viral families. Coliphages are a subgroup of bacteriophages that specifically infect coliform bacteria. Water samples were collected across multiple sites on campus, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to amplify the viral DNA from the potential …

Dr-4429: Social Perceptions And Narratives Of The 2019 Mississippi Delta Flood, Lily B. Langstaff

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the social perceptions and narratives surrounding the 2019 Mississippi Delta flood. Recognizing flooding as a “wicked problem,” the research highlights how socioeconomic and cultural identities relate to access to resources and assistance for affected communities, with an emphasis on infrastructure. Through qualitative analysis, including thematic coding of journalistic media sources covering the flood, the study explores the perceptions and experiences as well as the concept of ‘deservingness’ and its relationship with government resources and assistance. Findings indicate that the Mississippi Delta community faced temporal barriers to post-flood recovery due to disparities in representation and perception, underscoring the …

A Voice For The People: Hybrid Arabic In The Political Oratory Of Gamal Abdel Nasser, Tate E. Bell

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the political oratory of Gamal Abdel Nasser through the lens of Arabic sociolinguistics, arguing that his speeches are best understood not as simple alternations between Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and Egyptian Colloquial Arabic (ECA), but as instances of hybridization—a strategic and fluid interweaving of registers across a linguistic continuum. While earlier studies by Clive Holes and Nathalie Mazraani have identified register variation and code-switching in Nasser’s rhetoric, this project expands upon their findings by applying El-Said Badawi’s five-level framework to track intra-utterance blending of MSA and ECA. Drawing on a transcription and linguistic analysis of a key …

Analyzing The Chemical Composition & Morphology Of Hydroxyapatite Coating On Magnesium Biomaterials, Khaoula Kamal

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to further explore the capabilities of magnesium metal to serve in biodegradable orthopedic implant applications. Current standards for orthopedic implants involve metals that cause many issues such as high risk of infection due to the need for secondary surgery. Despite magnesium’s biocompatibility, it presents a challenge that will be addressed in this thesis: a fast degradation rate. To combat this problem, hydroxyapatite (HA), an integral component of bone, was used to coat the surface of magnesium scaffolds and offer a slower degradation rate. Previous Priddy Lab studies have confirmed the presence of HA coating …

America’S Criminal Justice System Interaction, Housing Opportunities, And Job Sustainability: Perceptions From Residents Of The Greater New Haven Area, Sarah Gaudreau

Honors Theses

This study explored the perceived relationship between criminal justice system (CJS) involvement and housing and employment outcomes among residents of the Greater New Haven area. Prior research has demonstrated that individuals with criminal records or histories of incarceration often face significant obstacles when attempting to secure stable housing or employment. Through qualitative analysis of survey responses from 47 participants, this study highlights how increased contact with the justice system is perceived to negatively impact job sustainability and housing opportunities, while limited or no contact appears to serve as a form of privilege. Using an inductive coding method, recurring themes were …

Exploring The Impacts Of An Adaptive Haptic Heartbeat Within A Socially Assistive Robot, Jade Thompson

Honors Theses

This research investigates the therapeutic effects of an adaptive haptic heartbeat within Therabot, a stuffed robotic dog. A simulated haptic heartbeat that adjusts its own speed based on user heart rate was developed for integration within Therabot. A user study evaluated the effects of various heartbeat behaviors on user experiences with Therabot, with respect to improvements in self-reported state anxiety, physiological improvements, and perceptions of the robot. A relationship was found between improvements in self-reported state anxiety and positive opinions of Therabot, regardless of condition. Additionally, differences were found between conditions with respect to improved aspects of state anxiety, with …

Bacterial Microbiomes In Different Depths Of Sand At The Mississippi Gulf Coast, Hays S. Roth

Honors Theses

Microbial communities in sand play essential roles in their ecosystems, yet little is known about how bacterial diversity and function vary across different sand depths. This study investigated bacterial microbiomes at varying depths (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 cm) on Biloxi East Beach, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and assays of extracellular enzyme activity. 11,161 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were identified across all samples, with the most abundant bacterial phyla being Planctomycetota, Gammaproteobacteria, and Bacteroidota. Depth had a significant impact on bacterial community composition, with surface layers having more diverse bacterial communities. Microbial diversity …

K-12 Special Education In The South: Where Are We And Where Should We Be Going?, Jack G. Walker

Honors Theses

Throughout the past century, special education has undergone significant transformation and increasing accessibility to those who need it. However, persistent challenges remain. Some of these challenges include but are not limited to teachers still challenged with job stress and paperwork overload, schools faced with lack of funding for the program, and the lack of importance seen by administration on close relationships with parents of said students. These problems can affect all involved and especially the students who deserve the best education experience they can receive. The purpose of this thesis is to look into what has gotten policymakers to where …

Protective And Risk-Related Factors Associated With College Student Burnout, Dominic X. Chavez

Honors Theses

Burnout is an occupational phenomenon commonly defined by the exhaustion, cynicism, and lack of efficacy a person experiences with regard to their role (i.e., educator, healthcare worker, student, etc.). Despite the prevalence of burnout in academia, very few research studies have attempted to examine the variables associated with burnout’s severity in the case of American college and university students. Thus, the current study sought to analyze the protective and risk-related factors previously determined to be associated with academic burnout within a college population. Specifically, burnout self-ratings were compared to perceived burnout stigma, resilience, perceived social support, help-seeking attitudes, and perceived …

Integrating Environmental Analyses And Awareness To The Senior Chemical Plant Design Course Che 4233, Lucie I. Leblanc

Honors Theses

The EPA has implemented and increased environmental regulations and safeguards for carbon dioxide (CO2) and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions for the past 70 years. These regulations have affected the technology and methodology used in industrial chemical production processes. As newly graduated engineers enter the work field, they will encounter current and future EPA regulations, and they will have to adjust their production units to meet these safeguards. This report loosely follows the structure of the Plant Design Course (CHE 4233) to show the process of designing a conventional cumene production plant. The conventional process is compared to a new …

Ultrasonography As A Method For Identifying Biological Sex In Captive Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis), Logan N. Collom

Honors Theses

The hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is the United States’ largest aquatic salamander and is mainly found across the eastern U.S. There are two subspecies of hellbenders, one of which is listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the other considered a species of conservation concern and a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. There have been several captive breeding programs established at zoos and universities across the U.S., which require a dependable method for sexing their individuals. Ultrasound imaging has previously been used to identify the sex of other amphibian species and track …

The Implementation Of Higher Education In The Prison System In Mississippi: The Challenges And Benefits, Elizabeth F. Ratliff

Honors Theses

Growing support for higher education in prison has sparked much conversation regarding the challenges and benefits of the programs and their implementation. In Mississippi, this has become an increasingly prevalent issue as the incarcerated population continues to grow and programs continue to be limited in accessibility. Mississippi’s incarcerated population deserves the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through higher education to better themselves individually and better their communities upon release. However, Mississippi faces unique challenges in its prison system, preventing the benefits of these programs from showing. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the challenges and …

It’S Not Like Riding A Bicycle: How A Steadfast And Committed Effort To Writing Can Contribute To The Development Of Student Writers, Meredith J. Whited

Honors Theses

This work investigates the effect of writing routines in public education. Propelled by the words and ideas of Penny Kittle, Cynthia Urbanski, Ralph Fletcher, and many more, a study was completed with high school aged students to find the correlation between writing routines and levels of writing apprehension. These students were given The Daly-Miller Test as a pretest via Google Forms at the start of the study. After responding to a series of five-minute writing prompts over the course of several days, students were given a post-test of the same survey to determine if changes in writing apprehension had occurred. …

Determining The Bioaccumulation Of Minor Cannabinoids In Zebrafish Larvae, Kamdyn A. Holt

Honors Theses

Due to the increasing prevalence of cannabis product availability and usage in the modern United States, particularly among pregnant individuals, evaluating the bioaccumulation of minor cannabinoids to further understand the adverse effects of cannabinoids during early development is critical. This study quantitated the uptake of eight minor cannabinoids ((∆8-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆8-THC), ∆9-THC, ∆10-THC, cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)) in zebrafish larvae following water-borne 2 µM exposures from 6 to 96 hours post fertilization (hpf). Larvae were homogenized at 96 hpf and analyzed using a gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method developed in this study. Bioconcentration …

Effects Of Acute Exercise On Cognition: Consideration Of Potential Moderators, Elizabeth G. Gaines, Mckenzie M. Cotten, Elizabeth Reese Carwile, Mary Griffin Jackson, Marascalco Liston, Lucy Wilson

Honors Theses

The present thesis aims to determine the effects, if any, of six potential moderators on the effects of acute moderate-intensity exercise on cognitive functioning. The modes of exercise undertaken by the participants included treadmill (Experiment 1) and stationary bike (Experiment 2) exercise. Participants in each experiment either exercised or rested for twenty minutes and then participated in either a memory recall task or cognitive functioning (“Stroop”) task. The bouts of either exercise or rest on the stationary bike were followed by a rest period during which the participant would be exposed to either standard air oxygen levels (normoxia) or hypoxic …

Asymmetric Effects Of The Ebbinghaus Illusion On Relative Depth Judgments In A Perceptual Matching Task, Caden J. Thompson

Honors Theses

The Ebbinghaus illusion, also know as Titchner Circles, is a perceptual illusion that is typically presented as a two-dimensional set of disks. These disks are configured as a central disk surrounded by an annulus of smaller or larger disks. Numerous studies have found the illusion to have an effect on size perception, but fewer studies have analyzed its effects on depth judgments. This study utilized a head-worn virtual reality environment as well as a three-dimensional display to examine the effects of the Ebbinghaus illusion on relative depth judgments in a perceptual matching task. Findings indicated that Ebbinghaus configurations featuring an …

The Faceless Dead: Unfinished Portraiture On Roman Sarcophagi, Madeleine M. Barhaug

Honors Theses

Sarcophagus, translating to “flesh-eater” in Greek, is a marble coffin Romans used for burials, commissioned for the elite and wealthy. Beautiful and unique, Roman sarcophagi are woefully under-researched, leading to many unknown and unanswered questions around their creation and existence. This thesis focuses on the question of ‘unfinished portraiture’ – a term used to describe a phenomenon in which the sarcophagus is fully carved except for the head or portrait features of the deceased. Unlike other funerary monuments such as busts or statues, ‘unfinished portraiture’ is singular to sarcophagi. This thesis explores and problematizes widely accepted explanations that range …

The Conservative Approach To Informed Consent: The Evidentiary Model And An Antidote To The Problem Of Framing Effects In Medical Decision-Making, James D. Polk

Honors Theses

Since the latter part of the 20th century, there has been a gradual but significant shift of the doctor-patient relation from paternalism to a more patient-centric approach. As such, informed consent – the legal and moral requirement that a physician fully disclose relevant details to their patient and gain their consent – is a central doctrine to patient-centric care. Gone are the days of the doctor governing the patient: the patient is now considered a valuable and important decision-maker. Achieving informed consent is the foundation of patient centric medicine. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that philosophical consideration be …

Providing A Solution For Active-Duty Servicewomen Facing Chronic Musculoskeletal Injuries Due To Improper Gear Fit, Celia Watson, Denver Tidwell, Hadi Obaji

Honors Theses

As senior biomedical engineering students at the University of Mississippi, we began our academic year brainstorming unmet clinical needs in healthcare intending to provide an innovative solution. After conducting personal inventories, determining a mission, and evaluating internal and external factors, we established acceptance criteria for our strategic focus and clarified our needs statement: develop a prophylactic device for chronic musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) in active-duty servicewomen (ADSW). The average female soldier is at a disadvantage compared to her male counterpart due to anthropometric and physiological differences between men and women in most aspects of physical performance (Epstein et al. 2673). These …

Caregivers’ Satisfaction With And Perceived Cultural Sensitivity Of A Modification Of A Child Injury Prevention Program For Spanish-Speaking Families, Karen Padilla

Honors Theses

Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Caregivers play a critical role in reducing children’s risk of injury by adopting appropriate supervision behaviors and engaging in safety-proofing practices. The Supervising for Home Safety (SHS) program is a video-based intervention developed to increase caregiver supervision for children ages 2–5 by targeting beliefs about injury vulnerability, injury preventability, and self-efficacy for implementing safety precautions. While SHS has demonstrated effectiveness in English-speaking populations, no research has examined its adaptation and impact among Spanish-speaking caregivers. This study aimed to examine caregivers perceived cultural sensitivity and satisfaction with …

Daca’S Impact On Recipients: Interviews With Three Daca Recipients From Michigan, Jazmin Moron

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the lived experiences of three Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients residing in Michigan. It examines how DACA has impacted their lives across three distinct phases: pre-DACA, while applying for DACA, and post-DACA. Through qualitative, semi-structured interviews, this research uncovers key themes: normal childhood, proof of presence, skeptical DACA future, and restricted immigration pathways. While DACA offered recipients increased opportunities in education, employment, and stability, it also imposed systemic challenges such as costly renewals, limited career growth, and continued legal uncertainty. By focusing on Michigan—a state with a relatively small Hispanic/Latino population—this study highlights the unique …

Paper Or Digital? Comparing Vocabulary Learning From Internet Search To A Physical Dictionary, Olivia L. Hamilton

Honors Theses

There is an increasing presence of technology found in the educational environment. With that there are many questions about the effectiveness of learning when information can be re-accessed with the click of a mouse. Information is more accessible than ever online but expecting to be able to rely on the internet may make learning less effective than other learning methods, such as paper. Continuing research has shown deficits, which could imply a digital presence is harming the learning environment. 125 students completed this study which compared differences between paper versus online learning platforms. The study tested peoples word translation accuracy …

Impact Of Humor Vs. Seriousness In Advertising: The Role Of Product Type In Consumer Recall And Purchase Behavior, Cian Ortega

Honors Theses

This study examines the effectiveness of humorous versus serious advertising tones across three different product categories, which are beverage, hygiene, and health/medicine. This is done by measuring their impact on a consumer’s brand/product recall, enjoyment, and purchase intent. Historically, humor has been related to positive emotional responses while seriousness has been associated with building trust and credibility. By using a within-subjects experimental-survey design, data were collected from seventy survey respondents who viewed humorous and serious advertisements across the three product categories (hygiene, beverage, and health/medicine and then evaluated each ad based on their agreement to statements relating to brand/product recall, …

The Laureate, Nadia Famiano

Honors Theses

It is important for undergraduate artists to have an understanding of the artistic market before they start their careers. This project will provide students with the opportunity to experience the process of getting published in a formal academic journal utilizing resources from others pursuing post-secondary education in different fields. The Laureate is an art journal composed of undergraduate pieces. It gives students an opportunity to have their art(s) recognized, such as written works, photography and other visual arts. Allowing for students to have experience with an official publication, The Laureate is an engaging journal that culminates in a celebration of …

Organizational Actions And Perceptions On Scope 3 Emissions And Regulatory Impacts On Measurement, Griffin Fill

Honors Theses

This study analyzed organizations’ actions and perceptions concerning Scope 3 emissions measurement and the impact that regulations have on the measurement of these emissions. Specifically, this study investigated if organizations measure Scope 3 emissions and their reasons for doing so, the impacts of the proposal and eventual removal of the SEC Scope 3 reporting requirements on organizations, and supply chain professionals’ perceptions regarding if more regulation concerning Scope 3 emissions would be beneficial or detrimental. The goal of this study was to get an initial idea regarding the questions posed, and this study had a pilot-level scope. Therefore, this study …

"To Keep Men In Awe": Religious Subversion And Anti-Providentialism In Marlowe's Tamburlaine And The Jew Of Malta, Will White

Honors Theses

In early modern England, the term “atheist” held quite a different meaning from its modern usage. Most often, it referred not to person who rejected God’s existence, but who rejected the validity of divine providence: the notion that God exerts control and order over the events of Earth. This understanding of atheism informs the reading of the 16th century playwright Christopher Marlowe, whose connection to atheistic ideas is perhaps more visible than any of his contemporaries. In this thesis, I argue that the unifying element of religion in Marlowe’s drama is anti-providentialism – a rejection of providence. I examine two …

Designing A Combination Keyboard And Mouse Device For One-Handed Use, Calvin Brinkman

Honors Theses

This paper proposes a device designed to allow a one-handed individual to effectively interface with a computer. The design aims to minimize the efficiency gap between one-handed and two-handed individuals by increasing typing speed and reducing transition time between keyboard and mouse. This paper outlines the rationale behind the design, the components and methods used in building the prototype, and the current state of the research. This design is a promising alternative to standard keyboard and mouse layouts that holds the potential to open up one-handed individuals to more job opportunities in computer dominated fields.

A Tale Of Two Faiths: Contemporary Protestantism In The Spanish-Speaking Catholic World, Jackson B. Mitchell

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the shifting religious landscape of the Spanish-speaking Catholic world through the lens of Protestant growth, particularly Pentecostal and Evangelical movements. Beginning with a historical account of Spain’s Catholic hegemony and its colonial export of Catholicism to Latin America, the study traces how Latin America’s religious identity has gradually diverged from its Spanish roots. Over the past half-century, Protestantism has grown rapidly across Latin America, challenging Catholic dominance and reshaping the region’s spiritual and social fabric.

The thesis then turns back to Spain, where rising immigration from Latin America and changing cultural dynamics have facilitated the reintroduction of …

Examination Of A Bench-Scale Model For Post-Wildfire Flood And Water Quality Mitigation Solutions, Cheyenne Ethridge

Honors Theses

The objective of this study is to determine a potential low-cost, sustainable, and rapidly deployable solution for post-wildfire flood and water quality mitigation in communities reliant on surface water for drinking water. Coalinga, Fresno County, California was selected as a study area for a full-scale solution due to its high risk of wildfires, high social vulnerability, and relatively low community resilience. A bench-scale demonstration of the system directs water into a gravel infiltration zone surrounded by a weir perimeter and followed by a clarifier. Because of their abundance in the area, almond shells were explored as a coagulant additive to …

Supporting Doctoral Research In Aging: From Exercise Barriers To Geropsychology Competencies, Alexandra Crites

Honors Theses

This thesis explored hands-on experiences supporting ongoing research in behavioral gerontology, addressing the growing need for individualized interventions, and improving professional training to meet the complex needs of aging populations. Through involvement in two primary studies—one examining exercise nonadherence in people with osteoarthritis (OA) and another developing competency standards for professionals entering geropsychology. I contributed to data analysis, research design, and the analysis of qualitative and quantitative literature. My work with Haley Hughes’ study included developing a comprehensive data table that mapped participant responses from focus groups and identifying nuanced themes related to barriers and facilitators for physical activity. For …