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Optimization Of A Fluidized Bed Reactor For The Production Of Acetone From Isopropyl Alcohol, Andrew Rawls Wasson

Honors Theses

For the optimization of the isopropyl alcohol to acetone process, Unit 1100, the Net Present Value (NPV) was used as the objective function to observe the economic impact of each of the optimization factors being tested. During the optimization process, it is not only important to optimize the process’s profitability but also to ensure that the process operates efficiently and meets product specifications. The goal of this optimization was to alter variables from the base case calculations of Unit 1100 to maximize the NPV of the unit. AVEVA ProII software was used to simulate the process and make changes to …

Pour-Over Coffee Stand With Warmer, Francesca Patawaran

Honors Theses

This project sought to demonstrate the process of bringing a new product into the market, from the initial design and prototyping stage to marketing and, ultimately, mass production. As part of the curriculum of The Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME), the project team manufactured fifteen Pour-Over Coffee Stands with electric heating components. We first created a 3D model of the proposed design, ensuring that all components fit together in an assembly. Next, we worked with the lab technicians to create a prototype of the product. Then, we refined the manufacturing process to eliminate waste where possible. Throughout the …

Personal Thoughts, Reflections, And Accounting, Caleb Colley

Honors Theses

This work consists of two portions. The first portion concerns the research, findings, and conclusions regarding various accounting-related topics. These topics include a reflection on the September 11 attacks and their impact on accounting and the United States in general, research on potential places to settle for my future career, an analysis of Pfizer Inc.'s financial performance in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an interview with my mother regarding her previous experiences as a business professional. The second portion of this work pertains to several analyses of the Target Corporation from five perspectives. These topics consist …

Access Granted: A Demographic Analysis Of How The Pandemic Has Disrupted The Monocentric City, Jaylin Terreau Jones

Honors Theses

Abstract

This study shows the disruption that the Covid pandemic has had on the national relationship between changes in quarterly House Price Index (HPI) values and distance from Metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). This disruption is statistically modeled through linear regressions where quarterly changes in HPI values are set equal to distance as well as factors such as change in population, housing units, and home ownership. Special recognition is also given to the distance relationship during years affected by Covid. This disruption is then analyzed in relation to demographic factors such as age and race. The study showed that the disruption …

Alphabet Books Aren't For Babies: The Use Of The Alphabet Book In The Secondary Classroom, Chloe Skye Crane

Honors Theses

The goal of this thesis is to examine the role of alphabet books within the secondary classroom through the lens of research potential, development of cultural awareness, and the educational benefits for the secondary learner as well as three different types of alphabet books varying from least to most complex. The literature review supporting this thesis is broken into five sections: what are alphabet books, a closer look at three examples, the research potential in alphabet books, developing cultural awareness and empathy, and educational benefits (which includes subsections for skills developed). Following the literature review is the text of an …

Combatting Consolidation In The United States Banking Industry: An Analysis Of Performance And Strategy Of First National Bank Of Clarksdale, Lydia Johnsey

Honors Theses

This thesis is based on a submission with group members in the 2023 Case Study Competition for the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. This thesis includes additional background information not included in the original competition paper in order to clarify the competition standards and goal of the paper. This thesis evaluates First National Bank of Clarksdale with respect to two areas: financial analysis, which evaluates earnings performance, loan portfolio composition, asset growth, capital levels, and liquidity of the bank; and strategy, which includes staffing, succession, training, and technology strategies instituted by bank management. Data from the bank’s Uniform Bank Performance …

Exploration Of Feature Selection Techniques In Machine Learning Models On Hptlc Images For Rule Extraction, Bozidar-Brannan Kovachev

Honors Theses

Research related to Biology often utilizes machine learning models that are ultimately uninterpretable by the researcher. It would be helpful if researchers could leverage the same computing power but instead gain specific insight into decision-making to gain a deeper understanding of their domain knowledge. This paper seeks to select features and derive rules from a machine learning classification problem in biochemistry. The specific point of interest is five species of Glycyrrhiza, or Licorice, and the ability to classify them using High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) images. These images were taken using HPTLC methods under varying conditions to provide eight …

Development Of Novel Sensor Coating Methodology To Enable Understanding Of Fouling Mechanisms On Ion Exchange Membranes, Andrew Ulmer

Honors Theses

As populations expand and natural water resources are depleted, severe droughts and limited access to clean water have become an increased threat to areas across the world. Effective and economic water treatment methods such as electrodialysis (ED) are vital for combating these threats, especially in developing nations and secluded locations. Organic foulant adsorption on the surface of ion exchange membranes severely limits the capabilities of water desalination systems such as ED along with significantly increasing maintenance costs. Understanding characteristics such as the total amount and rate at which these foulants at specific concentrations adsorb and desorb to the membranes is …

Crafting Comfort: The Design And Production Of A High-End Poolside Lounge Chair, John Hollis Tackett, Robert Griffis

Honors Theses

This report focuses on the development, design, and manufacturing of the Adjustable Lounge Chair, a high-end poolside lounge chair created to address un-met customer demand in the market. The investigation began with a market analysis to identify sought-after features not currently offered by competitors' products. This analysis drove the design of the chair, which was developed using CAD software, followed by the construction of a physical prototype to validate the concept.

The chair's innovative features include adjustable lumbar support and chair height, as well as a removable face-piece that enables users to comfortably lie prone without straining their necks. These …

Loneliness And Pain In Individuals With Migraine, Marie-Josée Hymel

Honors Theses

Introduction. Loneliness has been found to affect individuals’ physical and mental health, but there is limited research exploring the effect loneliness has on pain. Some studies suggest that social exclusion numbs pain, and others indicate it can lead to hypersensitivity. This study used a sample of individuals with migraine to investigate the relationship of loneliness to pain and psychological variables. We hypothesized that loneliness would predict lower pain tolerance and pain threshold and that it would be positively correlated with disability and negative emotions.

Methods. Sixty-eight undergraduate females recruited for a larger study manipulating social exclusion among individuals …

Is My Prescription Ready Yet? A Qualitative Examination Of Patients' Understanding Of The Prescription Filling Process In Community Pharmacies, Maria Sallee

Honors Theses

Long lines at the pharmacy can frustrate patients. Consequently, patients becoming frustrated can add stress to an already overworked pharmacy. Without knowing what patients understand about the often complicated prescription filling process at community pharmacies, it can be difficult for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to communicate the reason behind any delays in patients receiving their medication. To learn what patients understand about the prescription filling process, fifteen interviews were conducted over the phone after mailing recruitment flyers to members of a diabetes research collaborative in North Mississippi. The interviews revealed that while patients have a positive relationship with their pharmacists, …

The Effect Of Cannabinoids And Terpenes On The Activation Of Hmc3 Microglial Cells, Mohamed Marzouk

Honors Theses

Life expectancies of people living with HIV have significantly lengthened due to the availability of antiretroviral therapies. Despite their ability to increase survival, these treatments do not “cure” HIV, nor do the stop the onset of neurological symptoms associated with infection, termed neuroHIV. NeuroHIV describes a myriad of neurological impairments including mood disorders (depression and anxiety), cognitive impairment, neuropathic pain, and motor disinhibition that reduce quality of life for people living with HIV. Mechanistically, the neurological impairments may involve actions of neurotoxic proteins directly produced by the virus. One of these proteins that has been well-characterized is the HIV trans …

All The Rage: Assessing The Age/Rage Signaling Pathway’S Effects On Healthspan And The Physiological Processes Of Aging, Brandon Ashmore

Honors Theses

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are protein, lipid, or nucleotide molecules that have been combined with sugars through nonenzymatic, irreversible glycation and oxidation reactions. Their accumulation in the body has been associated with the natural aging process and a wide range of pathologies, including chronic inflammation, sustained oxidative stress, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Their interaction with the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has been linked to several proinflammatory signaling pathways associated with neurotoxicity and vascular lesions. While some research has been done on the possible health benefits of RAGE inhibition to extend lifespan, our study hopes …

Human-Wildlife Conflict In Tanzania: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of A Collaborative, Community-Engaged Approach To Conservation Challenges, Kylie Page

Honors Theses

This paper describes the development, implementation and outcomes of a conservation education program designed to empower youth and adults to address the problem of human-wildlife conflict in rural Tanzania. The participatory approach included a three day workshop at Mikumi National Park (MNP) and community-based fieldwork that employed techniques for active engagement, such as games, role plays, field trips, and the photovoice method, which combines photography and storytelling with solution finding. Focusing on the problem of human-lion conflict, adults and youth from two villages came together with lion experts, park wardens, and educators for training at Mikumi National Park in which …

The Greek Advantage: Implications Of Greek Affiliation On Student Government At The University Of Mississippi, Lila Osman

Honors Theses

Greek life is a prominent group at the University of Mississippi, especially when it comes to membership in the Associated Student Body (ASB). ASB is the student governing body at the University so it is important to analyze its membership to understand how reflective it is of the entire university campus it represents. This research answers the question: “How and to what extent does Greek affiliation affect candidates for student government at the University of Mississippi?” Through two mixed methods surveys, one sent to members elected to ASB in the spring 2022 election cycle and the other to the general …

Examining The Relationship Between Misophonia And Depression, Mary Bishop

Honors Theses

Because research on misophonia is in its early stages, few studies have examined correlations with other disorders. Misophonia has been shown to co-occur with a variety of anxiety-related and mood disorders. Understanding the link between depression and misophonia is important because both disorders contribute to significant impairment in daily work, social, and role functioning. This study aims to examine the relation between misophonia and depression in a community sample, which would expand knowledge demonstrated by previous studies using clinical and college samples. We hypothesized that misophonia and depression would have a positive correlation and that women would experience higher levels …

Southern Sustainability: An Examination Of Waste Management Mechanisms Within The University Of Mississippi Community, Haley Clift

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze and study local mechanisms surrounding waste management at The University of Mississippi. The research study gathers quantitative and qualitative research to make conclusions about sustainability and recycling practices on The University of Mississippi's campus. The thesis discusses whether those practices are effective for those in The University of Mississippi's community based on the data collected and research conducted. The researcher also offers proposals for the University of Mississippi community based on the research conducted.

The gap that exists in the waste management processes at The University of Mississippi was addressed by blending …

The Engineering Challenges Of Designing And Manufacturing A Tensegrity Cup Stand, Yaniv Goulet, Daniel Ferro

Honors Theses

Progressing from a simple idea into a fully developed product is one of the main goals of any engineer. Through Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence’s capstone program, the team was tasked with realizing a tensegrity cup stand. The tensegrity structure consists of a top and a bottom of some form only supporting itself by tension. The team had to research the concept, create an initial design, create a prototype of the product, improve the design after the prototype’s mistakes, apply lean principles to improve the manufacturing efficiency, and analyze all the economic impacts of the engineering decisions. In the …

A Dream Come True: More Than 50 Years After Black Students Demanded Faculty And Student Leadership Roles At The University Of Mississippi, Students Of Color Are Still Grappling With What It Means To Be Included., Kaylynn Steen

Honors Theses

This thesis tells the story of University of Mississippi alumna Treasure Fisher’s journey in the organization Column’s Society, an organization known as the hosts and hostess of the University of Mississippi. Throughout Fisher’s story, historical moments from the university’s complex relationship with its Black students are weaved through in an attempt to provide context for some of the lingering racial issues at the university today. Fisher’s story, these historical moments, and other anecdotal experiences from current and former Black students, faculty, and staff at the university challenges the reader to examine what representation does, and maybe should, mean to this …

The Impact Of A Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill On Exercise Regulation, Camille Couey

Honors Theses

Objective: The benefits of lower body positive pressure treadmills have recently been investigated as a tool for rehabilitation, but research is lacking on whether participants can regulate exercise utilizing rate of perceived exertion (RPE) at reduced body weight loads on lower body positive pressure (LBPP) treadmills. The purpose of the study is to examine the potential for RPE production estimation at various body weight loads. Methods: Fifteen apparently healthy young adults between the ages of 18-35 participated and completed this study. Each participant completed a graded VO_2max test after being familiarized with an OMNI pictorial RPE scale ranging from …

A Case Study Of California's Maternal Health Landscape And Recommendations For Mississippi, Kinley Miller

Honors Theses

This paper is a case study of California’s maternal health landscape, reflecting its exceptional approach to the maternal health crisis. I review several policies: the creation of the Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, the Maternal Data Center, and the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, maternal health toolkits, Medicaid expansion, extended postpartum Medicaid coverage, paid family leave, C-Section Honor Roll, and maternal mental health measures. The case study suggests that all of these policies in conjunction with one another correlates with a decrease maternal mortality. California’s proactive approach and ability to mobilize public and private entities are key attributors to its success in …

Ms. Eep's Compass: A Hope-Filled Story Inspired By A Trauma-Informed Teaching Framework, Sadie Stocks

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the literature on childhood trauma, its manifestations in the classroom, and effective trauma-informed teaching practices. The literature indicates the widespread prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the consequences these experiences have on both the developing brains of children and future health risks. While drawing the correlation of this widespread trauma to its common manifestations in the classroom, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs further justifies the indispensable link of safety preceding learning. Trauma-Informed teaching practices include environmental considerations like safety, the value of relationship building, a strengths-based guided classroom, models of self-regulation, developmentally appropriate practice, and an emphasis …

From Concept To Completion: The Multifaceted Process Of Designing, Manufacturing, And Problem-Solving In The Development Of A Horizontal Bumper Plate Rack, Wallace Crain

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to create a bumper plate organizer from concept to final production run to simulate what it would be like to create a new product. The entire Center for Manufacturing Excellence coursework led up to this moment where all of the coursework could be put into practical use. The project began in Spring 2022 and finished in Fall 2022. The team was made of one mechanical engineering major, one civil engineering major, one biology major, one computer science major, and one accounting major. My main focus in this project was on the product design and …

Influences Of Post-Fledging Protein Supplementation On Growth And Reactive Stress Response In Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia Castanotis), Gabrielle Morris, Mary Lindley Tharp

Honors Theses

Protein needs of non-poultry birds, like Zebra Finches (ZF) are understudied. ZFs consume proteinaceous half-ripe seeds during breeding and chicken eggs are recommended supplements for captive ZFs; but developmental needs are unclear. Eggs contain essential amino acids that impact the “stress” hormone, corticosterone (CORT). Diet and corticosterone influence avian growth and stress management. Juvenile egg-fed ZFs outgrow seed-fed birds. Juvenile egg-supplementation boosts adult male attractiveness due to cheek patch augmentation compared to seed-only birds. Across studies, timing of diet (nestling Vs. fledgling) varies, both sexes have not been included, and simultaneous measures of growth and corticosterone are lacking. We are …

Effects Of Group Ii Metal Binding On The Stability Of Dna I-Motif Structures, Charlotte Powers

Honors Theses

B-form DNA can adopt alternative structures while in superhelical duress. Alternative DNA structures are favored when there is an asymmetric distribution on complementary DNA strands. Cytosine rich strands may utilize cytosine-cytosine base pairing to form a four-stranded structure known as the i-motif (iM). The stability of iMs is affected by several factors such as DNA sequence, temperature, pH, ionic strength of the solution, and crowded conditions. While the effects of temperature, pH, and crowding conditions on iM stability have been well documented, the effects of ion presence in a solution has been less studied. Hence, those studies are the basis …

Anticoagulant And Anti-Sars-Cov-2 Effects Of Botryocladia Occidentalis Sulfated Glycans, Reena Thara

Honors Theses

Marine algal species are composed of various macromolecules endowed with potential biological actions, such as carbohydrates. Sugars are complex in nature with a multitude of monosaccharides constructed into polymers. We call complex carbohydrate polysaccharides those of great structural variation. The sulfation pattern adds to their complexity, creating scientific interest in the aquatic organisms from which these molecules can be extracted. Sulfated polysaccharides are now increasingly studied for their potential biological properties as anticoagulants and as antivirals. Heparin is a naturally occurring sugar in the human body that is necessary for proper anticoagulation. Many people today suffer from a dysfunctional coagulation …

The Design Estimate Of A Warehouse Refrigeration System, Jackson Dear

Honors Theses

The intention of this project was to provide a design and cost estimate for the refrigeration systems within an industrial cold storage distribution center for Magnolia Country Frozen Foods, Inc. in East Rutherford, NJ. The facility includes eighteen 300,000 ft3 units (200 ft x 100 ft x 15 ft). These units require 200 tons of refrigeration at a maintained temperature of 0oF. This project's scope included choosing an optimal refrigeration system, selecting a refrigerant for use within the system, and providing a cost estimate for the purchase of the refrigeration system equipment and for the yearly cost associated with running …

Tourism's Power To Promote Peacebuilding In Post-Conflict Societies - A Northern Ireland Case Study, Margaret Walker

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the capacity of tourism to promote peacebuilding in post-conflict societies, specifically focusing on Northern Ireland. This study assesses the current state of conflict tourism in Northern Ireland by analyzing two tourist sites and considering variables that may impact peacebuilding in the greater Northern Ireland community. It measures the success of the Northern Ireland approach by comparing the effects of tourism in other post-conflict and conflict societies. This study culminates with the presentation of certain strategies that Northern Ireland should implement to positively impact peacebuilding through tourism. Curators must portray history in a balanced, sensitive manner that avoids …

The Adventures Of A Right-Handed Debitor, James Aubrey Christian

Honors Theses

The Accounting Capstone is designed to force accounting students to think through problems in the accounting industry. This will be accomplished by working through a series of case studies dealing with several areas of financial reporting. After selecting the group’s focus area, my group and I presented a case study regarding tax recommendations for Goldman Sachs.

The Effects Of Acute Exercise On Memory: Considerations Of The Testing Effect, Philip Christian

Honors Theses

This study had three main objectives. The first objective was to determine whether or not there was evidence of a testing effect being present when a short-term memory assessment is included along with a long-term memory assessment. The second objective was to determine whether acute exercise can improve long-term memory recall over a control condition. The third objective was to determine if the potential effects of acute exercise on long-term memory are confounded by the inclusion of a short-term memory assessment. Participants were 54 undergraduate students at the University of Mississippi, with an age range of 18-22 years old. Participants …