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Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Capstone Modine Engineering: Collapsible Hvac Coil Expansion Table, Austin M. Hipskind

Honors Theses

For the Mechanical Engineering Senior Design class, teams of seniors were asked to find a sponsor company willing to provide a problem they were experiencing at a local plant. Using the skills gained throughout college, they were asked to go through a standardized problem-solving method to develop a solution for the sponsor company. I was teamed with Fernando Arellano and Henry Lindsey to work with Modine Engineering on creating a modular and collapsible table for use with large, custom-designed coils. This table would have to hold large, heavy coils during the expansion process. Modine requested a 3D design, the cost …

Civil Engineering Capstone Building Design And Seismic Analysis, Ander P. Mcdade

Honors Theses

The building for the University of Mississippi civil engineering senior design class was designed and analyzed. The building is in Oxford Mississippi. The current address according to the Lafayette Parcel is 825 Sisk Avenue Suite 200. The floor plan, column, and beam design were performed based on engineering judgment and industry standards. The dead, live, snow, rain, and roof live loads were calculated to be 13.3, 50, 20, 27.51, and 20 psf respectively. The building model was created in SAP2000, which was used to generate all loads and load combinations. An analysis was performed to determine the critical loads on …

The Defect Within You, Sarah Spencer

Honors Theses

This thesis is a collection of science fiction short stories exploring human limitations in our era of unprecedented influence over the world. Despite everything we can accomplish, we are not as powerful as we think we are. My stories focus on how this manifests in our embodiment and our relationships with our bodies.

Exploring Contemporary Issues Through Accounting Case Studies, Emaline Myers

Honors Theses

This thesis was completed as part of the course “Accounting 420- Independent Study” under the guidance of Dr. Victoria Dickinson and includes a collection of five case studies exploring the role of accounting, ethics, and policy in today’s world. Each case investigates how financial information, government decisions, and business strategy intersect, and what that means for professionals entering the accounting field. The topics covered in this thesis range from international financial fraud to environmental disclosures, military spending, public education, and small business development. Several key takeaways emerged from the completion of these cases. Case Study I highlights issues in global …

Exploration Into Homotopy Equivalence And Vietoris-Rips Complexes, Alexander J. Mobley

Honors Theses

An important question in discrete topology and geometry is how to recover the structure and characteristics of a manifold when only given a finite set of points sampled from that manifold. Thus, if mathematicians have a point cloud of data which induces a discrete metric space, they look for some structure to these points. Understanding the structure of these points often gives needed insight to solve this problem. One such way to determine structure to these points is to use these points to construct a Vietoris-Rips complex. In abstract, Latschev shows that this allows us to recover the homotopy type …

Identifying The Trends Of K-12 Funding Formula Reforms In Red States: A Comparative Case Study Of Texas, Tennessee And Mississippi., Hannah E. Watts

Honors Theses

Following the decade after K-12 public education funding cuts brought on by the Great Recession, some states are addressing these funding cuts with changes to their funding formulas. This comparative case study identifies trends of significant changes in education funding formulas since the end of the Great Recession in states with majority Republican legislatures—red states. The states analyzed in this study are Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. The research analyzes what caused the states to change their education funding formulas as well as trends regarding the changes of the actual education funding formula. With other red states looking to change their …

The Impact Of Antimicrobial Peptide Depletion And Fungal Infection On Thermal Preference In Green Frogs, Rana Clamitans, Kim M. Salvador

Honors Theses

Climate change and the disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), are the two main drivers of amphibian decline worldwide, but it is difficult to predict the outcomes of these interacting stressors. Amphibians are ectotherms meaning they are dependent on environmental temperature for the maintenance of physiological processes, and they rely on behavioral thermoregulation to maintain body temperatures within their thermal limits. As the climate becomes more variable, amphibians are also potentially more susceptible to diseases such as Bd, as their immune defenses, such as antimicrobial peptide (AMP) defenses of the skin, take longer to …

Breaking News And Broken Hopes: Inter-Korean Engagement And The Emotional Consequences Of Media Framing, Sophia Lizanne Trombley

Honors Theses

This thesis analyzes two periods of pro-North Korean engagement regimes in South Korea during the presidencies of Kim Dae-jung (1998-2003), Roh Moo-hyun (2003-2008), and Moon Jae-in (2017-2023). Through analysis of the three aforementioned presidents’ initiatives for engagement with the North, categorization of news headlines from two major South Korean sources, and public opinion polls, I argue that especially high and low emotional reactions among the South Korean public during these periods were exacerbated by news media’s overly dramatized portrayal of inter-Korean interactions, both big and small. This has led to desensitization and emotional exhaustion among the South Korean public, causing …

Do Psychopathic Traits Influence Post-Traumatic Growth? Testing The Moderating Effects Of Psychopathic Traits Between Stressful Life Events And Post-Traumatic Growth, Ariela Denham

Honors Theses

The present study investigated the relationship between psychopathic traits and post-traumatic growth (PTG) following exposure to stressful life events. A sample of 291 undergraduate students completed self-report measures including the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM), Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5). Pearson correlations and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test whether the TriPM dimensions—Boldness, Meanness, and Disinhibition—moderated the association between stressful life events and PTG. Results revealed that Meanness was negatively associated with PTG, while Boldness and Disinhibition were not significantly related. Boldness showed a positive relationship with the PTGI Strength subscale, suggesting a …

The Impact Of Cattle Grazing On Water Quality In Stoner Creek, Bourbon County, Ky., Logan Stigall

Honors Theses

This study aims to identify the impact of cattle grazing on the water quality of Stoner Creek, located in North Middletown, KY. Cattle grazing can impact water quality in numerous ways. In this study, water quality was examined using the following parameters: water temperature (°C), pH (SU), dissolved oxygen (mg/L), conductivity (μS/cm), and Escherichia coli (E. coli) colonies per 100 mL of water. Results show that Site 3 (Cattle access point) had the greatest average conductivity at 465 μS/cm. Sites 3 and 4 showed the highest turbidity. There was a strong positive correlation (r²=0.32, p=0.02) between conductivity and …

How Gender, Verbal Assertiveness, And Relationship Status Correlate To The Ascription Of Responsibility In Sexual, Catherine Carvalho

Honors Theses

Acquiesced sex is “consenting to and engaging in undesired sexual activity” (Benoit & Ronis, 2022, p. 577). Research has found that perceptions of acquiesced sex are related to demographic variables, such as gender, and conditions, such as the relationship status of actors in a vignette. The present study considers whether variables such as gender and verbal assertiveness of the research participant affects ascription of responsibility for acquiesced heterosexual sex across two conditions (stranger and dating couple). Data were collected through an online survey administered to undergraduate and graduate University of New Haven students. Results indicate that participants' gender, general assertiveness, …

Beyond The Glitz And Glam: Unveiling The Physical And Psychological Toll Of Performative Perfection In Competitive Cheer And Dance, Audrey E. Marovich

Honors Theses

This study examines the factors that affect athlete burnout in current and former dancers and cheerleaders. A total of 108 participants completed an electronic survey where they provided information about their experiences with either cheerleading or dance and filled out a modified athlete burnout scale to get an average burnout score based on their responses. When looking at the variables that make up the culture of cheer and dance, a variety of relationships were found relating to burnout. Highly competitive experiences where athletes spend many hours per week participating and get very few breaks are correlated with high levels of …

The Nil Ripple Effect: How Name, Image, And Likeness Reshapes Student-Athletes, Mental Health, And Fan Perception, Jaleah Walker

Honors Theses

The NIL Ripple Effect: How Name, Image, and Likeness Reshapes Student-Athletes, Mental Health, and Fan Perception examines the shifting dynamics of college athletics and how these changes affect student-athletes, fans, and institutions. The study explores the consequences of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and its effects on student-athletes' mental health and fans’ perception. Through interviews with athletes and analysis of current policies, this research highlights the mental, financial, and competitive pressures that NIL places on student-athletes. While NIL provides financial opportunities, it also demands brand management, public visibility, and performance consistency, often leading to heightened stress. Additionally, this study …

From The Kitchens Of Lords To Pinterest Boards: An Examination Of Recipe Discourse, Haley Hansen

Honors Theses

This paper traces the evolution of written recipe discourse from medieval manuscripts to modern digital platforms, examining how changes in recipe structure, audience, and purpose reflect broader shifts in cultural literacy and sponsorship. Drawing on Deborah Brandt’s theory of “sponsors of literacy,” the author argues that recipe authors have historically acted as sponsors of culinary literacy, shaping who has access to cooking knowledge and how that knowledge is communicated. Through close analysis of recipes from the Forme of Cury (1390), American Cookery (1796), the Good Housekeeping Cookbook (1963), and a contemporary food blog, the study highlights the increasing democratization of …

Effects Of Foam Rolling With And Without Vibration On Contralateral Limb Range Of Motion And Jump Performance, Lawton P. Hawkins

Honors Theses

Recently, foam rolling with vibration (VFR) has gained popularity with having similar benefits to standard foam rolling (FR). VFR may induce a greater improvement in pain pressure threshold, which could lead to a greater improvement in range of motion (ROM). When applied to one limb, improvements in ROM occur in the non-rolled limb for both FR and VFR. Studies comparing the effects of FR and VFR in terms of acute changes in ROM and performance have reported mixed results. Using a larger dosage of VFR may provide a greater improvement in ROM for the non-rolled limb compared to FR. PURPOSE: …

The Implications Of Accounting In The Real World, Cayden A. Luke

Honors Theses

This thesis consists of a series of case studies performed throughout the duration of the accountancy 420 class. Each case was connected to a key area of financial reporting, where we learned about a topic and then reflected individually and within groups. As we explored the intricate relationships between finance, economics, policies, and ethics, we were exposed to unsettling insights that led to eye-opening revelations. The China Hustle followed Dan David as his journey led to the discovery of inadequate regulation of the Chinese government in their financial world and the lies that we are fed about our own. This …

Differing Judicial Perspectives: A Look Into The Evolution And Constitutionality Of The United States' Administrative State, Buchanan Albert Cook

Honors Theses

Over time the United States’ administrative state has evolved into something that is quite unrecognizable from its inception in the early years of the nation. This essay will provide an account of the founding of the United States Constitution while recognizing the intent and design of the framers of the Constitution. In juxtapositioning this account with the current state of administrative agencies, questions over the constitutionality of such agencies will be posed. To answer these questions, an overview of the history of administrative agencies in the United States will be given alongside accompanying and significant Supreme Court Cases. This overview …

Developing Novel Radical Protein Footprinting Methods For Application In Living Systems, Lyle Tobin

Honors Theses

Radical protein footprinting (RPF) is a family of structural biology techniques that generate radicals in situ to label solvent-accessible amino acid residues. Coupled with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, RPF enables the characterization of protein higher order structure and sites of protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. While traditionally performed in vitro, recent advancements have extended RPF to ex vivo and in vivo applications, including intact cells, nematodes, and 3D cell cultures. RPF in living systems allows the structural analysis of proteins and protein complexes in their native environment, preserving physiological interactions, dynamic conformational changes, and structural contexts that might otherwise be lost …

Reelin' In The Years (And Receivables): A Compilation Of Accounting Case Studies, Lauren E. Magee

Honors Theses

This thesis is comprised of five case studies that were completed under the guidance of Dr. Victoria Dickinson during the course ACCY 420 – Independent Study, following the requirements of the Patterson School of Accountancy and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. The first four case studies examine real-world accounting field topics: Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations, the modern use of Presidential Drawdown Authority, proposed environmental reporting standards, and educational vouchers. The final case study delivers a data-driven, comprehensive assessment of a semester-long group project: crafting a detailed business plan for a broadband internet provider in an underserved Mississippi county. This …

A Qualitative Evaluation Of Diabetes Solutions Telehealth Coaching Services, Caroline Brock

Honors Theses

Diabetes remains a growing public health concern, particularly in underserved regions such as rural Mississippi, where barriers to healthcare access and diabetes education contribute to poor disease management. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of 27 participants enrolled in Diabetes Solutions, a telehealth-based diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES/T) program offered by the Mississippi Diabetes Network. Using a phenomenological approach and structured interviews, the study identifies four major themes: structural benefits of the program, knowledge gained, common changes by participants, and quality of life outcomes. Participants consistently emphasized the value of personalized coaching, emotional encouragement, and practical education on …

Optimized Student Grouping For Enhanced Classroom Performance, Kathryn E. Reardon

Honors Theses

Effective grouping methods enhance classroom collaboration and allow for a student-centered teaching approach; however, traditional grouping methods are time-consuming, subjective, and can create inconsistent group dynamics. This project addresses these challenges by employing a data-driven approach to optimize student groups based on academic performance, behavior, attendance, language barriers, and teacher preferences. The minimum viable product is a web application with an algorithm-driven system to group students and a database storage for group results. During the initiation phase, a problem was defined with a proposed solution. During the planning phase, potential design choices and grouping methods were researched and assessed. During …

Bullying Among Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disabilities And Restorative Practices To Heal The School Environment, Elizabeth M. Mattingly

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the involvement of students with emotional and behavioral disabilities in the bullying dynamic and propose restorative circles as an alternative to exclusionary discipline practices. Students with emotional and behavioral disabilities are more likely than other children to be both the perpetrators and the victims of bullying due to their difficulties with emotional regulation and appropriate conflict resolution. Creating a school community that teaches appropriate social behaviors and healthy conflict resolution could reduce the rate at which students with emotional and behavioral disabilities are involved in the bullying dynamic. This paper examines the …

Mindfulness Meditation Type On Self-Compassion Levels, Emily Sexton

Honors Theses

Focused attention and open monitoring are two types of mindfulness meditation, which emphasizes the importance of present moment awareness while meditating. Both approaches can be done while sitting or walking. While research has explored the correlation between mindfulness meditation type and posture type, it remains unknown how a combination of mindfulness mediation type and posture type impacts self-compassion levels. This study examined if a combination of FA seated, FA walking, OM seated, or OM walking enhances self-compassion by having participants meditate an assigned meditation for fifteen minutes a week for six weeks and complete an assessment at the baseline, midline, …

Too Old For Dolls? Assessing The Efficacy Of Doll Therapy In Reducing Major Neurocognitive Disorder Symptoms To Alleviate Caregiver Burden, Ginny Price

Honors Theses

Dementia, formally known as major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD), is a complex condition that disables the independence of a person in completion of daily activities. This disorder results in the need for assistance from several caregivers to ensure that their needs are properly met. As their condition declines, the volume of needs increases, placing more responsibility on the caregiver, increasing their stress, and leading to a complication known as caregiver burden. Doll therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention that focuses on alleviating certain behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. It is the aim of this literature review to determine the efficacy of …

Genomic Characterization Of Novel Bacteriophage: Bellis, Emmanauel Z. Gibbs

Honors Theses

Phages are the most abundant life-forms on the planet. Due to their unique ability to infect and lyse specific bacterial strains, phages have been proposed as a potential therapeutic agent to fight antibiotic resistance bacterial infections. Consequently, more research is required to further our understanding of phages. We were provided with an isolated, novel Mycobacterium bacteriophage: Bellis. Utilizing a bioinformatic approach, we successfully annotated Bellis’ genome using a variety of computer programs like GeneMark, Glimmer, HHpred, and PECAAN. We discovered that Bellis has 122 genes, including a RecB-like endonuclease and an AAA-ATPase, as well as 10 tRNAs. Through the genomic …

Genome Annotation Of Stargaze, Madison R. Murray

Honors Theses

Bacteriophages are viruses which solely infect bacteria. They are one of the most abundant and diverse biological entities, yet there is a limited amount of information on these viruses, including their gene functions. Several previously unknown phages have been discovered including Stargaze, whose bacterial host is Mycobacterium Smegmatis. Characterization of phage genes and their functions deepen our understanding of phages and potentially contribute to the broader biomedical effort associated with phages ability to combat bacterial infections. Stargaze is a G5 subcluster phage and it only has one other related phage in its cluster, that phage is from Madagascar. Using a …

Microplastics In Brachyurans: Comparing Contents Of The Atlantic Ghost Crab, Ocypode Quadrata, And Their Surrounding Sediments, Michael See

Honors Theses

The emergence of microplastics as a threat to physiological and environmental health has led to an increase in studies in recent years that aim to identify and quantify potential risks to marine ecosystems. Ocypode quadrata is a species that is a critical component of coastal ecology, leading this study to collect and analyze specimens regarding microplastics and their presence as a pollutant to the marine environment. Samples were collected from beaches along the Grand Strand of South Carolina. Microplastic density and diversity were recorded from investigating fecal pellets from the captive crab specimens to examine microplastic abundance. In addition to …

Institutional Connectedness And Social Support Among College Students: Links To Campus Involvement, Carissa Strum

Honors Theses

Background. College is a pivotal period in the lives of students, and an important aspect of the experience is involvement within the campus. College student wellness is also a growing area of interest in higher education, with increased attention on ways to help students thrive. This study explores which aspects of campus involvement contribute to students’ feelings of connectedness and social support. This study aims to 1) assess the association between campus involvement and social support among college students, 2) assess the association between campus involvement and institutional connectedness among college students, and 3) examine whether the association between campus …

Over-The-Counter Cold Medication Usage Self-Efficacy Among Undergraduate Students In The United States, Ray Goodwin

Honors Theses

Background

This study looks at the trends in over-the-counter medication usage and self-efficacy among undergraduate college students in the United States. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications serve as the most easily accessible and commonly purchased medications and can be used as a basis to determine this demographic’s attitudes and behaviors towards self-medication. In addition, undergraduates represent a diverse population for analyzing differences among demographic groups.

Methods

A Qualtrics survey was sent out to undergraduates across the US via a panel, and the team received 403 useable responses. As part of a larger study, the survey presented participants with four different scenarios at …

Gender Employment Gap Within Professional Sports Team Front Offices, Reilly E. Fitzpatrick

Honors Theses

This research paper analyzes the causes of the gender employment gap, or the underrepresentation of women, within professional sports team front offices. The research question, What are the effects on female employees working in the sports industry with the prevalent difference in the number of women employed, analyzes the female experience in the industry. To answer this question, a group of female employees were surveyed on their experiences in the industry. An emphasis was placed on if a woman had at least one negative experience in the industry and also if that negative experience led them to have a decline …