Digital Commons Network^™

Financial Accounting Case Studies, Warren Spence Graves

Honors Theses

This thesis is a collection of eleven accounting case studies completed during the ACCY 420 course, taught by Dr. Victoria Dickinson within the 2021-2022 academic year. These cases cover a wide variety of topics within the scope of accounting, including the ramifications of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, on businesses and the effects COVID-19 had on Pfizer Inc. Other studies completed ranged from examining a city for potential future residence, an interview with a local business owner, and an excel verification course. Case 6 through Case 11 focuses on the analysis of ExxonMobil and its financials, conducted by …

Development Of Recombinant Varicella-Zoster Virus Vaccines Expressing Sars-Cov-2 Antigens, Cody Wilson

Honors Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) continues to cause infections and deaths around the globe. Since its emergence, scientists have worked diligently to discover and produce vaccines to battle the virus. While they successfully created and distributed vaccines, the vaccines are not without flaw. These vaccines do not grant long term immunity, require multiple booster shots, and have not prevented the emergence of viral variants. In this study, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD), which is a key part of the spike protein (S), and nucleocapsid (N) genetic sequences were inserted into the live varicella …

Directed Forgetting, Anna Case

Honors Theses

Directed forgetting (DF) is an adaptive process in which individuals engage in strategies to intentionally forget information. The prevailing strategy for DF is to engage in an effective mental context change after receiving the instructions to forget. We utilized a list-method DF manipulation under both experiments conducted and analyzed the ratio of words impaired from List 1 and enhanced from List 2. The two experiments conducted aimed to first confirm that an ineffective context change will not induce a DF effect, and secondly confirm an effective mental context change will induce a DF effect. Experiment one utilized thirty-nine university students …

Antimicrobial Activity And Mechanism Of Amyloid Proteins And Synthetic Conjugated Polyelectrolytes, Fahimeh Maghsoodi

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

Although the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is still unknown, it is widely considered that the accumulation of amyloid plaques composed of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in the brain is linked to neurodegeneration. Co-localization of viral DNA with Aβ plaques, the association of brain infection and AD, and research indicating the protective effect of Aβ against bacteria and fungi in mice and human cells have led to the hypothesis that Aβ expression and deposition may be central to its function as an antimicrobial peptide (AMP). In my thesis research, we seek to elucidate how Aβ functions as an AMP …

Approaches And Tools To Solving Complex Problems In Private Land Conservation, John T. Curnyn

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

The central theme throughout my four portfolio pieces is: approaches and tools that can be used to address complex problems involving private land conservation. I consider the broader human and environmental community health to be factors in successful private land conservation. The first portfolio piece examines a number of studies of conservation easements implemented to improve water quality, as well as their utility in avoiding land use conflict. My second portfolio piece is a reflective paper on my experience conducting a stakeholder assessment for the organization OneMontana. The assessment focused on creating a shared understanding of the issues related to …

3d Printing Of Earthen Materials: Toward The Carbon-Zero Construction, Shiva Bhusal

Civil Engineering ETDs

In recent years, digital manufacturing techniques in the architecture and construction industry have rapidly gained attention, especially with 3D printing, also called additive manufacturing. The use of cement has been common in modern construction and is now being explored for 3D printing. However, due to cement's contribution to approximately 7 percent of global carbon emissions and its high cost, research on sustainable and greener materials has gained attention. Previous studies on alternative construction have examined the mechanical and rheological properties of soil mixes, but not much attention has been given to printability evaluation, shrinkage, and cracking, which can affect the …

Sunflower Oil-Based Wood Adhesive With High Mechanical Strength And Enhanced Bonding By Introducing Fillers, Arjun Chaudhari

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Petroleum-based compounds are generally utilized in industries for getting higher mechanical strength for wood application, where the process of synthesis releases toxins into the environment and causes health issues.

Because of this, scientists are trying to make biobased compounds and products. In this research, sunflower polyol was used to make polyurethane (PU) resin. For the formation of polyol, an epoxidation reaction followed by a ring-opening reaction was performed. The presence of hydroxyl groups was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and hydroxyl value determination test to confirm the polyol formation. After that, hydroxyl groups of polyol were reacted with …

Effect Of Graphene-Based Fillers On The Properties Of Sunflower-Based Polyurethane, Vishwa Suthar

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Polyurethane market majorly depends on synthetic materials which are noxious. This stimulated an idea to replace petrochemical resources with renewable resources for polyurethane production. Keeping this in mind, this research focused on the use of sunflower oil for the preparation of polyol and its use in polyurethane composition. The reaction mechanism of epoxidation and ring-opening was approached for the conversion of sunflower oil to polyol. During the conversion of sunflower oil, unsaturated groups of sunflower oil were converted into hydroxyl groups of polyol.

Sunflower oil-based polyol was successfully blended with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) to form urethane bonds. Confirmative tests …

Evaluation Of Promising Eco-Friendly Flame Retardants For Bio-Based Rigid Polyurethane Foams Based On Modified Castor Oil, Prasadi Abeysinghe Arachchilage

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Fossil fuel derivatives in the polyurethane industry are gradually being replaced with environmentally friendly alternative bio-based resources. Vegetable-oil-based polyols are emerging bio-based resources that can decrease cost competitiveness in polyurethane markets, reduce environmental impacts, and meet the urgent need for green and sustainable development strategies. Among this, interest is the use of castor oil to make polyurethane because of its inedibility and the fact that it contains many functionalizable chemical groups. However, the poor thermal stability and low load-bearing capacity of castor-oil-based rigid polyurethane foam limits its application. Two methods were used to address these limitations: (i) more hydroxyl groups …

2021-2022 Accounting Practicum: A Sequence Of Financial Accounting Case Studies, Virginia Barksdale

Honors Theses

The following set of financial accounting case studies represents two semesters of work under Dr. Victoria Dickinson at the University of Mississippi’s Patterson School of Accountancy. As is customary for the Honors Accounting Practicum, subjects covered included current events – e.g., the anniversary of 9-11 and the COVID-19 pandemic – as well as the conceptual frameworks of different financial accounting disciplines. Some cases were more research focused while others involved specific deliverables relevant to the topic of the week. All case studies required the integration of knowledge from past coursework with the knowledge gained through the cases themselves. The work …

Financial Accounting Case Studies, Turner Willson

Honors Theses

This thesis is a compilation of eleven accounting case studies which covers a wide variety of topics that were discussed throughout the ACCY 420 course taught by Dr. Victoria Dickinson during the 2021-2022 academic school year. The cases vary in subject which started with the reflection of the 9/11 terrorist attacks had on the country and ended with choosing Tyson Inc. as an audit client. Some of the other cases included becoming excel certified, interviewing someone in the field that we wished to join upon graduation, and researching a future city in which we would like to live in the …

Diverse Analyses Of Accounting: A Series Of Case Studies, Hannah Harris

Honors Theses

This thesis consists of a diverse variety of case studies surrounded accounting and accounting-related issues. The first five cases span a broad range of topics, such as 9/11 and COVID-19 and their effects on the accounting industry. The last five cases, which were completed as a team, provide an in-depth analysis of Goldman Sachs, mostly through the team’s study of their 2020 and 2021 financial statements. These cases provide an overview of the company and the team’s suggested improvements in each line of service—audit, tax, advisory, and risk advisory. Through these cases, I was provided a much deeper insight into …

Speak Now To Forever Hold Your Piece: On Aesthetic Ownership And Interpretation, Spencer Heitman

Honors Theses

The primary objectives of this research are to describe ways in the interpretation of art-objects is shaped by their ownership and to endorse fan culture participation as a mechanism through which people might be led to aesthetic value. This analysis shall be grounded in an understanding of trust and shall point the reader toward care, noting that these phenomena positively correlate and help interpreters to receive meaning of more abundance and depth. It will be initially claimed that art interpretation is itself contribution to aesthetic dialogue with artists. This claim is grounded in an understanding of art’s communicative capacities and …

Accountancy 420 Case Study Analysis, Olivia Peterson

Honors Theses

During my junior year at the University of Mississippi, I took part in an accountancy practicum course, titled Accountancy 420. I was able to work on ten cases involving a multitude of accounting topics. During the first semester, I analyzed a 9/11 documentary, conducted research around potential cities for accounting internships, became Excel certified, investigated the financial impact of COVID-19 vaccines, and completed an interview with a business professional. These projects make up the first five cases of my thesis. We additionally were able to learn from speakers at many impressive firms about different topics surrounding the accounting industry. In …

An Analysis Of Key Financial Accounting Topics, Alec White

Honors Theses

The Accounting Capstone Project is to design to help accounting students consider problems throughout the accounting industry. To accomplish this, students will complete several case studies dealing with areas of financial reporting. My group and I decided to present potential tax-saving strategies for Apple Inc.

Compatibility Between Native Mississippi Ectomycorrhizal Fungi And Native And Exotic Pine Hosts: Testing For Specificity And The Potential For Rapid Evolution, Hailey A. Long

Honors Theses

Pines are highly invasive trees that are commonly used in pine plantations throughout the Southern Hemisphere. However, the survival and subsequent invasion of pines in exotic environments are dependent on the obligate symbiosis between ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi and pines. ECM fungi vary in host specificity and compatibility from pine-specialist species in the genus Suillus to broad generalists, such as species within the genera Pisolithus and Scleroderma. In Experiment 1, we sought to understand how the geographic origin of ECM fungi native to the southeastern United States and two pine species (native southeastern United States Pinus taeda and exotic Pinus …

Student Perception Of Covid-19 Mitigation Strategies And Correlation To Demographics At The University Of Mississippi, Anna Couhig

Honors Theses

COVID-19 caused an unprecedented dilemma for universities, the best method of continuing education during a pandemic. Different mitigation strategies were developed as higher education institutions transitioned back to in-person learning, and the effectiveness of these strategies depended largely on adherence by college students. COVID-19 remains a vastly unexplored research topic, and college students’ approval of mitigation strategies is largely untouched. This research answers the question: “Are University of Mississippi student perceptions of COVID-19 mitigation strategies correlated to demographics?” Through a mixed-methods survey that was sent to a random sample of full-time undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Mississippi, …

Accounting Analysis, Henrietta Long

Honors Theses

In my practicum class during my junior year at the University of Mississippi, I was able to work on ten cases discussing many different accounting topics. During the first semester of the course, the class conducted research on different cities around the US for accounting internships, we became excel certified, and we completed an interview with a professional that had experience in the business world. We also had the privilege of having highly acclaimed accounting firms come to the class and present on a variety of different accounting matters. Additionally, we watched a documentary about September 11th, 2001 and completed …

A Financial Analysis Of Accounting Through Case Studies, Logan Moll

Honors Theses

This thesis contains a collection of ten case studies completed during the fall and spring semesters for the Accountancy 420 class under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson. The class and case studies were completed to fulfill the requirements of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College Accountancy Practicum. During the fall semester, Dr. Dickinson presented the class with specialized case studies to consider different areas of the accounting and business industry. During the spring semester, we formed groups and selected a Fortune 500 company to research before completing case studies that evaluated the company’s following areas: company overview, audit, tax, …

Comparing The Evolution, Form, And Function Of Russian And Chinese Information Operations, Briana Berger Slowinski, Marissa J. Skulsky

Honors Theses

Russia and China are critical actors who deploy far-reaching and impactful information operations in pursuit of their national interests. Their use of information operations is multifaceted and should be subject to study due to how influential these operations are and how significant the effects can be. In pursuit of this knowledge, the aim of this study was to conduct an in-depth analysis of these two countries' information operations and how their operations differ. The first area analyzed was the evolution of these countries' modern day information operations, primarily looking for the factors and historical context which influenced the development of …

Functional Variants Identify Sex-Specific Genes And Pathways In Alzheimer’S Disease, Thomas Bourquard, Kwanghyuk Lee, Ismael Al-Ramahi, Minh Pham, Dillon Shapiro, Yashwanth Lagisetty, Shirin Soleimani, Samantha Mota, Kevin Wilhelm, Maryam Samieinasab, Young Won Kim, Eunna Huh, Jennifer Asmussen, Panagiotis Katsonis, Juan Botas, Olivier Lichtarge

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The incidence of Alzheimer's Disease in females is almost double that of males. To search for sex-specific gene associations, we build a machine learning approach focused on functionally impactful coding variants. This method can detect differences between sequenced cases and controls in small cohorts. In the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project with mixed sexes, this approach identified genes enriched for immune response pathways. After sex-separation, genes become specifically enriched for stress-response pathways in male and cell-cycle pathways in female. These genes improve disease risk prediction in silico and modulate Drosophila neurodegeneration in vivo. Thus, a general approach for machine learning on …

The Elephant In The Garden, Ila France Porcher

Animal Sentience

The other commentators on Chapman & Huffman (2018) have pointed out in different ways that despite our biological nature, there is a widespread tendency for humans to believe that we are not only superior to animals, but that we are not animals at all. Alongside our denial of animal sentience and cognition, this has resulted in the denial of our own instinctive natures. It is this denial that is our error, for it is only by understanding our true natural heritage that we can begin to change the runaway path we are on.

A Historical Examination Of Native American And European Agroforestry, Reed Bryant

Bryant University Undergraduate Journal

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), “Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic, and social benefits. It has been practiced in the United States and around the world for centuries.” However, for many practitioners in the past, agroforestry was not simply an “integration of trees and shrubs into animal farming systems,” nor was it simply a means to produce foodstuffs. For them, agroforestry defined a way of life where trees were fixtures in the landscape which bore many life-giving gifts: fruits and nuts to eat, …

Sow Temperature Probe Design, Javier Flores

American Journal of Rising Scholar Activities

With temperatures increasing steadily throughout the last century, the swine production industry is beginning to confront an increasingly urgent dilemma. Ambient barn temperatures are now regularly exceeding ideal conditions for optimal milk production, as well as maximum litter size. Temperatures that exceed these conditions can lead to heat stress among sows, which can ultimately lead to death. With sows usually being housed in larger group settings, keeping track of an individual sow’s temperature has never been harder. The focus of this project is efficiently tracking the internal vaginal temperature of a sow. A prototype probe was developed and consists of …

Caring For And Extracting Data From Rats With High-Thoracic Spinal Cord Injuries, Misael Rodriguez

American Journal of Rising Scholar Activities

Individuals who suffer from spinal cord injuries are very susceptible to autonomic dysreflexia, which unfortunately can lead to death in many cases. By studying this injury, a better understanding of the topic can be achieved, along with potential direction for assistive technologies. The purpose of this study was to ensure that rats with High-Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury were being properly cared for throughout the experimental acclimation process, with proper housing, surgical procedures, diet, and post-operative care. In the lab, these objectives were met, and then blood pressure and electrocardiography recordings were taken before and after the animal was paralyzed. This …

Art Of Medicine - 2023

The Art of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Community Information Needs And Services Through Public Libraries In The Rice Bowl Of Bengal's : Problems And Proposals, Kousik Samanta, Subhas Chandra Majhi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Agricultural development in Rice Bowl is faced with new challenges and opportunities on food, nutrition, population and environment fronts. Public Libraries of Purba Bardhaman play a vital role to face these challenges by providing quick access to information. The Public libraries are conscious of improving the conditions through Community Information Centre (CIC) for fully utilizing information age technologies to collect, organize, and disseminate all types of information needed by the users they serve. Public libraries' primary responsibilities include granting access to and safeguarding recorded knowledge for later use. In addition, they are in charge of disseminating necessary information to the …

Accessions To Wealth, Realization Of Gross Income, And Dominion And Control: Applying The "Claim Of Right Doctrine" To Found Objects, Including Record-Setting Baseballs, Joseph M. Dodge

Florida Tax Review

This article explores the tax treatment of certain in-kind receipts of property, namely, windfall found objects. The basic and unremarkable thesis is that in-kind property windfalls (commonly referred to as “found objects”) are gross income when received. However, there is more than meets the eye here: the finder of a found object often does not obtain clear legal title, so there exists a possibility that the item might have to be returned to its rightful owner. This possibility of having to return the item raises two issues seriatim. The first is that the income represented by the found object …

Reconnaissance: Relationship Between Social Presence And Knowledge Construction In Second Life, Leah A. Hardesty

Organization, Information and Learning Sciences ETDs

This qualitative research study explored levels of social presence in Second Life (virtual world) associated with phases of knowledge construction. The study explored images and data collected from users at two discussion-based activities. The findings revealed the three levels of social presence, according to the Interactional Process Model of Social Presence developed by Schultze and Brooks. Social presence established a sense of mutual monitoring of users that increased users’ sense of presence. This made their virtual interactions more real. Various phases of knowledge construction were observed as specified in the Interaction Analysis Model developed by Gunawardena, Lowe and Anderson. Knowledge …

Utilizing Interprofessional Collaboration To Assist Clients And Communities With Disaster Relief, Baylen D. Bellamy

Social Work Masters Capstone Projects

Hello and thank you for reading my capstone project, which focuses on utilizing interprofessional collaboration to assist clients and communities with disaster relief. My practicum placement was at a crisis center in the next town over. I shadowed and assisted staff with working with clients and the community. A natural disaster had occurred while I was at my practicum placement. Near the end of July in 2022 a massively, devastating flood had hit South Eastern KY and several surrounding counties. The flood happen so sudden people hardly had any warning. People’s homes, vehicles, animals, and personal belongings were washed away. …