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Recent Manuscript Acquisitions At Mississippi University And College Libraries, 1983, Frank Allen Dennis

Journal of Mississippi History

No abstract provided.

A Bibliography Of Theses And Dissertations Relating To Mississippi, 1983, Frank Allen Dennis

Journal of Mississippi History

No abstract provided.

Long Love "Tippecanoe"! Letters Of A Whig, 1840-1841, Ray Holder

Journal of Mississippi History

No abstract provided.

Mississippi's Response To Nullification, 1833, Lucie Robertson Bridgforth

Journal of Mississippi History

No abstract provided.

Defining Teacher Envelopment: A Non-Aristotelian Approach To Meta-Practices In The Philosophy Of Teacher Education, Rob Blom

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

The late Jonathan Neufeld argued that redefining teacher development required meta-practices, yet he never defined what these meta-practices were. To define them rigorously requires grounding teacher cultivation practices within coherent structures of truth capable of withstanding philosophical scrutiny—a challenge intensified by post- truth discourse that flattens epistemological depth in secularised educational theory. This paper advances a theory of teacher envelopment to complement conventional teacher development through identifying mindfulness and discernment as foundational meta-practices grounded in non-Aristotelian systems. The framework rests on three interrelated concepts: (1) truth paradigms encompassing contemplative, articulatory, and embodied dimensions; (2) epistemological depth as extensional practices that …

No Mud, No Lotus: Ways To Metabolize Suffering, Heesoon Bai, Heather Williams, Renata Cueto De Souza, Mel Voulgaris, Charles Scott, Anna Rumjahn, Avraham Cohen, Zuzana Vasko Dr.

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

This paper builds on the foundation of mainly Buddhist and existential contemplative philosophies a theoretical and practical framework for understanding and working with suffering as a transformational setting for human development and maturation. The authors propose that the first step in this path of transformation is radical acceptance of suffering as fundamental “truth” about human life, which could re-orient us from the usual mindset of avoidance, denial, dismissal, moralizing, or aggressive elimination of suffering. The next step in this reorientation is seeing suffering as containing valuable “nutrients” for human development and maturation, just as, analogically speaking, mud can grow lotus …

Hear My Voice As Who I Am: Theorizing The Essence Of Poetry In Holistic Global Citizenship Education, Shue-Kei Joanna Mok

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

Poetry as an imaginative language art has long been perceived as the core of humanity, the foundation of human advancement (Arnold,1880; Rorty, 2007). By composing, critiquing, and sharing/performing poems, not only does the process enrich and deepen one’s relationship to oneself, understanding and reflecting on the contextual, historical, cultural, social, and creative backgrounds of the poems and poets allows one to have greater connections with the broader environment across temporal, spatial, and social dimensions with human and non-human beings.

This paper first frames the core concepts and values of global citizenship from a Confucius perspective to emphasize the significance of …

Contemplative Pedagogy, Mindfulness And Reflection In Teacher Education, Karen O. Ragoonaden Dr., Leslie Shayer

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

This study explores the intersections of contemplative pedagogy, mindfulness practices and reflection in education. Contemplative pedagogy and mindfulness practices were introduced to three cohorts in teacher education, in graduate education, and in professional development education. This pedagogy and the practices provided a time, a place and a community to engage in personal and professional reflections about teaching and learning. The themes identified in this study demonstrated that engaging in contemplative pedagogy in a nine-week mindfulness course provided increased opportunities to reflect on self-awareness, on wellbeing and on the professional practice of education. The qualitative results of this study indicate that …

Forest Ecology And Fantasy Fiction: Morris, Tolkien, Le Guin (2026), By Dion Dobrzynski, Martin Simonson

Journal of Tolkien Research

Book review, by Martin Simonson, of Forest Ecology and Fantasy Fiction: Morris, Tolkien, Le Guin (2026), by Dion Dobrzynski

Malaria: Combatting World War Ii's Exhausting Nuisance, Mallory C. Steen Ms.

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This research poster discusses the role of malaria in World War II. Although not extremely fatal, the disease debilitated Allied soldiers fighting in the Pacific Theater. Through Allied cooperation, malaria cases were successfully reduced, which aided the Allied troops in winning the war.

The Effects Of Age Related Ocular Diseases On Nighttime Driving Within Geriatric Populations, Donovan J. O'Keefe

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Driving at night is a task that places large demands onto the sensory system as a whole, and in particular, the visual system. As a task that already comes with an increased risk when compared to daytime driving, various factors can contribute to how safely one can drive on a roadway. As individuals progress in age, age-related ocular diseases can develop. These ocular diseases further impair vision, which can lead to an overall decrease in road safety. Three of the most common of these diseases include Open-Angle Glaucoma, Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and Cataracts. Understanding how each of these diseases …

Obsessive-Compulsive Subtraits And Self-Agency, Jacob Nelson, Cody Barton, Carissa Phillipi Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is categorized by persistent, unwanted thoughts, called obsessions. and repetitive behaviors, called compulsions. The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) is a valid measure of OCD, and breaks the condition into six subtraits: Checking, Hoarding, Obsessing, Ordering, Neutralizing, & Washing. Prior research has suggested that one’s sense of agency, measured through the Sense of Agency Scale (SoAS), is lower in those with higher overall OCI-R scores compared to those with lower scores and controls. Additionally, sub-clinical checking has been negatively correlated with sense of agency, and sub-clinical hoarding and ordering have been positively correlated with sense of agency. However, there …

Patterns Of Violence: Gendered Variations In Reported Abuse In Ex Parte Civil Protection Order Cases, Aimee Yearwood

Undergraduate Research Symposium

A comparative analysis was conducted to assess differences in the types of abuse reported by male and female petitioners in ex parte civil protection order cases. From a dataset of 487 CPO cases filed in 2022 in Minnesota, a sample of 200 cases was utilized, including 100 from male petitioners and 100 from female petitioners. Results indicate that female petitioners report higher levels of psychological/emotional and sexual abuse along with harassment than male petitioners. Also, female petitioners reported slightly higher levels of verbal abuse. There were few notable differences in the reporting of physical abuse, property damage, child abuse/neglect, and …

Phenotypic Variation Between Surface And Cave-Adapted Poeciliids And Its Effect On Metabolism, Karch Knipp, Michael Tobler, Soren Johnson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Cave-adapted organisms often exhibit pronounced morphological changes relative to their surface counterparts, a phenomenon known as troglomorphy. In Poecilia mexicana (Atlantic molly), these differences include variation in coloration between surface and cave populations. Troglobitic organisms also typically exhibit reduced metabolic rates, likely as an adaptation to environments with low primary productivity. This makes P. mexicana an ideal system for investigating the evolution of metabolic traits. In this study, we leveraged variation in coloration among cave-dwelling mollies to examine potential associations with resting metabolic rate (RMR). Coloration was quantified using PCR values, and individuals were categorized as “yellow” or “non-yellow.” We …

Prenatal Depression And Maternal-Fetal Attachment: The Moderating Role Of Trauma Experiences, Ayla G. Heun, Jessilyn M. Froelich, Haley L. Ringenary, Emily D. Gerstein

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Prenatal depression is associated with lower maternal-fetal attachment (Dubber et al., 2015; Filippetti et al., 2022; Kitamura et al., 2025; Røhder et al., 2020). Trauma exposure and PTSD symptomology have also been linked to lower maternal-fetal attachment (Bailes et al., 2024; Can Caglayan et al., 2023; Sanjuan et al., 2020). This study examines the moderating effect of each; Criterion A trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms on the relationship between prenatal depression and maternal-fetal attachment. It is hypothesized that more depressive symptoms will be associated with lower maternal-fetal attachment and that trauma experience will moderate the relation between depressive symptoms and …

The Impact Of Caffeine On Bumble Bee Hunger, Hallie Chapman, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) are crucial pollinators, responsible for pollinating multiple native plants and agricultural crops. Caffeine, which is classified as a stimulant, is present in some of these plant species at varying levels. Alterations in bumble bee cognition, including motivation, learning, and hunger, have been associated with caffeine intake. This study explored the impacts of caffeine on the bumble bee behavior on a biological level. While previous research has examined caffeine’s effects on cognition and learning, fewer studies have investigated its effects on hunger at the level of individual bees. Bumble bees, identified with numerically labeled tags, …

Caffeine Concentration: An Analysis On Bumble Bee Foraging Efficiency, Carson Leonard, Becky Hansis-O’Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Caffeine (trimethylxanthine) is a synthetically and naturally produced stimulant that has been shown to elicit an effect on the central nervous system of humans as well as invertebrates. Although the exact mechanisms by which caffeine alters biological processes in invertebrates are still being investigated, its physiological and behavioral effects have been extensively documented. Naturally occurring caffeine is produced by certain flowering plants, including cocoa and tea species, and has been shown to influence invertebrate behavior, particularly cognitive performance and foraging patterns. In pollinating insects, the exposure to caffeine in floral nectar may affect how pollinators evaluate, select, and revisit food …

Tarantulas Can Use Black And White Cues In A Discrimination Learning Task, Jordan Kolinski, Becky Hansis O'Neill, Amiee Dunlap

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Animals use vision to perceive light, shapes, colors, and movement. Many animals that have poor vision are understudied. The purpose of this experiment was to study color vision in tarantulas (Brachypelma hamorii). Researchers have found genes associated with color vision tarantulas, but no behavioral experiments have been done on this topic. Previous research has also shown that tarantulas can see polarized light. In this experiment, we wanted to know if tarantulas could use visual cues to move away from a noxious stimulus - vibration. There were twelve tarantulas being tested in this experiment for between twelve and fifteen …

Evaluating The Nash Reaction As A Sustainable Alternative To The Snar Reaction In The Synthesis Of Pharmaceutical Intermediates, Allison L. Ryerson, James K. Bashkin, Jessica R. N. Thompson, Adam Weiss, Huy Q. Nguyen

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reactions are one of the most widely used reaction classes in pharmaceutical production today, used for example to produce nitroaryl amine intermediates. In comparison to the traditional SNAr pathway, the nucleophilic aromatic substitution of hydrogen (NASH) provides a greener alternative in pharmaceutical production by using cheaper starting materials, eliminating more hazardous solvents, and reducing toxic waste.

Relationship Between Morphological And Behavioral Laterality In Astyanax Mexicanus, Allison Lendman, Michael Tobler, Erik Johnson

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Populations within the Astyanax genus have experienced extreme differences in environment, leading to distinct morphological adaptations. The cave populations of these fish are eyeless and have acquired fixed, cranial asymmetries. We explored a possible relationship between this physical asymmetry and behavioral laterality. We tested 28 adult fish, 14 male and 14 female, from the Pachón cave in controlled behavioral trials. We found that both sexes demonstrated behavioral laterality, observed as a consistent left-turn bias in these trials. This supports the hypothesis that these populations display behavioral laterality that is correlated to their physical asymmetries. Ongoing research comparing behavioral patterns in …

Under The Surface: Human Disturbance Reduces Species Richness In Glade Microhabitats, Maddie Smith, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Human disturbance can alter microhabitats in ways that affect biodiversity, especially in sensitive ecosystems like glades where many animals rely on rocks for thermoregulation and refuge. This study examined how rock displacement by human activity influences species richness and community composition in glade habitats at Shaw Nature Reserve and Victoria Glades Conservation Area. We hypothesized that disturbed rocks would be less suitable for wildlife and would support fewer species. From September to November 2025, about 30 rocks per site were pseudo-randomly selected and monitored. Each rock was classified as displaced or nondisplaced, and all organisms found beneath them were recorded. …

Leisure Activities And Stress Levels Among College Students​, Ellie Nahm

Undergraduate Research Symposium

The present study sampled 30 university students to test the effects of time spent participating in leisure activities on stress levels, with social support and physical activity as moderators. Participants were aged18 to 56 and were largely White and women. We hypothesized that the relationship between time spent engaging in one's leisure activity and stress will be moderated by the physical exertion and social support experienced through leisure activity engagement. Results indicated no significant relationship between leisure participation and stress levels in this sample, nor a moderating effect of social support or physical exertion. Limitations include a small sample size …

Support For Human Rights, Megan G. Shipp

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This project is important because it seeks to understand why the United States fails to implement human rights frameworks into its laws. Despite being at the center of the international system, the US thinks itself above international law while evading following international standards. It fits into the discussion of at what point human rights ideals are encouraged by the public. This research delves further into at what point human ideals are encouraged by the public, and what ideals are most encouraged, if any. The United States does not educate its citizens on the concept of international human rights, leaving it …

Synthesis And Charge Transport Characterization Of 9,9'-Bifluorenylidene-Based Conjugated Molecules For Single-Molecule Conductance, Zach Moughamian, Jahnavi Badiganti, Jinjia Xu

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Molecular electronics explores the use of individual molecules as functional components in nanoscale electronic devices. In this project, fluorenone-based π-conjugated molecules including 9,9'-bifluorenylidene-S and triphenylamine-substituted derivatives were synthesized to investigate structure-property relationships relevant to molecular charge transport. The synthesized compounds were obtained in 13% and 27% yield respectively. ¹H NMR spectroscopy confirms characteristic aromatic resonances in the 7-9 ppm region consistent with the conjugated framework. UV–Vis spectroscopy reveals absorption maxima at 459 nm and 470 nm, indicating extended π-conjugation and donor-acceptor effects. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirms the structure of 9,9'-bifluorenylidene-S, which crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P2₁/c). In …

Transposon Mutagenesis Identifies Genes Involved In Salicylate-Induced Regulation Of Cyclopropane Fatty Acid Expression And Membrane Lipid Modification In Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium, Presconique Cooper, Taiwo Iromini, Lon Chubiz

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Salicylate, a topical antiseptic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is known to induce physiological stress adaptation in bacteria. One such adaptation involves the cyclopropanation of unsaturated membrane fatty acids, a process that enhances membrane integrity under stress conditions. In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium 14028S, the cfa gene encodes cyclopropane fatty acid synthase, a key enzyme that modifies membrane lipids to promote stress tolerance. To understand regulatory mechanisms underlying salicylate induction of cfa expression, a lacZ reporter system was employed to screen a library of transposon mutants for altered cfa promoter activity. Mutant 243 showed a pronounced 5-8 fold decrease in …

The 1993 E. Coli Outbreak: The Epidemic That Spurred Changes For Food Regulations, Piper G N Ruebling

Undergraduate Research Symposium

An overview of the 1993 E. coli outbreak that occurred in the Northwest region of the United States. The outbreak came from not enough regulation to detect disease before being sent from production to restaurants, most notably Jack-in-The-Box. The outbreak was a terrifying experience for several families, as children were the most affected. This single outbreak spurred changes for food safety in several ways, including bringing change to other countries that trade resources with the United States.

Tornado Impacts: St. Louis Neighborhoods And Physical Environment, Jeremiah J. Dyson, Kymberli Philpott, Ricardo Belle, Jamilah Bracely, Will Ranney, Cornell Evans

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This work explores the aftermath of the St. Louis May tornado last year that impacted parts of the area. Many homes, forests, properties, and other spaces such as wildlife habitats were destroyed. Through field explorations, geospatial technology, interviews, documentation, and comparing data, as a group we aimed to gain a better understanding of the geographic and sociological impact of the tornado, and the steps taken to help rebuild. With this project in mind, this work is also an explanation on what the preventative measures are to avoid mass destruction in natural disasters.

A Unified Pipeline For Network-Based Gene Pattern Discovery, Siddhartha Reddy Pullannagari, Sharlee Climer

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Large-scale genetic datasets from diverse diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, provide unprecedented opportunities to study disease pathogenesis and generate hypotheses for drug discovery. However, identifying meaningful genetic interaction patterns within these datasets remains challenging due to combinatorial relationships amongst genes and heterogeneous biological underpinnings across subtypes. This project systematically analyzes a diverse collection of omics datasets (e.g., GSE44076, GSE97810, GSE127711, GSE112679) obtained from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), spanning multiple biological conditions and data types. We use a unified computational pipeline designed to handle variation in dataset size, structure, and context. The steps in …

Making Indole-Based Drug Ingredients Faster With A Simple Iron Catalyst, Samuel Voell, Eike B. Bauer

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Substituted indoles have significant pharmaceutical relevance and are common building blocks in medicinal chemistry. They are part of many approved drugs across various areas and are also widely explored as leads for antiviral and antibacterial activity. This includes treatment of MRSA, a bacterium type that is resistant to common antibiotics and responsible for complicated infections. Many reactions in pharmaceutical production are slow and inefficient; catalysis facilitates the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant products. Catalysis provides an efficient, lower-energy pathway to form a product, thereby saving time and energy. Ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate (FcBF4), is a catalyst we are currently investigating. FcBF4 is an …

Black Mothers' Stress And Harsh Parenting Moderated By Child Age: A Longitudinal Secondary Analysis, Mandiryn M. Diffee, Theresa A. Moore, Hannah White

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Black mothers from lower socioeconomic status experience the highest stress levels in the United States due to structural and societal disadvantage, and one study shows parenting stress for Black mothers increases as children age from 5 to 8 years old. Stress is a well‑established risk factor for maladaptive parenting practices, including harsh parenting, and can influence these behaviors in ways that extend beyond parents’ conscious control. However, no studies have investigated Black mothers’ parenting stress trajectories from toddlerhood to adolescence, nor whether these trajectories relate to harsh parenting. To address this discrepancy, the present study conducted a multilevel analysis using …