Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Algorithms & Design Behind Autonomous Uavs And Ugvs Coordinated System, Aashish Dhakal

Honors Theses

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), when coordinated effectively, offer substantial potential for automating large-scale tasks—from search and rescue operations to precision agriculture. However, synchronizing these autonomous systems remains challenging, especially in time-sensitive missions requiring precision. This thesis investigates the design and algorithmic coordination of autonomous UAVs and UGVs, examining both single-vehicle scenarios and multi-agent (swarming) approaches. Using the Robot Operating System (ROS) as a communication backbone, I integrate GPS positioning with computer vision techniques through OpenCV, enabling accurate localization and object detection. During the development phase, I validate my methods using ArduPilot Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) simulations within …

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 …

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.

Juntos, Tori N. Saenz

Honors Theses

Juntos is a sculptural exploration of interconnectedness and dependence between people. Throughout my life and travels around the world as a solo backpacker, I have seen firsthand how the human desire for connection transcends language barriers, personality differences, and various belief systems. This natural tendency to form relationships and depend on each other is integral to our society and our lives. In juntos, which means “together” in Spanish, I explore these human connections through figurative sculptures using abstraction, repetition, diversity, and balance.

The simple, abstract figures that make up juntos capture the internal composition of a person rather than …

Analyzing And Understanding The Broad Spectrum Of Accounting: Five Concentrated Case Studies, Anna D. Franks

Honors Theses

This thesis is a compilation of five case studies, each exploring a distinct aspect of the accounting profession and its role in modern society. They were written and compiled under the supervision of Dr. Victoria Dickinson during the Honors Accountancy 420 course and in accordance with the requirements of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and the Patterson School of Accountancy. Cases I-IV examine various pressing issues within the field of accounting, including the 2008 stock market crash, the implications of the military industrial complex that is present in many modern governments, environmental sustainability in accounting, and a look at …

Anti-Cancer Activity Of Marine-Derived Fucosylated Chondroitin Sulfates In Ovarian Cancer Cell Spheroid Formation And Notch Signaling Inhibition, Daniella Beiner

Honors Theses

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological malignancy, with high recurrence rates driven by chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs). Current therapeutics targeting Notch signaling to inhibit CSC formation have yet to demonstrate clinical benefit and pose risk of gastrointestinal toxicities. Here, we report that treatment with fucosylated chondroitin sulfates (FucCS) inhibited Notch signaling activation and spheroid formation in OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells. Sulfation and fucosylation were shown to be key structural requirements of this anti-cancer activity. Moreover, this inhibition was synergistic with suppression of Notch glycosylation by Radical Fringe knockout. Preliminary experiments to conjugate FucCS to a maleimide linker in preparation …

Opmed Seal: Engineering A Rapid-Response Biodegradable Device For Hemorrhage Control And Infection Prevention In Abdominal Trauma, Paula M. Cabrera, Wesley Stephen Murphy

Honors Theses

Abdominal gunshot wounds are amongst the deadliest injuries encountered in combat and remote emergency settings. For military medics and first responders, the challenge lies in controlling internal bleeding and preventing infection before patients can reach surgical care-often within a narrow window of time known as the “golden hour”. Currently available field treatments are either too slow, not designed for internal wounds, or fail to provide antimicrobial protection. To address this gap, our team developed OpMed Seal: a compact, dual-syringe delivery system that deploys a biodegradable, antibiotic-infused hydrogel directly into abdominal injuries. The system is designed for rapid hemorrhage control, localized …

Weathering The Storm: Examining Mississippi’S Disaster Recovery For Diverse Economic Groups, Ethan C. Robertson

Honors Theses

This study investigates the systemic disparities in disaster recovery resource allocation in Mississippi, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by underprivileged communities. Guided by the central research question—how can we make disaster recovery more equitable?—this research critically examines whether current disaster recovery policy in Mississippi is equitable and how effectively it addresses the needs of diverse economic groups. The current disaster recovery model often fails to address the unique needs of socio-economically vulnerable populations, hindering their ability to recover effectively. Through case studies of Hurricane Katrina (2005), the Mississippi River Flooding (2011), and undeclared tornadoes in December 2022, …

Elastin And Endothelium’S Role In Aortic Contraction: A Wire Myography Study In Adult Mice, Bebel B. Trani

Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Independent Study

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are characterized by dilation and structural weakening of the aortic wall [1]. If left untreated, aortic dissections or life-threatening ruptures can occur. While current treatment options primarily involve minimally invasive surgical procedures, a deeper understanding of the underlying molecular and mechanical changes in the vessel wall could direct new forms of treatment. This report investigates the role of elastic fibers in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the contribution of endothelial cells in maintaining aortic contractility. The overall goal is to observe how elastin degradation contributes to vessel dysfunction.

Designing An Economically Viable Off-Grid Photovoltaic System Considering The Battery Discharge Rate, Ahmed S. Abdelrazek, Eslam Mohamed Ahmed, Mahmoud Elsisi, Mokhtar Said

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The primary significance of harnessing power from clean and renewable sources lies in the fact that numerous rural areas are far from the utility system. Among the renewable energy technologies catering to power needs in residential areas is the solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Despite the potential of PV technology and the abundant sun radiation exposure in Hurghada, Egypt, there is a lack of empirical studies evaluating the feasibility of off-grid power production using this system. A notable aspect of this study is the consideration of the discharge rate of the battery for sizing the off-grid system, involving the distribution of …

Egyptian Government Actions To Implement A Green, Smart, Secured And Sustainable City In Africa, Egypt To Host Cop27, Enas Samir, Eman Metwally

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Smart cities are essential for addressing globalization, urban overpopulation, and urban growth. This paper discusses the Egyptian government's strategies, policies, and procedures for transforming Sharm-Elsheikh city into a green, smart, safe, secured, and sustainable city. The research aims to learn from COP28 and export an action plan to convert the city from a touristic to a smart green, secure, and sustainable city. The main research question is how COP27 in Egypt will become the COP of implementation, and the hypothesis is that the current mindset for managing economic files may not be suitable for the new economic orientations.

Computational Models Of Vocal Fold Lesions: Analysis Of Fluid-Structure Interaction, Manoela Rocha Neves

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The biomechanical and aerodynamic behaviors of the vocal folds (VFs) during phonation are heavily influenced by their structural composition and pathological changes. These conditions can induce localized stiffening that disrupts vibratory symmetry and alters airflow resistance. Previous research has lacked the integration of VF lesions in computational simulations using anatomically accurate models, limiting the understanding of their effects in phonation and potential contribution to voice disorders. Addressing this gap, this thesis develops a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model of a realistic two-layered VF structure with lesions, comparing airflow patterns, structural deformations, and vibration profiles in both healthy and diseased cases.

The …

Evaluation Of An External Urinary Device Protocol And Practices In Hospitalized Female Patients: A Quality Improvement Project At A Rural Midwestern Hospital, Melissa Leibnitz, Ashley Causa, Susana Lopez

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Aims and Objectives- 1: Describe and measure current implementation and management practices of the PureWick™. 2: Describe and measure current outcomes in the use of the PureWick™ device including mobility scores, skin breakdown, Braden scores, moisture-associated dermatitis, CAUTIs, PAUTIs, hospital LOS, HAIs and HPIs. 3: Measure the survey results from staff regarding the current PureWick™ practices. 4: Propose recommendations for an improved EB protocol for the PureWick^TM.

Background: Currently, the PureWick^TM device has been utilized by facilities as an alternative to indwelling urinary catheters in an effort to reduce the incidence of CAUTI. Since the introduction …

From Concept To Light: Manufacturing A Dual-Purpose Bedside Lamp And Book Organizer, Nicole Goulet

Honors Theses

This report features the design, development, engineering changes, and manufacturing of the Bedside Lamp, a hand-made multi-purpose lamp, book holder, and charging hub. The investigation began with research and a market analysis on current lamp designs and a discussion about what features would set the lamp apart. This led to the design of the lamp and construction of multiple prototypes for proof of concept.

A manufacturing process was then designed to demonstrate the steps to start up an efficient and cost-effective production line. This process included obtaining raw materials, cutting them into the necessary parts, and assembling everything to create …

Mechatronic System Mobility Enhancement Device For Patient With Cerebral Palsy, Tori N. Saenz

Honors Theses

The primary objective of this project was to design and fabricate the electronic, power, and control systems for a mobility device oriented around the needs of a young man with cerebral palsy, named Lane Bryant. This project was completed during the Mechanical Engineering Capstone Senior Design Experience. A separate group completed the design and fabrication of the wheelchair’s ergonomic and structural elements. Research on the typical operation of existing electric wheelchairs was completed to form a baseline of operating parameters. Observations from a previous wheelchair for Lane, called the Wild Thing, guided many design choices. The power supply was designed …

Breaking The Ice: China And Lawfare In The Arctic, Sophia Toner

Honors Theses

This thesis examines China's engagement with international legal frameworks in the Arctic through a lawfare lens, using a structured analytical framework to assess whether Chinese activities constitute lawfare. Focusing on two key cases—China's involvement in submarine cable infrastructure and its navigation of the Northern Sea Route—the research applies Andrea Beck's three-part definition of lawfare: "(1) the misuse of the law in order to, (2) achieve a military objective, and (3) undermine the legal framework." The analysis reveals that China's Arctic engagement does not fully constitute lawfare according to this definition. Rather than misusing legal frameworks, China operates within existing structures …

A Product Development Process From Concept To Production: Smartphone Projector, Ross G. Cohen, Piper G. Thomas

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate the production and documentation of the SmartPhone Projector Capstone for the Center of Manufacturing Excellence (CME). This document follows the production development from the beginning Spring 2024 problem definition all the way to the Fall of 2024 final product. This project was completed by a team of five undergraduate students, including an accounting major, finance major, biomedical engineering major, and two mechanical engineering majors. The goal of this project was to design and build a SmartPhone projector, then carry out a full production run located on the CME shop floor. To begin …

Case Studies In Financial Accounting, Jessica Krukar

Honors Theses

Over the course of two semesters in ACCY 420, under the instruction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson, I completed a series of case studies that analyzed different economic and financial accounting issues. These case studies required us to research the topic and to also reflect on what we have learned in previous accounting classes. Two of the case studies were presentation-based competitions: the KPMG Ideation Challenge and the Mississippi Economic Development Project. In both cases, my team and I researched the topic, proposed a solution, developed a presentation, and then argued our solution to a panel of accounting and business professionals. …

Exploring Manufacturing Techniques For Small-Scale Metal Fabrication And How They Can Be Optimized For Efficiency, Precision, And Scalability To Produce A Fire Pit, Henry W. Potter

Honors Theses

This thesis explores manufacturing techniques for small-scale metal fabrication, using a fire pit production as a case study to optimize efficiency, precision, and scalability. The study examines the challenges of small-scale manufacturing and analyzes alternative manufacturing techniques for cutting, joining, and surface finishing. Data was gathered through a case study involving the design and production of a fire pit. The manufacturing process included cutting, rolling, joining, and surface finishing. Alternative techniques, such as laser cutting and a paint sprayer, were compared to the methods used in the project. It was concluded that alternate methods offered improvements in efficiency, precision, and …

Accountability And Efficiency: Compiled Case Studies On Economic Development, Spending, And Global Markets, Jacob W. Grimsley

Honors Theses

This is a compilation of cases worked throughout the course of one year. These cases were created and assigned for an accountancy course focused on research and writing. The cases focus on accounting related topics, while also pertaining to political happenings as well as general economic topics.

Case 02 was completed in collaboration with other honors students, and these students are indicated on the page preceding this case.

Cases 05 and 06 pertain to a semester-long project focused on the development of a Mississippi based business. This case was also completed with the help of other students, as indicated on …

Murray Grading Method: Impacts On Student Self-Efficacy, Stephanie E. Handford

Honors Theses

Pre-existing assessment methods in engineering lack the ability to ensure student mastery of material, simulate real world situations, and often have ambiguity in the valuation of grades. The goal of this study is to eliminate or reduce those shortcomings by evaluating the effectiveness of a modified no-partial-credit assessment method, the Murray Grading Method. Historical data alongside an introductory statics course cohort provided data for how the Murray Grading Method impacted student grades, course opinion, self-efficacy, and study methods. The Murray Grading Method demonstrated little to no changes in course grade averages while significantly improving the lowest grades, thus increasing the …

Evolving Enemy Behavior In Video Games, Hermie H. Adams Iii

Honors Theses

The video game I developed for my senior project lacked complex and engaging enemy artificial intelligence. The standard implementations of AI systems such as finite state machines and behavior trees felt like side-steps rather than innovative solutions. Upon seeing the 'magic' of machine learning in perfecting games such as Snake, Super Mario, and Flappy Bird, I was inspired to seek my answer in the field of evolutionary computation. However, my challenge differed in that the problem space would be defined by dynamic player strategies, making it not well-defined or static. As such, my evaluations are based on enemies exhibiting emergent …

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 …

An Adaptation Of Nonlinear Aerodynamic Models For Non-Traditional Control Effectors, Christian R. Bolander, Douglas F. Hunsaker

Engineering Education Faculty Publications

This paper presents the development of a novel aerodynamic model tailored for the Bio-Inspired Rotating Empennage (BIRE), a non-traditional fixed-wing aircraft empennage inspired by avian flight. The BIRE replaces the conventional vertical stabilizer with an extra degree of freedom for the horizontal stabilizer, which is allowed to rotate about the body-fixed x axis. This empennage is similar to the tail of a bird, and allows control of both longitudinal and lateral moments. However, such a design introduces complex nonlinear longitudinal and lateral aerodynamic interactions, not typically accounted for in most fixed-wing aircraft aerodynamic models below stall. This work presents a …

American Football Internal Helmet Padding Material And Design Testing, Spencer J. Pigman

Honors Thesis

Football helmets have evolved significantly to improve player safety and reduce the risk of concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Early leather designs offered minimal protection, while modern helmets use advanced materials to absorb and distribute impact forces more effectively. To support ongoing helmet safety research, a custom 3D-printed headform modeled from a human scan was equipped with a WitMotion BWT901BLECL5.0 accelerometer and used in controlled drop tests. The study evaluated various internal padding materials including spray foam, two sizes of bubble wrap, Oobleck, scrub sponges, KTOESHEO foam, Hijelyn air pillows, and the standard padding from a Riddell Victor youth helmet. …

Region-Specific Brain Targets Drive Circuit Formation And Maturation Of Human Retinal Ganglion Cells, Kang-Chieh Huang, Han-Yin Jeng, Qudrat Abdulwahab, Victoria R Cuevas, Eyad Shihabeddin, Claire Young, Melody Hernandez, Jason S Meyer, Nicholas M Tran, Melanie A Samuel

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Human vision relies on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and their connectivity with distinct brain regions enables higher order visual processing. RGCs vary considerably between species, and small model organisms display distinct RGC innervation patterns from that in humans. There is thus a need for robust models of human RGC circuit formation that preserves innervation specificity. Here, we developed an in vitro microfluidics eye-to-brain connectivity model using human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived RGCs to assess brain region-specific connectivity features. We find that cultured human RGCs segregate their dendrites and axons and display axonal features that align with that of their in …

Production Of Sustainable Liquid Fuel From Waste Polymeric Materials Via Thermal Pyrolysis, Md. Sabbir Ahmed, Selim Reja, Sk Md Ali Zaker Shawon, Farhana Nazmin, Abdullah Mohammad Sarjish, Yousuf Ali, M. Azizur R. Khan, M. Jasim Uddin, Md. Wasikur Rahman

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

The widespread use of polymeric materials has become an environmental threat as they are durable and nonbiodegradable in nature, which is directly responsible for severe ecological consequences. Thermal pyrolysis offers a sustainable and efficient approach to converting these polymeric waste materials into liquid fuel, which is also referred to as pyrolysis oil (PO). In this study, a novel method was developed for producing oil from a composite of waste polymers that include vehicle tires, tubes, and medical waste. A fixed-bed stainless steel reactor is used to thermally breakdown the waste polymeric feedstock (300–750°C) in an inert environment. The PO was …

Direct Computations Of Spatially Resolved Viscoelastic Moduli Of Biomolecular Condensates, Liwen Gu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Biomolecular condensates are viscoelastic materials formed by liquid-liquid phase separations (LLPS) of biopolymers. In this study, we develop a modified graph Laplacian-based collective model to characterize viscoelastic heterogeneity within condensates based on results of lattice-based Metropolis Monte Carlo (MMC) simulations. By integrating random graph models and simulations of A1-LCD, a type of intrinsically disordered protein, we examine how network topology influences storage modulus, loss modulus, crossover frequency, and relaxation time spectra. Our results reveal a strong correlation between topological features and mechanical response, with the condensate interior exhibiting higher stiffness and faster relaxation than the interface. The relaxation spectra provide …

Allogeneic Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Products Cemacabtagene Ansegedleucel/Allo-501 In Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Phase I Experience From The Alpha2/Alpha Clinical Studies, Frederick L Locke, Javier L Munoz, Michael T Tees, Lazaros J Lekakis, Sven De Vos, Rajneesh Nath, Don A Stevens, Shahbaz A Malik, Geoffrey P Shouse, Mehdi Hamadani, Olalekan O Oluwole, Miguel-Angel Perales, David B Miklos, Paul W Fisher, Amy Feng, Lynn Navale, John B Le Gall, Sattva S Neelapu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Off-the-shelf, allogeneic CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell products may improve access to treatment versus autologous ones. We report the phase I experience of the allogeneic CD19 CAR T-cell product cemacabtagene ansegedleucel (cema-cel) and its predecessor, ALLO-501, in CD19 CAR T-naïve patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (R/R LBCL).

Methods: In the ALPHA2/ALPHA studies, the safety and efficacy of allogeneic CD19 CAR T cells were evaluated in CD19 CAR T treatment-naïve patients with R/R LBCL. Patients received healthy donor-derived, human leukocyte antigen-unmatched cema-cel/ALLO-501 following a 3-day lymphodepletion regimen of fludarabine (30 mg/m2 once daily), cyclophosphamide (300 or 500 mg/m2 …