Digital Commons Network^™

Mining The Body: Racial Capitalism And The Embodied Sacrifice Zone, Regina Marie Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mining the Body: Racial Capitalism and the Sacrifice Zone of the Body examines 20th and 21st-century American literature, excavating the ways in which mining not only extracted resources from the earth, but also mined the bodies of their workers for their labor, often ignoring safety in the name of economy. This extraction of coal and of labor, along with its attendant exploitations, sparked unionization and labor movements throughout the century, as miners were frequently at the forefront of asserting their rights in response to this treatment. Using a framework that relies on both environmental criticism, such as Rob Nixon’s Slow …

Examining The Relationship Between Co-Curricular Programming And Burnout Among Medical Students At An Academic Medical Center, Lauren Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This three-manuscript dissertation examines the relationship between co-curricular programming and burnout among Doctor of Medicine (MD) students at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), situating the issue within broader concerns about physician well-being and institutional responsibility.

Manuscript I establishes the conceptual and empirical foundation for the study by reviewing the prevalence, consequences, and theoretical framing of burnout in medical education. Drawing on Maslach’s three-dimensional model of burnout—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment—and Astin’s Student Involvement Theory, the manuscript situates co-curricular engagement as a potential protective factor against distress. The literature review highlights alarming rates of depression, suicidal ideation, …

Connecting The Dots: Hbcus, Access To Ai Education, And The Realities Of Public-Private Collaboration, Whitney Wells

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape workforce demands and educational priorities, this partnership has emerged as a potentially effective mechanism for advancing equitable access to emerging technologies. However, limited research has explored how and why diverse organizations engage in such collaborations, particularly in regions facing persistent educational and economic disparities. This study examines the organizational motivations driving participation in the Mississippi AI Collaborative (MAIC), a multi-sector partnership involving a higher education institution, industry partners, nonprofits, and a K-12 system. While the MAIC focuses specifically on AI education and training, the purpose of this study is not to examine AI …

School Counselor Preparation For Supporting Special Education Competencies In Mississippi, Rachel Mcclain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School counselors play a critical role in supporting the academic, social, emotional, and career development of students with disabilities (SWD) in K-12 educational settings. However, current preparation standards provide limited guidance regarding how school counseling programs should prepare school counselors-in-training to work with special education populations. This qualitative case study explored how two CACREP-accredited school counseling programs in Mississippi prepare school counselors-in-training to support SWD. Participants included school counselor educators, site supervisors, and school counseling interns affiliated with the programs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and a document review of course syllabi and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed …

Invisible: An Autoethnographic Study Of Teaching And Learning With Physical Disabilities And Neurodivergence, Amanda Josephine Austin Goodwin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this autoethnographic study, vignettes of a female high school teacher and graduate student with invisible disabilities are analyzed through the lens of Critical Disability Theory. This study provides teachers, administrators, and policy makers with a first-hand account of some of the barriers individuals with invisible disabilities face. Policies, environments, and practices in K-12 education, higher education, and broader society are analyzed. Advancements in inclusivity and accessibility as well as improvements in teacher education programs are suggested. Reflection throughout this study, three core themes emerged: listen, believe, and support individuals with invisible disabilities.

Exploring Integrated Arts Education For Students With Autism, Karen Denise Harrison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often misunderstood because of challenges in communication, social-emotional development, and sensory processing. Neuroscience research highlights that individuals with ASD process information and stimuli differently, particularly in areas related to sensory integration, executive functioning, and emotional regulation. Traditional educational methods often isolate these students from their neurotypical peers, reducing opportunities to engage meaningfully with standards-based curricula. Integrated arts education offers an alternative approach, aligning with neuroscience principles by engaging multiple brain regions through movement, rhythm, imagery, and creativity, allowing students with ASD to demonstrate their learning through project-based and creative experiences that meet diverse …

Faculty Socialization In Physical Therapy Residencies, Joseph Michael Meurrier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Therapy schools. Many of the new faculty members will be composed of former clinicians who have made the transition to academia without any prior preparation or experience in the academic sphere. To help with this transition, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has accredited Faculty Development Residencies (FDRs) to help prepare new faculty for academic life. However, many clinicians transitioning to faculty life are not in a position to go through a residency prior to starting an academic position. Therefore, my goal with the Dissertation in Practice (DiP) was to take the socialization elements from the FDRs and propose a …

Exploring Mississippi Valley State University’S First-Year Experience Program: Students’ Perceptions Of Its Impact On Their Sense Of Belonging, Jordan Freeman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Colleges and universities have a primary goal of providing quality education to their students with the hope that those students go on to make positive contributions to society. While many people tend to credit classroom learning for those societal contributions, an argument can be made that supplementary experiences are just as valuable. At Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), a small, public Historically Black College/University in the Mississippi Delta area, student engagement initiatives are of extreme importance for first-year students. Students at MVSU face several challenges including college readiness, ability to afford college, and desire to persist and earn their degrees. …

Could Grange Membership Reduce Brain Drain?: Perceptions Of Student Fraternal Members On Returning To Rural America After Graduation, Amanda Leigh Brozana

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rural communities across the United States continue to experience population decline as young adults with postsecondary aspirations often leave their hometowns in pursuit of educational and economic opportunities. This migration, commonly referred to as rural brain drain, is often a result of the cumulative effects of limited access to postsecondary resources, career pathways, and community infrastructure that support rural retention. While extensive research documents the economic and educational dimensions of this phenomenon, fewer studies explore the influence of social, civic, and fraternal organizations on sustaining rural identity and fostering connection to place. This Dissertation in Practice proposes a study to …

Life Balance And Teacher Wellness: Exploring Protective Factors Among Early Childhood Educators, Kathryn Amidon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Early childhood educators shape future generations by guiding the development of young children. The well-being of early childhood educators is a concern due to unique stressors within the early childhood education context, including heavy workloads, high demands, and too few resources. Previous studies on the topic of teacher wellness have shown that teachers’ mental wellness impacts teacher burnout, teacher retention, and student outcomes, making the need for better understanding of the factors influencing teacher wellness a priority for future research. This quantitative study aimed to explore life balance as a protective factor of teacher wellness, inquiring about the extent of …

Investors' Perceptions Of Audit Workload And Experience Disclosures, Tara L. Baggett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

I employ a 3 x 2 between-subjects experiment to examine how audit experience and workload disclosures impact non-professional investors’ perceptions of audit quality. Consistent with implications for actual audit quality, I predict and find that non-professional investors perceive audit quality to be higher when disclosures report more experienced auditors. Workload, though, is more susceptible to variations in interpretation, with the possibility of discrepant effects. I identify and explore two potential interpretations of workload, effort and overwork, finding support for both, and as predicted, I find evidence that these interpretations differentially affect non-professional investors’ perceptions of audit quality. Interpreted as overwork, …

Investigating The Effects Of High- And Low-Load Resistance Training On Tendon Size, Muscle Growth, And Strength Adaptations, William Blake Hammert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To examine the effects of resistance training load and a single bout of maximal strength testing on skeletal muscle growth, distal biceps brachii tendon thickness, and task-specific and non-specific strength outcomes relative to a time-matched non-exercise control group. Methods: 216 young (~21 years), non-resistance trained adults (125 females) were enrolled, with 201 (118 females) included in the final analyses. Participants were randomized to: High-Load (n=45), Low-Load (n=48), Mid-Point (n=54), or Control (n=54). High- and Low-Load completed 6 weeks of unilateral elbow flexion resistance training to task failure, Mid-Point completed a one-repetition maximum (1RM) elbow flexion test at 3-weeks, and …

Adversarial Llm-Gans For Robust Synthetic Pharmaceutical Data In Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems, Samiul Islam Niloy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The formulation of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) represents a pivotal advancement in improving the oral bio-availability of poorly water-soluble pharmaceutical compounds, yet traditional development is heavily hindered by limited experimental datasets and the complexity of predicting key quality attributes like nanoparticle size and drug release profiles. Because empirical methodologies struggle to balance formulation constraints with predictive accuracy, this research introduces a comprehensive framework that leverages state-of-the-art generative artificial intelligence to synthesize realistic, constraint-compliant SEDDS datasets. The study proposes two primary methodologies to overcome data scarcity: a novel Drug Formulation Agent (DFA) powered by Large Language Models (LLMs) and a …

Customizable Acoustic Array Processor Using System-On-Chip Device, Aidan Stanford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recently, a number of System-On-Chip (SoC) devices have been released that combine conventional microprocessors with a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) in the same package. While these devices have had success in other scientific fields, there is still much to explore regarding their applications to acoustics. Their flexibility in configuration may prove very useful in cases where upstream audio acquisition hardware must be changed on the fly, or when a scientist may decide to change parameters of their processing task. To explore the application of these devices to acoustic sensing, we investigate the use of a Xilinx SoC device to implement …

A Framing Analysis Of The Uvalde School Shooting In Two National Newspapers, S M Shams Rahman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the media framing of the May 24, 2022, shooting at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, by comparing the coverage of two national newspapers, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Using the spatial-temporal scheme provided by Chyi & McCombs (2004), this study conducted a quantitative content analysis of 241 samples from a month’s coverage of the event in the two newspapers. The study attempted to identify whether there was any difference in the use of spatial, temporal, and spatial-temporal combination frames between the two newspapers, and whether there were any significant frame-changing patterns in …

Iterative Decoding For Sccpm With Markov And Hidden Markov Sources, Zhijie Guo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Continuous Phase Modulation (CPM) is an excellent digital modulation scheme recognized for its constant envelope property, continuous phase transitions, and inherent memory. These characteristics enable excellent spectral and power efficiency, allow compatibility with nonlinear amplifiers, and make CPM particularly attractive for power- and bandwidth-constrained applications such as satellite and deep space communications. Serially Concatenated Continuous Phase Modulation (SCCPM) with iterative decoding further improves error performance, and its flexibility enables it to evolve alongside state-of-the-art channel coding technologies and show significant potential for performance enhancement.

This dissertation investigates SCCPM systems with binary Markov and Hidden Markov Model (HMM) data sources and …

Development And Evaluation Of Ros-Responsive Thioketal-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles For Dual Drug Delivery Of Moxifloxacin And Curcumin In Wound Healing, Saiganesh Pothuraju

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chronic infected wounds remain a major clinical challenge because elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the wound microenvironment sustain inflammation, damage regenerating tissue, and limit the effectiveness of conventional antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapy. To address this problem, this study aimed to develop ROS-responsive thioketal-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (TK-MSNs) for the dual delivery of moxifloxacin (MOX) and curcumin (CUR) to support the management of infected wounds. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were synthesised using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), followed by template removal, amino-functionalization with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and sequential loading of MOX and CUR. ROS-responsive capping was then achieved using …

Predicting Future Positions Based On Spatiotemporal Data, Andrew John Heskett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how different multi-agent prediction architectures perform when forecasting future player positions in soccer using only ball and player coordinate data, with-out relying on pretrained knowledge of soccer rules or tactical concepts. Spatial positioning is a fundamental part of soccer and is often a defining characteristic of high-level players. However, there is still no fully deterministic method for evaluating how effectively a player uses space. As multi-agent trajectory prediction methods have improved over the last decade, it has become increasingly feasible to develop systems that can analyze and eventually grade player movement. A necessary first step toward that …

With Equity And Inclusivity For All: Self-Reported Preparedness Of Band Directors To Teach Students With Exceptional Needs, Kendra Jenkins Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The traditional memory theory of personal identity relies on an implicit storage model of memory to explain how the self persists over time. This model assumes that memories endure as stable representations that can be accurately retrieved, and that such representational continuity grounds diachronic identity. However, contemporary cognitive science demonstrates that remembering is an active and reconstructive process. Each act of recall reorganizes and transforms prior experience during the window of ecphory. This reconstructive reality poses a significant philosophical challenge. If memory is inherently unstable and transformable, it cannot straightforwardly ground the kind of continuity the theory requires.

In this …

Hereditary Transmission Of Drumming Among The Anlo-Ewe: The Case Of Agbodo/Amuzu Family Of Hatsukorfe, Denu, Volta Region, Ghana, Ernest Elikplim Kwabla Adonoo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the hereditary transmission of drumming among the Anlo-Ewe of southeastern Ghana, focusing on the Agbodo/Amuzu family of Hatsuk?ƒe in the Volta Region. Situated within ethnomusicological discourse on traditional Anlo-Ewe musical practices and the specialized roles of the researched family, who are drummers of the exclusive Ye?e religious tradition, this research argues that drumming in this context is not merely a musical activity but a complex system of communication, identity, ritual authority, and cultural continuity. The study fills and addresses a significant gap in existing scholarship on the Anlo-Ewe music, which has largely emphasized community dance-drumming and institutional …

Physicochemical Interactions At The Ionic Liquid-Polymer-Biological Nanointerface, Sara Xuan Edgecomb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Treatment of central nervous systems (CNS) disorders remains a critical challenge in drug delivery. The blood brain barrier (BBB) is an obstacle preventing targeted delivery. Small and large drug molecules are unable to cross the BBB, highly limiting drug therapies. Only invasive techniques and symptom care are currently employed for neurological diseases.

This demands an innovative drug delivery approach to improve efficiency of targeted delivery to the brain, hence polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) being a promising solution. With their advantageous tunability, they can encapsulate various biomolecules and perform specific targeting. Ionic liquids (ILs) have become a novel surface modification of NPs …

The “Meta-Country” Of Morgan Wallen: Authenticity Signaling In Contemporary Country Music, Ryley Fallon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Country music artist Morgan Wallen has dominated sales charts and streaming numbers on digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Wallen has also crafted his own image of what it means to be “country,” distilling it into the usual, hyper-recognizable motifs of whiskey and trucks while transitioning them onto new media platforms. In addition, Wallen maintains his small-town Tennessee boy image despite conquering massive digital landscapes. This thesis argues that Morgan Wallen exemplifies a new phase of country music, “metacountry.” “Meta-country,” as detailed in this thesis, refers to the continuation of country music’s commercialization into the digital space in …

The Unreliable Narrator: Mnemic Causation And The Reconstructive Self, Phuong Le

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate secondary-level band directors’ perception of preparedness to teach learners with exceptional needs in Mississippi. The study examined college and university music curricula to identify the number of courses that prepare future music educators to teach learners with exceptional needs. The researcher developed a survey that included questions about respondents' years and types of teaching experience, educational preparation in exceptional education, the level of instructional support available for accommodating students in band classes, and the impact disabilities have on learning and performance in instrumental music. Findings provided insight into how well pre-service and …

Open For Victims, Sorry We're Dead, Sela Ricketts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a documentary exploration of paranormal tourism in the French Quarter neighborhood of New Orleans. As of completing this project, paranormal tourism is relatively new to the city, starting in earnest in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This niche industry has woven itself into the larger New Orleans tourism industry and drastically changed the landscape and popular identity of the French Quarter. The photos give a personal perspective of how the industry manifested within the city.

The throughline of this project is a feedback loop I identified- a cycle of influences that has ultimately made the French …

Foundations And Scope Of Moral Standing, Vikas Beniwal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the foundational grounds of moral standing. I contend that sentience, while frequently cited as the primary criterion, lacks sufficient justification when asserted as a necessary condition. I propose an alternate feature as sufficient grounds of moral standing.

Occupy Your Life: Increasing Independence After Intimate Partner Violence, Jovianna E. Bagaglio

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an ongoing public health crisis that significantly disrupts survivors' physical health, mental well-being, and participation in everyday occupations. This project, Occupy Your Life, developed and implemented a six-week, individualized telehealth occupational therapy program for IPV survivors in collaboration with Inner Balance Psychotherapy in Rhode Island. Grounded in trauma-informed care and Social Cognitive Theory, the program aimed to increase participants' self-efficacy, independence, and occupational participation through tailored virtual sessions addressing coping strategies, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and daily functioning. A mixed-methods design incorporating the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) and open- and closed-ended survey questions was used to …

Connecting Minds: A Stroke Survivor Support Group To Promote Mental Health And Improve Quality Of Life, Anna Collier, Alexis M.F. Morin

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

To meet an individual’s needs in healthcare, all aspects of their challenges and strengths must be considered. This project titled Connecting Minds: A Stroke Survivor Support Group to Promote Mental Health and Quality of Life, will discuss the outcomes of a 6-week educational support group. The American Stroke Association (2024), states that 30% of stroke survivors develop post-stroke depression. If left untreated, it can affect quality of life, intervene with recovery, and can be underdiagnosed if not detected early on. Stroke survivors receive minimal support and consideration for mental health post-stroke. When an individual experiences a stroke, an interruption …

Flowing Forward: Adaptive Aquatic Recreation Program Empowering Individuals Living With Neurodegenerative Conditions, Katharine Buchanan, Alexis M.F. Morin, Jenna Digirolamo

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Neurodegenerative conditions are characterized by progressive dysfunction and degeneration of the nervous system, often resulting in a combination of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges that significantly impact quality of life. Common examples include Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD), both of which present with complex and variable symptom profiles. Despite advances in pharmacological management, there remains a critical gap in interventions that address mental health, social participation, and overall well-being for individuals living with these conditions. This capstone project, Flowing Forward, was developed as a community-based adaptive aquatic recreation program aimed at addressing these gaps through participation in meaningful, …

Preventing And Reducing Substance Use Disorders In The Foster Youth Population: An Educational Program For Residential Staff, Allyson E. Ferraro, Alexis M.F. Morin

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Foster youth encounter various challenges such as adverse childhood experiences (ACES), which increase their prevalence of developing substance use disorders (SUDs). The importance of implementing trauma-informed care techniques and harm reduction approaches in residential settings for foster youth will be highlighted. The literature emphasizes a clear need for residential staff and care partners to understand and apply trauma-informed strategies and harm reduction approaches. Implementing these evidence-based strategies while also enhancing foster youth’s protective factors can strengthen resiliency among foster youth, ultimately improving their overall well-being and life outcomes. Additionally, the impact of stress and burnout among residential staff and care …

The Emerging Practice Of Canine Assisted Therapy (Cat) Benefiting Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Amanda Chaves

OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

This project explores the impact of Canine-Assisted Therapy (CAT) on meaningful occupational participation of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In previous literature, CAT has been found to support the development of social and communication skills, emotional regulation, behavioral management, and self-care abilities, promoting growth in critical developmental areas. By integrating CAT into occupational therapy (OT), this study highlighted the potential of personalized, engaging interventions to empower children with ASD, promoting greater independence, community engagement, and an improved quality of life for both children and their families. Done through a qualitative case study consisting of interviews and observations, the research …