Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Student Attitudes Toward Older Adults, Anna Feenstra

Honors Theses

An aging American population means more older adults will be entering the health care system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the attitudes of nursing students toward older adults and to determine if these attitudes change over the course of a nursing program. This study was carried out in a university in the Midwest United States. A pre-test post-test single group design was used for this study. Students were surveyed three times throughout the program using Kogan’s Old People scale (KOP) and a demographic questionnaire. Testing was conducted at the beginning and end of the sophomore geriatric course …

Intelligibility And The Sinewave Speech Carrier Phrase Effect, Danielle R. Werle

Honors Theses

Several studies have examined the perception of sinewave speech. Early work showed that listeners could transcribe sinewave sentences. Recent work on sinewave vowels found that listeners could recognize sinewave speech at the phonetic level with moderate (about 50-55%) accuracy. Sinewave vowel intelligibility scores improve significantly when preceded by a sinewave carrier phrase, an effect that disappears when the carrier phrase is removed. The present study was designed to examine this carrier phrase enhancement effect and analyze whether listeners require the carrier phrase to be intelligible to produce increased intelligibility scores. Sinusoidal carrier phrases and /hVd/ syllables were generated from recordings …

Golf: An Alternative Form Of Physical Activity For An Aging Population, Lisa Richardson

Honors Theses

It has been found that breaking an exercise into multiple ten minute bouts can provide the same results as a lump bout of the same time (American College of Sports Medicine, 2010). Though little research has been done on its effectiveness as a modality of physical activity, golf, due to the considerable amounts of walking involved and the social and leisure nature of the game, could be used as an option of physical activity for older adults. In this literature review, the primary goal is to investigate the literature regarding how much energy an older adult could predictably expend while …

The Effects Of Xanthigentm Supplementation On Body Composition, Serum Markers Of The Metabolic Syndrome, And Hepaptic Enzyme Levels In An Obese Population, Emily Buras

Honors Theses

XanthigenTM [100 mg brown seaweed extract (0.8 % fucoxanthin) and 100 mg pomegranate seed oil (70 % punicic acid)] has been shown to significantly reduce body fat, liver fat, and improve serum markers of liver function in obese females. Twenty-nine participants were matched for age, gender, and body fat percentage and randomized into either a XanthigenTM group or a placebo group. For 16-weeks, participants were asked to consume a reduced calorie diet while supplementing their diet with their respective pills three times per day. Data were analyzed using multivariate ANOVA with repeated measures and presented as mean ± standard deviation. …

The Effects Of Xanthigen Supplementation On Body Weight, Resting Energy Expenditure, And Body Composition In An Obese Population, Lisa Knecht

Honors Theses

Since obesity is a significant problem that is facing the American people, there has been great interest in trying to develop a successful health supplement to help counteract the effects of obesity. Xanthigen is a new supplement composed of brown seaweed extract and pomegranate seed oil and is theorized to increase resting energy expenditure and decrease BMI and body fat. This study involved a 16‐week supplementation protocol to examine the effects of Xanthigen supplementation on an obese population in the Mississippi area. Testing of resting energy expenditure, BMI, and body fat percentage took place every four weeks for 16 weeks. …

Weak Central Coherence Theory Problem Solving In Adults With Asperger Syndrome, Marie Ferderer

Honors Theses

This study examined the effect of Weak Central Coherence on problem solving strategies in adults with Asperger Syndrome. A group of adults with Asperger Syndrome and a group of Neurotypical adults were assessed using a riddle game. This game required participants to solve a riddle based on a cryptic language clue. The types of problem solving strategies employed by each group were recorded and compared in statistical analyses.

Significant differences in problem solving strategy were obtained for the two groups. The neurotypical group evidenced a strategy in which they considered the meaning of the language clue while attempting to solve …

Testosterone Supplementation Effects On Low Bmd In Males Ages 19-62: A Six-Month Intervention, Kara Palmer

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a six-month testosterone supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) in males ages 19-62. Recruiting potential subject through a local clinic, five subjects were eligible for participation in the study. A pre-supplementation DEXA scan was used to measure BMD of the lumbar spine and hip. A post-supplementation DEXA was done after six months of supplementation; the same sites were scanned. Of the initial five subjects, three subjects completed the study. All subjects showed an increase in serum testosterone levels (∆= +537 ng/dL). After the supplementation subject one showed an increase …

An Investigation On The Interaction Of Various Natural Products With The Amyloid-Β Peptide; Betulinic Acid Causes Rapid Amyloid-Β Fibril Formation At The Expense Of Soluble Oligomers, Matthew Planchard

Honors Theses

In this report we investigate the interaction of the natural compounds asiatic acid (AA), asiaticoside (AS), umbelliferone (UM), and betulinic acid (BA) with the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, the aggregation of which is implicated to be the major pathogenic event in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Screening of compounds for ability to affect Aβ aggregation was performed via ThT fluorescence. Only BA showed consistent deviation from controls, causing virtually instantaneous formation of large amounts of fibrils in a concentration-dependent fashion. Turbidity assays ensured the aggregation monitored via ThT was not experimental aberration. Kinetics utilizing ThT and turbidity indicated that BA causes immediate exponential …

Obesity Trends In Head Start Preschoolers, Anna Sanders

Honors Theses

The purpose of this natural comparative study is to see if changes in diet, education, and activity made in a South Mississippi Head Start (HS) preschool from Fall 2007 through Fall 2010 made any changes in the Body Mass Index (BMI) trends in two cohorts of low-income African American 3-year-olds. Cohort 1 BMI trends were measured in Fall 2006 and Spring 2007, before major HS changes in diet, education and activity were made (pre-treatment), and Cohort 2 was measured in Fall 2010 and Spring 2011, after major changes were made (post-treatment).

Perceptions Of The Deaf Among Various University Social Groups, Ashley Thrash

Honors Theses

Due to lack of previous research in this area, research for this project will be conducted on various social groups on the Hattiesburg campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in order to determine the attitudes towards the deaf held by each social group. (For this project, a social group is defined as an organization whose members are college students on a university campus.) Research will be conducted through the use of a survey instrument designed to measure hearing people’s perception of deaf people, in terms of their intelligence, job skills, communication skills, academic skills, ability to deal with traffic, …

Barriers And Motivators For Influenza Vaccination Compliance Among Healthcare, Shelby Rogers

Honors Theses

The influenza vaccine is a topic of much debate and concern throughout the healthcare profession. This vaccination has been shown to drastically reduce the number of nosocomial infections of the flu among hospitalized patients. While many healthcare professionals are aware of the benefits of obtaining the influenza vaccination, many remain noncompliant to actually getting vaccinated. This research will use a form of evidence-based practice known as an integrative review of literature in order to determine the course of nursing action to implement regarding influenza vaccination that will best increase the rates of its compliance among health professionals. A number of …

Knowledge And Attitudes Regarding The Human Papillomavirus And Hpv Vaccine Among College Students: A Gender Comparison Study, Kristen O'Flarity

Honors Theses

Objective: Both young men and women should obtain the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in order to reach its intended public health benefits. Because men are behind in this vaccination campaign, this study compared knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV and the vaccine among college-aged men and women in order to improve vaccination strategies among this at-risk population.

Methods: A convenience sample of 95 university students, 40 men and 55 women, ages 18 to 26 (mean age of 20.2) completed self-administered pencil-and-paper questionnaires with approximately 40 questions that assessed the desired variables. Knowledge was measured through multiple choice and true/false questions. …

The Effects Of Music Genre On Rate Of Perceived Exertion In Aerobics Classes, Hannah Hogue

Honors Theses

Upon entering an exercise facility it would be inconceivable not to hear some form of music playing while people are exercising. Whether music is playing over the loudspeakers, or individuals are listening to their iPods, music is a vital part of exercise for many individuals. With so much emphasis on listening to music during physical activity the question arises, “What makes music such a popular component of exercise?” Many studies have assessed the effects of music on exercise (Elliott, 2007; Karageorghis, 1999; Karageorghis & Priest, 2008; Kravitz, 1994; Matesic & Cromartie, 2002). These studies indicate that music has positive effects …

Parental Involvement In Speech-Language Intervention, Victoria Beech Finley

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how parents of children who are successful in therapy are involved, from the parent’s perspective. Literature on parental involvement in therapy is limited, especially findings from the parent’s perspective. This thesis follows a phenomenological qualitative design. The investigator interviewed three mothers regarding their participation. The investigator then transcribed the interviews and cyclically analyzed them to find salient themes across all three. There were two shared themes, acceptance and emotions. It is hoped that this study will provide insight for other parents so that they can contribute to their children’s success in speech-language intervention.

The Effect Of Socioeconomic Status On Local School Wellness Policy Implementation In Mississippi Public Schools, Rebecca Masters

Honors Theses

In recent years, rates of overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in America due to nutritionally poor diets and more sedentary lifestyles. Research has shown that obesity is a risk factor for numerous other conditions such as stroke, heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea. Unfortunately, overweight and obesity do not only affect the adults in our nation. Rates of overweight and obesity have also increased among American children. Approximately 17% of American children are obese, which is three times the rate of 1980 (Menifield, Doty, & Fletcher, 2008). In order to improve the overall health of America’s …

Changes In Handgrip Strength, Flexibility, And Reaction Times Due To The Menstrual Cycle, Katie Money

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Golden Rice: The Need, The Science, And Public Reception Of Gmos, Elizabeth A. Quemada

Honors Theses

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) affects people all over the world. The most severely affected individuals are those in countries where access to Vitamin A rich foods such as dark leafy greens and dark red or orange vegetables, along with liver, eggs, and cheeses are not readily available. Vitamin A deficiency most harmfully affects young children, where it is needed for correct development, and pregnant women, where Vitamin A stores are depleted. Several methods have been put into action over the years in severely affected countries to help combat VAD. There are programs to increase the availability of Vitamin A in …

The Future Of Orthopedic Medicine, Brian M. Willie

Honors Theses

Orthopedic medicine is changing and advancing along with the rest of the medical field. There are new concepts developing in orthopedic trauma, tissue engineering, collagen, nano-orthopedics, biodegradable implants, robot-assisted surgery and more. The changes to orthopedics are focused on the changing needs of patients, and orthopedists are also changing their ways to keep up with the demand required of them. Advancements in fields such as stem cells, imaging technology, functional tissue engineering, and robotic assistance will further propel the diagnostic and treatment abilities of orthopedic medicine. In order to accomplish these advancements and provide for the needs of the future …

Spontaneous Recovery In Children With Expressive Language Delay, Jaimie Sierakowski

Honors Theses

By age 2, most children have an expressive vocabulary of approximately 200 words and begin to combine these words into meaningful phrases. However, some children acquire expressive language skills more slowly than others while displaying no signs of cognitive, receptive, or sensory delays. These children who experience an expressive language delay are often characterized in the literature as late talkers. Research shows that many of these children have delays early in childhood, but eventually catch up to their typically-developing peers, with no need for language intervention. Others, however, continue to experience expressive delays and. have an increased risk of developing …

An Investigation Of The Role Of Experiential Avoidance In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Meaghan M. Lewis

Honors Theses

Experiential avoidance is a construct that researchers have proposed as a possible mediating factor between psychopathology and a prior history of traumatic events. Among the traumatic events investigated in the research literature, experiential avoidance has demonstrated correlations with prior experiences of sexual victimization. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and PTSD symptoms have also been linked with incidence of sexual victimization and engaging in experiential avoidance. Another variable commonly associated with this construct is problematic alcohol consumption. The present study presumed that women with a history of sexual victimization would report high PTSD symptoms, a stronger likelihood of partaking in problem drinking, …

Using Tag To Increase Play Skills, Melissa A. Boggs

Honors Theses

TAG (Teaching with Acoustical Guidance) involves using auditory stimuli as a reinforcer for correct behavior or correct components of a behavior chain. Theoretically, TAG is an effective reinforcer because a click (the auditory stimuli) is paired with back up reinforcers (tangible reinforcers and social praise) and consequently becomes a conditioned reinforcer. The current study assesses the effectiveness of TAG in structured playtime activities in a child diagnosed with autism. The behaviors measured include a receptive identification procedure, an imitative drawing procedure and a paperclip drop procedure. Each of these responses required multiple behaviors to be completed with the paperclip drop …

Activity Choice And Extinction Intervention For Escape Maintained Behavior, Ali M. Markowitz

Honors Theses

Tantrums and non-compliant problem behaviors challenge children diagnosed with autism’s progress in early childhood special education classrooms by interfering with the child’s learning opportunities. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder causing abnormal or impaired development in social interactions and communication (DSM-IV, 1994). This paper looks at a single case on a preschool aged child diagnosed with autism exhibiting tantrums and problem behaviors. These tantrums and non-compliant problem behaviors included kicking, scratching, screaming, hitting, flopping on to the floor or eloping (leaving the table, chair or work area). One study conducted showed that activity choice intervention decreases the occurrence of problem …

A Flexible Home Design For A Comfortable Lifestyle: A Case Study Of The Effect Of Universal Design, Meghann Balmer Dehaan

Honors Theses

This thesis examines a case study of a married couple who are transitioning into a new stage of their life after retirement. They are no longer comfortable in their current home and are considering other living options. A floor plan was universally designed to meet the needs of the couple and also the needs of all others who enter the home. This includes no-step entry, barrier free design, and adaptability in each room of the home. The project puts an emphasis on the importance of efficiency, adaptability, flexibility, and comfort in the home environment. An occupational therapist’s scope of practice …

Rpe And Mode Of Exercise, Victoria Helmus

Honors Theses

The American College of Sports Medicine currently recommends that all individuals age 18-65 perform vigorous aerobic activity for at least 20 minutes 3 days a week, or moderate intensity aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week. Activities that fall under this category include, but are not limited to walking, running, cycling, swimming and elliptical machines. When an individual exercises, they have a sense of what their intensity level is based on how they 'feel'. Ratings of Perceived Exertion charts serve as a guide for this subjective thought process. There are wide ranges of intensities associated with …

Investigation Of Kinesin-1-Maspardin Interaction: Potential Link Among Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias, Savannah D. Brookins

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Children’S Nonword Repetition Skills As A Function Of Their Race And Clinical Status, Hannah Smitherman

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Ajulemic Acid On The Metatastic Potential Of Ewing's Sarcoma, Nolan J. West

Honors Theses

Ewing's Sarcoma belongs in the Ewing's Sarcoma Family of Tumors (EFST) which represents approximately 2% of all cancers found in children and young adults. These tumors are generally treated by chemotherapy along with either surgery or radiation therapy which can themselves have debilitating effects on the patients. Dr. Lori Hensley's research has shown that ajulemic acid (AJA), a synthetic cannabinoid compound, exhibits extraordinary anti-tumor effects. In addition, AJA has not expressed any psychotropic side effects typically seen with other cannabinoids. Furthermore, ajulemic acid has been shown to eliminate the tumors by apoptosis, the preferred method of cell death. The purpose …

Establishing A Mouse Model For The Study Of Podocyte Regeneration After Injury, John A. Gomez

Honors Theses

Podocytes are vital, specialized kidney cells that are post-mitotic and cannot proliferate. Nevertheless, regeneration of podocytes after low-level ablation from a presently unidentified stem cell pool has been observed. The objective of this study was to establish a mouse model for the study of this regeneration process. Two transgenic mice were developed, the first of which possessed a tomato-reporter transgene for the assessment of podocyte turnover. Adriamycin was used to induce podocyte damage in this mouse. The second transgenic mouse possessed the tomato-reporter transgene as well as transgene allowing for the diphtheria toxin inducible (iDTR) ablation of podocytes. Dosage tests …

The Radon Transform And The Mathematics Of Medical Imaging, Jen Beatty

Honors Theses

Tomography is the mathematical process of imaging an object via a set of finite slices. In medical imaging, these slices are defined by multiple parallel X-ray beams shot through the object at varying angles. The initial and final intensity of each beam is recorded, and the original image is recreated using this data for multiple slices. I will discuss the central role of the Radon transform and its inversion formula in this recovery process.

Understanding The Hurting: A Look Into The Lives Of Families Battling Ewing's Sarcoma, Abigail Dekle

Honors Theses

A look into the lives of families struggling with the effects of Ewing's Sarcoma.