A Qualitative Process Evaluation of a Meal Service Program

This study serves to evaluate the process of a meal service program, local to Northeast Mississippi, in response to the need to evaluate methods of alleviating food insecurity as it continues to be a growing and evolving issue in the American South. The researcher chose to employ qualitative research methods in order to understand the program guests, volunteers, and board members’ perceptions of the program’s processes using data from interviews with members of each group, a focus group composed of program guests, and photovoice projects completed by program guests. The researcher used thematic analysis to interpret the data and defined three themes relevant to understanding the processes of the meal service program. The themes include viewing positive social interaction as an indicator of program success, expanding the program’s resource offerings as a vision for improvement, and recognizing the program’s shift from its foundational purpose to serving its current niche

A Translational Study of the Correlation Between Low Birth Weight, Hypertension, and Kidney Function Using a Rat Model

We studied the correlation between low birth weight, hypertension, and kidney function using a rat model. There is a strong correlation between these three phenomena especially in the Southeastern United States and in non-White populations. We hypothesized that the anti-hypertensive drugs Reserpine and Hydralazine would prevent hypertension and improve renal function in low birth weight rats. We used a rat model created by Dr. Barbara Alexander in this study. Pregnant rats were subjected to Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure surgery. Silver clips were placed on the abdominal aorta and uterine arteries approximately two weeks after fertilization in order to restrict blood flow to the developing fetus. The reduced nutrient availability results in slower fetal development and low birth weight offspring. Two drugs with effects on cardiovascular function were used to lower blood pressure. Hydralazine was administered via drinking water at a dose of 80mg/L initiated at 6 weeks of age until the end experiment at 12 weeks of age. Reserpine was administered via drinking water at a dose of 5mg/L initiated at 6 weeks of age until the end of experiments at 12 weeks of age. Administration of this medication constituted the “treated” rats. At 12 weeks of age, catheters were inserted to measure blood pressure and glomerular filtration rate was calculated. Mild schemia reperfusion was performed to see how the kidneys reacted to mild stress. We found that the uterine restricted rats had normal gestations, but weighted significantly less than the controls at birth. The rats gained weight at the same rate and weighed the same at the end of the study. As expected, low birth weight untreated offspring had higher blood pressure than any other group. Surprisingly, GFR/g in the uterine-restricted, unstressed, untreated animals was not significantly higher, as predicted from both the higher MAP and presumably lower nephron number in these rats. Thus, there was no evidence of significant hyperfiltration occurring, and so this seemingly cannot explain the hypertension which developed. Based on this study, I would advocate using low birth weight as a biomarker for elevated risk of hypertension and kidney disease

Comparative Effectiveness of an Exercise and Sedentary Break Intervention on Mood Profile and Dietary Behavior in Young Adults: Pilot Study

Exercise and sedentary behavior are both important subsets of PA (Physical Activity) to study, with emerging research demonstrating that sedentary behavior may predict mental health outcomes independent of PA. Additionally, a correlation has been observed between diet and PA, but few studies on this topic have employed an intervention design. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in PA and sedentary behavior influence mood profile and dietary behavior. The PA intervention consisted of progressively increasing their vigorous-intensity PA (jogging) over a 4-week period among an inactive population. The sedentary group was asked not to exercise, but instead, refrain from prolonged sitting (<45 min at a time). The control group was asked to remain inactive over the 4-week period. The control group showed a significant increase in hostility over time, whereas the two intervention groups did not. Also, improved dietary behaviors were seen in both interventional groups. The sedentary break group, in particular, improved consistently over time, whereas the jogging group improved most from baseline to midpoint. Based on these results, it can be speculated that both participating in vigorous activity and breaking up time spent in sedentary behaviors can positively influence mood profile and dietary behaviors

Measurement of the Verdet Constant for a Previously Uncharacterized Fused Quartz Glass

The objective of this experiment is to measure and analyze the Verdet constant for Corning 7980, a fused quartz glass with no previously published Verdet constant data. This quartz glass is being used at the Belle II experiment at Tsukuba, Japan. The Verdet constant is measured using the Faraday effect – a magneto-optical phenomenon that describes the rotation of the plane of polarization of light within a medium in the presence of an external magnetic field. This experiment quantifies the rotation of the plane of polarization with respect to the wavelength and the magnetic field. Data collected through this experiment depicts a linear relation between the angle of rotation and the magnetic field. A linear relationship is also established between the Verdet constant an

A Case by Case Analysis of FASB and its Public Accounting Application

The following compilation of cases explore the intricacies of public accounting by simulating real life situations and problems that arise when using and applying the commonly accepted public accounting concepts and regulation. Using prompts for each case that were provided by Dr. Victoria Dickinson, Ph.D., CPA, of the Patterson School of Accountancy, I applied my knowledge of accounting concepts along with supplementation from the Federal Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Codification to interoperate, draw conclusions about, and give opinions on each case

Modeling Migraine Chronification and its Relief; the Effects of THC on Recurrent NTG-Induced Migraine Endpoints in Rats

This study investigated the analgesic effects of a THC pro-drug in a rodent model of recurrent migraine. Rats received 4 nitroglycerin-induced (NTG: 10mg/kg/2ml) migraine episodes every third day for 12 days; saline, cremaphor-vehicle, propranolol (10mg/kg/ml), or THC-VAL-HS (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg/ml) were given IP 30 minutes before NTG. Behavioral endpoints of photosensitivity, activity, orbital tightening, and tactile allodynia were assessed 110 m after NTG. Migraine severity increased over the course of the four episodes, pointing toward chronification and an important step in model validation. However, neither propranolol nor THC-VAL-HS significantly attenuated any of the migraine-related endpoints. These data are in contrast with clinical reports that marijuana mitigates migraine severity. These findings suggest that higher doses of THC-VAL-HS and/or other cannabinoid constituents in marijuana may be responsible for such anecdotal anti-migraine activity of cannabis

Loneliness, Meaning in Life, and Depressive Symptomology in College Students

The present study aimed to better understand the relationship between loneliness, meaning in life, and depressive symptoms in college students. Two-hundred and forty-seven participants, ages 18-37, completed self-report measures about their experience with depressive symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale), loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale- Version 3), and meaning in life (Meaning in Life Questionnaire). The following was hypothesized: 1) symptoms of depression, loneliness, and meaning in life will be significantly related; 2) meaning in life will mediate the relation between loneliness and depressive symptoms. Results demonstrated all constructs were associated as expected (ps<.001). Contrary to hypothesis, meaning in life did not mediate the relation between loneliness and depressive symptomatology. However, post hoc regression analysis illustrated that loneliness was the only unique predictor of depressive symptoms. This study suggests more research is warranted on understanding specific mechanisms relating loneliness to depressive symptoms in college students

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Cannabinoid Receptor Ligands

The cannabinoid receptors, members of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, have been implicated in numerous human physiological functions and diseases. These receptors, cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid type 2 (CB2), are most concentrated in the central nervous system and immune cells, respectively, and have each become a target of therapeutic interest. Dual CB1/CB2 agonists such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannbinol (THC) have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of nausea, pain, and glaucoma, but suffer from psychotropic effects mediated by CB1, motivating the search for CB2 selective therapeutic agents. Selective modulation of the CB2 receptor has therapeutic potential in human health disorders such as pain, inflammation, and cancer. In our efforts to develop CB2 receptor selective ligands, we preliminarily examined a structure activity relationship (SAR) study of synthetic and natural terpenoid cannabinoids to design more potent and selective CB receptor ligands. In an effort to expand this SAR, we synthesized a series of analogs with alternative functional groups and substitution patterns using a dihydrobenzofuran scaffold, with previous biological assay data guiding the design of our new compounds. Aldol condensation and Luche reduction reactions were used to create six new analogs. The structures of the new analogs synthesized were confirmed using NMR and MS techniques. The compounds were submitted for biological evaluation in a radioligand displacement assay for both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. One compound exhibited modest affinity for the CB2 receptor. The alterations in functional groups and substitution patterns provided analog data to help create a more comprehensive structure activity relationship study in the future development of CB2 selective compounds. This research was funded by Grant Number P20GM104931 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), COBRE-NPN

Exporting a Brand: A Comparative Analysis of the French Model Brand Elle Decoration with the American Edition Elle Decor

This thesis explores the history and editorial design of the French and American publications within the ELLE Déco brand network. The ELLE Déco network of interior design magazines is the only truly global brand of the shelter category with 25 editions published in 28 countries. By studying corresponding issues of the original French edition, ELLE Decoration, and American, ELLE DECOR, I have determined the different personalities of each publication, as well as what elements are used in the cover and editorial design of each. In doing so, I uncovered what consistencies of both content and design have led to success for each publication to both survive and thrive in each of their markets. In studying and uncovering the patterns within the design and layout, I found how each magazine produces successful content that is both cohesive enough to fit under the same brand name, but tailored for the different audiences served

Attaching Meaning to Sex: Attachment Styles and Possible Mediators of Safe Sex Behavior

Attachment theory, first posited by Bowlby (1969, 1973, 1980), has been expanded and applied to many aspects of human development as well as to adult relationships. Hazan and Shaver (1987), for example, define romantic relationships as an interaction between caregiving, attachment, and sex. It would then be expected that attachment has an effect on sexual behavior, and indeed, Strachman and Impett (2009) have reported that anxious individuals are typically less likely to use condoms than avoidant individuals. This study attempted to explore the link between attachment and beliefs about sex and condom use as possible mediators for the differences seen in safe sex behavior. A one-time questionnaire assessing participants’ attachment styles, perceived barriers to condom use, reasons for engaging in sexual activity, perceptions of love and sex, and feelings of detachment was administered to 196 psychology students from the University of Mississippi and the University of Houston. A series of partial correlation analyses, controlling for gender, were run to analyze the relationships between attachment and these measures. Attachment anxiety was significantly correlated to engaging in unsafe sex because of partner barriers and a lack of access to condoms. It was also correlated to engaging in sex for intimacy, as a coping strategy, to affirm their own self-worth, for status among peers, and to please their partner. Attachment avoidance predicted engaging in sex for peer status, and was negatively correlated with having sex to foster intimacy