Digital Commons Network^™

Xenophobia, The Global War On Terror, And Refugee Policy In The United States, Canada, And Western Europe, Chloe Lopez

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Xenophobia has oscillated in intensity in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe since the late eighteenth century. This pattern of fear of immigrants and refugees being harbingers of violence and criminal activity establishes itself throughout the modern history of the United States, Canada, and Western Europe despite much evidence to the contrary. In the twentieth century, the prevailing argument surrounding the creation of xenophobia centered around economics. This divergence from twenty-first century patterns can be attributed to the Global War on Terror increasing alienation of refugees and immigrants through mythmaking and the structural securitization of immigration in the United …

Transformer-Enabled Deep Reinforcement Learning For Coverage Path Planning, Daniel B. Tiu

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Coverage path planning (CPP) is the problem of covering all points in an environment and is a well-researched topic in robotics due to its sheer practical relevance. This paper investigates such an offline CPP problem where the primary objective is to minimize the path length to achieve complete coverage. Furthermore, the literature suggests that taking turns leads to a higher energy use than going straight. To this end, we design a novel objective function that aims to minimize the number of turns as well. We have proposed a deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based framework that uses a Transformer model. Unlike state-of-the-art …

Explainable Automated Inconsistency Detection In Biomedical And Health Literature, Prajwol Lamichhane

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Given the exponential growth of scientific information online, researchers often face the daunting task of detecting contradictory statements on crucial health topics. This work develops a comprehensive pipeline for automated contradiction detection that integrates an Information Retrieval (IR) system, machine learning classifiers, and Explainable AI (XAI). The Information Retrieval system is tailored for biomedical data and comprises a datastore, syntactic, and semantic components. Users can input queries, initiating a pipeline that identifies top documents through syntactic analysis and refines results via semantic examination for relevant research claims. Employing a diverse range of Large Language Models such as pre-trained Distil-BERT, BioBERT, …

The Joint Effects Of Cognitive Function And Sedentary Time On Mortality Risk In Older Adults: 2011-2014 Nhanes, Sarah A. Wilson

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Examining the joint effects of cognitive function (CF) and sedentary time (ST) may provide insight into the complex mechanisms underlying mortality risk within older adults. This study examines the joint effects of CF and ST on mortality risk in older adults.

Methods: Sample included 2,230 older adults (≥ 60 years of age) participants in the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) subtests, and Animal Fluency (AF) were used to assess CF. Average daily sitting and television time represented ST. Quartiles of CF and …

Development Of Erosion Functions For Micp-Treated Beach Sand, Saeed Booshi

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the effectiveness of microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) using the recently introduced bioslurry treatment method via surface percolation. To simulate realistic water forcing conditions, a piston-style erosion rate testing apparatus, specifically the Florida Department of Transportation Sediment Erosion Rate Flume, was used. Initial tests conducted at a high shear stress of 42 Pa revealed that a combination of 15% bioslurry and 85% cementation solution exhibited the strongest erosion resistance when compared to other ratios between bioslurry and cementation solution. Subsequent experiments focused on separating the specimen into a "loose" part and a “surface crust,” with shear stresses …

Sleep, Sedentary Time, And Physical Activity In Heart Failure Subtypes: Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis (Mesa), Demi M. Nott

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have examined the associations between physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), and sleep on the risk of heart failure (HF). The primary aim of this study was to examine PA, ST, and sleep quality (SQ) in those diagnosed with preserved ejection fraction HF (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction HF (HFrEF). The secondary aim of this study was to examine these relationships in those with and without HF, independent of sub-type.

METHODS: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) collected data from 6,814 adults from a diversified cohort who range in age from 45 to 84. Subjects were classified …

The Effects Of Human-Driven Land Use Change On American Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis) Nesting Patterns, Madison Wallwork

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) have received little scientific attention in the context of human-driven land use change. The goal of my study is to investigate how land use change may be affecting the spatial ecology of alligator nesting in Florida. Areas directly impacted by humans are growing rapidly in Florida, yet the impacts of this land use change on alligator populations and reproduction are largely unknown. Alligators are ecosystem engineers and apex predators, and their nests often double as nests for other reptilian species. Therefore, it is imperative that we understand how human-driven land use change may be impacting …

Examining Potential Causal Associations Of Sedentary Time And Physical Activity With Heart Failure Using Subjective And Objective Measures: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis, Jessica Geller

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the causal relationship between both subjectively and objectively measured sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) with heart failure (HF) risk, utilizing Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach.

Methods: The present MR used genetic instruments identified for self-reported ST and PA extracted from 51 genome wide association studies (GWAS), encompassing data from 703,901 individuals. The GWAS identified 89 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with leisure screen time. Eleven loci were reported to be associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). From another GWAS examining accelerometer-based activities, three loci were found to …

Process, Structure, & Property Investigation Of Gallium-Based Metallic Alloys Processed At Room Temperature, Jennifer E. Ruliffson

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Metallic and intermetallic alloys are important in engineering, necessitating a thorough comprehension of their structure, processing, and properties. Amalgams are a class of alloy which are synthesized by various methods to produce diverse properties. Gallium-based amalgams, particularly gallium eutectic alloys, have low melting points, which allow for applications in dentistry and temperature sensitive electronics. This thesis investigates the process-structure-property relationships of gallium-based amalgams mixed with copper. Phases, microstructure, and diffusion processes are investigated using XRD and SEM. Adhesion strength and thermal properties are then correlated to these as well as process steps. This study contributes to advancing the understanding and …

Enhancing Comfort And Sustainability: Analyzing The Impact Of Natural Ventilation And Eco-Friendly Materials On Indoor Temperature Reduction, Hyo Won Lee

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As the world grapples with issues such as increasing energy consumption, climate change, and environmental degradation, the need for sustainable solutions is becoming more and more urgent. In this context, passive cooling has emerged as one of the promising approaches to achieve energy efficiency in various sectors. This research study the basic concept of passive cooling to new buildings to identify synergies in energy savings when reducing temperature inside buildings and applying eco-friendly materials, and to explore potential benefits for promoting sustainable development. By analyzing existing research, case studies, and technological advancements, this study seeks to highlight the feasibility and …

Navigating Unknown Complexities: School Superintendent Perspectives Of Leading During Covid, Jamie Mikelle Pearson Iannone

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for educational leaders, particularly superintendents, who have been tasked with navigating the complexities of leading during a global crisis. In this study I explored the perspectives of superintendents on leading during COVID-19 and examined the application of Complexity Leadership Theory in educational settings. Through semi-structured interviews with superintendents from diverse districts, I investigated the strategies and approaches employed by educational leaders to address the multifaceted challenges posed by the pandemic. I also examined the impact of Complexity Leadership Theory on educational practices and outcomes during the pandemic. The findings suggest that superintendents have …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Title I Elementary School Principals And Youth Mental Health: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Marva Mckinney

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) investigates how individuals make meaning of their social and personal environments. The primary questions that guide the exploration of the principals’ perspectives for this study include “How do Title 1 elementary school principals describe their leadership experiences in relation to student mental health challenges?”, “How do these experiences shape their perceptions of youth mental health within their schools?”, and “How do Title 1 elementary school principals understand the impact of external factors on their ability to address youth mental health challenges?”. According to Rousmaniere (2013, pp. 19–55), the principal has the most complex role in …

Examining Teachers' Perceptions Of Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices And The Impact On The Academic And Social-Emotional Success Of Black And Brown Boys In Voluntary Prekindergarten Classrooms: A Qualitative Study, Stephanie Gomez Jackson

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) teachers’ perspectives regarding the theory of culturally responsive pedagogy. This study also sought to understand how teachers implement culturally responsive teaching practices in VPK classrooms and their perceptions of how culturally responsive teaching impacts the academic and social-emotional success of Black and Brown male students. The study was conducted using a qualitative, phenomenological methodology. Gay’s (2018) pillars of culturally responsive teaching were used as the conceptual framework to explore the cultural characteristics, experiences, and perspectives of voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) teachers. Data collection tools included (1) two recorded semi-structured interviews, …

Moving Beyond The Barriers: Understanding How Youth Development Professionals Advocate For Disability Inclusion Within Mentoring Programs, Genelle C. Thomas

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite the proven youth development benefits of mentoring programs, youth with disabilities are often excluded from these opportunities. Fortunately, training and certification programs exist to support organizations in improving disability inclusion strategies and practices. Despite these opportunities, organizations still regularly struggle with making meaningful changes in this area. Therefore, it is important to understand how graduates of these training and certification programs experience facilitators and barriers to disability inclusion, what advocacy strategies they leverage to address these barriers, and how they impact their organizations to become more inclusive of youth with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to further …

Exploring The Perspectives Of Teenage Tutors Who Tutor Elementary Students In A One-To-One Reading Tutoring Program, Talya M. Taylor

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There have been minimal studies on tutoring programs that pair elementary students with teenage tutors (Jacob et al., 2016). Innovative tutoring programs are important as student reading achievement has declined since the onset of COVID-19 and school systems face instructional staff shortages. Through the lens of Self Determination Theory, this study explored how tutor autonomy (Ryan & Deci, 2000) to choose instructional strategies and delivery methods influences student reading progress through one-to-one tutoring.

Centered in a constructivist world view, qualitative research methodology was used to explore the relationship between teenage tutors exercising autonomy when delivering a scripted reading curriculum and …

Processing Of Niti Sma For High Reflectivity Applications, Nicholas Dean Asbury

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nickel Titanium (NiTi) is a shape memory alloy (SMA) that is capable of being deformed and subsequently returned to the original shape through heating. This unique property makes NiTi a prime material for potential applications in the aerospace industry. As manufacturing capabilities advance, the ability to produce and implement advanced materials, such as shape memory alloys like NiTi, becomes more feasible. One such application being studied is deployable mirrors for imaging satellites. Reflector and mirror surfaces for imaging in the visible and infra-red range of the light spectrum require low surface roughness across the largest allowable area for the collection …

Anomaly Detection Approaches Of Energy Storage Systems Using Kalman Filter And Machine Learning Techniques, Phadungsak Tubuntoeng

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The increasing prevalence of cyber-attacks poses a significant concern, particularly within critical infrastructures like the power system. Such attacks have the potential to cause substantial impacts on essential services, economic stability, and national security. Energy storage systems (ESS) are integral components of the power grid and are particularly vulnerable to cyber threats. These vulnerabilities can be exploited through various means, including two-way communication, web portals, and remote access.

Given the critical nature of ESS, the ability to detect and mitigate malicious cyber-attacks is imperative. Various methods can be employed for cyber-attack detection, including signature-based, anomaly-based, and behavior-based approaches. In this …

The Perceptions Of Black Women In Principalships On Navigating And Negotiating The Racial Contexts Of Their Equity-Focused Leadership: A Q Methodology Study, Easter M. Brown

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One consequence of the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) ruling regarding desegregation of American public schools has been the destabilization of Black educators’ legacy of school leadership (Tillman, 2004). The effects of these failures continues to be problematic in US public education. Students of color account for over half of all P-12 enrollments, in contrast to the disproportionate lack of diversity among its teaching and leadership rosters (Frankenberg, et al., 2019; NCES, 2018, 2022). The stagnant rate at which American schools have diversified principal leadership since Brown v. Board (1954) begs the question of how equipped schools are to …

Infusing Universal Design For Learning With Trauma-Informed Educational Practice: What Early Childhood Personnel Think And How They'll Pull It Off, Marlena L. Jenkins

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research recruited ten early childhood personnel within a public elementary school and attempted to gain insight into their beliefs and attitudes directly related to the principles of universal design for learning and the tenets of trauma-informed educational practice. Through this qualitative study, the researcher posited the importance of explicit professional learning and a supportive and openly communicative school environment to support the implementation of a combined trauma-informed universal design for learning (Ti-UDL) framework. Such a model has implications not only impacting personnel and student relationships, but those occurring amongst school-wide personnel of all levels. This research employed multiple phases, …

Endophytic Fungi Associated With Galls And Host Plants Of Asphondylia Borrichiae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), Shannon Lynn Sharpe

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Asphondylia borrichiae, like other gall-forming gnats, are obligate symbionts to the endophytic fungi (EF) they deposit when laying eggs. Asphondylia spp. and EF are important biocontrol agents, yet details surrounding their diversity, life cycles, and host interactions remain poorly understood. Galls and leaf-stem tissues from two host plants were surveyed to identify and compare EF diversity between the host tissues and species of A. borrichiae. Identification of 114 isolates was carried out by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS 1/4 primers). Pairwise alignments in multiple genetic databases were bolstered by phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood …

Nutrition Care For The Transgender Population: A Retrospective Study To Investigate Relationships Between The Nutrition Care Process Model And Patient Outcomes, Alana Minnee Marrero Gonzalez

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One of the most important roles of the registered dietitian nutritionist is to provide medical nutrition therapy that is fitting to an individual’s culture, reality, ethnicity, and dietary preferences. A review of existing literature exposes the lack of information available on LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) health, for transgender communities. The purpose of this research was to generate knowledge of the nutrition-related problems and barriers to adequate nutrition and health, and their impact in nutrition assessment in a sample of Hispanic transgender adult patients living in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A retrospective observational study was conducted, data from 114 …

The Experiences Of Transgender And Gender Diverse Individuals Seeking Mental Health Treatment, Brice T. Marks

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) individuals are underserved in communities despite experiencing disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress. The cisheteronomativity of society creates chronic stressors that impact the mental health outcomes of TGD individuals. TGD individuals face the highest rates of discrimination in healthcare settings. Yet, little is known about the population's specific experiences seeking mental health care. Using a phenomenological approach, this study interviewed eight TGD individuals to understand the experience of seeking mental health care. There were six themes: facilitation of seeking behaviors, barriers, type of care, characteristics of providers, identity disclosure, and burden of advocacy and …

"I'M Just Very Open To Trying New Things": Past Sexual Experiences And Sexual Curiosity In Bisexual Women, Rosalyn Zacarias

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bisexuals make up a large percentage of the LGBTQ+ community. Despite this, they remain invisible in the literature. Sexual curiosity is also a concept with limited and confusing literature. The purpose of the study is to look past sexual experiences and their influence on sexual curiosity in bisexual women. The contribution of this study aims to better understand how bisexual women make meaning out of their experiences and highlight the importance of sexual health research. Data was gathered with a sample of 6 bisexual women ranging from 19-29 years old using semi-structured interviews. Three superordinate themes and five subordinate themes …

Relation Between Parent Feeding And Emotional Overeating In Preschoolers As Mediated By Emotion Regulation, Lindsay Nicole Baker

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Emotional overeating is defined as eating in response to negative emotions, and the shift from emotional undereating to overeating around the preschool years indicates environmental influences. Parent feeding practices such as using food to regulate emotions and behavior may impede children’s ability to regulate their emotions, leading to emotional overeating. This study analyzed the relation between parent feeding practices, child emotion regulation, and emotional overeating in 4- and 5-year-old children. For study 1, mothers of 4- and 5-year-old children completed online questionnaires through MTurk and Prolific. Questionnaires measured parent feeding practices, emotion regulation, and emotional overeating. Parent use of food …

Homecoming: Examining Built Relationships That Influence Historically Black College And University Student Experiences, Alvenia Effie Derban

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Maintaining and increasing student retention is a challenge for small institutions especially small private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). There are factors which contribute to this problem of practice and solutions that could increase student retention given more research and analysis. The purpose of this instrumental case study was to explore and examine the campus professional-student relationships to better understand the first-generation/first-time college student’s experience and how these relationships may influence their retention. This study examined the experiences of three Edward Waters University students to understand a problem of practice experienced at Edward Waters University and many others, student …

Association Between Objectively-Measured Sedentary Time And Self-Reported Prescription Medication Use Among Adults: A Pilot Study, Ciarra Ashley Boyne

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Prescription medication use and extended sedentary time are independently related to poor health outcomes (e.g., diabetes, metabolic syndrome, mortality). Historically, survey methods have been used to obtain estimates of total sedentary time (ST), however, recent use of accelerometers avoids self-report bias and affords more characteristics of ST that may be factors in health outcomes (e.g., frequency and duration of sedentary bouts). The aims of this pilot study were to 1) examine the association between objectively measured ST via accelerometers and self-reported prescription medication use in adults and 2) examine the independent association of sedentary bout length and frequency with …

Towards A Prototype Paleo-Detector For Supernova Neutrino And Dark Matter Detection, Emilie Marie Lavoie-Ingram

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Using ancient minerals as paleo-detectors is a proposed experimental technique expected to transform supernova neutrino and dark matter detection. In this technique, minerals are processed and closely analyzed for nanometer scale damage track remnants from nuclear recoils caused by supernova neutrinos and possibly dark matter. These damage tracks present the opportunity to directly detect and characterize the core-collapse supernova rate of the Milky Way Galaxy as well as the presence of dark matter. Current literature presents theoretical estimates for these potential tracks, however, there is little research investigating the experimental feasibility of this technique. At the University of North Florida, …

Lake Huron Microbial Mats: A Novel Anagnostidinema Species, A Cyanobacteria-Specific It's Motif Slicer, & A Multi-Marker Community Analysis, Callahan Mcgovern

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A region of Lake Huron near Alpena, Michigan (U.S.A) includes karstic sinkholes with oxygen-poor, sulfur-rich ground water that contain vibrant microbial mats resembling life in early Earth’s shallow seas. We sought to document some of this unique ? diversity including the cyanobacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, and diatoms. Using culture-based investigations, we recovered strains of a novel cyanobacterium, Anagnostidinema visiae, and by employing a polyphasic approach we described this novel species from the Middle Island Sinkhole. In the processes of characterizing this novel species, the challenges of cyanobacterial systematics became evident. This led us to create a bioinformatics tool to help in …

A New Mindset: The Effects Of A Strategic Mindset On Women Under Stereotype Threat, Jessica A. Mckay

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Women completing math tasks under stereotype threat underperform and experience increased negative outcomes compared to women under no threat and men. While previous interventions for stereotype threat focus on self-affirmation or role models as a means to reduce the effects of stereotype threat, the current study examines whether using a strategic mindset to increase self-reflection mitigates the negative effects of stereotype threat on women in math. Undergraduate women (N=149) were randomly assigned to read an article about the benefits of having a strategic mindset or taking cold showers. Participants were then randomly assigned to a stereotype threat condition (women perform …

The Perspectives Of Saudi Arabian Professionals Regarding The Most Important Soft Skills For Leaders To Possess In Telecommuting Environments During Crisis: A Q Methodology Study, Shatha Abdulghani Khalifah

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this Q methodology study was to explore Saudi Arabian professionals’ perspectives regarding the soft skills they considered most important for leaders to possess in telecommuting environments during crises.

Q methodology was developed to study human subjectivity and uses both quantitative and qualitative procedures to do so. As is the convention for a Q methodology study, a single question guided the research: What are the perspectives collectively held among Saudi Arabian professionals regarding the soft skills they consider most important for leaders to possess in telecommuting environments during crises?

The researcher developed a 44-item Q sample of opinion …