American Studies Commons^™

Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward People With Mental Illness: Do They Change After Instruction And Clinical Exposure?, Rachel Morrison

Outstanding Honors Theses

People with mental illness are among the most stigmatized groups of patients in the healthcare setting (Putnam, 2008). Nurses comprise roughly 15.3 percent of the healthcare team (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010) and have frequent direct interactions with patients. As one of the larger groups of healthcare providers, nurses can potentially influence this stigma, either by contributing to the prevalent negative attitudes, or by confronting expressions of stigma. A requirement for licensure is to take a course in Mental Health. One of the goals of this course is to decrease stigma toward people with mental illness (American Association of …

Supplemental Assignments To Increase The Retention Of Knowledge For Biology I And Ii Lecture, Krystyn Vitale

Outstanding Honors Theses

Supplemental assignments for Biology I and II lectures were designed to increase the understanding of important biology concepts. Topics from each lecture, and frequently misunderstood details from that topic, were chosen as the concepts for each assignment. The questions posed allow students to process the information step-by-step and form a conclusion from their piece-wise work. This format allows students to foster their critical thinking skills and increase their retention of the knowledge learned through problem solving sessions.

Comparative Analysis Research On Treatments Of Prostate Cancer Obtaining And Comparing Results Of Patients Who Have Received Laproscopic, Robotic-Labroscopic, Or Cryosurgery, Radiation Therapy, Huy Nguyen

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Large-Scale Production, Biochemical And Structural Characterization Of Lactate Dehydrogenase For The Discovery Of Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors, Erol Jahja

Outstanding Honors Theses

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) catalyzes the interconversion of pyruvate and lactate in the final step of anaerobic glycolysis. Many invasive tumors depend on an increased rate of glycolysis in order to maximize their growth potential under hypoxic environments, a phenomenon known as the "Warburg Effect." By finding a way to inhibit LDH, contributions would be made towards the management of cancerous cells by inhibition of their energy production.

Human LDH isoenzyme A was subcloned into an in-house vector (pET28a with a PreScission cleavage site) and overexpressed in E. coli Tuner(DE3) cells as a fusion protein with maltose binding protein (MBP) to …

Johan Nieuhof’S Cathay: Aspects Of Inventing A Travelogue In Early Modern Europe, Ryan Walsh

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

What’S That Racket? Experiencing Racquet Sports (And Handball) And An Analysis Of Their Trends And Appealing Factors, Christian Dean L. Faral

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Comparing And Contrasting Expressionism, Abstract, And Pop Art, William Johnson

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Unsung Heroes Of College Basketball: A Closer Look At The University Of South Florida Men’S Basketball Team, Jared Brantley

Outstanding Honors Theses

There is very little research or information in regards to men’s college basketball staff positions. This study will focus on five positions on the University of South Florida men’s basketball team and explain what they do and whether it is necessary to the functioning of the basketball team. As a member of the University of South Florida men’s basketball team, I will work alongside these five positions and note their responsibilities and the amount of work that goes into upholding those responsibilities. I will also conduct an interview with each position as to gain any additional information that may add …

Comparative Analysis Research Of Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy, Jonathan Barlaan, Huy Nguyen

Outstanding Honors Theses

Introduction: The goal of laparoscopic prostatectomy is to excise the cancer completely, provide good urinary continence post-operatively, and maintain the ability to have erections after the surgery, if present prior to surgery. Robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is a procedure performed with the assistance of a surgical robot that provides improved magnified vision in order to help achieve these goals while minimizing surgical incisions. With experience in performing this type of procedure, surgical doctors should be able to reduce operating time, blood loss, and margin error.

Methods: We reviewed the records of 200 patients who underwent treatment between July 2008 and …

Effect Of Barrel Length On The Muzzle Velocity And Report From A Mosin-Nagant 7.62x54r Rifle, Brandon Louis Clark

Outstanding Honors Theses

The present paper describes an experimental study into the effects of barrel length for the Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R rifle. The parameters investigated were primarily the muzzle velocity and quality of sound produced i.e. report. The original barrel length of 28.75 inches was reduced to a final length of 16.75 inches in two inch increments. At each barrel length a digital chronograph was utilized to measure projectile velocity approximately ten feet downrange, while the sound profile was recorded via a microphone and audio software on a laptop computer. Testing took place in a single day, outdoors in a rural location in …

An Examination Of The Mind-Body Coordination Of Vocal Technique, Justina Mathew

Outstanding Honors Theses

This paper seeks to review the principles of vocal technique as seen from both an artistic and scientific standpoint and ultimately connect these two seemingly incompatible entities. This paper also seeks to review the application of physics to singing; specifically, enhanced coordination between the neural center of the body – the brain – in distinct cortical areas with extremely complex musculature and associated vocal tissues necessary for the production of musical notes. Biophysical modeling can be used to study these intricate processes vis-à-vis the relationship between certain variables such as tract air pressures and the gradients required for song. Such …

The Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors Of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual And Transgender University Of South Florida (Usf) Students Concerning Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) And The Hpv Vaccine, Andrea E. Larson

Outstanding Honors Theses

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases and can cause several types of cancer, including cervical and anal cancer. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population is an often overlooked subgroup at risk for HPV. The purpose of this research was to describe LGBT college students‟ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors pertaining to HPV and the HPV vaccine. An online survey consisting of 54 items was created and sent to members of an organization consisting primarily of LGBT students at the University of South Florida. A total of 155 students completed the survey. Several major …

Putting The Puzzle Together: Factors Related To Emotional Well-Being In Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Olivia F. Macdonald

Outstanding Honors Theses

Autism spectrum disorders now affect 1 in 110 children. Thus, thousands of families are facing the unique challenges associated with raising a child with an ASD. The purpose of the current study was to investigate how parental well-being relates to coping strategies, social support, and isolation. Mothers and fathers were recruited through the email lists of autism organizations, and 221 parents completed an anonymous, online survey. A decrease in reported feelings of anxiety and depression with greater use of social support supported the literature on the beneficial role it has on emotional well-being. Analyses also suggested that informal sources of …

The Civil Engineering Balancing Act, Elena M. Rodriguez

Outstanding Honors Theses

The capstone design project for the civil engineering students at the University of South Florida involved designing a replacement bridge for the current Anna Maria Island Bridge in Anna Maria, Florida. The new bridge would replace the current low-level, two-lane drawbridge with a high-level fixed bridge. As part of a group of learning engineers, the task at hand was to develop an economically optimal design proposal and then carry this design to a refined stage. However, it is a common misconception among the members of society that designing is the civil engineer’s only obligation to a project. In order to …

The Pronoun Problem: Possible Changes In The Use Of Epicene Pronouns, Brittany Norton

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Improving Cost Efficiencies Related To The Discharge Policy: An Analysis Of The Retail Pharmacy At Moffitt Cancer Center And Research Institute, Seth Richards

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Slap Tear: A Modern Baseball Focus, Jonathan Koscso

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

New Haven Dialect The Linguistic Impact Of Southern Italian Immigrants In Connecticut, Andrew Gargano

Outstanding Honors Theses

This thesis will focus primarily on the dialect which exists in New Haven, Connecticut. In order to identify the features specific to this dialect, the standard American English vernacular, General American, will first be outlined so that the distinct differences between the two can be clearly identified. In addition, this thesis will also attempt to explain the rationale behind what has caused the specific features of this dialect to occur. The main reason of this is believed to be the strong im-pact which Italian immigrants in the New Haven area have had on the language over time. Therefore, the characteristics …

Intimate Partner Violence And Alcohol Abuse In The Indigenous Populations Of Panamá, Addie K. Cant, Sarah E. Pheiffer

Outstanding Honors Theses

Indigenous communities in the Chiriqui province of Panamá, Central America, the Ngöbe and Buglé tribes, identified a growing problem with alcohol abuse and intimate partner violence (IPV). The College of Nursing at the University of South Florida was invited to conduct research to determine the extent of the problem and to assist with community intervention development. A descriptive correlational study adapting an interview-style survey from the 2005 World Health Organization‟s “Multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence against women: Summary report of initial results on prevalence, health outcomes and women’s responses” was conducted to provide baseline research that identifies …

Intimate Partner Violence And Alcohol Abuse In Panama: A Comparison Of Indigenous And Non-Indigenous Population, Sarah Pheiffer

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Brain Plasticity Influencing Phantom Limb And Prosthetics, Heather Scott

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Unspoken Moons, Hunter Taylor

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Does Immune Suppression After Moderate Stressors Occur To Free Resources In The House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus)?, Alexandra Urban

Outstanding Honors Theses

Stressors affect immune functions, but exactly why has yet to be discerned entirely. Two non-exclusive hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon: (i) immunosuppression abates the autoimmune response to self-antigens exposed by the rigors of a stressor, and (ii) immunosuppression allows allocation of resources to functions more valuable than protection against infection during a stressful event, (e.g., physical performance augments predator evasion). In this experiment, the second hypothesis was tested in wild house sparrows (Passer domesticus) by comparing rates of change in vertical flight performance versus antibacterial capacity of blood over a six week period of captivity. I predicted …

A Study Of Campus Recreation Usage: Developing Our Student Body Into Well-Balanced Graduates, Carson Hardy, Garrett Hellman

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

How Technology Can Improve Oral Hygiene And Overall Health With The Use Of Electronic Toothbrushes, Alexandra Griffin

Outstanding Honors Theses

Purpose. To demonstrate that technology can improve oral hygiene which will contribute to improved overall health with the use of electronic toothbrushes.

Methods. This is a two part study. The first part will include 12 individuals divided into three groups with 4 persons per control group; depending on the toothbrush they use on a regular basis. The three types of toothbrushes utilized will be manual, Sonicare and Oral-B. All individuals will be examined and scored based on their level of gingival inflammation using the Silness-Loe index along with a plaque index measurement at the neck of each tooth. The second …

Electrowetting Induced Cassie-Wenzel Transition On Textured Surfaces, Kenza Mouttaki

Outstanding Honors Theses

The electrowetting field expanded drastically during the last decade. It combines several laws and theories out of which Young's equation, Cassie law and Wenzel law. The main focus of electrowetting is the transition between a superhydrophobic state -Cassie- and a hydrophilic state -Wenzel-. This transition allows a wide range of applications such as microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip devices, chemical microreactors and management of microelectronics.

The purpose of this research is to provide a standard operational procedure for the fabrication of substrates that allow the Cassie to Wenzel transition. Theoretical equations are compared to experimental results. These substrates will be implemented in future …

Autonomic Emotion, Dylan Hodill

Outstanding Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

“Natural Disaster Plans And How They Need To Be Fixed”, Christopher Poitevien

Outstanding Honors Theses

Natural disasters have affected our history, affect our present, and will affect our future. Because of this our world needs to adapt. But disaster plans already established should include certain aspects that would limit the amount of damage inflicted by the disaster and the number of lives that are lost. The problem with the literature is that it does not cover what should be done to decrease the number of lives lost and limit the damage that could occur. The first thing that it needs is disaster epidemiologists. These are scientists that go back into the history of the area …