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The Global Impact Of Covid-19 And Tourism On Conservation Rangers' Guardianship Capabilities, Zachary Bockler Jan 2022

The Global Impact Of Covid-19 And Tourism On Conservation Rangers' Guardianship Capabilities, Zachary Bockler

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted wildlife rangers with an emphasis on the influences of tourism rates. Two sets of data are used: one is a survey of rangers around the world and the other looks at global governmental tourism data. While coming from a routine activities perspective, the problem of decreased capable guardianship becomes apparent in the form of massively decreased tourism arrivals and troubling ranger perceptions. This data allows for the establishment of tourism trends and changes during COVID. The findings of this thesis link the downturn in tourism with impacts on formal and informal …


Investigation Of Pitching And Plunging Motions On A Tandem Wing Configuration, Riley M. Capiro Jan 2022

Investigation Of Pitching And Plunging Motions On A Tandem Wing Configuration, Riley M. Capiro

Honors Undergraduate Theses

From the beginning of the history of flight, inspiration has been drawn from nature. Evolution has spent millions of years optimizing creatures that rely on flight as their means of locomotion. Today, aerial vehicles are very different to those from the time of the Wright brothers. One kind of vehicle that stands to benefit in mimicking nature is the drone, particularly smaller drones. Commonly used today by militaries, industry and civilians, drones are increasingly affordable while also decreasing in size thanks to advancements in electronics and manufacturing methods. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how pitching and rolling …


The Relationship Between Inflammatory Diet Score And Cancer Outcomes: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Eric Han Jan 2022

The Relationship Between Inflammatory Diet Score And Cancer Outcomes: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Eric Han

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cancer remains one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States and a leading cause of death. Large prospective studies have found significant correlations between dietary intake and cancer. Chronic inflammation promotes pro-cancer inflammatory environments promoting the formation and growth of tumors while preventing effective anti-tumor responses. Nutrition can impact inflammation, with the intake of certain food items increasing biomarkers for systemic inflammation thus, the objective of this research was to explore the relationship between inflammatory diet score measured by the Dietary Inflammatory index and all-cause mortality, cancer-specific mortality, and cancer recurrence among cancer survivors. Web of Science, Medline, …


Compact Lens Technologies: Curved Image Sensor And Volumetric Imaging Efficiency, Zhao Ma Jan 2022

Compact Lens Technologies: Curved Image Sensor And Volumetric Imaging Efficiency, Zhao Ma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Compact image systems bring up people's attention in the field of target recognition, surveillance, situation awareness or even photography. Conventional metrics assess image system based on image quality without considering systems' volume. More comprehensive metrics, such as General Image-Quality Equation and the Targeting Task Performance metric, incorporates all image system components from object, lenses to detector and even imaging processing algorithm. All these key factors prohibit these metrics from being applied to image system in a convenient manner. Here, we propose a simple metric, volumetric imaging efficiency, considering both image quality and volume. Only concentrate on optical lenses enables the …


Micro-Credentialing Of English Learner Teaching Skills (Melts) Preparation: Teacher Candidates' Use Of Read-Alouds To Support Reading Comprehension For English Learners, Shayla Roberts Jan 2022

Micro-Credentialing Of English Learner Teaching Skills (Melts) Preparation: Teacher Candidates' Use Of Read-Alouds To Support Reading Comprehension For English Learners, Shayla Roberts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Over the past decade, the population of students learning English as a second language in the United States has grown astronomically. Presently, the number of English learners (ELs) across the country has reached 4.8 million and is projected to rise in the coming years. Because of this steadily increasing metric, the demand for effective reading instruction as a critical component of overall academic achievement and learning success is crucial. As such, there is a great need for schools to address the language, literacy, and academic needs of ELs in mainstream classrooms. To address this concern, major responsibilities fall on teachers …


Generative Adversarial Networks For Extrapolation Of Corrosion In Automobile Images, Andre Von Zuben Jan 2022

Generative Adversarial Networks For Extrapolation Of Corrosion In Automobile Images, Andre Von Zuben

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Deep learning has shown success in several applications involving pattern recognition, expert systems, and scientific discovery. However, existing methods struggle with industrial applications, which are often challenged by non-ideal datasets. In many cases, the datasets are small, poorly labeled, noisy, or have unbalanced class distribution or any combination of such problems. In this Master's research, we propose a generative adversarial network (GAN) strategy that is able to circumvent limitations imposed by tiny datasets. As a case study, we use the extrapolation of corrosion in automobiles and feed our deep learning framework with only a few dozen images instead of the …


Supporting Secondary Teachers' Proof And Justification Of Calculus Concepts Through The Intentional Use Of Dynamic Technology, Shahabeddin Abbaspour Tazehkand Jan 2022

Supporting Secondary Teachers' Proof And Justification Of Calculus Concepts Through The Intentional Use Of Dynamic Technology, Shahabeddin Abbaspour Tazehkand

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Learning calculus concepts plays a huge role in understanding phenomena in STEM-related disciplines. Those concepts tend to be dynamic in nature, and the visual exploration and representation of calculus concepts using paper and pencil is limited compared to pedagogically and intentionally using dynamic geometry software. As such, a primary component of this dissertation study involves the integration of dynamic technology. Additionally, previous studies have shown that students have difficulties constructing proofs related to calculus concepts. Despite the existing body of research on students' comprehension of proof and justification, there has not been much focus on teachers' knowledge and perception of …


Investigating The Intersection Of Teachers' Mathematical Anxiety According To Experience And Instructional Grade Level, Molly Greer Jan 2022

Investigating The Intersection Of Teachers' Mathematical Anxiety According To Experience And Instructional Grade Level, Molly Greer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Teacher instruction in mathematics is a critical cornerstone for effective student learning (Aldrup et al., 2020). Teaching mathematics is essential for the development of student mathematical thinking; a foundational skill required for the majority of careers (Ramirez et al., 2016). Researchers have demonstrated that mathematical anxiety (MA) is prevalent among the general population and is estimated to impact 42% of teachers in elementary education (Aldrup et al., 2020). The impact of MA on teaching, student learning, and overall teacher performance is just beginning to emerge. Yet, researchers have shown MA has implications on the function (Pizzle et al., 2020) and …


The Fluid Dynamics Of A Spanwise-Morphing Wing: An Experimental And Analytical Study, Kamlesh Joshi Jan 2022

The Fluid Dynamics Of A Spanwise-Morphing Wing: An Experimental And Analytical Study, Kamlesh Joshi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The unsteady forces and fluid flow structure of a morphing wing are investigated for low Reynolds number (Re) flows, i.e., Re < 20,000. The morphing wing is designed to change shape in the spanwise direction in a controlled manner using internal actuation. The two types of wing morphing are studied in this work, i.e., spanwise bending and spanwise twisting. The wing morphing is named based on the overall shape of the wing after it is dynamically morphed.


Investigating Covariate Selection Criteria: To Draw Causal Inferences From Observational Data In The Presence Of Unmeasured Covariates Using Regression And Propensity Score Methods, Uday Nair Jan 2022

Investigating Covariate Selection Criteria: To Draw Causal Inferences From Observational Data In The Presence Of Unmeasured Covariates Using Regression And Propensity Score Methods, Uday Nair

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The aim of causal effect estimation is to find the true impact of a treatment or exposure. Observational data is employed in social sciences to estimate causal effect but is susceptible to self-selection and unobserved confounding biases. Covariates included in analysis should strive to address these biases. This research focuses on investigating covariate selection approaches––common cause criterion (CC), Disjunctive Cause Criterion (DCC), Modified Disjunctive Cause Criterion (MDCC), and modified cause criterion (MCC)––in linear regression (LR) and propensity score methods (PSM) causal effect estimation in the presence of unmeasured confounding. Realistic social science scenarios such as––inclusion of proxy variables with varying …


Avatar Identification Methods In Skyrim And Dragon Age: Origins, Andrew Futcher Jan 2022

Avatar Identification Methods In Skyrim And Dragon Age: Origins, Andrew Futcher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Video games as a medium have always focused on having their players interact with their game worlds and narratives regardless of genre. However, a repeatedly debated concept is whether players are able to feel a sense of identification with their avatars. The majority of this debate revolves around studying works with a multiplayer focus, such as MMOs, where players can interact with one another. This paper seeks to explore if players can identify with their avatar in single-player role-playing games (RPG), as this genre focuses on the player's direct influence on the narrative through various mechanics that allow the player …


¿Dónde Están? Latin American Representation In Theatre For Young Audiences, Ximena Gonzalez Toledo Jan 2022

¿Dónde Están? Latin American Representation In Theatre For Young Audiences, Ximena Gonzalez Toledo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

¿Dónde están los Latinos? As a Latina theatre practitioner born and raised in Venezuela now studying Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) in the United States, I perceive a generalization and oversimplification of Latin American culture or culturally specific pieces across available TYA dramatic literature and other forms of children's entertainment, with Mexican culture as a monolith for all Hispanics and Latin Americans. My thesis asks: What tropes exist within the representation of Latin American cultures? What might those tropes offer about authentic representation, and opportunities for broadened representation, within the field of TYA? My research pulls from two formative experiences …


Integration Of Video Game Play And Storytelling In Theme Park Environmental Design, Alexandria Marcello Jan 2022

Integration Of Video Game Play And Storytelling In Theme Park Environmental Design, Alexandria Marcello

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This thesis presents a visual design exploration of video game storytelling in physical themed environments, specifically, theme parks. The theme park industry has only recently begun to tap into the video game market, with seasonal attractions and events in parks, and the first fully video game dedicated land, Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. As theme park companies further seek out the most popular and profitable video game Intellectual Properties (IP), it will be imperative to create the most authentic video game experiences possible. The guest experience will hinge upon the successful adaptation of gameplay; creating the story around …


Castle Of Unknowing: An Immersive Virtual Reality Experience, Damian Thorn-Hauswirth Jan 2022

Castle Of Unknowing: An Immersive Virtual Reality Experience, Damian Thorn-Hauswirth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Castle of Unknowing is a rendered virtual reality (VR) experience presented as visual poem. As VR is a nascent technology, content is still limited, and methods of storytelling are not yet formalized. My film seeks to expand the breadth of what types of narratives are being told with this medium. The project is an immersive, experiential narrative imbued with symbolism. The viewer moves through a fixed sequence as they are taken on a journey which mixes elements of sci-fi, fairy tale, and surrealism. It utilizes compelling visuals and sound instead of traditional narrative to evoke an emotional response within the …


The Spicy Girls: Writings On The Lived Experiences Of Latinas As The Exotic "Other.", Nina M. Lopez Jan 2022

The Spicy Girls: Writings On The Lived Experiences Of Latinas As The Exotic "Other.", Nina M. Lopez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The Other in mainstream U.S. society—in this case, the Latino Other—faces oppressive forces in the journey to find belonging. Latinos are marked by stereotypes, regardless of whether such stereotypes have a factual foundation. Latinas specifically are labeled as submissive servants, maids, or nannies. On the other end of the spectrum, Latinas are exotic and enticing sexual beings that must satisfy white men’s fetishes and lechery. Through this thesis, I will explore what Latina women face as an Other that is paradoxically both rejected and desired and evokes aversion as well as awe. In this creative thesis, in creative nonfiction, poetry, …


A Different Look At Rawlings's The Secret River, Anne Bellissimo Jan 2022

A Different Look At Rawlings's The Secret River, Anne Bellissimo

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.


Coming Of Age In Post-Climate Change Florida In Karen Russell's "The Gondoliers", Christopher Nank Jan 2022

Coming Of Age In Post-Climate Change Florida In Karen Russell's "The Gondoliers", Christopher Nank

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.


Genomic Analysis Of Pollen Grains For Forensic Applications, Luz Kelley Jan 2022

Genomic Analysis Of Pollen Grains For Forensic Applications, Luz Kelley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

With over 300,000 plant species on the planet and more than 90% of them relying on pollen for reproduction, palynology, the study of pollen grains plays a vital role in many research fields. One of them is forensic palynology, which uses pollen as a proxy to link individuals or objects to a location or instance. It relies on the fact that (1) pollen is an ever-present feature of the environment; (2) different locations have different pollen signatures, allowing for inference related to spatial tracking; (3) plants bloom at different times, allowing for temporal inference; and (4) pollen is exceptionally durable …


Examining Diet, Mobility, And Social Dynamics In Southern Medieval France Using A Multi-Isotopic And Gis Approach, Jane Holmstrom Jan 2022

Examining Diet, Mobility, And Social Dynamics In Southern Medieval France Using A Multi-Isotopic And Gis Approach, Jane Holmstrom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Exploring dietary choices during life and status after death provides information about status and identity within an evolving and expanding Christian community. Through a combination of multi-isotopic analyses (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, strontium), GIS mapping, and historical evidence, the life story of Medieval French Christians, buried in the elite cemetery of Saint-Jean de Todon (9th – 13th century) (n = 192) and lower-status cemetery of Saint-Victor-la-Coste (9th – 13th century) (n = 21), can be elucidated. Dietary differences were found between the two cemetery populations using carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis from bone collagen. Incorporating archaeological evidence with isotopic data, a …


The Role Of Pro-Longevity Micrornas In Aging, Sarah Noureddine Jan 2022

The Role Of Pro-Longevity Micrornas In Aging, Sarah Noureddine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Cellular senescence, a hallmark of aging, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many major age-related disorders, including atherosclerosis, metabolic disease, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is characterized by increased cognitive impairment and treatment options available provide minimal disease attenuation. Additionally, diagnostic methods for AD are not conclusive with definitive diagnoses requiring postmortem brain evaluations. Therefore, miRNAs, a class of small, non-coding RNAs, have garnered attention for their ability to regulate a variety of mRNAs and their potential to serve as both therapeutic targets and biomarkers of disease. Several miRNAs have already been implicated with AD …


Breaking The Mold: Haunted Attraction Mazes; A Study In Reducing Predictability & Increasing Intensity, Within Unconventional Halloween Attraction Experiences, Amy Avalos Jan 2022

Breaking The Mold: Haunted Attraction Mazes; A Study In Reducing Predictability & Increasing Intensity, Within Unconventional Halloween Attraction Experiences, Amy Avalos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Every enchanted Fall season, a segment of the public flocks to a multitude of haunted Halloween attractions across the U.S., to experience fear as a form of amusement and entertainment. Psychologists continue to research the physiological and cognitive behaviors that are associated with fear and the "fight or flight" responses that are triggered when individuals are engaged in a heighten sense of danger. However, as guests traverse through these haunted attraction experiences, it's commonplace for guests to enter into these typical modes of "fight or flight" behaviors very quickly. Once this response kicks in, the guests' instinct is to scramble …


A Theoretical Prototype For Narrative And Interactive Development Within A Theme Park Parade, Carson Luter Jan 2022

A Theoretical Prototype For Narrative And Interactive Development Within A Theme Park Parade, Carson Luter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

While theme park parades have developed with technology and guest demands, there is an opportunity to continue innovating the medium with additional guest interactivity. This thesis tracks experiential comparatives that provide iterative components to be utilized for a new theme park parade concept; parade "show stops" that allow for guests to approach the parade floats up-close, participatory entertainment offerings with live actor-driven branching narratives, roleplay and gameplay-driven interactive experiences, and theme park parades that follow a direct linear narrative. What follows is a theme park parade design concept, accompanied by a production and operational plan, that combines the existing spectacle …


Utilizing Dramaturgy To Activate Creativity In Young Audiences, Joni Newman Jan 2022

Utilizing Dramaturgy To Activate Creativity In Young Audiences, Joni Newman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Theatre for Young Audiences companies in the United States rely heavily on recognized titles to bring in audiences. As a result, most of their productions are adapted from recognizable titles, including films, television series, and popular literature. These adaptations draw audiences in that may not otherwise go to the theatre, which is especially important within the world of TYA where the target audience (children) only gains access to a theatre through adult caregivers. Additionally, most children go to the theatre as part of school field trips, further encouraging season selections that will fill educational needs in addition to providing theatrical …


If Found: Exploring Death Through Animated Media, Hannah Huffman Jan 2022

If Found: Exploring Death Through Animated Media, Hannah Huffman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

If Found is a narrative 2D animated short film that explores our connection with death. The film makes use of the conventions of a Western fairy tale setting to make this difficult topic more digestible. This works in conjunction with the East Asian storytelling format of Kishotenketsu, a narrative convention focused on a conflict-less plot. Death is not something we can defeat; rather, it is a natural force with which we all must make peace. By following this traditional format, the film also explores and shows appreciation for the impacts of East Asian thought, storytelling, and animation on Western culture. …


Authoring Tools For Augmented Reality Scenario Based Training Experiences, Andres Vargas Gonzalez Jan 2022

Authoring Tools For Augmented Reality Scenario Based Training Experiences, Andres Vargas Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Augmented Reality's (AR) scope and capabilities have grown considerably in the last few years. AR applications can be run across devices such as phones, wearables, and head-mounted displays (HMDs). The increasing research and commercial efforts in HMDs capabilities allow end users to map a 3D environment and interact with virtual objects that can respond to the physical aspects of the scene. Within this context, AR is an ideal format for in-situ training scenarios. However, building such AR scenarios requires proficiency in game engine development environments and programming expertise. These difficulties can make it challenging for domain experts to create training …


The Cypress Dome 2022, Issue 33, The Cypress Dome Society Jan 2022

The Cypress Dome 2022, Issue 33, The Cypress Dome Society

The Cypress Dome

The Cypress Dome Society (CDS) offers an outlet for artists at UCF. We chose to name ourselves after the beautiful cypress dome ecosystem that exists on the UCF campus. In the same way that cypress domes create an environment based in biodiversity and rich land, we hope to foster a space that promotes diversity and rich creative work for students. We set our roots in the deepest parts of the literary community and surround ourselves with students eager to participate in the arts. Every year, we engage with our community by encouraging students to submit to our literary magazine, The …


Eco-Tya: An Exploration Of Youth Agency And The Role Of Environment In Creating Balanced Theatrical Collaborations, Sage Tokach Jan 2022

Eco-Tya: An Exploration Of Youth Agency And The Role Of Environment In Creating Balanced Theatrical Collaborations, Sage Tokach

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Systems of power in traditional theatrical and educational models may lead to controlled, efficient classrooms, but they do not help us facilitate creative, collaborative spaces. These power structures privilege some people over others and all people over environmental concerns. Eco-theatre artists emphasize the agency of more-than-human materials and encourage us to see our environment as a collaborator. Using eco-theatre theories in a synthesized methodology, this thesis explores how facilitators might interact differently with students and surroundings to disrupt power structures and lead to more inclusive collaborations. What tools and practices help students embrace challenges and work through tensions on their …


Creating Themed Accessible Spaces Through Hospitality Design, Sidney Wolf Jan 2022

Creating Themed Accessible Spaces Through Hospitality Design, Sidney Wolf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This thesis summarizes available literature about the individual requirements and specific design attributes needed to understand, apply, develop, and design a themed hotel with an emphasis in accessibility and inclusivity. This thesis contains a visual project and design guide that focuses on creating a themed space that offers modern means of accessibility for mobility aids, or for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or partially sighted. The guide summarizes literature on existing codes and explores other resources to adapt them to create an inclusive narrative environment. The visual project applies the material found in the guide and produces …


Sensory Overload: Creating Autism-Friendly Areas In Theme Parks Through Universal Design Principles, Lindsey Leffel Jan 2022

Sensory Overload: Creating Autism-Friendly Areas In Theme Parks Through Universal Design Principles, Lindsey Leffel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This thesis project explores the application of Universal Design principles to the development of purpose-built rest and play spaces within United States theme parks that provide places of refuge for children with autism and their families. The goal is to offer ideas on how to create spaces where families and individuals can take a break from the over-stimulation of the traditional theme park environment in an area that has been specifically designed with their sensory needs in mind. Though the target demographic for these spaces is children with autism and their families, the ideas offered to create space will not …


Journey To The Dragon's Gate: A Study Of Hybrid Ride Systems And How They Enhance Attraction Storytelling, Matthew Moore Jan 2022

Journey To The Dragon's Gate: A Study Of Hybrid Ride Systems And How They Enhance Attraction Storytelling, Matthew Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

The purpose of this thesis is to explore a new type of ride design which integrates one or more transitions between formats. Theme Park visitors have come to expect a certain type of immersive experience from attractions. Most rides in the parks are very predictable such as roller coasters which offer loops, drops, speed and quick turns, while dark rides offer a slower pace with the attention on storytelling. The solution to this situation is to combine two ride systems or more into a single ride. The ride system for my attraction begins with a free-floating boat ride navigating its …