Digital Commons Network^™

The Signature Of The Self: Toward A Critique Of The Phenomenological Origins Of Self-Constitution, Dylan Mendez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis is primarily concerned with how the narrative self emerges, as conceptualized in literature spanning phenomenology, philosophy of identity, and psychology. The first chapter focuses on an argument given by Dan Zahavi, in which he claims that an account of narrative self-constitution necessitates an account of minimal subjectivity, which he terms the “minimal self.” I argue against this claim on the grounds that an account of minimal intersubjectivity is a far more pragmatic and compatible model in determining how the narrative self emerges and develops throughout the lifespan. The model of minimal intersubjectivity that I propose is Trevarthen’s primary …

Vibration-Based Control Of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems, Ossyris N. Bury

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis investigates vibration-based stability as a mechanism for achieving self-stabilizing nonlinear dynamic motion in engineered systems. Inspired by biological hovering flight, in which periodic wing motion can passively enhance stability, the study explores how controlled oscillations can be used to stabilize otherwise unstable mechanical configurations. The research centers on a simplified dynamic model based on the Kapitza pendulum, an inverted pendulum with a vertically oscillating base, which serves as a foundation for understanding vibration-induced stabilization. Analytical modeling using Lagrangian mechanics is employed to derive the governing equations of motion and identify the excitation conditions required for stable inverted behavior. …

Borderline Personality Traits And Their Impact On Facial Ambiguity, Perceived Rejection, And Self-Esteem, Anya Mathur

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The present study examined whether borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits are associated with differences in self-esteem and interpretations of ambiguous facial expressions, as well as how rejection sensitivity relates to these processes. Participants (N = 135) completed measures of BPD traits, rejection sensitivity, and self-esteem, and rated ambiguous facial expressions on perceived emotion, social inclusion, and evaluation. Results indicated that individuals with higher BPD traits reported significantly lower post-task self-esteem and showed a decrease in self-esteem following the task compared to those with lower BPD traits. Contrary to expectations, no significant group differences were found in interpretations of ambiguous facial …

Ai-Thropology: A Study Of Artificial Intelligence Use In Anthropology, Carly R. Junod

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines how undergraduate anthropology students utilize Artificial Intelligence tools in their coursework and the impact on perceptions of learning. As the use of AI becomes more commonplace, I investigated whether it has been integrated into the praxis of undergraduate anthropology students. Using a Likert-scale survey distributed to 26 anthropology students across multiple subfields, I investigated AI usage patterns, perceptions of academic integrity, and correlations with demographic factors. The results reveal that anthropology students exhibit conservative AI usage patterns, with the majority rarely using AI for core academic tasks such as drafting papers. ChatGPT and Grammarly emerged as the …

Effects Of Musical Tempo On Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, And Heart-Rate Variability, Om Pathak

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines how changes in rhythmic patterns and tempo of music affect physiological measures of homeostasis, such as heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). HRV is shown to be a biological indicator of aging, to a higher sensitivity than HR and BP. While both HR and BP have shown to remain stagnant and less variable, HRV steadily declines over time - indicative of the declining function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Previous studies have demonstrated a physiological effect of music on bodily function - such as through emotive changes and variability within homeostatic …

Being-Online: Towards A Phenomenological Account Of Virtual Place And Narrative Selfhood, Ben Runey

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to explore and explicate a phenomenology of virtual place by investigating how environments motivated by computers and smart devices appear within lived experience as well as how these virtual places found and mediate interpretative narratives of self-identity. Many individuals today spend vast portions of their waking hours concerned with or engaged within virtual domains. While contemporary scientific research aims to uncover the effects of this on human psychology, physiology, and social structures, phenomenology must be utilized to reveal the existential, lived dimensions of virtual places. This investigation will be founded upon, but not limited …

Development Of A Split Deoxyribozyme-Based Assay For Detecting Hepatitis B Virus, Dalila Zovko

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Rapid, accessible nucleic acid-based detection methods are needed for hepatitis B virus (HBV). A split deoxyribozyme assay was developed for sequence-specific fluorescence detection. The assay was evaluated using synthetic target and plasmid-derived material. The assay showed target-dependent fluorescence and low-concentration linear range with a LOD of 1.9 nM. The assay supports detection and semi-quantification of HBV genetic material as shown using plasmid-derived transcript samples from HBV genotypes B, C, and D. The selected target corresponded to nt 363–406 of the HBV genome and was chosen based on sequence alignment showing conservation across most genotypes. Genotype-specific detection remains a future application …

Investigation Of The Impact Of The Shape Of The Wings On Formula E Racing Car Performance: Enhancements For Optimal Aerodynamics, Ednie Marthe Adlaikah Jozil

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The aerodynamic performance of a Formula E chassis significantly dictates its overall race efficiency, directly impacting crucial parameters such as battery range and thermal management. This thesis investigates the external aerodynamics of the baseline Gen 2 Formula E car and evaluates the performance gains of two novel aerodynamic packages: a "Fully Modified" configuration and a "Flat Rear Wing" design. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted to analyze drag coefficients (Cd), downforce generation, and vehicle wake structures at race-relevant free-stream velocities (e.g., 37 m/s and 89 m/s). To ensure numerical robustness, the computational setup was validated using a smooth sphere …

Spanish-Speaking Parents' Health Literacy And Comprehension Of Idea Terminology, Daria Hernandez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study aims to examine how personal health literacy can affect Spanish-speaking parents’ comprehension of special education documentation, specifically within the scope of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) terminology; in order to gain insight into the readability of commonly used terms within special education documents. Across the United States, limited health literacy across organizations and individuals is an extremely pressing issue as it can limit the ability for individuals to make the proper decisions involving their healthcare and education. This issue is exacerbated when considering Hispanic populations, with their personal health literacy levels …

The Effects Of Bicultural Identity On Risk-Taking And Moral Decision-Making In South Asian American College Students, Meera Puthukkudy

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis was to explore how biculturalism in South Asian American college students impacts their behaviors, specifically moral decision-making and risk-taking behaviors. Bicultural individuals must navigate the complexities of their identity by integrating norms, values, and expectations from both their heritage culture and their dominant Western culture, which inherently creates a unique cognitive and psychological framework for evaluating choices. Participants in this study completed a survey online and were asked to complete three measures. First, the extent to which participants feel cultural harmony or conflict between their respective cultural identities was measured using the Bicultural Identity Integration …

Discomfort In Silence: Investigating Workplace Discrimination In Relation To Employee Disclosure Of Menopausal Health Issues, Alysia Furbish

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Menopause is a universal developmental transition for women that often coincides with peak career years, yet it remains underexamined in organizational research and is frequently treated as a private or taboo workplace topic. This lack of visibility shapes whether women feel able to disclose menopause-related challenges, seek accommodations, and access organizational support. Drawing on literature related to pregnancy and motherhood discrimination, menopause stereotypes, and disclosure literature, this study examines how symptom burden, ideal worker norms, and stigma-related identity management contribute to anticipated workplace discrimination and disclosure decisions. Data were collected via an online survey of 106 working women recruited through …

To Print A Remake: An Analysis Of Hollywood Remakes And Their Cultural Value, Connor F. Seaton

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In recent years, audiences and movie critics have expressed concern that Hollywood’s growing reliance on remakes, sequels, franchises, and similar adaptations has led to a broader worry that originality is fading from modern cinema and that the industry is instead focused on using adaptations to maximize profits. Although adaptation is often seen as a commercially driven framework for reproducing existing intellectual property in a new media format, this thesis argues that it should be recognized as an autonomous cultural category with its own artistic, historical, and social significance and merit. By analyzing adaptation scholarship and reviewing its complex historical development, …

Dna Half-Adder Based Calculator Driven By 4j Molecular Switches, Andrea Gissele Canizalez Covaleda

Honors Undergraduate Theses

DNA nanostructures have computing functions due to the predictable base pairing of nucleic acids (Watson–Crick). This property allows the programming of DNA circuits that integrate DNA logic gates capable of recognizing oligonucleotides. This molecular device offers the advantages of biocompatibility and potential applications in personalized medicine for diagnosis and therapies.

Our lab has developed DNA logic gates formed by the connection of YES strands via DNA four-way junctions (4J), which can function as molecular switches to develop a DNA-based calculator. Our DNA half-adder calculator nanostructure is designed to recognize up to three combinations of DNA inputs using three DNA strands …

How Religious Priming Affects Morality In Sports, Daniel Prias

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This research focuses on filling the hole in existing literature regarding religious priming and how it affects morality in sports. This study examined whether different types of moral priming influenced moral reasoning in undergraduate soccer athletes. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: an external religious prime, an internal religious prime, a secular prime, or a no-prime control group. Moral reasoning was assessed using the Moral Reasoning in Sports Scenarios Questionnaire (MRSSQ), strength of religious faith was measured using the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSRFQ), and personality traits were assessed using the Mini International Personality …

Evaluating The Comparison Of Different Body Locations For Data Collection Using Galvanic Skin Response Of Forensic Chemistry Students When In Lecture And Laboratory Environments, Elisa Guerrero

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Anxiety is the response that humans can have when exposed to a stimulus. It can be caused by a multitude of factors, such as psychological, biological, or physiological stimuli. Anxiety can be presented as a state or as a trait in a person. Trait anxiety is typically seen as a more stable personality trait, whereas state anxiety is a more intense temporary emotional state. In our study, anxiety was regarded as a more state-like characteristic. A galvanic skin response (GSR) Shimmer3+ device can measure skin electro-conductance changes following stimulation. In a situation where a participant is experiencing anxiety, levels of …

Three In One: An Examination Of Women’S Roles In The Life And Literature Of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Ashley Lear

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal Of Florida Literature, Volume Xxxiii (2026): Full Issue

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.

Generative Ai Peer Tutoring To Support Peer-Reviewed Source Identification And Evaluation, Rae Mair, Michelle Kelley, Taylar Wenzel, Andrea C. Borowczak, Yuqing Li, Mike Borowczak

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This chapter explores the design and evaluation of a generative artificial intelligence peer tutor prompt to support college students in identifying and evaluating peer-reviewed sources for academic research. Grounded in literature on peer tutoring, Socratic dialogue, and AI-supported learning, the authors describe an iterative prompt engineering process designed to transform large language models (LLMs) into Socratic-style peer tutors capable of scaffolding student reasoning without completing tasks for them. Five guiding criteria for an effective peer tutor shaped development and evaluation: cognitive congruence, step-by-step guidance, avoiding giving answers, adaptability to student level, metacognitive transparency, and following assignment directions. Across multiple human-centered …

Practical Strategies For Instructional Faculty And Librarians Designing Accessible Instructional Materials, Rachel E. Trnka

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

While discussions of the accessibility of instructional materials are not new, librarians and instructional faculty are facing increased pressure to ensure the accessibility of their materials in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s rapid shift to online education. Many faculty and librarians, however, do not receive adequate training and support in the area of accessible design. In addition, there is often confusion about who is responsible for ensuring the accessibility of instructional materials in higher education environments. This paper presents practical strategies for librarians and instructional faculty to identify readily available resources, create inventories of their own instructional materials, identify …

Beyond The Square Pulse: Waveform Shape, Eeg Correlates, And The Pursuit Of Natural Sensation In Tens, Jason Whitson

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study investigates the relationship between electrical stimulus characteristics of shape and charge on evoked sensations and electroencephalogram (EEG) data during multi-waveform transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) of the median nerve. Neuromodulation methods have traditionally had little control over the location and quality of their associated evoked sensation (e.g., electric, vibration, touch). This experiment utilized five unique stimulus waveforms during TENS stimulation. EEG data were collected concurrently to provide an introductory objective measure of the neural responses underlying these sensory changes. Eleven participants completed three tasks (thresholding, super-threshold stimulation, two-alternative forced choice) using a two-electrode TENS approach. Stimulus waveforms were …

From Ship To Shore: The Impact Of Sailor Resistance On The Anti-Vietnam War Movement, Trent Chamberlain

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis explores the often-overlooked role of United States Navy personnel in the broader anti-Vietnam War movement. While civilian protests dominate historical narratives of the era, the impact of active-duty sailor resistance remains underexplored. To address this gap, this thesis examines shipboard and shore-based dissent to determine how Naval resistance influenced both military operations and domestic anti-war efforts. By conducting a historical analysis of primary source materials, including military records, underground press publications, and personal accounts, this research traces the evolution of sailor organizing and its intersections with civilian peace movements. The thesis shows that Naval dissent not only posed …

From Recruitment To Breach: The Impact Of Employment-At-Will On Psychological Contracts, Krystal N. Porlles

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Employment-at-will is the default legal framework governing most private-sector employment relationships in the United States, yet little research has examined how explicit employment-at-will language influences applicants’ psychological expectations before organizational entry. Drawing on signaling theory and psychological contract theory, the present study investigated whether the inclusion of an employment-at-will statement in a job advertisement affected relational psychological contract development, anticipated job insecurity, organizational attractiveness, perceptions of psychological contract breach, emotional reactions, and withdrawal intentions. Undergraduate students (N = 253) were recruited through the University of Central Florida’s SONA research participation system. After data screening, the final analytic sample consisted of …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors H2/Z14 And C6/Z96 In Order To Combat Small Cell Lung Cancer, Lauren M. Graves

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The use of ubiquinone inhibitors to combat cancer is a recent development in medicinal science and procedures to efficiently synthesize these drugs remain limited. C6/Z96 and H2/Z14, two succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors, have been previously tested in vitro against NSCLC with positive results. Their similarity to ubiquinone is what makes them a strong candidate for a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor at the ubiquinone binding site. The heterocyclic scaffolds and substituents are proposed to bind strongly through a combination of electronics, hydrogen-bonding, and fit, allowing them to bind well and prove to be more favorable than ubiquinone when competing for the Q-site. By …

Evaluation Of Electroencephalography Processing Methods For Estimating Metabolic Energy Expenditure During Walking, Stephanie L. Pinelo

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

In this study, three EEG datasets, created via different levels of pre-processing, were used to train VO2 prediction models whose performance was tested and compared. Understanding the link between EEG and VO2 during walking is important when working in rehabilitation or studying metabolic energy optimization. Common methods of measuring these two bio-signals tend to be bulky, uncomfortable, and inefficient, so finding a way to predict VO2 from EEG via 1D CNN model training is a worthy pursuit.  It was hypothesized that, due to a CNN needing more data to find patterns for prediction, a minimally processed EEG dataset would have …

Establishment Of An In Vitro Dss-Induced Epithelial Injury Model To Investigate Il-6 Signaling And Microbial Metabolite Mediated Barrier Recovery, Srijal Kunwar

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) is widely used in vivo to induce epithelial injury; however, the molecular effects of DSS on intestinal epithelial cells, that investigate inflammatory and metabolic repair mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we establish an in vitro DSS-induced epithelial damage model using differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayer. Exposure to 2.5%(w/v) DSS for 24 hours resulted in significant upregulation of pore forming protein Claudin-2(2.677-fold) and oxidative marker, NOX-1(1.866-fold), accompanied by increased ROS production confirmed via DHE staining. Increased epithelial permeability was observed by TEER analysis, without significant cytotoxicity. Surprisingly, ELISA analysis revealed significant downregulation of IL-6 (p-value …

Advances In Active And Passive Integrated Photonic Devices On Thin-Film Lithium Niobate, Pooja S. Kulkarni

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) has emerged as a powerful platform for integrated photonics, combining the exceptional electro-optic, nonlinear, and optical properties of bulk lithium niobate with the scalability and compactness of planar nanophotonic technologies. Building on these principles, advanced device architectures such as adiabatic dichroic filters have demonstrated exceptional spectral performance spanning over two octaves of bandwidth on the TFLN platform. Beyond reciprocal devices, it also offers promising pathways toward integrated nonreciprocal components. By leveraging broadband filtering structures and advanced nonlinear photonic design strategies, compact and monolithic optical isolators can be envisioned without relying on traditional magneto-optic materials. In the …

Evaluating The Brain-Muscle Connectivity Of Cyclic Ankle Pedaling Movement In A Clinical Setting, Matthew K. Shanosky

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Clinical neurorehabilitation requires objective biomarkers to accurately detect and monitor neuromotor impairments. While traditional metrics are favored for their efficiency and minimal equipment demands, they typically rely on subjective observation and lack physiological resolution. High-resolution electrophysiological technologies, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG), offer objective insights into nervous system dynamics; however, prolonged data acquisition times have hindered their translation into frontline clinics. To bridge this translational gap, this study developed a time-efficient experimental paradigm designed for rapid clinical deployment. Healthy participants completed two initial resting baseline trials before performing an externally paced, dynamic, cyclic ankle movement task utilizing simulation …

Unmasking Pentastomes: Generating Genomic Resources For Enigmatic Parasites, Stephanie Lyn Villella

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

The introduction of invasive species can disrupt ecosystems not only through competition and predation but also by introducing novel pathogens to naïve host populations. In the southeastern United States, the invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) has been implicated in the introduction of the pentastome parasite Raillietiella orientalis, which has been associated with increased parasite burdens and mortality in native snakes. Despite their ecological significance and ancient evolutionary history, pentastomes remain poorly represented in genomic databases, limiting efforts to understand their evolutionary origins, host–parasite interactions, and mechanisms underlying parasite emergence. This study addresses these gaps by generating the …

The Lifecycle Of The Educator: Bridging Fragmented Pathways Across Writing Center And Composition Pedagogy, Emma S. Weis

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Graduate students are frequently positioned as instructors of record in foundational writing courses, yet preparation for these roles is often distributed across institutional sites, including writing centers, pedagogy courses, and mentorship opportunities. This thesis examines educator development across successive institutional roles, tracing how instructional responsibility is encountered and negotiated within writing center and composition studies. Through autoethnographic tracing, this research considers how progression is experienced in practice, with attention to the influence of institutional design on the movement between stages.

Paired with this narrative approach, a rhetorical analysis of institutional artifacts draws upon experiences at Stetson University and the University …

The Lifeboat Project Team 30: Introduction To Advertisement, Holland H. Roedema, Kenna Carlson, Jasmyne Iemnak

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026

Our project highlights the research we have completed about the Lifeboat Project and strategic recommendations that would benefit them as an organization in terms of audience engagement and reach. In this presentation, we cover Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to the organization's social media content. We also include potential utilization of ad placement and budgeting the organization could use for Newspaper advertisement. And finally, we curated mock social media posts for the Lifeboat Project after our team conducted a public survey.The survey's results revealed common social media habits and preferences of individuals in our target audience. Our Service Learning Project …