Digital Commons Network^™

Health-Link Society, Reagan M. Lenihan

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

No abstract provided.

An Application Of The Abc Classification To A Comparative Analysis Of Financial Performance: A Case Of Listed Hotels In Thailand, Slisa Bhamornsathit

Journal of Hospitality Financial Management

The hotel industry in Thailand has benefited from an increase in tourism and a growth op- portunity from the free flow of trade and investment in the ASEAN region. This study inves- tigates the financial performance of hotel companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thai- land during the 2011–2022 period. The ABC classification was applied to categorize a sam- ple of hotels based on revenue. The financial performance of the classified hotels was then examined using comparative ratio analysis. The results indicated that high-revenue hotels performed well in terms of profitability; medium-revenue hotels presented high efficiency in asset management, …

The Role Of Switching Costs In The Triangle Of Complaint Behavior, Satisfaction, And Switching Behavior In The Hotel Context, Talal Abuhulaibah, Lisa Slevitch

Journal of Hospitality Financial Management

The influence of switching costs could play an important role that prevents dissatisfied cus- tomers from switching to another service provider, particularly in the highly competitive hotel market. Drawing on Hirschman’s model of customers’ reactions to service failures (1970), this study investigated the moderating effect of switching costs on the inter-relationships between complaint behavior, customer satisfaction, and switching behavior for hotel guests. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed via Amazon Mechanical Turk and yielded a total of 1,135 responses from travelers who stayed in US hotels and experienced service failures. The results of this study revealed that switching costs did influence …

Advisor And Counselor Perceptions Within A Southeastern State’S Private Institutions: A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study, Thomas A. Range

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

U.S. Black American college students identifying as first generation and experiencing lower socioeconomic status have lagged behind White college students from more affluent families in retention, graduation, and postgraduation metrics. These differences are particularly acute for students attending private, predominantly White institutions. However, there is a gap in knowledge about how student services personnel—whose roles directly impact students’ perseverance toward graduation and their postgraduation plans—are perceived. Many external barriers (e.g., inadequate student support; racial discrimination; counselor, advisor, administrator, and college leadership biases) have continued to hinder success of Black American collegians in private institutions. To focus this study, two guiding …

Iactor: Integrating Flow Theory And Habit Principles To Combat Decision Fatigue In Audition Management, Colby L. Bell

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

For many actors, the audition process can feel like a never-ending series of decisions—what to prepare, what to wear, what to bring, and how to keep track of it all. Each choice, though seemingly small, accumulates into a form of cognitive overload that can lead to burnout and disengagement. My fascination lies not only with how actors navigate this process but how we might reframe it. This thesis explores the question: How can I design a digital space that reduces decision fatigue and restores agency to actors preparing for auditions? Drawing from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow Theory, James Clear’s Atomic Habits …

Sliding Through The Cracks: An Evaluation Of The Fba System And An Exploration Of Traditional Trombone Training Practices, Simon Jones

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

My experience as a low brass player trained in an FBA (Florida Bandmasters Association) program was well rounded. I attended a school with a rich history of continued excellence, taking part in various honor bands and preparing standard trombone repertoire for the Solo and Ensemble evaluations. Despite all of this, fundamental aspects of my trombone playing were lacking when I arrived at college, remaining unrectified until I started my master’s degree at UCF. I was a committed trombone player, regularly practicing multiple hours every day during my formative years. In retrospect, I realize that my performances suffered in fundamental areas. …

The Unindexed Marginalia Of Historical American Cookery Books Digital Public History Project: Domestic Technical Communication Labor Contributions, Alessandra Zinicola Lopez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation includes a traditional written portion, and a non-traditional digital humanities public history online digital archive project created through Omeka which showcases examples of hand-written recipes found within commercial cookbooks, called marginalia. The understanding of modern technical communication is affected by the perceived history of the field and currently, that history is biased toward non-domestic pursuits. The project explores what collecting, digitizing, and archiving examples of historical hand-written marginalia found within commercially printed American receipt books indicate about the presence, participatory nature, value, and contributions of domestic technical communications and their user-authors in the 19th century. The examples collected …

In Depth Analytics Of Vehicle-Vehicle And Vehicle-Pedestrian Conflicts Across Various Conditions, Qianqian Jin

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study explores key traffic safety challenges by analyzing threshold discrepancies in rear-end conflicts under different weather conditions, conflict likelihood and severity at interconnected intersections, and interaction patterns between right-turning vehicles and pedestrians at signalized intersections. First, using CitySim trajectory data, the study examines the impact of weather conditions on surrogate safety measure (SSMs) thresholds for Modified Time to Collision (MTTC), Deceleration Rate to Avoid a Crash (DRAC), and Single-step Probabilistic Driving Risk Field (S-PDRF). Results indicate that MTTC and DRAC thresholds vary significantly under clear (2.3s v.s 3.0 m/s²) and rainy (4s v.s. 2.4 m/s²) conditions, whereas S-PDRF remains …

Advancing Temporal Safety Performance Functions: A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Express Lanes, Ramps, And Ramp Metering Effects On Freeway Safety, Abdulrahman Khalid Faden

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Freeway safety remains a critical concern, especially in high-risk areas such as ramps, merges, and managed lane segments, where complex traffic interactions significantly elevate crash risks. This dissertation advances crash frequency prediction by developing short-term Safety Performance Functions (SPFs) that address the limitations of traditional long-term SPFs models and real-time safety analysis. By leveraging high-resolution microscopic traffic detector data from multiple states, the dissertation introduces innovative methodologies and delivers actionable insights into freeway safety dynamics. The dissertation pioneers the application of Multivariate Poisson-Lognormal (MVPLN) models to identify interdependencies between crashes at ramp and merge segments. To address challenges like data …

Application Of Industry 5.0 Attributes For Successful Implementation: Framework Of Manufacturing Excellence In Aerospace And Defense Industries, Rena Lewis

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

As a novel concept, Industry 5.0 is making its rounds around the academic community and various industries. Despite its introduction over five years ago, definitions and perceptions are still under deliberation. Applications, methods of implementation and values are still in the conceptual phase. This study introduces a framework inclusive of human-centricity, sustainability and resilience, the pillars associated with Industry 5.0. It aims to differentiate the revolution from its predecessor, Industry 4.0, as it dives into the technologies associated with Industry 4.0 including but not limited to the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous robots, and artificial intelligence. As those technologies evolve …

Patient Transfer Robot (Patro) For Mobility Independence Of Patients In Need Of Assistance, Eric W. Frankle

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis is about the design, assembly, and testing of a prototype Patient Transfer Robot, or PATRO. The purpose of this device is to create and validate a mobile wheeled robot to motorize and automate the patient transfer process for use in home and hospital environments. This device aims to reduce the load and risk of injuries for caregivers during patient transfer process and to increase the autonomy and independence of the patient. While the idea of an automated patient transfer device is not a novel concept, PATRO aims to improve on existing designs by improving the safety, size factor, …

Smart Work Zone Connectivity For Traffic Safety Applications, Mariam Nour

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Work zones play a vital role in the maintenance and upgrading of roads and highways; however, they also pose substantial risks to both drivers and workers. Utilizing technology, such as Smart Work Zones (SWZs), Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs), and data dissemination algorithms, is crucial in improving safety in work zones by providing decision-makers with timely and accurate information. Ensuring safety in these environments is essential for reducing accidents and fatalities and enhancing drivers' sense of security, and protecting the well-being of workers operating in hazardous conditions. In this dissertation, we proposed a methodology based on three complementary approaches to enhance …

Advancing Responsible Ai: Disparity Mitigation Strategies For Human-Centered Ai Systems, Aida Tayebi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In recent years, the widespread adoption of machine learning (ML) has driven the expansion of automated decision-making across various real-world applications. While ML models improve efficiency and predictive accuracy in domains such as healthcare, finance, and criminal justice, biases inherited from training data can potentially lead to unintended disparities. Growing awareness of these biases has raised concerns within the human-centered AI and responsible AI communities, highlighting the importance of promoting fairness in AI systems. Aiming for equitable outcomes in automated decisions is not only a technical goal but also an ethical consideration, as models influenced by biases may inadvertently reinforce …

Framework For A Successful Startup Using Lean Startup Methodology Within Ecosystem, Mohamed Elsalamy

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Entrepreneurs want to change the world by converting their business visions to reality. Their dreams are to provide and invent a solution for the society they created to fill a specific market gap that has an opportunity to profit, scale, and grow fast. Startup businesses are booming very progressive due to the boom in technology. However, what is the definition of a startup? What is this business, and what are its business and revenue models? What are the parameters for success and failure? Different thoughts and concepts for a startup are being designated by business professionals and through the media. …

Modeling Frameworks To Understand And Predict Land Use Type And Land Value Patterns In Florida, Lauren Hoover

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Florida’s population has been rapidly growing, with a 14.6% growth in population from 2010 to 2020. This growth in population has led to an associated increase in demand for housing and commercial establishments, which have resulted in changes in land use patterns across the state. For this dissertation, we focus on methods to qualitatively and quantitatively examine how land use patterns are likely to evolve under the expected scenario of population growth in Florida while explicitly allowing for interactions between demographics, transportation and land use patterns. In our first objective we build a simulation framework to predict land use evolution …

Computational Methods For Population Genetic Inference Using Identity By Descent And Local Ancestry, Yuan Wei

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Identity by descent (IBD) and local ancestry are essential for population genetic inference, such as understanding genealogical relationships and demographic history through genomic data. With the availability of large and high-resolution datasets, new opportunities and computational challenges are brought for efficient and accurate methods to infer IBD segments and local ancestry. This dissertation presents three computational methods designed to assist in population genetic inference. First, RaPID-Query is introduced to efficiently query IBD segments for individual haplotypes over a large genotype dataset. This method is based on the positional Burrows-Wheeler transform (PBWT) algorithm and utilizes a random projection approach. RaPID-Query is …

Algorithms And Benchmarking For Parallel Identity-By-Descent Segment Detection, Kecong Tang

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

As genomic biobank initiatives continue to grow, the availability of large-scale genotype datasets, encompassing hundreds of thousands to millions of individuals, has transformed genetic research and biomedical discovery. However, the sheer volume of this data presents major computational barriers. Efficient and scalable methods are urgently needed to process and extract meaningful signals from biobank-scale data using modern multi-core architectures. One central task in this domain is the detection of identity-by-descent (IBD) segments, which underpins a range of applications including genealogical inference, disease mapping, phasing, and population structure analysis.

This dissertation addresses these challenges by presenting a sequence of contributions that …

Removal Of Long- And Short-Chain Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances From Surface Water Using Green Sorption Media–Nanofiltration Hybrid Processes, Md Touhidul Islam

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of persistent environmental contaminants that pose significant risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. This dissertation addresses the removal of both long- and short-chain PFAS from surface water through an integrated approach that combines green sorption media (GSM) with nanofiltration (NF). The research comprises laboratory-scale and field-scale studies designed to evaluate the effectiveness of novel recycled-material-based GSM formulations—namely, CPS and ZIPGEM—as pretreatment options to mitigate membrane fouling and enhance PFAS removal during NF. The study also investigates the adsorption mechanisms under varying water chemistry conditions, including pH, ammonia, and divalent cation concentrations. …

Pbwt-Based Methods For Biobank-Scale Haplotype Data Analysis, Pramesh Shakya

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Haplotype matching is the task of finding identical matching segments given a group of aligned genetic sequences. Haplotype matches play an important role as they represent biological phenomena. Long haplotype matching segments could indicate identity-by-descent segments showing some degree of genealogical relatedness between the individuals that the haplotypes belong to. Similarly, long segment matches that are adjacent to each other may indicate recombination events. Advanced genotyping technology has made it feasible for large numbers of individuals to be genotyped resulting in many biobanks across the world. This requires efficient algorithms that can analyze large amounts of genetic data.

In this …

A Predictive Model Of Adsorption Of Cryogenic Liquids In Aerogel-Based Materials, Julie E. Foroosh

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Commodities that are gaseous at standard temperature and pressure are generally stored in thick-walled pressure vessels, or as cryogenic liquids in vacuum-jacketed tanks. An advantage of cryogenic storage is that more mass can be stored per unit volume. However, cryogenic tanks are often bulky and cannot be made into conformal geometries. Adsorption storage in porous and flexible materials, such as aerogel blankets, is a promising method for storing these commodities. Previous studies have shown that when the commodity is adsorbed from the liquid cryogen, instead of from a gaseous state, the mass adsorbed per unit volume of aerogel blanket is …

A Multivariable Feedback Approach To Individual Pitch Control For Fatigue Load Reduction In Wind Turbines, Kazi Ishtiak Mohsin Mr.

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation investigates advanced control strategies to improve performance and reduce fatigue loads in both land-based and floating offshore wind turbines. The proposed approaches target fatigue load mitigation at critical component frequencies while ensuring rotor speed regulation and efficient power generation. The control strategies are implemented and validated using both our in-house modeling and simulation platform, CRAFTS (Control Oriented Reconfigurable Acausal Floating Turbine Simulator), and the industry-standard OpenFAST model.

For land-based turbines, torque actuation and collective blade pitch control are incorporated into a nonlinear controller for rotor speed regulation and power generation. To address fatigue load reduction, individual pitch control …

Attention-Based 3d-Convolutional Neural Network Model For Mechanical Property Predictions Using, Daniel E. Traczyk

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Additive manufacturing (AM), while commonly used for rapid prototyping and creating components with complex geometries, has not been widely adopted for critical applications across the aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, and medical industries. This is, in part, due to the challenges of controlling flaws and uncertainty in the mechanical behavior of additively manufactured components. In recent years, there has been an increase in research aimed at predicting the final mechanical properties of additively manufactured components during the printing process. To address these issues, a 3D-CNN model was trained using low-cost in situ visible-light camera data, anomaly classifications, and the chosen process …

Flywheel Technology: The Reliability Of Functional And Systemic Perturbations In A Crossover Design, Trevor J. Dufner

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The purpose of this dissertation series was to evaluate the reliability, validity, and applicability of the Desmotec D.EVO isoinertial flywheel device (D.EVO) for both isometric and dynamic squat assessments. Study one sought to establish the validity of the D.EVO for assessing squat maximal voluntary isometric contraction (FMVIC) versus a traditional squat maximal voluntary isometric contraction (TMVIC), determine the test-retest reliability of force and power outputs during FMVIC and flywheel squat protocols (FSPs), and explore relationships between these outputs and broad jump (BJ) and vertical jump (VJ) performance. We also identified the number of familiarization sessions needed for reliable data collection. …

Survivors Speak: Social Media's Influence On The Troubled Teen Industry, Jessica Hoffman

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study focused on a three-year span of Twitter/X public tweets and discussions shared on the topic, The Troubled Teen Industry (TTI). Using the social listening tool Sprinklr, 7,743 public tweets were gathered on the matter and dissected to understand the influence the online conversation had on real-world changes in the industry. Narrowing down the initial 7,743 tweets to 2,447 applicable messages, this research analyzed the conversation surrounding the Troubled Teen Industry from the point of view of industry survivors and the role Paris Hilton and other influencers had on bringing the conversation to the digital space. The tweets meeting …

Insights Into Iapodian Lifeways: Phytolith And Starch Grain Analysis Of Animal And Human Dental Calculus From Croatia, Angelinne Moreno

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The Piplica hillfort is located near the village of Lovinac within the Lika region of Croatia. The Bronze Age is a pivotal period in Europe that encompasses changes in landscapes, social structures, and famously includes vast production of metals. The Bronze Age in Lika is characterized by changes in social, political, and economic lifeways; denser populations; expanded trade networks; and advancements in agriculture, husbandry, and metal-working. However, little is known about the Iapodes people, who inhabited the Lika region during the Late Bronze Age, and how they interacted with their environment.

The Iapodes were only known from classical Greek written …

Manipulated Workplace Hazing And Attributions, Cole B. Treadaway

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Workplace hazing has scarcely been researched, and when it has, the results have not always aligned. This study seeks to remedy the discrepant findings by examining the importance of hazing severity, as prior operationalizations of hazing severity utilizing the most frequently used and validated measure of workplace hazing do not adequately measure severity, as well as by introducing attribution theory to offer a potential explanation as to why some people respond favorably and others unfavorably to being hazed. This study utilized an experimental 2x2 factorial design with an added control group to examine whether the severity of the hazing and …

Better Models For Mosquito Control: Impacts On Nontarget Insects And Joint Species Distributions Of Mosquitoes, Jacob D. Hart

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Since its inception, mosquito control has been vital for limiting the spread of vector-borne pathogens. Modern control efforts balance the protection of public health and the prevention of environmental harm. We addressed this from two directions: the study of mosquito adulticide effects on nontarget insects, and fine scale distribution modeling of mosquitoes to better target control efforts. We first investigated the effects of ultra-low volume (ULV) pyrethroid applications on nontarget insects in Central Florida and found no statistically clear evidence of reduction in abundance or diversity. We reported a slight and statistically unclear reduction of night-flying Lepidoptera, and effective reduction …

Examining The Impact Of The Menstrual Cycle On Neutrophil Function: Immune Response, Il-8 Sensitivity, And Exercise Perception In Resistance Trained Eumenorrheic Women, Jessica M. Moon

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The purpose of this dissertation series was to examine the effect of the menstrual cycle on neutrophil chemotaxis and adhesion profiles, as well as general immunological, functional, and perceptual measures of recovery following resistance exercise in trained women. Study one explored the impact of the early follicular (EFP), late follicular (LFP), and mid-luteal (MLP) phases on neutrophil recruitment and adhesion receptor expression, markers of muscle damage and inflammation, and functional recovery following resistance exercise. Results indicated that menstrual phase did not have a significant impact on immunological recovery or functional recovery. However, main effects of menstrual phase were revealed in …

Becoming Black In A Divided Diaspora: Identity, Human Security, And The Intra-Group Dynamics Of African Americans And African Immigrants, Pleasant O. Ogedengbe

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation examines the formation of a shared Black identity among Native Black/African Americans and African immigrants in the United States through an expanded intersectional framework that integrates Social Identity Theory (SIT), Intergroup Contact Theory, and Secondary Marginalization Theory, all under the broader lens of human security. Human security is broadly defined as the protection of individuals from critical threats to their dignity, survival, and livelihood. It is deeply implicated in the experiences of Black communities confronting systemic racism and social exclusion. This study conceptualizes shared identity as a socio-psychological construct and a protective mechanism that enhances group-level resilience and …

Enhancing Social Participation: The Role Of Communication Accommodations On Young Children With Ccn, Carli C. Brent

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

BACKGROUND: Children with complex communication needs (CCN) have difficulty using and/or understanding speech to communicate, thus facing barriers for successful social participation in family-leisure activities due to limited access to communication supports in these environments. Social participation includes an individual’s active involvement in activities that consist of a social element to produce opportunities for meaningful interactions with others. Children with CCN benefit from communication supports, like Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. AAC supports children with CCN to effectively communicate with themselves, others, and their environment. While communication supports have been recently implemented into private and public spaces, the …