Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Religion Plays In Attitudes Toward Euthanasia, Rezawana Chowdhury

HIM 1990-2015

This research investigated the role religion plays in how individuals view euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. One hundred participants from each of the three major monotheistic world religions were given a seven-question survey. The seven questions consisted of statements regarding the knowledge of their own religion, how the participants feel about terminally ill patients and those who have lost vital functions, and also whether or not they believe euthanasia is morally just. It was predicted that the participants who belong to Judaism and Islam viewed euthanasia as morally just and participants who belong to the Christianity viewed euthanasia as morally incorrect.

Has The Pendulum Swung Too Far? A Legal Evaluation Of Florida's Child Abuse And Neglect Registry, Julianna Debler

HIM 1990-2015

Over the past several years, increasing public emphasis on preventing child maltreatment has resulted in substantial changes to Florida's child abuse and neglect central registry. Many of these recent changes, aimed at preventing child maltreatment, have resulted in over one million false, unsubstantiated, and inconclusive reports of child abuse and neglect within the last decade. While the information held in reports may be useful for identifying and preventing potential child abuse or neglect, due process concerns have been raised with regards to the process of placing a person's name in a report without providing a hearing for challenging or removing …

Adolescent Mothers In An Intervention Study A Qualitative Analysis Of Variables Relating To Their Teaching Interactions With Their Infants, Janisse Guzman

HIM 1990-2015

The intent of this thesis was to study, in depth, the experiences of four adolescent mothers who underwent a home intervention program. I studied two mothers who did well with teaching their 12-month old children during play, and two mothers who did not do as well. All four mothers received weekly intervention from the time of their child's birth through 12-months of age. I studied the following variables: 1) how much time the home visitors spent on selected child development and parenting topics; 2) the mother's perceived social support; 3) how many community resources the mother used; and 4) if …

Psychosocial Status And Health Outcomes In Older Adults Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Amanada Fernandez

HIM 1990-2015

Purpose: To recognize and raise awareness about the psychosocial status and health outcomes in older adults living with HIV. Method: A literature search was conducted from the disciplines of nursing and medicine using the CINAHL, PubMed, and Medline databases. Inclusion criteria: articles exploring older adults who are HIV positive and factors related to depression, suicide and available healthcare resources. Exclusion criteria: articles including individuals under the age of 50 infected with HIV/AIDS and articles focused entirely on physiologic principles of HIV/AIDS. Results: In older adults living with HIV/AIDS, the literature review disclosed a comprehensive gap between identifying this age group …

Victims Of More Than Just Bias Gender's Influence On Jury Awards And Other Monetary Benefits In Workplace Sexual Harassment Claims, Anthony Ferraro

HIM 1990-2015

The main objective in this research was to examine the extent to which gender and gender biases influence monetary benefits received, including jury award amounts, in workplace sexual harassment claims. Two methods were utilized to explore the discrepancies in monetary benefits received based on gender differences. The first method used was a survey to test various gender attitudes, attitudes on sexual harassment, and how influential a victim's gender was on determinations of damage award amounts in sexual harassment cases. 6 two-way factorial univariate between-subject analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to analyze the survey data. The second method in this …

Constitutionality Of Drug Possession As A Strict Liability Crime An Analysis Of Florida's Drug Statute, Davis Watson

HIM 1990-2015

The United States has a drug issue that is perpetually problematic. Efforts are being made on every level of government to reduce drug use and deter current and potential future users. Some of these efforts however are putting citizen's rights at risk in a manner that threatens the United States Constitution that hails over both the state and federal governments. My thesis will examine Florida's avant-garde approach to simplifying drug convictions through unprecedented legislation that has already been ruled unconstitutional on its face by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The decade long struggle will …

Experiences With Social Services Among Homeless Lgbtq Young Adults, Fallon Kadel

HIM 1990-2015

My findings imply that homeless LGBTQ young adults are very limited in where they can go to find LGBTQ-accepting services. Even though all the shelters that were interviewed claimed they did not discriminate against LGBTQ persons, they do not provide and are not affiliated with services or programs that are considered to be LGBTQ- accepting. Based on the research, shelters would rather have clients conform to their pre-existing structure rather than the shelters conforming to the specific needs of the clients.; The goal of this research is to explore what programs and services are being provided at various homeless shelters …

The Future Of Health Care? Lessons Of A Simple Model, Roberto Hugh Potter

UCF Forum

Transforming health care is as much about social change and resistance as it is about individual health and party politics.

Silica-Based Antibacterial And Antifungal Nanoformulation, Swadeshmukul Santra

UCF Patents

A silica-based nanoformulation and method is used to treat citrus canker, inhibit the growth of mold and mildew, and add nutrients to soil used for agricultural purposes. The nanotechnology-enabled copper-loaded, silica nanoformulation (CuSiNP/NG) design is a "revolutionary re-invention" of Cu for safe application because it provides a formulation with maximum abundance ionic Cu, provides sustained and optimal Cu ion release for long-term disease protection, better adherence to plant surfaces and structural surfaces due to gel-based nanostructureof CuSiNG, thus avoiding multiple spray applications and reducing the amount of Cu used in comparison to existing Cu compounds without compromising anitbaterial activity. Thus, …

In Vitro Model Of Latent Mycobacterial Infection (Div Ii), Pappachan Kolattukudy, Jaiyanth Daniel, Chirajyoti Deb, Tatiana Sirakova

UCF Patents

A new in vitro culture model for latency of tuberculosis pathogen suitable for screening chemical libraries was developed by subjecting the pathogen to multiple stresses that the pathogen is thought to encounter in the host. When subjected to these stress factors, the pathogen develops key features characteristic of latency, drug resistance and lipid storage. Using the culture, a method to screen chemicals was developed. This method is suitable for high through put screening.

Side-By-Side Testing Of Water Heating Systems: Results From The 2010-2011 Evaluation, Florida Solar Energy Center, Carlos Colon

FSEC Energy Research Center®

REVISED MARCH 2013 The Building America (BAPIRC) team at FSEC has released a report containing results from a second testing rotation (Phase II) on seven hot water systems evaluated side-by side. Results show the seasonal performance variation and compares solar systems against electric resistance and the Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH). Standard and tankless natural gas were also evaluated, where the latter demonstrated a 24% natural gas reduction. The lowest averaged electric power consumptions were demonstrated by the HPWH (2.75 kWh/day) and the PV-pumped solar water heater (3.03 kWh/day). Other testing performed on the HPWH under conditioned and restricted air …

The Accelerator, Volume 5 Issue 10, Summer 2012, Christa Santos

The Accelerator

No abstract provided.

Ucf Cocoa & Palm Bay Newsletter Summer 2012, Megan M. Haught

UCF Cocoa & Palm Bay Newsletter

This is the Summer 2012 edition of the UCF Cocoa & Palm Bay Newsletter which celebrates the accomplishments and community activity of the faculty, staff, and students from the University of Central Florida Cocoa and Palm Bay campuses.

• A new staff and two new faculty members joined the Cocoa campus
• Two Educations students attended the NASA Pre-Service Teacher Institute
• 31 Cocoa Nursing seniors graduated in August four of which had Honors in the Major recognition
• The BCC/UCF Joint Use Library in Palm Bay was chosen as the cover image for Choice Magazine

The Learning Marketspace, July 2012, Bob Heterick, Carol Twigg

The Learning MarketSpace (4/03 - 4/14)

No abstract provided.

The Innovator, Volume 1 Issue 1, Summer 2012, Christa Santos

The Innovator

No abstract provided.

Methods For Increasing Potency Of Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Kiminobu Sugaya, Angel Alvarez

UCF Patents

Disclosed herein are methods and materials for producing a more developmentally potent cell from a less developmentally potent cell. Specifically exemplified herein are methods that comprise introducing an expressible dedifferentiating polynucleotide sequence into a less developmentally potent cell, wherein the transfected less developmentally potent cell becomes a more developmentally potent cell capable of differentiating to a less developmentally potent cell of its lineage of origin or a different lineage.

Mammalian Multipotent Stem Cells And Compositions, Methods Of Preparation And Methods Of Administration Thereof, Kiminobu Sugaya, Christopher Brannen, Xiajing Dong, Hojoong Kim, Jose Pulido, Tingyu Qu, Ankur Vaghani

UCF Patents

This invention provides methods for preparing novel mammalian multipotent stem cells (MSCs), compositions thereof, and methods of preparing and administering the cells.

Illuminations, Summer Issue, June 2012, Ucf Libraries

Libraries' Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Optical Instruments Having Dynamic Focus, Jannick Rolland, Supraja Murali, Kevin Thompson

UCF Patents

An optical system suitable for use in an optical instrument such as a handheld optical probe, the optical system including a scanning element and an objective, the objective including a variable focus lens that can be electronically controlled to change the focal length of the optical system. In some embodiments, the optical system can axially and laterally scan a subject material by sequentially focusing at an axial depth using the variable focus lens and laterally scanning the material at that depth using the scanning element.

Dynamically Focused Optical Instrument, Jannick Rolland, Supraja Murali

UCF Patents

An optical system includes a dynamically focused lens that variably changes focal length to focus light on a material under evaluation at discrete axial depths, and a scanning element that laterally scans the material to focus light on the material at points that are laterally adjacent the axial depth.

The Judicial System In Venezuela & The Lack Of Checks And Balances, Jessica Gicherman

HIM 1990-2015

Although the wave of democratization already took place in Latin America, Venezuela has experienced a reversal in the past decade. In earlier years, the higher courts (although independent) had no impact on society; the justice members only assumed a symbolic role with no real importance, but with time, this characteristic started to interchange and the Judicial branch began to get involved in issues regarding its civil society. Consequently, the elected President Hugo Chavez decided to neutralize the power of all branches of government, including the judiciary, by enacting a set of rules not commonly seen in a democratic country, which …

An Examination Of Academic Dishonesty In Secondary Online English Education, Marissa Middleton

HIM 1990-2015

Online schooling is the newest form of education and it is quickly gaining popularity. However, this educational format also comes with one of the challenges that has always been present in schools, which is academic dishonesty. In the English Language Arts content area, academic dishonesty is most often manifested as plagiarism, however, cheating on online quizzes or exams still exists. Although this issue has always been present in English classes, it is becoming more of a concern because of the vast number of technological resources available to students including websites with pre-written papers and the various methods students can now …

Predicting Mergers And Acquisitions, John D'Angelo

HIM 1990-2015

Being able to predict a merger or acquisition before it takes place could lead to an investor earning a premium, if they owned shares of the targeted firm before the merger or acquisition attempt is announced. On average acquiring firms pay a premium when acquiring or merging with a targeted firm. This study uses publicly available financial information for 7,267 attempted takeover targets and 52,343 non-targeted firms for the period January 3, 2000 through December 31, 2007 to estimate (using logit) predictive models. Financial ratios are constructed based on six hypotheses found in the literature. Although statistical evidence supports a …

An Evaluation Of Hiv/Aids Incidence Reduction And Awareness-Raising Interventions Inspired By The Sonagachi Project And The 100% Condom Use Program, Nicole Fernandez

HIM 1990-2015

In the past thirty years, HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) transformed from a mysteriously lethal disease affecting limited portions of the population to a true global pandemic. Although HIV/AIDS is responsible for the deaths of approximately 30 million people worldwide, prevalence rates are now increasing significantly due to increasing survival rates. However, overall increasing incidence rates now serve as a primary concern for researchers. Avert (2011) suggests that there is a lack of behavioral interventions and prevention programs aimed at decreasing the number of newly affected individuals. This is problematic as it may create not only physical and …

Cuba's Deepwater Drilling Operations United States Relations, Legalities, And Future, Olivia Walker

HIM 1990-2015

After the calamitous and environmentally devastating occurrence of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, the sobering realities of the United States' failure to successfully protect its ocean waters have caused several modifications in policy, legislation, and overall direction ofthe entire nation. Although there has been a general shift towards ecological safety and away from the pursuit to drill, oil-drilling explorations have continued to take place in internationally. This research will focus on the future operations of Repsol YPF, S.A., a Spanish oil company stationed in Cuba, whose drilling ambitions have caused a myriad of …

Determination Of Selectivity And Potential For Drug Resistance Of Novel Antimalarial Compounds From Nature-Inspired Synthetic Libraries, Eric Keasler

HIM 1990-2015

As malaria, caused by Plasmodium spp., continues to afflict millions of people worldwide, there is a dire need for the discovery of novel, inexpensive antimalarial drugs. Although there are effective drugs on the market, the consistent development of drug resistant species has decreased their efficacy, further emphasizing that novel therapeutic measures are urgently needed. Natural products provide the most diverse reservoir for the discovery of unique chemical scaffolds with the potential to effectively combat malarial infections, but, due to their complex structures, they often pose extreme challenges to medicinal chemists during pharmacokinetic optimization. In our laboratory we have performed unbiased, …

The Rise Of Asia's Democratic Space Powers How Japan And India Became The Next Space Powers In The Twenty-First Century, Shane Kunze

HIM 1990-2015

Since the end of World War II the world has seen several nations expand into the space age. Also after the Second World War, the Cold War began and many nations found themselves allying themselves with either the hegemony of the West or the Communists. Space was no exception in this dilemma, as weaker nations began to develop their own indigenous space programs and had technological diffusion from one of the hegemonies. Japan and India are two democracies that both sought support for their indigenous space programs from the west, particularly from the U.S. These two nations emerged from poverty …

A Comparative Analysis Of College Student Spring Break Destinations An Empirical Study Of Tourism Destination Attributes, Tricia Tang

HIM 1990-2015

The tourism industry has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the world's economy, contributing 9.1% of world GDP and more than 260 million jobs worldwide (World Travel & Tourism Council, 2011). The U.S college student market has emerged as major segment within this sector, generating approximately $15 billion on annual domestic and international travel. Among the various travel patterns of college students, they are most highly motivated for spring break travel, with more than two million students traveling per season (Bai et al., 2004; Borgerding, 2001; Reynolds, 2004). This research, through surveying college students majoring in hospitality and …

Ethanol Lock Therapy In The Treatment And Prevention Of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections, Breanna Anderson

HIM 1990-2015

Ethanol lock therapy is a novel technique that is being studied for its efficacy in eradicating catheter related bloodstream infections. A systematic review of interdisciplinary studies from CINAHL, Medline, Academic Search Premier, Biological Abstracts, and Web of Knowledge databases was performed. This meta-analysis examined the findings of thirty-five studies on ethanol lock therapy. Twenty-six of these studies compared ethanol to a placebo and nine studies performed a direct comparison of ethanol to other agents frequently used in antimicrobial lock technique. Ethanol lock therapy was shown to be effective as both a prophylactic therapy and as an active treatment in eradicating …

Real Estate Law The American Dream Transfigured Into The American Mortgage Crisis, Maricruz Aguiar

HIM 1990-2015

Real Estate law is the body of rules and regulations with legal codes that concern ownership, development and transactions. Real Estate has grown to be one of the main contributors to the nation's financial system. For decades, the housing market has been such an integral part of the economy. Unfortunately, in the beginning of the twenty-first century lax regulatory oversight led the nation to an economic collapse. Indeed, federal, state and local governments have become heavily involved in solving the downward spiral in the economy. This research focuses on the mortgage crisis in order to show how Real Estate law …