Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Vicious Cycle Of Pediatric Asthma And Anxiety, Taylor Irwin

HIM 1990-2015

Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Children diagnosed with asthma are twice as likely to have a comorbid anxiety disorder as their non-asthmatic peers. The presence of both asthma and anxiety in the pediatric patient creates an environment of poor asthma control, and places them at risk for a variety of negative health events. Little is known about comorbid anxiety’s role in asthma health maintenance. Research has identified the link between these two conditions but causation is difficult to conclude. The aim of this thesis is to assess the current state of the science regarding pediatric asthma …

Toward A Model Of Team Decision Making Under Stress, Alyssa Marshall

HIM 1990-2015

Today's organizations are increasingly relying on teams, rather than individuals, to complete tasks in the workplace. For some teams, these tasks require them to make high stakes decisions under stressful conditions. In military, medical, and emergency response fields, for example, workers are regularly asked to make decisions under high time pressure, uncertainty, and risk. The purpose of this study is to summarize previous team decision-making perspectives and create a model for team decision-making under stress. A literature review was conducted to examine the current state of team decision-making research. Several existing models of the team decision-making process were identified, representing …

Factors That Influence Implementation Of Pain Management Strategies In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Geraldine Martinez

HIM 1990-2015

In the United States, 10% to 15% of newborns are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Painful procedures are unavoidable during NICU care; the neonate experiences approximately 12 painful procedures per day. Inconsistent and/or inappropriate pain management in the NICU remains a problem. The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalent factors that influence the implementation of pain management strategies among nurses who work in a NICU setting in a Central Florida hospital. This study was conducted using a voluntary and anonymous electronic survey. The survey was divided into two sections; the first section designed to …

Comparative Differences Between Traditional Chinese Medicine And Western Medicine In Treating Type Two Diabetes Mellitus, Neley Morales

HIM 1990-2015

In the United States alone, there were 25.8 million people suffering from diabetes in 2010. The prevalence of diabetes is expected to markedly increase worldwide over the next 30 years, an estimated 2.8% in 2000 and 4.4% in 2030. For individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), treatment is essential to control adverse effects such as hypertension and diabetic neuropathy. The focus of this study is to examine various approaches to maintain and improve the lifestyle of individuals suffering from T2DM. A comparative approach has been used to evaluate the differences in the treatment of T2DM with the use …

Social Work Student Perceptions Of Labor Trafficking, Margaret Mulhern

HIM 1990-2015

Human Trafficking in Florida is a growing issue that affects individuals and communities on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. Although legislative efforts and changes in agency policies have raised awareness about this problem, limited awareness and research examines awareness of labor trafficking as one form of human trafficking. This exploratory-descriptive study used a convenience sampling technique to explore the perceptions of 45 Bachelors (BSW) and Masters (MSW) level social work students on the prevalence and nature of labor trafficking. The findings from the research show students have a general idea of labor trafficking and believe in equal access to …

Use Of Complementary And Alternative Therapies: A Pilot Survey, Hector Ortiz-Cintron

HIM 1990-2015

Meeting patient expectations in relation to pain management is an essential component of palliative and end-of-life care. However, previous research has demonstrated that pain is highly prevalent, especially during the four months prior to death. Poorly controlled pain contributes to cognitive failure, depression and an inability to complete daily activities. Unfortunately, pain and symptom management are often inadequate for patients placed in hospice care. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perspectives of hospice nurses on complementary and alternative therapies to determine if there is an educational need in order to aide in the management of chronic pain …

The Oppression And Sexism Of African-American Women: Then And Now: Substantial Contributions To The History Of Musical Theatre, Kelli Owens

HIM 1990-2015

A wise Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Freedom is never given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed (King 1)." For as long as men and women have shared the planet, sexism has been a universal issue in civilization. In a social justice context, American society has found ways to oppress people for centuries. The Oxford Dictionary defines sexism as a "prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex ("sexism")." Voting rights in America were established in 1790, but it took years of petitioning at various women's rights conventions before the Nineteenth …

Positive Individualism, Rebecca Perdomo

HIM 1990-2015

I will present and defend the notion of what I call Positive Individualism. Its purpose is to set forth a standard by which people are to treat others and themselves. I consider a common conception of individualism, its flaws, and a process of refining it. I formulate Positive Individualism, an idea in which every individual is valuable and therefore ought to be treated with respect and dignity by others. If this conception and the standards set forth were to be applied, communities would be able to function successfully and without compromising the individual since, as I argue, the individual is …

Addressing Need For Research-Focused Nurses By Increasing Interest And Socialization At The Undergraduate Level, Sarah Thomas

HIM 1990-2015

The U.S. shortage of qualified nursing teachers and researchers is affecting national health care outcomes. Methods such as fast-tracking Baccalaureate nurses into graduate programs and embedding leadership development early into nursing curricula have been proposed to address faculty and research shortages. Early interest in nursing research careers increases likelihood of enrollment in graduate education. One way undergraduate nursing students may develop an interest in research careers is through a mentored apprenticeship with research-active faculty. In this thesis, the author uses an autoethnography methodology to examine the benefits that a mentored research apprenticeship model brought to her undergraduate experience. Her experience …

Scalable Nano Particle Production Of Low Bioavailability Pharmaceuticals For Augmented Aqueous Solubility, Aaron Madden

HIM 1990-2015

The billion dollar pharmaceutical research and development pipeline suffers greatly from high attrition rates of novel therapeutic compounds within pre-clinical and clinical trials. Poor bioavailability in many new drugs, originating in the various methodologies of high throughput screening, may explain part of these growing failure rates. One interpretation of this phenomenon relies on bioavailability's correlation with aqueous solubility; much modern processing allows chemicals to fully develop without touching water, yielding upwards of 90% of new chemical entities practically insoluble in aqueous media. Thus, one approach to alleviating bioavailability and potentially clinical attrition rates necessitates augmented aqueous solubility. The amorphous nanoparticle …

Native American And Alaskan Native Youth Suicide, Emily Yurasek

HIM 1990-2015

Indigenous populations in the U.S. have been suffering from a youth suicide epidemic for decades. The epidemic and risk factors associated with it can be connected to the mistreatment of Native Americans throughout history which has caused their communities to suffer from numerous inequalities such as poverty, inadequate housing, loss of land, and destruction of culture. Using the concepts of biopolitics, post-colonialism, and structural violence, I argue that the social and political institutions forced upon Native American communities have led to increased alcohol and drug abuse, poverty, and disempowerment, all important factors that aid in the youth suicide epidemic. I …

The Thermodynamics Of Planetary Engineering On The Planet Mars, Christopher Barsoum

HIM 1990-2015

Mars is a potentially habitable planet given the appropriate planetary engineering efforts. In order to create a habitable environment, the planet must be terraformed, creating quasi-Earth conditions. Benchmarks for minimum acceptable survivable human conditions were set by observing atmospheric pressures and temperatures here on Earth that humans are known to exist in. By observing a positive feedback reaction, it is shown how the sublimation of the volatile southern polar ice cap on Mars can increase global temperatures and pressures to the benchmarks set for minimum acceptable survivable human conditions. Given the degree of uncertainty, utilization of pressure scale heights and …

Bite Me: Sadomasochistic Gender Relations In Contemporary Vampire Literature, Shelby Nathanson

HIM 1990-2015

While the term sadomasochism might conjure cursory images of whips, chains, and leather-clad fetishists, this thesis delves deeper into sadomasochistic theory to analyze dynamics of power and powerlessness represented by a chosen sample of literary relationships. Using two contemporary works of vampire literature—Anne Rice's novel Interview with the Vampire and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series—I examine how power is structured by and between male and female characters (and vampires and humans), and particularly emphasize the patriarchal messages these works' regressive sexual politics engender. Psychoanalysis and feminist theory are employed to support my overarching argument following the gendered dynamics of male sadism …

University Of Central Florida Undergraduate Catalog, 2014 - 2015, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

University Of Central Florida Graduate Catalog, 2014 - 2015, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Positive Outcomes Of Divorce: A Multi-Method Study On The Effects Of Parental Divorce On Children, Grant Mohi

HIM 1990-2015

A great deal of the existing literature on parental divorce focuses on the negative influences it has on children and young adults in regards to such areas as their relationships (romantic and familial) and their academic standing. The implications of such research are that parental divorce will always bring harm to families and, consequentially, should be avoided for the sake of the children's wellbeing. What is often missing from this research is a focus on the potential positive outcomes of parental divorce. The intent of this thesis is to explore the effects of parental divorce on young adults' ability to …

Choosing Mates Who Look Like Ourselves, Alyse Gruber

HIM 1990-2015

Some research suggests that the reason men and women choose mates who are physically similar to them, is because though they may be genetically similar (given the physical characteristics), the fact that there is no kinship allows for genetic stability. Some researchers believe this is a product of evolutionary forces, therefore allowing possible mates to find those whom they would see as compatible and fertile. Researchers have found that as children we imprint our parent’s facial features, which helps develop the normal facial recognition later. With this knowledge it is suggested that we subconsciously use our parent’s facial imprint as …

Just Eat It: An Examination Of The Sociological Factors That Influence The Eating Habits Of College Students, Alexandra Minnick

HIM 1990-2015

Young adults 18-25 years of age in the United States are experiencing a new world as they transition to young adulthood in college. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the eating behaviors of the young college population. The present study will examine the kinds of foods college students eat and how they make decisions regarding food consumption. The methodology of the present study consists of a quantitative survey, which includes questions about gender, living arrangements, convenience, and student eating habits. The sample size is comprised of 228 students at the University of Central Florida. A regression model is …

Sandspur, Vol 120, No 24, April 24, 2014, Rollins College

The Rollins Sandspur

Rollins College student newspaper, written by the students and published at Rollins College. The Sandspur started as a literary journal.

Semi-Annual Program Progress Performance Report For University Transportation Systems, Florida Solar Energy Center, David L. Block

FSEC Energy Research Center®

The Electric Vehicle Transportation Center's (EVTC) vision is to transform the country's transportation network into a fully integrated "smart" electric vehicle deployment system coupled with a "smart" electric grid achieved with maximum efficiency and minimum time and disruption.

To accomplish the EVTC vision, the Center's goals are to serve as the focal point for the U.S. Department of Transportation's strategic goal of planning for near-term integration of alternative fuel vehicles as a means to build a sustainable transportation system. The project will evaluate technologies, standards and policies to ensure seamless integration of EVs into a complex electricity grid and transportation …

Mcpip As Wound Therapy, Pappachan Kolattukudy, Jianli Niu

UCF Patents

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions of treating a subject suffering from a wound. In exemplary examples, the method involves elevating MCPIP levels in a subject in need. Elevating MCPIP levels may involve direct administration (e.g. delivery of protein) or indirect administration (e.g. delivery vehicle capable of increasing expression of MCPIP).

Inhibition Of Neovascularization By Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles, Sudipta Seal, James Mcginnis, Lily Wong, Xiaohong Zhou

UCF Patents

The present invention provides methods for reducing, reversing or inhibiting neovascularization of a tissue of a mammalian subject having a pathological condition involving neovascularization by administration in vivo of nanoceria particles (cerium oxide nanoparticles) to the subject. The method of the invention is useful, for example, for reducing, treating, reversing, or inhibiting neovascularization in ocular tissue such as the retina, macula, or the cornea; in skin; in synovial tissue; in intestinal tissue; or in bone. In addition, the method of the invention is useful for reducing or inhibiting neovascularization in a neoplasm (tumors), which can be benign or malignant, where …

Sandspur, Vol 120, No 23, April 17, 2014, Rollins College

The Rollins Sandspur

Rollins College student newspaper, written by the students and published at Rollins College. The Sandspur started as a literary journal.

The Learning Marketspace, April 2014, Bob Heterick, Carol Twigg

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

No abstract provided.

The Accelerator, Volume 7 Issue 13, Spring 2014, Christa Santos

The Accelerator

No abstract provided.

Drug Composition Cytotoxic For Pancreatic Cancer Cells (Us), James Turkson

UCF Patents

Disclosed herein are compositions comprising a drug combination that comprises ZD and S3I-201, Das and S3I-201, ZD and AG490, or Das and AG490. The disclosed drug combinations target two or more functional elements such as EGFR or Src and Stat3 or Jaks in pancreatic cancer cells. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the disclosed compositions to cytotoxically affect pancreatic cancer cells and methods of making the disclosed compositions.

Sandspur, Vol 120, No 20, March 27, 2014, Rollins College

The Rollins Sandspur

Rollins College student newspaper, written by the students and published at Rollins College. The Sandspur started as a literary journal.

Implementation Of On-Off Passive Wireless Surface Acoustic Wave Sensor Using Coding And Switching Techniques, Donald Malocha, Donald Malocha, Nikolai Kozlovski

UCF Patents

Methods and systems for passive wireless surface acoustic wave devices for orthgonal frequency coded devices to implement ON-OFF sensors reusing orthogonal frequency code and distinguishing between ON and OFF states using additional PN sequence and on/off switches producing multi-level coding as well as external stimuli for switching and identification of a closure system. An embodiment adds a level of diversity by adding a dibit to each surface acoustic wave devices, thus providing four different possible coding states. The PN on-off coding can be with the dibit for coding in a multi-tag system.

Rigorous Infidelity: Whole Text Sampling In The Curatorial Work Of Henri Langlois, Dewey Phillips, And Jean-François Lyotard, Barry J. Mauer

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

John Rajchman asks, “In what ways have exhibitions, more than simple displays and confi gurations of objects, helped change ideas about art, intersecting at particular junctions with technical innovations, discursive shift s and larger kinds of philosophical investigations, thus forming part of these larger histories?” This essay attempts to answer his question by discussing curating as whole text sampling.

Sandspur, Vol 120, No 15, February 06, 2014, Rollins College

The Rollins Sandspur

Rollins College student newspaper, written by the students and published at Rollins College. The Sandspur started as a literary journal.