Digital Commons Network^™

A Holistic Approach To Animal Farming: Integrating Bioregionalism And Socialist Ecofeminism Within The Context Of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, Sarah R. Spears

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This paper addresses the harmful effects of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) within animal farming systems, including poor animal welfare, environmental damage, and environmental injustice. I argue that bioregionalism and socialist ecofeminism can help inform a holistic approach to mitigating these harms and evoke ethical and sustainable animal farming systems. Bioregionalism emphasizes local resource use, community engagement, and ecological knowledge within a specific region, while socialist ecofeminism critiques oppressive systems and seeks to uplift the viewpoints of all beings, including animals, nature, and humans of various identities. Through a scaffolded hypothetical case study informed by the CAFOs-practicing hog farms in …

Into The Activism: An Exploration Of Gen Z'S Political Participation, Nia J. Davis

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Gen Z is a considerably politically active generation. However, Gen Z differs from previous generations in their methodology, campaigning for change through both in person and digital activism. While both forms of activism are effective in their own way, digital poses a unique challenge. When people can be activists from the comfort of their phone, they become “slacktivists”. People whose activism does not contribute to any significant action outside of the internet (Serup Christensen).

Through interviews and focus groups, my documentary explores how Gen Z participates in activism, and what that means for the future of activism. After these discussions, …

An Investigation Of Students' Modes Of Thinking Concerning Linearity In Linear Algebra, Noa Levy

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to investigate student approaches to linearity within a linear algebra context, focusing on definitional, computational, and theoretical skills. Linear algebra’s abstract nature constitutes a major challenge for a significant sector of STEM students, with the course often serving as undergraduates’ first encounter with mathematical proofs and extrapolations. The current student struggle is reflected through the prominent gap in knowledge derived from a lack of a concrete understanding of rudimentary concepts (like linearity), pivotal to student success. As such, this investigation aimed to bridge this gap by considering students’ modes of thinking regarding the elementary …

Assessment Of Quality Of Life Among Patients Undergoing Semaglutide Treatment For Weight Loss, Muhammad Sameed

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Purpose: The study aims to assess the Quality of Life (QoL) among patients undergoing semaglutide treatment for weight loss. The primary hypothesis is that patients’ QoL will improve after semaglutide treatment. This can be due to losing weight, having better physical and mental health, or due to the perceived betterment in life after treatment.

Introduction: Obesity is becoming more prevalent in America, and it has a huge effect on the person's medical conditions, life expectancy, and QoL. Though there has been a surge of treatments to deter the obesity rates in America from rising. One of the more popular and …

Searching For Black Holes In The Galactic Center, Caden Zaccardi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Due to the high extinction along the plane of the Milky Way towards the Galactic Center (GC), it is useful to look at objects that are bright in the near-infrared (near-IR) to obtain data with Earth-based instruments. To identify X-ray Binary (XRB) counterparts towards the GC, we used near-IR spectra from the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). After reducing the LUCI/LBT spectra with the superFATBOY (sFB) pipeline, we compared our near-IR spectra to previously matched IR and X-ray sources in the GC (DeWitt, 2011). Particularly, we looked for H and He emission lines, which indicate signs of a hard radiation field …

The Forced Removal Of Iraqi Jews: Ethnic Cleansing And Its Impact On Global Perceptions Of Zionism And The State Of Israel, Gal Shem-Tov

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The mid-20th century, particularly the 1940s and 1950s, was marked by significant Jewish migration and ethnic cleansing worldwide following the Holocaust and widespread antisemitism. A common misconception is that the Holocaust's effects were confined to Europe; however, substantial evidence shows that similar policies and migrations occurred in the Middle East and North Africa, where antisemitism was also a prominent issue often overlooked in historical narratives. Furthermore, the perception that Zionism—a movement for the re-establishment, development, and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary—originated solely within European or "White" Jewish communities is …

Effect Of External Electromagnetic Stimulation On Microtubule Polymerization, Florian Alushi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Intracellular processes are influenced by mass transport at different spatial and temporal scales, facilitated by diffusion and stochastic encounters between cellular components. While traditionally explained by short-range "lock and key" interactions, some processes involve rapidly fluctuating charges generating electromagnetic (EM) fields, allowing long-range biomolecular interactions. This challenges the conventional view that efficient biochemical reactions depend solely on random encounters and short-range interactions, suggesting EM fields play a crucial role in cellular dynamics. Microtubules (MTs) are essential components of the cell cytoskeleton, responsible for intracellular transport, cell migration, cell division, etc. Beyond their mechanical role, MTs have unique electromagnetic properties due …

Opportunities And Insecurities: Discursive Power And The Neoliberal Transformation Of Work In The Great Resignation, Caroline Austin

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study explores the Great Resignation—a mass wave of voluntary job departures during and after the COVID-19 pandemic— through a Foucauldian lens, exploring the intersections of neoliberal labor practices, worker subjectivities, and discursive power. Using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA) 25 interviews with individuals who resigned during this period were analyzed to explore how workers engage with neoliberal discourses in making sense of their work-related attitudes, experiences, and decisions as well as the broader discursive constructions used to interpret the Great Resignation as a societal phenomenon. Participants’ narratives reveal varying degrees of alignment, negotiation, and resistance to neoliberal subjectivity, shaped by …

Defining The Roles Of Blari Orthologs In Mycobacterium Abscessus, Lauren E. Bonefont

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The increasing incidence of Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) infections is a global concern as the treatment failure rate is more than 50%. Mab is an opportunistic pathogen, thriving in harsh conditions in the environment and in hosts. To respond to these conditions, Mab employs many signal transduction mechanisms. This work characterizes two non-redundant systems using a novel mechanism in Mab: BlaRI-type protease-mediated two-component systems. In the Staphylococcus aureus prototype, BlaR binds β-lactams with a C-terminal extracellular sensing domain, activating BlaR through acylation and autoproteolysis. Activated BlaR then cleaves DNA-bound dimerized BlaI, disrupting repression by BlaI and enabling transcription …

The Experience Of Blind Mothers In Parenting Children With Disabilities ``, Abeer S. Ali

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Blind or visually impaired mothers (BVIMs) raising children with disabilities experience an exceptional set of challenges that have been largely overlooked in disability and parenting research and teacher education. With this study the researcher examined how BVIMs support their children with disabilities in key areas such as behavior management, educational advocacy, caregiving, and accessing resources. Additionally, the researcher sought to understand how these mothers navigate their experiences as they challenge with societal perceptions, institutional barriers, and the daily caregiving demands. The researcher employed a qualitative case study methodology, using in-depth individual interviews and a focus group with six BVIM participants. …

Strengthening The Cyber-Physical Resilience Of Active Distribution Systems, Xue Gao

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Inverter-based Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) have experienced a significant rise in popularity due to their distinct advantages, such as improved power quality, advanced functionalities, and rapid response capabilities. These attributes make them particularly well-suited for modern power systems, where the growing demand for efficiency, flexibility, and reliability is crucial. As a result, the integration of inverter-based DERs into distribution networks has been steadily increasing, as they play a critical role in enhancing system performance and meeting the evolving requirements of contemporary power infrastructures.

However, the integration of inverter-based DERs presents several challenges that must be addressed for effective implementation. One …

Exploring Barriers And Pathways To Public Engagement On Climate Change, Monica Mayer

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Despite evidence of its severity and urgency, climate change elicits relatively high skepticism and low concern within the U.S. This study explores psychological barriers preventing people from prioritizing the issue as well as potential strategies to overcome those barriers. Interviews with individuals living in Florida identifying as cautious, disengaged, or doubtful about climate change were conducted between September and October 2023. Participants expressed skepticism over humanity’s impact on the climate. They further conveyed that other nations have a larger impact on climate change than the U.S, that the issue’s criticality is exaggerated, and that observable weather shifts are not the …

Henry Viii & Rulership: A Contemporary Perspective Of His Reign, 1509-1537, Jeremy M. Rodriguez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Henry VIII is one of the most infamous monarchs in English history, known by both medievalist and modernists. Historians have spent decades toiling over if Henry was a “good” monarch, attempting to either argue his strength or his weakness as a monarch. Instead of focusing on what he may or may not be in terms of his morality and effectiveness, this thesis looks at Henry’s reign by considering the political landscape he was born into. It considers the political culture in late medieval and early modern England to assess his rulership in the context of contemporary political thought. Using works …

Comparison Of Bearing Capacity Estimates To The Barcelona Basic Model Implemented Through Finite Element Modeling In Plaxis2d, Carlee M. Shaw

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The design of foundations is greatly influenced by its bearing capacity and settlement behavior, especially for that of shallow foundations which lie within the unsaturated zone of soil. Similarly, bearing capacity of beach sands can be utilized to determine beach trafficability, as vehicular loads may be assumed within the unsaturated zone. Therefore, similar scenarios should be analyzed as partially saturated conditions, unlike conventional bearing capacity estimations. To analyze such conditions, the concept of soil suction has more recently been of consideration. In this paper, the load-settlement behavior of a sand in partially saturated conditions is explored through finite element modelling …

Ceramic Matrix Composites For Hydrogen Combustion, Christopher Varela

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

As we strive towards a clean energy economy with net-zero carbon emissions, a goal the country plans to reach by 2050, advancements in material technology must be made to allow for clean fuels like hydrogen to be employed in power generation processes. The significantly higher energy content and lack of greenhouse gas emissions characteristic of hydrogen fuel make it an attractive alternative to traditional fossil fuels. However, the increased flame temperature and chemical corrosivity introduced by the water vapor generation of hydrogen combustion pose a risk to the materials used in current gas turbine engines. Furthermore, the small molecule size …

Blackened Faces: Unearthing The Political Shift Behind Illinois' Response To Racialized Labor Violence During The Virden Affair And Coal Wars Of 1898-1899, Jonathan C. Yegge

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis investigates the relationship between politics, law, race, mobility, and violence in 1890s Illinois to highlight the socio-political causes of a temporary pro-labor shift in Republican policy. It centers on Illinois Governor John R. Tanner’s atypical response to racialized labor violence during the Virden Affair and the broader Coal Wars of 1898-1899. This research builds on socio-economic and cultural studies of the labor movement and Black strikebreaking. It introduces state politics and law, two essential lenses of analysis which the historiography has largely neglected in favor of economics and bottom-up history. In lieu of the typical pro-labor accounts of …

Is My Team As Passionate As Me? Effects Of Perceived Dissimilarity Of Occupational Passion-Intensity On Key Outcomes Among Working Adults, Moses Rivera

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation explores the impact of perceived self-to-team dissimilarity in occupational passion-intensity on individual-level outcomes among workgroup members in organizational contexts. Grounded in need-to-belong theory, moralization theory, and equity theory, the outcomes examined include job satisfaction, turnover intentions, involvement in task-conflict, and psychological safety. Additionally, results via three methods for measuring self-to-team similarity and/or dissimilarity were compared. Two self-report online questionnaires separated by one week were administered to 530 adult workers from the US, Canada, and the UK, across a wide variety of industries. Based on a final sample of N = 483, structural equation models—each corresponding to one method …

Lithium Niobate Piezoelectric Transformers For Compact Electronics And Atmospheric Plasma Generation, Justin R. Phelps

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This work presents piezoelectric transformers for compact electronics and atmospheric plasma generation, utilizing thin-film microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and bulk machined suspended transformers based on 128˚ Y-cut lithium niobate. As electronic devices continue to miniaturize, scaling down magnetic components remains a challenge due to difficulties in generating and confining sufficiently large magnetic fields. The most common configurations exhibit efficiencies of approximately 70% and can cause interference in surrounding electronics. In this work, thin-film flexural mode piezoelectric transformers are developed for on-chip, low frequency passive voltage gain and impedance transformation. These devices exhibit efficiencies as high as 95% and voltage gain above …

Agile Healthcare: The Effects Of Information Technology Ambidexterity And Human Resource Practices On Workforce Agility And Job Performance, Jorge Flavio Sarmiento Falla

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Healthcare organizations grapple with uncertainties and rapid changes, necessitating agility within their workforce. However, empirical studies on healthcare agility are notably scarce, impeding efforts to foster an agile workforce. Through a systematic literature review, human-related dimensions and information technology aspects were found to be relevant to healthcare agility. This study addresses the impact of Information Technology Ambidexterity (ITA) and Human Resource Practices (HRP) on establishing Workforce Agility (WA). Subsequently, the study also addresses the importance of WA for the job performance of healthcare professionals. Lastly, it evaluates the mediation effect of WA on the impact of both ITA and HRP …

School Experiences Of Young Adults Since The Passing Of "Don't Say Gay", Heather M. Summers

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

As of 2020, the US is home to an estimated over nine percent of youth 13-17 who identify as LGBTQ+ (Conron, 2020). There are hundreds of bills that have been passed into laws that restrict rights for LGBTQ+ individuals (Union, Mapping attacks on LGBTQ rights in US state legislatures in 2024, 2024). With risk factors specific to youth and with legislation altering the operation of schools, there is concern regarding the effect of such laws on students (Day, 2019). This dissertation provides an overview of how LGBTQ+ youth in schools have experienced the implementation of laws that emerged between 2022 …

An Examination Of Frontline Service Workers' Empathy In A Cobot Team, Emily Anne Broker

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Service robots are an emerging technological advancement increasingly utilized in the hospitality industry. In return, service workers are required to use them during their interactions with customers. This study sought to examine how the service robot-worker team affects cognitive and affective empathy present in a service encounter. Using the empathy attribute part of the SERVQUAL model, this study aimed to examine and differentiate the server's empathy impact in the presence of a service robot. This study utilized semi-structured qualitative interviews to collect data from service workers employed in two restaurants characterized by distinct service environments. The interviews were qualitatively analyzed …

Contextualizing Tiktok Controversies: Critical Discourse Analysis Of Platform Privacy Debates, Bshaer Kameil Aharazi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study focuses on online news coverage of TikTok's privacy policies to uncover accusations related to security threats between October 2020 and May 2023. Using critical discourse analysis, the research compares TikTok's discourse with other platforms like Facebook and YouTube, highlighting the role of governments, tech companies, and users in shaping this discourse. Furthermore, it demonstrates how cultural and political factors influence privacy discussions, particularly regarding the controversies, discussions, and accusations between the United States and China. AI tool ChatGPT analyzes the discourse by focusing on the news texts' most prominent topics and keywords. The goal is to identify key …

Financial Issues And Trends Among Testicular Cancer Patients: A Review Of Patient-Reported Outcomes, Treatments, And Employment, Staphana Valery Edouard

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The present study reviewed existing literature on the effects of treatment and recovery costs on the multidimensional wellness of testicular cancer (TC) survivors. Peer-reviewed and scholarly articles were systematically searched and analyzed to determine the extent and impact of the overall financial effects of a TC diagnosis. This study aimed to uncover evidence indicating the possible decline in overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to the potential deleterious effects on TC survivors’ financial well-being.

We found that TC survivors’ HRQoL is affected due to the damages of high out-of-pocket treatment costs, possible loss of employment, disability, and any other …

Predicting Willingness To Attain Telehealth Medical Treatment From Personality Variables, Maxwell J. Belshe

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The continued integration of technology into healthcare has made telehealth a vital resource. Yet, factors influencing individuals' willingness to seek telehealth treatment remain relatively underexplored. In this study, I examined the relationship between social media use, personal growth, environmental mastery, and social anxiety, as well as their relationship to college students’ willingness to utilize telehealth services. A sample of 402 participants was surveyed and a multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess these variables' abilities to predict willingness to use telehealth services. The model explained 10.6% of the variance in willingness to use telehealth with social media use and personal …

Ula Reflections Within Specialized Chemistry — Trace Evidence, A Forensic Science Course, Jiyeong Hong, Laura Hilario Garcia, Brooke Bass

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

This presentation is to display our experience as a ULA in a specialized chemistry course within the forensic science program, Trace Evidence. This course is an upper-level chemistry course that requires a strong foundation in organic and analytical chemistry and is required for all tracks in the forensic science undergraduate program. Trace Evidence also utilizes team-based learning and a flipped modality. We were tasked with helping students during active learning activities regarding the current content by using guiding questions. We learned the best way to help students was to ask open-ended questions, enhance their motivation, and understand their frustrations or …

Chm2045c: The Hurdle, Benjamin F. Cherkasskiy, Kira Garvey, Abigail David

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

Many undergraduate students at UCF are required to take chemistry classes and the chemistry pathway to fulfill their major conditions. As ULAs for one of the first college chemistry courses that students will take, we have witnessed students struggle when being introduced to the content. This contributes to lower motivation among students and an overarching feeling of “I can’t do this”. We aim to help alleviate the assumption that chemistry is “hard” or “impossible” by personally working with students and utilizing the strategies we learned in our Pedagogy class (CHM 4942). Throughout the semester, we have worked one-on-one with students …

Social Media And Kids: An Issue Guide, Timothy A. Mcallister, Mekhai Ryan, Connor Sands, Matthew Turman, Spencer Friedberg

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

Our goal with this project is to foster civil discourse on issues relating to kids and social media, examining both the potential benefits and harms they may experience. We used HB 1: Online Protections for Minors as a starting point, as a relevant example of regulatory measures aimed at safeguarding children online.

Throughout our project, we've learned a lot to deeply understand the various perspectives on this issue. From concerns about the detrimental effects on mental and physical health to considerations of privacy and freedom of speech, we have definitely expanded our own knowledge on the topic while completing this …

History Of Injustices And The Current Interim Government Actions In Bangladesh, Kazi S. Salsabil

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

The project illustrates the knowledge I obtained through the U-LEAD global leadership course and the research project assessing global issues. This illustration will discuss the past and current situation of Bangladesh. It has only been 53 years since Bangladesh became independent. Unfortunately, the country has a long history of political struggles. The country is recovering from the destabilized government left by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The purpose of this project is to assess the political and societal obstacles faced by Bangladesh.

Additionally, psychological well-being and accessibility to resources will be evaluated. For this project, I used Google Forms to …

Pathways To Potential: Guiding Middle School Students Through Career Exploration, Megan Rhodes

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2024

Megan partnered with a local middle school to supplement their curriculum through career development small groups and class lessons, focusing on soft skills and learning about the self. She worked with sixth graders in small groups, and a mix of all grades for classroom lessons. The goal of these interventions is for students to feel more confident in their knowledge about themselves, and to be more equipped with knowledge about their different interests and strengths. The focus of each intervention includes skills, grit, Holland codes and interests, community helpers, and effort. Megan learned how to confidently communicate to students in …

"Addressing Sexual Abuse: Unveiling Hidden Realities", Shanzida Toha

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2024

My inspiration was from my IDS 4939 course where we had to present about a topic that we are devoted towards. It could be conveyed through PowerPoint, video, etc. but for me I chose to write a research paper about the indiscriminate circumstances that influence Sexual Abusers behavior, and how it profoundly directs their course of action. After an endless time spent on gaining data, this sensitive topic sent me to a black hole of no return. With boundless sources of support with the help of the internet I was feeling guilty as to what I could do with this. …