Digital Commons Network^™

Investing In Digital Solutions For Firm Value, Mahala Geronasso

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Digital investments have become integral to the strategies of hospitality firms, enabling data-driven decision-making, operational efficiency, and financial growth. This dissertation examines the impact of digital investments, specifically IT investment (CAPEX), research and development (R&D) intensity, and digital marketing intensity, on operational and financial performance within hospitality firms, guided by Innovation Diffusion Theory and Agency Theory. A comprehensive empirical analysis utilized financial data from publicly traded U.S. hospitality firms (2013–2023). Advanced econometric methods, including ARIMA, GARCH, and structured panel regressions, were rigorously assessed to evaluate performance dynamics. Findings reveal IT investments significantly enhance operational efficiency, profitability, and liquidity, despite causing …

Genomic Consequences Of Habitat Fragmentation In The Florida Scrub-Jay: Diversity, Adaptation, And Disease Susceptibility, Maryam Ghoojaei

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Habitat fragmentation is a severe threat to biodiversity by reducing population size, gene flow, and adaptive potential, especially in habitat specialists like the Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). This dissertation integrates whole-genome sequencing and immunogenetics to assess the genomic consequences of habitat fragmentation across three primary Florida Scrub-Jay strongholds: Archbold Biological Station, Ocala National Forest, and Florida’s East Coast. In Chapter 2, I focused on adaptive genetic diversity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II genes. I characterized MHC allelic richness, evaluated signatures of selection, and examined associations with pathogen infections. Despite population declines, I found moderate MHC diversity, suggesting …

A New Dawn Of Joy: How Joy Is Cultivated Among Black Transgender And Nonbinary Young Adults In Florida, Courtney Marciá Gardner

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The state of Florida had a record-breaking number of implemented and proposed policies between 2023-2024 that impacted transgender and nonbinary individuals. Black transgender and nonbinary people are particularly impacted by these policies due to the compounded effects of their race and gender identity. Nonetheless, despite the growing literature on Black transgender and nonbinary individuals, a lack of research exists examining positive aspects of intersectional experiences among Black transgender and nonbinary individuals. This qualitative study shifts away from deficit centered frameworks by investigating how Black transgender and nonbinary young adults in Florida cultivate joy in their lives. This study uses a …

The Effects Of Resistance Training Volume On Muscle Quality Among Older Adults, Kevan Knowles

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

BACKGROUND: Age-related declines in muscle strength are more closely linked to deteriorations in muscle quality than muscle mass. Echo intensity (EI) measured by B-mode ultrasonography is a common non-invasive marker of intramuscular adiposity and fibrous tissue. Although high-intensity resistance training is effective, the added value of higher training volumes on muscle quality and strength in older adults remains unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of different resistance training volumes on various measures of muscle quality, size, and strength among older adults. METHODS: Twenty-five older adults were randomized to either moderate volume (2 sets per exercise) or high …

Transformation To Re-Engagement: A Temporal Analysis Of Tefl Tourism Experiences, Brianna Morman

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study investigates the psychological and behavioral transformation resulting from long-term cultural immersion, using TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) tourism as a lens to examine how deep, lasting change unfolds. While prior literature has primarily classified TEFL as a niche form of tourism, its potential to facilitate enduring personal transformation has not been empirically assessed. This research addresses that gap by applying Transformative Learning Theory and the Model of Transformation within the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework to explore how TEFL experiences lead to transformation, satisfaction, and long-term re-engagement. Uniquely, the study also examines two underexplored temporal moderators – duration …

Analysis Of An Aero-Engine Using Ammonia As A Fuel Carrier, Kangana Patel

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Numerous studies in the literature have explored the decarbonization of aviation. Some opt for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), while others propose Hydrogen(H₂). Recent studies have also investigated Ammonia (NH₃) as a potential hydrogen fuel carrier. This study of NH₃ as a viable alternative fuel could help reduce overall emissions and overcome the challenges of H_2, which is highly flammable and difficult to store. This study aims to develop a core-engine model in a system simulation software called Simcenter Amesim. Results show a reasonable similarity between jet-A fuel and NH₃ cracked H₂ within …

A Unified Thermodynamic Framework For Regime Discovery, Entropy-Aware Optimization, And Emergent Leadership In Flocking Systems, Victor Nkwocha

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis presents a unified framework for modeling, optimizing, and analyzing collective behavior in flocking systems through a thermodynamic and statistical lens. In the first study, we employ entropy-regularized Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM) to identify distinct thermodynamic regimes—ordered, transitional, and disordered—based on the energy and entropy profiles of simulated agent-based flocks. The second study introduces the Organic Adaptive Flocking Algorithm (OAFA), a biologically inspired, entropy-aware extension of the Boids model. OAFA dynamically adjusts rule weights based on local entropy signals and is optimized via a multi-objective NSGAII framework to balance cohesion, separation, energy efficiency, and disorder. Results show that entropy …

Longitudinal Analysis Of Skilled Nursing Facilities Outcomes And Patient Populations And The Participation In The Bundled Payments For Care Improvement Model 3 Initiative, Adam Reres

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Model 3 initiative was a pilot program that tested how post-acute care, particularly in skilled nursing facilities in attempts to improve efficiency in healthcare delivery using an alternative payment method called bundling.

This study explores how structural and performance characteristics of skilled nursing facilities relate to participation in BPCI Model 3 initiative, with particular attention to how these factors may influence outcomes, patient population, and participation decisions over time. By examining national data across two time points, the study aims to assess whether an alternative payment model can prompt changes in care delivery, patient …

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 …

Carleman Linearization Of Dynamical Systems, And Graph Inverse And Wiener Filtering, Cong Zheng

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Carleman linearization is a mainstream approach for transforming finite-dimensional nonlinear dynamical systems into infinite-dimensional linear systems. It provides accurate approximations of the original nonlinear system over larger regions around the equilibrium for longer time horizons, surpassing the capabilities of conventional first-order linearization. In Chapter 1, we derive explicit error bounds for the finite-section approximation, demonstrating its exponential convergence concerning the finite-section order. We illustrate that for a specific class of nonlinear systems, exponential convergence can be achieved across the entire time horizon, extending to infinity. These results hold significant practical utility, as the proposed error bounds can be used to …

Characterization, Imaging, And Modeling Of Thermal Dynamics And Failure Mechanisms Of Quantum Cascade Lasers, Alejandro M. Villalobos Meza

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

As advancements in Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) technology continue to push the upper limits of continuous-wave performance, effective thermal management remains at the forefront of design considerations. The compact and highly tunable active region that has made QCL technology so attractive also imposes challenges to heat dissipation during continuous wave operation. To address this ongoing challenge, this work demonstrates a set of characterization and modeling techniques which can be used to interrogate different aspects of the thermal and structural properties of QCLs. Emphasis is placed on a suite of electron microscopy techniques and their role in providing a window into …

Integration Of System Dynamics And Agent-Based Simulation To Emulate Cyberattacks In An Iot-Based Smart Grid, Francisco Valdez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The electric power grid is a cyber-physical system (CPS) that plays a fundamental role in modern society. With the integration of renewable energy sources and advanced communication technologies, Smart Grids (SGs) can enhance both the profitability and reliability of the electric power system. The communication network that interconnects numerous remotely distributed generators, devices, and controllers plays a vital role in grid control, and current trends favor the widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. However, this network is inherently vulnerable to cyberattacks. This dissertation presents a hybrid methodology to model and analyze the dynamic behavior of an electrical Smart …

Holographic Optical Elements For Complex Beam Transformations, Shaghayegh Yaraghi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In this thesis, we explore the design, fabrication, and application of volume holographic phase elements in photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass for two key purposes: expanding the eye-box in augmented reality (AR) displays and controlling optical angular momentum (OAM) modes in laser cavities.

Encoding complex phase structures in PTR glass enables efficient beam shaping, multiplexing, and wavefront engineering, offering strong potential in AR displays, optical communications, and structured light. Holographic optical elements (HOEs) recorded in PTR glass exhibit high diffraction efficiency (over 99%), thermal stability, and chemical durability. Combined with low absorption and scattering in the visible and near-IR, these features make …

Shock Tube Droplet Breakup Experiments Facilitated By Acoustic Levitation, Anthony J. Aguilera

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Droplet introduction methodology in a shock tube differs based on the experimental conditions. For experiments in which the objective is to image droplet breakup, acoustic levitation allows for a consistent droplet shape and for diagnostic equipment to be aligned to a droplet prior to an experiment. A levitator was designed and used in the University of Central Florida’s shock tube facility. Polystyrene doped droplets were levitated to increase the likelihood of cavitation occurring. Multiple droplets were impacted by a shock wave, and the breakup regime was captured using a high-speed camera.

Examining Information Flows Within Transformer Models Using Transfer Entropy, Clayton Barham

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence, in terms of both power and prevalence, motivates the need for new ways to study explainability in deep neural networks. This is especially true for transformer architectures and large language models, which are the driving force behind the current surge in artificial intelligence. The complexity of transformer architecture foils many pre-existing methods for studying explainability in deep neural networks. To address this gap in knowledge, this dissertation proposes a new method of studying explainability in transformer architectures that leverages insights from neuroscience, employing transfer entropy to map information flows between components of the transformer …

Skeletal Embodiment Of Structural Violence: Testing Application Of The Weathering Hypothesis In Analyses Of Identified Sex, Jasper K. Shaw

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Structural violence refers to the experiences of inequality faced by marginalized sex, gender, race, and socioeconomic groups. Unequal access to healthcare, housing, and education can cause poor health that may affect how a decedent is analyzed by forensic anthropologists. This research hypothesizes that, due to gender- and sex-based marginalization, females will display greater rates of stress and correlated accelerated aging (i.e., weathering), than males. Computed tomography scans from 100 males and 99 females aged 20-69 years old and white and middle class, were sampled from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database (NMDID). Stress was assessed via cranial porosities, antemortem tooth …

High-Efficiency Dual Active Bridge Converter With Stacked Secondary Phase For Next-Generation Ai Data Center Power Delivery, Anirudh Ashok Pise

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The rapid electrification of hyperscale AI data centers is accelerating a shift from legacy 48 V distribution ladders to ±400 V high-voltage DC backbones, concentrating residual loss and dynamic stress on a single isolated bidirectional interface. This work presents a high-density Dual Active Bridge with Stacked Secondary Phasing (DAB-SSP) architecture as a scalable GaN-based solution for 48 V–800 V rack-level power conversion. By stacking 400 V secondaries, the topology leverages 650 V GaN devices while satisfying 800 V system requirements, reducing clearance and creepage distances, minimizing magnetic path lengths, and embedding leakage inductance necessary for wide-range zero-voltage switching.

A rigorous …

Black Teachers, Labor Consciousness, And The Making Of The Modern Civil Rights Movement In Florida, Marissa M. Bellenger

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Histories of Black teachers have often portrayed them as passive actors in the labor and civil rights movements of the twentieth century. While recent scholarship has highlighted the agency of Black educators, few studies have examined how their professional networks facilitated both labor activism and civil rights strategies. This thesis examines how Black educators in Florida leveraged the Florida State Teachers Association (FSTA) to challenge the racialized economic, political, and social structures of the South by organizing equal pay campaigns with the support of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). From the late 1930s to the …

Applying The 5d Model Of Country Image For International Public Relations: Analyzing Cultural Perceptions Of Qatar’S International Events "Expo 2023", Taleb Al-Adbah

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Studying country image in public relations has become essential to developing practices for countries engaging with international audiences. Hosting international events highlights the need for international public relations, where the country must adapt its culture and create culturally sensitive strategies to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds (Edwards, 2018). In this dissertation, Expo 2023 was employed as an international event to analyze Qatar’s country image among foreign and Qatari audiences. The dissertation aimed to understand the differences between their perspectives on Qatar and determine whether cultural tendencies impacted the country’s image. Additionally, the relationship between intercultural competency and …

The Impact Of Social And Political Capital On Black Male Educational Leaders Lived Experiences With Hiring Practices: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Descriptive Study, Travis L. Brown

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

According to Woodson and Pabon (2016, as cited in Bass, 2020) Black males represent less than 2% of the US public education workforce. This is concerning considering that many schools across the nation are becoming increasingly diverse. Scholars such as Bass (2020) have even cited that classrooms “may never completely rebound” (p. 356) from finding Black men to fill vacant teaching positions which could ultimately lead to a career in educational leadership. filling classrooms with available Black men in the profession. This study employed a convergent parallel mixed method design within a descriptive research framework to examine the impact of …

Clustering And Classification Methods For Forensic Science Applications, Slun Booppasiri

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Finite mixture models have been widely used to cluster data consisting of homogeneous subpopulations. In forensic palynology, pollen is used as a proxy to link individuals or items to a crime scene. Mixtures of pollen data-including willow and mustard and blank samples-were analyzed using flow cytometry. Willow and mustard clusters tend to have multivariate normal distributions, while a background cluster has multivariate non-normal distribution. We propose a finite mixture model capable of handling the mixtures of pollen in terms of univariate and multivariate distribution. The proposed methods are applied in simulated and mixture of pollen datasets.

Finite mixture models typically …

Food Insecurity Among University Students And The Barriers To Utilizing Food Assistance Programs During And After Hurricanes Ian And Nicole, Carvis C. Durr

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Background and objectives: Food insecurity (FI) is a pressing concern among university students in the United States. Natural disasters such as hurricanes can exacerbate this issue, particularly for low-income individuals, including university students. Although a range of campus, community, and federal food assistance programs (FAPs) are available, students often face barriers to accessing these resources. However, limited research has explored FI among university students in the context of hurricanes, particularly how students utilize FAPs and the challenges they encounter in accessing them. This dissertation aims to (1) understand the prevalence of FI among students, especially socially vulnerable groups at the …

Identity Impacts Of Crafting In Multiple Life Domains Among Employees With Chronic Mental And Physical Illnesses: A Mixed-Method Study, Kenzie Dye

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation examined the impact of job, home, and leisure crafting on perceptions of five markers of positive work identity among employees with chronic mental and physical illnesses. It was hypothesized that all forms of crafting would be positively related to work identity perceptions when examined independently, and that job crafting would be the strongest predictor when the crafting categories were examined together. It was also predicted that home and leisure crafting would amplify the effects of job crafting on positive work identity. Based on qualitative data collected from focus groups comprised of individuals with a variety of chronic mental …

Load Modulated Balanced Amplifier (Lmba) With Antenna-Vswr Resilience For Energy- And Spectrum-Efficient Communications, Jiachen Guo

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The rapid evolution of 5G and forthcoming 6G networks demands higher data rates and lower latency within increasingly congested spectrum resources. Advanced modulation schemes such as high-order quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) have been widely adopted to improve spectral efficiency; however, these techniques substantially increase the peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) of transmitted signals. To enable power amplifiers (PAs) to operate efficiently under this conditions, load-modulated balanced amplifiers (LMBAs) have been developed as an effective solution while inherently supporting broadband operation. On the other hand, the deployment of massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology and highly integrated active-antenna systems …

Development And Utility Of Single Sperm Genetic Analysis Methods To Aid In Sexual Assault Investigations, Morgan S. Grim

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Following a sexual assault, the ability to obtain an autosomal short tandem repeat (aSTR) profile of a semen contributor diminishes rapidly and is often not possible for intervals exceeding 48-72 hours. This partially stems from limitations with DNA extraction and typing systems used. Routine analysis typically uses differential extraction (i.e. separating sperm and non-sperm cells). This can make fragile sperm prematurely lyse, causing the sperm DNA to become overwhelmed by the amount of victim epithelial DNA. While Y-chromosome STRs (Y-STRs) target male DNA despite abundant female DNA, Y-STR haplotypes are less discriminatory than aSTR profiles. To address these issues, this …

Methods And Applications Of Coherent Analog Photonic Processing, Andrew B. Klein

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Photonic processing is a compelling approach to address the increasing computational requirements of neural networks, promising increased processing speed and better energy efficiency for operations such as matrix-vector multiplication. However, in practice the limitations of photonic hardware necessitate that these systems adopt fixed-point encoding rather than the floating-point standard used by digital electronics. The reduction in accuracy incurred by this requirement must be managed and addressed for real world applications. In this work, we present a reconfigurable, scalable, and parallelizable photonic multiplier cell using coherent balanced photodetection of analog signals to produce signed multiplications. This style of system outperforms other …

The Multifaceted Roles Of Propionic Acid In Autism Spectrum Disorder And Crohn’S Disease, Piotr P. Lagod

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including propionic (PPA) and butyric (BA) acid, exert a variable and organ-specific effect on the body. They are by-products of human microbiota metabolism and are often used as a food preservative. Studies have shown that PPA and its producers are elevated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients and their mothers. Our lab previously demonstrated that PPA alters neural stem cell differentiation in favor of glia. In this work, we utilized an in vivo mice model, in which dams and their offspring were fed a PPA-rich diet. In the brain, we observed a significant increase in …

Advancements In Slow-Wave Thin Film Lithium Niobate For Opto-Electronic Communications, Joseph W. Haefner

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The views expressed in this dissertation are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

The explosive growth of human connectedness over the previous decades has, and will continue to strain the communication infrastructure under-girding modern economies, and society. The continuous expansion of data-centers, advanced artificial intelligence models, and remote data storage will require novel high bandwidth solutions for both long haul and local inter-connects. Current solutions seek to expand link bandwidth through the use of complex high baud rate constellations, in …

Bim-Based Machine Learning Surrogate Models For Energy And Carbon Prediction To Support Leed Certification Evaluation, Liliane Magnavaca De Paula

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This research developed and validated a Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based Machine Learning (ML) framework for predicting the energy and carbon performance of office buildings during early design stages. The study addresses the need for reproducible data-driven methods supporting sustainable design decisions with reduced simulations time. The proposed approach integrates Revit and Insight with statistical modeling in Weka, creating an automated, transparent, and regionally adaptable workflow for energy and carbon prediction from a BIM-generated data. A reduced-factorial Design of Experiments (DOE) guided the generation of 260 parametric Insight simulations, including base, generalization, and stress-test models distributed across six U.S. climate zones. …

Utilizing Recommendation Systems To Achieve More Personalized Themed Experiences, Bryan P. Mcgowan

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Digital platforms such as Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube demonstrate the effectiveness of recommendation systems to personalize content and drive revenue, yet themed attractions have historically offered limited personalization. This thesis explores how recommendation systems can enhance adaptive themed experiences, focusing on branching narratives and dynamic environments that respond to guest behavior. Research from literature relevant to recommendation systems, along with analyses of successful attractions and digital experiences, informed the creative solutions developed for The Nexus. In this immersive walkthrough attraction, guests pass through a magical portal into a multiverse that adapts to their preferences and actions. This research shows how …