Digital Commons Network^™

"Auto"-Exploitation: A Marxist Examination Of Self-Driving Cars, Parker Duvall

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In this thesis, I argue that a neo-Marxist critical theory perspective on self-driving cars shifts critical conversations from risks and benefits to concerns about the commodification of free time necessary for our human experience of autonomy. First, I outline that neo-Marxist perspective by charting the different types of power exercised by a capitalist in order to increase their surplus. I then analyze Karl Marx's conception of time in economic exchange to show that, under capitalism, power is exercised over labor through the commodification of workers' free time. I then introduced Michel Foucault's concept of biopower to transition to the commodification …

The Viking Age As A Themed Experience: Representing Hitorical Narrative Through Research Based Design, Edward D. Macpherson

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

I intend to design an interactive educational experience that teaches guests about the culture, society, and beliefs of Scandinavian peoples during the Viking age. The concepts are illustrated through a dynamic narrative designed to be experienced through exploration of a themed environment. Immersion into the narrative is intended to instill a sense of active participation with the culture itself. This interaction is intended to inspire guests to further investigate the culture and history outside the limits of the experience. These qualities, unique to an immersive environmental themed experience, capture the lasting attention of an audience such as other mediums may …

Boys To Men, Brandon Bradley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Primarily through adolescent narrators, Boys to Men is a series of short stories that attempts to identify the lessons, traumas, and joys that offer—and in some cases, withhold—the tools that allow Black boys to become Black men. In "Hard Ball," an eleven-year-old baseball player on the cusp of entering middle school wants nothing more than to be less sensitive. In "That's the Way Love Goes," a fifteen-year-old visiting Florida for the summer faces his first hurricane, alone with only his grandmother and unresolved family turmoil as company. And in "Hallelujah," a young church-goer publicly challenges a powerful, yet unruly spiritual …

Professional Perception Of Gaps In Adhd Diagnosis And Treatment In Young Girls, Claudia Caputo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

ADHD has become a common place subject in both the scientific community and the common public. ADHD is talked about in the media, schools, and is a common conversation amongst parents. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has become prominent due to increased research but also due to increased accessibility of this research for the public. Contributing to this trend, there is an increase in open conversations about mental health awareness on social media. This phenomenon of people openly speaking about ADHD has led to more teens and young adults seeking diagnostic assessments and treatments for their symptoms. (Coppersmith et al., 2015) …

Changing Public Opinion On Socialism, Claudette A. Medina

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This introduction leads to the literature review, beginning with an explanation and description of socialism and political ideologies. I also touch upon historical events that shaped the perspectives of the respective generations, such as the Civil Rights movement and 9/11. After the literature review is a theory section emphasizing the life-cycle effect and period effects relevant to the research conducted later. Then comes the hypothesis and methodology section. My research hypothesis is that period effects will make Gen Z more receptive to Socialism than the Baby Boomer/Traditionalist Generation. This is soon proven correct with supporting data from opinion surveys about …

Impact Of Childhood Adversity On Executive Functioning And The Relationship Between Hypervigilance And Heuristics Among College Students, Tamara S. Van Newhouse

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The topic of exposure to childhood adversity has comprehensively been explored, and the effects of childhood trauma can undoubtedly impact a person on a lifelong continuum, still, investigation is unceasingly conducted. Much research has yet to be done when considering early adversity's outcomes on various stages throughout life and just how reoccurring consequences from early trauma may impair regulatory abilities and executive functioning beyond childhood. Research objective is to discover how early adversity influences later executive functions in conjunction to heuristics and the effects of hypervigilance in a college student populace. This study aims to examine the several variable differences …

Speech-Language Pathologists' And Speech-Language Therapists' Role Working With Youth In The Juvenile Justice System, Maria Cuza

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to examine and provide insight into how speech-language pathologists and speech-language therapists (SLP/SLT) in Australia (AUS), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA) work with youth in the Juvenile Justice System (JJS). Currently, many youth involved in the JJS struggle with language barriers and need proper services to overcome them. Studies have shown that an SLP/SLT positively affects young people in the system. This study aimed to examine the demographic, educational, and occupational backgrounds of SLPs/SLTs working with youth in the JJS and the services provided to these youth by …

Save The Drowning Child: Stories, Kayla Cayasso

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Save the Drowning Child is a collection that explores place, power, and the way collective trauma trickles down through history and families. These stories bridge the author's African American Studies scholarship and love for language. Set against the North Florida landscape, the collection moves readers across time and begs one question again and again: how does one reconcile characters' deplorable choices with the horrific reality of their lives within the Diaspora. On the outskirts of Nassau County, a pig farmer and his wife face addiction and starvation during the Great Depression, but the return of an estranged daughter might signal …

Beyond Local Food Consumption: The Impact Of Local Food Consumption Experience On Cultural Competence, Eudaimonia And Behavioral Intention, Bingna Lin, Saerom Wang, Xiaoxiao Fu, Xiaoli Yi

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the relationships among local food consumption experience, cultural competence, eudaimonia, and behavioral intention. Building upon acculturation theory, need hierarchy theory and self-determination theory, the current study develops a conceptual model of local food consumption as international tourists' acculturation process.

Design/methodology/approach: This study collects data from 305 Chinese outbound tourists and uses partial least squares-structural equation modeling to examine the developed model.

Findings: The findings reveal a significant effect of the local food consumption experience, consisting of novel, authentic, sensory and social dimensions, on cultural competence, which subsequently evokes eudaimonia and behavioral response toward local …

Implications Of An Exogenous Shock (Covid-19) On Wine Tourism Business: A Portuguese Winery Perspective, Alexandre Guedes, Britta Niklas, Robin M. Back, Joao Rebelo

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This study investigates the impact of an exogenous and unexpected shock (COVID-19) on the wine tourism business from the winery's perspective. A sample of 146 Portuguese wineries was surveyed. The econometric results show that the share of wine tourism sales, the amount of dependence on exports and the assertiveness of brand recognition have a structural effect on direct-to-consumer tasting room wine sales, even when the winery's business is disrupted by a shock that degrades the dynamics and flows of international trade. The research establishes a starting point that allows to understand the implications of an exogenous shock on the structure …

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Library Study Rooms, Diamond R. Williams

Libraries' Documents

The end of a college semester marks a period of exam preparation, essay writing and re-writing, and the endless struggle of finding a place to study. I've talked to you guys before about ideal study spaces on the University of Central Florida main campus, but it's about time we hone in on the main library.

Below, read about the study rooms available for reservation in the John C. Hitt Library, in addition to the brand new third floor's large study rooms.

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Textbook Affordability, Diamond R. Williams

Libraries' Documents

The cost of textbooks and course materials is a significant but often overlooked barrier to affording a degree. Being able to afford your textbook could be the difference between dropping a course and taking as many as possible. UCF's Textbook Affordability Initiative is designed to minimize the cost of course materials for students while maintaining quality and respecting academic freedom. There's just one problem: few of us even know this program exists.

Below, I give you everything you need to know to find out what free textbooks are available to you!

Diamond's Hidden Gems - Ucf Downtown Library, Diamond R. Williams

Libraries' Documents

No abstract provided.

Distracted U.S. Foreign Policy Sector: The Effects Of Strategic Prioritization Towards A Rising Chinese State In East Asia, Liliana Ramos

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The question of the stability of American hegemony has consumed U.S. International Relations discourse since the Post-Cold War narrative. With the rapid changes in the international realm and the countless U.S. humanitarian and military operations around the globe, it is no surprise that many well-known researchers have taken the time to look at the impact of American hegemony under strict observation. However, more analysis must be made of these operations' strategic purpose and success. This thesis strives to fill this gap by conducting in-depth case studies on various U.S. military operations from the early 2000s to the present in the …

Predation And Harvesting In Spatial Population Models, Connor R. Shrader

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Predation and harvesting play critical roles in maintaining biodiversity in ecological communities. Too much harvesting may drive a species to extinction, while too little harvesting may allow a population to drive out competing species. The spatial features of a habitat can also significantly affect population dynamics within these communities. Here, we formulate and analyze three ordinary differential equation models for the population density of a single species. Each model differs in its assumptions about how the species is harvested. We then extend each of these models to analogous partial differential equation models that more explicitly describe the spatial habitat and …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Self-Esteem, And Identity Among College Students, Julie Hall

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore if Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is related to identity in undergraduate adults, as well as their self-esteem. Also investigated was whether prior diagnosis (including early detection versus later-in-life detection) would be related to higher self-esteem and healthier identity formation. College students in large metropolitan southeastern universities enrolled in psychology classes (N = 368) took an anonymous online self-report survey battery in exchange for course credit. The screening tool for ADHD identified close to 50% of the sample as possibly having ADHD, which is much higher than any previous study has …

Benefits Of A Family-Based Judo Program For Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jeslin George

Honors Undergraduate Theses

A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can impact the entire family. Parents of children with ASD reportedly have greater stress levels, family conflict, financial concerns, and poor health habits than parents of neurotypical (NT) children. While many parent-focused interventions have been developed, these interventions focus on parent training and child behavior outcomes rather than the health and well-being of the parents. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of a 15-week family judo program on physical and psychosocial health in parents of children with ASD. A total of 18 parents of children with ASD participated in a weekly …

Evolution Of Density And Velocity Perturbations In A Slowly Contracting Universe, Olivia R. Bitcon

Honors Undergraduate Theses

One focus of research in cosmology regards the growth of structure in the universe: how we end up with stars, galaxies, galaxy clusters, and large scale structure in a universe that appears homogeneous and isotropic on large scales. Using cosmological perturbation theory, we investigate the evolution of density and velocity perturbations corresponding to a universe that is slowly contracting (Ijjas and Steinhardt), testing with and comparing different values for the equation-of-state parameter. This allows for the comparison of the growth of large scale structure in scenarios including a matter-dominated expanding universe, a dark energy-dominated expanding universe, and now, an ekpyrotic …

Exploring The Impact Of Cultural Background Among Asian And Non-Hispanic White Populations On Organ Donation, Doyoung Ahn

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: The demand for organ donation is increasing but there is always a lack of organ donor supply. To receive an organ donation, specific criteria must be met. Matching criteria between the donor and the recipient is critically important. The likelihood of having a capable organ increases when the donors and recipients have the same ethnicity. However, the number of organ donors differ significantly based on ethnicity.

Purpose: The purpose of this literature review was to explore the impact of cultural background and education among the Asian and non-Hispanic White population on organ donation and how it impacts individuals' decisions …

Advocacy With Context: The Role Of Pediatricians In Breastfeeding Success, Sanya Bansal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Although the importance of breastfeeding is almost universally accepted, the rates of breastfeeding are improving very slowly. The current literature provides much insight as to how medical professionals such as obstetricians and lactation specialists could improve the rates of breastfeeding. The pediatrician could encourage breastfeeding at a prime opportunity: during post-natal visits. Unfortunately, there is limited research on what role the pediatrician plays in breastfeeding success. This study used in-depth, qualitative interviews from four pediatricians to gather data on the true role of the pediatrician in breastfeeding. These pediatricians were selected based on the diverse patient population they serve, considering …

Examining The Association Between Covid-19 And Anxiety In College Students With Varying Personality Traits, Ridha Anjum

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The goal of this thesis was to examine the relationship between personality types (i.e., extraversion and neuroticism) and anxiety levels among college students during the height of the pandemic. Specifically, this study examined whether factors contributed to anxiety and whether differences in anxiety scores differed by personality trait. It was hypothesized that individuals who scored high in both extraversion and neuroticism would report an increase in anxiety during the height of COVID-19 pandemic. Neuroticism is linked to emotional responses to a negative event (e.g., such as COVID), which may play a role on anxiety levels. The level of extraversion that …

The Effect Of E-Cigarette Vape On Oral Cell Proliferation Using 3d Spheroids As A Preclinical Model, Vikram Chinnaiyan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

E-cigarettes have recently become increasingly popular, especially amongst middle and high school students. Although they are marketed as safer alternatives to tobacco cigarettes, they produce toxic metals and carcinogenic nitrosamines. This thesis studies the effects of e-cigarette aerosol on the growth and proliferation of oral epithelial cells because the consequences of vaping, including a potential risk for aberrant growth leading to cancer, are not well understood. Cells were grown in matrigel, causing the formation of three-dimensional spheroids modeling the physiological architecture of the oral epithelium. Those spheroids were chronically exposed to vape with different treatment conditions to study the functional …

Split Catalytic Probes For The Detection Of Monkeypox Virus, Jaehyun Ahn

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the important role that diagnostic tests play in the healthcare system. To reduce the impact of infectious disease outbreaks, the development of rapid and cost-effective point-of-care-tests (POCTs) is crucial. With the dissemination of the Monkeypox (Mpox) virus, it became a necessity to produce POCTS that are inexpensive and easy to use. This work explored the construction of two colorimetric assays that aim to detect Mpox genetic signatures. One is based on the split-peroxidase-like deoxyribozyme probes (sPDz), while the other utilizes a cascade system of split RNA-cleaving deoxyribozyme (sDz) and peroxidase-like deoxyribozyme (PDz). Both rely on catalytic …

The Plight Of The Beautiful People: Sexuality And Death In Less Than Zero And The Doom Generation, Ariana M. Martinez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This essay analyzes how the films Less Than Zero and The Doom Generation intersect with their overlapping themes regarding sex, sexuality, and death. The intended goal of the readings in this essay is to examine how queerness was represented in film during the AIDS crisis, specifically through the feature of a sexually fluid trio of friends. It first identifies the common elements of both films, including the gender makeup of the friend group, ambiguous or unrealized queerness, the role of the car in sexual desire, and themes of death and demise. The essay then considers the context of the AIDS …

The Effect Of Educational Versus Recreational Screen Time On Depression Levels Among University Students, Gage Guettler

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Despite the amount of people currently using technology and the overwhelming amount of data already presented on the topic of how technology affects a person's mental health, there seems to be little information on how the different types of activities on the different types of screens affect university student's mental states. This research study examined the amount of time that a University of Central Florida (UCF) student spends on what was defined as educational activities in front of screens and what was defined as recreational. The definitions of what is educational and what is recreational screen time came from a …

Addressing Medical Mistrust Within The Black Community To Improve Their Health Ourcomes, Jillian Weathington

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Mistrust of the healthcare system is increased among the Black population compared to other race/ethnicity groups. Medical mistrust can lead to intensified health inequities and negative health outcomes among this population. Currently, there is limited research that explores ways to address medical mistrust, especially among the Black population. This study investigated medical mistrust to find ways to improve the quality of life amongst the Black population. Twenty-one participants in this study completed a Group Based Medical Mistrust Survey and five of those participants participated in a semi-structured interview. Descriptive and correlation analyses were conducted. The GBMMS was separated into three …

Psychology Of Platonic Relationships, Amber V. Heinig

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Romantic relationships (RR) regarding attachment styles and theory have been widely studied, whereas platonic relationships (PR) have received comparatively less attention in research. This study aims to explore two hypotheses: (1) individuals exhibit more avoidant behavior in platonic relationships rather than anxious behavior, and more anxious behavior in romantic relationships than in platonic ones; (2) attachment styles in platonic relationships manifest uniquely and can exist independently of romantic attachment. This research aims to better understand the way that attachment differs between both relationship types. Through a quantitative study involving a survey with a 5-point Likert scale measuring attachment, administered to …

Leaving The European Union: When Euroscepticism Meets Internal Crisis Within Member States, Isabella M. Dimesa

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In the era of global stability, it is crucial to understand the nuances that maintain peace. Neoliberal institutionalism is the ideal that institutions bound together promote peace through sharing stakes and developing positive cost-benefit matrixes that ensure cooperation. The European Union (EU), a neoliberal institution, was developed to establish a peaceful, cooperative European system to further the European agenda and foster power through combined assets. The EU has manifested this success and prosperity—until one of its member states, the United Kingdom, defected from the institution, causing a shock to the EU system. Why would an institution yielding positive returns see …

Long Term Effects Analysis Of Children Exposed To Postpartum Depression, Asheria Foster

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore and understand any correlation between a mother having postpartum depression and her now college-level child having a mental illness. The research question posed for this study was: Is there a correlation between maternal postpartum depression and the development of mental illnesses in college students? Studies have shown that there is a correlation in early childhood development, but there are deficits when it comes to long-term follow-up. Data for this study was collected via online surveys on SONA UCF. The results from the Chi-square test imply a strong association (p = .007) at …

Narrating The Fragmenting Brain: Alzheimer's Disease Neuronarratives, Bonnie Cross

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This dissertation examines the representation of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) neuronarratives (NN), works that centralize the brain or consciousness in the plot, in multiple modalities to support that argument that neuronarratives should be expanded into a transmedia genre. These modalities include neurogames, neurocomics, and neuromemoirs. These three modalities were analyzed to determine how selfhood and social networks are represented by characters or authors with Alzheimer's Disease. As AD is often viewed as the loss of selfhood and is associated with isolation, these works combat these stigmas and complicate representations of the disease. The use of images was also examined in neurogames …