Digital Commons Network^™

The Great Orientalist Bernard Lewis, Ahmed Jawad

Honors Thesis and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Politics Of Pentecostalism; Does It Help Or Hinder Democratic Consolidation In Brazil?, Amber S. Johansen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Like so many other developing nations, Brazil has suffered from extreme inequality. Even though it has a healthy economy, free elections and multiple political parties, there are deep divides and unstable political institutions. The relatively recent transition to democracy has allowed a large and growing Evangelical community to emerge which is causing a religious shifting. The Pentecostal faith is providing alternative structures for social and political expression previously denied to many. Through community networks, many of Brazil's marginalized are accessing legitimacy, making them an undeniable force.

The focus of this paper is to determine if Pentecostalism undermines or strengthens democratic …

An Exploration Of Undeclared Students' Expectations Of Experiences For Faculty Interactions And Co-Curricular Involvement, Lorie Anne Kittendorf

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Student persistence and achievement are areas of significant concern for institutions of higher education. With national college graduation rates hovering in the 50% range, it is important for colleges and universities to understand which student characteristics and campus environments lead to greater success, as well as the expectations students have of the college experience.

Research on undeclared students is vast and dates back more than 70 years, and many of the seminal studies and respected research data have led to the perception that they are at higher risk of attrition and have lower levels of academic achievement than their declared …

A Spatially Explicit Agent Based Model Of Muscovy Duck Home Range Behavior, James Howard Anderson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Research in GIScience has identified agent-based simulation methodologies as effective in the study of complex adaptive spatial systems (CASS). CASS are characterized by the emergent nature of their spatial expressions and by the changing relationships between their constituent variables and how those variables act on the system's spatial expression over time. Here, emergence refers to a CASS property where small-scale, individual action results in macroscopic or system-level patterns over time. This research develops and executes a spatially-explicit agent based model of Muscovy Duck home range behavior. Muscovy duck home range behavior is regarded as a complex adaptive spatial system …

A Multilevel Analysis Of Institutional Fiscal Autonomy And Its Effect On Affordability, Operating Efficiency, And Minority Access At Public Colleges And Universities, Christine J. Glass

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, an unstable funding environment for state higher education systems has led to a trend of increasing institutional fiscal autonomy in exchange for reductions in appropriations. With the growing concern that reducing state oversight will result in increased tuition and spending levels, this study was designed to provide a clearer understanding of how fiscal autonomy at public institutions impacts measures important to the state public policy goals of affordability, operating efficiency, and access. To accommodate the diversity and hierarchical structure of public institutions, this study used multilevel modeling techniques to integrate complex, interrelated institution- and state-level data. Institution-level …

Journal Of Cave And Karst Studies, Volume 74, No. 1, April 2012, Table Of Contents, National Speleological Society

KIP Articles

No abstract provided.

On Situating The Study Of Genocide Within Political Violence, Ernesto Verdeja

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

This article identifies a particular challenge for comparative genocide studies, namely the underem- phasis of investigation into the relationship between genocide and other forms of political violence and the ways in which they are related temporally and spatially. It advocates situating genocide studies within the broader domain of political violence research to explain not only the causes of genocide but general variation in violent outcomes. By systematically comparing genocides to non- genocides, we gain greater insights into the factors that result in large-scale, group-oriented destruc- tion. The article also calls for greater disaggregation of analytical frameworks in comparative research, including …

Gender And The Future Of Genocide Studies And Prevention, Elisa Von Joeden-Forgery

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

This article addresses the implications of recent gender research for the definition of the crime of genocide and our understanding of it as an historical process. It proposes that gendered violence is a central defining component of the crime. Going beyond a discussion of rape and sexual violence, it argues that a gendered understanding of atrocity in general offers important tools for an early warning system that should be incorporated into the research methodology and reporting strategies of the United Nations, the International Criminal Court (ICC), human rights organizations, and government agencies and intelligence services. Briefly examining the cases of …

Plant Species Richness And Species Area Relationships In A Florida Sandhill, Monica Ruth Downer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Pine sandhill are integral pyrogenic communities in the southeastern United States. Though once widespread, habitat destruction, fire suppression and fragmentation have reduced the population to nearly 3%. It is important to learn as much as possible about these unique areas in order to implement best management practices to conserve and restore the existing populations of these communities.

Fire is central to the maintenance of pine sandhill communities and two conceptual hypothesis regarding burn frequency have come to light in maintaining the unique species composition and richness of these areas. The first is the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis which suggests that intermediate …

The Impacts Of Population Density, And State & National Litter Prevention Programs On Marine Debris, Melissa Rose Brogle

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Marine debris is improperly disposed of solid waste, also called litter, which is deposited in the marine environment (NOAA, 2010). Litter prevention techniques such as fines, cleanups, incentives, and others, can help to decrease litter, and ultimately decrease marine debris. This research analyzed 2000 and 2010 International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) data obtained from The Ocean Conservancy to ascertain whether certain litter prevention techniques did reduce amounts and types of marine debris found in coastal areas. The litter prevention techniques analyzed included state bottle bills, voluntary monofilament fishing line recycling programs, and the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) cigarette butt litter prevention …

Postcard, Storyhill Concert At Studio@620 In St. Petersburg, Florida, Studio At 620

Postcard Collection

A promotional postcard for a concert by Storyhill, a folk duo comprising Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson, held at Studio@620. Known for their harmonies and storytelling through music, the duo performed songs from their album "Shade of the Trees," which explores themes of love and war.

It's A Support Club, Not A Sex Club: Narration Strategies And Discourse Coalitions In High School Gay-Straight Alliance Club Controversies, Skyler Lauderdale

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

School reform efforts, such as those to form high school gay-straight alliance clubs (GSAs), are often met with resistance by school personnel and local community members. Using a sample of newspaper articles related to school reform GSA controversies in two Southern states (N=83) drawn from an initial sampling frame of GSA controversies receiving newspaper coverage between January 2006 and August 2011 (N=631), I use narrative analysis-- including a discourse coalitions approach--to identify common themes of resistance in the narration of characters, plot, setting, and morals which GSA members and allies must overcome to successfully form GSAs. Substantively, I locate four …

New Data On The Western Transylvanides Along The Ampoi Valley (Southern Apuseni Mts., Romania), Erika Suciu-Krausz, Ramona BăLc, Florin Borbei

Studia UBB Geologia

In order to clarify some of the issues regarding the mineralogical content and the source area of the Cretaceous deposits from Ampoi Valley basin (Southern Apuseni Mountains) fourteen lithologic logs were drawn from the Ampoi Valley both side tributaries (Slatinii, Ruzi, Vâltori, Valea lui Paul, Feneş, Călineasa, Fierului Brook, Bobului, Satului, Tăuţi, Galaţi, Presaca Ampoiului, Valea Mică and Valea Mare brooks). The main sedimentary rock types were identified (conglomerates, wacke and lithic sandstones, clays, and marls). The sandstones were classified according to the ternary diagrams. Their petrographic features revealed both a magmatic and a metamorphic source area for them.

A Novel Morphological Type Of Siderite In The Jamesonite Paragenesis From Herja (Maramures County, Romania), Virgil Ghiurcă, Dana Pop

Studia UBB Geologia

The loose jamesonite felted masses found in several vein-type Miocene ore deposits in Romania, at Herja in particular, host a very rich and peculiar mineral assemblage. This study concerns a novel morphological type of loose siderite crystals identified in this paragenesis. Additional to their macroscopic and microscopic investigation, powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD) analysis was carried out. Based on XRPD patterns, some pseudoxehagonal prisms, up to 10 mm in size, black to dark brown in color, with rugged surfaces and microscopic mosaic-like structures, were proved to be siderite. The described morphological type of siderite represents a novelty for Herja ore deposits, …

The Metamorphic Basement Of Romanian Carpathians: A Discussion Of K-Ar And 40Ar/39Ar Ages, Carol Strutinski, Adrian Pus̡Te, Rodica Stan

Studia UBB Geologia

More than 600 radiometric K-Ar ages on rocks from the metamorphic basement of the Romanian Carpathians are statistically treated and discussed. The data suggest that the most pervasive Alpine rejuvenation occurred in a belt of about 100-120 km width, within which crystalline rocks were intensely reworked, undergoing a metamorphic remobilisation of Barrovian type before Middle – Late Cretaceous. This Eo-Alpine metamorphic belt outcrops on the flanks of the Mureş Zone, i.e., in the Rodna massif to the NE, and in the Northern Apuseni to the west. Away from it, ages get progressively older and outline a broad Variscan metamorphic province. …

The Impact Of Human Activities In The Gutaiului Mountains, Romania, Angelica Feurdean, Ciprian Astalos

Studia UBB Geologia

The examination of pollen and charcoal from the Gutâiului Mountains in northwestern Romania and the archaeological evidence from surroundings provides some information on how past human activities have changed the vegetation in this region. The first evidence of potential human influence upon the woodlands is manifested by fire clearance recorded at approximately 7900 cal. yr BP coinciding with the Early Neolithic. The charcoal peaks at ca. 5750, 3300, 2700, 1500, 1000 cal. yr BP, and during the last 300 years are associated with episodes of decline of main woodland constituents (Ulmus, Tilia, Fraxinus, and Corylus), and the expansion of fire-precursors …

The Olenekian Carbonates Of The Bucovinian Nappe (The Central Sector Of The Haghimas Syncline, Eastern Carpathians). Lithology And Microfacies, Daniela Alexandra Popescu, Liviu Gheorghe Popescu

Studia UBB Geologia

Early Triassic carbonate outcrops were studied in the central sector of the Hăghimaş Syncline with regard to stratigraphy, microfacies and facies interpretation.This is the first microfacies study of these deposits. Early Triassic carbonates in the Hăghimaş Syncline are represented by two stratified successions: limestones and dolomites. The limestones overlie very rarely the detritic basal deposits (Induan) which marks the beginning of the alpine transgression. The stratified dolomites underlie frequently the Early Anisian massive dolomites. The contact between the stratified limestones and stratified dolomites is only exposed on Calu brook outcrop (the western flank of the Hăghimaş Syncline). The age of …

The Post-Late Pontian Paleogeographic Evolution Of The South Harghita Mountains Area And The Adjacent Basins, Attila László

Studia UBB Geologia

The paper concerns the stages of evolution of the South Harghita area and of the adjacent mountainous basins. The focus is set on specific geological events and on their consequences upon the paleogeographical modeling. Based on field observations and on previous studies, the Pliocene-Pleistocene geological events from the Baraolt and Lower Ciuc basins, the Tuşnad – Malnaş Channel and Sfântu Gheorghe gulf were synchronised with those from the South Harghita volcanic area.

Tracking Lateglacial And Early Holocene Environmental Change: A Palaeolimnological Study Of Sediment At Preluca Tiganului, Nw Romania, Angelica Feurdean

Studia UBB Geologia

Palaeoecological, palaeohydrological, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Late Glacial and the early Holocene have been performed from sediment accumulated in a small former crater lake, in the GutâI Mountains, NW Romania. Pollen, lithology, mineral magnetic, and loss-on-ignition analyses in conjunction to radiocarbon dating have been use for this purpose. The data indicates that during the Late Glacial period, vegetation dynamics were likely driven by climatic fluctuations. The climate events during the Late Glacial are well mirrored in local vegetation assemblage development, and past lake level fluctuations. These climatic events recorded in south-eastern Europe, are well correlated with the climate events …

Lower Cretaceous Limestones From The Northern Part Of Padurea Craiului (Osoiu Hill And Subpiatra Sections): Biostratigraphy And Preliminary Data On Microbial Structures, Hyam Daoud, Ioan I. Bucur, Emanoil SăSăRan, Ioan Cociuba

Studia UBB Geologia

Two sections have been measured within the Lower Cretaceous deposits from the northern part of Pădurea Craiului: Osoiu Hill section and Subpiatră section. Thin sections representing more than 180 samples allowed us to present some results on the biostratigraphy, facies succession and the role of microbial structures in the genesis of these limestones. The Osoiu Hill section is dominated by fenestral limestones formed in the intertidal or in the shallow subtidal zone. Their formation is dominantly related to microbial mats. Based on foraminiferal assemblages we attribute a Lower Barremian age to these limestones. The succession in the Subpiatra section is …

Microfacies Of The Triassic Limestones In The Piatra Soimului Klippe (Transylvanian Nappes Rarau Syncline, Eastern Carpathians, Romania), Daniela Popescu, Liviu Popescu

Studia UBB Geologia

The Piatra Şoimului klippe belongs to the allochtonous sedimentary succession of the Transylvanian Nappes in the Rarău Syncline. It is situated on the western flank of the syncline over the Callovian – Oxfordian jaspers. The identified micropaleotologic association consists of dasycladales, foraminifera, sphynctozoa, echinoderms, etc. which indicate Pelsonian–Norian age. The microfacies of these limestones demonstrate the origin of Piatra Şoimului klippe from a previously carbonate platform situated to the west of the Bucovinian sedimentary domain. The correlation between the allochemic and ortochemic components described in the numerous microfacies types proves that the Triassic sedimentation took place in an internal platform …

Secondary Sulfates Found In An Old Adit From Rosia Montana, Romania, Bogdan P. Onac, Daniel Vereș, Joe Kearns, Mirona Chirienco, Adrian Minuț, Radu Breban

Studia UBB Geologia

Recent investigation on several secondary minerals formed in old mining galleries in the Cârnic district (Roşia Montană, Romania) enabled us to characterize ten minerals. Out of these ten identified minerals, the discovery of jokokuite is the first reported occurrence in the Carpathians. A second mineral identified as apjohnite represents a new occurrence in Romania. Along with these two rare minerals, some other species of the halotrichite group (pickeringite, halotrichite, apjohnite, and dietrichite), iron sulfates, and K-Al sulfates were identified. Minerals were identified using light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The chemical composition of …

The Identification Of The Valach Cycle – Important Achievement Of Romanian Geological Research School, Mircea Țicleanu, Nicolae Țicleanu, Paul Constantin, Simon Pauliuc, Florian Marinescu

Studia UBB Geologia

The paper summarises the main consequences resulting from the identification of a new climatic cycle. The new cycle, referred to as "The Valach Cycle" (nom. nov., Prague, 1998), has a period of about 4.1 m.y., and its warming and cooling phases can be traced for a period of minimum 86 m.y., up to Santonian (inclusive). More exactly, the paper suggests that this new cycle can be a direct consequence of pulsation of the Solar system – a newly identified cosmic movement to which we refer to as the "Valach pulsation". This paper also refers to the previous research studies in …

A Revision Of The Rona Member, Vlad A. Codrea, Emanoil SăSăRan

Studia UBB Geologia

Lacustrine deposits occurring in the Jibou Formation (Late Maastrichtian – Lutetian) were mentioned in the Rona village area since the first half of the 19th century. Hungarian and Romanian geologists also carried out several researches in the last century, referring to the so-call “Rona Limestone” or “Rona Member”. In the last years, new outcrops resulted as a consequence of works made for the Botanical Garden at Jibou, adding details concerning mainly the base of the lacustrine succession. The new geological section from Jibou Botanical Garden should complete the old stratotype of the "Rona Limestone”, as a hypostratotype.

Preliminary Data On The Mineralogy Of Limestone And Skarn-Hosted Caves From Baita (Bihor County, Romania), Bogdan P. Onac, Paul Damm

Studia UBB Geologia

This paper presents the mineralization of five medium-size limestone-caves and eleven skarn-hosted caves from the upper part of Cri¿ul B¾ißei River (Bihor Mountains). Apart from berlinite – AlPO4, the other minerals reported from the limestone caves are common carbonates, phosphates or oxy-hydroxides. In turn, the skarn-hosted caves contain a diversity of minerals, including wittichenite, luzonite, natrolite, norsethite, rosasite, glaukosphaerite, aurichalcite, azurite, malachite and chalcanthite. Five of these minerals have never before been identified in a cave environment and moreover, three are new occurrences in Romania. Some of these minerals are hydrothermal in origin, whereas alteration and/or hydration of primary hydrothermal …

Fossil Plants From Romanian Deposits Of Bacles, Dolj District, Romania, Nicolae Țicleanu, Petre Enciu, Ion PăTruțoiu, Valentin Paraschiv

Studia UBB Geologia

From the Middle Romanian lacustrine deposits of the Oltenia province, the authors describe the youngest fossil flora known until now in Oltenia. The inventory of the fossil flora includes the following taxa: Taxodium dubium, ?Platanus platanifolia, Ulmus laevis, Quercus roburoides, Q. cf. muehlenbergii, Carya serraefolia, Acer cf. tricuspidatum and Salix sp. In the Bâcleş fossil flora, Glyptostrobus europaeus, which is a thermophilous and shows a high frequency in all Oltenia area till the XV-th coal seam, is absent. Consequently, having in view the high frequency of Taxodium dubium, which indicate temperate climate conditions, the other consider that the fossil flora …

Late Quaternary Palaeoclimate Reconstruction Based On Clay Minerals Assemblage From Preluca Tiganului (Gutai Mountains, Romania), Lucreția Ghergari, Bogdan P. Onac

Studia UBB Geologia

Several core samples were extracted from the overgrown crater lake of Preluca Tiganului, NW Romania. The overall lithology and the mineral assemblages (mostly clay) described from different levels within these cores, suggest three main periods having humid or dry conditions. Based on these findings, palaeoclimate conditions can be reconstructed the over the time period spanning 15,000 to 13,500 cal. years BP.

Cutr Connections [March 2012], Cutr

CUTR Newsletters

No abstract provided.

An Assessment Of Public Transportation Markets Using Nhts Data, Cutr

Research Reports

No abstract provided.

An Approach To Calculate Overall Efficiency Of Rolling Stock For An Urban Rail Transit System, Qamar Mahboob, Thomas Stoiber, Stephanie Gottstein, Antonios Tsakarestos

Journal of Public Transportation

Inefficiency of urban rail transit systems (URTS) results in a lower standard of service than required and has negative economic impacts. Many efforts have been undertaken to calculate the efficiency of URTS or their subunits. Overall equipment efficiency (OEE) as a measure of efficiency is a simple, flexible, and efficient formula. The OEE measure ensures that equipment is available and fully capable of producing quality goods/services for the maximum time of operation and is being used in a proper way. This paper discusses the idea of the OEE from the field of production and how it can be applied to …