Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond Political Democracy And Plebiscitary Citizenship: Accounting For New Modes Of Participation And Citizenry In Saudi Arabia, Shumaila Fatima

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the global need to understand the evolving state-society relationship in a developmental state. The reforms in Saudi Arabia are widely gaining attention for abandoning the country’s longstanding illiberal practices. Yet, the state remains conventionally conservative in numerous ways for citizen and non-citizen populations. The dissertation employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods and a set of conceptual frameworks to analyze what the reforms indicate about the concepts of democracy and citizenship. The dissertation is divided into three journal-style articles. The first article of the dissertation analyzes three reforms to find implicit or explicit evidence of rights …

Gas Loader Cell For Solid-State Nmr Spinning Or Static Rotors, Jason Mast, Edwin Rivera

USF Patents

Described herein relates to an apparatus and method for holding a solid state NMR rotor under vacuum gas exposure during ssMAS experiments. As such, in an embodiment, the novel gas loader cell apparatus may be miniaturized and/or formed from a material other than glass to provide ease of use, efficient use of gaseous materials, affordability, and portability. Additionally, in an embodiment, a novel forming tool may be used to form the cavity holding the rotor end cap.

An Exploration Of The Experiences Of Perinatal Depression And Anxiety Among Pregnant And Parenting Adolescents In The Tampa Bay Area Of Florida, Olajumoke Adetoun Ojeleye

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Perinatal depression (PND) and perinatal anxiety (PNA) are increasing among pregnant and parenting adolescents (PPAs), with PNA often underrecognized. This leads to significant socioeconomic costs and adverse maternal consequences if untreated. Hence, this dissertation explores the experiences of PND and PNA among PPAs, focusing on their knowledge gaps, perception, mental health needs, care preferences, and access to PMH care. The research employs a qualitative design (free-listing and in-depth interviews) to gather participant insights. Key findings reveal that many PPAs possess limited knowledge about PNA when compared to PND. Lack of support from partners, family, and peers emerged as the topmost …

Navigating Change: The Migration Experiences Of Post-2017 Cuban Migrants In Tampa Bay, Julissa Maria Ramirez Perez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the migration experiences of Cuban migrants who relocated to Tampa Bay following the termination of the “Wet Foot, Dry Foot” policy in 2017. Through semi-structured interviews and a comprehensive literature review, the study examines the interplay between historical and contemporary factors, including U.S.-Cuban relations, shifting legal frameworks, and policy changes. It delves into migrants' motivations, their navigation of complex immigration processes, and their social and economic integration into Tampa Bay. A comparative analysis highlights the differences between pre-2017 and post-2017 migration pathways, emphasizing the heightened risks and uncertainties faced by recent migrants. The findings underscore the critical …

“Call It What You Want” Analyzing Taylor Swift’S Communication Strategies During Public Controversies, Isabella Cuello

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines Taylor Swift’s crisis communication strategies during public controversies, particularly her disputes with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian between 2016 and 2019. Using Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) and Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT), this research employs qualitative analysis to assess media framing, symbolic narrative construction, and the role of digital engagement in reputation management. Through a thematic analysis of 72 lifestyle journalism articles (in U.S. based publications from 2016-2019), the findings reveal that Swift strategically navigated public scrutiny by reclaiming negative imagery, such as the snake symbol, and leveraging social media to reframe her public persona. The study …

The Impact Of Visual Brand Identity On Consumer Response In Rebranding: A Case Study Of Burger King, Andressa De Ungaro Dos Santos

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This case study investigates consumer perceptions of rebranding through the lens of visual brand identity (VBI) and brand associations, focusing on Burger King’s recent rebranding. Using the Aaker Model as the theoretical framework, the study analyzes how brand awareness and associations influence consumer responses to visual identity changes. The research involves two focal areas in which comparative study will be applied by: (1) analyzing rebranding awareness by evaluating media coverage of Burger King’s new branding; (2) examining consumer-brand relationships through social media interactions to understand responses to the rebranding and to measure emotional and associative responses to visual elements. Through …

Protracting The Immediate: Time As Form In Contemporary Horror, Kennedy Kelley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the expression and experience of temporality in horror films of the last decade. Whereas early twenty-first century horror was characterized by high-octane jump scares, current horror is marked by contemplative slowness. I argue that the elongated duration of recent horror extends an experience of indeterminate anxiety that attunes us to an expansive relationality, offering a corrective not only to contemporary logics of immediacy, but also to the frequently constricting nature of embodiment as a theoretical concept. Recent horror scholarship tends to center sensuous propinquity in response to a long history of gaze theory’s disembodied passivity. While these …

Navigating Emotional Landscapes: A Black Woman's Perspectives, Nasya T. Jasper

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Black women exist in a unique positionality and their experiences with depression and anxiety are shaped by distinctive structural factors. However, their experiences are often overlooked in sociological research and more broadly in academic/medical research. This study investigates the ways Black women are framing their experiences with depression and anxiety on Tiktok and Instagram. I conduct a qualitative study through a social media content analysis grounded in Black feminist thought and narrative analysis. This research is not only academic for me, but deeply personal, as I seek to amplify the voices of women whose struggles often go unrecognized. The findings …

On The Frontline: How Public Library Workers Experience Florida’S Increasing Social Inequality, Jordan P. Rogers

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As public libraries tend to reflect the needs and interests of their communities, this qualitative study explores how growing local physical and sociodemographic changes affect public libraries in metropolitan areas and the experiences of staff. Interviews with nine library workers from four densely populated counties in the U.S. state of Florida gave insight into the hypervisibility of inequality within and between public libraries, as well as the effects of this inequality on the libraries and their staff. The local changes that participants reported included population growth, constant development, gentrification, rising rents, and increased homelessness and affluence. Staff had diverse experiences …

The Manosphere’S Reception Of The Women Auteurs Behind The ‘Man-Eating’ Jennifer’S Body (2009) And ‘Man-Hating’ Barbie (2023), Hilda Sheridan-Hewlett

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Scholarship on women filmmakers has not significantly emphasized the burden women auteurs carry when bracing themselves for the reception from misogynistic community discourse online, the manosphere. Director Greta Gerwig and screenwriter Diablo Cody are not simply perceived as filmmakers but as birth mothers of their work: Barbie (2023) and Jennifer’s Body (2009) which convey inherently popular feminist narratives. I argue Cody and Gerwig faced the wrath of the men online because they are inextricably linked to their productions, the feminization of their work in the eyes of the manosphere equals personalization. Despite Cody having the freedom to write any film …

In Case I Make It: An Autoethnographic Argument For Care, Space, And Utopia, Faelyn T. Cowan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Taking an autoethnographic and autotheoretical approach I examine within this project TomboloBooks’ Queer Comic Book Club. Drawing from José Esteban Mun֮oz’s ideas of queer utopia and Jen Jack Gieseking’s framework of constellations, and analyzing my own experiences, I present the Queer Comic Book Club (QCBC) as a moment of utopic queer worldmaking and argue for it’s potential as a site of alternative mental health care. Though I cannot provide here a generalizable model of book clubs as care, what I offer here is a series of possibilities, arguing for the potential of these spaces as community resources and sites of …

The Influence Of Religious Beliefs On Attitudes Towards Public Policy And Religious Exemptions In Florida, Theresa Ward

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

An increasing amount legislation has been proposed and enacted across the United States, and particularly in the State of Florida, that targets or impacts the LGBTQ+ community. Research on the influence of religious beliefs within political decision-making has noted an association between individual religious identifications and attitudes towards various public policy issues, including issues that impact different marginalized populations. Looking specifically at the State of Florida, this thesis explores the relationship between religious identification and support (1) laws that protect LGBTQ+ people and (2) religious exemptions from nondiscrimination laws. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including secondary data analysis of the Florida …

Gender Dynamics In Newsroom Leadership: The Influence Of Gender Norms On The Career Trajectories Of Women Journalists, Isabella L. Hackett

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Within the field of journalism, women journalists face obstacles impeding their career progression and autonomy. This qualitative study uses field theory, which explores how social spaces are structured and how actors access resources; a key avenue for exploring the power relationships within a field. This theory is put in conversation with interviews with women leaders in journalism from across the United States (n=13). The study examines how women in leadership navigate their career trajectories amid structural barriers, such as gender expectations for leadership, the struggle to balance work and family, and unequal access to mentorship and resources. Despite these challenges, …

Functional Characterization Of Cryopreserved Plasmodium Yoelii Sporozoites In Vitro, Victoria I. Mills

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Malaria is a major global health burden, contributing to morbidity and mortality across various continents. Due to challenges in malaria research and its advancements, developing novel interventions and further understanding host-parasite interactions is required for future studies. Plasmodium vivax is a human malaria species that is difficult to maintain in laboratory settings, posing obstacles in research. Cryopreservation offers a reliable method to provide a consistent supply of sporozoites for reproducible studies. Plasmodium yoelii is a rodent malaria model commonly used in studies due to its genetic similarity to human malaria species. Utilizing cryopreserved P. yoelii sporozoites potentially extends their usability …

Synthesis, Characterization And Delamination Studies Of Metallic Thin Films Prepared Using Sputtering And Ebeam Evaporation Methods, Anoop Joseph

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In many mechanical applications, including the manufacturing, automotive, and cutting tool sectors, metallic thin film coatings are crucial due to their tribological and protective properties. This research focuses on the development of metallic thin films of Aluminum (Al), Chromium (Cr) and Titanium (Ti) using deposition techniques like Sputtering and Electron Beam Evaporation. Metallic thin films were fabricated, with variations in thickness for each material, allowing for an in-depth study of the effects of Sputtering and Ebeam Evaporation deposition method on film characteristics. The thickness of these metallic thin films were evaluated using High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM) and Profilometer while …

Genetic Counseling Student Anxiety, Self-Efficacy, And Study Strategy Use For The Genetic Counseling Board Certification Exam., Teagan E. Nunnery

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With a 76% pass rate for the 2024 American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) certification exam, it's crucial to evaluate the study strategies used by candidates and their alignment with evidence-based practices. This study surveyed 84 genetic counseling students and graduates from 35 U.S. and Canadian training programs, focusing on demographic data, study strategy usage, anxiety, and self-efficacy. Study strategies were categorized into one of three groups: 1) active strategies, which promote recall and understanding, 2) passive strategies, and 3) hybrid, for strategies that involve both active and passive engagement as well as three metacognitive strategies: regulating learning, monitoring learning, …

Personal Perspectives Of Political Action: A Case Study Of How Women Discuss The Black Panther Party’S Free Breakfast For Schoolchildren Program, Megs Peterson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to investigate the impact ideology has on social movement actors. I do this by conducting a case study on the influence of Marxist feminist ideologies on the Black Panther Party’s (BPP) Free Breakfast for Schoolchildren Program (FBP). Within this case study, I narrow my focus to Marxist feminism, rather than Marxism more broadly, to choose a theoretical framework that aligns with my subject while ensuring gender is considered as a critical axis for examination. This research is situated at the intersection of feminisms and social movements, drawing from both social movement scholarship and Women’s, …

Media Literacy Efficacy & The Rise Of Native Advertising In Social Media: A Sequential Mixed-Method Approach To Behavioral Interaction With Deceptive Advertising Content, Elyse F. Dipisa

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Native advertising has grown in advertiser usage and relevance within the advertising space. Branded or sponsored content is in no way a new concept; however, with less consumer participation with traditional advertisements, the industry has shifted to make advertising content look “native” - as if they belong within the format of the platform and among the user-generated content published. Social media presents a continuously progressing digital landscape that is available and accessible for consumers. The environment’s accessibility allows for it to be reachable by consumers from a range of backgrounds. This study engages a two-step explanatory mixed methodology aimed at …

Dancin’ In The Dark: Exploring The Possibilities For Queer Joy And Belonging In Sotu Nights, Trinidad And Tobago, Emily Hernandez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

When I talk about “dancin’ in the dark,” I mean three things: 1) the moments that are written off as ordinary, the ephemeral yet joy-filled moments that seem hardly worthy of further reflection; 2) the act of dancing and experiencing joy against the backdrop of state-sanctioned homophobia in a dominant heteropatriarchal regime; and 3) queer people existing locally in the Caribbean region, a region in the metaphorical dark, typically mystified or diminished by western framings of the Caribbean as simply a vacation destination or an underdeveloped graveyard of colonization. Yet, queer people not only exist in this region, but we …

Breaking Binaries: Gender Non-Conforming Lesbians And The Undercurrent Of Biopower On Dating Apps, Lily M. Connolly

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how gender nonconforming lesbians experience and navigate algorithmic constraints, commodification, and self-expression on dating apps. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s concept of biopower, this study analyzes focus group discussions to argue that dating apps encode and enforce traditional gender norms. However, rather than acting solely as sites of constraint, dating apps also provide spaces where gender nonconforming lesbians creatively resist these limitations and subvert platform design to assert their politicized queer identities. This research highlights how biopower operates within digital dating platforms while also illuminating the subversive strategies users employ to reclaim agency. By situating gender nonconforming lesbian …

Crow's Nest, March 10, 2025, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The March 10, 2025, issue of Crow's Nest.

Llms In Network Intrusion Detection – A Comprehensive Analysis, Sudharshan Balaji

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) play a critical role in identifying and mitigating malicious activities within computer networks. With the rapid evolution of natural language processing (NLP), Large Language Models (LLMs) have emerged as transformative tools across various domains. LLMs, such as OpenAI’s GPT series and Meta’s LLaMA models,have demonstrated remarkable performance in tasks like language generation, reasoning, and classification. Their ability to understand and process vast amounts of data has enabled groundbreaking advancements in areas like healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity. Recent trends highlight their potential to handle unstructured data, perform complex reasoning, and adapt to a wide range of …

Green Human Resource Management (Ghrm) And Sustainability: A Mini Review, Kevser B. Meric Atakan

Journal of Global Business Insights

This mini review explores the evolving role of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) in advancing sustainability within organizational structures. As environmental concerns become increasingly central to global business agendas, organizations are compelled to expand their focus beyond profitability to incorporate ecological responsibility. Within this shift, GHRM emerges as a strategic approach that integrates environmental considerations into core human resource functions. The review synthesizes current literature to evaluate how HR practices such as recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and incentive systems are being adapted to support environmental goals. Evidence from qualitative analyses suggests that organizations are gradually embedding sustainability into their internal …

Antarctic Tunicate Synoicum Species-Derived Alkaloids And Methods Of Treatment, Bill J. Baker, Laurent J. Calcul, Kim Pham, Sofia Kokkaliari, Alexander Dettmar Crawford, Nargess Shahbazi

USF Patents

Pharmaceutical compositions containing one of five novel alkaloids isolated from a deep water Antarctic tunicate and methods of uses thereof are presented. The alkaloids belong to a family of compounds with known central nervous system (CNS) activity. The compounds display more oxidation than other members of the family, which may bestow additional bioactivity.

Librarian-As-Teacher: A Multiple Case Study Of Academic Librarian Professional Identity And Teaching Practice, Jessica Nicole Szempruch

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore how the educational experiences and professional identities of academic librarians shape their approach to information literacy instruction within the context of post-secondary research universities. Through deep engagement with three academic librarian-teacher participants, the study sought to understand how information literacy instruction is enacted, administered, and experienced by these individual academic librarians. The quintain, or binding concept, connecting all of these cases was the intersection of academic librarian professional identity and information literacy instructional practice at a large, R1 institution in the southeastern United States.

Multiple data collection methods were …

Algebraic Proof-Of-Work Algorithm For Blockchains, Muslum Ozgur Ozmen, Rouzbeh Behnia, Attila Altay Yavuz

USF Patents

An algebraic proof-of-work algorithm is provided that can be used as part of the consensus algorithm used by cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Instead of solving blocks using a hash puzzle, the present algorithm uses an algebraic puzzle such as a lattice-based puzzle based on the shortest vector problem and/or the knapsack problem. A cryptocurrency using the proposed proof-of-work algorithm has only a small quantum advantage when compared with existing proof-of-work algorithms.

Intro To Arcgis Storymaps, 2025, Benjamin Mittler

GIS Resources

Slides for a StoryMaps workshop given virtually by Benjamin Mittler, GIS Manager at the University of South Florida Libraries.

Crow's Nest, February 10, 2025, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The February 10, 2025, issue of Crow's Nest.

Frameworks For Measuring Regenerative Tourism: Supply And Demand Indicators With A Dynamic And Holistic Approach, Asif Hussain

Journal of Sustainability and Resilience

This paper examines regenerative tourism as a holistic approach that goes beyond sustainability by actively restoring and enhancing social-ecological systems. Recognizing tourism’s interconnectedness with economic, social, cultural, and environmental systems, it presents regenerative tourism as a dynamic model integrating supply and demand perspectives to promote innovation, resilience, and renewal. On the supply side, regenerative tourism emphasizes ecological restoration, sustainable practices, economic stability with minimal environmental harm, and authentic experiences. On the demand side, it aligns with the rising preference for ethical, participatory, and immersive tourism, involving tourists as active contributors to destination well-being. The paper highlights the importance of multidimensional …

Development Of Comprehensive Roadmap And Resource Guide Towards Congestion Reduction, Pei-Sung Lin, Mark Hansen, Zhenyu Wang, Yaye Keita, Elzbieta Bialkowska-Jelinska, Shubhankar Shindgikar, Nikou Khoshnevis

Research Reports

Traffic congestion poses a significant challenge in the United States, affecting mobility, public health, and the environment. With national travel delays and fuel waste on the rise, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive approach to congestion mitigation. This research develops a congestion reduction roadmap, focusing on 12 key mitigation areas, including advanced traffic signal optimization, incident management, and multimodal transportation strategies. Through a combination of literature review, expert interviews, and case study analysis, the roadmap provides actionable steps for state and local agencies to manage congestion effectively. The framework addresses both short-term and long-term solutions, emphasizing technology integration …