Digital Commons Network^™

Mysterious Munitions In Sleepy St. Pete: The Story Of A 1924 Filibustering Campaign, Arturo Sebastian Gonzalez

Tampa Bay History

No abstract provided.

The Challenge Of Legitimacy And Governance In Fragile States: A Case Study Of Afghanistan, Ahmad Murid Partaw

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation tackles a central puzzle regarding the recurring legitimacy crises of the Afghan state: why, despite decades of investment and efforts by state and non-state actors, has Afghanistan struggled to build enduring legitimacy? It argues that the concept of performance legitimacy is crucial in fragile states such as Afghanistan, as it focuses on citizen’s expectations and the state's ability to deliver public services and secure support from its population. By contrasting performance legitimacy with traditional theories, such as social contract and Weberian approaches, this work deepens the understanding of how legitimacy through the needs and expectations of ordinary citizens …

Gnsi Decision Brief: The United States Military Recruiting Crisis, Guido Rossi

GNSI Decision Briefs

Recent news stories reported that the U.S. military is currently experiencing an unprecedented recruiting crisis. In fact, between 2022-2023, the U.S. armed forces (the Army in particular) failed to meet their numbers by a large margin: against goals of 232,021 accessions for 2022 and 244,533 for 2023, the branches collectively missed their targets by 40,369 and 41,336 accessions respectively. Even though the branches proved able to meet their recruitment goals – although barely – in fiscal year 2024, concerns continue to linger.

Although military recruitment is usually not a significant issue for voters, it became a central promise for the …

Corruption And Foreign Influence: A Cross-National Analysis Of Environmental Violence, Jamilah D. Christiansen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

World systems theory argues that wealthier nations exploit less developed nations, exerting their power and influence to take advantage of resources, often with little pushback. However, there is an ever-growing number of conflicts organized by citizens and activists alike that seek to push-back against the exploitation of their homes and labor, working to resist the political corruption and foreign manipulation within their governments. This dissertation examines the factors that contribute to the rise in environmentally-related conflicts, the impacts of those conflicts, and finally the resolutions of those conflicts using data that includes 1370 instances of conflict across 101 nations from …

Act Tdm-Cp (Transportation Demand Management-Certified Professional) Exam Study Guide Domain I For Preparing Tdm-Cp Exam Candidates, Sara J. Hendricks

Research Reports

Reducing traffic congestion while improving mobility and access will require a combination of coordinated initiatives that include the use of transportation demand management strategies. TDM is a growing transportation specialization that needs more practitioners with education and training in the development, planning, application, and evaluation of TDM programs. TDM is the set of strategies that influences travelers’ decisions to travel by choice of travel mode, trip timing, travel frequency, as well as route, facility, and destination selection. The Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT), the premier international professional organization for TDM professionals, established the TDM-CP professional certification in 2020, to elevate …

Exploring Strategies And Innovations In Airline Profitability Assessment: The Role Of Artificial Intelligence, Elif Degirmenci

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The airline industry's profitability assessment remains a complex yet critical aspect of strategic decision-making, spanning from hub profitability to individual flight performance. This paper explores the diverse methodologies and challenges involved in evaluating both line and network profitability, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches in reconciling variable costs associated with aircraft types and route assignments. Traditional methods are juxtaposed with innovative concepts like the Blended Aircraft Cost model, offering insights into enhancing market route profitability. Additionally, advanced methodologies such as horizontal and vertical methods are discussed, alongside the role of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing real-time profitability analysis. Through a comprehensive …

Combating Genocide Denial Through Rwanda’S Foreign Policy, Jonathan R. Beloff

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

Rwanda’s foreign policy is still greatly influenced by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, commonly referred to as the Rwanda Genocide. Despite the genocidal massacres ending over thirty years ago, the Rwandan government still perceives its continued threat. Despite tangible threats to the state, such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) decline, the concern of the genocide’s lasting ideology and denial still concerns Rwandan policymakers responsible for the nation’s foreign policy and remembrance. This research relies on in-depth fieldwork with various Rwandan government agencies responsible for crafting state security, foreign policy, and anti-genocide policies. It examines …

Dangerous Legitimacy: The Risks Of Normalizing Hamas As A Fundamentalist Terror Group In Western Discourse, Shevach Berkovits, Darnell Downes, Hunter Lacroix, Michael Dobkowski

Journal of Strategic Security

This article examines the dangers of Western discourse misrepresenting and normalizing Hamas, a fundamentalist terrorist group, as a legitimate actor in regional crises and conflicts. It explores Hamas' origins as a global terrorist organization, its history of armed conflict with neighbors and the broader Western world, and its ideological roots in religious fundamentalism and totalitarianism. The article argues that Hamas’ principles and actions are fundamentally incompatible with Western democratic ideals, posing a significant threat to regional and global security. It also addresses the ongoing challenges of "Western washing" Hamas through propaganda spread via social activism and social media. The article …

Reconstructing Russian Strategic Culture: Narratives, Othering, And The West, Dogachan Dagi

Journal of Strategic Security

The importance of narratives in the constitution of Russian strategic culture has been largely neglected. This is due to the common assumption that Russian strategic culture is out there, historically determined, and constant from the Russian Empire through the Soviet Union to Putin’s Russia. This article argues that Russian strategic culture is not ‘etched in stone,’ but a dynamic ‘context’ in the making of which stories told about the past and the present, the Russian self and its others, threats and aspirations play a constitutive role. As such, this article demonstrates how Russian strategic culture is being continuously reconstructed by …

Full Issue 18.3

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Strategic Value Of The Assassination Of President Juvénal Habyarimana, Jonathan R. Beloff

Journal of Strategic Security

This article examines the assassination of former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana through the utilization of strategic theory. The President's assassination on the night of April 6, 1994, ignited the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which killed up to a million Rwandan Tutsis and non-extremist Hutus within 100 days. While the assassins are still unknown, speculation exists of whether the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) or the former ruling akazu ordered the attack. It concludes that the akazu was the most likely actor behind Habyarimana's assassination, given that the structure of strategic incentives favored its position over the alternatives.

Rethinking Cyber Deterrence: Adapting To The Realities Of The Digital Battlefield, Peter Pijpers, Kraesten Arnold

Journal of Strategic Security

The question of whether deterrence is achievable in or through cyberspace has sparked considerable debate among academics. Over time, arguments have evolved, further entrenching this discourse and moving it out of the mainstream spotlight. This article examines how recent armed conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza may reinvigorate discussions surrounding this issue. It emphasizes that cyber activities can indeed produce deterrent effects while also recognizing the necessity for a new terminology to accurately capture these effects. In cyberspace, traditional deterrent logics—such as deterrence by denial or punishment—along with core principles including credibility, communication, and cost-benefit analysis, do not uniformly apply due …

American Extremism: An Evolutionary Process, Christopher Young, Michael Damian Tucker

Journal of Strategic Security

This article critically examines the historical definitions of American right-wing extremism as utilized by the media, political community, academia, and the government. We suggest that the historical definitions of the right wing are inadequate and fail to describe extremism accurately and consistently. Using evolutionary game theory, this article further argues that right-wing extremism (and left wing) is based on an evolutionary process to secure social existence and will rise as predators challenge historical hierarchical systems.

Subversion: The Strategic Weaponization Of Narratives. By Andreas Krieg. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2023., Chad M. Briggs Phd

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Pedagogy, Technology Acceptance, And Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Among Nursing Faculty, Rachel Ross

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Integrating pedagogical and technological knowledge among faculty is crucial, especially within Florida state colleges’ Nursing (ADN) programs. I explored the impact of three decades of technological advancements on faculty's ability to incorporate technology into their teaching methods using a qualitative, exploratory design; I conducted semi-structured interviews via Microsoft Teams. The analysis of faculty perceptions, experiences, and challenges reveals a significant gap in pedagogical knowledge despite strong subject matter expertise, indicating underdeveloped instructional strategies and learner-centered pedagogies. Additionally, participants exhibited a diverse understanding of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, highlighting difficulties in effectively integrating technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge. …

Enhancing Ai Reliability: Probabilistic Inference And Neural Optimization, Behnam Zeinali Rizi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Deep neural networks have recently shown better performance than traditional machine learning algorithms in various applications such as computer vision, natural language processing, indoor navigation, and biomedical signal/bio-informatics data processing tasks. However, some main challenges still exist when harnessing these models for different applications. The first challenge is the performance of these methodologies for some specific types of data, such as Biomedical images, IMU measurements, and even bioinformatics data, such as genome expression. Moreover, deploying these models on mobile and IoT devices is computationally challenging. Most devices use cloud computing, where powerful deep-learning models analyze the data on a server. …

Dnajb6: A Potent Dnajb Chaperone In Regulating Tau Proteostasis, Abigail R. Esquivel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases often feature the pathological buildup of misfolded proteins, and tau is a principal culprit in multiple tauopathies. One chaperone of emerging interest is DnaJB6b, a member of the Hsp40/DnaJ family, which exhibits potent anti-aggregation activity against several disease-related proteins. Recent investigations highlight its unique capacity to recognize and neutralize aggregation-prone forms of tau. DnaJB6b appears potent against multiple variants of tau and may be acting against tau, in part, by directing misfolded tau toward proteasomal clearance. The first lines of evidence come from systematic chaperone screens, where DnaJB6b repeatedly emerged as a strong suppressor of tau seeding. Further …

New Petrographic And Geochemical Constraints On Pre-Eruptive Storage Conditions And Their Control On Eruptive Styles In Martinique’S Recent Volcanic Systems, Abigail Martens

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the volcanic systems of Martinique Island, focusing on magma storage conditions, magmatic evolution, and eruption dynamics. Chapter 3 presents a petrographic analysis of volcanic rocks from the island’s old, intermediate, and recent arcs, examining the evolution of plagioclase textures and the increasing abundance of other mineral phases, such as pyroxene, amphibole, olivine, and quartz, which provide insights into changing magmatic conditions. The main research is divided into two projects. Chapter 4 addresses the pre-eruptive storage conditions (pressure and temperature) of magmas beneath recent (<5 Ma) volcanic complexes (Morne Jacob, Piton du Carbet, Trois Îlets, Mt. Conil, and Mt. Pelée), exploring magma evolution, crystallization, and the role of lower crustal injections and flank collapses in triggering eruptions. Results reveal variable magma storage depths (<6 km), with significant temperature and pressure variations, indicating complex magmatic systems. Chapter 5 focuses on the Roches-Genty ignimbrite in southwestern Martinique, investigating its stratigraphy, geochemistry, and age using field mapping, grain size analysis, and 40Ar/39Ar dating. The study identifies two distinct sub-Plinian eruptive phases associated with the Dizac ignimbrite, with ages of 3.37 ± 0.14 Ma and 2.10 ± 0.26 Ma, providing insights into past explosive volcanic activity. Geochemical analysis confirms an andesitic composition, similar to regional volcanic systems. This dissertation enhances understanding of Martinique’s volcanic history, providing valuable insights into magmatic processes and eruption dynamics, with implications for volcanic hazard assessments in the Lesser Antilles.

The Prideful Ass: Using Augustine's Neoplatonic Theory Of Sin To Investigate Curiosity In Apuleius' Golden Ass, Danielle E. Booth

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Ancient discourse about the beneficial yet predominantly dangerous role of curiosity inattaining knowledge was prevalent in the Roman Empire around the 2nd century C.E. when the North African author, Apuleius, composed his Latin novel, the Golden Ass. Although there is no shortage of modern scholarship that focuses on how Apuleius dramatizes obsessive intrigue by means of his protagonist, Lucius, contemporary publications seldom reorient the discussion to consider how unclear he is about the unstated source of curiosity, as I do in the following thesis. Approaching this topic through the context of ancient Neoplatonism, I argue Augustine of Hippo – a …

Finding Solutions To Missed Appointments And Leveraging Virtual Technology In The Healthcare Setting, Adam R. Brown

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The healthcare community faces numerous challenges concerning patients and their ability to attend appointments as scheduled. Reports indicate that annually, between 23% and 34% of appointments are missed. This challenge creates a cascading effect of wasted time, resources, and valuable appointment slots in an already strained environment. The investigation of this phenomenon is not new and has been extensively researched in the operations management literature. While numerous solutions have been proposed over the past decade, there remains a need to continually advance this research. Beyond merely recognizing missed appointments and potential modalities to alleviate this issue within the care framework, …

Awful, Yet Awe-Full: The Sublime Dystopia Of Blade Runner 2049, Charles E. Butt

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Blockbuster dystopian sci-fi features stories of environmental collapse, authoritarian governments, out of control corporations, unbounded consumerism, and other awful possibilities. Scholars of science fiction broadly agree that this genre explores collective fears, anxieties, and speculations about the present and future. At the same time, film scholars have established that dystopian sci-fi cinema is compelling, and audiences respond to their effects-driven visuals, photorealistic mise-en-scene, and dramatic narratives. This creates an apparent paradox: Blockbuster cinematic aesthetics portray undesirable worlds desirably. I resolve this paradox by arguing that the worldbuilding of spectacle-driven, dystopian sci-fi cinema is Romanticized. That is, the provocative style of …

Governance Document Of The Usf Libraries Faculty, Usf Libraries

Faculty Governance

No abstract provided.

Navigating The College-To-Career Transition: Social Capital And Career Readiness Of First-Generation College Students Participating In The Professional Skills Mentoring Program, Olivia T. Davis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates how first-generation college (FGC) students utilize social capital to navigate the challenging transition from college to career, addressing a critical gap in the literature given the increasing emphasis on post-graduation employment and the unique obstacles these students face. FGC students often lack the same access to professional networks and career resources as their peers, highlighting the need for targeted support programs. This research explores the impact of the Professional Skills Mentoring Program (PSMP) on FGC student career readiness.

Drawing on Yosso's (2005) Community Cultural Wealth framework, this qualitative case study examines how FGC students leverage their diverse …

Barriers To Engagement Of Care For Patients Presenting With Comorbid Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) And Major Depression Or Anxiety Disorder Diagnoses, Rachel C. V. Kingsley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite significant global advancements in HIV care, engagement in continuous HIV care remains a challenge, particularly for individuals living with comorbid HIV and mental health disorders. This dissertation examines the barriers to continuous HIV care for those individuals living with comorbid HIV and depression and/or anxiety in the Tampa Bay area. This dissertation argues that dual health challenges are dually challenging. This study highlights how structural vulnerabilities, how feelings of inclusion and exclusion impact engagement in care, and socioeconomic challenges intersect to shape patient experiences and impact adherence to treatment. Drawing on critical medical anthropology, structural violence, embodied belonging, and …

Mindfulness In Action: A Critical Reflective Self-Study Exploring Mindfulness, Goal Attainment, And The Adult Learning And Development Experience, Michelle Yvette Catlin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Through a Critical Reflective Self-Study, this dissertation explores adult learning and development with a focus on the psychological construct of mindfulness and its role in goal attainment. The self-study places me as the subject and centers on my reflections, insights, and lessons learned through my doctoral professional development journey at a large public research university. My experience began with a research focus on mindfulness and mindfulness training for cognitive performance and adult learning and development, and later in my doctoral program, I gained further insight into the facilitation of goal attainment when I studied, practiced, and worked in university student …

A Life Course Approach To Understanding Preserved Cognition In Late Life, Cassidy E. Doyle

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Some level of cognitive decline is generally expected with advanced age. However, a subgroup of individuals – commonly labeled as ‘SuperAgers’ – maintain youthful memory abilities into their 80s and beyond. Relatively little is known about factors across the life course related to this phenotype. This dissertation used population-based data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to investigate lifestyle factors related to the most youthful cognitive trajectory in the United States and assess how their cognition fares over time. Three research questions were addressed: (1) Can samples of youthful cognitive agers be identified longitudinally in a population-based dataset? (2) …

Comprehensive Sensing Analysis Of Ofdm Waveform For Future Jrc And Radar Systems, Mehmet Yazgan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In today’s interconnected world, sensing is one of the indispensable parts of wireless systems.The need to optimize and diversify the use of the radio frequency spectrum has reached unprecedented importance. Cutting-edge applications, including autonomous technologies, intelligent urban systems, and advanced monitoring, require solutions that can effectively merge communication and sensing functions within limited bandwidth. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has emerged as a leading contender in this field due to its superior ability to maximize spectral usage, resilience to multipath interference, and versatile signal configuration options. Reconsidering the use of the OFDM waveform for sensing purposes is undeniably essential due …

Springscape: The Nature Coast And The Making Of Modern Florida, 1820s-Present, Douglas E. Ponticos

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

According to an oft-repeated tale, the Florida we know today emerged as a dreamscape of tourism, retirement, and suburbanization during the second half of the twentieth century. Growth victimized nature. This dissertation deeply unsettles that story. The history of the Nature Coast exposes not just nature’s agency but its primacy in the development of modern Florida.

Using surveys, maps, census data, personal correspondence, government documents, business records, timber reports, advertising materials, and hydrological research, this dissertation follows time and water across landscapes, into the Upper Floridan Aquifer, and back out again. Each chapter explores a single landscape within the Nature …

“I Learned A Lot Of Things That I Felt Already In My Heart”: Fatherhood Meanings And Dilemmas In Residential Treatment, Jared V. Worwood

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Wanting to maintain or create a connection with their child, fathers in residential treatment face challenges as they navigate physical separation, restricted interaction, and substance use stigma. However, parenting services that help fathers navigate these parenting challenges in residential programs are few and rarely studied. Working alongside a local parenting non-profit, Champions for Children, this dissertation evaluated a visitation playgroup for fathers in residential treatment and their children while also seeking theoretical insight into how fathers make meaning of fatherhood during residential treatment. A study design informed by engaged communication scholarship and the phronetic, iterative approach is used to collect …

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 …