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Revealing Grounding Zone And Subglacial Processes At Cosgrove Ice Shelf: Seafloor Analogs For The Modern Antarctic Ice Sheet, Rosemary E. Burkhalter-Castro

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The future loss of ice in West Antarctica is one of the biggest uncertainties in projections of global sea level rise. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), home to Cosgrove Ice Shelf (CIS), contains enough ice to raise global sea level by more than three meters if it collapsed completely. Accurately predicting how much sea level change may occur from a future collapse of WAIS is of particular interest to low-lying, heavily populated coastal areas such as Florida. For this reason, it is important to understand the processes underpinning rapid changes and retreat at marine-terminating glaciers in the Amundsen Sea. …

Design Of End Bent Piles For Downdrag, Tanna Frye

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Embankments are commonly used for bridge approaches, with mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls being the preferred choice in Florida. However, the construction of embankments leads to the settlement of the underlying soil, regardless of soil type. When piles are driven before embankment construction, the initial settlement of the original soil creates relative movement between the pile and the surrounding soil, introducing frictional forces. When the existing soils move downward relative to the pile, a downward-oriented side shear known as downdrag is introduced. While downdrag is addressed in current codes and textbooks, it is often only briefly mentioned and primarily in …

Evaluating Video Self-Modeling To Teach Poison Safety Skills To Children With Autism, Samantha Groom-Sheddler

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Accidental poisoning of children in the United States is a problem, especially for vulnerable children with developmental disabilities. Research has shown that active learning approaches such as behavioral skills training are more effective for teaching poison safety skills to children with disabilities. Some research also suggests that video modeling and video self-modeling (VSM) may be effective for teaching safety skills to children with disabilities. As only one study has evaluated VSM for teaching gun safety skills, more research is needed to evaluate this intervention. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using VSM to teach …

A Phenotypic Characterization Of Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia Clinical Isolates, Sara Dj Daniels

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen of serious concern because of its ability to cause serious and wide-ranging disease. Of particular concern is the ability of S. aureus to cause bacteremia (SAB), allowing the bacteria to disseminate and spread to various organs. This study addressed this issue through the phenotypic characterization of two methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates taken from patients with sustained complicated bacteremia at Tampa General Hospital, referred to as SA1097 and SA1098. A battery of phenotypic tests was conducted on these strains, including a growth curve, hemolysis and proteolysis screenings, cytotoxicity assays using human neutrophils, blood …

Expert Consensus In A Politically-Charged Environment: Motivated Reasoning In Information Processing, Austin L. Katz

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With the abundance of information online, what drives news consumption? It has been theorized that there are two distinct conflicting motivations which operate simultaneously when consumers encounter new information: the motivation to reach accurate conclusions and the directional motivation to reach conclusions that are consistent with a person’s preexisting beliefs or predispositions (e.g., Kunda 1990). This experiment tests situations in which both motivations are simultaneously made salient in the context of reading headlines to decide what news to read and how accurate the news is likely to be.

A new fact-check manipulation was used to draw attention to the accuracy …

Rictor, A Mtorc2 Protein, Regulates Lymphatic Valve Formation And Maintenance Through The Akt-Foxo1 Signaling Axis, Richa Banerjee

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The lymphatic vasculature maintains tissue fluid homeostasis by absorbing interstitial fluid to form lymph and transporting it back to the bloodstream. Collecting lymphatic vessels have lymphatic valves (LVs) that prevent the retrograde flow of lymph generated by hydrostatic pressure from the blood vasculature. Backflow and accumulation of lymph leads to a lymphatic pathology called lymphedema. This implicates the involvement of defective LVs in the pathogenesis of lymphedema and warrants the study of lymphatic valve development and maintenance. The LVs are formed through a process called mechanotransduction which signals through the intracellular PI3K-AKT pathway in lymphatic endothelial cells. However, the activation …

Performance Comparison Of Two Binary Diagnostic Tests With Incomplete Data, Meng Wang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Diagnostic tests are medical examinations essential for patient care, as they help detect the presence of diseases and rule out certain conditions. However, diagnostic tests can make errors, and misdiagnoses resulting from these errors can potentially lead to treatment delays or inappropriate treatments. Therefore, comprehensively evaluating the performance of the diagnostic tests and ensuring test accuracy is a fundamental priority in diagnostic studies. When a new diagnostic test is developed, it is customary to compare it with an existing test in a paired study. However, incomplete test results commonly occur in practice. The maximum likelihood-based method can be used to …

The Attitudes, Perceptions, And Motivations Of Student-Athletes In Intermediate Algebra, Alexandra Green

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research delves into the attitudes, perceptions, and motivations of student-athletes enrolled in Intermediate Algebra courses. It focuses on the distinct challenges they encounter in juggling academic and athletic responsibilities at a southeastern university in the United States. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study gathered quantitative data through surveys to assess students' attitudes, perceptions, and motivations toward learning mathematics, as well as to determine the influence of their instructors on these factors. The qualitative segment provided deeper insights into their personal experiences, shedding light on their prior encounters with mathematics, their most memorable moments during the current course, and their …

Revision Strategies And Academic Socialization Of Multilingual Graduate Students, Sean E. Farrell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research suggests that revision is a complex practice guided by a variety of factors; however, the nature of the relationship between these factors and the revisions themselves, along with how the revision process contributes to academic socialization, remains understudied. A more comprehensive understanding of revision can lead to a deeper understanding of the support that will be most effective for multilingual graduate students. This study thus aims to determine (1) what revision strategies multilingual graduate students use, (2) what factors mediate these strategies, and (3) the extent to which these revisions index a shift in academic socialization. To answer these …

Using Function Based Self-Monitoring To Teach Functional Communication Skills And Decrease Problem Behavior For Middle School Students With Asd, Lanease Ganey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of a function-based self-monitoring procedure on functional communicative response (FCR) and problem behavior in middle school students with autism spectrum disorder. Three middle school age students diagnosed with and autism spectrum disorder and displaying challenging behavior and their respective classroom teachers and supporting staff (paraprofessionals) participated in this study. The study employed a multiple baseline design across participants to evaluate the effect of function-based self-monitoring on FCR, task engagement, and problem behavior. Following a 30-min training, the students and staff independently implemented the function-based self-monitoring procedure with fidelity which led to desired changes in student …

The Association Between Oral Microbiome, Oral Inflammation, Periodontal Disease, And Systemic Metabolism In Individuals With/Without Type 1 Diabetes, Mianli Xiao

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the associations between oral microbiomes, periodontal disease (PD), and systemic metabolism in individuals with and without Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Data were obtained from 208 participants (99 with T1D, 109 non-diabetic) in the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes (CACTI) pilot study and 283 participants from the Oral Microbiome ancillary cohort study. Both studies included the collection of saliva or subgingival plaque samples. Microbial DNA was extracted, and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Machine learning models, including Random Forest (RF) and Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP), were applied …

The Pilling Process: Significance Quest, Self-Verification, And Fusion In Online Incel Forums, Gregory J. Rousis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Incels (short for “involuntary celibates) are an online community of men who blame women for their reputed sexual and romantic failures. The misogyny of their worldview, called the blackpill, has inspired multiple instances of real-world violence against women. Alarmingly, we know little about the temporal processes whereby an incel goes from joining an online community to becoming deeply aligned (i.e., “fused”) with the group. This project sought to address this by scraping incels’ most popular web forum and using text analysis to identify psychological mechanisms that could be responsible for incels’ fusion. The resulting dataset consisted of 1,097,841 unique discussion …

Unravelling The Impact Of Blood Metabolites, And Lifestyle Factors On Periodontal Disease Using Mendelian Randomization, Rhea Charles

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease remains a global public health concern. Despite the availability of preventive and therapeutic strategies, the multifactorial nature of periodontitis complicates its understanding and management. Periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), gestational hypertension, respiratory diseases such as COPD and bronchitis, and various cancers, including kidney and pancreatic cancers. Moreover, individuals with diabetes, autoimmune diseases like lupus and Crohn’s disease, and osteoporosis are more likely to develop periodontitis. The ambiguity in the direction of causality between periodontal disease and its associated conditions poses challenges for effective treatment. Mendelian randomization offers …

Transition Aged Youth Substance Use At Electric Dance Music Events In The Tampa Bay Area: A Qualitative Study Of Awareness And Prevention, Danielle Vinciguerra

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The study investigates substance use among Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), particularly focusing on Electronic Dance Music (EDM) events in the Tampa Bay area. TAY, defined as individuals aged 18-29, experience significant psychological, biological, and developmental changes, which can lead to increased vulnerability to substance use. The study examines the prevalence and patterns of substance use, specifically ketamine and cocaine, among TAY at EDM events. Exploratory qualitative data collection method was utilized for the study. Applying Social Learning Theory as a framework, the research explores the beliefs, attitudes, experiences, and community influences that contribute to substance use within this demographic. Data …

Empowering Entrepreneurial Evolution: A Beyond Founder Strategic Approach To Small Business Growth, D. Jared Knisley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Growing a business beyond its founder’s capacities and talents presents a challenging undertaking. When a founder is no longer involved or motivated to grow the business, firm decline is a likely outcome. Small businesses often have a deep and, at times, hindering reliance on their early founders for development. Therefore, a continuous engaging plan to advance entrepreneurial success is needed to grow a small business.

My research objective aims to find methods and designs, through academic literature and practitioner interviews, that transition leadership responsibilities and increase team empowerment within a small business, enabling these firms to continue growing as the …

A School Leader’S Experiences With Ableism In An Educational System, Scottie Basham

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The current organizational autoethnographic study aims to problematize ableism as an ideology that permeates and contributes to the inequities students with disabilities face in education. I share how I came to see ableism as an ideology that permeates and contributes to recursive practices in special education and share experiences that illustrate to school leaders ableist assumptions that are ingrained in leading a Special Education Center. Using organizational autoethnography, I share my experience as a first-year principal to provide a first-hand account of recursive practices within the educational organization, rooted in ableism, and discuss how those practices affected both myself, as …

Malat1 Mediates Tet2 Loss Of Function-Driven Oncogenic Inflammation Via Rna Shielding Of Nf- Kappa B P65, Nana Adjoa Ben-Crentsil

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

TET2 is a dioxygenase that regulates gene expression and hematopoiesis by oxidizing 5-methylcytosine residues on DNA to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. TET2 mutations are common genetic events in hematological disorders. For example, TET2 is the most frequently mutated gene in Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and occurs in about 33% of other myeloid malignancies. It is also the second commonest mutation in clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), a common premalignant condition in the elderly. TET2 mutations arise in founding clones and are implicated in many non-hematological sequelae seen in CHIP like atherosclerotic disease, chronic liver disease, and severe microbial infections.

The development of TET2-deficient …

Expanding On The Factor Structure And Construct Validity Of The Short-Term Assessment Of Risk And Treatability (Start), Haomin Chen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research finds better reentry/recidivism program outcome when individuals receive service that matches their risks and needs. It is thus essential to measure recidivism risks and needs appropriately. The Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) is a clinically-oriented instrument that assesses risks of future violence/offending and identifies areas for treatment. We see its potential use as an assessment tool for reentry/recidivism programming. More empirical evidence is needed to identify the psychometric properties of the instrument in this setting before it may be used in practice. The current thesis explored the factor structure of the START strengths and vulnerabilities scales using …

A Shield-Bearer’S Tale: Elucidating The Roles Of Estradiol And Choline In Mitigating Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment, Robert W. Botelho Jr.

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairments (CRCIs) are significant consequences of chemotherapy that affect a substantial portion of breast cancer survivors, potentially persisting long after treatment cessation. This series of studies investigated the neuroprotective roles of estradiol and choline against CRCIs induced by cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin (CYP/DOX), commonly known as Adriamycin/Cytoxan (AC) chemotherapy. Utilizing the MMTV-PyVT mouse model of breast cancer, this body of work spans several experimental studies, the first of which evaluates the impact of dietary choline supplementation on spatial memory and cholinergic function in tumor-bearing mice undergoing chemotherapy. The subsequent study tests whether impaired ovarian function and resulting reductions in …

Development And Initial Validation Of The Musical Discrimination And Styles Task: Measuring Children And Adolescent Music Aptitude And Achievement, Dawn R. Mitchell White

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation had two purposes: 1) to create and document the development of a new music achievement test entitled the Musical Discrimination and Styles Task (MDAST), and 2) to describe the strength of the evidence supporting the validity and reliability of this new developmentally appropriate music aptitude and achievement instrument. I created a theoretical framework based on 1) the cognitive theory of child development of Jean Piaget, 2) the phase model of artistic development by David Hargreaves, and 3) the theoretical models of music discrimination, audiation, and music achievement by Edwin Gordon. The MDAST’s design assessed students’ abilities to evaluate …

Artificial Intelligence Modeling Of Alzheimer's Disease And Environmental Science, Mohamed Abu Sheha

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A data-driven statistical model operates as a mathematical illustration of a tangible issuefaced in reality, enabling the creation of predictions or decisions based on data. The process of utilizing probability and statistical principles in statistical models is essential for deriving meaningful conclusions from the data. The research conducted in this dissertation utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) models to integrate findings across health and environmental sci- ence.

The first research study in this dissertation, Alzheimer’s disease is a mental health issue and a brain aging dilemma that makes it difficult for older people to complete daily tasks without assistance. The physician uses …

Design Of A Satellite Tracking Mobile App Using Flutter And Android Studio Ide, Audrey Tahwa

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A pop-up free mobile application was developed utilizing one-minute intervals for positiontracking. Predictions are conducted off-line after the user has connected at least once. In In order to enhance data accuracy, the application includes a feature to download satellite data and update raw data to be used in prediction calculations. Additionally, users receive a notification when the application is ready for offline use.

Teachers' And School Directors' Perceptions Of The Benefits Of Arts-Integrated Instruction K-2: Before, During, And After Covid-19, Alison H. Mehler

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences and perceptions of teachers who use arts-integrated instruction and their directors of K-2 students before, during, and after the unique period of online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in March of 2020. Arts integration is a method of teaching in which students are taught comprehension of subject areas (i.e. – math, science, reading, social studies) through art forms. These art forms include music, theatre, dance, art, and writing. I collected he qualitative data for this research through virtual interviews with five female participants. I transcribed these interviews and …

An Evaluation Of The Premack Contingency To Increase Physical Activity In Teenagers With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Shreeya S. Deshmukh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (2018) recommends that teenagers engage in physical activity to improve their cardiovascular health and muscle and bone strength. Yet, most teenagers with and without autism spectrum disorder do not meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity. Research related to promoting physical activity has evaluated group contingencies, reinforcement-based interventions, and antecedent interventions; however, these interventions are time-intensive, require many resources, or are ineffective. The purpose of this study was to extend Allen and Iwata (1980) by reinforcing completion of a low-probability exercise to a specified criterion with access to a high-probability exercise. …

Tuning Polymer Glass Formation Behavior And Understanding Time-Temperature Superposition Breakdown With Oligomeric Additives, Peijing Yue

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The glass transition of polymer melts has been investigated for over a century. Even so, there are still many unanswered questions about the underlying physics. Countless theories were proposed to explain and define glass transition temperatures. More specifically, both the origins of the glass transition and underlying classification of glass as a state of matter remain unresolved. Time-temperature superposition (TTS) is one of the most widely used techniques to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of a material and the mechanical behavior and is employed to reduce the measuring time during characterization. Despite the widespread use of TTS, many authors have reported …

Ultrasound Based Dynamic Reference Reflection Technique For Simultaneous Specific Gravity And Temperature Estimation, Jose Paul

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This work is driven by the need for a noninvasive density estimation device for pipeline infrastructure due to the increased risk of volatility in the high energy density fuels that are available in the market. Ultrasound based techniques have proved to be a viable alternative to traditional u tube resonance or nuclear techniques due to their robustness and safety offering. The major update that this work intends to make to the existing technology is development of a system wherein the transducer or the electronic components remain isolated from the flow field.As a result, this work dives headfirst into the fundamentals …

The Discovery Of First Ret Protac With In Vivo Activity, Yafeng Wang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This report mainly discusses the development of RET Proteolysis targeting chimera PROTAC molecules based on Selpercatinib (LOXO-292) and Sulfono-γ-AApeptide PROTAC. A PROTAC molecule is a bifunctional molecule composed of two active domains and a linker. It works by inducing selective protein intracellular degradation. This technology was first discussed by Kathleen Sakamoto, Ray Deshaies and Craig Crews in 2001. Using various E3 Ligase, such as CRBN, pVHL, beta-TrCP1, Mdm2, DCAF15, DCAF16, RNF114, and c-IAP1, the PROTAC technology has been applied to several novel drug development,. Yale University licensed the PROTAC technology to Arvinas in 2013–14. For my research, Chapter one summarizes …

Development Of Decision-Support Tools For Water Resources Management In Coupled Human-Natural Systems, Edgar J. Guerrón Orejuela

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Water is an indispensable resource for all forms of life. Water is a cornerstone for economic development, public health, and social well-being. However, increasing water demand and challenges posed by climate change, pollution, population growth, and land use change underscore the urgent need for effective water management strategies. To address these complexities and ensure the sustainable use of water resources, it is imperative to adopt science-based decision-support tools. These tools leverage data, models, and analytical techniques to provide valuable insights and recommendations that guide decision-makers in formulating evidence-based policies and practices.

Effective water management requires a comprehensive understanding of the …

Local Seismic Investigations In Arizona: Analysis Of A Low-To-Moderate-Magnitude Aftershock Sequence And A Pilot Study Of Monsoon-Driven Flash Floods, Kathryn Margo Dorn

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Arizona encompasses a strikingly diverse array of geological terranes and physiographic terrain and consequently experiences a wide range of tectonic and meteorological phenomena, many of which generate distinctive seismic signals. For much of the past century, however, the state has largely lacked the style of dense seismic networks now prevalent in some regions of neighboring California, allowing myriad low-magnitude earthquakes and other subtle seismic sources to elude detection and characterization. In this dissertation, I utilize the high-resolution data of two temporary local seismic networks to investigate two such sources – the primarily low-magnitude but prolific aftershock sequence of the 29 …

Evaluating Behavioral Skills Training For The Acquisition And Generalization Of Run Blocking Skills Of High School Football Players, Jason Caleb Wiley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Behavioral skills training has been used to increase football player’s performance in one prior study, but limited data were collected on how the skill generalized from the training environment to the natural environment. The purpose of this study is to further evaluate the effects of BST in enhancing football player’s performance while also evaluating the generalization of a skill taught in a training environment (i.e., practice) to the natural environment (i.e., game simulated scrimmage). This study included five high school offensive line football players and recorded their run blocking skills in the training context and a game context in baseline …