Digital Commons Network^™

Incorporating Data Mining Techniques In Inverse Propensity Score Weighting With A Latent Class Exposure: An Application To The Nsse Data, Siyu Liu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

College graduation is a key goal for both students and institutions, yet increasing rates of four-year graduation has proven challenging. An initiative that has been implemented focuses on enhancing student participation both in the classroom and across the broader academic setting. The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) has been used by many institutions worldwide as a tool to evaluate student engagement through self-reported data. Research indicates that NSSE is linked to students’ academic success, such as better course grades, retention, and timely graduation. However, the existing relationships have been opaque and even contradictory. This study employs a newly developed …

Murine Studies On Ketogenic Modulation Of Metabolism And Epigenetics In Olfaction- Based Learning, Lps Inflammatory Response, And Sex Dimorphisms In Dietary Response, Sara E. H. Moss

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Ketogenic diets are well-established therapeutic interventions for epilepsy, with documented neuroprotective effects arising from their metabolic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Beyond epilepsy, ketogenic therapies are under investigation for various conditions including Alzheimer disease, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These diets suppress insulin levels and shift metabolic physiology toward fat and ketone body metabolism. This elevates circulating levels of ketone bodies, namely beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, and acetone, which serve as both energy substrates and signaling molecules. The state of elevated ketone bodies (ketosis) can be achieved with various formulations of a ketogenic diet as well as exogenous ketone supplementation, though the signaling …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Modeling The Pollution From Latrines In A Low- And Middle-Income Country Setting, Christopher Nenninger

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Latrines are an important sanitation infrastructure that are critical to the United Nations’ effort to end open defecation and achieve the target regarding safely managed sanitation outlined in Sustainable Development Goal #6. This global effort has led to 40,000,000 new users being introduced to improved latrines each year, and this number is expected to increase as the world’s population grows. One of the drawbacks related to these new latrine additions is the potential increase in pollution from hydraulically connected latrine pits to shallow groundwater. This is especially problematic in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where communities are more likely to …

“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 …

Applications Of Linear Discriminant Analysis In The Biomechanics Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury, Taofeek Braimoh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a prevalent and significant concern in sports medicine, often resulting in long-term consequences that affect quality of life. Despite advancements in medical technology, current methods for addressing the problem of ACL injuries remain inefficient, subjective, and limited in their predictive power. This study explores the potential of Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), a supervised machine learning (ML) technique, to improve the diagnosis and risk profiling of ACL injuries. This research aims to create an objective, effective, and precise technique for determining the risk of ACL injuries by examining key biomechanical, physical, and demographical features. The …

Anhedonic Features In Effort-Related Reward Processing, Harold Alexander Rocha

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Emerging evidence suggests that distinct stages of reward processing uniquely contribute to psychological traits linked to anhedonia, a core mood-disorder symptom characterized by diminished enjoyment of pleasure. However, the relationship between reward-processing stages and dispositional traits related to mood and anhedonia remains unclear. The present study investigated interindividual reward processing differences in a healthy college sample (n = 83) using self-report measures and event-related brain potentials (ERPs) indexing anticipatory and consummatory subprocesses across high- and low-effort conditions using a recently developed effort-doors task. The goal of the study was first to replicate the original ERP experimental effects of the task …

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 …

Growing The Future: Community Gardens In Hillsborough County, Florida, Nicole M. Kennady

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This project was an evaluation on community gardens in Hillsborough County, Florida from May 2024 to November 2024, built off of Homegrown Hillsborough’s first year evaluation of the current Hillsborough County food system. Homegrown Hillsborough is a network of community members with a mission to grow a strong food system in Hillsborough County by assisting in all areas of the food system from food production to food waste. Homegrown Hillsborough plans to act as a development initiative focused on community nutrition. Over the next two years, Homegrown Hillsborough plans to focus on food production, food access, and economic development. Through …

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 …

Respiratory Muscle Strength Training For Persistent Dyspnea In Individuals With Post-Covid-19, Sandra P. Morgan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 coronavirus has resulted in more than 775 million known cases and greater than seven million deaths globally. Up to 25% of patients experience ongoing symptoms three months after the acute illness, and up to 30% of these individuals report persistent dyspnea. The overall aims of this dissertation are to 1) examine the risk factors and predictors for developing persistent dyspnea, 2) measure the effects of respiratory muscle strength training on dyspnea, pulmonary symptoms, quality of life, pulmonary function, and functional capacity, and 3) compare the outcomes of two different respiratory muscle strength training interventions.

In …

“Smart Trap”: A Portable Device For Real-Time Mosquito Capturing And Classification Using Image-Based Analysis, Fahim Rahman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Capturing mosquitoes in real-time and taking high-quality images for classification with state-of-the-art methods is not only time-consuming but also expensive. Sometimes even carefully controlled environments and experimental setups fail to capture living mosquitoes. Catching live mosquitoes is necessary to be able to study aspects of their physiology and behavior that cannot be investigated by collections of resting mosquitoes and dead specimens, and to help estimate the local population numbers. My thesis introduces a “Smart Trap”, a small portable device that can attract mosquitoes in real-time, capture them, take high-quality images with dual cameras, and store those images in the cloud. …

Distributed Repeaters For Extending The Range Of Harmonic Rf Tags, Trevor Saunders

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Passive harmonic Radio Frequency (RF) tags are highly advantageous compared to theiractive counterparts due to their ability to operate effectively in environments that are cluttered or where access to the tag for battery maintenance is challenging, dangerous and/or time consuming. They are also resistant to the local oscillator (LO) phase noise in radar applications where the doppler frequency from slow moving targets is buried beneath the noise. One of the major constraints of passive harmonic RF tags, however, lies in their operating range and the significant amount of power required to overcome the conversion loss and activate the nonlinear device …

Vietnam Syndrome And The Genetic Consequences Of Agent Orange Poisoning: A Materialist Approach, Moriah M. Haley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this thesis was to propose and apply a materialist approach to “Vietnam Syndrome” found at the intersection of masculinity, disability, and state power as it manifests in modern military strategy. Through an analysis of the physical veteran body rendered infertile from Agent Orange poisoning during the Vietnam War, the material conditions of infertility are found to have threatened the hegemonic masculinity on which the military relied for its justification and continuation amongst young American men. The turn to technological warfare was intended to remedy the insufficiency of the military body, but the solution was costly and ineffective …

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 …

Synthesis, Characterization And Electrical Properties Evaluation Of Zirconium Dioxide Capacitors, Thomas P. Chandy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on the fabrication and comprehensive characterization of thin-film capacitors utilizing zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) as the dielectric material, placed between aluminum electrodes. The research primarily aims to examine the impact of varying ZrO2 film thickness and the effects of post-deposition annealing on the structural, morphological, and electrical properties of the capacitors. A controlled sputtering deposition technique was employed to ensure uniform film growth, maintaining consistency in thickness and material quality across all samples.

A comprehensive set of characterization techniques was employed to analyze the capacitors. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to assess surface roughness, revealing fewer defects …

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 …

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 …

Exploring Religious Leaders’ Perspectives On Genetic Counseling, Testing, And Related Technologies, Kristina M. Wittenburg

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Religion significantly influences healthcare decisions, including those related to genetic testing, by shaping ethical and emotional considerations. While some religious groups provide formal stances on genetic testing, others lack clear guidelines, leaving both patients and healthcare providers without consistent resources for navigating faith-informed decisions. Understanding religious leaders’ perspectives is critical to bridging this gap and supporting diverse patient needs. This study aimed to examine religious leaders’ perspectives on genetic testing, genetic counseling, in vitro fertilization (IVF), gene therapy, stem cell research, and abortion. These topics were explored to understand the role of religious beliefs in healthcare decisions, and to develop …

Predicting Freshwater Spring Distribution Using Maxent Modeling: A Case Study In Groundwater Management Area 9 (Gma-9), Texas, Zayed Mallick

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Freshwater springs are one of the most vital groundwater sources and they have been a reliable water source for mining, irrigation, drinking, and farming, particularly in hot and arid regions like Groundwater Management Area-9 (GMA-9), Texas. However, excessive groundwater extraction, climate change, and environmental degradation have created tremendous stress on the sustainability of freshwater springs and as a result, they might not be able to meet the future water demand. This study uses the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model to predict the distribution of springs in GMA-9 and to identify the key topographic and climatic factors influencing their occurrence. This study …

Accretion And Accumulation Of Mangrove Soils In Clam Bay, Naples, Fl: The Impact Of Hydrological Alterations And Sea-Level Rise, Matthew C. Fairchild

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The ability of mangrove soils to accrete at a rate that keeps up with the rate of sea-level rise (SLR) is widely debated, especially for soils impacted by variations in influxes of nutrients and alterations in natural flows of water from surrounding urban areas. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of SLR on mangrove soils in Clam Bay (Naples, Florida, USA), which has an extensive system of mangroves that have faced increasing human pressure in recent decades as well as SLR. Cores were collected from two different sites within Clam Bay to identify differences in soil accretion, mass accumulation, …

Understanding The Coping Mechanisms Used By Older Formerly Incarcerated Persons During Reentry, Sayla Victores

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The current study investigated the coping mechanisms employed by older formerly incarcerated individuals during reentry. While there is research on the reentry experiences of older formerly incarcerated individuals, less is known about how they cope with the strains of reentry. As such, this study fills this gap in the literature by exploring both adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms employed by this population during reentry. Using in-depth interviews with 20 older, formerly incarcerated individuals, I found that older formerly incarcerated persons experienced challenges related to securing stable housing, finding employment and economic security, community supervision, stigma and judgment, and overall reintegration. …

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 …

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 …

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, …

Identifying Racial Disparities In Patient Activation Outcomes In Genetic Counseling Sessions, Moriah M. Melhado

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Patient empowerment and activation are critical determinants of health outcomes, fostering patients’ confidence, knowledge, and engagement in their care. While the influence of race and ethnicity on patient activation has been extensively studied with other healthcare providers such as physicians and nurses, limited research has explored this dynamic within genetic counseling (GC). This study combines a systematic literature review, following PRISMA guidelines, a secondary data analysis , and an exploratory qualitative analysis of patient interviews post-session to examine relationships between race, ethnicity, and patient activation or empowerment in GC. Search terms identified 536 peer-reviewed articles, of which 44 met inclusion …