Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Essays On Information Technology In Healthcare, Gleb Zavadskiy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Information technologies (IT) and information systems (IS) have profound significance across various sectors of society, including healthcare, business, education, government, and beyond. First, IT facilitates instant communication globally through email, messaging apps, video conferencing, and social media, revolutionizing how individuals and organizations interact, collaborate, and share information (Hacker et al. 2020; Tang and Hew 2020).

Secondly, the Internet and digital libraries provide worldwide access to vast amounts of information, what makes knowledge and education available to everyone, empowering individuals to learn and stay informed on diverse topics (Haleem et al. 2022). Another aspect of IT systems in various industries is …

Perceptions Of Rural America: Exploring College Students' Views And Career Priorities Post-Graduation, Tom Hall

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The problems facing rural America are wide ranging and multilayered. Perceptions can often be reality for those unfamiliar with rural life, which can pose a hurdle for businesses to overcome. With an in-depth literature review and research study, this dissertation aims to provide context and understanding to the problems and misconceptions of rural America. Without context, it is easy to interpret rural America as a dying, outdated part of the country, but the reality is far more complex. A research study was conducted that surveyed 400 actively enrolled college students from schools in 19 American states on three things: 1) …

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 …

Integrating Multiple Biodiversity Metrics To Assess Diatom Diversity And Diatom/Macrophyte Host Specificity In Four Florida Benchmark Lakes, Alana Jade Bronk

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Biodiversity is declining across all natural environments, however, freshwater systems are thought to be among the most threatened. Quantifying and understanding trends in freshwater biodiversity has become more urgent as rapid biodiversity loss continues. To provide a robust ecological assessment, more than one bioindicator should be used, along with multiple biodiversity metrics. Macrophytes and diatoms are important components of aquatic systems, especially in shallow lakes. The relationship between macrophytes and epiphytic diatoms, though, is not clearly understood, and has not been well-studied, particularly in Florida, which has the largest abundance of natural freshwater lakes in the southeastern U.S This study …

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 …

Overcoming Microenvironmentally Mediated Resistance In Targetable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Bina Desai

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of targeted therapies has resulted in immense success in treating lung cancer patients, where many patients experience long-term remission. Yet, the tumors relapse into an advanced state of disease, and ultimately, treatment failure. This can be ascribed to incomplete eradication of tumor cells by targeted therapies, which enables the residual tumor cells to propagate resistant tumors and cause subsequent relapse in patients. Therapy sensitivity is influenced not only by cell-intrinsic mechanisms but also by inputs from the stromal microenvironment. Despite widespread recognition of the stromal microenvironment's role in modulating therapy sensitivity, its contribution to therapeutic responses in vivo …

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 …

Breaking The Sound Barrier: Strategies For Reducing The Educational Debt In Underserved School Bands, Alfonzo V. Kimbrough

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this multiple explanatory case study was to investigate the preparation of underserved school band programs for a Music Performance Assessment (MPA). Specifically, I examined racial, economic, and social inequalities, which are well documented in the research literature, and the related achievement gaps of underserved public school bands. Using Ladson-Billings’ four pillars of educational debt, a replication approach highlighted four cases as a small sample of the success rate of Title I school bands scoring a Superior at an MPA contest. I compared how contextual issues impacted the four band directors at these schools in preparations for their …

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.

Managing The Relationship Between Hispanic Voters And The State Of Florida: A Quantitative Survey Analysis, Selena M. Gonzalez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, the relationship between registered voters of minority groups and the government of the states they reside in has become increasingly complex due to controversial legislation proposed and often passed in these states. Specifically, some states have passed laws that make it more difficult for Hispanic/Latinx residents to live and work. In particular, Florida has enacted legislation that makes it more difficult for members of the minority groups to vote, drive, and gain access to healthcare. Much of this legislation impacts the Hispanic/Latinx community, which can influence perceptions of the relationship this racial minority has with Florida’s state …

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. …

The Influence Of Recycled Water On Microbial Source Tracking Techniques That Aim To Identify Untreated Sewage In Surface Waters, Aldo E. Lobos

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fecal pollution in recreational waters can introduce pathogens that cause increased human health risk, where exposure can occur during recreational activities such as swimming, diving, surfing, and fishing. Furthermore, human fecal pollution (i.e., sewage) can introduce nutrients and other harmful chemicals that may negatively affect the environment and aquatic species. Generally, sewage is considered the highest risk to human health compared to animal fecal pollution because it typically contains a high diversity of pathogens (including human specific viruses), antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes associated with antibiotic resistance. However, pathogens are difficult to detect due to their low concentrations in the …

The Role Of Pregnancy Intendedness In Shaping Contraceptive Practices And Family Planning Experiences: Evidence From Sub-Saharan Africa, Otobo I. Ujah

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Despite the associated adverse health and economic implications associated with unintended pregnancy, there remains a paucity of literature examining the effect of unintended pregnancy on postpartum contraceptive and reproductive behavior in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Nigeria.

Aims: The overall aim of this doctoral dissertation was twofold. First, to quantitatively examine whether and to what extent the intendedness of a woman’s most recent pregnancy is linked to subsequent contraceptive behaviors and family planning experiences. Secondly, to disentangle the influence of compositional and contextual level factors on these study outcomes. In the first paper, I investigated the extent …

Exploring Online Language Learning Activities And Intercultural Communicative Competence: Perspectives Of International Students, Moneera Abdulaziz Alsubaihi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Societies are increasingly aware of the need to connect and communicate globally. Thus, navigating diverse cultural contexts becomes critical, which necessitates intercultural competence—the skill of effective communication and understanding across cultures. As the digital age reshapes our interactions, online learning platforms have emerged as dynamic spaces that foster intercultural engagement and competency development. The purpose of this study was to explore this engagement and development through online English language activities that enhance international students' intercultural communicative competence (ICC) and language learning experience. This qualitative study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of international students' experiences in online English language courses, …

Gone Smishing: An Integration Of Decision-Making And Protection Motivation In The Context Of Identity Theft Victimization, Taylor S. Fisher

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Methods of obtaining sensitive information from Internet users have evolved consistently as technology has advanced and millions of mobile device users communicate through text (SMS) messaging daily, making them a target for smishing attacks. Smishing (short for SMS phishing) is a form of cybercrime where an offender will send fraudulent text messages attempting to gather sensitive information or convince the user to click on a malicious link. These messages often appear legitimate and rely on tactics like convincing users that immediate action needs to be taken. Smishing has become so widespread that in 2020, the Texas Attorney General issued a …

The Role Of L-Fucose In Dendritic Cell Antigen Presentation And Polarization, Chase J. Burton

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Since the FDA approval of IL-2 in cancer treatment in the 1980s, immunotherapy has emerged as the standard of care for several tumor types (e.g., melanoma, lung, bladder, colorectal). However, approximately 70 percent of cancer patients, independent of prior treatment or staging, administered immunotherapy will not achieve complete responses and will exhibit disease progression. Several factors have been identified to contribute to treatment failure, including the accumulation of intratumoral immunosuppressive cell populations, insufficient tumor-infiltrating anti-tumor immune populations, or the occurrence of immunoediting on tumor cells. Current strategies to circumvent immunosuppression either lack durable response to new immunosuppressive mechanisms the tumor …

Media Regulatory Dynamics: A Case Study Of Taiwan’S National Communications Commission And Its Implications For Media Independence., Chih-Jeng (George) Huang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In alignment with the US-led regime that champions free speech, the Republic of China (Taiwan) has assumed a prominent role in upholding the freedom of expression stance in East Asia. Rooted in historical origins and institutional conflicts between Taipei and Beijing, Taiwan has established a democratic system, presenting a distinct contrast with the Beijing system, and showcasing an alternative Chinese economy that embraces liberalism. Nevertheless, as Beijing’s influence grows stronger globally, Taiwan’s democratic politics have become increasingly delicate and sensitive. In the winter of 2020, Taiwan faced a critical moment in its control over media freedom, highlighting the ongoing tensions …

“Destiel Is Forever”: Negotiating Authenticity In The Cw’S Supernatural Family And Beyond, Hannah Lay

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the communicative constitution of authenticity and queerness. Because queerness has been policed and censored, notions of authenticity, in particular authentic queer representations, are fraught and sustaining to many LGBTQ+ and allied media consumers. The project focuses on the television series Supernatural—specifically, the unfolding of interactions in fan conventions, Twitter/X, and Tumblr involving celebrities and viewers of the series following a social breach, or rupture in the narrative. The last three episodes of Supernatural brought issues of queerness and authenticity to the fore for many viewers, making discussions about these themes compelling sites for multimodal data in the …

Group B Streptococcus Intestinal Barrier Disruption And The Protective Role Of Butyrate, Kristen Dominguez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae; GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis worldwide. Intrapartum antibiotics in GBS-colonized mothers significantly reduced the incidence of early-onset sepsis occurring in the first week of life; however, there are currently no prophylactic interventions for late-onset sepsis, occurring within the first 3 months of life. GBS is a pathobiont that primarily colonizes the gastrointestinal tract and can cross the intestinal barrier via both the paracellular and transcellular routes, causing invasive disease. Neonatal susceptibility to GBS intestinal translocation is mediated by inadequate epithelial barrier function and microbiome immaturity; however, the mechanisms by which GBS exploits …

Porphyrin Overdrive In Cancer: Unraveling The Mechanisms And Therapeutic Potential, Pravin D. Meshram

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The increased understanding of cancer cell metabolism has shown options for novel treatment strategies. This thesis looks at the role of heme metabolism, specifically "porphyrin overdrive," in cancer progression and treatment. Cancer cells are hypermetabolic and rely on heme synthesis. When treated with δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), they abnormally accumulate heme intermediates. This metabolic weakness presents an opportunity to exploit heme synthesis in targeted cancer therapy. In this study, we suggest a "Bait and Kill" technique that uses exogenous ALA to induce protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) buildup in cancer cells, making them more susceptible to oxidative stress. We investigate the possibility of …

Narrative Reflection In Collaborative Composition: A Facilitated Approach To Group Processing In Middle Grades, Gretchen M. Dodson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was situated at Mountain Middle School (Pseudonym). Students at Mountain Middle School often engage in collaborative compositions embedded within week-long multidisciplinary and multiage units of study called Odysseys. These units of study and the collaborative composition projects are classified as formal cooperative learning. Johnson et al., (2010) identified five elements that make cooperative learning effective. These effective elements are: “positive interdependence, individual accountability, promotive interaction, appropriate use of social skills, and group processing” (Johnson et al., 2010, p. 1). The teachers currently design collaborative learning experiences emphasizing four of the five elements of cooperative learning. Together, we identified …

Gender Role Depictions In Arabic Children’S Picture Books, Aljawharah A. Almuqbil

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore gender role depictions in children's Arabic picture books. The importance of this study emerged from its focus on young children, where the concept of gender begins to be constructed. This study provided insight into the nature of gender roles in children’s picture books, especially under the remarkable changes that Saudi society is witnessing and the lack of Arab studies in this area. Social cognitive theory, gender schema theory, and critical literacy pedagogy guided the study. A sample of 26 picture books was selected from the Child Book Club at King Abdulaziz Public Library and analyzed …

“Siguiendo Adelante”/ "Moving Forward:" Gender-Based Violence (Gbv) Service-Seeking And Survivorship Among Indigenous Guatemalan Women, Caitlynn C. Carr

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines Indigenous women’s access to and beliefs regarding gender-based violence (GBV) services and the Guatemalan legal system. It illuminates the legal, structural, and institutional challenges and power dynamics associated with seeking support and justice for women in Guatemala, as well as why and how women decide to seek formal assistance. This research also investigates changes in attitudes and beliefs regarding women’s rights, gender roles, and formal and informal forms of support for GBV survivors. Utilizing a mixed-methods, engaged anthropological approach during 10 months of ethnographic fieldwork in two primary locations in Guatemala, this dissertation explicates qualitative data collected …

Understanding Perceptions Of Speech Therapy And Willingness To Continue Seeking Speech Therapy Among Adults Who Stutter, Jaclyn Lucey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This project investigates factors associated with treatment-seeking behaviors among adults who stutter (AWS). Specifically, we hypothesized that perceptions of previous speech therapy, including satisfaction with therapy and perceived effectiveness would be related to willingness to seek continued speech therapy. Our project was motivated by a widely used theoretical framework of health service use, and it expands on existing ancillary evidence in stuttering research.

To achieve our objective, we used both qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a more holistic understanding of barriers and facilitators to seeking continued speech therapy. Simultaneously, across two studies, we conducted and analyzed semi- structured interviews …

Black Holes In Time: The Effect Of Grid Radiation On The Tumor Immune Microenvironment, Rebecca A. Bekker

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tumor-immune interactions shape a developing tumor and its tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) resulting in either well-infiltrated, immunologically inflamed ‘hot’ tumor beds, or ‘cold’ immune deserts with low levels of infiltration. The pre-treatment immune state of the TIME is associated with treatment outcome; immunologically hot tumors generally exhibit better responses to radio- and immunotherapy than cold tumors. However, radiotherapy is known to induce opposing immunological consequences, resulting in both immunostimulatory and inhibitory responses. In fact, it is thought that the radiation induced tumoricidal immune response is curtailed by subsequent applications of radiation. Thus, I hypothesize that spatially fractionated radiotherapy (SFRT), administered …

Model-Based Systems Engineering For Engineering Education Systems Simulation, Pallavi Singh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As the engineering education system continuously evolves to meet the demands of modern industry and society, there is a need for a methodology that would manage and resolve the complexities inherent in engineering educational systems. Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is a structured approach to system design that utilizes models across all stages of the system's life cycle and supports requirements management, design, analysis, verification, and validation processes. While MBSE has been applied successfully in industries like defense, aerospace, and automotive, its application in engineering educational systems remains unexplored. This dissertation develops a dynamic model of the university-level engineering education system …

‘The Overheated World’: Crisis Politics And Neoliberal Inertia, Shomik Chakrabarti

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers were forced to balance the maintenance of ongoing economic activity alongside the measures advised by epidemiologists and other public health officials to contain the viral spread. The magnitude of the pandemic forced major conduits of the global economy to come to a sudden halt through incidents such as border closures, supply chain disruptions, lockdowns and calls for individuals to distance themselves from one another. Like the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, COVID-19 was thought to signal an inflection point for neoliberal political economy where a possible post-neoliberal era would develop in the aftermath …

Reaching New Generations: Exploring Museums' Social Media Strategies For Engaging Younger Audiences In The Post-Covid-19 Era, Lauren Parker

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the evolving landscape of museum communication and marketing strategies on social media, particularly focusing on engaging younger audiences in the post-COVID-19 era. Through qualitative interviews with marketing managers and social media coordinators from ten American museums, this research identifies strategic communication goals, changes in social media strategies post-pandemic, and specific tactics for engaging younger audiences, especially on TikTok. The study revealed that museums have key strategic communication goals for their use of social media: increasing visibility and awareness, fostering community engagement, and providing educational outreach. Post-pandemic, museums significantly enhanced their digital presence by increasing digital programming, utilizing …