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Determining The P-Wave Velocity Structure In The Near-Surface Of Nw Miami, Florida, Using Quarry Blasts, Elham Moslemi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The fact that Florida is an earthquake-free region has caused seismologists to pay less attention to it. Few earthquakes in this state mean it is not a usual practice to study the propagation of seismic waves. However, utilizing data from quarry blasts, we studied wave propagation in this region. The primary objective of the project is to investigate the near-surface P-wave velocity structure and factors that may affect it. We also analyzed the amplitude of signals versus distance and blast size. A network of up to 10 Raspberry Shake instruments around the NW Miami-Lakes mining area was deployed where four …

Using Repeated-Latency Measures To Assess Functional Relationship, Justin B. Han

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Functional analysis (FA) is the gold standard methodology for identifying maintaining variable of a target behavior in the field of behavior analysis. Although behavior analysis generally accepts that it is the most accurate behavior assessment method, it is still underutilized in clinical settings (e.g., Oliver et al., 2015; Roscoe et al., 2015). To address this concern, previous researchers have investigated the barriers to implementation such as training (e.g., Hay-Hansson & Eldvik, 2013; Iwata et al., 2000; Wacker et al., 2013), risks involved (e.g., Call et al., 2013, 2017; John, 2019; Shabani et al., 2013), and length of assessment (Saini et …

Methods For Analytical And Biophysical Analysis For Investigation Of Stimulator Of Interferon Genes In Drug Discovery, William Emmett Brian Lawless

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This work elaborates on analytical and biophysical techniques including high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry quadrupole time-of-flight (MS-QToF), dynamic light scattering (DLS), microscale thermophoresis (MST), surface plasmon resonance (SPR), isothermal calorimetry (ITC), size exclusion chromatography, and native gel electrophoresis. A basic overview is described for each technique and is designed for easy understanding by both novice and experienced analysts. Best practices for each technique are discussed and suggestions are made for protocol improvements or troubleshooting. Protocol development is discussed, and a method is introduced for MST that can be adapted to any target protein for rapid screening of analog …

The Contributions Of Mental Health Issues, Traumatic Brain Injury, And Adverse Childhood Experiences To Recidivism Among Rural Jail Incarcerees, Lauren N. Miley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recidivism should be a major concern, particularly for American jails. The Unites States incarcerates 2.3 million people, a number exceeding rates in any other country. Approximately 90% of those individuals will reenter society at some point, and roughly half of those people will ultimately return to jail. This revolving door costs U.S. taxpayers upwards of $39 billion per year, and undermines public safety. Therefore, breaking this cycle of incarceration and recidivism is of utmost concern, and the focus of this dissertation. Mental health problems, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are three potential risk factors for recidivism …

Integration Of Algae And Biomass Processes To Synthesize Renewable Bioproducts For The Circular Economy, Jessica Martin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rapid population growth and global industrialization have substantially heightened the demand for fossil-based fuels and products in various sectors of the global economy, including energy production, transportation fuels, and as raw materials for petrochemicals. The intense consumption of fossil fuels has caused immense environmental impacts, especially pertaining to carbon dioxide emissions. Shifting to renewable feedstocks (raw materials) is expected to reduce these emissions by lowering the carbon footprint of fuels and products compared to traditional fossil-derived alternatives. This transition aligns with the goal of creating a sustainable and circular economy, emphasizing efficient resource use, and reducing waste generation through recycling …

Algorithmic Design In Recommender Systems: Expanding Dbe Participation In The U.S. Construction Industry, Dick C.E. Davis Ii

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The multifaceted U.S. construction environment, characterized by vast projects and intricate agreements, is anchored in trust, exemplified by bonding. For Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), the bonding process can be challenging.

This dissertation provides an in-depth evaluation of the "System for facilitating a project between contractors and owners," a patented methodology innovatively developed by my father, Dr. Dick Davis, Sr. and later approved through my research efforts, as indicated by the patent number US8346582B1. The system adeptly gathers and processes data from owners, projects, and contractors. Despite its proficiency in managing extensive contractor and project data, the system faces challenges in …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Dance Fundamental Movement Skill Intervention For Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety In Children, Juanita Patterson-Price

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent mental health conditions in children. Rates of both disorders are rising, surpassing the capacity of available treatment services (albertapatients, 2022; Edwardson, 2022; Statistics Canada, 2020). Lack of treatment can often result in worsening of symptoms towards serious long-term effects (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Additional treatment supports must be made available. The goal of this doctoral research is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of genre-inclusive dance as a psychosocial intervention for anxiety and depression in children. The first manuscript of this doctoral work shares lessons learned in a program evaluation using …

Evaluating The Responsiveness Of Urban Security In The University Area, Varshini Renikunta

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Perceptions of safety within one's neighborhood can significantly impact overall health. While certain neighborhood features like broken sidewalks, crime rates, and visible disorder can influence these perceptions, the exact interplay of these factors remains unclear, especially among individuals with disabilities who might perceive themselves at greater risk. Individuals typically opt for routes and spaces they deem safe in the built environment, such as well-lit pathways, areas next to lively storefronts instead of closed facades, or routes that steer clear of potentially unsafe building entrances. How individuals navigate and interact with their surroundings is intrinsically tied to their cognitive perceptions shaped …

Multi-Model Digital Twins With Ai Forecasting For Seed To Stand Supply Chain, Rania Sherif Elashmawy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The present dissertation embodies a multi-faceted investigation aimed at enhancing strawberry production pre-harvest and post-harvest quality through data-driven approaches. It unfolds multi-stages framework.

The first stage presents a complete data collection and its preliminary statistical analysis obtained from the first phase of a large-scale soil study on how to improve strawberry production and achieve sustainable and high-quality harvests through sensor-assisted real-time field monitoring. Six real-time loggers were placed in an operational commercial strawberry farm in Central Florida for the entirety of a harvest season from soil preparation to planting to harvesting. Along with high-resolution soil sensory measurements including water content, …

Employing The Use Of Molecular Dynamics To Explore Protein Stability And Optimize Free Energy Protocols, Taylor A. Rodman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Molecular dynamics (MD) is a powerful technique that can be used to provide informationabout a system over time. MD simulations can be used to explore behaviors of many systems such as protein-ligand interactions protein-protein interactions. Additionally, these simulations can be used to generate trajectories of a system to further be used for free energy simulations. The work discussed in Chapter 2 involves the use MD simulations to identify potential drug candidates capable of binding to and stabilizing the nuclear binding domain of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator protein. Using ProBiS, we were able to find a potential binding site …

Assessing The Relationship Between True Crime Documentary And Podcast Consumption, Fear Of Crime, And Protective Behaviors, Lauren A. Tremblay

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how the consumption of true crime documentaries and podcasts is linked to the fear of crime and the adoption of protective behaviors. Building upon prior research that explores these relationships, this study aims to evaluate the impact of true crime content consumption and fear of crime on individuals’ engagement in protective behaviors. Using a cultivation theory framework with an analytic sample of 665 American adults, three Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions and one structural equation model are used to evaluate the relationship between true crime documentary and podcast consumption, fear of crime, and protective behaviors. Results suggest …

Evaluating Self-Monitoring Of Performance With A Peer Component On Disruptive Behavior And Task Completion Of Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorder, Isabella Gural

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Students with emotional and behavioral disorder (EBD) often face a lot of struggles in the classroom (Didion et al., 2018). This can lead to these individuals not finishing school, not getting jobs, etc (Cumblad et al., 1995). Not only is it an issue for the students themselves, but they often engage in disruptive behaviors that disturb their peers and RBTs (Adera & Bullock, 2010; Gottfried & Harven, 2014). Many interventions have been used to increase academic engagement and decrease disruptive behaviors in the classroom for students with EBD, including self-monitoring strategies and peer-mediated interventions. However, regarding studies evaluating self-monitoring interventions …

Evaluating The Prevent-Teach-Reinforce Secondary Model For Individuals With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Christine Colón

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The intensity and range of behaviors displayed by youths with an emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), along with the limited competence of teachers and parents in responding to these behavioral events, present significant challenges in effectively addressing behavioral difficulties and promoting prosocial skills. The current study evaluated the use of the Prevent–Teach–Reinforce (PTR) model, a manualized function-based intervention model, for three youths with EBD in the home setting. The caregivers of the youths were involved in the 4-step PTR process, contributing to the design and implementation of the PTR intervention within family routines. The impact of the intervention on youth …

Validating The Correlation Between Illuminance, Nighttime Crash Frequency And Demographic Characteristics On Roadway Segments In District 7, Florida, Aditi Sugeerappa Hoti

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For a long time, streetlights have proved to be an effective tool to help users access roads safely. Hindrance to good visibility at nighttime has been attributed to accidents on the road. Florida is considered to have very dangerous roads due to careless driving which increases as nighttime approaches. Much empirical research has contributed to the attention nighttime crashes receive. This study examines the influence of roadway characteristics along with socio-economic factors on crashes through statistical and spatial analysis of roadway segments in Tampa Bay Region. Illuminance data, crash data and socio-economic data for roadways facing nighttime crashes under low-illuminance …

Online Instructional Clarity: A Phenomenological Study Of Students’ Experiences, Erin Cathleen Bryan Sutliff

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was a phenomenological exploration of five undergraduate students’ experiences with clear and unclear instructors in online courses at a large southeastern research university. The specific aim was to privilege the voices of undergraduate students about their experiences communicating with their online instructors, particularly with regard to their instructors’ clarity (or lack thereof), and analyze the essence of their experiences using an interpretivist, and specifically, phenomenological perspective. The research was envisioned to address gaps in the instructional clarity literature as well as to respond to calls within both the online learning and the instructional communication literature to explore instructor …

The Great Resignation: An Exploration Of Strategies To Combat School Bus Driver Shortages In The Post-Covid-19 Era, James E. Cole Jr.

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Leading school transportation providers have been turning toward data-driven incentive programs to engage, motivate, and get the best out of their school bus drivers, but the nationwide school bus driver shortage has emerged as a pressing issue of critical importance affecting the education system, transportation infrastructure, and safety of students across the United States. School bus driving is one of the most challenging driving jobs, and low wages, demanding schedules, stringent licensing requirements, and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the shortage of drivers. Identification of strategies to improve school bus driver retention was the objective of this qualitative phenomenological study. …

Syntheses, Photophysics, & Application Of Porphyrinic Metal-Organic Frameworks, Zachary L. Magnuson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Porphyrins are a group of heterocyclic macrocycles that play crucial roles in various biological processes such as electron transfer, catalysis, and sensing. Hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood of mammals, and chlorophyll, which drives photosynthesis in plants and algae, are both porphyrins. The ability of porphyrins to bind metal ions and their unique electronic and photophysical properties make them an excellent platform for designing functional materials for various applications, often drawing inspiration from their function in nature. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials that have been extensively studied in recent years due to their high surface …

Synthetic Studies Of Potential New Ketogenic Molecules, Mohammad Nazmus Sakib

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The ketogenic diet has gained popularity in the past few decades among people and physicians due to its various health benefits. A significant amount of research has been done for the modification of the original ketogenic diet and investigation of its potential health benefits. However, synthesis of novel ketogenic compounds as a dietary supplement has not received the same level of attention. That is the primary objective of this research project. The first chapter of this manuscript describes the synthesis of various short and medium chain esters of different polyols that have been done so far, and areas of their …

Psychological Distress, Resilience, And The Impact On Quality Of Life In Breast Cancer Survivors With Taxane-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Lauren Schwab

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation study was to longitudinally examine psychological distress (depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms), resilience, and the impact on quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors (BCS) with taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN). The specific aims were 1) to describe psychological distress (depressive and anxiety symptoms) in BCS with TIPN and the impact on QOL using a scoping review; 2) to determine the relationship between psychological distress, QOL, and resilience in BCS with TIPN over time in a 16-week randomized controlled trial (RCT); and 3) to determine if resilience moderates psychological distress and QOL in BCS with …

In Silico And In Vitro Drug Discovery Strategies And The Chemical Investigation Of Endophytic Fungi, Sarah Grace Dietrick

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The biodiversity of our global marine ecosystems provides substantial treasure to discover: chemistry. Marine organisms that live in proximity to one another use their unique chemistry to compete with one another and thrive in their environment. Benthic invertebrates, specifically, that lack physical means of protection will produce secondary metabolites as a means of defense from their surroundings and predators. The compounds which they produce are ordinarily species-specific, highly diverse biomolecules. Biosynthetic processes within an organism construct these secondary metabolites from fragments of primary metabolites (amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, and so on). Their roles in protection have antibiotic, toxic, and …

Student Perceptions Of The Nonmedical Use Of Prescription Stimulants And Preferences For Health Education, Ana Gutierrez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) for the purpose of improving academic performance is a growing concern among the college population. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2020, rates of NMUPS were highest among 18–25-year-olds attending college. There are several adverse health outcomes associated with NMUPS, including cardiovascular damage, seizures, psychosis, and dependence. Given the rising rates of NMUPS in this group, and the negative health outcomes associated with NMUPS, it is vital to employ health education that allows students to make informed decisions about behaviors that impact their health. The purpose of this study …

All Quiet On The Digital Front: The Unseen Psychological Impacts On Cybersecurity First Responders, Tammie R. Hollis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Driven by the increasing frequency of cyberattacks and the existing talent gap between industry needs and skilled professionals, this research study focused on the crucial human element in the domain of cybersecurity incident response. The objective of this dissertation was to offer a meaningful exploration of the lived experiences encountered by cybersecurity incident responders and an assessment of the subsequent impacts on their well-being. Additionally, this study sought to draw comparisons between the experiences of cybersecurity incident responders and their counterparts in traditional emergency response roles. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a cohort of 22 individuals with first-hand experience working …

The Discussion – Conclusion Section Of Quantitative Versus Qualitative Research Articles In Second Language Writing: Rhetorical Structure And Interactional Metadiscourse, Oksana Bomba

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed and compared the rhetorical structure of the Discussion – Conclusion sections from quantitative versus qualitative research articles (RAs) in the interdisciplinary field of Second Language Writing (SLW). Although Discussion and Conclusion sections are critical components in the RA genre that present a challenge to novice writers, little is known about the rhetorical organization of RA Discussion – Conclusion sections and how quantitative and qualitative research paradigms may shape the ways RA writers present and discuss their findings.

This corpus-based study analyzed the rhetorical structure of the SLW RA Discussion – Conclusion sections from quantitative and qualitative research …

Saudi Mothers’ Perspectives And Experiences About Family-School Partnership In Early Childhood: A Qualitative Study, Mona Mohsen Alzahrani

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this study, I explored Saudi mothers’ perspectives on family-school partnerships, besides understanding the challenges they had faced. I used the ecological theoretical framework, to understand the complexity of the relationships between family and school and the impact of the environment on children's development. The ecological theory allowed me to simplify these relationships and recognize the effect on the children's development by examining Saudi mothers' perspectives. I selected qualitative research to gain a better thoughtful of the complex phenomena. I conducted semi-structured interviews to gain a deeper understanding of mothers’ perspectives. I applied a thematic analysis by Clark and Braun …

Machine Learning For Electronic Design Automation: Specification Mining And High-Level Synthesis, Md Rubel Ahmed

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The rapid growth of complex system-on-chip (SoC) designs has presented unprecedented opportunities and challenges in electronic design automation (EDA). This dissertation explores two facets of electronic design automation: message flow specification mining using data mining and natural language processing (NLP) and high-level synthesis (HLS) acceleration using different machine learning (ML) methods. It also discusses an ML model co-optimization method for energy-efficient hardware implementation.

Effective SoC design validation relies heavily on message flow specifications. This dissertation presents an efficient technique for synthesizing finite state automaton (FSA) models from SoC execution traces. The synthesized models can provide valuable insights into the on-chip …

Why Teachers Stay: An Exploration Of Why Mid-Career Teachers Remain In Teaching, Jennifer K. Mccorvey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Much of the current literature on teacher retention centers around early-career teachers, with far less addressing mid-career teacher attrition. This research study explores the positive and negative experiences of five mid-career teachers, Toni, Sean, Susan, Debbie, and Jacqueline, explicitly focusing on the experiences that influenced their decisions to remain teaching. The participants were Teacher Leadership Academy alumni, a professional learning community in two separate Professional Development School programs. I used a qualitative case-study approach to examine the teachers’ experiences and Identity Theory as a lens through which to view the findings. Semi-structured interviews and participant-constructed timelines were the primary sources …

Great Power Cyberpolitics: Re-Interpreting Offensive Realism And Power Transition Theory For Cyber Deterrence, Yavuz Akdaǧ

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation assesses the empirical relevancy of realist International Relations (IR) theory in cyberspace and shows how a richer IR-based theory of cyber conflict can enhance the understanding of interstate cyber deterrence, especially in the context of US-Sino hegemonic cyber conflict or cyberwar. As states increasingly engage in cyber conflict by exploiting security vulnerabilities due to global interconnectivity (i.e., the Internet), cyber threat has become relevant for national security. Scholars constructed cyber deterrence to counter the threat using the fundamentals of the Cold War nuclear deterrence. Yet this approach is highly contested; cyberspace defies traditional deterrence concepts. Further theoretical analysis …

Influence Of Thickness And Capping Materials On The Static And Dynamic Properties Of Ferrimagnetic Thin Films, Noha Alzahrani

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Spintronics traditionally relied on ferromagnetic materials for their strong spin properties but facedissues like large stray magnetic fields. To address these challenges, researchers turned to antiferromagnetic materials with fast spin dynamics, due to their zero net magnetic moment but the lack of a net spin moment complicated operation. In this context, ferrimagnetic materials have emerged as promising alternatives. They combine ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic traits and feature different magnetic ions in their sublattices. This dissertation explores how film thickness and capping materials affect the properties of ferrimagnetic thin films. Rare-earth transition metal ferrimagnetic amorphous alloys have garnered attention in the realm …

Investigating Self-Regulation For Motivation And Creativity In Entrepreneurship: A Qualitative Study, Maham Khan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study investigated the perceptions of instructors in higher education institutions and trainers/mentors in business incubators to support the self-regulatory processes of motivation and creativity among emergent and novice entrepreneurs to initiate and sustain entrepreneurial activities. Seven participants were interviewed (i.e., four higher education instructors, three business incubator trainers/mentors). The data were analyzed using hybrid thematic analysis. The role of instructors and trainers/mentors as mentors may have served as a foundation to support entrepreneurs' self-regulation of motivation and creativity. The findings revealed two themes. The first theme is that entrepreneurship education instructors in higher education and trainers/mentors in …

Learning After Retirement: The Stories Of Three Chinese Senior Citizens, Yanan Li

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

China, with its vast population, has qualified as an aging society. As a response to this, education and learning have become an important means of improving the quality of life for older people in China. The primary objective of this study is to uncover what stimulates three older Chinese individuals to engage in learning activities by exploring their personal stories. The two research questions guiding the study are: (a) How do three senior Chinese citizens describe their life and learning experiences? and, (b) What factors motivate and influence these three senior Chinese citizens to participate in learning activities? In this …