Digital Commons Network^™

Isokinetic Sampling Efficiency Differences For Blunt Edge Vs Sharp Edge Sampling Probes, Cory A. Treloar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This project aims to determine if sampling efficiency differences are present between a sharp edge probe and a blunt edge probe during isokinetic sampling. To answer this question, isokinetic sampling was performed inside a wind tunnel. Sampling was performed with the sharp edge probe and compared to data previously obtained using the blunt edge probe. Two different particle sizes were used, 0.50 m and 2.00 m, at air velocities of 0.5 m/s, 1.0 m/s and 2.0 m/s in the wind tunnel. Results showed that there is a difference in sampling efficiency between the two probes and a larger difference in …

Fewer Wetlands More Connectivity: Implications Of Land Use-Land Cover Change In An Agricultural Landscape, Stephanie Lawlor

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

St. Lucie County (SLC) is a 1,782 km2 area in east-central Florida that drains to the Nationally Significant Indian River Lagoon (IRL). It is low lying and nearly level, with widespread non-floodplain wetlands (NFWs) and few natural channels. NFWs comprise the vast majority of SLC wetlands, both in terms of numbers and area. Since the early 20th century, SLC has undergone extensive land use-land cover (LULC) change and is now characterized by citrus farming in the interior and municipalities on its eastern coast on the Atlantic Ocean. This LULC change has been made possible by the construction of an extensive …

Morphometry And Density Analysis Of The Fifth Metacarpal, Amrita Unnikumaran

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The fifth metacarpal bone fracture is a common type of fracture among the young male population. With the increasing demand for early recovery from such fractures with surgical reduction, the medical manufacturers and clinicians are interested in designing a better intramedullary device for fixation. This study is an attempt to investigate the dimensional parameters of the fifth metacarpal bone and its intramedullary canal, using 3D CT scan images of cadaveric hands. The algorithm used for measurement applies principal component analysis on the subject bone, to control the information loss and normalize the spatial position of the subject. This analysis provides …

Impact Of The Number Of Lane-Changing Times On Throughput By Fundamental Diagram Based On Ngsim Data, Gangyan Zhang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the present report, the characteristics of the fundamental diagram (FD) are exploited to delve into the effect of the number of times of lane changes on traffic throughput. The NGSIM data are classified and screened by splitting the regions of US-101 and I-80; the relevant traffic variables (e.g., traffic flow, density and speed) are calculated. Appropriate statistical approaches are employed to verify the correlation of the impact of lane changes on different traffic variables. Lane changes could affect traffic throughput in light congestion instead of in heavy congestion. The causes of the effects of lane changes on throughput are …

Energy Transition Modeling: Social And Technical Dynamics Of Moving To Renewable Energy, Lawrence Gottschamer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The majority of global electricity is generated using fossil fuels as an energy source, and the science linking fossil fuel combustion with negative environmental impacts is clear. Recognizing this link, decarbonizing the electricity system is a critical component of climate change mitigation. However, moving electricity generation, distribution, and end-use behavior patterns to renewable energy is a complex socio-technical energy transition challenge with a number of economic, policy, technological, societal and environmental barriers. Energy transition work tends to be siloed within these topics; ignoring complex socio-technical interdependencies impacting electricity system transition dynamics. This work fills the knowledge gap with a ‘systems …

Exploring The Equity Performance Of Bike-Sharing Systems With Disaggregated Data: A Story Of Southern Tampa, Zhiwei Chen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The rising adoption of bike-sharing systems brings significant benefits to individuals and society as a whole. However, whether these benefits are distributed throughout society in a fair manner is still an open question. This study presents a methodological framework for assessing the equity performance of bike-sharing systems, with Coast Bike Share system in southern Tampa as a case study. The framework integrates three different datasets: bike-sharing infrastructure, individual travel itineraries and individual sociodemographic attribute data. With these datasets, we model individual accessibility to activity locations using bike-sharing as the mode of transportation by analyzing the “walking-cycling-walking” process of a bike-sharing …

Modeling Of Buildings With Electrochromic Windows And Thermochromic Roofs, Hua-Ting Kao

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Air conditioning and heating have increased substantially during the past two decades. According to a survey, buildings consume about 73% of the total electricity in the United States, accounting for 41% of all other energy in the world. At the same time, building skin technologies are constantly improving. Electrochromic and thermochromic are two exciting new technologies that can help reduce the energy consumption of a building. The purpose of this work is to increase our understanding of how much the use of electrochromic (EC) and thermochromic (TC) technologies can reduce the energy consumption of residential and commercial buildings in two …

Pathways To Parenthood: Attitudes And Preferences Of Eight Self-Identified Queer Women Living In Tampa Bay, Fl, Emily Noelle Baker

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This small-scale ethnographic study looks at the how queer women living in Florida imagine navigating family building decisions under the current climate of policies such as a lack of federal non-discrimination protections and the largely unregulated use of assisted reproductive technologies. Despite the federal legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States in 2015, state and county legislations continue to vary greatly on the extent of support they will provide for LGBTQ families. The goal of this research is to evaluate parenting desire, intentions, and preferences for queer women living in Tampa Bay since the passage of the Marriage Equality …

Sundaas Story: A Mixed-Methods Study Of Household Sanitation Provisioning In Urban Informal Housing In India, Sarita Vijay Panchang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The aims of this research were to examine sanitation insecurity in urban informal housing through the lens of the built environment, social disparities, and health implications. While the Millennium Development Goals for halving the global proportion of people without access to safe drinking water were met ahead of schedule, progress fell short for sanitation, creating new objectives for the Sustainable Development Goals to be met in 2030. Much research in the Global South is dedicated to community-level sanitation promotion, but often presumes a rural rather than urban setting. Urban informal housing settings constitute a unique challenge due to the range …

On Automation Of Code Transformations For Concept Inventory Misconceptions, Dmytro Vitel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Identifying common misconceptions held by novice programmers is a primary goalof the Computing Education Research agenda. This thesis proposes to formalize such mis-conceptions through program transformations. We first describe the implementation of theEvoParsons system, that allows students to practice programming skills with the help ofso-called Parsons puzzles. This software serves as a tool for gathering data on how studentsinteract with such puzzles. Our first contribution is the system architecture reorganization:development of Web SPA UI, REST service back-end, hypothesis validation infrastructureand student-UI data collection. We then review and compare several code-transformationtools (ANTLR, Rascal MPL and StrategoXT) and show how they might …

Autonomy, Suffering, And The Practice Of Medicine: A Relational Approach, Michael A. Stanfield

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this project, I argue that the conventional view of personal autonomy that is operational in contemporary American culture, bioethics and medical practice places undue emphasis on individualism and a limited range of personal qualities and attributes (such as self-sufficiency). Instead, I argue in favor of a relational approach to autonomy which recognizes that each person that exists has certain minimal connections or relations to others, and these connections/relations are identity-forming. Unfortunately, current medical practices have tended to overemphasize individuality and choice (consistent with the conventional view) while minimizing or excluding these relational aspects. As a result, informed consent and …

The Research On The Determinants Of Users' Willingness To Pay For Chinese Paid Sports Model Based On Use And Gratification Theory, Jing Li

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study adopted use and gratification theory as a theoretical guide to explores the impact of individual needs, product variables, and copyright consciousness on audience’s willingness to pay in paid sports media in China. The most important part of this study was tested whether product variables act as a mediating factor and whether copyright consciousness plays as a moderating factor to influence the relationship between individual needs and willingness to pay. This quantitative study collects the data from a sample of 679 (valid N=568) Chinese adults who have some exposure or understanding of the paid sports model in mainland China. …

Students' Perceptions On Alternative Break Experiences And Selecting An Academic Major In A Four-Year College, Bianny Fernández Collado

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research shows that 50-80% of college students are exploratory/undecided or appear as declared and will change their major at least once. Although higher education institutions have developed and implemented several initiatives to assist students with selecting an academic major, students are struggling to reach this milestone. According to Gebhard (2015), real-world and experiential opportunities successfully prepare students to select an academic major. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative exploratory study is to describe in-depth a phenomenon: how a service-based experience, offered through an Alternative Breaks (aB) program may prepare student participants for the selection of an academic major. The study …

Authentication Usability Methodology, Jean-Baptiste Subils

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nowadays many systems require end users to authenticate themselves. Authentication is one of the security activities that end users perform the most. Thus, the usability of this security feature plays a major role in the proper utilization and adoption of a novel authentication method.

This dissertation presents coauthentication, a novel authentication system. Many authentication methods and protocols exist, but passwords remain the predominant authentication method used. Coauthentication is presented here in detail in several possible variations and their associated protocols, with performance comparisons.

This dissertation also presents a framework to evaluate authentication methods in terms of usability.

A large body …

An Analysis Of The Language And The Relationship Of The President Of The Usa Related Twitter Accounts Toward The National Media, Sait Serif Turhan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research focuses on the language tone of the United State of America’s presidentrelated Twitter accounts and the ways of the interaction with the national media with their tweets. The literature provides how politicians utilize and for what purposes they use Twitter. Framing theory was applied to conceptualize the manner of conveying messages and impressions of politicians toward the national media. Content analysis was utilized to analyze 902 mediarelated tweets to find out the ways of the interactions and language tone and the level of emotions in tweets of US president-related Twitter accounts with the national media during the period …

Restoring International Justice: Exposing The Limitations Of Retributive Justice And Proposing A Restorative Dimension, Nazek Jawad

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation exposes the limitation of international retributive justice in realizing interstate reconciliation and proposes including a restorative dimension into the existing international criminal justice system. I maintain that justice within the international criminal system is conceptualized purely on a punitive notion influenced by the liberal institutionalist understanding of the state and the international system. Hence, the current retributive structure does not engage rival stakeholders, who experience interstate wars, in the process of international justice, as it is centered on upholding international law and punishing states that violate the law. To this end, the current process is not equipped to …

Ripping The “Paper Ceiling”: How Social Studies Teachers Conceive And Enact The Integration Of Gender And Women’S Experiences In Their Curriculum, Andrea Watson-Canning

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the intentions of teachers who report incorporating gender and women’s experiences into their social studies curriculum and how those intentions are manifested in the classroom. I examine how teachers talk about the purposes of social studies education, their reasons for incorporating gender and women’s experiences into their curriculum, and their descriptions of incorporation (the intended curriculum). Then, I analyze how the intended curriculum is enacted in the classroom.

Using educational connoisseurship and criticism and portraiture, I construct narrative portraits of the phenomena analyzed. Both educational connoisseurship and criticism and portraiture consider the …

Device For Imaging Cross-Section Of Post-Tensioned Structural Tendons In The Field, David Dukeman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With increasing use of grouted post-tensioned tendons in structures, there is a critical need for equipment to determine deficient grouting. Inadequate grouting can cause dangerous corrosion of the high-strength post-tensioning steel in the tendons. Evaluation should be non-destructive, and early detection is needed to take timely remedial actions to repair or replace any tendons that are affected before catastrophic failure occurs. In particular, there is need for an imaging method that shows the cross-section of the tendon being tested and flag any deficiencies present relative to the location of the strands in the cross section. The method should be rapid, …

Structure Of Turkey-Usa Bilateral Relations And Analysis Of Factors Affecting Bilateral Relations, Hanifi Ozkarakaya

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on understanding and explaining the factors affecting Turkey-US bilateral relations, which have been on a fluctuating course in recent years. Turkish foreign policy had a Western-centric foreign policy approach in line with Turkey’s westernization goal in previous years. However, Turkish foreign policy has undergone a major change since it became clear that the long-lasting European Union accession process would not reach a result. Therefore, Turkey's new foreign policy, which is not Western oriented and closely associated with the former Ottoman Empire geography, has also affected the bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States.

The most important …

The Relationship Between Continuous Glucose Monitor (Cgm) Derived Metrics And Indices Of Glycemic Control, Ryan Bailey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Both hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) and hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) are common among individuals with type 1 diabetes and are associated with severe medical complications, therefore it is essential that health care providers are able to accurately measure glycemic control. Measures derived from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may provide more accurate measurements of glycemia than the commonly used HbA1c blood test.

Methods: Data from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) clinical trial to assess the efficacy of continuous glucose monitoring was used to estimate the ability of CGM composite scores to predict time in range, time in hyperglycemia and …

On The Ablation Of Meteors And The Implications On Organic Delivery To Earth, Christopher Alan Mehta

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The synthesis of prebiotic organic compounds is a key step in the origin of life. Sources of these materials are divided into endogenous and exogenous sources. Endogenous synthesis—occurring potentially on the surface of the Earth—includes such historic experiments as the Miller spark discharge and formose chemistry. However, one avenue for exogenous synthesis to occur is when meteors enters an atmosphere. Using principles of orbital mechanics, geology, physics, and chemistry, we study meteor ablation and the transport of organic matter to the surface of Earth. To do so, I create numerical models that simulates meteors traveling through the atmosphere of Earth …

Controlling Turnover In An Inside Sales Organization: What Are The Contributing Factors, Dennis H. Kimerer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The turnover rate for inside sales team, particularly in Central Florida, is exceedingly high. I have experienced this negative scenario managing inside sales teams for two major Telecom companies over the past 11 years, having as many as 40% of the salesforce resign within 30 days. Organizational costs to hire a new salesperson can be as high as 300% of the replaced employee’s salary and take as long as eight months to reach full productivity. The purpose of this research is to determine the internal and external factors that impact a salesperson’s propensity to leave a company. This qualitative research …

Development And Validation Of Wireless Sensors For Applications To Human Head Angular And Mechanical Motions, Karthick Natesan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this project, we programmed a 9 degree of freedom Razor sensor, which incorporates an accelerometer and gyroscope to measure the head linear and angular motions produced by activities of daily living (ADL). The majority of studies concentrate on linear accelerations, so the purpose of this study is to determine the importance of both linear and angular components of acceleration in everyday activities and find interlinked relation between them. The sensor was validated using another calibrated and validated system. The general size and wireless nature make this sensor very suitable for use with human subjects. After obtaining informed consent, we …

Roma Girls Expressing Identity, Aspirations, And Voice Through Participatory Arts-Based Research, Crista Kaye Banks

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The methods by which Roma girls are studied and represented, do not account for their individual expressions of identity, aspirations or voice. Experiences and voices of Roma girls have rarely been seen or heard and have been consistently defined and represented by non-Roma individuals throughout history and within academia, which has perpetuated stereotypes. Interpretations of the image and lives of the Romani are permeated with misperceptions, myths, and assumptions based on stereotypical definitions.

This study uses the arts-based method of mixed media collage with Roma girls in London, England, to understand their expressions of identity, aspirations, and voice. This arts-based, …

Phenomenological Study Of Toxic Leadership In The U.S. Military, Anthony L. Hinen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The current literature shows toxic leadership is surprisingly more prevalent than previously believed. This subset of organizational leadership studies revolves around leadership styles that poison the employee, the organization, or both. This study captures a common phenomenon for toxic leadership (symptoms) useful for diagnosing or addressing toxic leadership in organizations. My goal is to better understand toxic leadership to inform potential mitigation techniques that are applicable to business and military environments. My research suggests toxic leadership exists because senior leaders, those leaders above the toxic leader, allow it to exist, either unwittingly or knowingly. Furthermore, leaders can create toxic environments …

The Complexity Of Governance And Internal Audit Independence, Lily Bi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Independence is a critical foundation of all internal audit functions and internal audit services. The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) sets The International Standards for Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, which requires that internal audit functions maintain independence, and chief audit executives functionally report to the “board.” The term “board” is interpreted differently in different countries due to the country’s governance models. The diverse corporate governance models create different board structures and the CAE’s reporting relationship with the board. Additionally, the lack of regulatory mandate about internal audit created a reality that internal audit functions are positioned differently depending on …

The Financial And Nonfinancial Performance Measures That Drive Utility Abandonments And Transfers In The State Of Florida, Daniel Acheampong

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The down trending of investor-owned water and wastewater utilities and the continuous increase in utility abandonments and transfers within the regulatory environment motivated the study of investor-owned utilities, using samples from the state of Florida. The study determined the financial and nonfinancial drivers of utility andandonments and transfers. Using the NRRI and Acheampong et al. improved financial ratios, used in utility viability studies (liquidity ratio, leverage ratio, debt to equity ratio, profit trend ratio, growth and efficiency ratio, efficiency ratio, and the profitability ratio), the study identified sixteen nonfinancial performance measures under four categories (output measure, quality measures, owners’ equity …

2018 China-United States Trade War: Framing Analysis Of Online News Coverage In The United States And China As Portrayed By The New York Times And The People’S Daily, Jiangling Huang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Grounded in framing theory, this thesis explores a differential study by content analysis. The 2018 China-United States trade dispute is a major event that was officially launched by the United States and attracted worldwide attention. The ongoing trade disputes have had a huge impact on the economies of the two countries and the world economy, and a large number of news media have reported and commented on the incident. The purpose of the study was to determine the differences between news reports in the two countries depicted in the New York Times and the People’s Daily. The sample comes from …

Exploring The Disconnects Between Cpa Firms And Millennials As It Relates To Tax Preparation, Dustin Micah Grant

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Small Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms are facing a demographic market shift as baby boomers leave the workforce and are replaced by millennials. Today, small CPA firms rely on tax services from baby boomers and older clients for the majority of revenue, but millennials now represent the largest percentage of the workforce. This growing disconnect suggests a potential issue for small CPA firms. The following research explores the issues and opinions of millennial-aged tax filers and partners in small CPA firms on compiling and filing individual federal income tax returns in the United States.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with both …

Experiences Of Using Intelligent Virtual Assistants By Visually Impaired Students In Online Higher Education, Michele R. Forbes

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In today’s world, the attainment of higher education impacts the acquisition of competitive employment and, thus, quality of life. As a group, persons with disabilities continually fall behind others in such academic progress, requiring new efforts to support their earning of advanced credentials. Though highly beneficial for these individuals, obtaining a degree comes with elevated levels of stress. As enrollment of students with disabilities grows in all formats of higher education, those involved must understand the stress endured by these students and how to diminish it. Theories speculate that technology, such as intelligent virtual assistants, may be a viable tool …