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"Either You Conquer It, Or It Conquers You": An Applied Anthropological Approach To Veterans With A Spinal Cord Injury, Sherman Chow

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Veterans with a spinal cord injury (SCI) engage in a complex and, often times, difficult dialogue within and through interactions in American society. That is, American society holds dear certain traditional values (ideals, beliefs, and customs) that promote the steady functioning and fabric of society. Through the process of enculturation and acculturation, likely, the majority of American citizens have already internalized many of these values. These values are cultural constructs of American society that can certainly influence and shape the myriad ways in which individual identity is formed.

By identifying these value sets and analyzing the ways in which SCI …

Reforming Dance Pedagogy: A Feminist Perspective On The Art Of Performance And Dance Education, Jennifer Clement

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Dancers, in their formal training, are deprived of many basic human experiences and are often not exposed to critical thinking. Expectations about what it means to dance and/or be a dancer shape the classroom environment, performances and both the body and mind of individuals engaged in this particular art form. A professional dancer is expected to plan her day around the dance classroom and this mentality is shared by aspiring professionals as well as dance educators. This structure, in tandem with the expectations for a female dancer to maintain a certain body type- almost always a thin flexible body, toned …

Participatory Fandom In American Culture: A Qualitative Case Study Of Dragoncon Attendees, Katherine L. Fleming

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With the rise of the mass media over the last century, fame and celebrity seem to have evolved into ever-growing phenomena. Likewise, audience members have sought increasing involvement with people or activities related to the focus of their interest. These individuals are not content to simply watch their favorite actors or films from home. Instead, they take a more active approach, engaging in activities related to their fandom as well as seeking interaction with each other in organized groups (in person and on the Internet), attending conventions, and seeking interaction with celebrities.

This study presents a discussion of fame, celebrity, …

Trace Metals And Stable Isotopes As Tracers Of Life History And Trophic Connections In Estuarine-Dependent Fish From Tampa Bay, Florida, Linae Marie Boehme-Terrana

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Florida's estuaries support a wide range of species yet little is known about tracemetal cycling among members of this important ecosystem. To examine the flow of trace metals through the Tampa Bay estuary, four fish species representing different trophic levels were analyzed for copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and stable isotopes of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Species selected were the striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), tidewater mojarra (Eucinostomus harengulus), bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), and sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius). Juvenile fish were collected from the Alafia, Hillsborough, Palm, and Little Manatee Rivers. Adults were …

Born And Bred: The Making Of A 21st Century College-Bred African American: A Re-Examination Of Atlanta University’S 1910 Study “The College-Bred Negro American” Edited By W.E.B. Du Bois, Ph.D And Augustus Granville Dill, A.M., Michael E. Carter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 1910 Atlanta University published the findings of an extensive study of universities in the United States which Negroes attended. For this, study both quantitative and qualitative data was collected. The quantitative data was derived from the school catalogs and information provided directly from the Negro colleges (Du Bois & Dill, 1910). Data was collected on student enrollment, courses of study selected by the students and degrees conferred. The qualitative data was derived from survey information provided by 800 Negro, college graduates¹. In addition to basic statistical information respondents were asked to provide information on their hopes, aspirations and expectations …

Land Use Policy And Practices In Karst Terrains, Spencer Fleury

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Karst topography is the result of a specific combination of geological conditions, precipitation, biota, and temperature, and is characterized by the gradual solution of the underlying bedrock and the development of underground drainage routes for surficial runoff. Many of these karst landscapes are found in urbanized areas, where the potential for anthropogenic impact is quite high. In many instances, municipalities on karst terrains choose to mitigate these impacts by implementing ordinances that place restrictions on permissible land uses near karst landforms. This dissertation asks the question: are the impacts of karst-related land use regulation on human / social systems significant …

Organizational Form Of Disease Management Programs: A Transaction Cost Analysis, Nahush Chandaver

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Patient care programs such as wellness, preventive care and specifically disease management programs, which target the chronically ill population, are designed to reduce healthcare costs and improve health, while promoting the efficient use of healthcare resources, and increasing productivity. The organizational form adopted by the health plan for these programs, i.e. in-sourced vs. outsourced is an important factor in the success of these programs and the extent to which the core objectives listed above are fulfilled.

Transaction cost economics aims to explain the working arrangement for an organization and to explain why sourcing decisions were made by considering alternate organizational …

"Under The Bloody Hatchet Of The Haitians": Thomas Jeffersonís Foreign Policy Concerning The Haitian Revolution, 1791-1806, Joseph A. Boyd

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

At first glance Thomas Jefferson's presidential actions concerning the Haitian Revolution seem to denote racially motivated decisions predicated upon fear. However, through a deeper analysis of primary documents, Jefferson's position appears more economically and politically ambitious. By 1791, the French colony of Saint Domingue held the title of the richest colony in the Caribbean and the world's leading producer of sugar. In addition, Saint Domingue consumed about sixteen percent of all of America's exports. Jefferson's personal opinions concerning revolution and trade on the island of Saint Domingue contradict the statements of his administration. Partisan politics manifested a stern voice within …

Florida Red Tides: Public Perceptions Of Risk, Sara E. Allen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research integrates the theoretical implications of risk perception, the social amplification of risk, and the role of place-specific contexts, in order to explore the various perceptions surrounding Florida red tides. Florida red tides are a naturally-occurring event, yet most scientists agree that they are increasing in frequency, duration, and severity. This has profound implication for public health, the local economy, and the biological community. While many of the negative impacts are not easily controllable at this time, some of the secondary impacts can be mitigated through individuals' responses. Unfortunately, public perceptions and consequent reactions to red tides have not …

Standing Up With The King: A Critical Look At Stephen King's Epic, Jenifer Michelle D'Elia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, it is my intention to show how Stephen King transcends genre, creates and maintains a viable Secondary Reality, and treats capably those literary techniques that critics expect of a serious writer. In addition, I will discuss the ways in which King has secured the loyalty of his Constant Reader. The primary means of my analysis will be through a close reading of the "expanded and uncut" version of The Stand, one of the classics in King's arsenal.

I will begin with an overview of the general set-up in the novel---the start in Arnette, Texas, the actions …

Equilibrium Bidding In Joint Transmission And Energy Markets, Cihan Babayigit

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Participants in deregulated electric power markets compete for financial transmission rights (FTRs) to hedge against losses due to transmission congestion by submitting bids to the independent system operator (ISO). The ISO obtains an FTR allocation, that maximizes sales revenue while satisfying simultaneous feasibility. This FTR allocation remains in place for a length of time during which the participants compete in the energy market to maximize their total payoff from both FTR and energy markets. Energy markets (bi-lateral, day ahead, real time) continue until the the end of the current FTR period, at which time the participants can choose to modify …

Mounted On A Pedestal: Bertha Honoré Palmer, Hope L. Black

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The thesis Mounted on a Pedestal, chronicles the life of Bertha Honoré Palmer. The focus of her story are the years after 1910, when she traveled to Sarasota, Florida and heralded the flight to the southernmost state, leading the pack in the purchase and development of land in the Sarasota/ Tampa Bay area. The totality of her years prior to that time serve as a prelude to her accomplishments and the vicissitudes of her life in the sleepy little fishing village she found.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1849, she was provided with a privileged, comfortable childhood and a …

Design And Modeling Of A Bistable Spherical Compliant Micromechanism, Joseph Georges Choueifati

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Compliant bistable mechanisms are mechanisms that have two stable equilibrium positions within their range of motion. Their bistability is mainly due to the elasticity of their members. This thesis introduces a new type of bistable micromechanisms, the Bistable, Spherical, Compliant, four-bar Micromechanism (BSCM). Theory to predict bistable positions and configurations is also developed. Bistabilty was demonstrated through testing done on micro-prototypes. Compared to the mathematical model of the BSCM, Finite element models of the BSCM indicated important qualitative differences in the mechanism's stability behavior and its input-angle-input torque relation. The BSCM has many valuable features, such as: Two stable positions …

Examining Physicians’ Motivations To Volunteer: An Applied Visual Anthropological Approach, Jess Paul Ambiee

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the U.S., the number of persons who cannot afford health care continues to rise. Providing a "safety net" for such persons is becoming increasingly important. Medical professional volunteerism provides access to health care for people who have little or no access to health care otherwise.

At a not-for-profit free health clinic in Tampa, Florida, hundreds of physicians have volunteered their time in an attempt to reduce the health care gap in their community. The clinic sees thousands of persons who have very limited options in regards to their health care. This study investigates the reasons physicians volunteer and the …

Development Of A Scale To Measure Parenting In Hispanic Adolescents’ Families, Evelyn Marie Alvarez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The ultimate goal of this research was to provide a tool to adequately examine the relationship that parenting style has with Hispanic youths' academic and behavioral outcomes. A review of the literature reveals that the field is lacking an appropriate, culturally sensitive, paper-and-pencil measure of parenting of Hispanic adolescents with adolescents reporting on their parents' behavior. Current measures were not developed with Hispanic families in mind, but rather were evaluated for use with Hispanic populations after the development phase. Therefore, the current study sought to fill this gap in the research on parenting by constructing a measure of parenting that …

Situating The Perception And Communication Of Flood Risk: Components And Strategies, Heather M. Bell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Loss prevention and distribution must begin well before a flood event at multiple levels. However, the benchmarks and terminology we use to manage and communicate flood risk may be working against this goal. U.S. flood policy is based upon a flood with a one percent chance of occurring in any year. Commonly called the "hundred year flood," it has been upheld as a policy criterion, but many have questioned the effectiveness of hundred year flood terminology in public communication.

This research examined public perceptions of the hundred year flood and evaluated the comparative effectiveness of this term and two other …

Corrosion Assessment Of Mechanically Formed Aluminized Steel, Mersedeh Akhoondan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Ribbed steel pipes made of Type 2 aluminized steel are commonly used for culvert pipes for highway drainage. Typically aluminized steel pipes have shown good durability and are expected to have long service life, e.g. 75 years; also, they are used in a wide variety of soil and water conditions. However, early corrosion of aluminized steel pipes has been recently observed in some inland locations. Initial observations showed severe corrosion in forms of pits, both along the ribs and at the nearby flat portions of the pipes. It is critical to determine the cause of early deterioration and establish methods …

Measuring Diversity Management Skill: Development And Validation Of A Situational Judgment Test, Andrew Biga

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As a result of both demographic and social changes in the U.S., organizations have become much more diverse. Diversity presents unique challenges for management as it is linked to both positive and negative organizational performance outcomes (Mannix & Neale, 2005). Diversity, by itself, may not be sufficient to achieve competitive advantage. Effective diversity management becomes an important issue for organizations to consider. The current research uses Situational Judgment Test (SJT) methodology to develop an assessment measuring Diversity Management Skill. The development of a SJT involves a three-step process: Creation of critical incidents, generation of response options, and use of SME …

A Comparative Study Of Healthcare Procurement Models, Arka Bhattacharya

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) play a significant role in the healthcare industry. The presence of GPOs helps the healthcare centers to offload their responsibilities so that they can focus on more critical areas which require attention like providing quality care.

This thesis involves the comparison of three models of procurement operations in terms of cost efficiency. This cost comparison model features a healthcare organization associated with a national GPO, a healthcare organization which procures by self sourcing (not associated with a GPO), and a hybrid procurement model involving a national GPO and a regional GPO. The comparison model highlighted the …

Utilization Of Community-Based Transitional Housing By Homeless Veteran Populations Diagnosed With A Mental Illness: The Association Between Predisposing, Enabling, And Need Factors With Program Outcomes, Roger Casey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mental illness among homeless populations is a significant public health issue. Community-based programs that assist the homeless are most often developed to meet local housing needs, not the needs of mental health populations. Transitional housing, a model frequently utilized to address homelessness in communities, provides program-based housing with supportive services.

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between participant- and program-level factors on the utilization of community-based transitional housing by homeless veterans diagnosed with a mental illness. The study tested a revised framework of the behavioral model of utilization for vulnerable populations theory.

The sample was comprised …

Reading Fluency Through Alternative Text: Rereading With An Interactive Sing-To-Read Program Embedded Within A Middle School Music Classroom, Marie Biggs

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Singing exaggerates the language of reading. The students find their voices in the rhythm and bounce of language by using music as an alternative text. A concurrent mixed methods study was conducted to investigate the use of an interactive sing-to-read program Tune Into Reading (Electronic Learning Products, 2006) as an alternative text, embedded within a heterogeneous music classroom. Measured by the Qualitative Reading Inventory-4 (QRI-4) (Leslie & Caldwell, 2006), the fluency, word recognition, comprehension, and instructional reading level of the treatment students were compared to their counterparts who sang as part of the regular music program. Concurrently, this investigation also …

First-Principles Studies Of Energetic Materials, Michael W. Conroy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

First-principles density functional theory calculations were performed on a number of important energetic molecular crystals, pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX), cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX), and nitromethane. Simulations of hydrostatic and uniaxial compressions, as well as predictions of ground-state structures at ambient conditions, were performed using the DFT codes CASTEP and VASP.

The first calculations done with CASTEP using GGA-PW yielded reasonable agreement with experiment for the calculated isothermal EOS for PETN-I from hydrostatic compression data, yet the EOS for β -HMX shows substantial deviation from experiment. Interesting anisotropic behavior of the shear-stress maxima were exhibited by both crystals upon uniaxial …

Development Of Micro/Nanosensor Elements And Packaging Techniques For Oceanography, Shyam Aravamudhan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this research, novel high resolution reinforced diaphragm MEMS piezoresistive pressure sensors were designed, fabricated and tested to measure physical phenomena (such as depth/pressure variations) in the ocean. To complement the physical sensing elements, a microfluidic electrochemical nitrate sensor, was also developed to detect chemical fluxes. The electrochemical sensor was designed and packaged to conform to a flow through system. The multisensor approach will enable better measurement quality compared to the current ocean sensors. This, in turn, will potentially improve the current understanding of physical and biogeochemical processes from coastal to deep-sea environment.

The pressure sensor element utilized a reinforced …

A Dynamic Inventory/Maintenance Model, Jonathan J. Bates

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A model is proposed to provide inventory and maintenance guidance for a system of operating parts. This model is capable of handling a system with multiple operating components, unknown part lifetime failure distribution, and separately maintained parts. In this model, part reliability characteristics are used along with system costs to predict the required stocking levels and part replacement times. Two maintenance strategies are presented that have the unique characteristic of allowing flexible scheduling of replacements. A case study is completed comparing developed stocking policies to an existing policy. An estimation selection method is introduced and fit into the model for …

Yogi-Ing Purists, Trail Magic And Men In Skirts: An Analysis Of Appalachian Trail Culture, Shellie L. Andrews

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the motivations and experiences of those thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in the 20th and 21st Century. A detailed analysis examines the influence of conservationism, urban development, and collective American values on trail culture. The analysis uses Susan Fast's methodology from her 2000 article, "Rethinking Issues of Gender and Sexuality in Led Zeppelin: A Woman's view of Pleasure and Power in Hard Rock," as a model. Personal experiences from hiking the A.T. in 2003 are analyzed in juxtaposition with other hiker's written accounts. The bulk of these journals come from the website TrailJournals.com.

The Appalachian Trail extends over …

Cooperative Localization In Wireless Networked Systems, Mauricio Castillo-Effen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A novel solution for the localization of wireless networked systems is presented. The solution is based on cooperative estimation, inter-node ranging and strap-down inertial navigation. This approach overrides limitations that are commonly found in currently available localization/positioning solutions. Some solutions, such as GPS, make use of previously deployed infrastructure. In other methods, computations are performed in a central fusion center. In the robotics field, current localization techniques rely on a simultaneous localization and mapping, (SLAM), process, which is slow and requires sensors such as laser range finders or cameras.

One of the main attributes of this research is the holistic …

The Effects Of Mentoring On The Elementary Special Education Mentor, Maria Angeliadis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Increasingly, mentor programs are being developed in teacher education programs to assist novice teachers. The focus in most of the literature on mentoring is on the new teacher being mentored. While the mentor teacher appears to be the most crucial element in mentoring programs (Feinman-Nemser, 1992; Little, 1990; White, 1995), there is not much information about how a teacher experiences being a mentor or the perceived benefits to a mentor.

The purpose of this present study was to examine the effects of mentoring on mentors in order to: (a) address the gap in the literature by exploring the effects of …

Evaluation Of The Supply Chain Of Key Industrial Sectors And Its Impact On The Electricity Demand For A Regional Distribution Company, Thiago Arruda Mariotoni

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Considering the international scenario, in a recent past, the electrical industry was based on the concepts of monopolistic concessions and vertical utilities structures. In Brazil, until recently, the electricity companies were all governmental properties that served restricted monopolized areas. In a similar manner, in the United States, monopolies for certain concession areas were assigned to vertically integrated electric utilities. This monopolistic portfolio brought to the industry, in a generic sense, a lack in the interface between companies and consumers. This fact established a low capacity of obtaining consumer's information and consequently, a low capacity of developing precise demand forecasts.

Lately, …

Non-Invasive Manipulation Of Membrane Potential In Intact Living Cells, Robin Dando

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

All living cells contain the electrogenic enzyme Na/K ATPase, whose function is to pump ions against the electrochemical gradient, in order to provide potential energy which is later used for cellular processes such as action potentials, muscle contraction and facilitated transport. Using a technique developed in our lab, exploiting the molecule's voltage dependence, it is possible to increase this pump function by many folds. Optical measurement of the membrane potential of living cells was made using a potentiommetric dye, with successful manipulation of the ionic concentration and membrane potential reported. Additional supporting results are presented, along with extension of this …

Interagency Collaboration And Communication: Funders And Service Providers Working Together To Create A Management Service Organization, Beth E. Eschenfelder

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Charitable nonprofit organizations are growing in number and scope, but the body of literature and knowledge about communication within these organizations is limited. Today, charitable organizations face a flurry of economic and environmental factors that challenge their continued survival: growing community needs, mounting funding cuts from all segments of government, increased competition for funding, a limited pool of dedicated community leaders to serve on boards, decreased charitable giving for some causes, and persistent calls for greater accountability. As nonprofits explore new ways of coping with these socioeconomic pressures---such as reorganization, consolidation, mergers, and management service organizations---there is a clear need …