Digital Commons Network^™

Latent Growth Model Analysis Of Saebrs Scores: Establishing Typical Rate Of Growth And Predictive Validity Of Academic Outcomes, Thomas Koza

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There are rising rates of student social-emotional and behavioral (SEB) concerns for students in the United States. Universal screening tools, such as the mySAEBRS (student self-report) and SAEBRS (teacher report), can be used to help identify students who may need additional SEB support. The current study uses Latent Growth Modeling (LGM) as a novel approach to identify growth trajectories of student mySAEBRS and SAEBRS domain scores (i.e., social domain, academic domain, and emotional domain) and aReading scores to provide insight into typical SEB growth rates and the ability of these domain scores to predict reading achievement. The study uses a …

Tangled Threads: The Emerging Ideology Of Far-Right Islamic Conservatism In The Muslim Diaspora, Veli John Muhammed Aydoner

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary political science literature has done well to cover the recent resurgence of the far-right within Western political discourse. However, one notable blind spot within this literature comes from an even more recent development: Far-Right Islamic Conservatism (FRIC). FRIC represents an ideology constructed through an attempted synthesis of far-right conservative political thought with a particular interpretation of the Western Muslim and Islamic identities. This paper seeks to help alleviate this gap in the literature by contextualizing the foundations of FRIC’s attempted theoretical synthesis and by exploring its engagements within Western political discourse. Following a formative assessment of FRIC’s ideological development, …

No Change No Gain: A Comparative Framing Analysis Of The Nfl’S Inspire Change Campaign, Kia K. Cannon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research provides a basis for understanding how public relations practitioners should present CSR initiatives in their organizations and how the media may interpret its initiatives. The researcher analyzed how the NFL framed its Inspire Change campaign and how it was translated in the media. First, a qualitative textual analysis determined how the NFL strategically framed its newly founded social justice initiative. Then, another textual analysis examined how the media framed the Inspire Change initiative and if the NFL’s preferred frames were reflected in the media. The results reveal that while two out of three of the NFL’s frames of …

Empowering Populist Politics: Social Media Use In The Us And Uk, James M. Howley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Modern advancements in technology, in particular the rise in influence and popularity of social media platforms, have had a profound effect on the political landscape. The way in which political actors conduct their campaigns therefore requires significant analysis. Populist campaigns have particularly benefitted from the political influence of social media platforms. This research therefore looks at two significant political events from 2016, the Presidential Election campaign of Donald J. Trump in the United States and the 'Vote Leave' Brexit referendum campaign from the United Kingdom. Utilizing Manuel Castells' 'Network Society' (1990) as the theoretical framework for the research, this analysis …

Influence Of Merck Gardasil 9 Advertisements On Male Vaccination Behavior Through A Health Belief Model Framework, Lauren Kierpa

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Merck’s Gardasil advertisements for human papillomavirus (HPV) traditionally targeted women, thus feminizing the vaccine (Daley et al., 2017). With the release of newer gender-neutral Gardasil vaccine advertisements, this study seeks to understand the influence this campaign has on college-aged males’ intent to vaccinate. This study, grounded in the health belief model, analyzes the “Numbers Move You” advertisement through in-depth interviews. Then, for increased validity, a textual analysis of Merck Gardasil broadcast advertisements was conducted with the health belief model as a framework. The health belief model seeks to understand the reasoning behind health behavior change. The health belief model includes …

Analyzing The Relationship Between Preeclamptic Severity And Placental Methylation, Mackenzie C. Maggio

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Preeclampsia (PE) is a life-threatening hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (HDP) characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. PE poses significant risks to both maternal and child health. An incomplete etiopathogenesis, diverse disease heterogeneity, and limited intervention and detection strategies further exacerbate and perpetuate PE as a major public health concern. By assessing symptom severity of placental tissues from PE pregnancies and analyzing the DNA methylation differences, this thesis aimed to identify epigenetic variations contributing to disease heterogeneity. Using the publicly available dataset GSE 98224, differentially methylated region (DMR) analysis on placental samples (n=48) revealed increasing …

Examining Localized Communication, Political Action, And Polarization In The 108th Senate, Mitchell Popovic

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis answers the call by Neal (2020) to provide the first study of positive and negative direct relations between senators, and by doing so, converges normative communicative praxis with the contemporary study of legislative networks under the auspices of communicatively constituted organizationality (CCO). The broad range of academic research on legislative networks, like the U.S. Senate, have long studied the political behaviors of senators via indirect social ties of mutual participation. The work presented here crosses that gap with a sentiment analysis of interpersonal statements of senators to/about a second—or possibly more—senator(s) during the 108th Congress (2003-2005) to construct …

The Effect Of Emotion On Risk Perception And The Blackstone Ratio, Brianna Duncan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the public debate concerning crime, there are generally two opposing positions regarding error rates within guilt convictions: a greater concern for false positives (convicting an innocent person) or a greater concern for false negatives (not convicting a guilty person). Public attitudes have typically indicated that false positives should be considered worse, with a range in global surveys from 51% (Zhuo, 2021) to as high as 85% (Scurich, 2015) of the population expressing this perspective. To explore the reason behind these beliefs, the current study explores the effect of emotions. Lerner and Keltner (2000) found that fear and anger, though …

Risk Assessment Of Blood-Borne Pathogen Exposure For Emergency Responders, Jill A. Ireland

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Emergency responders face a significant risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens (BBPs), such as HIV and hepatitis, due to the nature of their work environment. This study investigates this issue utilizing a dual approach of data analysis and online surveys to assess exposure rates, risk perceptions, factors that contribute to risk and prevention practices. In addressing issues ranging from personal protective equipment (PPE) usage to levels of concern surrounding blood and bodily fluid contact, the findings underscore the need for tailored safety measures, comprehensive education, and improved prevention strategies.

The examination of 346 worker's compensation exposure claims highlighted a significant …

Comparative Analysis Of Abortion Coverage In Cnn And Fox News From The Perspective Of Agenda Setting Theory, Xinyu Chang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the impact of media framing on public perception and discourse concerning the contentious issue of abortion legislation, as delineated by two major U.S. news outlets, CNN and Fox News. Incorporating the principles of Agenda-Setting and Framing theories, this research utilizes a textual analysis approach to dissect the narrative structures, framing strategies, and the role of key actors within the media outlets' coverage. The investigation focuses on news articles published between 2010 and 2022, applying both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to scrutinize linguistic constructs, framing techniques, and potential biases.

A comprehensive analysis reveals marked ideological disparities, viewpoints, and …

Exploring Educational Equity: An Ethnographic Case Study Of Non-Profit Initiatives In Early Childhood Education, Jovana Jovanovic

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Quality early childhood education is acknowledged as a crucial factor in paving the way for academic success and societal contribution. Childhood experiences greatly influence individual life trajectories, significantly shaping future endeavors. This research delves into the intricate dynamics between socioeconomic status (SES), educational outcomes, and non-profit organizations, emphasizing the challenges faced by students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. While factors such as limited resources, financial constraints, and substandard living conditions have been linked to negative consequences on educational attainment, this research seeks to understand the specific role of non-profits in enhancing educational opportunities. By shedding light on collaborative efforts between local …

Lights, Camera, Recruitment: Analyzing Dod-Hollywood Synergy And Its Effects On Attitudes And Behaviors Towards The Military, Jose-Andres Leon-Gil

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to research priming effects on DoD influenced films and uncover if there are significant effects affecting attitudes, beliefs, military support, and behaviors. This study is important because there is a lack of literature on the effects of DoD-influenced films. A portion of top grossing films are influenced by the DoD while there is little research on the effects consumers have. This study conducted an experiment testing the effects of behaviors and attitudes when a priming stimulus is presented. The priming stimulus was a military-influenced film clip and a military advertisement. Three groups were made, …

Corporate Social Responsibility And Social Media Influencers: Effectiveness Of Csr Brand-Endorsed Messaging On Consumers, Hannah Sarmiento

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Corporate social responsibility and social media influencers have both become key components in corporations’ strategic communication. Social media influencers who are knowledgeable on the subject they are communicating have been found to be influential on consumers attitudes and behaviors. Fit between brand-endorsed messages and the spokesperson have also been found to have similar effects. Grounded in the Source Credibility Model and Congruence Theory, the study aimed to identify and analyze the main and interaction effects of perceived expertise of social media influencers and perceived fit between a brand and its social media influencer on consumer attitudes and behaviors. The research …

The Boundaries Of Melodramatic Film Music: Redefining Home Through The Score Of Douglas Sirk’S All That Heaven Allows, Meredith Donovan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this project, I analyze the relationship between music and narrative in Douglas Sirk’s 1950 film All That Heaven Allows. Sirk’s melodramas are held in high regard by film scholarship, but their scores, especially those composed by Frank Skinner, are often dismissed as lazy or mere atmospheric mood assistance. I argue, however, that the score of Sirk’s All That Heaven Allows builds protagonist Cary both a home—and a “home key”—through its tonal structure, rejecting a rigid boundary between diegetic and non-diegetic music as a whole by offering a fluid musical space to express the conflict between Cary’s emotional home and …

Interrelationships Among Local Values Of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, Heat Index, And Adjusted Temperature, Andrea Giraldo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Occupational heat stress significantly affects outdoor workers who face challenges due to increased heat exposure. Because of the prevalence of heat illness, it is important to measure heat stress for outdoor workers. Monitoring occupational heat stress most often relies on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measure. Heat Index (HI) is a widely used measure to account for air temperature and humidity. Adjusted Temperature (Tadj) considers air temperature, humidity and estimates radiant heat. There is interest in predicting WBGT from HI and HI from WBGT. This study builds on previous USF research by Bernard and Iheanacho and Irvin to evaluate …

From Displacement To Intersubjectivity: A Phenomenology Of Sound In Classic Film Noir, Thomas Goodchild

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper analyzes the use of sounds displaced from their sources in classic filmsnoir. Noir is often understood as a dark and solipsistic moment in American cinema. Interpretations of noir frequently emphasize isolated individuals who are physically, psychologically, and socially displaced from their environments. Although scholarship on noir has examined this alienation through various sonic motifs such as music and voice-over, I investigate how several noirs draw attention to the act of listening through acousmatic sound—that is, sound heard without a visible source. Far from being an ephemeral auditory experience, I argue that the separation between sound and image invites …

“Urban Renewal” Surrounding Florida Solar Plants: A Study On Low-Carbon Gentrification, Megan Amber Grove

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Renewable energy and sustainable living are growing trends in Florida as the state “develops” rural landscapes and “redevelops” urban ones, resulting in neighborhood changes, including displacement of low-income and minority populations (LIMP). Solar energy has not historically been a root cause of such changes, but in recent years it has increasingly accompanied neighborhood development which prioritizes the interests of the elite and middle class. As such, it has become a contributor to “urban renewal,” which must be addressed to avoid future LIMP displacement. This study used geospatial and data science technologies and techniques to empirically explore and analyze urbanization and …

A Differentially Methylated Region Analysis Between Three Disease States Of Major Depressive Disorder In Primarily African-American Cohorts, Lanie Katelynn Mullins

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and debilitating disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. MDD is a multifactorial disease with no established mechanism currently able to explain all facets of the disease or its etiology. Feedback loop mechanisms have been posited to explain the interactions of psychological and physical components of the disease etiology. Epigenetics, specifically DNA-methylation analyses, can shed light on the interaction between the within-person environment resulting from MDD symptomology, the persistence of the disease, and factors influencing remission. Here, a differentially methylated region analysis was conducted using samples derived from whole blood to interrogate the …

Development Of A Plant Growth And Health Monitoring System Using Imaging And Sensor Array Information For Cubesat Applications, Kat-Kim Phan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Space exploration has been a topic of interest in the scientific community, such as the planned missions to Mars. To accomplish this would require being able to provide astronauts with a steady supply of food beyond freeze-dried foods leading to the need to grow food in space. Although this is a topic still being investigated, the CubeSat platform opens the possibility of carrying out studies on plant growth under more strenuous space conditions unlike that in the International Space Station (ISS). Developing a plant-focused mission for a CubeSat, though, entails being able to develop a system to sustain plant life …

On The Possibility Of Secular Morality, Zachary R. Alonso

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Is something like a transcendent God necessary to have a coherent moral system, or at the very least, necessary for one to have personal ethical guidelines to live by that are not entirely subjective? This paper explores the claims of two Christian thinkers, David Bentley Hart and D. C. Schindler, as well as some alternatives to their thinking in the ethics of Alasdair MacIntyre and Jeffrey Stout. Hart and Schindler portray society as downcast, riddled with moral decay, and the only solution to this decay is to turn toward God, thereby recognizing a hierarchical, cosmological worldview. While MacIntyre believes that …

Preliminary Investigation Of Differences In Host Mitochondria Membrane Potential During Toxoplasma Gondii Infection, Bryan L. Ortega

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan with a broad host range of hosts, including various warm-blooded mammals, including humans. While infections can often be asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, they can pose significant risks to those who are immunocompromised, as well as pregnant women. Toxoplasmosis represents a significant burden on public health in the United States, with over 800,000 annual infections reported, often leading to severe complications such as symptomatic eye disease and congenital infections. Recent attention has developed regarding its potential association with human neuropathies such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and mood disorders. This project investigated differences in host …

Secondary Educator Approaches To Cemetery-Based Education In Florida, Hillary M. Van Dyke

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive case study is to study how teachers utilize cemeteries as a teaching space, specifically for instruction in Black history and for enacting social studies curriculum by examining the curricular and instructional strategies two educators use with historically Black cemeteries as a place of learning for students in west coastal central Florida. Conversations around what to do about the issue of historically Black cemeteries are growing in Florida, including the state dedicating resources to place-based education in cemeteries. Thus, this study is timely. A purposeful sampling strategy was used to select the two educators who …

Educator And Caregiver Perceptions Of Project Begin Well: An Early Childhood Risk Identification Course, Samin Khallaghi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The early years of a child's life are vital to building the foundation for early childhood, and educators and caregivers are at the heart of making this foundation for children. However, educators and caregivers often lack knowledge on correctly identifying risks in children. The current study used a quantitative non-experimental design to examine early childhood educator and caregiver perceptions of a training program called Project Begin Well. Project Begin Well included a risk identification course for educators and caregivers of children aged 3-5 years. Specifically, educators' and caregivers' knowledge, skills, attitudes, aspirations, and behaviors toward the risk identification course were …

The Perception Of Innocence And Guilt: Understanding Relationships Between Exonerees And Their Loved Ones, Martha E. Mccullough

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Exoneration and wrongful conviction complicate the field of criminology and the criminal justice system. Much of the scholarship on wrongful conviction focuses on the faults of the criminal justice system, such as false or misleading forensic evidence, false confessions, official misconduct, inadequate legal defense, and more. However, there is less research on the social, psychological, and economic impact of a wrongful conviction on those who have been wrongfully convicted and those associated with wrongful convictions (e.g., exoneree's loved ones). Recent studies indicate that social and psychological implications after a wrongful conviction may not only affect exonerees but also their loved …

The Effect Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Environmental Perceptions Of College Students, Sydney H. Kaylor

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the environmental perception changes in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated. During the almost worldwide lockdown between March and December 2020, many students experienced dramatic changes in their socioeconomic life that have affected their well-being, ability to learn, and environmental perceptions. Students were sent home from college campuses, many businesses were shut down, and changes were seen in the environment throughout the world. The many industries and businesses that were shut down decreased the pollution that was in the atmosphere, in our water, and on the land. In many places, lockdown policies lead to improved …

Metatranscriptomic Insights Into The Interaction Between Microcystis Blooms And Hydrogen Peroxide, Taylor L. Hancock

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For this dissertation I studied the interactions of hydrogen peroxide and cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) dominated by Microcystis in the Caloosahatchee River, FL. Specifically, I examined how taxonomic and functional succession relates to both natural hydrogen peroxide dynamics and hydrogen peroxide added to the environment as a cHAB treatment. Chapter 2 investigated how taxonomic succession and gene expression patterns relate to blooms and associated elevated hydrogen peroxide concentrations. The results showed that gene expressions related to cyanobacterial growth were positively correlated with hydrogen peroxide. The genes identified included enzymes capable of hydrogen peroxide generation which were expressed by blooming …

Mentorship In A Virtual World: How Remote Work Relates To Mentoring Relationships And Outcomes, Alyssa M. Lezcano

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the context of an increasingly virtual workplace, it is critical to understand how remote and hybrid work arrangements relate to key developmental, interpersonal relationships at work, such as mentoring relationships. Guided by the existing mentoring literature as well as leader distance theory, the present study aimed to examine the mentorship experiences of early-career protégés who worked remote and hybrid hours. Three waves of data were collected to investigate the influence of remote work and mentor distance on protégés’ perceptions of mentoring support received. Specifically, the study examined protégés’ degree of remote work, perceptions of social and spatial distance between …

Fraud Brainstorming In An Era Of Remote Work: The Effects Of Alternative Video Conferencing Configurations And Audit Team Hierarchy, Ahmed Shuaib

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic prompted governments to respond by implementing social distancing regulations and travel bans. Although these actions helped mitigate the spread of the virus, they also created unique challenges for businesses and their employees. Firms transitioned quickly from face-to-face work settings to remote work arrangements using video conferencing technologies (VCT). These technologies enable video calls with or without instant messaging (chat) to facilitate information exchange. For audit firms, group tasks that were previously performed in face-to-face settings had to be performed using VCT. A commonly performed group task in auditing is fraud brainstorming, which auditing standards require …

Factors Impacting Genetic Test Result Recall And Adherence To Cancer Risk Management Recommendations Among Patients With Germline Pathogenic Variants, Karishma Prakash Bharwani

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Only 20-60% of information from medical appointments is estimated to be retained of which about half is recalled accurately; however there remains limited information about recall following disclosure of inherited cancer genetic test results (GTR). We sought to evaluate recall of GTRs and the association of recall with adherence to recommended cancer risk management (CRM). Study participants were consented individuals with a confirmed germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant (GPV) in an inherited cancer predisposing genes for which there are CRM guidelines per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Through information collected through self-reported surveys, adherence to CRM was defined …

From The Patient’S Perspective: Understanding The Colorectal Cancer Patient Experience Portrayed In Edutainment Television, Allison M. Fisher

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study qualitatively examined how edutainment television portrayed the colorectal cancer (CRC) patient experience, and whether it reflects the real-life CRC patient experience. This was done by first facilitating a textual analysis of edutainment television episodes from popular medical dramas and the docuseries Country Ever After. Interviews with real-life CRC patients were then facilitated to gather perspectives on whether edutainment television’s depictions were reflective of their experiences. This study utilized cultivation theory to identify whether edutainment television reinforces stigmas about the CRC patient experience. Additionally, uses and gratifications theory was implemented to investigate how CRC patients interact with media platforms …