Digital Commons Network^™

Modus Operandi And Blockchain Analysis Of Romance Scams: Cryptocurrency-Driven Victimization, Amy Lim, Kyung-Shick Choi

International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime

No abstract provided.

The Legal Response To The Intrusion Into Digital Identity In Social Media, Maria González-García Vinuela

International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Pattern Of Cybercrime Abuse Of Individual Internet Users In Umuahia North Lga, Abia State Of South-Eastern Nigeria, Ogochukwu Favour Nzeakor, Rita Ngozi Okafor, Chibuike Ndubuisi Nwoke

International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime

Although a number of studies exist on cybercrime and its abuses, little is known about the pattern of cybercrime abuses individual Internet users experience in Nigeria, especially the south eastern region. Using data collected via various methods, this study examines the pattern of cybercrime abuses of individual Internet users in Umuahia, Abia State, of South Eastern Nigeria. The result of the analysis of 1,067 samples drawn from 223,134 Internet users in Umuahia North LGA of Abia Sate showed that: while most users are victims of stolen ICT-gadgets (19%), fraud related offences (17%), and hacking (15%); they rarely fall victims of …

Anthropology In The Real World, Chastity B. Nix, Cheyenne Taylor

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Anthropology is a field that likely isn’t the first to come to mind for many. Despite this, it has proven to be a great major for learning skills that are applicable to many different career paths. ANT 4861, Beyond the Anthropology Major, has not only taught us this but also made us realize just how much the general public as well as employers are missing by not being educated on Anthropological skills. Our project here is meant to highlight how little the average person is aware of what anthropology is and how employers, even those looking for anthropological knowledge, are …

Addressing Society’S Needs Through Research, Kazi S. Salsabil

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

The Focused Volunteer Community Service course, part of the U-LEAD program at the University of Central Florida (UCF), is a service-learning course. This course emphasizes the significance of community service, engagement, and leadership, all of which I applied in my volunteer role as a research assistant at the Adult Development and Decision-Making Lab. In this role, I participated in research projects exploring the impact of misinformation, specifically examining whether individuals can accurately distinguish between real and fake information based on personal characteristics and neural mechanisms. The goal is to utilize the findings to inform future interventions designed to reduce the …

The Impact Of Caffeine On Neurotransmitter Production By Lactobacillus Spp., Angela Caruso

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Caffeine, a prevalent stimulant, has inconclusive effects on the gut-brain axis. Key probiotics such as Lactobacillus play a chief role in gut health and neurotransmitter production. These bacteria are able to effectively influence brain function and overall health. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of caffeine on Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus reuteri to determine antagonistic or synergistic effects on the bacteria’s gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production and synthesis of serotonin-related metabolites.

The methodology for this work begins with treating bacterial cultures with varying concentrations of caffeine and then incubating at 37ºC for 48 hours. Supernatants …

Stay Ahead Of Your Health: Screen And Educate, Ananda Amritt

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

This service-learning project aims to promote the importance of preventative healthcare screenings, focusing on Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) testing for detecting Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Electrocardiograms (EKGs) to monitor heart health. Through this initiative, I have developed and distributed 50 educational brochures to inform patients about the significance of these screenings in identifying cardiovascular risks early and taking preventive measures to avoid more serious health complications.

The project has involved collaborating with Orlando Health Clinic LLC, to distribute these materials to various communities. The goal is to empower individuals with knowledge about their health, encourage proactive measures, and reduce the …

Empowering Communities In Crisis: The Reach Hub As An Emergency Management Lifeline In Orlando, Mohammad Newaz Sharif

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

This service-learning engagement with the REACH (Resilience, Education, and Advocacy Center for Hazard Preparedness) Hub project was conducted as part of PAD6397: Managing Emergencies and Crises course at the University of Central Florida. It explores the intersection of academic knowledge, community resilience, and equitable emergency management through the REACH Hub which a solar-powered, mobile infrastructure developed in collaboration with UCF researchers, the City of Orlando and other local partners. Designed to serve vulnerable communities during and beyond disasters, the REACH Hub provides critical resources such as power, internet access, refrigeration, and educational outreach. The project aligned closely with course objectives, …

Virtual Volunteering Support For The Usda Horticulture Center In South Florida, Nikhita Sridhar

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

During Fall 2025, I completed 40 hours of virtual service with the USDA Horticulture Center in South Florida. My volunteer work involved simple but essential support tasks, including organizing digital files, entering basic data into spreadsheets, sorting and labeling plant-related photos, and helping prepare materials for outreach activities. Even though the tasks were basic, they directly supported the Center’s research, data organization, and community education programs. This project highlights how small, consistent contributions improve workflow efficiency in agricultural research and help strengthen public outreach efforts.

Peer Mentoring Service Learning At The L.E.A.D. Scholars Academy, Estefanie D. Parra

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

As a second-year LEAD Scholar, I’m excited to share my experience as a Peer Mentor for first-year scholars enrolled in LDR 2001. In my presentation, I share my personal definition of peer mentor, reflecting on the personal growth and lessons I have learned throughout my semester as a Peer Mentor. I will also explore the role of service learning through peer mentoring within the L.E.A.D. Scholars Academy, highlighting how mentoring not only supports the academic and personal growth of first-year students but also develops leadership skills. Overall, this has been an incredibly rewarding journey that has deeply impacted me.

"Little Minds, Big Imaginations", Kayla Shreve, Analiese Kuriakose

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

Our project focused on service-learning through weekly reading sessions at UCF’s Creative School for Children. During our time we visited three age groups: toddlers, pre-k 1, and pre-k 2. We took turns reading aloud, encouraged participation, and built a love for storytelling among young learners. Each week, we selected books from the UCF CMC library and devoted 30 minutes to each class. Over time, we observed growth in the children’s attention span, enthusiasm, and social skills. During one combined session, both pre-k classes eagerly listened to ten books for over an hour and still wanted more reading time. Many students …

Effect Of Cequa™ In Subjects With Dry Eye Disease, Lillian Nguyen, Linda Canales, Caitlyn Kelly

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

This project evaluated the clinical efficacy of Cequa™ (Cyclosporine 0.09%) in individuals with Dry Eye Disease (DED) who showed minimal improvement with lower-dose cyclosporine (0.05%). The study explored real-world pharmaceutical applications, focusing on clinical trial design, patient-centered outcomes, and treatment limitations. A review of peer-reviewed literature demonstrated that Cequa 0.09% produced statistically significant improvements in both corneal health and symptom reduction when compared to Restasis® and Lifitegrast (Xiidra®).

The project was developed within the framework of a Health Sciences Seminar course and adhered to a structured timeline with instructor feedback. Emphasis was placed on scientific analysis, effective communication, and teamwork. …

How Different Questioning Methods Allow For More Productive Discussions In And Out Of The Classroom, Sabrina A. Califano

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

This presentation explores the impact of different questioning methods in promoting more productive discussions both inside and outside the classroom. As an undergraduate learning assistant in CHM2046, I reflect on how open-ended and close-ended questions can shape student interactions. Open-ended questions encourage diverse responses and allow for deeper discussions, while close-ended questions direct conversations towards specific answers.

This approach of varying question types based on the student’s needs helped students feel more confident and engaged. This encouraged one-on-one interactions, improving students' understanding and participation. This experience also helped build my own communication skills, influencing my approach in various situations beyond …

Beyond The Script: How Theatre Shapes Motivation In Second Language Acquisition, Amaya B. Gattis

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Motivation is considered a significant factor in second language acquisition, potentially affecting language learners' language acquisition ability (Dörnyei, 1998). This study explored the impact of participating in a theatre experience on language learners’ motivation to learn English during a classroom experience. The main objective of this research was to assess the influence of performing in a short play on adult multilingual learners’ motivation to learn English. A mixed-methodology research design was employed to measure reported motivation levels and observe language development using a pre- and post-treatment questionnaire, field observation, and a semi-structured post-treatment interview model for data collection. The results …

Increasing Access Through Graduate Teaching Assistant Training: A Udl-Informed, Video-Based Professional Development Approach For Inclusive Chemistry Instruction, Kathleen Lugo Charriez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

STEM courses pose concealed barriers to learning for students with disabilities, a demographic that constitutes a significant portion of postsecondary science and engineering undergraduate student populations. While extensive research has examined access and inclusiveness in K–12 education and, to a more limited extent, in higher education, there remains a critical gap in understanding how to proactively design undergraduate chemistry curricula that are both accessible and inclusive for a diverse range of learners. In particular, limited attention has been given to supporting Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) in adopting inclusive instructional practices in higher education chemistry courses.

In large academic institutions, GTAs …

Terahertz Spin Pumping In Antiferromagnetic Crystals And Films, Gregory Fritjofson

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Antiferromagnetic spintronics is a budding field, promising applications for next generation computing and telecommunication, due to the inherent stability and terahertz frequency magnetic dynamics which antiferromagnets (AFMs) possess. However, due to the infancy and uniqueness of the field, AFM spin dynamics have yet to be studied to their full extent in the terahertz range. To this end, we describe a custom magnetometry system with continuous frequency operation from 60 GHz to 1.5 THz, complete quasi-optical polarization control, peak magnetic field of 9 T, temperature control from 5-300 K, and three-axis sample rotation. We provide initial results from uniaxial AFM MnF2 …

Sub-Cycle Nonlinear Optics In Solids, Dipendra Khatri

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The rapid advancement of digital electronics and telecommunication systems necessitates processing information at increasingly higher speeds. However, modern semiconductor technology faces fundamental physical limitations in transistor miniaturization and clock frequency due to quantum mechanical constraints. To overcome these barriers, ultrafast optoelectronics, leveraging light-matter interactions, offers a promising alternative. Light, as the fastest carrier of information, enables signal processing at frequencies far beyond conventional semiconductor technology. Advancements in laser technology have enabled stable and reliable ultrashort light pulse sources, lasting only a few femtoseconds at optical wavelengths. When utilized for signal processing, they could enable clock frequencies over 1000 times higher …

How To Join Teams: Individual Factors That Influence An Incoming Team Member’S Understanding Of The Team’S Shared Mental Models, Madeline Filippi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study examined the effect of various individual differences on accuracy of incoming team members’ learning the team’s task and team shared mental models by leveraging literature on shared mental models and team member replacement. The four individual differences (openness to experience, perspective taking, social curiosity and trait negative affect) were hypothesized to positively impact the incoming team member’s ability to understand the team’s shared mental models through the theoretical mechanism of cue identification. Participants were asked to imagine they were entering a student organization executive team and based on characteristics (responsibilities, preferences, attitudes) of the team members in the …

Motion Extrapolation And Motion Dynamics: Are The Motion Dynamics Of Friction Utilized During Motion Extrapolation To Inform Time-To-Contact Estimations?, Genna Telschow

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Cognitive processing delays should cause us to respond too late when making time-to-contact estimations. According to the theory of constructivism, the brain accounts for these delays by supplementing sensory information with higher level cognitive information to create an accurate motion percept. Across the attention, memory, and motion extrapolation literatures there is evidence supporting the use of higher-level information, like motion dynamics, to supplement our visual input. Specifically, previous research suggests we may account for friction’s constraints on motion when interacting with dynamic stimuli. The current research utilizes features that represent friction as both a stopping agent and a motion catalyst …

Older Adult Centered Robot Assessment: Usability, Social Presence, And Acceptance. Building Towards A Better Robot., Jordan Sasser

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation investigated factors influencing older adults' perceptions of Misty, a voice-enabled social robot designed for caregiving interactions. Three sequential studies explored how voice characteristics (pitch and speech rate), robot persona (personable vs. robotic), and task guidance (Misty guiding through timed up and go and four stage balance task) influenced usability, social presence, acceptance, and perceptions of medical assistant competence. Study 1 employed thematic and quantitative usability analyses, identifying that lower-pitched, moderately paced voices optimized user satisfaction, while repetitive activation phrases ("Hey Misty") significantly reduced usability. Study 2 examined how persona framing (personable vs. robotic) influenced perceptions of social presence …

Sexual And Gender Minority Identity Acceptance And The Role Of Florida Legislation Perception On Medical Disclosure And Risky Health Behaviors, Aubrianna L. Stuckey

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Recently, across the United States, efforts have been made to remove protective legislation and resources surrounding the sexual gender minority (SGM) community (Woodford et al., 2018). Given how quickly Florida’s HB 1557 legislation was passed and the corresponding, ongoing attempts to expand the bills, there is limited research exploring the role of legislative change on SGM communities. Newer literature indicates that discriminatory laws or bills have impacted the mental health of the SGM community, especially among SGM adolescent and young adults ; however, research exploring the role legislation has on SGM individual’s physical health, requires further investigation(American Psychological Association, 2023; …

Burnout In The Workplace- Organizational Influences On Counselor Burnout, Serene Hasan

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study is a two-part manuscript dissertation that examined the impact of the six organizational influencers of burnout: Workload, Control, Reward, Community, Fairness, and Values on mental health counselors’ (MHCs) burnout, using Maslach’s three subscales of burnout: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment. Additionally, Work Setting and Age were assessed for their influence on MHC burnout, when the six organizational influencers were accounted for. The focus on this topic is crucial as burnout has a detrimental effect on counselors, clients, and organizations. The growing population in need of support surpasses the amount of MHCs that our nation has to offer. …

Quality Of Service Robots And Organizational Citizenship Behaviors: The Mediating Roles Of State Empathy And Perceived Organizational Support/Obstruction, Adam D. Jacobs

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Research on service robots is currently more conceptual than it is empirical. This thesis leverages resource allocation and social exchange theories to explain how employees choose to expend their resources depending on the functioning of the service robot. I propose that service robot quality (defined here as an employee’s perception of the usefulness and ease of use of a service robot) is an important consideration for organizations that adopt service robots, and hypothesize that employee state empathy and support (or obstruction) from their organization links service robot quality to employee organizational citizenship behaviors. The study consisted of 166 participants from …

Impacts Of Susceptibility To Peer Influence And Fomo On Viewing Alcohol-Related Content On Social Media, Alcohol Expectancies, And Alcohol Use, Callie L. Wang

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

PURPOSE: Young adult (YA) alcohol use remains a significant public health problem, and may be influenced by alcohol expectancies developed through exposure to peers’ alcohol related content (ARC) on social media. This study examined the associations among ARC exposure, alcohol expectancies and alcohol use among YAs, and how susceptibility to peer influence and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) may influence these relations. METHOD: YAs in the United States who endorsed consuming 1-2 standard drinks per month (N=371) completed surveys measuring ARC exposure, alcohol expectancies, susceptibility to peer influence, FoMO, and alcohol use at baseline and at 4- and 8-week follow …

The Role Of Social Media On Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Self-Esteem Imposter Phenomenon, And Identity Distress, Julie Hall

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis explored the relationships between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), self-esteem, masking, Imposter Phenomenon (IP), and identity distress, along with the role in which social media integration plays in these relationships. Participants (N = 500) were recruited through SONA, a research recruitment database, and completed an anonymous online survey for course credit. Those who met the DSM-5 -TR criteria for ADHD had higher levels of IP, integration of social media, and Identity Distress, but lower levels of self-esteem compared to students who did not meet criteria for ADHD. This study is the first to explore the link between ADHD and …

Hallucinogen Usage, Experiencing Mystical Phenomena, And Transformational Identity Change, Cameron Hyder

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This study seeks to understand the therapeutic potential of multiple prominent hallucinogens (LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, Cannabis, and DMT) by examining corresponding posttraumatic growth, transformational identity change, and experience(s) of mystical phenomena. College students (N = 278) completed an anonymous online survey. The data was analyzed to assess hallucinogen usage history and possible changes, as well as any significant differences between each hallucinogen. Participants were first asked about their hallucinogen usage including which hallucinogens they have specifically used, number of uses, age of first use, and the last time they used. They were also asked to rate their short-term vs …

Digital Biomarkers Of Usability, Steven Ford

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Usability, the extent to which a product can be used with satisfaction and efficiency, is critical for its success, yet traditional assessment methods are often subjective or resource-intensive. This dissertation adapts the concept of digital biomarkers—objective, quantifiable data typically used to inform health outcomes—to summative usability assessment. By examining passively collected mouse and eye movement data, this research pinpoints reliable digital biomarkers that forecast subjective usability ratings, effectively assessing the 'health' of digital systems. Three studies were conducted to demonstrate that metrics based on eye and mouse-cursor movements can accurately predict standard usability survey scores across a wide array of …

The Role Of Substance Use And Objectification On Bisexual Women’S Sexual Violence Experiences, Rachel Cooper

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Bisexual women experience the highest rates of sexual violence victimization, across all tactics, compared to all other gender and sexual orientation groups. Bisexual women’s higher rates of substance use puts them at greater risk for substance-facilitated sexual violence, however this does not account for higher rates of sexual violence that happen through other tactics. Objectification theory states that people learn to view women as sexual objects, whose value derives from their bodies’ sexual utility and this view increases the likelihood of sexual violence. Bisexual women experience an additional form of objectification in the form of bisexual stigma which is characterized …

Exploring Fake News Detection: Unpacking Polarization, Ambiguity, And Associated Neural Mechanisms, Shayna R. Soares

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

A pertinent next step in investigating fake news, is exploring the inherent ambiguity of news headlines through the lens of uncertain decision-making theories. Few studies have done so while investigating the established neural correlates associated with uncertainty in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). A set of three studies was conducted examining the underlying neural mechanisms associated with ambiguity of news headlines, individuals’ polarization, and their decision behavior. Study 1 validated news headlines in terms of ambiguity (1-7 scale). Experiment 1 investigated choice behavior in an uncertain decision task with ambiguous news headlines, while recording activation in the prefrontal cortex using fNIRS. …

Examining School Psychologists’ Perspectives Of School Resource Officers, Kaylee Engle

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Following highly publicized acts of school violence since the 1990s, school resource officers (SROs) have become increasingly common fixtures in U.S. public schools. However, research on educational stakeholders' perceptions of school resource officers is limited, and studies that have been conducted have produced mixed results. The purpose of this study was to examine school psychologists' perspectives of school resource officers. School psychologists have unique training and knowledge regarding the establishment of safe and supportive schools, as well as an ethical obligation to promote practices that contribute to positive school environments, yet no previous studies had examined these professionals' perceptions of …