Digital Commons Network^™

Hybrid Patchtst And Physics-Based Framework For Predicting Lithium-Ion Battery State Of Health, Pavan Ravuri

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Accurately forecasting the state of health of lithium-ion batteries is critical for improving performance, reliability and lifetime in energy storage applications. Battery capacity degrades into a nonlinear pattern over cycling due to electrochemical processes where neither purely data driven nor physics-based models can capture alone. This study looks at a hybrid framework combining that PatchTST patch-based transformer architecture with physics-based features derived from the solid electrolyte interphase and pseudo two-dimensional models. Physics inspired proxy features were computed from cycling data and concatenated with electrochemical measurements as added input channels before patch segmentation. There are five model configurations that were evaluated …

Evaluating The Efficacy And Safety Of Inactivated Dengue Vaccines In Vulnerable Populations, Alaa Daghash

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Dengue virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus responsible for over 390 million annual cases worldwide. While there are live-attenuated vaccines available to prevent dengue, none are currently approved for use in the United States, and existing platforms pose significant risks of viral reactivation and antibody-dependent enhancement in vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, children under the age of nine, and the immunocompromised. This widespread exclusion of vulnerable populations exposes a significant vaccine equity gap in dengue prevention, as the populations most at risk for severe dengue are the same ones who are currently excluded from vaccination. In this study, I conducted …

Studying Chronotypes And Their Role In Sleep And Mental Health: A Scoping Review, Evan Nguyen

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Sleep patterns remain a significant public health concern globally, impacting several aspects of life, including mental health. This scoping review examined how chronotype and circadian typology predict mental health, with sleep quality serving as a crucial mediator. While the importance of sleep is widely acknowledged, there is a lack of studies specifically investigating chronotype-aligned interventions to reduce psychological distress. To address the shortage, a comprehensive review of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted, identifying six papers for analysis. These studies mostly utilized cross-sectional designs to assess diverse global groups, including university students, healthcare workers, and military personnel. The results indicate that …

The Impact Of Delayed Versus Immediate Cord Clamping On Newborn Vitality In Vaginal Deliveries: A Literature Review, Ava Rhea Sherota

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Umbilical cord management at birth is a critical component of neonatal care. Historically starting in the 1950s–1960s, hospitals have utilized immediate cord clamping (ICC), the practice of clamping and cutting the umbilical cord within the first 1–30 seconds after birth, to speed up postpartum care and newborn assessments (Ceriani Cernadas et al., 2006; Ceriani Cernadas et al., 2010; McDonald et al., 2013). This approach gained popularity in the mid-20th century due to concerns about maternal bleeding, the need for rapid neonatal evaluation, and the drive for more efficient delivery room workflows (Weckert & Hancock, 2008; Mohammad et al., 2019). Before …

The Implicit Perceptions Of Asian American Adoptees And Their Clinical Implications, Cai Li L. Franckewich

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Asian American adoptees occupy a unique “in-between” space, shaped by societal perceptions of race, culture, and family context. This study examined how family composition and racial pairings influence perceptions of an Asian American adoptee. Undergraduate students completed an online survey in which they were randomly shown one of five images depicting the adoptee with different family compositions, without being told she was adopted. Participants then read a story describing the adoptee experiencing common college stressors, and rated statements on a 7-point Likert scale regarding the adoptee’s well-being, factors influencing her behavior, and behavioral descriptors. Results indicated that participants perceived stronger …

The Role Of Resistance Training In Managing Menopause-Related Changes, Alyson K. Strauss

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Resistance training serves as a critical non-pharmacological strategy for mitigating the physiological and psychological declines associated with the menopausal transition. This natural biological phase, marked by declining estrogen levels, typically leads to accelerated bone mineral density loss, sarcopenia, metabolic regulation disturbance, and heightened mood disturbances. To evaluate the efficacy of targeted exercise interventions, a systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. From an initial pool of 60 relevant articles, 13 studies met the specific inclusion criteria, focusing on structured resistance training protocols for perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal cohorts.

The synthesis of these studies indicates that resistance training is a highly …

The Psychological Effect Of Maternal Separation From A Child During Incarceration: A Survey And Critique Of Risk Needs Assessments, Samantha Yearwood

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines whether frequently used correctional assessment instruments adequately capture the psychological impacts of maternal-child separation among incarcerated women. This research was conducted in response to growing criticisms that traditional risk and needs assessments fail to account for gender-specific experiences, specifically those related to caregiving roles and pregnancy. Using a qualitative analysis content analysis to assess four widely used instruments, the Women’s Risk and Needs Assessment (WRNA), Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS), Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), and Level of Service Inventory–Revised (LSI-R), the thesis  examines the inclusion of pregnancy-related variables, caregiving responsibilities, and separation-related psychological factors. …

Analyzing The Loss Of Material From A Non-Plastic Oyster Reef Restoration Alternative, Lindsay M. Dolan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oyster reefs are declining globally due to human impacts such as overharvesting, boat wakes, and climate change. Associated ecosystem services, including water filtration, fish and invertebrates’ habitats, and shoreline erosion protection, are lost when these reefs disappear. Traditionally, restoration efforts employed plastic mesh shell bags filled with recycled oyster shells as they provide recruitment substrate for new oyster spat and wave attenuating properties to protect shorelines. Due to rising concerns over microplastic pollution, non-plastic alternatives are being tested. Alternative restoration material must provide the same benefits to reef formation while maintaining structural integrity long enough for a healthy reef to …

Friends In Niche Places: An Examination Of Anole Abundance And Habitat Use In An Urban Environment Using Point Transect Distance Sampling, Ethan Gau

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Lizards in the genus anolis occupy a wide range of ecological niches, often sharing the same environment due to niche partitioning. In central Florida, the main species of anoles found are the native A. carolinensis and the invasive A. sagrei, two generalist anole species that partition into trunk-crown and trunk-ground niches in each other’s presences respectively. I surveyed the UCF main campus using Apollo Circle as the border for my study area, and I used point sampling to estimate the population abundance and density, while also collecting data on perch substrate, height, and canopy coverage. Population estimates for A. …

Life In Laughter: Comedy’S Impact On Student Health And Success, Julia Weinstein

Honors Undergraduate Theses

College students face rising rates of anxiety, depression, and stress, highlighting the need for accessible, stigma-free wellness interventions. While comedy is often seen as entertainment, research indicates laughter produces measurable psychological and physiological benefits, including reduced cortisol and increased endorphins. Life in Laughter, a creative-research hybrid project, investigates how live and digital comedy experiences affect college students’ mood, stress, and sense of belonging. Using mixed methods, data were collected through anonymous audience surveys, app-based reflections via JoyScroll, and interviews, supplemented by a mini-documentary. Findings suggest humor functions as both an emotional regulation tool and a means of fostering …

Balancing Evidence Recovery: Hexane’S Effect On Biological And Non-Biological Traces In Sexual Assault Kits, Maya Richards

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study investigated the effectiveness of solvent – based extraction methods for the recovery of lubricant residues from simulated sexual assault swabs, with emphasis on balancing chemical evidence recovery. Sequential extraction using ultra – pure water followed by organic solvents, hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), and ethyl acetate (EA), was evaluated across water – based, silicone – based, oil – based, and hygiene product matrices. Analysis was performed using Direct Analysis in Real Time – High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (DART – HRMS), and extraction efficiency was assessed through spectral correlation with neat reference samples. Results demonstrated that solvent performance was highly dependent …

Oral Health Access Among Ethnic Minority Older Adults In The United States, Jasleen K. Sodhi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oral healthcare is a critical yet often overlooked component of overall health among U.S. adults. Ethnic minorities for older adults face heightened risks of poor oral health and related health conditions, while experiencing disparities in access to care. This study aimed to systematically examine and synthesize existing literature to assess the extent to which oral health disparities exist among ethnic minority older adults in the U.S. and explore the roles of socioeconomic factors on these disparities. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed articles published in English …

Between Borders - The Realities Of Immigration Limbo, Jennifer C. Valenzuela

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In this research, I looked into different immigration pathways in the United States and determined different characteristics from those pathways that might be leading the Latino population into a limbo status. With the Latino population being the largest minority group in the United States, and the continuously growing number of Latino immigrants, I decided to do this research to spread awareness of possible barriers and struggles that Latinos might face when applying for an immigration pathway. I researched the different immigration pathways, focusing on Asylum, TPS, and Family Reunification, to understand the requirements that each requires to apply and the …

Looking Beyond Traditional Therapy: The Promising Alternative Of Ketamine-Assisted Treatments In Improving The Quality Of Life Of Veterans, Noa Gutmann

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in United States veterans has a long history of treatment with standard care interventions and therapies. Unfortunately, many modern-day veterans experience treatment resistance and comorbid depressive symptoms that have yet to be resolved. This results in suicidal ideation, hospital readmission, and high treatment dropout rates of care plans. Recent evidence has shown a positive impact of ketamine, and esketamine, therapy on PTSD and depressive symptoms severity. Although, the outcomes and generalizability of this emerging therapy, compared to standard care, are not fully elucidated on. The purpose of this literary review was to further examine the current …

Risk And Protective Factors Of South Asian American Youth Mental Health, Jasmine Kaur

Honors Undergraduate Theses

South Asian American youth represent a rapidly growing yet understudied population in United States mental health research. Much of the existing literature aggregates diverse Asian American subgroups, obscuring the unique sociocultural experiences of South Asian adolescents and young adults. This thesis examines the risk and protective factors influencing the mental health of South Asian American youth aged 15–25. A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using the databases Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Search terms included culturally specific identifiers, migration-related terminology, youth demographic terms, and mental health outcomes. After removing duplicates and applying …

Cultural Schemas Regarding Resilience And Strength In Blacks: Implications For Well-Being And Academic Success, Aniya G. Ashford

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Culturally shaped strength-based coping frameworks among Black college students, particularly the Strong Black Woman Schema and John Henry’s Active Coping, are associated with responses to racism-related stress and academic pressure, yet the ways these internalized expectations interact with emotional regulation, perceived cultural norms, and academic functioning remain unclear. Prior research has primarily examined these constructs in isolation or focused on psychological distress or physical health outcomes, often relying on single-method self-report designs that do not capture how culturally embedded coping processes are reflected in lived experiences; as a result, limited work has integrated identity-based schemas, behavioral coping strategies, and narrative …

Assessing Physiological Arousal During A Standard Versus Inverted Vigilance Task Using Heart Rate Variability, Taha Riaz

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Vigilance tasks require sustained attention over long periods of time while monitoring for rare critical signals. Inverted or reverse vigilance/sustained attention response tasks (SART) may impose greater response-control demands. Although prior studies have compared these tasks behaviorally, there are fewer investigations examining whether they differ in physiological arousal as indexed by heart rate variability (HRV).

Method: Undergraduate students from UCF completed a variation of either the X-CPT (standard vigilance task) or the CPT-3 (inverted/SART) task. Electrocardiogram data was recorded continuously. Data from 40 participants were analyzed. HRV was indexed using frequency domain analysis using the low-frequency to high-frequency ratio …

The Relationship Between Heteronormativity, Shame- Proneness, Shame-Withdrawal, And Empathy In College- Aged Men, Megan M. Tang

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Due to rising social discourse regarding “the male loneliness epidemic,” this study aims to examine possible predictors of empathy in cisgender, heterosexual, college-aged males. Empathy promotes prosocial behavior and is necessary for healthy interpersonal interactions, which may be limited in male experiences due to adherence to heteronormative values and lower levels of self-disclosure in men. Shame is more likely to occur when men stray from traditional gender roles, and people are more likely to engage in social withdrawal behaviors when experiencing shame. Shame-proneness has also been shown to inhibit empathetic behavior. This study explores two hypotheses, the first of which …

Lenses Of Faith And Culture: Christian College Students' Perspectives On Infertility, Mary Samuels

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis investigates the perspectives of Christian college students on infertility, adoption, and assisted reproductive technologies through focus group discussions. Following the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision, 13 states have established a total abortion ban, and 28 states have established abortion bans based on gestational duration. This study materializes because recently developed state-level abortion laws may impact in vitro fertilization (IVF) access if states expand legal protection of fetal personhood. Previous research has described that while Christian traditions demonstrate cultural pronatalism and opposition to abortion, Christian individuals’ concepts of infertility and views of treatments such …

The Impact Of Parental Influence On The Sexual Health Of College Students In South Florida, Lauren Barthel

Honors Undergraduate Theses

College students account for some of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) annually in America. Interventions aimed at reducing the number of cases in this emerging population are needed. This study utilized a secondary data analysis of an online survey administered to college students from August 2018 to December 2022 to examine their sexual literacy and overall sexual health. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between parental influence and the sexual health of college students by exploring variables such as parent-child communication, race/ethnicity, and parental background. Using IBM SPSS Statistics 30, results indicated that …

Acute Changes In Muscle Thickness And Perceptual Responses Following Different Applications Of Blood Flow Restriction, Anuj J. Prajapati

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The use of blood flow restriction (BFR) allows for reductions in exercise intensity without compromising muscular adaptations that are typically only manifested during high-load non-BFR exercise. There exist, however, several ways to implement BFR and there is a lack of information regarding which application may be beneficial over another. The purpose of this investigation was to examine acute changes in muscle size and perceptual responses following different pressure applications of BFR (i.e., continuous BFR [cBFR], intermittent during sets BFR [iBFR_sets], and intermittent during rest BFR [iBFR_rest]) relative to an unrestricted condition (i.e., nBFR). Participants completed cBFR, …

Double Burden: Exploring The Impact Of Epilepsy On Caregivers Of Children With Medical Complexities, Maria Eduarda Baldanzi Silva

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Children with medical complexities (MC) often have epilepsy as a comorbidity. The demanding management of conditions in children with complex needs requires specialized medical care. This care usually prioritizes the child’s health but often disregards caregivers' physical and mental health. This study examined the relationship between epilepsy in children with medical complexities (MC) and their caregivers' quality of life (QoL), with a focus on mental health, physical well-being, and financial stability. A national survey was conducted to compare the experiences of two groups of caregivers: 1) those who have children with MC and epilepsy, and 2) those who have children …

Assessing The Effects Of A Novel Breathing Exercise On Respiratory, Postural, And Muscular Performances, Tristan P. Wilson

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Breathing exercises are used in both clinical and home settings for a variety of purposes. Their functions range from reducing anxiety and stress to recuperating pulmonary function, depending on the technique and style employed. Existing literature has demonstrated that breathing exercises increase Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and may be able to improve postural stability due to engagement of the diaphragm when regularly practiced.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a novel breathing exercise would be effective in improving respiratory, postural, and muscular function.

Methods: In order to evaluate this claim, a randomized, double-blind, controlled study …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Glass-Ceramic Nanoparticles And Nanobubbles For Integration Into Bone Regenerative Biomaterials, Sun Latt

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Osteoporosis affects over 200 million individuals worldwide and is characterized by an imbalance between osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation, leading to fragility fractures that significantly diminish quality of life. Current clinical bone cements, such as poly(methyl methacrylate), are limited by poor osseointegration, toxic monomers, and an inability to address the underlying pathophysiology of osteoporosis. This work presents the synthesis, characterization, and systematic in vitro evaluation of a sol-gel-derived, magnesium-incorporated glass-ceramic (GC) nanoparticle within the CaO-MgO-SiO₂ system for incorporation into a novel hydrogel bone cement and bioresorbable magnesium implants. XRD confirmed a biphasic amorphous-crystalline diopside composition, and TEM …

Post-Metabolites Of Two Commensal Bacteria Suppress Dna Damage In An Experimental Model Of Acid Reflux Disease, Maanya Pradeep

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects approximately 25% of the US population [1]. Repeated bile acid exposure from the regurgitation of stomach contents leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause oxidative DNA damage and promote genomic instability [2]. Barrett’s esophagus (BE), which can develop as a response to chronic bile acid exposure, increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) by 30% to 125% [1].

There are more than 18,000 new cases of esophageal cancer in the United States each year, and while its incidence is relatively low compared to other cancers, its mortality …

The Role Of P2y1 And P2y2 Receptors In Human Neural Stem Cell Proliferation, Daria Sokolova

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) are located in specialized niches of the adult brain and play a vital role in both neurogenesis and neuronal repair. However, declines in NSC proliferation and metabolism associated with age and pathology make these cells less efficient at responding to neurodegenerative disease. Understanding signaling pathways that regulate NSC function is therefore essential for the understanding and development of treatments for these conditions. P2Y receptors are G-protein-coupled purinergic receptors that are activated by extracellular nucleotides and regulate cellular metabolism and proliferation. Among the eight known P2Y subtypes, P2Y1 and P2Y2 have been linked to neuronal signaling …

Financial Hardship And Its Impact On Stress And Anxiety: A Comparative Study Of International And Domestic Students, Vitoria Dias Motta

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Financial hardship is a well-established predictor of stress and anxiety among college students. However, research is limited on how these stressors differentially affect international and domestic students despite their distinct financial and academic limitations. This cross-sectional study investigates whether international students report higher levels of perceived stress, anxiety, academic pressure, and work demands compared to domestic students. Data were collected online from a sample (n = 200) of college undergraduates. Independent samples t-test indicated no statistically significant differences between international and domestic students across all variables, p > .05. Although domestic students reported slightly higher mean levels of stress, …

Recurrence And Co-Occurrence Of Enhancer-Promoter Interactions Across Human Samples, Satvik Gunjala

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Experimental mapping of enhancer-promoter interactions (EPIs) is resource-intensive, and current computational prediction methods struggle with intrinsic genomic complexity and reliance on limited training data. To address this bottleneck and provide insights for improved computational methods, this study systematically analyzed chromatin contact datasets to investigate the recurrence and co-occurrence of enhancer-promoter interactions across human samples. Putative interactions were evaluated across two HiChIP datasets comprising 218 total samples and one Hi-C dataset comprising 266 samples to assess recurrence across samples and assess sequencing depth related to unique EPIs. Additionally, a preliminary item-based collaborative filtering recommender model was developed to assess co-occurrence patterns …

Pretrial Publicity In A Modern World: Exploration Of Defense Attorney Experiences And Perspectives, Giray Uzen

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This research examined how pretrial publicity, like statements made by law enforcement and prosecutors, affects criminal defense strategy. Using a qualitative, phenomenological design, interviews were held with practicing defense attorneys to understand how they deal with media coverage, protect their clients’ rights, and adjust their strategy when a case starts getting attention. The project identifies common themes, including attorney concerns about biased jurors, distorted narratives, and pressure created by public commentary. Findings work towards reforming policy discussions to respect free speech while protecting the constitutional right to an impartial jury in our modern media environment.

Magnesium-Based Metal Matrix Nanocomposite Implants And Nanobubble-Based Delivery Systems: Integrated Strategies For Bone Loss Treatment With Cytocompatibility Evaluation, Lucas José Martinho Bizuti

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis intends to investigate the development of different multimodal therapeutic strategies for combating bone loss. Most specifically, this paper will emphasize the utilization of Magnesium-Based Metal Matrix Nanocomposite Implants (MMNC) and Nanobubble-Based Delivery Systems as options for future treatment focus. The effects of biodegradable magnesium implants were evaluated for cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility via Hematoxylin and Eosin, and Masson’s Trichrome staining, as well as radiological images. The Nanobubble-Based Delivery System is being developed and optimized as a delivery system to target osteoclast activity. This paper focused on optimizing experimental parameters, which include Rotational speeds for nanobubble stimulation under microgravity conditions …