Digital Commons Network^™

Development And Photophysical Characterization Of Bioinspired Materials, Qaisar Maqbool

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Porphyrins are versatile aromatic macrocycles with unique photophysical properties that make them attractive for applications in light harvesting, photocatalysis, and sustainable energy conversion. Incorporating porphyrins into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offers a unique opportunity to modulate their photophysical behavior through spatial confinement and host–guest interactions. This thesis explores how structural modifications influence porphyrin excited-state behavior through a multi-stage investigation. The work begins by comparing the photophysical properties of two cationic porphyrins: tetra(N-methylpyridyl) porphyrin(TMPyP) and tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium) porphyrin(4TANP). While TMPyP exhibits significant singlet–charge transfer (S₁–CT) state mixing due to charge delocalization onto peripheral pyridinium groups, 4TANP lacks comparable behavior. The localized nature of …

If You Give A Website A Cookie: Educating Children About Online Privacy, Tina Mccomiskey

University Honors Theses

Internet usage increases every year, and internet-connected apps and websites make up a large portion of this growth, so it becomes more important to understand how the information we share on the internet can impact our daily lives. From companies using personal data for targeted advertising to hackers exploiting accounts by using public information to answer security questions, poor internet practices can cause a great deal of harm. These forms of exploitation show the need for more education on internet privacy. My Privacy Awareness Learning Games (myPAL Games) was designed to address this gap in education for children …

From Prohibition To Prescription: Exploring Injustice, Bias, And Science-Based Solutions, Alexander Campos

University Honors Theses

This thesis critiques the war on drugs for disproportionately targeting minority communities and prioritizing systemic exploitation over public health. It examines the flawed, politically influenced DEA drug scheduling process, which neglects evidence of the medical benefits of substances like cannabis, psilocybin, LSD, DMT, and MDMA. This thesis gives a brief history of the evolution of US drug policy, which contributed to mass incarceration, reinforced racial disparities, and failed to reduce overdose deaths. It also highlights the potential mental health benefits of decriminalizing and regulating psychedelics to treat conditions like PTSD, depression, and substance abuse disorder. This thesis concludes by promoting …

Death To Comphet: A Chapina Southern Lesbian Story, Doraly Oneida Perez-Valdez

University Honors Theses

This paper is a counterstory that fights narratives that have been placed upon Latina Lesbians by everyone but us. The main topic is compulsory heteronormativity also known as "comphet". This autoethnography explains how "comphet" may affect different identities but specifically a Latina Lesbian from the South. There are nine chapters that explain how each topic affects a different aspect of identity but centers lesbianism. Societal reasons, cultural reasons, "date to marry" culture, Southern upbringing, sex education received, racial and gender stereotypes, and capitalism are all of the topics being explored through the lens of a Southern Latina Lesbian. These topics …

Beyond The Meadow: Exploring The Violence And Dynamics Of Power In Watership Down Through Critical Animal Studies And Cinematographic Lens, Marwa Hussein Abdelfattah

Arts and Design

This paper aims to analyze the 2018 Netflix miniseries adaptation of Richard Adams's classic novel, Watership Down, using Critical Animal Studies and a Cinematographic lens. The analysis focuses on its visual storytelling through the camera angles, lighting, and character representation. Adams’ novel was adapted three times. The first two animated versions were horrifying to the extent that one of them was banned. The most recent version used Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) technology to be more friendly. The CGI version toned down explicit brutality while maintaining the novel's darker themes. Unlike the two previous versions, the CGI focused on inferred violence and …

Iep Process As An Avenue Or Barrier To Inclusion For Autism Spectrum Students: The Importance Of Collaboration, Stephanie C. Holmes

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

Decades of research concerning the implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) have shown that building and implementing an IEP for a student with additional needs can be adversarial between the child’s parents and the school system. In 1975, when Public Law 94-142 was passed, the idea behind the law was not only to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for children with needs and disabilities but also to give parents of these children a voice in the process of creating the child’s IEP. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was not added to the list of needs to be served …

Online Learning And Private Christian Hispanic Serving Institutions: A Narrative Review Of The Literature, Daniela A. Hernandez, Brandi R. Munoz, Stephanie Ferrell

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

This narrative literature review explores the intersection of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), online education, and the role of private Christian universities in addressing educational disparities for Hispanic students. It synthesizes existing research on the challenges Hispanic students face in higher education, including financial barriers, limited digital access, underutilization of student support services, and institutional identity issues. Drawing on social capital theory and student engagement theory, this review highlights how HSIs, particularly private Christian institutions, can develop culturally responsive initiatives and leverage federal Title V funding to support Hispanic learners. The paper also examines emerging efforts such as the “Seal of …

Authentic Leadership’S Impact On Black Student-Athletes’ Identity And Persistence, Edward Raimundi Iii, Chanel M. Bradden, Erika Stanley Wesley

Tapestry: Journal of Research in Education

This mixed-methods study examined the role of authentic leadership in shaping the identity development and persistence of Black student-athletes within collegiate athletic programs. Despite growing research on student-athlete experiences, a critical gap remains in understanding how leadership characterized by transparency, self-awareness, and ethical behavior influences Black athletes’ self-perception, resilience, and ability to navigate academic and athletic challenges. Drawing on surveys (Authentic Leadership Questionnaire) and semi-structured interviews with sports administrators and student-athletes, the study identified key themes: the importance of consistent communication, ethical decision-making, and holistic mentorship in fostering trust and empowerment. Findings revealed that while authentic leadership enhances athletes’ resilience …

The Effect Of A Qcr7 Gene Deletion On Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Lifespan, Jayden R. Taylor

Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement

To explore aging in yeast, the yeast deletion collection was biochemically screened for changes in growth by staining cells with fluorescent viability dyes. The QCR7 gene was identified as a potential modifier of yeast lifespan. Qcr7 is a protein component of Complex III in the electron transport chain localized in the inner membrane of the mitochondria. The chronological lifespan assay was used to compare the lifespan of qcr7Δ and wild-type yeast cells. Through four rounds of testing, qcr7Δ yeast cells are seen to extended lifespan. Lifespan data from Trypan Blue staining of the cells were analyzed utilizing Python. Initial work …

Exploring Sustainable Practices In Educational Buildings During The Project Lifecycle In Egypt, Abdallah Awny, Youssef A. Awad, Hosam Hegazy, Ibrahim Mahdi

Future Engineering Journal

Sustainable construction approaches are essential for mitigating environmental concerns and enhancing energy efficiency in educational facilities. This research examines sustainability solutions in Egyptian educational institutions, concentrating on the design, building, and operating stages. The study combines quantitative and qualitative assessments from a survey of 66 industry experts, evaluating essential sustainability criteria like energy efficiency, water conservation, material sustainability, and operating expenses. Statistical methods, such as the Relative Importance Index (RII) and correlation analysis, were used to assess the relevance and interrelations among sustainability factors. The findings reveal that energy efficiency (RII: 0.82) and the promotion of health and well-being (RII: …

The Hidden Curriculum And The Discounting Of Students’ Identity: The Sources Of Disaffection And The Challenge In Formation Of Professional Identity, Cliff Zimmerman

The Journal of Law Teaching and Learning

No abstract provided.

The Ferguson Effect, Ayleen A. Suarez

Quest

Research Essay

Research in progress for CRIJ 2328: Police Systems and Practices

Faculty Mentor: Stephanie Abramoske-Austin, PhD

This article began from a term paper assignment in CRIJ 2328, Police Systems and Practices—a required course for Criminal Justice students. The assignment asks students to research a current policing topic and write an essay that includes the history of the topic, its importance for modern-day policing, a review and analysis of the empirical evidence on the topic, and proposed solutions. Ayleen Suarez chose to research the “Ferguson effect.” The Ferguson effect began circulating online and in a variety of news programs after …

M. Ed. In Teacher Leadership Portfolio, Elizabeth Hemmons

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership Portfolios

No abstract provided.

The History And Modern-Day Reality Of Racial Discrimination In Jury Selection, Marie Andelique Aviles

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

The role that a prosecutor and attorneys have in the courtroom is vital in shaping the composition of a jury in any court case. Prosecutors and attorneys employ strategies during the Voir Dire process to maximize their chances of securing favorable outcomes. Upon examining how juries are selected, jury pools can be studied from historical and modernday cases that show trends of racial discrimination. The methods and decision-making process to select a jury can involve racial biases that ultimately affect the outcome of the court decision. Through case studies and legal documentation, this article will explore how implicit racial bias …

Vaccination Mandates And Civil Liberties, Sophia Choti

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

Vaccination mandates in the United States sit at the crossroads of public health and individual freedoms, a complex and often controversial intersection. The enforcement of immunization policies has a long history of legal and ethical scrutiny, balancing the state's responsibility to protect its citizens with the constitutional rights individuals hold dear. The COVID-19 pandemic reignited this debate, amplifying existing tensions and presenting new challenges. This analysis argues that while vaccination mandates are constitutionally valid and essential for safeguarding public health, they must be designed with care to respect individual liberties and address modern challenges such as misinformation, inequities, and public …

Serial Killer Terminology And Its Effect On Criminal Trials, Alice Gnesin

Florida Atlantic University Undergraduate Law Journal

The terminology used during court proceedings plays a pivotal role in shaping the legal outcomes and sentencing for serial killers. This study examines how specific language, mainly terms such as "serial killer," impacts sentencing severity. By analyzing cases involving serial killers and the terminology used, there is a proven correlation between terminology and sentencing. For example, Ted Bundy (30 confirmed murders) and Jeffrey Dahmer (17 confirmed murders) were both investigated by Robert Ressler—who pioneered FBI profiling and coined the term "serial killer." The term was extensively used within their trials, impacting their sentencing. This can be compared to John Wayne …

Pathology’S Place In Understanding The Bias And Inequalities In Women’S Healthcare, Andrea Heaney, Eugene Hickey, Emma Murphy

SAML-25 Workshop on Statistical and Machine Learning

Women’s healthcare is a complex, multifaceted issue with both historic and implicit biases, along with biological differences between men and women. With the advancement of AI tools in healthcare and the potential for biased data to create biased models, it is vital to consider how women are represented in data. Previously conducted semi-structured semantic interviews with clinicians were analysed via Braun and Clark’s method of thematic analysis. The analysis of these interviews yielded the following themes: Gender Influencing Health, Pregnancy, Social Factors, General Health, Treatment, Training, and Research. These themes highlight that context is key to understanding the biases in …

2025-06-05 Minutes & Appendices, Longwood University

Board of Visitors Meeting Minutes 1964-

No abstract provided.

Ascertion: Middleware For Content Moderation, Mia Lassiter, Vani Aggarwal

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

The Internet is dominated by a handful of social media platforms that disproportionately control content curation and moderation. As a result, it is increasingly difficult for users to discern verified and credible information from misinformation and disinformation. Middleware is a specialized software with mechanisms to decentralize platform power and reinstate users with autonomy over their online experiences. We propose middleware that gives users the autonomy to create and consume authentic and trusted content. We achieved a proof of concept for a middleware with mechanisms for verifiable content posting and authentication. Our solution is implemented as a Chrome plug-in that provides …

Beyond Barriers: Supporting Formerly Incarcerated Students In American Higher Education, Carly Jean Colbert

Journal of Prison Education Research

The United States prison industry is the largest in the world. With the reintroduction of Second Chance Pell in 2015, more people are starting their education while incarcerated, and some attempt to finish after release. However, they are faced with numerous barriers that may prevent graduation. Drawing on Astin’s theory of student involvement, this mixed-methods study examines the challenges that formerly incarcerated people face while pursuing college degrees. Rather than focusing on access, this research focuses on the supports that institutions of higher education can establish to help formerly incarcerated students persist and successfully complete their undergraduate degrees. The findings …

University Counseling Center Therapists' Perspectives Of Counseling About Nutrition, Ana Lucia Pacheco

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined university counseling center therapists' perspectives on discussing nutrition in therapy. Despite the established link between nutrition and mental health, minimal research has explored how therapists approach these discussions. This study used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to analyze semi-structured interviews with 10 university counseling center therapists from the Mountain West region. Four overarching themes emerged: a deficit view of nutrition, perceived utility, ethical practice, and holistic care. Therapists unanimously recognized the connection between nutrition and mental health and primarily discussed nutrition with clients presenting with eating disorders or disordered eating, those who express interest, or as part of …

A Framework For Scalable And Controlled Hallucination Data Collection, Lin Ting Liang

Computer Science Senior Theses

This thesis addresses a key bottleneck in hallucination research: the scarcity and limitations of hallucination benchmark datasets. Existing datasets typically focus on a single type of hallucination and are expensive to produce due to the need for manual prompt creation and annotation. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel mixture-of-experts (MoE) adversarial framework that actively induces hallucinations. Our framework employs three large language model (LLM) agents that iteratively and adversarially revise prompts to provoke hallucinated responses from a target question-answering model. It automates the generation of both intrinsic hallucinations (logical inconsistencies) and extrinsic hallucinations (inclusion of unverifiable external information). …

Develpoment Of Urchin-Like Gold Nanoparticles For Drug Delivery Of Glioblastoma And The Colorectal Cancer Cells, Joshua Ozougwu, Vinayak Shama, Bilal Javed Dr., Furong Tian Dr.

Level 3

No abstract provided.

Development Of Recommendations For The Future Of Telehealth Use Among Sexual And Gender Minorities (Sgm), Jeffrey A. Wilhite

Dissertations and Theses

It is now well-documented that sexual and gender minoritized individuals (SGMs) face consistent stigmatization from not just the health care system, but also from overarching community, federal, and societal entities. Subsections of the SGM community, like gay men for example, face higher rates of eating disorders, certain cancers, alcoholism, mental illness and even obesity, when compared to heterosexual counterparts. Many of these challenges could be exacerbated by current political administration efforts to silence the community. Ensuring access to clinical care is one way of preserving the health and livelihood of the community. Telehealth, or synchronous, remote based clinical care, can …

Public Relations As An Approach For Smes To Improve Business Sustainability, Nikkia Tene Mcclain

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack dedicated public relations (PR) departments, limiting their ability to build brand identity, and gain market share compared to larger firms with greater resources. Small business owners need PR departments to improve their competitive positioning to satisfy buyers. stay competitive to maintain and increase employment, and satisfy customers. Grounded in the dynamic capability theory, this qualitative multiple case study explored how the development and strategic implementation of PR functions can provide SMEs with a competitive advantage. Participants included seven SME owners in fashion, real estate, beauty, business, technology, and retail, each with experience in …

Medicare Advantage Dominance In Puerto Rico’S Healthcare System: Exploring Its Financial Landscape, Marketing Strategies And Quality Measures Using The Commercial Determinants Of Health Framework, Sergio Andrés Rivera-Rodríguez

Dissertations and Theses

Over time, Medicare Advantage (MA) has seen an increase in enrollment in the United States and Puerto Rico. This program, which is the privatized version of traditional Medicare, has faced critiques in recent years for being focused on profit maximization and reducing accessibility to Medicare beneficiaries. In Puerto Rico, the majority of Medicare beneficiaries (95%) choose a MA plan over traditional Medicare. Despite being the primary financier of healthcare in Puerto Rico and covering populations that require extensive healthcare services, individuals over 65 and those with disabilities, there are still numerous research gaps about the MA industry. This dissertation examines …

Improving Follow-Up Adherence: A Case Study On Patient Experience Initiatives, Aaron Haley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patient-centered care has become increasingly paramount in healthcare organizations (Thummak et al., 2023). A critical component of this model is patient adherence to scheduled appointments, as missed visits can negatively affect outcomes (Halladay et al., 2019), increase healthcare costs, waste resources, and disrupt workflow (Low et al., 2023). This qualitative case study investigated the factors contributing to patient nonadherence to scheduled visits in a multidisciplinary behavioral health organization (BHO) in the Southwestern United States. The study utilized data from the behavioral health leader (BHL), organizational records, and secondary sources and was guided by the Baldrige Framework of Excellence as its …

The Effectiveness Of Vivitrol And Naltrexone For Rural And Urban Participants Post-Incarceration Or Under Supervision, Francis Anthony Mulford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Behavioral health professionals are concerned with the opioid epidemic in the United States, as opioid use results in needless overdose deaths annually. Relapse prevention is the theory that grounded this study, and naltrexone or extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) was used to measure effectiveness for 50 forensic, rural, and urban individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) to prevent relapse. Furthermore, this study used a chi square test of independence, nonparametric test with a Cramer’s V, and Fisher’s exact. While outcomes revealed no significant differences between rural and urban groups, significant evidence was observed when medication outcomes and medication extent were evaluated, Pearson …

A Pre–Post Study Evaluating An Online Cbt-Based Intervention To Improve Academic Performance In Students With Low Mood, Suheir Awadalla, E. Bethan Davies, Cris Glazebrook

All Works

Online cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)-based interventions have shown the potential to improve the mental health of university students. However, their impact on West Asian cultures and educational achievement has yet to be fully investigated. This study explores the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a self-directed, internet-delivered, cognitive–behavioural skills training programme (MoodGYM) in reducing depression and improving academic performance among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This exploratory pre- and postintervention study with a historical control group recruited 50 students, having a GPA <2 and self-reporting at least one of two key depressive symptoms, from one UAE university. The results demonstrated that the total Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS) depression score (HADS-D) decreased after the intervention (P = 0.004), and the proportion of participants scoring above the cutoff for depression (HADS-D ≥8) decreased from 77.2 to 27.3% (p < 0.001). There was also a significant reduction in HADS-anxiety scores (p < 0.001), and the proportion of participants above the cut-off for anxiety (HADS-A ≥8) decreased from 50% to 11.4% (p = 0.001). GPA improved significantly over time (p < 0.001, d = 1.3), and attendance warnings decreased (p = 0.008, d = 0.6). Most students (79.6%) evaluated MoodGYM as useful, and all students completed at least two MoodGYM modules. This study shows that MoodGYM, a web-based mental health promotion intervention, improves academic achievement in university students with depressive symptoms. Further research is needed to explore how MoodGYM can be best implemented within university settings.

Spectator 2025-06-05, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.