Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Graduation Rates By Sex By Evaluating The Quality Of Student Interactions With Faculty And Academic Advisors, Michael John Bolen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess whether student satisfaction with faculty and academic advisors varied based on the sex of the student and the students’ academic college at a large public university in the Southeast. With the university aiming to improve its graduation rates, particularly male graduation rates, the Theory of Student Departure was used as a guide in identifying student interactions with faculty and academic advisors as potential factors impacting student persistence to graduation. Previous research suggests that the quality of the interactions that students have with faculty and academic advisors can vary based on the sex …

The Great Resignation: An Exploration Of Strategies To Combat School Bus Driver Shortages In The Post-Covid-19 Era, James E. Cole Jr.

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Leading school transportation providers have been turning toward data-driven incentive programs to engage, motivate, and get the best out of their school bus drivers, but the nationwide school bus driver shortage has emerged as a pressing issue of critical importance affecting the education system, transportation infrastructure, and safety of students across the United States. School bus driving is one of the most challenging driving jobs, and low wages, demanding schedules, stringent licensing requirements, and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the shortage of drivers. Identification of strategies to improve school bus driver retention was the objective of this qualitative phenomenological study. …

Syntheses, Photophysics, & Application Of Porphyrinic Metal-Organic Frameworks, Zachary L. Magnuson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Porphyrins are a group of heterocyclic macrocycles that play crucial roles in various biological processes such as electron transfer, catalysis, and sensing. Hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood of mammals, and chlorophyll, which drives photosynthesis in plants and algae, are both porphyrins. The ability of porphyrins to bind metal ions and their unique electronic and photophysical properties make them an excellent platform for designing functional materials for various applications, often drawing inspiration from their function in nature. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials that have been extensively studied in recent years due to their high surface …

An Overview Of Elements And Relations: Aspects Of A Scientific Metaphysics, Martin Zwick

Complex Systems Faculty Publications and Presentations

A talk on my book, Elements and Relations: Aspects of a Scientific Metaphysics. Book description:

This book develops the core proposition that systems theory is an attempt to construct an “exact and scientific metaphysics,” a system of general ideas central to science that can be expressed mathematically. Collectively, these ideas would constitute a non-reductionist “theory of everything” unlike what is being sought in physics. Inherently transdisciplinary, systems theory offers ideas and methods that are relevant to all of the sciences and also to professional fields such as systems engineering, public policy, business, and social work. To demonstrate the generality …

Mixed Reality: A Tool For Investigating The Complex Design And Mechanisms Of A Mechanically Actuated Digital Pump, Israa Azzam, Keith Pate, Farid Breidi, Minsoo Choi, Yeling Jiang, Christos Mousas

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Digital hydraulics is a discrete technology that integrates advanced dynamic system controls, digital electronics, and machine learning to enhance fluid power systems’ performance, overall efficiency, and controllability. A mechanically actuated inline three-piston variable displacement digital pump was previously proposed and designed. The inline three-piston pump incorporates complex mechanical and hydraulic subsystems and highly coupled mechanisms. The complexity of the utilized subsystems poses challenges when assessing the viability of the conceptual design. Therefore, this work focuses on designing, developing, and implementing a collaborative virtual platform involving a digitized module showcasing the internal mechanical structure of the digital pump utilizing mixed reality …

In Silico And In Vitro Drug Discovery Strategies And The Chemical Investigation Of Endophytic Fungi, Sarah Grace Dietrick

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The biodiversity of our global marine ecosystems provides substantial treasure to discover: chemistry. Marine organisms that live in proximity to one another use their unique chemistry to compete with one another and thrive in their environment. Benthic invertebrates, specifically, that lack physical means of protection will produce secondary metabolites as a means of defense from their surroundings and predators. The compounds which they produce are ordinarily species-specific, highly diverse biomolecules. Biosynthetic processes within an organism construct these secondary metabolites from fragments of primary metabolites (amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, and so on). Their roles in protection have antibiotic, toxic, and …

Substantial Light Woodland And Open Vegetation Characterised The Temperate Forest Biome Before Homo Sapiens, Elena A. Pearce, Florence Mazier, Signe Normand, Ralph Fyfe, Valérie Andrieu, Corrie Bakels, Zofia Balwierz, K Binka, Steve Boreham, Olga K. Borisova, Anna Brostrom, Beaulieu J-L De, Cunhai Gao, P Gonzalez-Samperiz, Wojciech Granoszewski, Anna Hrynowiecka, P Kolaczek, P Kunes, Donatella Magri, Małgorzata Malkiewicz, T Highall, Alice M. Milner, P Moller, Małgorzata Nita, Bożena Noryśkiewicz, Irena Agnieszka Pidek, Maurice Reille, Ann Marie Robertsson, J. Sakari Salonen, Patrick Schläfli, Jeroen Schokker, Paolo Scussolini, Vaida Šeirienė, Jaqueline Strahl, Brigitte Urban, Hanna Winter, Jens Christian Svenning

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The extent of vegetation openness in past European landscapes is widely debated. In particular, the temperate forest biome has traditionally been defined as dense, closed-canopy forest; however, some argue that large herbivores maintained greater openness or even wood-pasture conditions. Here, we address this question for the Last Interglacial period (129,000–116,000 years ago), before Homo sapiens–linked megafauna declines and anthropogenic landscape transformation. We applied the vegetation reconstruction method REVEALS to 96 Last Interglacial pollen records. We found that light woodland and open vegetation represented, on average, more than 50% cover during this period. The degree of openness was highly variable and …

Student Perceptions Of The Nonmedical Use Of Prescription Stimulants And Preferences For Health Education, Ana Gutierrez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) for the purpose of improving academic performance is a growing concern among the college population. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2020, rates of NMUPS were highest among 18–25-year-olds attending college. There are several adverse health outcomes associated with NMUPS, including cardiovascular damage, seizures, psychosis, and dependence. Given the rising rates of NMUPS in this group, and the negative health outcomes associated with NMUPS, it is vital to employ health education that allows students to make informed decisions about behaviors that impact their health. The purpose of this study …

All Quiet On The Digital Front: The Unseen Psychological Impacts On Cybersecurity First Responders, Tammie R. Hollis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Driven by the increasing frequency of cyberattacks and the existing talent gap between industry needs and skilled professionals, this research study focused on the crucial human element in the domain of cybersecurity incident response. The objective of this dissertation was to offer a meaningful exploration of the lived experiences encountered by cybersecurity incident responders and an assessment of the subsequent impacts on their well-being. Additionally, this study sought to draw comparisons between the experiences of cybersecurity incident responders and their counterparts in traditional emergency response roles. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a cohort of 22 individuals with first-hand experience working …

Comprehensive Seismic Attenuation Study Of The New Madrid Seismic Zone Using Coda Waves, Nima Nazemi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This study uses unique characteristics of coda waves to estimate seismic wave attenuation in New Madrid Seismic Zone and its extended area. Coda waves are backscattered waves from reflections and refractions of seismic waves by material discontinuities such as material changes, cracks, etc. These waves are eventually recorded at the end of the seismographs. Coda waves sample the same path, pass through the same site, and finally are recorded by the same instrument. This allows us to easily isolate the path, site, and instrument responses and estimate the attenuation. In chapter 1, this method, called Coda normalization, is used to …

The Discussion – Conclusion Section Of Quantitative Versus Qualitative Research Articles In Second Language Writing: Rhetorical Structure And Interactional Metadiscourse, Oksana Bomba

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed and compared the rhetorical structure of the Discussion – Conclusion sections from quantitative versus qualitative research articles (RAs) in the interdisciplinary field of Second Language Writing (SLW). Although Discussion and Conclusion sections are critical components in the RA genre that present a challenge to novice writers, little is known about the rhetorical organization of RA Discussion – Conclusion sections and how quantitative and qualitative research paradigms may shape the ways RA writers present and discuss their findings.

This corpus-based study analyzed the rhetorical structure of the SLW RA Discussion – Conclusion sections from quantitative and qualitative research …

Transforming Ovarian Cancer Care By Targeting Minimal Residual Disease, Amir A Jazaeri, Rachel Grisham, Anne Knisely, Stefani Spranger, Dmitriy Zamarin, R Tyler Hillman, Barrett C Lawson, Kathleen H Burns, Sanghoon Lee, Shannon N Westin, Enrico Moiso, Marc J Williams, Neelkanth M Bardhan, Thomas Pisanic, Ursula Matulonis, Britta Weigelt, Ieming Shih, Panagiotis A Konstantinopoulos, Stephanie Gaillard, Linghua Wang, Carol Aghajanian, Alan D D'Andrea, Paula Hammond, Sohrab Shah, Kai W Wucherpfennig, Karen H Lu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Frontline treatment and resultant cure rates in patients with advanced ovarian cancer have changed little over the past several decades. Here, we outline a multidisciplinary approach aimed at gaining novel therapeutic insights by focusing on the poorly understood minimal residual disease phase of ovarian cancer that leads to eventual incurable recurrences.

Breakdown Of Category-Specific Word Representations In A Brain-Constrained Neurocomputational Model Of Semantic Dementia, Yury Shtyrov, Aleksei Efremov, Anastasia Kuptsova, Thomas Wennekers, Boris Gutkin, Max Garagnani

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The neurobiological nature of semantic knowledge, i.e., the encoding and storage of conceptual information in the human brain, remains a poorly understood and hotly debated subject. Clinical data on semantic deficits and neuroimaging evidence from healthy individuals have suggested multiple cortical regions to be involved in the processing of meaning. These include semantic hubs (most notably, anterior temporal lobe, ATL) that take part in semantic processing in general as well as sensorimotor areas that process specific aspects/categories according to their modality. Biologically inspired neurocomputational models can help elucidate the exact roles of these regions in the functioning of the semantic …

Methodological Analysis Of A Community-Based Training Initiative Using The Epis Framework: An Ongoing Initiative To Empower 10 Million Bystanders In Cpr And Bleeding Control, Asma Altaf Hussain Merchant, Sheza Hassan, Mirza Noor Ali Baig, Huba Atiq, Sana Mahmood, Adil H. Haider, Zia Ul Haq, Deeba Shehnaz, Rizwan Naseer, Junaid Razzak

Medical College Documents

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and life-threatening bleeding from trauma are leading causes of preventable mortality globally. Early intervention from bystanders can play a pivotal role in increasing the survival rate of victims. While great efforts for bystander training have yielded positive results in high-income countries, the same has not been replicated in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to resources constraints. This article describes a replicable implementation model of a nationwide program, aimed at empowering 10 million bystanders with basic knowledge and skills of hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and bleeding control in a resource-limited setting.
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Locomotor Kinematics On Sand Vs. Vinyl Flooring In The Sidewinder Rattlesnake Crotalus Cerastes, Jessica L. Tingle, Brian M. Sherman, Theodore Garland Jr

University Research

For terrestrial locomotion of animals and machines, physical characteristics of the substrate can strongly impact kinematics and performance. Snakes are an especially interesting system for studying substrate effects because their gait depends more on the environment than on their speed. We tested sidewinder rattlesnakes (Crotalus cerastes) on two surfaces: sand collected from their natural environment and vinyl tile flooring, an artificial surface often used to elicit sidewinding in laboratory settings. Of ten kinematic variables examined, two differed significantly between the substrates: the body's waveform had an average of ∼17% longer wavelength on vinyl flooring (measured in body lengths), and snakes …

A Computational Approach For Mapping Electrochemical Activity Of Multi-Principal Element Alloys, Jodie A. Yuwono, Xinyu Li, Tyler D. Dolezal, Adib J. Samin, Javen Qinfeng Shi, Zhipeng Li, Nick Birbilis

Faculty Publications

Multi principal element alloys (MPEAs) comprise an atypical class of metal alloys. MPEAs have been demonstrated to possess several exceptional properties, including, as most relevant to the present study a high corrosion resistance. In the context of MPEA design, the vast number of potential alloying elements and the staggering number of elemental combinations favours a computational alloy design approach. In order to computationally assess the prospective corrosion performance of MPEA, an approach was developed in this study. A density functional theory (DFT) – based Monte Carlo method was used for the development of MPEA ‘structure’; with the AlCrTiV alloy used …

Feasibility Of A Text Messaging-Integrated And Chatbot-Interfaced Self-Management Program For Symptom Control In Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: Pilot Mixed Methods Study, Sameh Gomaa, James Posey, Babar Bashir, Atrayee Mallick, Eleanor Vanderklok, Max Schnoll, Tingting Zhan, Kuang-Yi Wen

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Outpatient chemotherapy often leaves patients to grapple with a range of complex side effects at home. Leveraging tailored evidence-based content to monitor and manage these symptoms remains an untapped potential among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to bridge the gap in outpatient chemotherapy care by integrating a cutting-edge text messaging system with a chatbot interface. This approach seeks to enable real-time monitoring and proactive management of side effects in patients with GI cancer undergoing intravenous chemotherapy.

METHODS: Real-Time Chemotherapy-Associated Side Effects Monitoring Supportive System (RT-CAMSS) was developed iteratively, incorporating patient-centered inputs and evidence-based information. It …

The Power Of Emerging Technologies On Academic Libraries, Samson Adesina Akinola

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The importance of technology in academic institutions is growing, and it is essential for libraries and information professionals to familiarize themselves with these technologies. Digital literacy development is now a crucial part of educational curriculums, and new library technologies such as bibliographic reference management software, learning systems design software, electronic copyrights management software, artificial intelligence software and more are becoming integral to academic environments. Classroom management software and automated libraries also play a role in the evolving landscape of academic libraries. Additionally, integrated discovery software has greatly influenced academic libraries, and they are increasingly venturing into digital content creation. This …

Employing A Fractional Basis Set To Solve Nonlinear Multidimensional Fractional Differential Equations, Md. Habibur Rahman, Muhammad I. Bhatti, Nicholas Dimakis

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Fractional-order partial differential equations have gained significant attention due to their wide range of applications in various fields. This paper employed a novel technique for solving nonlinear multidimensional fractional differential equations by means of a modified version of the Bernstein polynomials called the Bhatti-fractional polynomials basis set. The method involved approximating the desired solution and treated the resulting equation as a matrix equation. All fractional derivatives are considered in the Caputo sense. The resulting operational matrix was inverted, and the desired solution was obtained. The effectiveness of the method was demonstrated by solving two specific types of nonlinear multidimensional fractional …

Modeling Hydration Kinetics Of Sustainable Cementitious Binders Using An Advanced Nucleation And Growth Approach, Taihao Han, Jie Huang, Gaurav Sant, Narayanan Neithalath, Ashutosh Goel, Aditya Kumar

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are utilized to partially substitute Portland cement (PC) in binders, reducing carbon-footprint and maintaining excellent performance. Nonetheless, predicting the hydration kinetics of [PC + SCM] binders is challenging for current analytical models due to the extensive diversity of chemical compositions and molecular structures present in both SCMs and PC. This study develops an advanced phase boundary nucleation and growth (pBNG) model to yield a priori predictions of hydration kinetics—i.e., time-resolved exothermic heat release profiles—of [PC + SCM] binders. The advanced pBNG model integrates artificial intelligence as an add-on, enabling it to accurately simulate hydration kinetics for …

Commissioning Of The Uaeu Radio Array And Pilot Low-Frequency Radio Astronomy Studies, Aisha Ali Alnaqbi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

As part of the UAEU Radio Astronomy Pathway Project, a 256-element Ground-based Radio Array Facility was deployed at the UAEU. A comprehensive exploration of radio astronomy, and investigations on existing radio arrays, emphasizing low-frequency radio signals and the challenges faced at this range, are crucial for the commissioning phase of the array. A core aspect discussed is the vital role of coaxial cables in preserving the integrity of low-frequency radio signals. To address the electrical length differences between the coaxial cable pairs used to connect the array’s beamformers in the field to the beamformer controllers in the control room, precise …

Assessing Asset Management In Aec/Fm: Unveiling Limitations And Advancing Solutions With Digital Twin, Abdelmoneim Mohamed Abdelmoti

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

In recent years, the concept of Digital Twins (DTs) has emerged as a transformative technological innovation with the potential to revolutionize asset management practices. A Digital Twin is a digital representation closely linked to a physical entity, enabling bidirectional information exchange and data-driven decision-making. Within the realm of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Facilities Management (AEC/FM), DTs offer a diverse array of applications for enhancing asset management.
This thesis aims to demystify the concept of DTs and explore their existing applications in asset management, particularly within the AEC/FM industry. To achieve this, the research employs a twofold approach: a systematic review of …

Large Language Model Use Cases For Instruction, Plus A Primer On Prompt Engineering, Roy Haggerty, Justin Cochran

LSU Health New Orleans Symposium Series on Artificial Intelligence

AMA Credit Designation Statement: The Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

NCPD Credit Designation Statement: Nursing participants may earn 1.0 NCPD contact hours. Each nursing participant must be present for the entire session for which NCPD contact hours are requested and must complete an evaluation of the session to receive credit.

The Effects Of Pre-Exercise Ice-Slurry Ingestion On Thermoregulation And Exercise Performance Of Highly Trained Athletes: A Scoping Review, Gopathi Pranita Ms., Keren Susan Cherian [email protected], Kommi Kalpana Dr

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(2): 1398-1412, 2023. Ice-slurry prepared from plain ice, crushed ice, or sports drink has been used as a cooling strategy before exercise to regulate body temperature and improve exercise performance. However, consensus regarding the benefit is unclear. Therefore, the present review aimed to study the effects of pre-exercise ice-slurry ingestion on thermoregulation and exercise performance of highly trained athletes. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist was used. The data extraction was done using the search engine Google Scholar, and digital repositories such as Cochrane, Scopus, Medline, …

An Extensive Note On Characteristic Properties And Possible Implications Of Some Operators Designated By Various Type Derivatives, Ömer Faruk Kulali, Hüseyi̇n Irmak

Turkish Journal of Mathematics

In this extensive note, various differential-type operators in certain domains of the complex plane will be first introduced, a number of their comprehensive characteristic properties will be next pointed out and an extensive theorem dealing with some argument properties for several multivalent(ly) analytic functions will be also presented. In addition, numerous implications and suggestions, which can be obtained with the help of general result, will be determined.

On Polynomially Partial-$A$-Isometric Operators, Mohamed Amine Aouichaoui, Dijana Mosic

Turkish Journal of Mathematics

This paper presents a generalization of the concepts of partial-$A$-isometry and left polynomially partial isometry. Our investigation is inspired by previous work in the field [5, 30, 31]. By extending the definition of partial-$A$-isometry, we provide new insights into the properties and applications of these mathematical objects. In particular, we define the notion of left $p$-partial-$A$-isometry as a broader class of operators, including partial-$A$-isometry and left polynomially partial isometry. Some basic properties of a left $p$-partial-$A$-isometry are proven, as well as its relation with $A$-isometry. Several decompositions of a left $p$-partial-$A$-isometry are developed. We consider spectral properties and matrix representation …

A New Approaching Method For Linear Neutral Delay Differential Equations By Using Clique Polynomials, Şuayi̇p Yüzbaşi, Mehmet Emi̇n Tamar

Turkish Journal of Mathematics

This article presents an efficient method for obtaining approximations for the solutions of linear neutral delay differential equations. This numerical matrix method, based on collocation points, begins by approximating $y^{\prime}(u)$ using a truncated series expansion of Clique polynomials. This method is constructed using some basic matrix relations, integral operations, and collocation points. Through this method, the neutral delay problem is transformed into a system of linear algebraic equations. The solution of this algebraic system determines the coefficients of the approximate solution obtained by this method. The efficiency, accuracy, and error analysis of this method are demonstrated by applying it to …

Free Ordered Products-Ordered Semigroup Amalgams-Ordered Dominions, Michael Tsingelis

Turkish Journal of Mathematics

Given an indexed family $\left\{ \left( {{S}_{i}},{{\cdot }_{i}},{{\le }_{i}} \right),i\in I \right\}$ of disjoint ordered semigroups, we construct an ordered semigroup having $\left( {{S}_{i}},{{\cdot }_{i}},{{\le }_{i}} \right)$, $i\in I$ as subsemigroups (with respect to the operation and order relation of each $\left( {{S}_{i}},{{\cdot }_{i}},{{\le }_{i}} \right)$, $i\in I$). This ordered semigroup is the free ordered product ${{\underset{i\in I}{\mathop{\Pi }}\,}^{*}}{{S}_{i}}$ of the family $\left\{ {{S}_{i}},i\in I \right\}$ and we give the crucial property which essentially characterizes the free products. Next we study the same problem in the case that the family $\left\{ \left( {{S}_{i}},{{\cdot }_{i}},{{\le }_{i}} \right),i\in I \right\}$ of ordered …

Operator Index Of A Nonsingular Algebraic Curve, Anar Dosi̇

Turkish Journal of Mathematics

The present paper is devoted to a scheme-theoretic analog of the Fredholm theory. The continuity of the index function over the coordinate ring of an algebraic variety is investigated. It turns out that the index is closely related to the filtered topology given by finite products of maximal ideals. We prove that a variety over a field possesses the index function on nonzero elements of its coordinate ring iff it is an algebraic curve. In this case, the index is obtained by means of the multiplicity function from its normalization if the ground field is algebraically closed.

On The Existence Of $6$-Cycles For Some Families Of Difference Equations Of Third Order, Antonio Linero Bas, Daniel Nieves Roldán

Turkish Journal of Mathematics

We prove that there are no $6$-cycles of the form $x_{n+3}=x_i f(x_j,x_k),$ with $i,j,k\in\{n,n+1,n+2\}$ pairwise distinct, whenever $f:(0,\infty)\times (0,\infty)\rightarrow (0,\infty)$ is a continuous symmetric function, that is, $f(x,y)=f(y,x)$, for all $x,y>0$. Moreover, we obtain all the $6$-cycles of potential form and present some open questions relative to the search of $p$-cycles whenever symmetry does not hold.