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A Pilot Study Of The Acute Effects Of Isometric Exercise And Aerobic Exercise For Improving Blood Pressure And Vascular Hemodynamics In Hypertensive Adults, Ayih Cedric Edoh

ETDs from 2020-2029

Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most prevalent and modifiable risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aerobic exercise is a well-known method to lower blood pressure (BP), but recently, isometric exercise has been purported to lower BP to a similar or greater extent. There is little known about the effects of isometric exercise on acute BP and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to compare the effects of isometric and aerobic exercise on improving vascular hemodynamics and 24-hour ABP in hypertensive adults. METHODS: Seven participants (age 25-65 years) with a diagnosis of …

A Modular Saponin Adjuvant Platform: Development, Structure–Activity Relationships, And Applications, Di Bai

ETDs from 2020-2029

ABSTRACT Saponin-based vaccine adjuvants have attracted considerable attention owing to the clinical success of QS-21, a potent immunostimulant capable of inducing balanced humoral and cellular immune responses, yet its widespread application is limited by supply constraints, chemical instability, and dose-dependent toxicity. To address these challenges, we previously developed two semisynthetic saponin adjuvants, VSA-1 and VSA-2, derived from abundant Momordica saponins through a single-step modification, which exhibit QS-21–comparable immunopotentiating activity with improved accessibility and stability. Here, we first performed a systematic structure–activity relationship (SAR) study of the VSA series using MS I as the lead scaffold. Modulation of the side-chain length …

Holding The Dying: Worldview, Community, And The Practice Of End-Of-Life Doula Care, Amy J. Shields

ETDs from 2020-2029

As populations age and chronic illness increasingly characterizes the final stages of life in the United States, end-of-life doulas (EOLDs) have emerged as non-medical practitioners who support dying people and their families through education, companionship, advocacy, and ritualized care. Drawing on a thematic analysis of 18 semi-structured interviews with practicing EOLDs across the United States, this thesis examines how EOLDs conceptualize a “good death,” navigate emotionally intensive work, and sustain themselves in an unregulated and often marginal professional landscape. Situating EOLD practice within anthropological scholarship on death and dying, the study highlights the ways EOLDs challenge dominant biomedical narratives that …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Biology

No abstract provided.

Topographical Mobility Envelope Modeling And Geometric Analysis For Off-Road Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Huashuai Fan

ETDs from 2020-2029

This dissertation introduces topographical mobility as a quantitative framework for assessing off-road unmanned ground vehicle performance based on geometric interaction between the vehicle and terrain. Rather than relying on conventional discrete indices, the proposed formulation evaluates mobility directly from vehicle and terrain geometry, expressing vehicle capability in terms of radius constraints implied by its dimensions and suspension state. On the vehicle side, longitudinal and lateral mobility radii are derived analytically from vehicle geometry—wheelbase, track width, ground clearance, and lowest underbody point location—quantifying the minimum terrain radius negotiable without underbody interference. Suspension state is shown to alter longitudinal mobility radius by …

Evaluation Of Occupational Exposure To Noise And Respirable Particulate Matter In Dentistry, Kabe Fetner

ETDs from 2020-2029

Dental procedures can result in occupational exposures to both noise and particulate matter. Dental professionals routinely operate high-speed instruments and mechanical tools that may produce elevated sound levels and aerosolized particles during clinical treatment. Although these exposures are common in dental environments, limited data exist describing full-shift occupational exposure levels during routine dental procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate occupational exposure to noise and respirable particulate matter (RPM) during routine dental procedures in a clinical setting. Area noise monitoring and real-time aerosol monitoring were conducted over six clinical days while common dental procedures were performed, including fillings, …

The Role Of Interorganizational Linkages In Shaping Hospital Reporting Burden: A Relational View Analysis, Robert Howard

ETDs from 2020-2029

Administrative burden associated with health information exchange represents a persistent challenge for U.S. hospitals, contributing to provider burnout and operational inefficiency. This study examined whether interorganizational linkages, specifically hospital system affiliation, participation in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and participation in Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), are associated with perceived barriers to electronic health information exchange. Guided by the Relational View, linkages were conceptualized as potential conduits for shared assets, knowledge-sharing routines, and complementary capabilities that might reduce barriers to exchange. Data from 2018–2023 were drawn from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey and IT Supplement, merged with community-level measures from the …

Flexible Load Communication Protocol Mapping Guide: Ieee 2030.5 To Ansi/Cta-2045, Joseph D'Ambrosia

Dissertations and Theses

As more variable renewable energy resources are connected to the grid, new challenges emerge for grid operators. Demand response programs can provide an additional degree of freedom to grid operators, by modulating the patterns of electricity consumption of residential, customer-owned, flexible loads. The success of demand response programs requires robust and reliable systems of communication between grid operators and flexible loads.

The ANSI/CTA-2045 communication protocol enables customer-owned devices to act as flexible loads. The SEP 2.0/IEEE 2030.5 communication protocol is used to manage distributed energy resources, including flexible loads. Interoperability can be realized by mapping ANSI/CTA-2045 and SEP 2.0/IEEE 2030.5 …

Beyond Predation: Invasive Green Crab (Carcinus Maenas) Alters Juvenile Pacific Oyster (Magallana Gigas) Function And Survival Across Environmental Gradients, Isabel Helena Mize

Dissertations and Theses

The establishment of the invasive green crab, Carcinus maenas, creates ecological and economic impacts in estuaries, particularly through predation on bivalves and alteration of species interactions. This thesis evaluates the direct predation, non-consumptive predator presence, and spatial management implications of C. maenas impacts on filtration rate of juvenile Pacific oysters, Magallana gigas, across laboratory, field, and GIS-based vulnerability mapping approaches. In laboratory conditions, clearance rates of M. gigas were measured over 72 hours across two temperatures (14°C and 18°C) and predator treatments including C. maenas, Pacific rock crab (Romaleon antennarium), both predators together, and a …

Retinoic Acid-Loaded Nanoparticles Enhance Macrophage-Mediated Control Of Leishmania Infantum, Zeynep İşlek, Merve Gündoğdu, Zeynep Di̇la Yüksel

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Visceral leishmaniasis, primarily caused by Leishmania infantum, remains a major global health challenge due to limitations in current chemotherapeutic options, including toxicity and emerging drug resistance. Host-directed therapeutic approaches are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an immunomodulatory molecule with host-dependent effects on macrophage function; however, its therapeutic use is hindered by instability and poor solubility. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer a controlled and biocompatible delivery platform capable of enhancing intracellular drug accumulation.

Materials and methods: ATRA-loaded SLNs were prepared and characterized for size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and morphology. Their antileishmanial activity was evaluated …

Characterization Of Poly-Β-Hydroxybutyrate And Its Biosynthesis In Priestia Endophytica Ucm B-5715, Alina Kharchuk, Maksym Kharchuk, Maksym Kharkhota, Sergiy Rogalsky, Oksana Tarasyuk, Oleksandr Kisten, Anastasiia Hubina, Illya Kapats, Liliia Avdieieva

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable biopolymers with promising applications in biotechnology and medicine; however, the diversity of their biosynthesis within the genus Priestia remains poorly characterized. Although Priestia species have been recognized as potential PHA producers, the detailed genomic architecture and physicochemical properties of the polymers synthesized by these bacteria, particularly in the type strain, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) produced by Priestia endophytica UCM B-5715 and to investigate the PHB biosynthetic genes across related strains.

Materials and methods: PHB granules were visualized and measured using fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron …

Nutrient Uptake Of Two Microalgae From Culture Medium Under Nickel Treatment, Di̇lara Erdaği, Büşranur Şeker, Celal Caner, Gi̇zem Çeti̇n, Hüseyi̇n Altundağ, Hati̇ce Tunca

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Phycoremediation is essential for purifying wastewater of heavy metals to ensure a sustainable environment, as these components can be detrimental to organisms upon entering the food chain. Among heavy metals, nickel is vital at low concentrations due to its presence in the active sites of many metalloenzymes in algae. However, at high concentrations, it disrupts the functioning of many metabolic reactions. This study examines the effects of nickel treatment on the uptake of macro- and micronutrients in medium by algae via ion exchange pathways or in competition with other metals. The study aims to determine the effects of nickel …

Deep Seabed Mining And The Law Of The Sea: Strategic Competition, Institutional Failure, And The Third Age, Michael W. Lodge

International Law Studies

Edited and annotated speech by Michael Lodge, former Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (2017–2024), delivered at the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, on March 11, 2026.

From Cork To Coasting: A Multi-Stage Ode Model Of Water-Rocket Flight, Viktoria Savatorova, Patryk Kustra, Ethan Dyer, Connor Carlson, Aleksei Talonov

CODEE Journal

Water rockets provide an affordable and engaging context for exploring applications of differential equations. Motivated by outreach activities conducted with undergraduate students, we develop a four-stage mathematical model of vertical water-rocket flight that is suitable for use in an ODE or mathematical modeling course. The model includes the cork-release phase, water-thrust propulsion, air-thrust propulsion with compressible and potentially choked flow, and the final ballistic stage with quadratic drag. While retaining key physical features, the model can be formulated as a system of ordinary differential equations that can be integrated numerically using tools familiar to students. We compare model predictions with …

Plant Extract-Enriched Mineral Beverages: Effects Of Temperature And Ultrasound Processing On Bioactive Content, Eli̇f Feyza Topdaş, İsa Arslan Karakütük, Memnune Şengül

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Functional beverages derived from herbal extracts have potential health benefits. There is a growing interest in these beverages because they are a sustainable and health-promoting alternative to conventional flavored drinks. This study aimed to produce phenolic rich mineralized herbal beverages using lyophilized purple basil, lavender, and thyme extracts at two different concentrations (2% and 4%). Changes in the physicochemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, color, and viscosity), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays), and individual phenolic compounds were determined for beverages stored at 4, 25, and …

Ecological Risk Assessment Of Heavy Metal-Microplastic Interactions In Agricultural Soils Irrigated With Secondary Treated Wastewater, Senar Aydin, Osman Mücevher, Arzu Ulvi̇, Fatma Bedük, Özen Merken, Ci̇han Uzun, Mehmet Emi̇n Aydin

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The increased reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) for irrigation in arid and semiarid regions raises environmental concerns regarding microplastics (MPs), specifically their capacity to adsorb and transport heavy metals. This study assesses the quantity of MPs and associated metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Co) in agricultural soils irrigated with TWW in the Konya region of Türkiye. To this end, a total of 202 soil samples were collected from TWW-irrigated (180) and nonirrigated control fields (22) at two depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm). MPs were extracted from the samples using a density separation technique, identified microscopically, and analyzed for …

Influence Of Crop Diversification On Climate Change Mitigation And Business Profitability: A Study Of The Southern Marmara Region, Türkiye, Engi̇n Tolga Önder, Nuray Demi̇r

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Crop diversification strategies are being put forward to mitigate the negative effects of climate change associated with greenhouse gas emissions, and thus to ensure sustainable food production that is resilient to climate change and to reduce the risks faced by producers. By diversifying their agricultural products producers can insure themselves against the risks associated with climate variations, disease, and pests, contributing to both continuous food production and income flow. The present study investigates the effect of climate change on enterprise income in the Yenişehir district of Bursa province – a region noted for its intensive production of vegetables and other …

Low Cost Lightning Localization At Microwave Frequencies, Bradley Glaubitz

Dissertations and Theses

High precision lightning localization is essential for atmospheric research and public safety, yet the high cost of traditional VLF/LF systems restricts high resolution detection primarily to well funded agencies. Furthermore, conventional low frequency receivers often overlook microwave frequency emissions associated with lightning leader development. This thesis proposes a compact, low cost microwave frequency localization system operating in the 1.42 GHz band to provide an accessible alternative for high resolution mapping. The methodology utilizes an ARM Cortex M0+ microcontroller and a triggered 64 MHz 32 bit counter synchronized to a GPS Pulse Per Second (PPS) signal, achieving a temporal resolution of …

Gold Medal Girl: Media Representations Of Aly Raisman During The Larry Nassar Scandal Through Lenses Of Whiteness, Vulnerability, And "Good" Patriarchy, Anna Mischelle Dean

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This thesis analyzed two media texts about former Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and how these texts constructed her identity during and after the Larry Nassar scandal. I analyzed these texts through the lenses of whiteness, vulnerability, and carceral feminism. Looking at how the media acts as a disciplinary apparatus in this case, I argue that women athletes’ bodies are portrayed as having a vulnerability to abuse that only the "good" patriarchy can address. I seek to show that the media use depictions of women’s vulnerability and need for patriarchal help to remind women athletes that, in cases of abuse, who …

Adhesion Depends On Interfacial Strength: Time And Temperature Effects, Shi-Qing Wang, Zehao Fan, Tianji Pang, Zhe Cui

University Research

In the conventional description, peeling of an adhesive from a solid substrate is expressed in terms of adhesion energies at adhesive-substrate interfaces. However, this energy-based perspective faced considerable difficulties in explaining why the adhesion energy, also known as peel strength Γp, is many orders of magnitude greater than Dupré’s thermodynamic work of adhesion, Γ0. In this study, we present experimental evidence to demonstrate that polymer adhesion is governed by interfacial strength σinterf, defined by the pair of adhesive and substrate. A tensile adhesion test is performed to estimate σinterf from adhesion strength σadh equal to the engineering stress at detachment. …

Exploring Organizational Responses To Clinician Turnover: A Baldrige Framework Approach, Sharayza Rachael Blakemore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Centralized Review Of Alzheimer's Disease And Related Dementias Biomedical Repositories And Computational Methods, Johaan Kathilankal, Kewei Chen, Chen Zhao, Lingtao Chen, Seyedamin Pouriyeh, Zongxing Xie, Yixin Xie

Faculty Articles

lzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are neurodegenerative conditions characterized by progressive cognitive and functional decline. AD pathology is associated with extracellular amyloid-β plaques, intracellular tau neurofibrillary tangles, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal loss. AD accounts for approximately 60–80% of dementia cases globally. In 2022, AD was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and the number of Americans aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s dementia is projected to increase substantially by 2060. Despite decades of research, AD/ADRD data resources remain fragmented across clinical, imaging, genetic, genomic, and therapeutic domains. This paper addresses that gap by providing …

Active Learning Of Constraint Boundaries Using Expected Magnitude Of Incorrectness And Neural Networks, Atticus Beachy, Ramana V. Grandhi

Faculty Publications

This research proposes an acquisition function for constraint boundary identification, with applications to hypersonic air vehicles. Hypersonic vehicles endure extreme thermal loads caused by aerodynamic heating, resulting in a strong coupling between structural performance and aerothermodynamics. However, modeling coupled system behaviors requires simultaneous consideration of both aerodynamic and structural design variables, increasing the dimensionality of the design trade space and the difficulty of accurately modeling the constraints. Several active learning schemes have been proposed to accelerate identification of the composite feasible region that satisfies all constraints. Some of these require integrating the surrogate model over the entire design space with …

Demand And Capacity Management Of Runway Systems: A Review, Hao Jiang, Weili Zeng, Hainuo Zhou, Yannan Lu, Yuheng Chen, Wenbin Wei

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Runway systems serve as the critical interface between airports and terminal airspace, and their efficient operation is essential for balancing air traffic demand and airport capacity. With the continuous growth of air traffic, intelligent runway demand and capacity management has become increasingly important for mitigating congestion and delays. This paper presents a comprehensive review of runway capacity–demand management from both supply-side and demand-side perspectives. On the supply side, runway configuration selection is reviewed, including runway configuration capacity envelopes, influencing factors, and existing optimization methodologies, such as prescriptive models, descriptive models, and reinforcement learning approaches. On the demand side, flight runway …

Physically Mixed Graphene Aerogel:Carbon Black (Ga:Cb)-Supported Pt Or Hydrothermally Synthesized Ga-Pt/Cb Hybrid Electrocatalysts For Pem Fuel Cells, Emi̇ne Teke Öner, Meli̇s Irmak Aydin, Merve Ni̇da Dursunoğlu, Ayşe Bayrakçeken

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Graphene aerogels (GAs), having the superior properties of graphene and aerogel structures, are promising support materials for Pt nanoparticles to be used as electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells. In this study, two routes were followed to synthesize GA-based electrocatalysts. In the first route, after GA synthesis it was physically mixed with carbon black (CB) by changing the mass ratios from 0% to 100% with 25% increments and then decorated with Pt nanoparticles via microwave irradiation, resulting in Pt/GA:CB electrocatalysts. In the second route, firstly, Pt/CB electrocatalyst was synthesized and then GA was hydrothermally added to the Pt/CB by changing the …

Centrifugally Spun Silica Fibers For Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes: Structure And Cycling Stability, Alejandra Guerrero, Valeria Tirado, Jason Parsons, Mataz Alcoutlabi

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Introduction: Silicon dioxide (SiO2) fiber structures have attracted attention as alternative anode materials for lithium-ion batteries because of their ability to improve cycling stability compared to commercial silicon particles.

Materials and methods: SiO2 composite fibers were prepared by centrifugal spinning of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/SiO2 precursor solutions followed by calcination at 500–700 ◦C for different holding times to produce short-fiber composites and micro-belt SiO2 fiber structures. The morphology and crystal structure of the SiO2 short fibers and micro-belts were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical performance was evaluated using CR2032 half-cells.

Results: The …

“He’S Got The Whole World In His Hands”: Seed Sovereignty And Agricultural Decision Making In Southeastern Kenya, Caroline Stahley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Increasing corporate control of the global seed supply and restrictions to local exchange threaten the autonomy of smallholder farmers and Indigenous communities. This project contributes to agricultural sovereignty movements by examining the decisions farmers make to address climate uncertainty, market volatility, and development agendas. Specifically, how is seed saving practiced and understood in relation to sovereignty? It reimagines what global food systems might look like if investment were directed to producers rather than intermediaries, arguing that cultivators lack support, not knowledge or capacity. Across these domains, seeds act as a motif to describe the concerns, innovations, and visions of farmers.

Amending Planting Media With Typha-Derived Biochar For Sustainable Horticulture, Elissa Touma

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Constructed wetlands are widely used to improve water quality by removing excess nutrients from wastewater and stormwater. Nutrients are stored within wetland vegetation, particularly in fast-growing plants such as Typha. Harvesting vegetation provides an opportunity to permanently remove these nutrients while generating biomass suitable for beneficial reuse. Converting harvested biomass into value-added products such as compost and biochar can support nutrient recovery and sustainable biomass management. In addition, increasing concerns regarding the environmental impacts of peat extraction have created interest in renewable alternatives for horticultural growing media. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of harvested …

Exploring Culturally Responsive Leadership Practices Among Female Leaders In Title I Schools: Strategies For Enhancing Student Success, Tara K. Indar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The academic achievement gap between White students and diverse student populations remains a persistent and prominent disparity in schools across the United States. While this issue affects schools nationwide, it is particularly significant in Title I schools, where many students from diverse, lower-socioeconomic-status backgrounds are served. Although a substantial body of literature examines this gap and highlights the positive impact of culturally responsive leadership, there remains a limited understanding of which specific practices are most effective in improving students’ academic outcomes. This study explores the perceptions of female school leaders in Title I schools regarding the strategies they believe contribute …

Modeling And Mitigating Stale Hardcoded Secrets In Version Control History, Katarina Valentine Capalbo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hardcoded secret vulnerabilities remain a growing and persistent problem that can be difficult to mitigate once exposed. While there has been significant research and advancements in identifying and preventing hardcoded secrets, less attention has been given to understanding the risks of leaving these secrets behind in version control history, as well as analyzing the sanitization of hardcoded secrets. These challenges present a growing gap between the risk and ability to mitigate and sanitize existing secret exposures. This thesis begins to address this gap by formalizing a threat model for hardcoded secrets that persist in Git version control history after the …