Digital Commons Network^™

Manufacturing Main Street: How Historic Plant City Main Street Revitalizes Its Community And Simulates The Commons, Emily Burke

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Community has remained a central concern to sociology since its founding, even as industrialization, globalization, and digital media have transformed how social ties are formed and maintained. Small American downtowns once anchored civic and social life, but have faced destabilizing events like globalization, the rise of e-commerce, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, many small cities have turned to the national nonprofit Main Street AmericaTM to help them revitalize their downtowns. Although research on small cities is limited compared to large urban centers, emerging literature highlights post-COVID opportunities to renew physical and local shopping on main street (small city downtowns). …

Understanding How Single Mothers In Southwest Nigeria Navigate Mental Health Challenges And Financial Hardships: A Culture-Centered Approach, Zulykha B. Akinjobi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Single motherhood is a growing yet stigmatized family structure in Southwest Nigeria, where patriarchal norms, cultural expectations, and structural inequalities converge to produce unique mental health and financial challenges for women. This qualitative study examines how single mothers in Southwest Nigeria navigate mental health challenges and financial hardships through the lens of the Culture-Centered Approach (CCA). Drawing on in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 single mothers residing in the Yoruba-speaking region of Southwest Nigeria, this study foregrounds locally situated narratives to understand how these women construct and reconstruct meanings of single motherhood within their cultural and structural contexts. Findings reveal that …

Endometriosis Knowledge Among Emergency Medicine Providers: Diagnostic Skills And Symptom Recognition, Caidon Iwuagwu, Laurel X. Chen, Ellen Slattery, Pranjal Srivastava, Hamsitha Karra, Sheyenne Tung, Adrienne Burton, Camila Bomtempo, Jamie Aranda

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: Endometriosis is associated with significant diagnostic delays, averaging 6.7 years, largely due to nonspecific symptoms and inadequate diagnostic approaches. Over 15,000 emergency department (ED) visits in the United States annually involve patients with endometriosis, highlighting the need for knowledge of endometriosis. This study surveys emergency medicine (EM) attendings, residents, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and fellows to assess knowledge and practice in managing endometriosis-related ED complaints. Methods: A questionnaire from a prior endometriosis survey was modified for EM providers and administered anonymously via email (Qualtrics, Provo, UT) in monthly newsletters to providers at an academic and six associated community EDs. …

Rivalry, Risk, And Ruin: The Economic Politics Of Antebellum Florida, Tyler Mudd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation investigates the interplay of land speculation, legal authority, and political governance in the Florida Territory from 1821 to 1845. Centered around the extensive Forbes and Innerarity land claims carried over from the Spanish period, the litigation and politics are demonstrative of the territorial administration and was profoundly shaped by a concentrated cohort. This faction of legally trained officeholders and investors, figures such as Joseph M. White, Richard K. Call, James, Gadsden, and William P. DuVal, operated as governing nucleus. Their ability and command of statutes, access to federal patronage, and strategic involvement allowed them to use land speculation, …

Sacred Space, Divine Presence, And Covenant: A Theological Trajectory From Eden To The Indwelling Spirit Across The Pentateuch And The Book Of Joshua, William C. Merry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation thesis is that sacred space, divine presence, and covenant are a theological triad that gives form to the canonical progression from Eden through the Pentateuch into Joshua and finds its eschatological orientation in the indwelling Spirit. The project as a whole, and its treatment of Genesis–Deuteronomy and Joshua in particular, maintains that the presence of God is never conceived independently of a covenantal relationship and is thereby always concretized, i.e., spatialized in and through the site or locale of the sacred space: Eden, the tabernacle, the land, and the sanctuary at Shiloh. Each of these stages in the …

The Genuine Nature Of Worship In The Scriptures: Bowing Before God As An Act Of Submission, Michael Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The various translations of the Scriptures use the word worship over 250 times in both the Old and New Testaments. Unfortunately, many Christians and even scholars do not understand the meaning of worship and the purpose for doing it. It is pivotal, however, for Christians to understand the meaning and purpose for worship when directed toward God so they may live in obedience to him. The thesis of this dissertation will be that although Christians presume that worship means to praise God, the Scriptures teach that worship means to bow before God as an act of submission as he establishes …

The Exploration Of Parental Involvement On Student Academic Achievement From The Perspective Of The Educator: A Phenomenological Study, Kwame Vladamir Hennagan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of educators regarding parental involvement in a rural South Carolina school district. Guided by Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory and Epstein's Parental Involvement Theory frameworks, the study examined how teachers perceive, promote, and experience parental engagement, and what barriers influence effective collaboration between school and home. The Central Research Question answered in the study is: What are the lived experiences of educators with students with low parental involvement at a local school district in South Carolina? The methodology of this manuscript begins with the phenomenological research design.The sample size included …

Evaluating Strategies For Reducing Rates Of Adult Obesity In The United States Through Childhood Education And Exercise, Ameer M. Abdelkrim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Obesity is a growing national public health crisis, impacting millions of adults and children in the U.S. Untreated obesity causes or aggravates diseases across multiple body systems. The societal impacts of obesity include an avoidable strain on the national healthcare system, with obesity and its comorbid conditions raising healthcare costs. Proactive policy and practices, with strict oversight, are essential for achieving a reduction in obesity rates. One proactive strategy that may be effective is early-age intervention, including enhanced physical activity and nutrition education for U.S. children. This study evaluates adolescent-intervention strategies for reducing rates of adult obesity. The employed methods …

Reform, Resistance, And Reluctant Change: The Southern Hookworm Epidemic In Progressive Era Georgia, 1909-1915, Hannah Harris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the early twentieth century, the campaign against hookworm disease in the American South became one of the most ambitious public health initiatives in United States history. Led by the Rockefeller Sanitary Commission for the Eradication of Hookworm Disease (1909–1915), reformers sought to diagnose, treat, and ultimately eliminate a parasitic infection believed to contribute to widespread poverty, poor health, and low educational attainment in the rural South. This dissertation examines the hookworm eradication campaign in Georgia to explore how national public health reform intersected with local culture, education, race relations, and regional identity. Drawing on Georgia newspapers, Rockefeller Sanitary Commission …

Interpreting Public School Administrators' Experience Of The Transformational Leadership Style During An Educator Shortage: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Jennifer Rose Sweet

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to interpret public school administrators' experiences with transformational leadership during an educator shortage. The research employed a hermeneutical-phenomenological approach, utilizing van Manen’s methodological data analysis procedures to capture the essence of the lived experiences of school administrators. Bass’s transformational leadership theory provided the framework for this study. Previous research has examined multiple factors related to leadership's connection to an educator shortage. This study aimed to explore administrators' lived experiences with the transformational leadership style and its impact on a teacher shortage in public schools. Using purposeful, convenience, and snowball sampling, school administrators were selected …

A Phenomenological Study Of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Combat Deployed Women Combat Veterans, Caren Valencia Chen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to delineate factors that impact women combat veterans with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) after deployment and completion of military service. The theory guiding this was Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory. The conceptual framework guiding the study was Crenshaw's intersectionality theory. C-PTSD is often diagnosed with service members throughout their time in the military, and after their time in the military is complete. The central research question, “What are the lived experiences of women combat veterans diagnosed with C-PTSD?” was addressed through interviews with focus groups. The sub-questions to analyze direct correlation issues …

Enhancing Seventh-Grade Students’ Scientific Literacy Through The Science-Poly Game, Shita Dhiyanti, Imra’Atul Mufidah, Dyne Rizki Puspitasari, Siti Zubaidah

Journal of Innovation and Teacher Professionalism

This study aims to improve seventh-grade junior high school students’ scientific literacy through the use of the science-poly game on the topic of motion. The learning process was implemented using the lesson study approach, which consists of three stages: plan, do, and see. In the planning stage, teachers collaboratively designed learning activities and literacy-based questions integrated into the science-poly game. During the implementation stage, students participated in the game while engaging with scientific problems that required them to analyze questions, identify key scientific terms, and formulate conclusions. In the reflection stage, teachers discussed the learning outcomes and evaluated the effectiveness …

The Influence Of Diorama Learning Media On Science Learning Outcomes For Class Iii Elementary Schools, Sunya Tiara Putri, Dya Ayu Agustina Putri

Journal of Innovation and Teacher Professionalism

Education plays a crucial role in shaping intellectually capable and well-prepared generations, which necessitates the use of effective and engaging learning media at the elementary school level. This study aims to examine the influence of diorama-based learning media on science learning outcomes of third-grade elementary school students, particularly on the topic of butterfly metamorphosis. A quantitative approach employing a quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group was used. The sample consisted of Grade III students selected purposively, involving an experimental group taught using diorama media and a control group receiving conventional instruction. Learning outcomes were measured using a 20-item achievement …

Underexplored Maternal Microbiomes: Immune, Metabolic, And Microbial Pathways Shaping Pregnancy Outcomes, Rafael Tomoya Michita, Nicole Jimenez, Melissa M Herbst-Kralovetz, Indira U Mysorekar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Maternal microbial ecosystems play critical roles in shaping reproductive physiology and pregnancy outcomes. During the pre-conception and prenatal periods, these communities modulate maternal physiology by regulating immune tolerance, nutrient metabolism, and susceptibility to pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, hypertensive disorders, and gestational diabetes. While the gut microbiota has been extensively studied, the roles of cervicovaginal, urinary, respiratory, oral, and upper reproductive tract microbiomes remain less clear. In this minireview, we synthesize current knowledge on these underexplored maternal microbiomes, with an emphasis on the cervicovaginal and urinary microbiota and their interactions with the placenta and fetus. We discuss cross-niche microbial …

Incarcerated Geriatric Patients’ Experiences Of Aging And Healthcare, Michelle I Suh, Stephen Chen, Megan Benavides, Sumin Yoon, Nia Lucas, Josiah D Rich, Marc David Robinson, Anita N Chary

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Older adults comprise the fastest growing demographic in correctional facilities in the United States. Studies have shown older adults in prison report difficulty accessing healthcare and navigating the prison environment. Little is known about how older adults navigate aging and access healthcare in the jail setting. We sought to explore experiences of older adults incarcerated in a county jail. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 20 older adults (> 50 years old) who were incarcerated at a local county jail and were referred to the emergency department for acute care needs. Interviews focused on experiences of aging while incarcerated and …

Individual Differences In Alexithymia Modulate Cognition-Emotion Interactions In Daily Life Ongoing Experiences, Anqi Lei, Md Faysal, Louis Chitiz, Raven Wallace, Samyogita Hardikar, Brontë Mckeown, Jonathan Smallwood, Elizabeth Jefferies, Robert Leech, Nerissa Ho

School of Psychology

Individual differences modulate our thoughts and emotional experiences, yet how thought and emotion interact in daily life remains largely unclear. We leverage alexithymia, a trait reflecting atypical emotional awareness, to reveal these interactions in naturalistic settings. Using multi-dimensional experiencesampling via smartphones, we captured moment-to-moment thought patterns and concurrent affective states (valence, arousal, stress) in people’s daily life (N = 190 undergraduate students, age range = 18 to 36, 159 females). Using Principal Component Analysis and Linear Mixed Models, we identified four thought dimensions that relate differently to these affective states: future-self orientation, intrusive distraction, sensory engagement, and task-focus. Alexithymia modulated …

Spartan Daily, March 10, 2026, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily, 2026

Volume 166, Issue 20

Long-Term Variability Of Air Quality And Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Rice Crop Burning In Punjab During 2012–2020, Harsimranjit Kaur Romana, Dericks Praise Shukla, Ramesh P. Singh

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Punjab, India's primary rice and wheat production hub, has witnessed rapid expansion of paddy cultivation over the past two decades, driven by minimum support price incentives, changes in government policies, alignment of sowing with the monsoon season and the adoption of high-yielding varieties. This transition has intensified groundwater extraction and shortened the fallow period between rabi and kharif crop seasons, reducing the window between rice harvesting and wheat sowing, leading to widespread open-field burning of rice residue and recurrent post-monsoon air-quality deterioration across the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Despite numerous short-term or single-pollutant assessments, a spatially resolved, multi-pollutant and multi-decadal evaluation linking …

Telaah Terhadap Hukum Dari Segi Antropologi, Prof. Dr. T.O. Ihromi, S.H.

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Visum Et Repertum Dan Proses Peradilan Pidana : Pendayagunaan Ilmu Kedokteran Dalam Sistem Peradilan Pidana, Dr. Abdul Mun'im Idris

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Hukum Kedokteran, Aspek Hukum Pidana Dan Hukum Perdata, Prof. Oemar Seno Adji, S.H.

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

Structures, Strategies, And Skills For Effective Math Intervention, Sean Dean, Patty Witkowsky, Jessica Contreras, Michelle Kephart

Journal of Academic Underperformance

Many factors influence students’ readiness for college math, and some students enter college unprepared for the demands of their math courses. Effective placement strategies and robust support systems are essential for student success and degree completion. This qualitative narrative case study explores the experiences of college students working with a Math Learning Strategies Specialist (MLSS) and the specific strategies taught by the MLSS. Through one-on-one interviews, three key themes emerged: learning structures, strategies, and interpersonal skills. The MLSS contributed to participants' experiences by providing structured yet flexible support, tailored learning strategies, and a positive interpersonal environment. These combined elements enabled …

Redesigning Online Graduate Orientation To Foster Academic Resilience And Prevent Underperformance, Stella Michael-Makri, David E. Rodriguez

Journal of Academic Underperformance

Graduate students in fully online programs often begin their academic journey without adequate preparation for the emotional, structural, and cultural challenges of graduate-level work. For students who are first-generation, racially marginalized, international, or returning to education after time away, this lack of scaffolding can lead to early disengagement, underperformance, or attrition. Orientation, often treated as a checklist of logistical tasks, represents a missed opportunity for meaningful academic intervention. This manuscript proposes a five-module conceptual model for online graduate orientation designed to proactively support online graduate students in the domains of emotional regulation and academic identity, time management and executive functioning, …

Predictors Of Prejudice Towards People With Tattoos, Jordan Smith, Helen C. Harton

Research in the Capitol

Thirty-two percent of Americans have at least one tattoo (Schaeffer, K., 2023), up from 16% about twenty years earlier (Harris Poll, 2003). Despite this growing popularity, tattooed individuals are still viewed more negatively than those without tattoos. People with tattoos are perceived as being less inhibited, less competent, having worse character, less sociable, and more sexually promiscuous (Broussard & Harton, 2018). Tattoos are also one of the few physical characteristics that can be legally discriminated against in workplaces. Fewer than 30% of employers in beauty, hospitality, and office sectors are willing to hire someone with a tattoo. (Zestcott et al., …

Developing Low-Cost Gnss Remote Sensing Hardware To Measure Precipitable Water Vapor For Flash Flood Nowcasting In Southern Appalachia, Austin Gleydura

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Flash flood prediction in Southern Appalachia is particularly challenging due to steep terrain, narrow valleys, highly localized rainfall patterns, and limited measurement coverage. Traditional remote sensing methods, such as Doppler radar and microwave radiometry, suffer from reduced resolution at extended range and signal blockage by mountains, while satellite instruments like MODIS lack sufficient spatio-temporal resolution for sub-kilometer measurements critical to flash flood nowcasting. GNSS-Meteorology offers an established alternative for measuring precipitable water vapor (PWV) and is currently integrated into several numerical weather models. Recent research demonstrates that GNSS-derived PWV products can be used to accurately predict rainfall intensity and timing …

Investigating The Effect Of Spray Parameters On Adhesion Strength Between Aluminum Coatings And Polymeric Substrate, Ghufran Matrood, Niveen Abdulkader, Nahedh Ali

Engineering and Technology Journal

Metallization involves applying a thin metal layer onto a substrate, typically through techniques such as thermal spraying. This process improves conductivity, durability, and aesthetic appeal, making it valuable in applications such as electronics, solar panels, and decorative coatings. In this study, flame thermal spray technique are used to metalize high-density polyethylene with an aluminum layer. Taguchi and ANOVA are used to investigate the effect of various parameters on the adhesion strength between aluminum layers deposited on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) substrates. DOE utilization has facilitated the identification of the effects of the flame thermal spraying parameters, such as the distance between …

Comparative Study On The Formability Of Aluminum 1100 And Brass Cuzn37 In Spif, Marwa Qate'a, Adnan Mohammed, Muhsin Jweeg

Engineering and Technology Journal

Most research on single-point incremental forming (SPIF) has focused on aluminum sheets of various thicknesses and titanium and steel with moderate mechanical resistance and low thicknesses. However, brass alloys, which exhibit moderate resistance comparable to certain aluminum alloys, have yet to receive much attention from researchers. Consequently, the formability of brass alloys requires a more thorough investigation. This study examines two ductile materials: Aluminum 1100 and Brass CuZn37. Both materials were formed under identical conditions into a hyperbolic truncated pyramid with varying wall angles ranging from 20° to 80° using the SPIF process, with dimensions of 150 mm × 150 …

Evaluating Hot Mix Asphalt For Different Recycled Asphalt Pavement Contents And Filler Kinds Utilizing Marshall Characteristics And Moisture Damage, Hawraa Jabbar, Miami Hilal, Mohammed Fattah

Engineering and Technology Journal

A significant amount of reclaimed asphalt pavement must be used to address the growing demand for sustainable road-building materials. One of the problems of employing RAP in mixes is that it makes them more rigid. The guideline specifies that when the amount of RAP is greater than 15%, softer-grade asphalt should be used; however, the asphalt used in Baghdad is 40–50 grade, and its high viscosity makes it challenging to mix when adding RAP. Sometimes, softer grades are not readily available and must be made upon request. Therefore, using some waste oil as a rejuvenator was the task. It is …

Tank Deformation Analysis By Combining Laser Scanning And Photogrammetry, Ali Al-Saedi, Fanar Abed, Imzahim Alwan

Engineering and Technology Journal

Laser scanning systems are used to capture high-resolution 3D point clouds, thereby obtaining the object geometry. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology is an essential data capture tool for providing high-quality point clouds for industrial environments. However, TLS point clouds can be lacking and incomplete due to occlusions prevalent in complicated industrial environments. The static nature of the system makes it necessary to use a complementary data collection technique, such as cameras, to fill the gaps, enrich density, and improve data quality. Therefore, in this research, an integrated work frame was presented that would allow for the automatic and reliable direct …

Assessment Of Flash Flood Detection In Erbil City Using Change Detection Indices For Sar Images, Abbas Noori, Abdul Razzak Ziboon, Amjed Al-Hameedawi

Engineering and Technology Journal

The frequency and intensity of flash floods are expected to increase due to climate change, resulting in significant casualties and damage to infrastructure and the economy. Reliable and timely flood maps are essential for an effective disaster management plan. On December 17, 2021, a severe flash flood in Erbil City resulted in twelve fatalities and extensive damage to the affected area. The ability of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images to penetrate clouds and heavy precipitation is vital for accurate flood imaging. This study analyzed Sentinel-1 satellite-based radar images before and after the flood to detect the inundation. Two change detection …