Digital Commons Network^™

The Reality Of Influence: Understanding Poetic Lineage, Anastasia Simms

2026

How does one distinguish between imitation and stealing? How does one determine who is an immature or mature, a bad or good poet or writer? At what threshold does someone’s work become so different from its original influence or inspiration that it is now unique? Harold Bloom seeks to answer these questions in The Anxiety of Influence: A Theory of Poetry, the course’s critical theory companion text, where he argues “poetic influence is a variety of melancholy or an anxiety-principle” (p. 7) because it is inescapable. I disagree with Bloom’s assessment that influence is negative and thus anxiety-inducing. Instead, …

Quality Improvement Project: The Impact Of Standardized Handoff Communication In A Home Acute Care Setting, Antonius Devon Speed

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Effective nurse-to-nurse handoff communication is essential in hospital-at-home telehealth care, where remote nurses depend on accurate electronic health record documentation and structured shift-to-shift communication. This quality improvement project evaluated whether education and implementation of a standardized Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation (SBAR) workflow improved staff-reported handoff quality and reduced communication-related near-miss events over 8 weeks. Lewin's Change Theory, Rogers's Diffusion of Innovations, and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework guided implementation and sustainability. A quantitative, quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was used. The intervention included SBAR education, a workflow checklist, and a handoff template. Outcomes were selected Handover Evaluation Scale (HES) responses and aggregate near-miss …

Quality Improvement Project Improving Provider Confidence For Medication Adherence Screening Through Use Of The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (Mars), Tamara Cheek

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Medication nonadherence affects 50% to 70% of individuals with serious mental illness. This contributes to symptom relapses, hospitalization, poor treatment outcomes, and higher healthcare costs. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the impact of a competency-based Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) training program on provider confidence and standardized adherence screening in a psychiatric clinic, to improve confidence and increase use of a standardized assessment. Guided by Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory and Lewin's Change Management Model and implemented using the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the project used a quantitative quasi-experimental pre-post design with eight psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. Data …

Quality Improvement Project: Implementation Of Trauma-Informed Care Education In An Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic, Ornela Claude Ika

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an evidence-based approach that promotes safe, patient-centered care for individuals with a history of trauma. Many patients receiving services in psychiatric settings have experienced trauma, placing them at risk for retraumatization during healthcare encounters. Despite the recognized benefits of TIC, the outpatient psychiatric clinic involved in this project lacked a formal trauma-informed care education program for staff. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine whether implementation of a structured trauma-informed care educational intervention improved staff attitudes toward trauma-informed care. Lewin’s Change Theory and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework guided project implementation. A quantitative pre-intervention and …

Hospitality As A Languageless Movement: Mapping The Interconnectedness Of Inclusion, Disability, And Hospitality, Alycia M. Bobak

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation thinks with post-qualitative inquiry to explore how inclusion, disability, and hospitality move through spaces in higher education and how their meanings shift between policy, practice, and personal ethics and dispositions. Using Derrida’s notion of hospitality and Deleuze and Guattari’s concept of the Body without Organs, this study presents the consideration of how university spaces welcome students with disabilities and how feelings of belonging, receiving, and acceptance are produced within those spaces. Rather than viewing inclusion and disability as fixed concepts, this research considers how language and personal ethics continuously reshape their meaning through interactions and affect.

This study …

Success In Student Leadership: An Appreciative Inquiry Approach To A Student Leader Program, Ana M. Tayeb

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the strengths and successes of a Student Leader Program within a Physician Assistant (PA) program at a large southeastern university, using an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) framework to understand how the program positions students for success. The program, established to support leadership development, academic engagement, and professional growth, includes elected student roles such as class president, vice president, wellness champion, volunteer liaison, and class liaisons. Through semi‑structured interviews with faculty, administrators, current Student Leaders, non‑leader students, and a Student Leader alumnus, the study examined lived experiences and perceptions of the program’s impact. Guided by the AI 4‑D cycle, …

Effective Strategies That Small Business Leaders Use To Adapt To Changing Market Trends To Increase Profitability, Teslim Dawodu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of Simulations In Workplace Training: A Systematic Analysis, Brittney Gaban

Honors Theses

Beyond the classroom, training simulations can be used in the workplace and have been used in a variety of industries, but most focus on the acceptance and perceived results rather than realworld transferability. To determine the state of simulations in workplace training, five articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed by participants, industry, results, perceived effectiveness and transferability of skills, data type collected, and participant feedback. The included studies demonstrated the variety of ways simulations have been integrated into training, primarily through hospital and emergency response teams, clinics, and transportation settings. Virtual reality was the most frequently used out …

The Holy Grail Of Arthurian Manuscripts Is For Auction At Christie’S, Christopher Berard

Humanities Program Faculty Publications

One of the most important surviving manuscripts of Arthurian literature is set to go under the hammer at Christie’s this July, carrying an estimated value of up to £2 million. Christopher Berard explores the medieval romances that gave shape to the stories of King Arthur, Lancelot, Merlin, and the Holy Grail.

https://www.medievalists.net/2026/06/holy-grail-of-arthurian-manuscripts/

Matter Of Anderson V. New York State Div. Of Hous. & Community Renewal

All Decisions

In this Article 78 proceeding, the Appellate Division, Second Department affirms the Supreme Court's order finding that DHCR's decision to dismiss the tenant's rent overcharge complaint was arbitrary and capricious. The court reaffirms that due to improper registration of rents on the DHCR rent history—the last reliable registration being in 2007—the legally collectible rent remains frozen at the last properly registered rent and the apartment remains subject to the Rent Stabilization Law/Code.

Redacted #00019

All Decisions

In this nonprimary residence holdover involving a rent-stabilized apartment, the court awards possession to the landlord after trial. Voluminous documentary evidence and witness testimony, including from the tenant's former subtenant, established that the tenant did not maintain a substantial physical nexus to the premises and lived primarily out of state.

251 Cpw Housing, Llc V. Singer

All Decisions

In this nonprimary residence holdover, the Appellate Term reverses the Housing Court order granting the tenant's motion for summary judgment and denying the landlord's discovery motion as moot. The court holds dismissal was premature, as there is a presumption in favor of discovery in nonprimary residence proceedings, and remands for the lower court to determine the scope of discovery.

Jeffrey Steidle V. United States Liability Insurance Co Inc

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Covid-19'S Impact On Student Behavior In Rural-Urban Fringe Elementary Schools, Chanel V. Leslie

College of Education

This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on student behavior in rural-urban fringe schools in Northern Alabama. The qualitative narrative inquiry research centers the lived experiences of teachers from four different schools as they navigate and explain this shift during this time. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner's (1979) ecological systems theory, the study is guided by three research questions that address the changes in student behavior and classroom dynamics; teacher preparedness and the ability to manage post-pandemic behavioral challenges; and effective interventions and support strategies. This research offers further insight into the erosion of foundational social skills, widespread emotional dysregulation, and patterns …

Printing Press Renewal, Ashley Mcguire, Margaret Wood Balch, Anna Kaetz, Timothy M. Wick

Libraries Professional Work

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Libraries are home to a Chandler & Price printing press, originally built in 1885. Unfortunately, this press was not whole or fully operational when it was acquired by the UAB Libraries in the 1970s. Among its defects, the press lacked the treadle, Pittman arm, and crankshaft to power the press, a functioning rotating ink plate, a chase for holding the type in place, and the pin that keeps the large wheel turning in time with the gears that lead the machine to function. Members from the UAB Libraries Historical Collections and Reference and …

Unh Receives $650,000 To Strengthen New Hampshire's Nursing Workforce, Jeremy Gasowski

UNH Today Archive

No abstract provided.

An Ensemble Learning-Based Approach To Quantify Post-Earthquake Functional Recovery Of A Steel Moment-Resisting Frame Inventory, Mohsen Zaker Esteghamati, Shiva Baddipalli

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The quest for seismic resiliency requires designing for performance objectives beyond life safety. Functional recovery is an emerging objective often defined as the time required to restore a building’s basic functionality to the pre-event level. Nevertheless, quantifying functional recovery is a complex, computationally intensive process that is challenging to integrate into a standard design workflow. This study develops a machine learning (ML) model to map design and geometric features of steel special moment-resisting frames (SMRFs) to their functional recovery under two hazard levels: design-basis (DBE) and maximum considered (MCE) earthquakes. First, functional recovery time was quantified for an inventory of …

Data Governance In Local Government: Evidence From Spatial Data Initiatives, Maame Efua Q. Arthur

Capstone Projects – Politics and Government

The adoption of modern digital applications and tools enables community development organizations to improve public services and community well-being. In response to the data surge, several local governments in the U.S. are converting spatial data into user-friendly geospatial products, including maps, dashboards, web, and instant apps. Research suggests that while these tools enhance operations for municipalities, they also increase public accountability and data transparency. However, developing data-driven tools is dependent on structured data governance practices that ensure data accessibility, accuracy, reliability, and security. Using the City of Bloomington, Illinois, as a case study, this study assesses the city's data-driven initiatives, …

An Analysis Of Heat Spread Through Smoldering Pine Needles, Timothy Keith

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this thesis is to calculate the average speed of flame spread through smoldering pine needles. We present two different models for doing this: the first is a very large system of ODEs meant to represent the spread of flame through individual needles, the second is a macroscopic model based on the porous medium PDE. Simulations are run for each of these models and compared to each other as well as to existing models and experimental results.

Navigating The Cocoon: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Mothers’ Experiences Of Seeking Diagnosis And Services For Children With Disabilities In Insular Rural American Samoa, Elizabeth Cutrer, Ocean K. Akau, Lorena Seu, Isabel Medina Hull, G. E. Kawika Allen, Ofa H. Kanuch, Cameron W. H. Hee, Melia Fonoimoana Garrett

Faculty Publications

This study examines how mothers raising children with disabilities in American Samoa experience the processes of seeking diagnosis, navigating special education, and advocating for services within an insular rural context. American Samoa, an unincorporated U.S. territory located 2600 miles from Hawaiʻi with a population under 50,000, represents a case of what we term insular rurality—a condition in which the structural disadvantages of rurality are intensified by oceanic isolation, territorial governance, and colonial history. Data were collected through three focus groups with fifteen mothers whose children hold a range of disability diagnoses, with a card sort activity at the outset of …

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Emerging From Syringomyelia Management: A Case Report, Abbigail Niewchas, Brandon Bacari, Christopher Stewart, Suporn Sukpraprut-Braaten, Donald G. Smith

Student Publications

The coexistence of Guillain-Barré syndrome with a spinal cord syrinx is extremely rare. This report presents the emergency admission of a 57-year-old female presenting with an abrupt and progressive loss of motor function and abnormal sensation in her lower extremities. MRI of the cervical spine revealed a syrinx extending from C2 to C7. Neurology referred the case to neurosurgery, who assessed the patient and recommended nonoperative and supportive treatment given the size of the syrinx and the patient's status as a poor surgical candidate. She was subsequently discharged to a local extended care facility (ECF) with a diagnosis of syringomyelia. …

China Maritime Report #55: Loading The Well Deck: The Pla Navy's Maturing Role In Projecting Joint Ground Forces, Joshua Arostegui

CMSI China Maritime Reports

Main Findings

• Since 2023, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has established an annualized rhythm of loading PLA Army (PLAA) combat, engineering, and support units onto PLA Navy (PLAN) amphibious ships for international exercises. This integration signals a maturation in Chinese expeditionary logistics, providing Beijing with the proven framework to project sustained, multi-domain combat mass well beyond its regional periphery.
• Overseas military exercises in locations like Cambodia, Malaysia, and Tanzania serve as vital proving grounds for the PLA to stress-test complex port embarkation, loading, and well-deck management. The successful deployment of PLAA ground forces via PLAN lift proves that the multi-branch …

Qualitative Analysis Of Solutions To A General Class Of Nonlinear Difference Equations With Applications, Osama Moaaz, Mohamed F. Abouelenein, Mona Anis

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

This work examines the qualitative behavior of a general class of difference equations. We establish criteria guaranteeing the stability, periodicity, and boundedness of the solutions of the equation under consideration. In addition, we identify its invariant intervals. The theoretical results are subsequently applied to various special cases, among them the May--Host model. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the dynamics of the solutions and to validate the theoretical analysis.

Race, Ethnic, And Gender Disparities In Human Trafficking Risk, Identification, And Investigation, Emily D. Walker

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Youth and human trafficking remain significant and complex issues. Existing literature suggests that trafficking risk, victimization, and identification are shaped by structural and social context, creating differential impacts across demographic groups, such as racial, ethnic, and gendered groups. Yet, current research has yet to fully capture the complexity of victimization across groups. This dissertation consists of three interconnected studies examining youth trafficking investigations. Using a mixed-methods approach and administrative data from Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), this dissertation address three objectives (1) examining potential variation in documentation of trafficking risk, victimization, and narrative framing of youth trafficking investigations …

Using Contingency Mapping To Decrease Disruptive Behavior And Increase On-Task Behavior For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Carelis Y. Pabey Pagan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Visual aids have been widely used in educational and therapeutic settings to support individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among these, contingency maps, a graphic tool that visually represents the outcomes of alternative behaviors and problem behavior, have shown promise in reducing problem behavior, increasing communication, and promoting independence. However, existing research on contingency mapping is limited. The proposed study extended this literature by evaluating the effects of contingency maps on academic engagement and disruptive behavior for children with ASD in a school setting during natural classroom activities. A multiple baseline design across participants was used to …

Philanthropic Grantmakers’ Roles In Transforming Higher Education: A Narrative Inquiry, Elizabeth Jean Larkin Davis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Philanthropic foundations have become influential actors in higher education reform, often supporting initiatives to improve student success, advance equity, and promote systemic change. Yet limited research has examined how philanthropic grantmakers understand and navigate their roles in shaping long-term change across the higher education field. This narrative inquiry explored the personal and professional experiences of eight philanthropic grantmakers working across different foundations, roles, and organizational contexts in the United States. Guided by organizational change theory, Strategic Action Fields theory, and sustainability planning in dynamic systems, the study examined how grantmakers made sense of their responsibilities, influence, and contributions to systemic …

Examining The Referral Pathway For Black Families Evaluated Through The Early Steps Program, Zelda Fleming

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research indicates that for children with or at risk for developmental delays, early intervention services are associated with improvements in academic and cognitive skills by the time they reach kindergarten (Atkins et al., 2020; Litt et al., 2017). Untreated developmental delays are linked to early school failure and social and emotional problems (Sher et al., 2020). Black children are 5 times less likely to receive early intervention services when compared to their White peers (Barnard-Brak et al., 2021; Feinberg et al.,2011). Thus, they often do not have the opportunity to receive early intervention services. The literature in this area suggests …

Portable Trace Gas Analysis With Multipass Cavity Raman Scattering, Charuka Muktha Arachchige

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The continual increase in the production and utilization of chemicals across a growing range of industrial, environmental, and medical applications necessitates accurate and efficient measurement of molecular composition. Trace gas detection is particularly critical in industrialized settings, where the identification of colorless and odorless gases is essential for ensuring operational safety and regulatory compliance. Recent advances in optical instrumentation have positioned spontaneous Raman scattering as a promising analytical technique for trace gas analysis, with multipass cavity enhancement providing a cost-effective pathway to high detection sensitivity. However, existing implementations remain confined to laboratory-scale optical table setups, limiting their applicability in field …

Designing For Fitness And Resilience In Human Artificial Intelligence Systems, Thomas R. Gill

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over the last decade, new artificial intelligence models, frameworks, and applications have emerged that have radically changed the socio-technical landscape. These new technologies represent both great opportunities and great potential risks. Due to the recency of their emergence, there is little known about the longevity and long-term repercussions of artifacts powered by new artificial intelligence technology. In this dissertation, I evaluate A.I. and A.I.-based artifacts through the lens of the fitness-utility model, a tool developed by Gill and Hevner (2013) for the evaluation of an artifact's ability to survive and reproduce over long time horizons. In so doing, I also …

Man Down: Exploring Identity, Uncertainty And Resilience In An Autoethnographic Performance Of Prostate Cancer As Applied Health Communication, Kevin Hawley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation study was to explore how an autoethnographic performance of my experience of prostate cancer could serve as a method of applied health communication, designed to encourage men to be screened for prostate cancer. One in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. However, while the incidence rate of prostate cancer is increasing—particularly of advanced-stage disease—the number of men choosing to be screened is declining (American Cancer Society, 2025).This study explores the barriers to men being screened, both in the literature and in my personal experience. Among those …