Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Evaluating The Effects Of Exergaming On Physical Activity Among Inactive Children In A Physical Education Classroom, Victoria A. Fogel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Childhood obesity is a serious concern that requires the attention of the behavioral community. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2007) recommends that children engage in physical activity for 60 minutes per day. Children spend the majority of their day in school, making school an ideal environment to increase the opportunity for physical activity. Simple, straightforward interventions that can be applied in the school setting, which take into consideration the environment and focus on maintenance by making the process of engaging in physical activity reinforcing, are greatly needed. Video games have been noted in the literature as a …

Evaluation Of A Level System With A Built In Token Economy To Decrease Inappropriate Behaviors Of Individuals With Mental Retardation, Ashley Tomaka

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The level system is a behavioral procedure that alters the status of a participant contingent on his or her behaviors; within each level the amount of reinforcement is different. In most cases, level systems are paired with another form of treatment such as a token economy. In the current study, the effectiveness of a level system with a built in token economy was evaluated within three intensive residential group homes with 3 male participants. Each participant was diagnosed with mental retardation and behavioral issues. The level system was comprised of 5 different levels, each having different privileges and reinforcers. Each …

Toward Understanding Low Surface Friction On Quasiperiodic Surfaces, Keith Mclaughlin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In a 2005 article in Science [45], Park et al. measured in vacuum the friction between a coated atomic-force-microscope tip and the clean two-fold surface of an AlNiCo quasicrystal. Because the two-fold surface is periodic in one direction and aperiodic (with a quasiperiodicity related to the Fibonacci sequence) in the perpendicular direction, frictional anisotropy is not unexpected; however, the magnitude of that anisotropy in the Park experiment, a factor of eight, is unprecedented. By eliminating chemistry as a variable, the experiment also demonstrated that the low friction of quasicrystals must be tied in some way to their quasiperiodicity. Through various …

A Greener Vertical Habitat: Creating A Naturally Cohesive Sense Of Community In A Vertical Multi-Family Housing Structure, Justin Onorati

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Throughout multiple dense, tropical, urban contexts, high rise residential environments have created a sense of social detachment, where public and private green spaces do not often exist. It is through these varieties of green spaces that social interaction is encouraged, and without these social activities taking place, this vertical community becomes almost a meaningless entity within the urban realm. The issue being addressed within this thesis is the scarcity of public and private green spaces within our high density tropical urban fabrics that help to create a sense of community. The majority of dense urban settings that we inhabit today …

Probing Interactions And Phase Separations Of Proteins, Colloids And Polymers With Light Scattering, Avanish Singh Parmar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The broad objective of my research is to investigate the physical characteristics and interactions of macromolecules and nanoparticles, and the corresponding effects on their phase separation behavior using static and dynamic light scattering (SLS & DLS). Light scattering provides a non-invasive technique for monitoring the in-situ behavior of solutes in solution, including solute interactions, sizes, shapes, aggregation kinetics and even rheological properties of condensed phases. Initially, we investigated lysozyme solutions for the presence of preformed aggregates and clusters that can distort the kinetics of protein crystal nucleation studies in this important model system for protein crystallization. We found that both …

Lrfd Design Of Double Composite Box Girder Bridges, Purvik Patel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Conventional continuous steel bridges only exhibit composite behavior in the positive moment region. Similar composite action may also be achieved in the negative moment region by casting a bottom concrete slab between the points of inflection. Such a section is referred to as "double composite" since it is composite in both the positive and negative moment regions. Savings in double composite bridges arise because expensive steel is replaced by inexpensive concrete to carry compressive loads. Although double composite bridges have been designed and constructed since at least 1978 there has been limited research. Thus, current designs rely on existing provisions …

Certain Diagonal Equations Over Finite Fields, Christopher Sze

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Let F_q^t be the finite field with q^t elements and let F*_q^t be its multiplicative group. We study the diagonal equation ax^q−1 + by^q−1 = c, where a,b and c ∈ F*_q^t. This equation can be written as x^q−1+αy^q−1 = β, where α, β ∈ F ∗ q t . Let Nt(α, β) denote the number of solutions (x,y) ∈ F*_q^t × F*_q^t of x^q−1 + αy^q−1 = β and I(r; a, b) be the number of monic irreducible polynomials f …

Algorithms For Simple Stochastic Games, Elena Valkanova

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A simple stochastic game (SSG) is a game defined on a directed multigraph and played between players MAX and MIN. Both players have control over disjoint subsets of vertices: player MAX controls a subset V_MAX and player MIN controls a subset V_MIN of vertices. The remaining vertices fall into either V_AVE, a subset of vertices that support stochastic transitions, or SINK, a subset of vertices that have zero outdegree and are associated with a payoff in the range [0, 1]. The game starts by placing a token on a designated start vertex. The token is moved …

Age, Growth, And Reproduction Of Calamus Proridens The Littlehead Porgy, From The Northeast Gulf Of Mexico, Amanda J. Tyler-Jedlund

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A total of 1814 Calamus proridens ranging from 76 mm - 361mm fork length (FL) were collected and processed along the central and northwest coasts of Florida between 2000 and 2007 to determine size, sex, age, and reproductive condition. Females ranged from 76-297 mm FL (mean FL=156 mm, n=1420), males ranged from 141-361 mm FL (mean FL=244 mm, n=297), and transitionals ranged from 131-307 mm FL (mean FL=207 mm, n=42). Sex ratios sorted by length class, age, and overall were significantly different from the 1:1 ratio for gonochoristic species (P is less than 0.0001). Sagittal otoliths (sectioned and whole) from …

Green Local Governments In Florida: An Analysis Of Sustainability And Green Building Policies, Naimish S. Upadhyay

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sustainable development is increasingly being integrated within local government planning across United States. Many communities are attempting to translate this general principle into specific and measurable terms. The urban sustainability planning literature has mostly focused on descriptive case studies of pioneering cities that have been characterized as true innovators in their sustainability efforts. Noticeably absent from the literature, however, has been an examination of the sustainable development claims made by local governments undergoing 'green' certifications. This study evaluates the commitment and efforts of municipalities and counties of Florida within the framework of Florida Green Building Coalition's 'Green …

The Neuron-Silicon Carbide Interface: Biocompatibility Study And Bmi Device Development, Christopher L. Frewin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Damage to the central nervous system (CNS) leads to the generation of an immune response which culminates with the encapsulation of the damaged area. The encapsulation, known as a glial scar, essentially breaks neural signal pathways and blocks signal transmissions to and from the CNS. The effect is the loss of motor and sensory control for the damaged individual. One method that has been used successfully to treat this problem is the use of a brain-machine interface (BMI) which can intercept signals from the brain and use these signals to control a machine. Although there are many types of BMI …

Rape Attitudes And Beliefs: A Replication Study, Rhissa Emily Briones

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The phenomena of sexual violence have been studied on college campuses for over 50 years. Despite changes in society's attitudes towards women and gains made by women in education and the work force since the 1960s, research reveals that the incidence and prevalence rates of date rape have not changed significantly over the years. Extant literature indicates that endorsement of rape myths has been found to be associated with sexual aggression by males. A review of existing instruments revealed that current assessments of rape supportive attitudes and beliefs appear outdated in their language and may not be geared for today's …

Barriers And Facilitating Factors To High School Students’ School Engagement, Amy Green

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Students who are engaged in their high school environment have higher graduation rates, fewer discipline problems, and lower delinquency rates. In addition, students who are connected to teachers and involved in extracurricular activities consistently experience positive outcomes. However, although the benefits of school resources such as extra-curricular activities and connections to supportive individuals during high school have been well documented, the factors influencing utilization of these resources have not yet been established. Given the known benefits of activity participation and connection to supportive individuals in school settings, and the voluntary nature of their utilization, it is important to investigate factors …

Structural Polarities In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings, Quincey Vierling Upshaw

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

My thesis reflects an assessment of The Lord of the Rings centering on the idea of a structure of opposites. For each place, race, character and object in The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien included an element which serves as an antithesis. In addition, the style, pacing, and language of the work also contain antithetical pairs which continually engage and propel the reader to the work's conclusion. I contend that this deliberate pairing of opposing elements adds depth and verisimilitude to the work.

Tolkien was an avid student of what his contemporaries would have called "fantasy" or "fairy …

Constructing A New Nationalism From Below: The Dalit Movement, Politics And Transnational Networking, Lisa A. Daily

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research examines one potential route for sub-national social movements to alter preexisting contemporary nationalisms- the transnational social movement network. When social movements "go global" they move beyond the nation where they are typically excluded from the national project and instead, become members of an alternative and inclusive transnational project. What social movements do at this level is not under examination here, but rather how they go about returning to their respective nations and challenging the hegemonic national project. Does the transnational site impact the success of sub-national social movements? Is a movement more likely to achieve its goals and …

The Influence Of Daily Social Stimulation In Ameliorating Ptsd-Like Behavioral And Physiological Changes In Rats Exposed To Chronic Psychosocial Stress, Shyam Seetharaman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Individuals exposed to life-threatening trauma are at increased risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Not all people exposed to trauma, however, go on to develop PTSD. Some evidence suggests that individuals who receive social stimulation, such being involved in supportive social networks, are less likely to develop PTSD compared to those lacking social interactions. Although human research has been effective in demonstrating associations between higher levels of social stimulation and lower incidences of PTSD, there has been a lack of experimental evidence suggesting that social stimulation protects against the onset of the disorder after trauma. Here, we tested the …

Uv Laser And Led Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy For Detection Of Trace Amounts Of Organics In Drinking Water And Water Sources, Anna V. Sharikova

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A UV Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) system, previously developed in our laboratory, was modified and used for a series of applications related to the development and optimization of UV LIF spectroscopic measurements of trace contaminants in drinking water and other water sources. Fluorescence spectra of a number of water samples were studied, including those related to the reverse osmosis water treatment and membrane fouling, domestic and international drinking water, industrial toxins, bacterial spores, as well as several fluorescence standards. Of importance was that the long term detection of the trace level of Dissolved Organic Compounds (DOC) was measured, for the …

Combinatorial Models For Dna Rearrangements In Ciliates, Angela Angeleska

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Motivated by genome rearrangements that take place in some species of ciliates we introduce a combinatorial model for these processes based on spatial graphs. This model builds up on two earlier models for pointer-guided DNA recombination (intramolecular model introduced in [22, 23] and intermolecular model introduced in [35, 36]) and is influenced by a molecular model for RNA guided DNA recombination (introduced in [2]).

Despite their differences, the intermolecular and intramolecular model formalize the recombination events through rewriting operations applied on formal words. Both models predict the same set of molecules as a result of correct rearrangement. Here, we give …

An Empirical Examination Of The Dark Side Of Relationship Marketing Within A Business To Business Context, Brent L. Baker

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A large number of empirical studies have illustrated the benefits of adopting and implementing a relational or relationship marketing strategy. However, there is an emergent stream of literature that suggests that despite the recognized benefits associated with this strategy there may also be a dark side that manifests itself between firms as a result of adopting a relationship marketing strategy. However, though this stream of literature recognizes the presence of the dark side, causal antecedents mediating the dark side constructs, or consequences of the dark side have yet to be theoretically derived, explained or empirically tested.

This dissertation constructs theoretical …

Recombinant Aav Gene Therapy And Delivery, Nikisha Christine Carty

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease (AD), first characterized in the early 20th century, is a common form of dementia which can occur as a result of genetic mutations in the genes encoding presenilin 1, presenilin 2, or amyloid precursor protein (APP). These genetic alterations can accelerate the pathological characteristics of AD, including the formation of extracellular neuritic plaques composed of amyloid beta peptides and the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Ultimately, AD results in gross neuron loss in the brain which is evidenced clinically as a progressive decline in mental capacity. A strong body of scientific evidence has …

An Empirical Analysis Of Public Perception Of Reclaimed Water Applying The Situational Theory Of Publics, Jessica Voss

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Utilizing J.E. Grunig's (1989a, 1997) situational theory of publics and Fishbein and Ajzen's (1975) theory of reasoned action, this empirical study examined the public's perception of reclaimed water. Specifically, the three independent variables - problem recognition, constraint recognition, and level of involvement - were separated into internal and external variables to determine their influences on behavioral intention. The independent variables were also used to determine the public's communication behavioral intention.

The findings of this study support the basic premise of the situational theory of publics and contribute to the extension of the theory through the inclusion of some of the …

Shyness In The Context Of Reduced Fear Of Negative Evaluation And Selffocus: A Mixed Methods Case Study, Freda S. Watson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods case study examined the effect of reduced fear of negative evaluation and self focus on behaviors related to shyness in a church environment. A sample of 239 members, regular attenders, and visitors completed a survey, consisting of the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation-Straightforward (BFNE-S) Scale; two checklists measuring perceived acceptance and levels of comfort in situations known to be difficult for shy people; and extended response questions regarding thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in six church situations.

Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the BFNE-S (General and Context-specific) had acceptable fit compared with previous studies, and descriptive statistics were similar …

Cannabinoids Induce Immunoglobulin Class Switching To Ige In B Lymphocytes, Marisela Agudelo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cannabinoid treatment increases Th2 activity and previous reports showed B cells express the highest level of CB₂ mRNA relative to other immune cells suggesting that cannabinoids play a critical role in B cell activation and maturation. To examine the direct effect of cannabinoids on B cell antibody class switching, mouse splenic B cells were purified by negative selection and cultured with IL4 and anti-CD40 in the presence or absence of the nonselective cannabinoid agonist, CP55940, or the CB1 selective agonist, methanandamide, or the CB2 selective agonist, JW015. The cultures were then analyzed at different times by flow cytometry for …

Ionic Liquid-Mediated Sol-Gel Sorbents For Capillary Microextraction And Challenges In Glass Microfabrication, Anne M. Shearrow

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Three ionic liquids (ILs), trihexyltetradecylphosphonium tetrafluoroborate (TTPT), N-butyl-4-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (BMPT), and 1-methyl-3- octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (MOIC), were utilized to prepare sol- gel sorbent coatings. Non-polar polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polar poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PolyTHF) and bis[(3-methyldimethoxy-silyl)propyl] polypropylene oxide (BMPO) polymers were employed to develop novel ionic liquidmediated sol- gel hybrid organic- inorganic sorbents. The novel sorbents were first tested as coatings for capillary microextraction off-line hyphenated to gas chromatography. To gain an understanding of the role of the ionic liquids in the sol-gel process, the preconcentration abilities of these novel coatings were investigated for several classes of compounds utilizing CME-GC. This …

The Relationship Between Uncertainty In Illness And Anxiety In Patients With Cancer, Naima Vera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety is a common problem for patients with cancer. Anxiety may have a negative impact on decision making and overall emotional well being of patients and may be related to the uncertainties faced by people with cancer. This study examined the relationship between uncertainty in illness and anxiety in patients with cancer.

The sample consisted of 30 patients, predominantly males (n=23), being treated as outpatients in the Clinical Research Unit at a National Cancer Institute designated cancer center in Florida. After agreeing to participate, patients completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory as well as Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Scale.

Participants' ages …

Blind Signal Detection And Identification Over The 2.4ghz Ism Band For Cognitive, Omar Zakaria

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

'It is not a lack of spectrum. It is an issue of efficient use of the available spectrum"--conclusions of the FCC Spectrum Policy Task Force.

There is growing interest towards providing broadband communication with high bit rates and throughput, especially in the ISM band, as it was an ignition of innovation triggered by the FCC to provide, to some extent, a regulation-free band that anyone can use. But with such freedom comes the risk of interference and more responsibility to avoid causing it. Therefore, the need for accurate interference detection and identification, along with good blind detection capabilities are inevitable. …

Examining An Acute Environmental Trigger For Dysfunctional Eating: Measuring The Immediate Impact Of Fat Disparagement Media Exposure And Its Effects On Body Dissatisfaction, Negative Affect, Weight Control Practice Intentions, And Sub-Clinical Binge Eating Behavior In College Women, Susan Himes

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Binge eating is a maladaptive eating practice associated with unhealthy weight control methods (vomiting, laxative abuse) and the development of weight gain and obesity. Isolating psychological and environmental variables that trigger binge eating can prevent or potentially moderate eating disturbance. Previous research implicates media exposure as an environmental contributor to psychological and eating disturbance. The current study sought to uncover whether fat stigmatization media exposure is an acute environmental trigger for psychological disturbance and binge initiation by dismantling fat media messages and experimentally manipulating messages. Undergraduate women (N=197) were assigned to one of four media message conditions: a fat negative …

Blind Synchronization And Detection Of Nyquist Pulse Shaped Qam Signals, Evren Terzi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis proposes a blind receiver for the Nyquist pulse shaped quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM) signals. The focus is on single carrier signals. The blind receiver includes the estimation of the symbol rate, the roll-off factor of the filter, the optimal sample phase, the frequency offset, the phase offset and as well as the correction of frequency and phase offsets.

The blind receiver is proposed for the cognitive radio applications. Cognitive radios are intelligent devices which can adapt themselves according to its user and its environment, i.e. they are aware of the user and the environment. Another importance of cognitive radios …

Perceptions Of Weight Status: The Effects Of Target Features (Fat/Muscularity Level, Gender, Ethnicity) And Rater Features (Ethnicity And Gender), Tovah Yanover

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has explored self-perception of weight and has established that women tend to overestimate their own weight while men tend to underestimate. New research has also begun to examine parental perceptions of their children's weight and has indicated that parents tend to be fairly inaccurate, particularly when it comes to recognizing overweight in their own children. No research has focused on the way in which we perceive the weight of the many other individuals we encounter on a daily basis. The present study was designed to investigate the way in which the weight of others is rated and the …

Ethnomedical And Biomedical Health Care And Healing Practices Among The Rathwa Adivasi Of Kadipani Village, Gujarat State, India, Margaret A. Karnyski

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Rathwa of Kadipani village are adivasi (original inhabitants, tribe) residing in a rural part of Gujarat State, India. Primarily farmers, the Rathwa live in an area where development-related projects, such as mineral mining and damming on the Narmada River, are increasingly impacting their livelihood, health status, and quality of life. The local economy is impacted by uncertainty regarding access to water from the Narmada River, concerns related to the extraction of minerals from a mine in Kadipani, and economic issues that arise when the primary wage earner of the household becomes ill.

This dissertation addresses Rathwa health care practices, …