Arts and Humanities Commons^™

The Sustainability Of The Roman Forum, David Gargiulo

Grace Allen Scholars Theses

If walls could talk, what would the crumbling walls of the Curia Hostilia, the Temple of Venus and Roma, or any other structure in the Roman Forum tell us? Surely, tales of the glory of the Roman Empire that erected them would be told in their deserved splendor. However, the Forum Romanum tells the tales of thousands of others as well, the saga of the people who lived around those walls for more than 2000 years. For instance, the Forum’s loss of many of its marble and other stone taken by those in desperate need of building materials in the …

Walking The Walk: An Examination Of Āl Murrah Bedouin's Motives For Continued Nomadism, Benjamin Mehanni

Grace Allen Scholars Theses

The Āl Murrah, a Bedouin tribe in Saudi Arabia, practice nomadic pastoralism to this day. They continue to resist the pressures to settle exerted by government sponsored settlement programs, as well as the rise of a modern capitalist economy, whose growth increases the cost of living. The Āl Murrah’s motives for resisting sedentarization are based on a collectivist value system that defines a high quality of life based on accessing the desert and camels’ milk, having the freedom to decide when and where to herd their camels, and gaining the respect of their family and community. These factors are contingent …

A Proposal For A Student Office For Sustainability And Awareness, Frank Michael Malatesta

Grace Allen Scholars Theses

The environment has been neglected for too much of the history of industrialized society, Only now, after much damage has occurred, are nations beginning to support environmentally friendly policies and initiatives. Despite the effort, the need for change has not hit the all of thepopulation with a "Jolt." One of the best places to develop a sustainability mindset is at the University level. Universities must lead the example as the focal points of their respective communities and as the training grounds for the leaders of tommorrow. Currently, the University of South Florida falls short in the endeavor. The University lacks …

The Development Of Nationalism In The Indian Case, Sriram Madhusoodanan

Grace Allen Scholars Theses

Narratives, particularly historical narratives, frame our identities: they tell the story of our origins and provide us with direction to guide future action. Considering the numerous movements they have fostered in past 200 years, few identities have been as powerful a motor for social change or emerged as loudly on the world stage as national identities. In this context, India presents a unique case. In attempting to classify it, India could be labeled a multi‐nation state, due to the immense diversity of linguistic, cultural and ethnic groups that reside within it, each with its own particular historical narrative and myths …

The Effectiveness And Efficiency Of Female Chief Executive Officers, Robin Crauthers

Grace Allen Scholars Theses

Female Chief Executive Officers lead 2.4% of the top 1000 companies in the United States (Fortune). Why does such a large gender gap exist? There are many possible reasons. However, since a public company’s goal is to increase its value and maximize its profits, the only acceptable excuse for the continued gender gap is if women CEOs are not as efficient and effective as male CEOs.

Financial ratios provide a comparison measurement of efficiency and effectiveness when compared to industry standard ratios commonly computed. This study uses current and quick ratios, inventory turnover ratios, debt to equity ratio, return on …

Implementation Of Low Impact Development In Modern Urbanization As Exampled Through Capstone Design, Allyson G. Risner

Grace Allen Scholars Theses

This thesis is a continuation of my Engineering Capstone Design. The design itself involves the site plan of a fictitious mixed-use development in Polk County, Florida. The initial design was completed as a group (consisting of five people) under the fabricated engineering firm Lever Engineering, LLC and was completed as if it would be submitted to the County for actual approval.

The project was designed over a 20 acre site (with an additional 10 acres available for purchase) in Winter Haven, Florida that is currently being used as a neighborhood park with several youth baseball fields. Lever Engineering was given …

James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, And The Confines Of Autonomous Language, David M. Vassalotti

Grace Allen Scholars Theses

The act of communication is one contingent upon successful translation. Drawings, gestures, and speech are all approximations used in order to convey ideas and information. For the most part, these methods of communication serve their purpose, but there are certain ‘things’ (for lack of a better word) which cannot be communicated through any conceivable language. Each person has their own unique set of experiences and memories. Each individual mind is unique in how it interprets a word, an action, a color, a smell, etc. If a hundred people hear the word ‘dog,’ each one will envision a different image in …

How Bad Will Climate Change Get?: Factors And Mechanisms Of Global Warming, Joseph F. White

Grace Allen Scholars Theses

This report attempted to answer the question, “How Bad Will Climate Change Get?”. This was accomplished by, first, presenting a current assessment on the science of Global Warming. Factors and causes were analyzed with heavy emphasis on the paleoclimate record and the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report. The report, which released in 2007, is considered by many scientists to be too optimistic and conservative as it neglects to account for various feedback mechanisms and other drivers that can impact climate. Thus, the next part of this report does a thorough and complete review of all mechanisms that can drive future climates. …

Use Of Molecular Tools On Surveys Of Genetic Variation And Population Structure In Three Species Of Sharks, Andrey Leonardo F Castro

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Molecular tools, such as sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA Control Region (CR) and genotyping of highly variable nuclear microsatellites were applied to survey the genetic diversity, population structure and phylogeography of three shark species: the whale shark, Rhincodon typus; the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas; and the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum. The highly migratory and pelagic whale shark exhibited the largest length variation yet reported for an elasmobranch CR (1143–1332 bp), and high haplotype (h = 0.974 ± 0.008) and nucleotide diversities(π = 0.011 ± 0.006). No geographical clustering of lineages was observed and the most common …

African American Perceptions Of The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (Fcat) And High School Graduation, Maressa L. Dixon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While there is ample research theorizing reasons for so-called "achievement gaps" between African American and White students on standardized tests, few studies explore African Americans' perceptions of the impact these tests have on overall education. Through interviews with six current students attending Hillsborough County public high schools, one recent graduate of a Hillsborough County high school, and two parents of students in Hillsborough County public schools, this research study probes participants' perceptions of the impact of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) on their high school experiences. All participants in the study identified as African American or Black. Through archival …

Germania-Based Sol-Gel Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Coatings For Capillary Microextraction, Li Fang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For the first time, germania-based hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel materials were developed for analytical sample preparation and chromatographic separation. Being an isostructural analog of silica (SiO₂), germania (GeO₂) is compatible with silica network. This structural similarity, which is reflected by the relative positions of germanium and silicon in the periodic table, stimulated our investigation on the development of germania-based sol-gel hybrid organic-inorganic coatings for analytical applications.

Sol-gel sorbents and stationary phases reported to date are predominantly silica-based. Poor pH stability of silica-based materials is a major drawback. In this work, this problem was addressed through development of …

A Vindication Of The Rights Of Woman: A Reflection Of The Tension Between Conformity And Rebellion In The Life And Times Of Mary Wollstonecraft, Ann Sofia-Rothschild

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis I examine A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) by Mary Wollstonecraft and how it reflects the tension between conformity and rebellion that is an inherent component in the life of its author and therefore is a fundamental element of this treatise. In this paper I discuss how the personal struggles of Mary Wollstonecraft, as a woman living in a patriarchal society, influenced her perspective and moved her to address her concerns for her "fellow creatures." This treatise pushed the boundaries of conventional thinking, but it was also written in traditional terms in an effort to …

Broadening The Spectrum: The Religious Dimensions Of The Rainbow Gatherings, Seth M. Walker

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to specifically address the religious dimensions of the Rainbow Gatherings. The fundamental question directing this analysis is: "Are the Rainbow Gatherings religious in character?" This thesis specifically asks whether or not the Rainbow Gatherings satisfy certain identifiable features of religion, and if doing so, do they qualify as a form of religion? I engage this question by analyzing the Rainbow Gatherings in terms of two particular definitions of religion: Clifford Geertz's "functional" definition and Bryan R. Wilson's "substantive" definition. This allows me to analyze the Rainbow Gatherings from the perspective of the two major …

Nutrient Distribution Effects From Freshwater Discharge At Franklin Lock And Dam (S-79) In 2005 And 2006 On The Caloosahatchee Estuary And San Carlos Bay, Fort Myers, Florida, Kristan M. Uhlenbrock

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nutrient distribution correlates with discharge of freshwater from Franklin Lock and Dam structure (S-79) by delivery into the Caloosahatchee Estuary (CE) and out of this area, including the surrounding San Carlos Bay (SCB) and adjacent West Florida Shelf. This study analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution of nutrients along the CE waterway and illustrates the effects high freshwater discharge from S-79 has on the coastal and offshore environments, providing a potential source of nutrient input. This study consisted of a 7-station transect monitored biweekly from April 2005 thru August 2006 for nutrients, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, and salinity, along …

Testing The Plausibility Of A Series Of Causal Minor Cyberloafing Models, Kevin Askew

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cyberloafing is the nonsanctioned recreational use of the computers/internet during work hours. Although research is increasing, the processes related to cyberloafing are not well understood. In the current studies, I developed, tested, and evaluated a series of causal minor-cyberloafing models. In Study 1, I empirically compared four minor-cyberloafing taxonomies and selected two of these models as my working taxonomies for minor cyberloafing. In Study 2, I tested and evaluated eight causal minor-cyberloafing models using structural equation modeling techniques and various model-data fit indices. Results of Study 2 indicated that the models were not plausible, bringing into question the value of …

Asynchronous Cellular Automata - Special Networks Local Slowdown Produces Global Speedup, Arash Khani Ardestani

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Information processing in living tissues is dramatically different from what we see in common man-made computer. The data and processing is distributed into the activity of cells which communicate only with neighboring cells. There is no clock for the global synchronization of cellular activities. There is not even one bit of central memory for globally shared data. The communication network between cells is highly irregular and may change without changing the outcome of the computation. A simple network of automata is introduced and analyzed to represent a mathematical model of special group of cells in an imaginary tissue sample. The …

New Port Richey: Myth And History Of A City Built On Enchantment, Adam J. Carozza

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to discover, understand and appreciate the history of New Port Richey. New Port Richey's growth was affected by many of the same social changes taking place all over Florida, most notably the coming of the railroad, the popularity of the automobile, and the land boom of the 1920s. Post-World War II prosperity, pest control, air conditioning, and interstate highways attracted people to this city nicknamed the "Gateway to Tropical Florida." Unique to this area was the Legend of Chasco, an invented tradition to draw tourists and new residents to the area, and the beautiful Pithlachascotee River meandering …

Mitigating Escalation Of Commitment: An Investigation Of The Effects Of Priming And Decision-Making Setting In Capital Project Continuation Decisions, Ann C. Dzuranin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research examines escalation of commitment in capital investment decisions and the extent to which it can be mitigated using a cognitive prime. Specifically, I examine the use of a cognitive prime as a way to mitigate escalation in three decision-making settings: (1) individual, (2) face-to-face team, and (3) computer-mediated team. Continued investment in failing projects is costly for firms. The use of a cognitive prime to reduce escalation would provide a low cost way to mitigate escalation. In this study, participants are primed to think about sunk costs. The expectation is that priming individuals to think about sunk costs …

Christoffel Function Asymptotics And Universality For Szegő Weights In The Complex Plane, Elliot M. Findley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 1991, A. Máté precisely calculated the first-order asymptotic behavior of the sequence of Christoffel functions associated with Szego measures on the unit circle. Our principal goal is the abstraction of his result in two directions: We compute the translated asymptotics, lim_n λ_n(µ, x + a/n), and obtain, as a corollary, a universality limit for the fairly broad class of Szego weights. Finally, we prove Máté’s result for measures supported on smooth curves in the plane. Our proof of the latter derives, in part, from a precise estimate of certain weighted means of the Faber polynomials associated …

Realness And Hoodness: Authenticity In Hip Hop As Discussed By Adolescent Fans, Ginger L. Jacobson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Various forms of media penetrate our lives daily. Hip hop music has gained universal appeal and widespread success that permeates barriers of race, class, gender, age, and nationality. It is important for social service workers, parents, educators and other adults who interact with youth to understand the roles hip hop music and culture can play in the identities of those who are listening. In this study I conducted 12 open-ended interviews with adolescent hip hop fans about their music. The research presented in this thesis suggests that adolescent hip hop fans are making interpretations from the media and applying them …

N-Acyltyramines As Substrates For Tyrosinase: Enzymatic Lag And Dopamine Precursor, Jacob A. Shafer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tyrosinase is a widespread, highly studied and important enzyme involved in processes ranging from the browning of mushrooms to roles in mammalian cancer. The enzyme suffers from a noticeable lag phase while the enzyme generates all necessary cofactors from available substrates. There have not been significant studies of the effect on lag from moving through a family of substituted substrates. This thesis reports the results of one such study using a family of N-acyltyramines.

The selection of N-acyltyramines was ideal because the substrates in this reaction may be related to synthesis of N-acyldopamines, which serve many important …

Tephra Transport, Sedimentation And Hazards, Alain C. M Volentik

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tephra deposits are one of the possible outcomes of explosive volcanic eruptions and are the result of vertical settling of volcanic particles that have been expelled from the volcanic vent into the atmosphere, following magma fragmentation within the volcanic conduit. Tephra fallout represents the main volcanic hazard to populated areas and critical facilities. Therefore, it is crucial to better understand processes that lead to tephra transport, sedimentation and hazards.

In this study, and based on detailed mapping and sampling of the tephra deposit of the 2450 BP Plinian eruption of Pululagua volcano (Ecuador), I investigate tephra deposits through a variety …

Perspectives On Reclaimed Water Among Urban Residents In Tampa, Florida, Jonathan Max Bloch

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Increasing urbanization coupled with increased domestic and industrial uses of water has made water conservation an important aspect of environmental management. Reclamation of wastewater is one way in which such conservation can proceed, and the aim of this thesis is to provide a case study about the perspectives of residents and officials involved in the use of reclaimed water in an urban development in Tampa, Florida. Using semi-structured interviews, it seeks to understand the range of opinions on the safety of reclaimed water, its potential prospects as an alternative drinking water supply, and its contribution to the sustainable use of …

Reducing Sediment And Bacterial Contamination In Water Using Mucilage Extracted From The Opuntia Ficus-Indica Cactus, Audrey Lynn Buttice

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the past decade an increased amount of attention has been drawn to the water contamination problems that affect the world. As a result, a variety of purification methods targeted at communities in developing countries have surfaced and, although all have contributed to the effort of improving water quality, few have been accepted and sustained for long term usage. Case studies indicate that the most beneficial methods are those which use indigenous resources, as they are both abundant and readily accepted by the communities. In an attempt to make a contribution to the search for water purification methods that can …

Characterization Of Conductive Polycarbonate Films, Selma Hokenek

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Transparency and conductivity are highly desirable qualities in materials for modern gas sensors. Polymer gas sensors have been developed in which the polymer acts as a solid electrolyte. However, these types of sensors are opaque, which limits their potential for integration with dichromatic materials. The development of a sensor integrating conductive polymer films and dichromatic materials requires the implementation of a transparent conductive polymer film. The potential of iodine-doped bisphenol-a polycarbonate films containing bis(ethylenedioxy)-tetrathiafulvalene (BEDO-TTF) dye for sensor applications will be tested through characterization of the films at various stages of their fabrication using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Transmission Electron …

Two Methodologies In Pursuit Of The Elucidation Of Copper (Ii)—Centered Bioinorganic Chemistry, William John Wagner

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Copper is a widely distributed transition metal in the earth's crust and has been adopted in a variety of biological systems. In many ways the biochemical usefulness of copper stems from its positive redox potential. This positive redox potential allows copper to assist in the movement of electrons. Copper ions can be found in natural systems as either Cu^I, Cu^II or Cu^III in part due to this redox potential. While Cu^II -centered biochemistry has been studied for years, mechanistic details in certain Cu^II -centered redox reactions remain unresolved. This study presents two methodologies for …

Constructions Of Narrative Identities Of Women Political Candidates, Amy E. Daniels

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

I evaluate the ways in which newspaper articles constructed the gendered cultural and personal narratives of a woman Presidential and a woman Vice-Presidential candidate during the 2008 Presidential Election season. Drawing upon West and Zimmerman's "Doing Gender" (1987) that explains gender is performed constantly throughout life, I assess the stories told about each candidate and the way she performed gender. There are two different types of stories created. The first is a personal narrative which tells the story of each individual candidate, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. The second is a cultural narrative which tells the story of a dis-embodied …

Meltwater And Abrupt Climate Change During The Last Deglaciation: A Gulf Of Mexico Perspective, Clare C. Williams

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

During the last deglaciation, Greenland ice core records exhibit multiple, high frequency climate events including the Oldest Dryas, Bølling-Allerød and Younger Dryas, which may be linked to meltwater routing of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS). Previous studies show episodic meltwater input, via the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) several thousand years before the onset of the Younger Dryas until ~13.0 kcal (thousand calendar) yrs, when meltwater may have switched to an eastern spillway, reducing thermohaline circulation (THC). Data from laminated Orca Basin in the GOM, constrained by 34 Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) ¹⁴C dates, provide the …

Smart Grid Reliability Assessment Under Variable Weather Conditions, Arif Islam

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The needs of contemporary electric utility customers and expectations regarding energy supply require dramatic changes in the way energy is transmitted and delivered. A smart grid is a concept by which the existing and aging electrical grid infrastructure is being upgraded with integration of multiple applications and technologies; such as two way power transfer, two way communication, renewable distributed generation, automated sensors, automated & advanced controls, central control, forecasting system and microgrids. This enables the grid to be more secure, reliable, efficient, self-healing, while reducing greenhouse gases. In addition, it will provide new products & services and fully optimize asset …

Leaching Of Active Ingredients From Blueberries And Cranberries Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide And Ethanol As An Entrainer And Analyzing Using Gc/Ms, Nada H. Elsayed

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Routine consumption of blueberries and cranberries has been shown to have great health benefits. Blueberries have high amounts of anthocyanin content per serving. Anthocyanins are known to be powerful antioxidants and are linked to the reduction of heart disease and cancer. New research suggests that the berries may also play a role in slowing down age related diseases such as memory loss and tissue damage caused by Alzheimer's. In addition the berries have a variety of essential vitamins and minerals that are important for overall health. Cranberries have long been used to treat urinary tract infections due to the high …