Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Modifiable Factors For Disability: Is There Potential For Reducing Racial Disparities In Disability In Older Age?, Mihaela A. Popa

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

White-Black disparities in disability in the older population are consistently reported in the literature, and are usually ascribed to differences in socio-economic, health, and cognitive status. However, the role of modifiable influences on disability, such as health and lifestyle behaviors or health care utilization on these differences is less clear. This dissertation examines: (1) longitudinal White-Black differences in disability and the potential contributions of distinct health behaviors to these differences; (2) White-Black differences in the effects of health care utilization on trajectories of disability; and (3) whether cognition mediates the effects of health behaviors on disability in Whites and in …

Real Challenges, Virtual Challengers: The Democracy For America Movement, Noah Porter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The project examines the effects of Internet use by the social movement organization (SMO) Dean for America/Democracy for America (DFA). This study describes the relationship between Internet usage and SMO beliefs, organization, causes, reasons for joining, strategies, reactions, and effects. Dean for America started out with few resources or supporters, and was seen as an unlikely contender for the 2004 presidential campaign. From its humble beginnings, it skyrocketed from being virtually unknown to frontrunner status in the span of a year. After Howard Dean withdrew from the race in February 2004, Dean for America transformed itself into Democracy for America, …

A 1400-Year Multi-Proxy Record Of Climate Variability From The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Julie N. Richey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A continuous, decadal-scale resolution multi-proxy record of climate variability over the past 1400 years in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) was constructed from a box core recovered in the Pigmy Basin. Proxies include paired analyses of Mg/Ca and oxygen isotopes in the white variety of the planktic foraminifer Globigerinoides ruber and relative abundance variations of G. sacculifer in the foraminifer assemblages. Two multi-decadal intervals of sustained high Mg/Ca values indicate GOM sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) were as warm or warmer than near-modern conditions between 1000 and 1400 yrs BP. Foraminiferal Mg/Ca values during the coolest interval of the Little Ice …

The Influence Of The Loop Current On The Diversity, Abundance And Distribution Of Zooplankton In The Gulf Of Mexico, Katie Rathmell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Physical processes in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and mesoscale (10-300 km) processes associated with the Loop Current are fairly well known. However, little is known about the physical/ biological interactions of the frontal boundary system of the Loop Current. Zooplankton abundance and distribution was determined at 28 stations in the vicinity of the Loop Current. Species richness was high at all stations. Copepods comprised 60% of the total zooplankton collected. Oithona plumifera, Nannocalanus minor and Euchaeta marina were the most abundant copepods. Chaetognaths and ostracods were also very abundant and made up 11 and 5 % respectively of the …

Just Regular Folks: An Ethnographic Study Of Identity In A Gay And Lesbian Catholic Community In South Florida, Shawn M. Perkins

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Much of the research done on religious gays and lesbians has focused upon the cognitive strategies they employ in order to negotiate conflicts experienced between their religious and sexual identities. In contrast to taking a psychological approach, this study focuses upon the role of social context in helping gay and lesbian Catholics to successfully negotiate their religious and sexual identities. Using participant-observation data of a small gay and lesbian Catholic community, the Holy Cross Community (HCC), as well as from interviews with ten of its members, I examine the role of the interpersonal context in identity processes. I outline the …

Automatic Geo-Referencing By Integrating Camera Vision And Inertial Measurements, Duminda I. B Randeniya

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Importance of an alternative sensor system to an inertial measurement unit (IMU) is essential for intelligent land navigation systems when the vehicle travels in a GPS deprived environment. The sensor system that has to be used in updating the IMU for a reliable navigation solution has to be a passive sensor system which does not depend on any outside signal. This dissertation presents the results of an effort where position and orientation data from vision and inertial sensors are integrated. Information from a sequence of images captured by a monocular camera attached to a survey vehicle at a maximum frequency …

Linkage-Based Prosthetic Fingertips: Analysis And Testing, Issa A. Ramirez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis consists of the research on linkage-based fingertips for prosthetic hands. These fingertips consists of small polycentric mechanisms attached to what would be the pulp in normal anatomical fingers. These mechanisms allow the prosthetic hand to conform to the shape of objects during grasp. The goal of these prosthetic fingertips is to maximize the functionality of the hand while minimizing the number of inputs that the user has to control. The stability of the fingertip mechanisms is analyzed using the principle of virtual work. From this analysis we are able to show that the fingertip mechanism is stable for …

Third Grade Retention And Florida’S Pupil Progression Plan: Individual And School Characteristics Associated With Long-Term Outcomes In Reading Performance, Heather A. Powell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Literacy is a growing national concern that has resulted in federal legislation (e.g., the No Child Left Behind Act) instituting higher accountability for states and schools with regard to reading instruction and remediation. As a result, Florida's statewide measure of achievement, the reading portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT-Reading) is now tied to retention decisions for students in the third grade as part of the pupil progression plan for the state. In its first year of implementation (2003), 23% of third-grade students failed the FCAT and over 28,000 were retained. Though failure rates are decreasing, (i.e., 6% of …

Relationship Between Nurses’ Management Of Pediatric Oncology Patients’ Symptoms And Job Satisfaction, Jennifer I. Rheingans

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A primary function of the pediatric oncology nurse is to provide symptom management to children with cancer. Symptom management strategies have been published, but there is scarce literature examining neither the actual use of these nursing interventions, nor the effects of using these interventions on the nurses' perceived work environment. The purpose of this study was to examine the nursing interventions used in treating pediatric oncology patients' symptoms, as well as the emotional sequelae from providing this care. Phase One of this study examined the content validity of the newly developed Nurses Distress and Interventions for Symptoms Survey (NDISS) utilizing …

Destabilization And Characterization Of Libh4/Mgh2 Complex Hydride For Hydrogen Storage, Luis A. Rivera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The demands on Hydrogen fuel based technologies is ever increasing for substitution or replacing fossil fuel due to superior energy sustainability, national security and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, the polymer based proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), is strongly considered for on-board hydrogen storage vehicles due to low temperature operation, efficiency and low environmental impact. However, the realization of PEMFC vehicles must overcome the portable hydrogen storage barrier. DOE and FreedomCAR technical hydrogen storage targets for the case of solid state hydrides are: (1) volumetric hydrogen density > 0.045 kgH2/L, (2) gravimetric hydrogen density > 6.0 wt%, (3) operating temperature < 150 degrees C, (4) lifetimes of 1000 cycles, and (5) a fast rate of H2 absorption and desorption. To meet these targets, we have focused on lithium borohydride systems; an alkali metal complex hydride with a high theoretical hydrogen capacity of 18 wt.%.

It …

Determinants Of Female Labor Force Participation In Venezuela: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Betilde Rincon De Munoz

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to fill the gap in research about women in Venezuela by investigating the determinants of their labor force participation between 1995 and 1998. The Central Office of Statistics and Information in Venezuela provides cross-sectional data collected semiannually about individual, demographic, socio-economic and geographical characteristics of individuals living in Venezuela during this period. This study uses binomial and multinomial logit models to test a number of hypotheses. First, the full sample of women between 15 and 60 years old is used to investigate the importance of individual, demographic, socioeconomic, and geographical characteristics in the labor …

Factors Perceived To Contribute To Mathematics Avoidance Or Mathematics Confidence In Non-Traditional Age Women Attending A Community College, Jo Ann K Rawley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, the number of students entering postsecondary institutions immediately after high school has been decreasing, while the number of non-traditional aged students, defined as adults over 25, has substantially increased, with women making up the majority of this adult student group. Mathematics education is an area where non-traditional age women tend to have difficulty. Fifteen individual interviews were conducted with non-traditional age women enrolled in a community college, 10 identifying mathematics as the subject they would least enjoy and 5 identifying mathematics as the subject they would most enjoy. Data were analyzed by comparing the women's stories …

Perceptions Of Senior Faculty Concerning Doctoral Student Preparation For Faculty Roles, Jennifer M. Purcell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Calls for reform in doctoral education are not new. However, the past decade has experienced renewed interest and discussion in preparing the future professoriate. Whereas most studies of graduate student socialization and preparation for faculty roles have focused on doctoral students or new faculty, this study examined the perceptions of senior faculty members involved in doctoral education. All senior faculty (n=4970) in biological sciences, English, mathematics, and non-clinical psychology from a stratified sample of 69 research universities nationwide were invited to participate. More than 1150 faculty completed a web-based survey. Respondents rated the importance of 18 competencies (based on a …

Determining Habitat Preferences Of The Juvenile Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus) Using Spatially Modeled Vegetation On A Central Florida Sandhill, Kristan Marie Nicole Raymond

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Public and private conservation areas are becoming increasingly important to the continued survival of the gopher tortoise, making it imperative that land managers know the specific habitat requirements of juvenile gopher tortoises because recruitment is key to species persistence. Little is currently known about environmental factors that underlie hatchling and juvenile survival and recruitment in gopher tortoise populations. Because of the short duration and distance of juvenile tortoise foraging journeys, food availability, thermoregulatory conditions, and refugia near the burrow may considerably affect juvenile growth and survival. This two-year study of a central Florida sandhill examines the spatial relationship between juvenile …

Bcl-2 Related Ovarian Killer, Bok, Is Cell Cycle Regulated And Sensitizes To Stress-Induced Apoptosis, José M. Rodríguez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bok/Mtd (Bcl-2-related ovarian killer/Matador) is considered a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family. Though identified in 1997, little is known about its biological role. We have previously demonstrated that Bok mRNA is upregulated following E2F1 over-expression. In the current work, we demonstrate that Bok RNA is low in quiescent cells and rises upon serum stimulation. To determine the mechanism underlying this regulation, we cloned and characterized the mouse Bok promoter. We find that the mouse promoter contains a conserved E2F binding site (-43 to -49) and that a Bok promoter-driven luciferase reporter is activated by serum stimulation dependent on this …

Credibility Perceptions Of Television And Online News, Charmy G. Sabigan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Three major factors influence audience's credibility perception of mediated news on television and on the internet. This study found that reporters' credibility, media credibility, and news credibility had direct influence to the credibility of news presented on both media. Reporters' credibility on both media could be measured by their expertise, intelligence, education, trustworthiness, and authoritativeness. Television and the internet were evaluated differently. Television was measured by its comprehensiveness, concern for the interest of the public, and fairness. The internet was assessed on its trustworthiness, consideration of public interest, and objectivity. News credibility for both media, however, could be evaluated using …

An Experimental Study Of Pro-Dieting And Anti-Dieting Psychoeducational Messages: Effects On Immediate And Short-Term Psychological Functioning And Weight Control Practices In College Women, Megan Roehrig

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While dieting is relatively normative in our society, it is controversial within the fields of eating disorders and obesity. Dieting for weight loss has been touted by the obesity prevention field as a solution to the growing obesity epidemic, yet a body of research in the eating disorders field has also implicated it in the etiology and maintenance of eating pathology. Thus, a divergence in approaches toward dieting has emerged, with both prodieting and anti-dieting messages being recommended. Little is known, however, about the impact of these two types of messages on immediate and short-term psychological functioning and weight control …

Perception Of Educational Experiences By At-Risk African-American Students In An Undergraduate Teacher Education Program, Sharman Pride-Mcrae

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore individual perceptions of African-American at-risk students in an undergraduate teacher education program, specifically continuing students or community college transfer students in a four-year urban university College of Education (COE) program. Specific areas of interest included: (a) demographic characteristics profiling the study participants; (b) emotional and motivational factors as they affected the students; and (c) the personal thoughts and effect of institutional and environmental variables and administrative factors. Ten females volunteered to participate in a semi-structured interview. The 22 semi-structured interview questions were developed by the researcher. The questions captured the individual personal …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Interfaces Between Naturally Derived And Synthetic Nanostructures For Biomedical Applications, Souheil Zekri

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The use of nanotechnology to develop methods for fabrication and characterization of organized hybrid nanostructures that include integrated polymeric, biological and inorganic compounds has increased exponentially during the last decade. Such bio-nano-composite materials could be used in solving current biomedical problems spanning from nanomedicine to tissue engineering and biosensing. In this dissertation, a systematic study has been carried out on the synthesis, characterization, of two interfaces between naturally derived and synthetic nanostructures. Carbon nanotubes and porous silicon represent the synthetic nanostructures that were developed for the purpose of interfacing with the naturally derived bovine type I collagen and respiratory syncytial …

Modeling Considerations For Vadose Zone Soil Moisture Dynamics, Jing Zhang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Reproducing moisture retention behavior of the upper and lower vadose zone in shallow water table settings provides unique challenges for integrated (combined surface and groundwater) hydrological models. Field studies indicate that moisture retention in shallow water table settings is highly variably affected by antecedent state and air entrapment. The theory and vertical behavior of a recently developed integrated surface and groundwater model (IHM) is examined through comparisons to collected field data in West-Central Florida. The objectives of this study were to (1) Identify important considerations and behavior of the vadose zone for reproducing runoff, ET and recharge in shallow water …

Body Image, Attitudes, And Self-Efficacy As Predictors Of Past Behavior And Future Intention To Perform Breast And Skin Self-Examinations, Sari R. Chait

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Breast self-examinations (BSE) and skin self-examinations (SSE) provide people with a cost-effective and time-efficient approach to the detection of cancer. Given the utility of these self-examination behaviors, it is important to determine who is likely to perform them regularly and why. Prior research has demonstrated a relationship of attitudes and self-efficacy with performance of and intention to practice the exams. Body image, although not previously studied, can be hypothesized to influence performance of these behaviors as well. To address these issues, the current study sought to determine if there are relationships between attitudes, self-efficacy, and body image and the practice …

Landscape Change In The South Prong Alafia River Basin, Kimberly Sarah Koenig

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

West-central Florida has supplied much of the national and global demand for phosphate for over 100 years. The two main tributaries of the Alafia River, the North and South Prongs, have been extensively modified by the strip mining, benefaction, and chemical processing activities associated with the phosphate mining industry. Using aerial photos, an analysis of landscape change in the South Prong Alafia River drainage basin (357.4 km2) between 1940, 1970, and 2004 was conducted. A modified Florida Land Use, Land Cover, and Forms Classification System code (FLUCCS) was used to classify and measure change through the study period. Change in …

Awakening Days At Dead River, Edward Curry Woodward

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Awakening Days at Dead River traces the history of a remote public park in north Hillsborough County that was once a privately-owned riverside enclave with modest cabins, and home to a popular fish camp on the Hillsborough River. The timeframe focuses on the mid-twentieth century to present, with a contextual background of earlier history in the immediate area. The story recounts the adventures and challenges of a select group of homeowners and visitors who experienced life on the Hillsborough and Dead Rivers during that timeframe. It also shows how the area evolved into a public property when regional flood control …

A Family’S Deadly Sin: Fatal Child Abuse In Florida An Anthropological Perspective On Child Deaths Due To Abuse And Neglect, Christa A. Williams

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines child death data in an effort to assist in prevention and intervention, as well as, to provide quantitative and qualitative analysis to improve and enhance policy development around child deaths due to abuse and neglect in Florida. The data reviewed consisted of aggregate data for all incidents of child deaths (N = 266) in Florida where the primary caregiver was the alleged perpetrator of a child fatality for children under age 18. All data examined were recorded and stored in the Department of Children and Families’ Child Safety Assessment database between 1998 and 2000.

According to national …

Design Of Metal-Organic Framework Materials Based Upon Inorganic Clusters And Polycarboxylates, Zhenqiang Wang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Network structures based upon metal-organic backbones represent a new class of functional materials that can be rationally constructed by employing the concepts of supramolecular chemistry and crystal engineering. The modularity of design strategies, the diversity of prototypal structures, and the dynamic features of networks have afforded great advantages over traditional materials syntheses. The research presented in this dissertation is primarily concerned with developing an in-depth understanding of the basic principles that govern the supramolecular behaviors of metal-organic frameworks and gaining an experimental control over the structure and function of these new classes of hybrid materials.

The use of rigid and …

Low Voltage Electrochemical Hydrogen Production, Eric P. Weaver

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hydrogen production is dependent on natural gas, 90% in the U.S. and 48% of the world’s production. Natural gas supply is dwindling and it’s price is increasing. Greenhouse gases and air pollutants are emitted when natural gas is used. In a single product production facility, coal is not competitive with natural gas for hydrogen production at current prices. Hydrogen production by direct electrochemical dissociation of water requires a relatively high voltage.

Techniques have been developed for manufacturing hydrogen as a lucrative byproduct of IGCC electric power generation, refinery sulfur production and sulfuric acid production for fertilizer production. Laboratory experiments have …

Statistical Environmental Models: Hurricanes, Lightning, Rainfall, Floods, Red Tide And Volcanoes, Rebecca Dyanne Wooten

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study consists of developing descriptive, parametric, linear and non-linear statistical models for such natural phenomena as hurricanes, lightning, flooding, red tide and volcanic fallout. In the present study, the focus of research is determining the stochastic nature of phenomena in the environment. These statistical models are necessary to address the variability of nature and the misgivings of the deterministic models, particularly when considering the necessity for man to estimate the occurrence and prepare for the aftermath.

The relationship between statistics and physics looking at the correlation between wind speed and pressure versus wind speed and temperature play a significant …

A Comparison Of The Perceived Performance Of Mentoring Functions Of National Boardcertified And Non-National Board-Certified Teachers With Their Protégés, Amy Jo Smith Wilson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

National Board-certified (NBC) teachers are recognized as accomplished teachers who have met the National Board’s stringent standards. These teachers are encouraged to serve as mentors to novice teachers and veteran teachers in candidacy for National Board Certification. This study identified and compared the career and psychosocial mentoring functions that NBC teacher mentors and non-NBC teacher mentors perceived they provided to their protégés at the elementary grade levels. National Board-certified protégés’ perceptions of having the functions provided were compared with those of their teacher mentors and with the protégés of non-NBC teacher mentors.

The research was conducted in a large urban …

The Sertoli Cell-Spermatid Junctional Complex: A Potential Avenue For Male Contraception, Katja Margrit Wolski

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specialization is a specialized domain of the calcium-dependent Sertoli-spermatid adherens junction. Structurally abnormal or absent Sertoli ectoplasmic specializations are associated with spermatid sloughing and subsequent oligospermia in conditions associated with reduced fertility potential, although the junctional strength between these cells is not known. Adjudin is a potential male contraceptive agent thought to interrupt testicular binding dynamics of adherens junctions, resulting in controlled spermatid sloughing.

It was hypothesized that the mechanism of action of Adjudin, pertinent to its putative contraceptive effect, is the disruption of the Sertoli cell-spermatid junction. This was tested in vitro using primary isolates …

The Relationship Between Sleep, Behavior, And Pre-Academic Skills In Pre-Kindergarteners, Rachel B. Witte

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine prevalence rates of several sleep disorders symptoms in young children, and the relationship between symptoms of pediatric sleep disorders and other childhood problems. Eighty-six children aged 3 to 5 years were studied through parent report and academic assessment. Children rated as high risk for having a sleep disorder displayed more externalizing and internalizing problems, less developed social skills, and lower scores on a measure of pre-academic skills, as compared to children whose sleep was rated in the normal range. It was found that 33% of children were at high risk for having …