American Studies Commons^™

Participatory Fandom In American Culture: A Qualitative Case Study Of Dragoncon Attendees, Katherine L. Fleming

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With the rise of the mass media over the last century, fame and celebrity seem to have evolved into ever-growing phenomena. Likewise, audience members have sought increasing involvement with people or activities related to the focus of their interest. These individuals are not content to simply watch their favorite actors or films from home. Instead, they take a more active approach, engaging in activities related to their fandom as well as seeking interaction with each other in organized groups (in person and on the Internet), attending conventions, and seeking interaction with celebrities.

This study presents a discussion of fame, celebrity, …

Family Affairs Newsletter 2007-11-15, Jean Vermette

Family Affairs newsletter (2004-2016)

FAMILY AFFAIRS was a free, twice-a-month, social activities newsletter for the GLBTQI (gay/lesbian/bisexual/trans/queer/intersex) community, sent out around the 1st and 15th of each month. It covered the State of Maine only. The list was begun and maintained for many years by Jean Vermette in Bangor, and later operated by Zack Paakkonen of Portland. Over the years it evolved from a social activities newsletter into a business directory, classified ad service, and community bulletin board.

Born And Bred: The Making Of A 21st Century College-Bred African American: A Re-Examination Of Atlanta University’S 1910 Study “The College-Bred Negro American” Edited By W.E.B. Du Bois, Ph.D And Augustus Granville Dill, A.M., Michael E. Carter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 1910 Atlanta University published the findings of an extensive study of universities in the United States which Negroes attended. For this, study both quantitative and qualitative data was collected. The quantitative data was derived from the school catalogs and information provided directly from the Negro colleges (Du Bois & Dill, 1910). Data was collected on student enrollment, courses of study selected by the students and degrees conferred. The qualitative data was derived from survey information provided by 800 Negro, college graduates¹. In addition to basic statistical information respondents were asked to provide information on their hopes, aspirations and expectations …

Land Use Policy And Practices In Karst Terrains, Spencer Fleury

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Karst topography is the result of a specific combination of geological conditions, precipitation, biota, and temperature, and is characterized by the gradual solution of the underlying bedrock and the development of underground drainage routes for surficial runoff. Many of these karst landscapes are found in urbanized areas, where the potential for anthropogenic impact is quite high. In many instances, municipalities on karst terrains choose to mitigate these impacts by implementing ordinances that place restrictions on permissible land uses near karst landforms. This dissertation asks the question: are the impacts of karst-related land use regulation on human / social systems significant …

Trace Metals And Stable Isotopes As Tracers Of Life History And Trophic Connections In Estuarine-Dependent Fish From Tampa Bay, Florida, Linae Marie Boehme-Terrana

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Florida's estuaries support a wide range of species yet little is known about tracemetal cycling among members of this important ecosystem. To examine the flow of trace metals through the Tampa Bay estuary, four fish species representing different trophic levels were analyzed for copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and stable isotopes of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Species selected were the striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), tidewater mojarra (Eucinostomus harengulus), bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), and sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius). Juvenile fish were collected from the Alafia, Hillsborough, Palm, and Little Manatee Rivers. Adults were …

Organizational Form Of Disease Management Programs: A Transaction Cost Analysis, Nahush Chandaver

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Patient care programs such as wellness, preventive care and specifically disease management programs, which target the chronically ill population, are designed to reduce healthcare costs and improve health, while promoting the efficient use of healthcare resources, and increasing productivity. The organizational form adopted by the health plan for these programs, i.e. in-sourced vs. outsourced is an important factor in the success of these programs and the extent to which the core objectives listed above are fulfilled.

Transaction cost economics aims to explain the working arrangement for an organization and to explain why sourcing decisions were made by considering alternate organizational …

The Validity Of Personality Trait Interactions For The Prediction Of Managerial Job Performance, Amy M. Taylor

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Personality variables have been shown to be significant predictors of job performance (Barrick & Mount, 1991; Tett, Jackson, & Rothstein, 1991). Recent advances in methodology for analyzing personality-job performance relationships indicate that interactions among traits may yield incremental validity. Job types in which performance has been shown to relate to trait interactions include clerical jobs, jobs with high interpersonal components, and jobs in realistic and conventional contexts, (Witt, Burke, Barrick, & Mount, 2002; Burke & Witt, 2002; and Burke & Witt, 2004). This study examined the validity of trait interactions for the prediction of managerial job performance. Hypotheses included a …

Effects Of Nutrients From The Water Column On The Growth Of Benthic Microalgae In Permeable Sediments, Brian P. Darrow

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In some continental shelf sediments integrated benthic microalgal biomass is greater than the integrated phytoplankton biomass in the overlying water column. In addition, benthic microalgae may account for up to 10% of the primary production responsible for the coastal fishery yield of the eastern United States.

A three-dimensional model of the eastern Gulf of Mexico examines the effects of water-column nutrient sources on the growth of benthic microalgae. To parameterize the exchange of nutrients across the sediment/water interface in these permeable sediments, a non-local exchange submodel was constructed and tested within the framework of the model's grid.

Based on the …

Standing Up With The King: A Critical Look At Stephen King's Epic, Jenifer Michelle D'Elia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, it is my intention to show how Stephen King transcends genre, creates and maintains a viable Secondary Reality, and treats capably those literary techniques that critics expect of a serious writer. In addition, I will discuss the ways in which King has secured the loyalty of his Constant Reader. The primary means of my analysis will be through a close reading of the "expanded and uncut" version of The Stand, one of the classics in King's arsenal.

I will begin with an overview of the general set-up in the novel---the start in Arnette, Texas, the actions …

Florida Red Tides: Public Perceptions Of Risk, Sara E. Allen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research integrates the theoretical implications of risk perception, the social amplification of risk, and the role of place-specific contexts, in order to explore the various perceptions surrounding Florida red tides. Florida red tides are a naturally-occurring event, yet most scientists agree that they are increasing in frequency, duration, and severity. This has profound implication for public health, the local economy, and the biological community. While many of the negative impacts are not easily controllable at this time, some of the secondary impacts can be mitigated through individuals' responses. Unfortunately, public perceptions and consequent reactions to red tides have not …

Equilibrium Bidding In Joint Transmission And Energy Markets, Cihan Babayigit

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Participants in deregulated electric power markets compete for financial transmission rights (FTRs) to hedge against losses due to transmission congestion by submitting bids to the independent system operator (ISO). The ISO obtains an FTR allocation, that maximizes sales revenue while satisfying simultaneous feasibility. This FTR allocation remains in place for a length of time during which the participants compete in the energy market to maximize their total payoff from both FTR and energy markets. Energy markets (bi-lateral, day ahead, real time) continue until the the end of the current FTR period, at which time the participants can choose to modify …

Mechanical Properties Of Silicon Carbide (Sic) Thin Films, Jayadeep Deva Reddy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There is a technological need for hard thin films with high elastic modulus. Silicon Carbide (SiC) fulfills such requirements with a variety of applications in high temperature and MEMS devices. A detailed study of SiC thin films mechanical properties was performed by means of nanoindentation. The report is on the comparative studies of the mechanical properties of epitaxially grown cubic (3C) single crystalline and polycrystalline SiC thin films on Si substrates. The thickness of both the Single and polycrystalline SiC samples were around 1-2 µm. Under indentation loads below 500 µ-Newton both films exhibit Elastic contact without plastic deformation. Based …

Mounted On A Pedestal: Bertha Honoré Palmer, Hope L. Black

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The thesis Mounted on a Pedestal, chronicles the life of Bertha Honoré Palmer. The focus of her story are the years after 1910, when she traveled to Sarasota, Florida and heralded the flight to the southernmost state, leading the pack in the purchase and development of land in the Sarasota/ Tampa Bay area. The totality of her years prior to that time serve as a prelude to her accomplishments and the vicissitudes of her life in the sleepy little fishing village she found.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1849, she was provided with a privileged, comfortable childhood and a …

Nano Scale Based Model Development For Mems To Nems Migration, Andres Lombo Carrasquilla

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A novel integrated modeling methodology for NEMS is presented. Nano scale device models include typical effects found, at this scale, in various domains. The methodology facilitates the insertion of quantum corrections to nanoscale device models when they are simulated within multi-domain environments, as is performed in the MEMS industry. This methodology includes domain-oriented approximations from ab-initio modeling. In addition, the methodology includes the selection of quantum mechanical compact models that can be integrated with basic electronic circuits or non-electronic lumped element models.

Nanoelectronic device modeling integration in mixed signal systems is reported. The modeling results are compatible with standard hardware …

Design And Modeling Of A Bistable Spherical Compliant Micromechanism, Joseph Georges Choueifati

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Compliant bistable mechanisms are mechanisms that have two stable equilibrium positions within their range of motion. Their bistability is mainly due to the elasticity of their members. This thesis introduces a new type of bistable micromechanisms, the Bistable, Spherical, Compliant, four-bar Micromechanism (BSCM). Theory to predict bistable positions and configurations is also developed. Bistabilty was demonstrated through testing done on micro-prototypes. Compared to the mathematical model of the BSCM, Finite element models of the BSCM indicated important qualitative differences in the mechanism's stability behavior and its input-angle-input torque relation. The BSCM has many valuable features, such as: Two stable positions …

Examining Physicians’ Motivations To Volunteer: An Applied Visual Anthropological Approach, Jess Paul Ambiee

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the U.S., the number of persons who cannot afford health care continues to rise. Providing a "safety net" for such persons is becoming increasingly important. Medical professional volunteerism provides access to health care for people who have little or no access to health care otherwise.

At a not-for-profit free health clinic in Tampa, Florida, hundreds of physicians have volunteered their time in an attempt to reduce the health care gap in their community. The clinic sees thousands of persons who have very limited options in regards to their health care. This study investigates the reasons physicians volunteer and the …

The Coping Strategies Of Highly Identified Sport Fans: The Importance Of Team Success On Tendencies To Utilize Proactive Pessimism, Frederick G. Grieve, Daniel L. Wann

Psychology Faculty Publications

The authors investigated the use of proactive pessimism among college basketball fans. Rather than assess evaluations of an upcoming season as with previous work on proactive pessimism among fans, Grieve and Wann examined evaluations of a specific game.

Basket Making In The Mammoth Cave Area (Fa 98), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 98. Project entitled "Basket Making in the Mammoth Cave Area." Interviews with basket makers concerning the history, process, marketing and distribution, social attitudes, historical patterns and aesthetics of basket making. Only transcriptions of the interviews were donated. Interviews were conducted by WKU students in Lynwood Montell's Folk Art and Technology class, Fall 1977; also includes one 1974 interview.

Processing And Characterization Of Zinc Oxide Thin Films, Michael Depaz

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Zinc oxide is a very versatile material that can be used in many microsystems and MEMS applications. ZnO thin film has been utilized in a wide variety of MEMS devices because of its unique piezoelectric, optical, and electrical properties. In particular, piezoelectric property of ZnO can be used in numerous applications from resonators and filters to mass sensors and micro-actuators (e.g., micro-valve and micro-pump). Because of its versatility, this research was focused on analyzing some key properties of ZnO thin film achieved by two different deposition techniques, Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) and Sputtering. Multiple experiments were conducted in order to …

The Relationship Of Cognitive, Emotional, And Interpersonal Factors To Screening And Health­Promoting Behaviors Among Sisters Of Breast Cancer Patients, Sheri Jacobs Hartman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While sisters of breast cancer patients are at increased risk for developing breast cancer due to their family cancer history and age, little research with first-degree relatives of cancer patients has focused solely on sisters. To address this issue, the current study examined sisters screening and health behaviors and the predictors of these behaviors. In accordance with the Parallel Processing Theory, the current study assessed the relationship of cognitive and emotional factors to screening and health-promoting behaviors among sisters of breast cancer patients. In addition, this study expanded upon the Parallel Processing Theory by also examining the relationship of interpersonal …

Development Of A Scale To Measure Parenting In Hispanic Adolescents’ Families, Evelyn Marie Alvarez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The ultimate goal of this research was to provide a tool to adequately examine the relationship that parenting style has with Hispanic youths' academic and behavioral outcomes. A review of the literature reveals that the field is lacking an appropriate, culturally sensitive, paper-and-pencil measure of parenting of Hispanic adolescents with adolescents reporting on their parents' behavior. Current measures were not developed with Hispanic families in mind, but rather were evaluated for use with Hispanic populations after the development phase. Therefore, the current study sought to fill this gap in the research on parenting by constructing a measure of parenting that …

Situating The Perception And Communication Of Flood Risk: Components And Strategies, Heather M. Bell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Loss prevention and distribution must begin well before a flood event at multiple levels. However, the benchmarks and terminology we use to manage and communicate flood risk may be working against this goal. U.S. flood policy is based upon a flood with a one percent chance of occurring in any year. Commonly called the "hundred year flood," it has been upheld as a policy criterion, but many have questioned the effectiveness of hundred year flood terminology in public communication.

This research examined public perceptions of the hundred year flood and evaluated the comparative effectiveness of this term and two other …

Friendships Between Men: Masculinity As A Relational Experience, Matthew L. Brooks

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is an auto/ethnographic account of close friendships between the researcher and other men. The various narratives contain intimate dialogues about being a man, having friends, and the process of resisting and succumbing to orthodox masculinity. The purpose of the research was to investigate and artfully depict the communication and development of close friendships between the researcher and other men, in hope of gaining more knowledge of the difficulty forming and maintaining male friendships given the strictures of orthodox masculinity.

The research combines methods of autoethnography and dialogic conversations with four male friends. In the first chapter I set …

Historical Assessment And Archeological Survey Of 4.9 Miles Of Fm 2092 From Menard To Fivemile Crossing, Menard County, Texas, Jennifer K. Mcwilliams, Douglas K. Boyd, Celine Finney

Index of Texas Archaeology: Open Access Gray Literature from the Lone Star State

This preliminary report describes historical research and an intensive archeological survey conducted for a 4.9-mile-long stretch of FM 2092 in Menard County by Prewitt and Associates, Inc. The work was performed for the Texas Department of Transportation in conjunction with a road improvement project beginning at the eastern Menard city limit and extending eastward to just beyond Fivemile Crossing. Crossing over Pleistocene and Holocene alluvial terraces of the San Saba River, the project area is located in a high-probability area for buried prehistoric sites and has a dynamic history of intensive use since Spanish colonial times. Investigations included geoarcheological mapping, …

Family Affairs Newsletter 2007-11-01, Jean Vermette

Family Affairs newsletter (2004-2016)

FAMILY AFFAIRS was a free, twice-a-month, social activities newsletter for the GLBTQI (gay/lesbian/bisexual/trans/queer/intersex) community, sent out around the 1st and 15th of each month. It covered the State of Maine only. The list was begun and maintained for many years by Jean Vermette in Bangor, and later operated by Zack Paakkonen of Portland. Over the years it evolved from a social activities newsletter into a business directory, classified ad service, and community bulletin board.

Statistical Analysis Of Fastener Vibration Life Tests, Christopher Cheatham

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents methods to statistically quantify data from fastener vibration life tests. Data from fastener vibration life tests with secondary locking features of threaded inserts is used. Threaded inserts in three different configurations are examined: no locking feature, prevailing torque locking feature, and adhesive locking feature. Useful composite plots were developed by extracting minimum preloads versus cycles from test data. Minimum preloads were extracted due to the overlapping of varying test data and because the minimum preload is of most interest in such tests.

In addition to composite plots, descriptive statistics of the samples were determined including mean, median, …

A Gis-Based Approach To Evaluating Changes In Wetland Areal Extent And Structure Between 1926 And 1999 For Selected Hydrological Sub-Basins In Pinellas County, Florida, Pamela J. Fetterman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A GIS-based study was undertaken comparing wetland coverages in 1926 and 1999 in selected sub-basins within Pinellas County, Florida, one of the most highly urbanized counties in south-central Florida with almost 50% of the existing land area developed into industrial, commercial or residential land uses (Pinellas County Planning Department, 2002). Wetlands were digitized from rectified 1926 aerials and classified according to the FLUCCS classification system. Wetland coverage for the 1999 data set was extracted from FLUCCS 1999 land use coverage provided by the SWFWMD, and topology for both the 1926 and 1999 wetland and surface waters were created. Statistical and …

Measuring Diversity Management Skill: Development And Validation Of A Situational Judgment Test, Andrew Biga

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As a result of both demographic and social changes in the U.S., organizations have become much more diverse. Diversity presents unique challenges for management as it is linked to both positive and negative organizational performance outcomes (Mannix & Neale, 2005). Diversity, by itself, may not be sufficient to achieve competitive advantage. Effective diversity management becomes an important issue for organizations to consider. The current research uses Situational Judgment Test (SJT) methodology to develop an assessment measuring Diversity Management Skill. The development of a SJT involves a three-step process: Creation of critical incidents, generation of response options, and use of SME …

Thermochemical Treatment Of Tio2 Nanoparticles For Photocatalytic Applications, Mark Schmidt

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Titanium Dioxide (TiO 2) has been considered an ideal photocatalyst due to

factors such as its photocatalytic properties, chemical stability, impact on the

environment and cost. However, its application has been primarily limited to

ultraviolet (UV) environments due to its high band gap (3.2 eV). This high band

gap limits the harvesting of photons to approximately 4% of sunlight radiation.

Research today is focused on lowering this gap by doping or coupling TiO 2 with

other semiconductors, transition metals and non-metal anions, thereby

expanding its effectiveness well into the visible range.

This thesis explores the effects of thermal and thermochemical …

Dependency Of Loosening Parameters On Secondary Locking Features Of Threaded Inserts, Carlos Felipe Acosta

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a study of the dependency of loosening parameters on secondary locking features of threaded inserts subjected to dynamic shear loads. Secondary locking is used to assist and/or provide redundancy to the primary locking feature (threads) in preventing preload loss in almost any mechanical applications. Two different secondary locking features are studied: the Locking Heli-Coil insert and the Loctite Threadlocker (R) applied before assembly to a Standard Heli-Coil insert. Five parameters are studied in this thesis: percentage loss of initial preload, initial rate of preload loss, secondary rate of preload loss, steady-state value, and the final preload value. …