American Studies Commons^™

Seepage Rates In Closed Basins, Volha Martysevich

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Seepage is an important component of the water budget in closed basins that do not have surface water drainage features. In the shallow water table environment of Florida, internal drainage of soil controls flooding. With the recent rapid population growth and urban development in the state, a simple, field-based method is needed to estimate seepage rates. In this study five locations in Hillsborough County, Florida, were instrumented with wells with pressure transducers measuring water level fluctuations at 1 minute resolution. For closed basins with lakes, evaporation (E) rates were determined using data from a weather station and Penman-Monteith FAO56 method, …

Modeling And Growth Of The 3c-Sic Heteroepitaxial System Via Chloride Chemistry, Meralys Reyes-Natal

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation study describes the development of novel heteroepitaxial growth of 3C-SiC layers by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). It was hypothesized that chloride addition to the "traditional" propane-silane-hydrogen precursors system will enhance the deposition growth rate and improve the material quality via reduced defect density. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations were performed to obtain a criterion for which chloride specie to select for experimentation. This included the chlorocarbons, chlorosilanes, and hydrogen chloride (HCl) chloride containing groups. This study revealed no difference in the most dominant species present in the equilibrium composition mixture between the groups considered. Therefore, HCl was the chloride specie …

Cultural Factors And Concepts Of Pollution: Colorectal Cancer And Health Behaviors Among Ashkenazi Jewish Women, Karen Besterman-Dahan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in Ashkenazi Jews has been found to be highest of any ethnic group in the world (Feldman, 2001). It is currently unclear how culture and religion influence health behaviors of U.S. Ashkenazi Jews, as well as what other socio-cultural factors influence AJ women's attitudes towards CRC risk and screening practices. This study aimed at exploring and describing the cultural and religious influences on health behaviors and beliefs related to CRC in Ashkenazi Jewish women. Research participants included seven key informants (rabbis) and forty-two Ashkenazi Jewish women ages 50 and up. Methods included in-depth, qualitative interviews …

Rice, Alice Caldwell (Hegan), 1870-1942 (Sc 1780), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 1780. Brief letter, 9 June 1917, from author Alice Hegan Rice, Louisville, Kentucky, to a Miss Stearns complimenting her on the attractiveness of her book plate.

The Robustness Of Rasch True Score Preequating To Violations Of Model Assumptions Under Equivalent And Nonequivalent Populations, Garron Gianopulos

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the feasibility of using Rasch true score preequating under violated model assumptions and nonequivalent populations. Dichotomous item responses were simulated using a compensatory two dimensional (2D) three parameter logistic (3PL) Item Response Theory (IRT) model. The Rasch model was used to calibrate difficulty parameters using two methods: Fixed Parameter Calibration (FPC) and separate calibration with the Stocking and Lord linking (SCSL) method. A criterion equating function was defined by equating true scores calculated with the generated 2D 3PL IRT item and ability parameters, using random groups equipercentile equating. True score preequating to FPC and SCSL calibrated item …

Determining The Usefulness Of Aerobic And Anaerobic Enzyme Assays As Proxies For Rockfish Ecological Data., Erica M. Hudson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rockfish are commercially and recreationally important, yet due to the in habitat depths at which rockfish inhabit, little is known about their ecology. As a consequence, management of rockfish population as a fishery resource is a work in progress. In particular, changes in physiological condition aver the course of the year is poorly described. This study examined 19 different species of Sebastes from the Southern California Bight over four seasons (late summer, fall, winter, and spring) using metabolic enzyme assays. Enzymes used were lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), pyruvate kinase (PK), and citrate synthase (CS). Some muscle composition data …

Formal Reasoning And Spatial Ability: A Step Towards "Science For All", Bo Jiang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This work conducts an evaluation of a non-majors science curriculum named Molecules of Life (MOL) that aims to provide effective science education to undergraduate students who are not majoring in scientific disciplines.

As part of the process of developing an assessment plan for MOL, three related studies were undertaken in order to help us choose assessment instruments for MOL. The first study examined the validity of student evaluations of teaching. The second study investigated the Test of Logical Thinking (TOLT) and Group Assessment of Logical Thinking (GALT), two widely-used instruments for measuring formal reasoning ability. GALT is very similar to …

Developing A School Social Work Model For Predicting Academic Risk: School Factors And Academic Achievement, Robert Lucio

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The impact of school factors on academic achievement has become an important focus for school social work and revealed the need for a comprehensive school social work model that allows for the identification of critical areas to apply social work services. This study was designed to develop and test a more comprehensive school social work model. Specifically, the relationship between cumulative grade point average (GPA) and the cumulative risk index (CRI) and an additive risk index (ARI) were tested and a comparison of the two models was presented. Over 20,000 abstracts were reviewed in order to create a list of …

Altrusa International - Bowling Green (Mss 702), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 702. Chiefly financial reports, minutes, yearbooks, newsletters, and correspondence of the Altrusa International Club in Bowling Green, Kentucky from 1954 until dissolution in 2004.

Wood, Rhonda (Fa 328), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of comilation (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 328. Compilation: "Tales of Tales of Tales" by the eighth grade class, Hughes-Kirk High School in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, under the direction of Rhonda Wood.

Genetic Algorithm Based Design And Optimization Of Vlsi Asics And Reconfigurable Hardware, Pradeep Ruben Fernando

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Rapid advances in integration technology have tremendously increased the design complexity of very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits, necessitating robust optimization techniques in many stages of VLSI design. A genetic algorithm (GA) is a stochastic optimization technique that uses principles derived from the evolutionary process in nature. In this work, genetic algorithms are used to alleviate the hardware design process of VLSI application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and reconfigurable hardware.

VLSI ASIC design suffers from high design complexity and a large number of optimization objectives requiring hierarchical design approaches and multi-objective optimization techniques. The floorplanning stage of the design cycle …

The Modulation By Anthrax Toxins Of Dendritic Cell Activation, Ping-Jen Chou

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bacillus anthracis produces lethal toxin (LT) and edema toxin (ET) and they suppress the function of LPS-stimulated dendritic cells (DC). Because DCs respond differently to various microbial stimuli, we compared toxin effects in bone marrow DCs stimulated with either LPS or Legionella pneumophila (Lp). DCs were enriched with GM-CSF for 9 days, purified by positive selection, and treated with toxins for 6h; cells were then stimulated with either LPS or Lp-infection for 24h. DC cytokine production and maturation marker expression varied depending upon cell stimulus and the mouse strain used. LT but not ET was more toxic for cells from …

The Social Context Of Cervical Cancer Knowledge And Prevention Among Haitian Immigrant Women, Janelle Marie Menard

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cervical cancer is the primary cause of cancer deaths among Haitian women; however, the social context of cervical cancer among Haitian immigrant women has not been systematically examined. The ways in which women assign meaning to this disease, understand its causality and situate it within the broader context of gynecological health are poorly understood. Further, Haitian immigrant women's perceptions of disease risk, including knowledge and understanding about Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the primary etiologic factor in cervical cancer, have not been explored. Few studies have assessed health behaviors, including culturally mediated feminine hygiene practices, among Haitian immigrant women, which may negatively …

Kernel Density Estimation Of Reliability With Applications To Extreme Value Distribution, Branko Miladinovic

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the present study, we investigate kernel density estimation (KDE) and its application to the Gumbel probability distribution. We introduce the basic concepts of reliability analysis and estimation in ordinary and Bayesian settings. The robustness of top three kernels used in KDE with respect to three different optimal bandwidths is presented. The parametric, Bayesian, and empirical Bayes estimates of the reliability, failure rate, and cumulative failure rate functions under the Gumbel failure model are derived and compared with the kernel density estimates. We also introduce the concept of target time subject to obtaining a specified reliability. A comparison of the …

Public Opinion And The Introduction Of Congressional Environmental Legislation, 1973-2002, Hugh Eugene Jarvis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between public opinion about the environment and the introduction of congressional legislation on environmental issues. Using public opinion data gathered by the General Social Survey from 1977 to 2002, this work examines correlations between how the public views the environment in each and the number of bills introduced in the U.S. House and Senate addressing environmental issues. The findings indicate that there is a correlation between overall concern felt in the public and congressional action on certain aspects of environmental protection. The results also highlight the potentially disturbing finding that the race and economic class …

The Role Of Pharmacists And Emergency Contraception: An Assessment Of Pharmacy School Curricula In The U.S. And The Knowledge, Attitudes, And Dispensing Practices Of Florida Pharmacists., Alice R. Richman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Emergency contraception is a safe and effective form of contraception that is 75%-89% effective in preventing pregnancies within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraception is a type of hormonal contraception, containing high doses of estrogen and progestin (ethinyl estradiol plus levonorgestrel) or progestin only (levonorgestrel). Wider access to emergency contraception has the potential to decrease the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has previously denied any over-the-counter (OTC) access to emergency contraception and only recently approved it for OTC status for women 18 years old and over; therefore, pharmacists continue …

Angle, Dennis Paul (Fa 319), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Collection 319. Paper: "A Partial Ethnography of the Bowling Green Fire Department" written by Dennis Paul Angle for a Western Kentucky University folk studies class.

Sturgeon, Laurie (Fa 324), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 324. Paper: "Goebel Twyman: The Fiddle Player and His Continuing Music" written by Sturgeon for a Western Kentucky University folk studies class.

Pratt, Claudia M. (Fa 325), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 325. Paper: "Let's Go Visit the Pratts: An Investigation of the Folklore of the Pratt Family" written by Claudia M. Pratt for a Western Kentucky University folk studies class.

Jenkins, William Marshall, Jr., 1918-2002 (Sc 1748), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1748. Unpublished manuscript, "Mr. Democrat," written by William Marshall Jenkins Jr. about the political career of Alben W. Barkley, former U.S. Representative and Senator from Kentucky and former Vice President under Harry Truman. Chiefly excerpts from his speeches and remarks made on the floor of the House and Senate.

Correlates Of Mathematics Achievement In Developed And Developing Countries: An Hlm Analysis Of Timss 2003 Eighth-Grade Mathematics Scores, Ha T. Phan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Using eighth-grade mathematics scores from TIMSS 2003, a large-scale international achievement assessment database, this study investigated correlates of math achievement in two developed countries, Canada and the United States and two developing countries, Egypt and South Africa. Variation in math achievement within and between schools for individual countries was accounted for by a series of two-level HLM models. Specifically, there were five sets of HLM models representing student background, home resources, instructional practices, teacher background, and school background related factors. In addition, a final model was built by including all the statistically significant predictors in earlier models to predict math …

Edsell, Denise (Fa 310), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 310. Paper: "'Bazooka Joe' Proverbs" written by Denise Edsell for a Western Kentucky University folk studies class.

Deatherage, Jamie (Fa 312), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 312. Paper: "[Ziggy]" written by Jamie Deatherage for a Western Kentucky University folk studies class.

Cao, Xiaoge (Fa 295), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Folklife Archives Project 295. Project: "Mr. C's Coffee House as Clientele" compiled by Xiaoge Cai for a Western Kentucky University folk studies class.

‘…Long Before The Stars Were Torn Down...: The Music Of Bob Dylan And Sam Shepard, Katherine Weiss

ETSU Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

U.S. Based Business Needs For Technical/Occupational Employees With International Skills: Considerations For Community College And Sub-Baccalaureate Programs In The Tampa Bay Economic Zone., Ronald L. Olney

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Significance: This study provides the first systematic needs assessment of a U.S. business region to determine if businesses want international skills taught in community college technical and occupational programs. Without this assessment, community college leaders and faculty are not able to determine whether they are adequately preparing students in these skills to be successful in tomorrow's fast paced, mobile and integrated global workforce.

Research Aims:

1. Conduct a needs assessment to determine whether international skills were considered important for employment entry or movement

2. Determine where businesses obtain international skills training.

3. Garner business recommendations for the improvement of international …

The Influence Of Specialized Cancer Hospitals In Florida On Mortality, Length Of Stay, And Charges Of Care, Patricia L. Spencer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes the influence of specialized cancer hospitals in Florida on the outcomes of the mortality risk, length of stay, and charges of care among patients diagnosed with cancer, and performed a mastectomy, lumpectomy or radical prostatectomy, after controlling for age, gender, race, severity, type of hospital ownership, payment options, type of admission, and presence or absence of residency programs.

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration inpatient hospital discharge dataset of 2005 was used to extract data. Analysis of covariance was used to compute the differences on the three outcomes as a function of the specialization/volume of the …

Clayton, Chad (Fa 294), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 294. Paper: "The Use of Advertising and the Kentucky State Fair" written by Chad Clayton for a Western Kentucky University folk studies class.

Dowell, John Alan (Fa 311), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text scan of paper (Click on “Additional Files” below) for Folklife Archives Project 311. Paper: "[Barren River Comprehensive Care Center: Conflict Between Folk and Scientific Beliefs]" written by John Alan Dowell for a Western Kentucky University folk studies class.

Artist Colonies In Europe, The United States, And Florida, Jennifer L. Aldrich

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

During the nineteenth century, an artistic trend spread across Europe. As urban centers housed the majority of professional artists, individuals and groups relocated to remote, bucolic areas to form art colonies. Artist colonies are typically defined as a group of artists, generally painters, writers, and composers who worked and lived as a community for a certain period of time¹. Artists left their city lifestyles as a response to urbanization and industrialization. In other words, the movement encouraged reform of social, environmental, and economic conditions to prevent the decline of true artisanship. The artistic response personified an underlying utopian …