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Title: Family Decisions, Stressors, and Health Challenges among Latino Emancipated Migrant Farmworker Youth: A Mixed-Methods Approach.
Creator: Carlos Chavez, Fiorella Luisa, Gonzales Backen, Melinda Airr, Wagner, Richard K., Cui, Ming, Grzywacz, Joseph G., Florida State University, College of Human Sciences, Department...
Show moreCarlos Chavez, Fiorella Luisa, Gonzales Backen, Melinda Airr, Wagner, Richard K., Cui, Ming, Grzywacz, Joseph G., Florida State University, College of Human Sciences, Department of Family and Child Sciences
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Abstract/Description: Latinos account for 80% of all farmworkers in the United States (U.S.) (Hernandez, Gabbard, & Carroll, 2016). Based on the latest National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS), there are young farmworkers ages 14 to 21 years old who account for 10% of the farmworker population. Youth who come to work in the U.S. by themselves – without their parents – are also known as emancipated migrant youth (EMY; Peoples et al., 2010). These EMY are part of a larger vulnerable community of migrant and...
Show moreLatinos account for 80% of all farmworkers in the United States (U.S.) (Hernandez, Gabbard, & Carroll, 2016). Based on the latest National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS), there are young farmworkers ages 14 to 21 years old who account for 10% of the farmworker population. Youth who come to work in the U.S. by themselves – without their parents – are also known as emancipated migrant youth (EMY; Peoples et al., 2010). These EMY are part of a larger vulnerable community of migrant and seasonal immigrant farmworkers (Arcury & Quandt, 2009). EMY are in their great majority males (89%), lack of work authorization (70%) (NAWS, 2016) and are at great risk for negative health outcomes from agricultural work (Cooper et al., 2005). To better understand the individual and the family expectations contributing to Latino youth entrance into the agricultural workforce, and the physical and psychological consequences of that decision, the following two papers addressed the gap in the literature of emancipated migrant youth in the U.S. Paper 1 consisted of two studies; Study 1explores the contributing factors (e.g., cultural values, familial values, and needs) that were included to the decision for youth to come to the United States to perform farm work. Study 2 identifies emancipated migrant youths’ personal choice –that is the level of contribution to the decision to come to the U.S. and work as a farmworker, familism, EMY’s role as provider through financial remittances, and family dependency. Paper 1 followed an exploratory design (Plano Clark et al., 2008; QUAL→quan) whereby the first component of the study (i.e., Study 1) consisted of n = 20 in-depth interviews with emancipated migrant youth that can help understand the decision making process for these youth’s migration to the United States and entrance into the agricultural labor force. These interviews later informed the creation of the culturally appropriate quantitative questionnaire (i.e., Study 2) based on Study 1 findings. Specifically, Study 2 (n = 36) identified the associations between whether EMY contributed to the decision to migrate to the U.S. and live as a farmworkers, familism, frequency of financial remittances, and family financial dependency. Similarly, Paper 2 consisted of two studies; Study 1 explored the work-related experiences of doing farmwork and living in the U.S. by emancipated migrant youth. Study 2 identified the day-to day challenges and stressors of the farmworker lifestyle that impact emancipated migrant youth’s overall health and well-being. Paper 2 also followed an exploratory design (Plano Clark et al., 2008; QUAL→quan) whereby the first component (i.e., Study 1) consisted of in-depth interviews with emancipated migrant youth. Such interviews helped understand the work-related experiences work in the United States, and living in the U.S. without their families among emancipated migrant youth. These interviews further guided the construction of the second, quantitative component (i.e., Study 2) to identify the effects of daily challenges and stressors on emancipated migrant youth psychological and physical health. Results from Paper 1 provided an insight and better understanding of the health “realities of the field” emancipated migrant youth experience as well as the underlying forces (i.e., personal, family values, financial need) that may have impacted EMY’s decision to leave their home countries and work in agriculture abroad. Specifically, thematic analysis highlighted four major themes for Study 1. Group differences emerged by EMY’s country of origin (i.e., Guatemala, Mexico) as well as age (i.e., 15 to 17 years old and 18 to 20 years old). A total of four major themes were identified: (1) “It was the best thing I could do,” (2) “It was my decision,” (3) “Farmwork just made sense,” (4) “This is just temporary.” In addition, Study 2 results showed no associations between the decision to migrate to the U.S. and work in farmwork with EMY’s familism, frequency of financial remittances and family financial decency. Results from Paper 2 provided an insight and better understanding of the work-related experiences of working in farmwork and living in the U.S. Specifically, thematic analysis highlighted five major themes for Study 1. (1) “You have to keep pushing forward,” (2) “It feels ugly but it’s all worth it,” (3) “The sun is unbearable, but we have to keep working,” (4) “I just take some medicine and it goes away,” (5) “I have to do everything on my own.” In addition, Study 2 results showed significant associations between the EMY’s MFWSI, loneliness, social isolation, and depressive symptoms. There were no significant mean differences based on EMY’s age group (i.e., 15 to 17 years old, 18 to 20 years old).
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_CarlosChavez_fsu_0071E_14622
Format: Thesis

Title: Fathers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Understanding Stress, Coping, and Opportunities for Growth.
Creator: Nichols, Megan Adair, Canto, Angela I., Cripe, Juliann J. Woods, Phillips, Beth M, Turner, Jeannine E, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational...
Show moreNichols, Megan Adair, Canto, Angela I., Cripe, Juliann J. Woods, Phillips, Beth M, Turner, Jeannine E, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems
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Abstract/Description: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect an individual’s communication, social interactions, adaptive functioning, and academic achievement (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Prevalence rates of those diagnosed with ASD have been increasing, with rates rising to one in 68 children diagnosed with ASD by the eight years of age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Although the presence of ASD symptomology varies between individuals,...
Show moreAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect an individual’s communication, social interactions, adaptive functioning, and academic achievement (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Prevalence rates of those diagnosed with ASD have been increasing, with rates rising to one in 68 children diagnosed with ASD by the eight years of age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Although the presence of ASD symptomology varies between individuals, parents of children with ASD may experience a myriad of challenges in raising their child. Considering the pervasive nature of ASD, this subset of parents may be at an additional risk to experience chronic stress over time, which can lead to caregiver burnout or maladjustment to their parenting situation (Benson, 2014; Paynter et al., 2013; Pedersen, Crnic, & Baker, 2015). Although this experience is undoubtedly challenging, recent trends in the literature have suggested that this subset of parents may also be apt to experience stress-related growth or benefits in light of their parenting experience (DePape & Lindsay, 2015); however, less is known about this experience with fathers in general. Considering the lack of research on the experience of fathers with children with ASD, the current phenomenological study sought to better understand the parenting experience with fathers, including how their experience has changed over time. The current study also investigated the notion of stress-related growth with a small sample of fathers. Five fathers were successfully recruited for participation in the current study to answer the following research questions: Research Question 1: How do fathers initially describe the experience of raising a child with ASD and how has this experience changed over time? Research Question 2: What meaning or stress-related growth do fathers attribute to raising a child with ASD? To answer these questions, the participants first provided demographic information through an online survey and then completed a semi-structured interview with the researcher to learn more about their respective experiences. The data from this study resulted in the identification of four superordinate themes (e.g., initial impact, early stressors, coping strategies, and change over time), with 14 subordinate themes related to understanding the first research question (e.g., experience of fatherhood). Two superordinate themes (e.g., lessons learned, personal growth), with six subordinate themes, were associated with answering the second research question (e.g., meaning attributed to the parenting experience).
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Nichols_fsu_0071E_14723
Format: Thesis

Title: Ripples…It Shaped Me to Be a Leader: A Phenomenological Exploration of How Female Undergraduate Student Leadership Is Influenced by Divorce during Childhood.
Creator: Acosta, Danielle Morgan, Guthrie, Kathy L., Turner, Jeannine E, Perez-Felkner, Lara, Schwartz, Robert A., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of...
Show moreAcosta, Danielle Morgan, Guthrie, Kathy L., Turner, Jeannine E, Perez-Felkner, Lara, Schwartz, Robert A., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
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Abstract/Description: Expanding leadership learning and engagement to a more diverse student body is a critical component of American higher education, yet not enough attention is placed on how varied lived experiences may influence leadership development and practice. One such understudied lived experience is the phenomenon of parental divorce during childhood. Data suggests that over one-quarter of entering college students may have divorced parents, which literature indicates can have ongoing implications over...
Show moreExpanding leadership learning and engagement to a more diverse student body is a critical component of American higher education, yet not enough attention is placed on how varied lived experiences may influence leadership development and practice. One such understudied lived experience is the phenomenon of parental divorce during childhood. Data suggests that over one-quarter of entering college students may have divorced parents, which literature indicates can have ongoing implications over the course of time (Amato, 2000; Demo & Fine, 2010; Kennedy & Ruggles, 2014). Connecting divorce and leadership literature through the relational leadership model (Komives, Lucas, & McMahon, 1998; 2013), this phenomenological study explored how the parental divorce experience during childhood influences female undergraduate student leaders, an understudied population that may thrive in relational leadership settings. Nine undergraduate women enrolled in leadership certificate program courses at a research extensive university in the southern United States were interviewed. Participants reflected upon their parents’ divorce and shared ways they believed it shaped their knowledge, behaviors, and actions. Participants reported how their parents’ divorce influenced their leadership readiness, learning, and engagement as they described and engaged in leadership through the lens of their parental divorce experience. Presenting the parental divorce experience as a leadership context, this study contends relational leadership learning and engagement aids in the development of relational skills. Implications for future research and practice are discussed, including more attention to the parental divorce experience with regards to leadership and higher education.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Acosta_fsu_0071E_14642
Format: Thesis

Title: Risk-Benefit Analysis and Optimization of LEED-Certified School Buildings Design and Construction: Statisitical and Machine Learning Approaches.
Creator: Doczy, Ryan Daniel, Boot, Walter Richard, Sobanjo, John Olusegun, Spainhour, Lisa, Florida State University, College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental...
Show moreDoczy, Ryan Daniel, Boot, Walter Richard, Sobanjo, John Olusegun, Spainhour, Lisa, Florida State University, College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
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Abstract/Description: As the strategy of green building becomes more and more popular due to a combination of environmental and economic concerns, there develops a need for clearly being able to understand the potential implications for choosing green strategies over conventional building practices. Some of the regions of interest consist of the additional upfront costs associated with green practices, potential life-cycle benefits associated with green building components, potential energy savings, and the...
Show moreAs the strategy of green building becomes more and more popular due to a combination of environmental and economic concerns, there develops a need for clearly being able to understand the potential implications for choosing green strategies over conventional building practices. Some of the regions of interest consist of the additional upfront costs associated with green practices, potential life-cycle benefits associated with green building components, potential energy savings, and the ability to reduce emissions. Many of these areas can potentially be forecasted with a fair degree of certainty (e.g. energy consumption, additional upfront costs); however, some elements of green building are less well defined. One such area consists of the ability of green buildings to improve the productivity and well-being of its inhabitants through an improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ). It is difficult to grasp just how much a healthier and cleaner environmental can impact a person’s cognitive functions, mental state, and physical health. Several studies shown in the literature review of this paper lead show a positive correlation between green buildings and reductions in asthma symptoms, depression symptoms, improved well-being due to reductions in contaminants, a reduction in sick building syndrome (SBS) and building related illness (BRI). This paper aims to do what many have done before in attempting to quantify the potential impact that sustainable buildings can have on its occupants; however, the scope and methods to determine these potential correlations will differ. Perhaps the most noticeable difference will be in the paper’s focus on attempting to measure the potential impact that LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited schools have on their student occupants by measuring their productivity via the use of standardized test scores and attendance rates compared to those students in conventional (non-LEED) schools. To develop a balanced analysis, the paper will control for various school-related and socio-economic factors (e.g. economic status, race, percent of teachers with a Master’s degree or higher). To make a judgement on the effect that sustainability has on academic achievement and student wellbeing, 2 sample t-tests, regression analysis, and M5P decision trees will be implemented to determine if there are significant differences between LEED and conventional schools and to determine the relationship between LEED and non-LEED parameters on student achievement and wellbeing metrics. To ensure that a large population of students from across the nation are accounted for, the study intends on investigating at least three states-worth of student data. These states (Florida, New York and Virginia) are in different climates, thus allowing for an examination of the potential differences between the various climate zones and building codes. Lastly, a case study building information model (BIM) of College Park Elementary School (located in Virginia) will be run through the energy modeling (EM) software, Ecotect, to provide information related to the school’s annual energy consumption, acoustics, and daylight and lighting values. An optimization equation, developed using previous literature and findings from this study, will use information from the case study in an attempt to optimize its academic performance. The equation will attempt to minimize construction and operational costs while maximizing student performance metrics. The optimization equation will be run through NEOS server’s Nonlinearly Constrained Optimization, Knitro. The purpose of this study is to inform those decision-makers involved in the construction of schools, and who may be interested in obtaining LEED certification for the school, to what extent the LEED schools benefit the school’s student academic achievement levels. Accounting for soft benefits (e.g. productivity, morale, general wellbeing) in a cost-benefit analysis invites an element of risk due to the difficulties in soliciting, obtaining, and accurately measuring these performance metrics. When considering fields involving knowledge work, accurately measuring productivity is an inexact science that normally requires building occupants to perform self-examinations. The results from these examinations are reliant on the occupant’s perceptions and could be open to bias. This study avoids self-assessments through its use of standardized testing as a measure for productivity. The proposed outcome of this paper is that the impacts of LEED schools on their occupants’ academic achievement, health, and wellbeing will be better understood and easier to quantify. The authors hypothesize that LEED schools will outperform conventional schools, which can be attributed to improved IEQ due to tighter building envelopes, increased ventilation rates, better filtration, a reduction in building or cleaning products containing volatile organic compounds, etc. An absence of this data could point to the inability of LEED schools to directly impact their students in a meaningful way, particularly its Indoor Environmental Quality credits, which means that LEED could have to rethink its standards if it wishes to truly improve the productivity and wellbeing of its occupants.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Doczy_fsu_0071E_14648
Format: Thesis

Title: Reading the World Beyond the Word: The Enactment of the Culture of Reading in English-Portuguese Biliterate Settings.
Creator: Ramos Sollai, Silvia Regina, Driscoll, Marcy Perkins, Sharpe, Peggy, Larson, Christine, Myers, John P., Florida State University, College of Education, School of Teacher Education
Abstract/Description: In order to answer in what ways the teaching of reading in Portuguese at an English-Portuguese Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program is supportive of the home language and minority culture in a biliterate community during the very earliest phases of reading acquisition, this single-case qualitative study was designed to count on focus group interviews, classroom and community observations, and material and photographic data collection 1) to explore in and outside classroom biliteracy...
Show moreIn order to answer in what ways the teaching of reading in Portuguese at an English-Portuguese Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program is supportive of the home language and minority culture in a biliterate community during the very earliest phases of reading acquisition, this single-case qualitative study was designed to count on focus group interviews, classroom and community observations, and material and photographic data collection 1) to explore in and outside classroom biliteracy continuity; 2) to describe Portuguese home language and Brazilian minority culture of reading and/ or lack of it; and, 3) to identify the implementation of the field’s current practices. The sample was selected purposefully as it was an exemplar home-school-community biliterate setting from a U.S. southeastern school district, where English was the majority language and Portuguese was the home language. Under the lens of the Continua of Biliteracy by Hornberger (1989) and Hornberger & Skilton-Sylvester’s (2000), I analyzed macro issues of teaching, research, and planning into biliteracy. The integrated pattern of beliefs, goals, and dynamics around reading were analyzed through the culture of reading (Behrman, 2004), whereas Vukelich & Christie (2009)’s suggestion of Emergent Literacy and Scientifically Based Reading Research Perspectives were applied into instructional methods and micro issues. At a macro level, the results showed that until deliberate efforts are seen to elevate languages other than English and minority cultures to human capital by the responsible bodies, any attempt of reaching a multilingual-multicultural education will be known for its pending adjustments, and not for the European model of multilingual empowering education the U.S. looks up to. At a micro level, there seems to be a greater disparity in COB’s biliteracy content if compared to their context, media, and development analytical endpoints. In the final analysis, the U.S. educational system cannot afford to isolate the nation due to communication limitation; especially in times divisive ideologies are unwelcomingly gaining more space. In seek of maintaining a leading role; the ability to promote dialogue comes from the skill of reading the world beyond the word. Suggestions for further study on a Portuguese pluricentric approach seem relevant since an increase in federal and states initiatives for English-Portuguese dual language immersion programs, due to the fact that Portuguese is considered a critical and less commonly taught language by major federal agencies, such as U.S. Department of Defense.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_RamosSollai_fsu_0071E_14448
Format: Thesis

Title: Reconsidering the Effect of Informal Labeling on Adolescent Delinquency: Within-Individual Analyses with Mediating and Moderating Processes.
Creator: Kim, Joonggon, Hay, Carter H., Cui, Ming, Siennick, Sonja E, Bales, William D., Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, College of Criminology and...
Show moreKim, Joonggon, Hay, Carter H., Cui, Ming, Siennick, Sonja E, Bales, William D., Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
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Abstract/Description: Despite recent development in labeling theory, some voids in research still exist. First, labeling theory has overly emphasized formal labeling and relatively neglected the importance of informal labeling. Second, most research has centered on examining between-individual effects of labeling rather than within-individual effects from time to time in spite of a developmental nature of the theory. Third, prior research on informal labeling has not paid enough attention to a variety of mediating...
Show moreDespite recent development in labeling theory, some voids in research still exist. First, labeling theory has overly emphasized formal labeling and relatively neglected the importance of informal labeling. Second, most research has centered on examining between-individual effects of labeling rather than within-individual effects from time to time in spite of a developmental nature of the theory. Third, prior research on informal labeling has not paid enough attention to a variety of mediating and moderating processes involved in the relationship between informal labeling and delinquency. This study addressed these voids by examining the within-individual effect of perceived informal labeling on adolescent delinquency with mediating and moderating processes involved in this effect. As mediating and moderating variables, deviant self-concept, attachment to parents, attachment to teachers, attachment to very close friends, and delinquent peer association were tested. Also, sex and prior delinquency were tested as moderating variables. The data came from Korea Youth Panel Study (KYPS), which consisted of 6 waves of panel data collected from 2003 to 2008. For the analysis, three-level random effect negative binomial models were estimated. The final sample size was 14,491 observations on 2,646 respondents in 100 cities. The result showed that perceived informal labeling had a significant and positive within-individual effect on later delinquency. When it comes to the mediating processes, deviant self-concept did not significantly explain the within-individual effect of perceived informal labeling on delinquency, while between-individual effect of deviant self-concept on delinquency was significantly reduced when deviant self-concept was included in the model. Rather, perceived informal labeling significantly reduced deviant self-concept after one year. This result implies that adolescents may deny or reject the labeling imposed by others. Also, attachment to others did not significantly account for the within-individual effect of perceived informal labeling on delinquency. This shows that attachment to others is not a consequential factor that explains the effect of labeling on delinquency. Meanwhile, delinquent peer association significantly accounted for the within-individual- and the between-individual effect of perceived informal labeling on delinquency as expected. In terms of the moderation analysis, the within-individual effect of perceived informal labeling on delinquency was more consequential for females than males, but prior delinquency did not significantly moderate the within-individual effect of perceived informal labeling on delinquency. Attachment to teachers reduced the positive within-individual effect of perceived informal labeling on delinquency as expected. Also, attachment to very close friends and delinquent peer association amplified the within-individual effect of perceived informal labeling on delinquency as expected. Unexpectedly, attachment to parents also turned out to increase the positive within-individual effect of perceived informal labeling on delinquency. This result shows that parental attachment itself may not be a protective factor that reduces the harmful effect of informal labeling if the parental attachment does not involve any proper control over the adolescents. In sum, although this study showed a significant effect of perceived informal labeling on delinquency at the within-individual level, mediating and moderating processes involved in this association were somewhat different from prior studies that were based on the effect of formal labeling or between-individual dynamics. More research is needed with a variety of mediating processes, time spans, and samples to fully understand the within-individual dynamics involved in the association between main constructs of labeling theory given that the original theoretical framework of labeling theory proposes within-individual changes of individual behaviors over time.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Kim_fsu_0071E_14748
Format: Thesis

Title: Redefining ADHD in an Adult Population: Should Inattention Be Viewed as a Separate Dimension from Cognitive and Physiological Activity Level?.
Creator: Miller, Nathan Andrew, Prevatt, Frances F., Stepina, Lee P., Canto, Angela I., Krach, S. Kathleen, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational...
Show moreMiller, Nathan Andrew, Prevatt, Frances F., Stepina, Lee P., Canto, Angela I., Krach, S. Kathleen, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems
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Abstract/Description: The accepted structure of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has changed repeatedly and significantly over its history, with many symptoms being added, changed or dropped. Despite this, many questions remain about the nature of the disorder and the potentially related set of symptoms known by most researchers as sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT). This study sought to investigate the latent structure of ADHD and SCT by exploring the relationship between SCT, hyperactivity, and...
Show moreThe accepted structure of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has changed repeatedly and significantly over its history, with many symptoms being added, changed or dropped. Despite this, many questions remain about the nature of the disorder and the potentially related set of symptoms known by most researchers as sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT). This study sought to investigate the latent structure of ADHD and SCT by exploring the relationship between SCT, hyperactivity, and inattention as reported by adults. This study proposed that some of the structural issues found in ADHD may be due to the assumption of linearity, and proposed that two significant changes, if supported by the data, would offer some resolution. The first proposed change would be to view hyperactivity and sluggishness as a single continuum of activity level, rather than individual syndromes, and the second proposed change would be to view symptoms of inattention as a separate dimension from the hyperactivity and sluggishness. It was also proposed that evidence of the validity of this dimensional restructuring might be seen as a quadratic curvilinear, or U-shaped, regression line between inattention and the continuum of activity level, where inattention was highest toward the extremes of activity level and lowest at the midpoint of activity level. For the current study, symptoms of hyperactivity and sluggishness were matched by topic to form a continuum from low levels to high levels of activity. This measure, along with a symptom checklist for ADHD inattention, was included in a survey and provided to a sample of 1,398 adults throughout the United States, collected through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Participants demographics were similar to the population demographics with few variations. Measures of internal scale consistency and of normality were used to analyze the new Activity Level scale produced by matching hyperactivity and sluggishness, and curve estimation was conducted to analyze whether a quadratic regression model was a significant predictor of the relationship between activity level and inattention. Results of the analyses revealed that the new Activity Level scale was unimodal and within commonly accepted limits of internally consistency for both the full sample of participants and for the portion of the sample that endorsed a diagnosis of ADHD. Furthermore, results of the regression analysis indicated that a quadratic model of activity level and inattention accurately explained a small but significant portion of the variance in both the full sample of participants and the in the ADHD sample. Implications are discussed for the both theory and practice. Lastly, limitations of the study and directions for future research are included.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: 2018_Su_Miller_fsu_0071E_13923
Format: Thesis

Title: The Relationship among First-Generation College Student Status and Resilience, Social Support, Perceived Barriers, and Negative Career Thoughts.
Creator: Freeman, Vanessa Frierson, Lenz, Janet G., Guthrie, Kathy L., Osborn, Debra S., Sampson, James P., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational...
Show moreFreeman, Vanessa Frierson, Lenz, Janet G., Guthrie, Kathy L., Osborn, Debra S., Sampson, James P., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems
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Abstract/Description: The aim of the present study was to gain a further understanding of first-generation college students (FGCS) in comparison to their non-FGCS peers. The study examined both groups in relation to the following variables: resilience levels, perceived social support, perception of barriers, and negative career thoughts. Specifically, the goal was to understand how resilience levels and perceived social support were related to perception of barriers and negative career thoughts. General group...
Show moreThe aim of the present study was to gain a further understanding of first-generation college students (FGCS) in comparison to their non-FGCS peers. The study examined both groups in relation to the following variables: resilience levels, perceived social support, perception of barriers, and negative career thoughts. Specifically, the goal was to understand how resilience levels and perceived social support were related to perception of barriers and negative career thoughts. General group differences on resilience levels, perceived social support, perception of barriers, and negative career thoughts were explored using a one-way ANOVA. Then, multiple regressions were used to examined whether resilience level and perceived social support could predict perception of barriers and negative career thoughts. The 10-Item Connors-Davidson Resilience Scale (CDRISC; Campbell-Sills & Stein, 2007) was used to examine resilience levels. The Social Support Appraisal Scale (SSA; Vaux et al., 1986) was used to examine perceived social support. The Perception of Barriers Scale (POB; Luzzo & McWhirter, 2001) was used to examine perception of barriers. The Career Thoughts Inventory (CTI; Sampson, Peterson, Lenz, Reardon, & Saunders, 1996) was used to examine negative career thoughts. Participants (n = 272) for the study were recruited from a large, southeastern, public university, specifically from the university’s College of Education and the Center for Academic Retention and Enrichment (CARE). CARE’s mission is to recruit and support FGCS. There were 101 FGCS and 171 non-FGCS included in the sample. The results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between groups on resilience levels, perceived social support, and negative career thoughts. There were statistically significant differences between groups on perception of barriers with non-FGCS perceiving more barriers than FGCS. The multiple regression revealed that resilience level and perceived social support predicted 9.1% of the variance in perception of barriers and 15.3% of the variance in negative career thoughts. A discussion regarding the findings of the study, limitations, and implications for theory, practice and future research are offered.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: 2018_Su_Freeman_fsu_0071E_13898
Format: Thesis

Title: Psychological and Suicidal Distress among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual College Students: Stressors and Strengths.
Creator: Roberts, Stacey Nemeth, Becker, Martin Swanbrow, Joiner, Thomas, Pfeiffer, Steven I., Turner, Jeannine E, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of...
Show moreRoberts, Stacey Nemeth, Becker, Martin Swanbrow, Joiner, Thomas, Pfeiffer, Steven I., Turner, Jeannine E, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems
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Abstract/Description: This project examined the increased tendency towards suicidality in cisgender LGB college students as compared to their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. The responses of 1,503 LGB college students to a survey distributed by the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education (RC) in 2011 were analyzed. Given the increased propensity toward suicidal distress in LGB college students, this study next sought to elucidate the mechanics by which suicidality evolves in...
Show moreThis project examined the increased tendency towards suicidality in cisgender LGB college students as compared to their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. The responses of 1,503 LGB college students to a survey distributed by the National Research Consortium of Counseling Centers in Higher Education (RC) in 2011 were analyzed. Given the increased propensity toward suicidal distress in LGB college students, this study next sought to elucidate the mechanics by which suicidality evolves in this population. The objective of this project was to determine whether minority stress factors (sexual orientation concerns, discrimination, victimization, and campus climate) have a relationship with suicidal ideation in LGB college students as mediated by the interpersonal factors of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and sense of coherence. This project tested relationships drawn from the minority stress model, the interpersonal theory of suicide, as well as sense of coherence to understand their impact on the development and escalation of suicidal ideation in LGB college students. It was found that the stressors of sexual orientation concerns, victimization, and discrimination acted directly on thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. In addition, the stressors indirectly influenced the development of suicidality through thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. Campus climate was found to be a protective factor for LGB students. Sense of coherence was not only a mediator of the stress factors, but also acted directly upon thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. Implications for higher education administrators and campus mental health professionals, as well as directions for future research are also discussed.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Roberts_fsu_0071E_14691
Format: Thesis

Title: Racial and Ethnic Trends in Vaccination Coverage among Adolescents.
Creator: Webb, Noah S., Burdette, Amy M., Coutts, Christopher, Taylor, Miles G., Taylor, John, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Department of...
Show moreWebb, Noah S., Burdette, Amy M., Coutts, Christopher, Taylor, Miles G., Taylor, John, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Department of Sociology
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Abstract/Description: One of the key determinants of health and wellbeing for adolescents is the utilization of preventive health services. While adolescents are generally healthy, public health officials warn that access to health insurance, preventive care, and proper health education are vital to experiencing continued health and wellbeing throughout the life course. Despite the noted importance of preventive care in adolescence, social disparities continue to exist. Given that racial and ethnic minorities and...
Show moreOne of the key determinants of health and wellbeing for adolescents is the utilization of preventive health services. While adolescents are generally healthy, public health officials warn that access to health insurance, preventive care, and proper health education are vital to experiencing continued health and wellbeing throughout the life course. Despite the noted importance of preventive care in adolescence, social disparities continue to exist. Given that racial and ethnic minorities and those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged are less likely to have health insurance coverage, use preventive health services, and follow the recommended immunization schedule, this dissertation focuses on an important aspect of adolescent preventive health care services: vaccinations. Specifically, this study examines race and ethnic specific trends in meningococcal and tetanus, diphtheria, & acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination coverage among adolescents in the United States. Understanding such trends could help providers determine the most effective strategies for immunizing adolescents from different racial/ethnic backgrounds, especially as they age into adulthood, as well as reduce the overall impact of vaccine preventable diseases on households and communities. Using provider reported vaccination histories from the National Immunization Survey-Teen, 2008-2016, this dissertation estimates a series of binary logistic regressions to model racial and ethnic trends in meningococcal and Tdap vaccination coverage among U.S. adolescents (n = 155,461) over a nine-year period. I find that the distribution of meningococcal and Tdap vaccinations among adolescents varies by race and ethnicity. Black and Hispanic adolescents tend to display higher odds of vaccination relative to White adolescents. These increased rates suggest a racial/ethnic minority advantage that, at least among Hispanics, is reminiscent of the “Hispanic paradox.” These results further suggest that racial and ethnic disparities in adolescent vaccination persist. Moving forward, race and ethnic specific trends highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce disparities as well as continued efforts to increase the overall rate of adolescent vaccination, as adolescents remain the least vaccinated demographic age group in pre-adulthood.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Webb_fsu_0071E_14672
Format: Thesis

Title: Resilience through Adversity: Mapping out the Mechanisms through Which Early Life Adversity Influences Health across the Lifespan.
Creator: Sheffler, Julia L. (Julia Lynn), Sachs-Ericsson, Natalie J., Taylor, Miles G., Ganley, Colleen M., Charness, Neil, Cougle, Jesse R., Florida State University, College of Arts...
Show moreSheffler, Julia L. (Julia Lynn), Sachs-Ericsson, Natalie J., Taylor, Miles G., Ganley, Colleen M., Charness, Neil, Cougle, Jesse R., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
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Abstract/Description: Background. Considerable research has demonstrated the link between early life adversity (ELA) and the development of significant health problems in adulthood (Felitti et al., 1998; Gilbert et al., 2015). Regarding the specific biological pathways through which ELAs influence the development of physical health conditions, there is a growing literature examining the effects of ELA on allostatic load. Allostatic load represents the biological toll of stress on the body and may act as a...
Show moreBackground. Considerable research has demonstrated the link between early life adversity (ELA) and the development of significant health problems in adulthood (Felitti et al., 1998; Gilbert et al., 2015). Regarding the specific biological pathways through which ELAs influence the development of physical health conditions, there is a growing literature examining the effects of ELA on allostatic load. Allostatic load represents the biological toll of stress on the body and may act as a biological pathway through which ELAs influence later health. Importantly, identification of modifiable factors that increase resiliency to the negative effects of ELAs on allostatic systems may lead to the development of prevention and intervention protocols. Finally, the interplay among these variables (e.g., ELAs, allostatic load, resiliency, health functioning) may change with age – thus, it is informative to examine these factors across age groups. Specifically, the current study examined a biopsychosocial model of the effects of ELA on adult health in which we conducted an empirical exploration of the effects of resiliency factors on the relationship between ELAs, allostatic load, and health. Methods. The current study used longitudinal data from three waves of the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) study to examine the following hypotheses. 1) ELAs would lead to higher allostatic load, which would, in-turn, be associated with higher rates of health conditions over time. 2) Resiliency factors would each moderate the relationship between ELAs and allostatic load, reducing the negative effects of ELAs on allostatic load. 3) Lastly, we explored the extent to which these proposed pathways in the full model differed as a function of age. Results. ELA predicted onset of new health conditions among middle-aged adults. Allostatic load partially mediated the relationship between ELA and later health conditions. None of the resiliency factors moderated the relationship between ELA and allostatic load, although ELA was associated with three of the resiliency factors, and all four resiliency factors were related to fewer health conditions at MIDUS III. Finally, there were no differences based on age in the full mediation model. Conclusions. ELA was strongly associated with lower levels of resiliency resources and later health outcomes, even decades following the occurrence of ELA. Allostatic load partially mediated the relationship between ELA and later health, though the effect was weaker than expected. Our findings suggest that ELA and resiliency resources may have more specialized influences on allostatic systems and system biomarkers, which should be examined in future research. Clinical implications of the study point to the continued use of a cumulative indicator for ELA assessment. Finally, the development of interventions to promote certain resiliency resources may be useful in clinical settings to reduce the impact of ELA on later health.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: 2018_Su_Sheffler_fsu_0071E_13963
Format: Thesis

Title: A Riemannian Approach for Computing Geodesics in Elastic Shape Space and Its Applications.
Creator: You, Yaqing, Gallivan, Kyle A., Absil, Pierre-Antoine, Erlebacher, Gordon, Ökten, Giray, Sussman, Mark, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of...
Show moreYou, Yaqing, Gallivan, Kyle A., Absil, Pierre-Antoine, Erlebacher, Gordon, Ökten, Giray, Sussman, Mark, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Mathematics
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Abstract/Description: This dissertation proposes a Riemannian approach for computing geodesics for closed curves in elastic shape space. The application of two Riemannian unconstrained optimization algorithms, Riemannian Steepest Descent (RSD) algorithm and Limited-memory Riemannian Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (LRBFGS) algorithm are discussed in this dissertation. The application relies on the definition and computation for basic differential geometric components, namely tangent spaces and tangent vectors,...
Show moreThis dissertation proposes a Riemannian approach for computing geodesics for closed curves in elastic shape space. The application of two Riemannian unconstrained optimization algorithms, Riemannian Steepest Descent (RSD) algorithm and Limited-memory Riemannian Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (LRBFGS) algorithm are discussed in this dissertation. The application relies on the definition and computation for basic differential geometric components, namely tangent spaces and tangent vectors, Riemannian metrics, Riemannian gradient, as well as retraction and vector transport. The difference between this Riemannian approach to compute closed curve geodesics as well as accurate geodesic distance, the existing Path-Straightening algorithm and the existing Riemannian approach to approximate distances between closed shapes, are also discussed in this dissertation. This dissertation summarizes the implementation details and techniques for both Riemannian algorithms to achieve the most efficiency. This dissertation also contains basic experiments and applications that illustrate the value of the proposed algorithms, along with comparison tests to the existing alternative approaches. It has been demonstrated by various tests that this proposed approach is superior in terms of time and performance compared to a state-of-the-art distance computation algorithm, and has better performance in applications of shape distance when compared to the distance approximation algorithm. This dissertation applies the Riemannian geodesic computation algorithm to calculate Karcher mean of shapes. Algorithms that generate less accurate distances and geodesics are also implemented to compute shape mean. Test results demonstrate the fact that the proposed algorithm has better performance with sacrifice in time. A hybrid algorithm is then proposed, to start with the fast, less accurate algorithm and switch to the proposed accurate algorithm to get the gradient for Karcher mean problem. This dissertation also applies Karcher mean computation to unsupervised learning of shapes. Several clustering algorithms are tested with the distance computation algorithm and Karcher mean algorithm. Different versions of Karcher mean algorithm used are compared with tests. The performance of clustering algorithms are evaluated by various performance metrics.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_You_fsu_0071E_14686
Format: Thesis

Title: Riemannian Optimization Methods for Averaging Symmetric Positive Definite Matrices.
Creator: Yuan, Xinru, Gallivan, Kyle A., Absil, Pierre-Antoine, Erlebacher, Gordon, Ökten, Giray, Bauer, Martin, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of...
Show moreYuan, Xinru, Gallivan, Kyle A., Absil, Pierre-Antoine, Erlebacher, Gordon, Ökten, Giray, Bauer, Martin, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Mathematics
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Abstract/Description: Symmetric positive definite (SPD) matrices have become fundamental computational objects in many areas. It is often of interest to average a collection of symmetric positive definite matrices. This dissertation investigates different averaging techniques for symmetric positive definite matrices. We use recent developments in Riemannian optimization to develop efficient and robust algorithms to handle this computational task. We provide methods to produce efficient numerical representations of...
Show moreSymmetric positive definite (SPD) matrices have become fundamental computational objects in many areas. It is often of interest to average a collection of symmetric positive definite matrices. This dissertation investigates different averaging techniques for symmetric positive definite matrices. We use recent developments in Riemannian optimization to develop efficient and robust algorithms to handle this computational task. We provide methods to produce efficient numerical representations of geometric objects that are required for Riemannian optimization methods on the manifold of symmetric positive definite matrices. In addition, we offer theoretical and empirical suggestions on how to choose between various methods and parameters. In the end, we evaluate the performance of different averaging techniques in applications.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Yuan_fsu_0071E_14736
Format: Thesis

Title: Prison Plus: The Impact of Sentencing Offenders to Prison-and-Supervision, versus Prison Only, on Post-Prison Employment and Recidivism.
Creator: Clark, Catie Lynn, Bales, William D., Radey, Melissa, Mears, Daniel P., Siennick, Sonja E, Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, College of...
Show moreClark, Catie Lynn, Bales, William D., Radey, Melissa, Mears, Daniel P., Siennick, Sonja E, Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
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Abstract/Description: The shift from indeterminate to determinate sentencing policies over the past three decades and the ensuing decline in the use of parole for monitoring inmates’ transition back into their communities has led to the development of alternate strategies of post-prison release supervision. The use of alternatives to parole varies considerably across the United States, with some states (e.g., Oregon) requiring that all inmates released from prison be subject to supervision after release from...
Show moreThe shift from indeterminate to determinate sentencing policies over the past three decades and the ensuing decline in the use of parole for monitoring inmates’ transition back into their communities has led to the development of alternate strategies of post-prison release supervision. The use of alternatives to parole varies considerably across the United States, with some states (e.g., Oregon) requiring that all inmates released from prison be subject to supervision after release from incarceration. In contrast others, such as Florida, mandate the post-release supervision of those offenders who meet a statutorily defined list of criteria, while still allowing for the post-incarceration supervision of offenders who may have been sentenced to an additional sanction of community supervision (i.e., split supervision) to immediately follow their prison sentence. To date, the empirical literature that has examined forms of post-prison release supervision have focused almost exclusively on the use of parole. There is extensive literature relating to various forms of community supervision among offenders diverted from imprisonment, however, there remains a lack of understanding regarding the various effects of split supervision on prisoner reentry employment outcomes for released inmates. This dissertation adds to the literature on post-prison release community supervision by examining the effect of one specific form of post-prison supervision on offender recidivism and employment outcomes: split supervision . Using data from the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC), this paper examines the effects of split supervision in comparison to release from prison with no form of supervision for a cohort of 187,739 inmates released from Florida prisons between January 2004 and December 2011. Given the lack of empirical research surrounding this topic, an extensive analysis of the two groups (those sentenced to a term of split supervision and those sentenced to a term of prison only) is conducted first in order to establish a basis for further analyses. Next, logistic regression and survival analysis methods are used to examine factors that predict who receives split supervision; to predict the likelihood of obtaining employment after release from prison, as well as multiple recidivism outcomes at one, two, and three years after release from incarceration.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Clark_fsu_0071E_14696
Format: Thesis

Title: Everyday Writing Assessment: An Alternate Approach to Writing Assessment Theory.
Creator: Cirio, Joseph A., Yancey, Kathleen Blake, Latham, Don, Neal, Michael R., Fleckenstein, Kristie S., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of English
Abstract/Description: This dissertation explores the ways writing assessment manifests within everyday writing, a category of writing wherein writers write for their own purposes and under their own volition, in order to provide an alternate approach to theorizing writing assessment. Research into the processes and impact of writing assessment has been primarily developed by observing dominant scenes of writing, focused largely on writing located in or designed and administered by various educational institutions ...
Show moreThis dissertation explores the ways writing assessment manifests within everyday writing, a category of writing wherein writers write for their own purposes and under their own volition, in order to provide an alternate approach to theorizing writing assessment. Research into the processes and impact of writing assessment has been primarily developed by observing dominant scenes of writing, focused largely on writing located in or designed and administered by various educational institutions (e.g., College Board, classroom grades, state testing). Turning attention to a concept of everyday writing assessment—the systems of interpreting and judging written texts that lead to decisions, actions, or changes in everyday writing—this dissertation is able to broaden knowledge about how writing assessment is a social action that can shape, define, and permit kinds of writing, processes, and identities in our society. Using case study methods, this dissertation works toward a fuller theory of writing assessment by observing how assessment manifests in the everyday writing of four writers, each a participant in one of two local communities of practice: Ham and Billy are key volunteers for The Vine, an activist, community outreach organization. Granny and Autumn are members of the Home Club, a religious women’s group. The findings of the research—drawn from field observations, time-use diaries, and follow-up interviews—provide a map of research areas that everyday writing is able to make more legible for writing assessment research: (1) how everyday writing assessment is implicated in how writers build, understand and maintain social bonds and (2) how writers conceive, perceive, and construct writing assessment intertextually.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Cirio_fsu_0071E_14693
Format: Thesis

Title: An Examination of the Relationship between Alcohol and Dementia in a Longitudinal Study.
Creator: Hu, Tingting, McGee, Daniel, Slate, Elizabeth H., Hurt, Myra M., Niu, Xufeng, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Statistics
Abstract/Description: The high mortality rate and huge expenditure caused by dementia makes it a pressing concern for public health researchers. Among the potential risk factors in diet and nutrition, the relation between alcohol usage and dementia has been investigated in many studies, but no clear picture has emerged. This association has been reported as protective, neurotoxic, U-shaped curve, and insignificant in different sources. An individual’s alcohol usage is dynamic and could change over time, however,...
Show moreThe high mortality rate and huge expenditure caused by dementia makes it a pressing concern for public health researchers. Among the potential risk factors in diet and nutrition, the relation between alcohol usage and dementia has been investigated in many studies, but no clear picture has emerged. This association has been reported as protective, neurotoxic, U-shaped curve, and insignificant in different sources. An individual’s alcohol usage is dynamic and could change over time, however, to our knowledge, only one study took this time-varying nature into account when assessing the association between alcohol intake and cognition. Using Framingham Heart Study (FHS) data, our work fills an important gap in that both alcohol use and dementia status were included into the analysis longitudinally. Furthermore, we incorporated a gender-specific categorization of alcohol consumption. In this study, we examined three aspects of the association: (1) Concurrent alcohol usage and dementia, longitudinally, (2) Past alcohol usage and later dementia, (3) Cumulative alcohol usage and dementia. The data consisted of 2,192 FHS participants who took Exams 17-23 during 1981-1996, which included dementia assessment, and had complete data on alcohol use (mean follow-up = 40 years) and key covariates. Cognitive status was determined using information from the Mini-Mental State Examinations (MMSE) and the examiner’s assessment. Alcohol consumption was determined in oz/week and also categorized as none, moderate and heavy. We investigated both total alcohol consumption and consumption by type of alcoholic beverage. Results showed that the association between alcohol and dementia may differ by gender and by alcoholic type.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Hu_fsu_0071E_14330
Format: Thesis

Title: Manipulation, Moral Responsibility, and History.
Creator: De Marco, Gabriel Esteban, Mele, Alfred R., Twiss, Sumner B., Clarke, Randolph K., Kearns, Stephen, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Philosophy
Abstract/Description: It is commonly thought that external influences such as indoctrination, coercion, and subtle manipulation can affect our status as morally responsible agents. In extreme cases, external interventions may undermine our moral responsibility altogether. Some philosophers seek to benefit from these considerations in arguing against compatibilism, the thesis that moral responsibility is compatible with the truth of determinism. Usually we get a case of some agent in a deterministic universe who,...
Show moreIt is commonly thought that external influences such as indoctrination, coercion, and subtle manipulation can affect our status as morally responsible agents. In extreme cases, external interventions may undermine our moral responsibility altogether. Some philosophers seek to benefit from these considerations in arguing against compatibilism, the thesis that moral responsibility is compatible with the truth of determinism. Usually we get a case of some agent in a deterministic universe who, through the workings of some nefarious manipulator, has had many of his desires, values, or pro-attitudes erased and replaced by alien ones which then lead him to perform some action. The premises of the argument claim that 1) this agent is not responsible for his action, and 2) with regards to moral responsibility, there is no relevant difference between the manipulated agent and a standard agent in a deterministic universe. One type of response to the manipulation argument involves offering a parallel argument. First, one produces a case similar to the one offered in the original argument, but which involves an agent who fulfills standard incompatibilist conditions on responsibility. In this sort of case, the agent has a choice between two actions, and right before the decision is made, it is not determined which choice they will make. In a well-constructed case, both options available to the agent are radically different than anything that the agent would have considered prior to the manipulation, and it seems as though we get the same intuitions about this indeterministic agent. One upshot of this strategy is that it allows us to avoid the compatibility debate and simply focus on the effects of external interventions on our responsibility. The next step is to either show that these external interventions are not real threats to responsibility or to provide a view which explains what precisely is problematic about these external interventions. I focus on attempts to do the latter. Specifically, I focus on attempts to do so which require that the motivational states that led the agent to action were not acquired in a certain way. I evaluate the three major historical accounts available, those offered by Haji and Cuypers, Fischer and Ravizza, and Mele. My aim is to identify the features of the external interventions that are doing the work in undermining the responsibility of these agents. Taking the lessons learned from these chapters, I lay the groundwork for an explanation of why victims of extreme manipulation are not responsible. I further extend this framework to less extreme cases of external intervention, cases which may be more common in the actual world. Those features that undermine responsibility in extreme cases may be present to a lesser degree in cases where interventions mitigate, rather than eliminate, an agent’s responsibility.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_DeMarco_fsu_0071E_14641
Format: Thesis

Title: Matching Physical File Representation to Logical Access Patterns for Better Performance.
Creator: Zhang, Shuanglong, Wang, An-I Andy, Zhang, Jinfeng, Whalley, David B., Zhao, Peixiang, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Over the years, the storage substrate of operating systems has evolved with changing storage devices and workloads [2, 6, 7, 8, 12, 15, 18, 26, 29, 33, 34, 35, 39, 41, 42, 44, 47, 48, 54]. Both academia and industry have devoted significant research effort to the file system component, a critical part of the storage system. A file system directs the underlying device-specific software to perform data reads and writes as well as providing the notion of files to interact with users and...
Show moreOver the years, the storage substrate of operating systems has evolved with changing storage devices and workloads [2, 6, 7, 8, 12, 15, 18, 26, 29, 33, 34, 35, 39, 41, 42, 44, 47, 48, 54]. Both academia and industry have devoted significant research effort to the file system component, a critical part of the storage system. A file system directs the underlying device-specific software to perform data reads and writes as well as providing the notion of files to interact with users and applications. To achieve this, a file system represents logical files internally or physically with data (the file content) and metadata (information required to locate, index, and operate on data). Most file system optimizations assume this one-to-one coupling of logical and physical representations [2, 7, 8, 18, 25, 26, 29, 33, 34, 35, 48]. This dissertation presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of two new systems, which decouple these representations and offer a new class of optimization opportunities not previously possible. First, the Composite-File File System (CFFS) exploits the observation that many files are frequently accessed together. By consolidating related file metadata, performance can be improved by up to 27%. Second, the Fine-grained Journal Store (FJS) exploits the observation that typically only subregions of a metadata entry are updated, but the heavyweight reliability and storage mechanisms then affect the entire metadata entry. This results in many unnecessary metadata writes that harm both the performance and the lifespan of certain storage devices. By focusing on only the updated metadata regions and consolidating storage and reliability mechanisms, the Fine-grained Journal Store can both improve the performance up to 15x and reduce unnecessary writes up to 5.8x. Overall, the decoupling of logical and physical representations allows more flexible matching of the physical representations to the workload patterns, and the results show that this approach is promising.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Zhang_fsu_0071E_14368
Format: Thesis

Title: Mood Management, Self-Transcendence, and Prosociality: Selective Exposure to Meaningful Media Entertainment and Prosocial Behavior.
Creator: Zhao, Danyang, Raney, Arthur A., Li, Wen, Arpan, Laura M., Cortese, Juliann, Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Communication
Abstract/Description: There has been growing discussion that distinguishes meaningful media entertainment, eudaimonic media experiences, and self-transcendent positive emotions from pleasurable media entertainment, hedonic media experiences, and non-transcendent positively-valenced emotions. The mood management theory and selective exposure perspective explain how individuals tend to select media to consume when they are in a particular mood state in order to achieve a better mood or maintain their existing...
Show moreThere has been growing discussion that distinguishes meaningful media entertainment, eudaimonic media experiences, and self-transcendent positive emotions from pleasurable media entertainment, hedonic media experiences, and non-transcendent positively-valenced emotions. The mood management theory and selective exposure perspective explain how individuals tend to select media to consume when they are in a particular mood state in order to achieve a better mood or maintain their existing desirable mood state. These perspectives do not specifically capture the self-transcendent emotional states or meaningful media entertainment. However, they provided imperative theoretical foundation to examine these phenomena. This dissertation project examines and compares the entertainment media selection between meaningful and funny video content when a positive affective state, hedonic joyful mood or elevation is experienced. It also examines these two positive affects experienced after consuming chosen media content, and how they may affect prosociality. Specifically, it explores if individuals in the affective state of elevation will be more likely to choose elevation-inducing videos to view comparing to individuals in the affective state of hedonic joy, in order to maintain their existing self-transcendent good mood. Further, it investigates whether elevation-inducing meaningful video exposure, comparing to joy-inducing funny video exposure, would lead to greater likelihood of helping a stranger despite a controllable cause of the help-seeker’s plight. The results showed that the affective experience of elevation led to continued exposure to the meaningful media after initial exposure to elevation-inducing content and more meaningful media exposure in general (than the mood state of hedonic joy). This congruency in mood state and selective exposure behavior mirrors the good mood maintenance proposition of the mood management theory. Moreover, more meaningful video exposure led to higher levels of elevation, which in turn led to higher likelihood of agreeing to help a stranger in need. As speculated, elevation had a stronger and more stable relationship with prosociality than hedonic joy did. The findings also supported the positive relationship between need for affect and elevation elicited by meaningful media content. The role of content types, entertainment preferences, individual differences in predispositional altruistic personality, and need for affect in the production of selective exposure behavior and helping are also discussed.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Zhao_fsu_0071E_14729
Format: Thesis

Title: More Modes, More Problems Examining Tutor Education in Multimodal Writing Centers.
Creator: Custer, Jason Edward, Neal, Michael R., Erlebacher, Gordon, Yancey, Kathleen Blake, Fleckenstein, Kristie S., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department...
Show moreCuster, Jason Edward, Neal, Michael R., Erlebacher, Gordon, Yancey, Kathleen Blake, Fleckenstein, Kristie S., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of English
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Abstract/Description: Several waves of calls for writing centers to address digital and multimodal texts exist, dating back to the 1980s. While these conversations gained momentum at the turn of the century with the popularization of multiliteracy centers and scholarship supporting them, most of the scholarship in this area focuses exclusively on individualized, practitioner inquiry. This dissertation embraces a descriptive methodology by mixing qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection to gain a...
Show moreSeveral waves of calls for writing centers to address digital and multimodal texts exist, dating back to the 1980s. While these conversations gained momentum at the turn of the century with the popularization of multiliteracy centers and scholarship supporting them, most of the scholarship in this area focuses exclusively on individualized, practitioner inquiry. This dissertation embraces a descriptive methodology by mixing qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection to gain a more complete view of the practices currently in place to educate tutors in a wide variety of academic support structures so they can assist with digital multimodal compositions. Chapter 1 provides both the context for this study and a literature review. In this chapter three key terms— multimodal writing center, digital multimodal composition, and tutor education— are all given context and working definitions. After introducing these key terms and their associated definitions, this study poses the three main research questions that drive the descriptive inquiry into tutor education methods detailed throughout the remainder of this study. After introducing and defining the key concepts and questions informing this study in the first chapter, Chapter 2 provides an explanation and rationale for the methods employed in this study. This study utilizes a nationwide survey and a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with the director, a more experienced tutor, and a less experienced tutor at three different targeted locations— Northern University, Southern University, Western University. This chapter also details the development of and final contents for the coding scheme employed throughout this study. Chapter 3 presents the results from the survey and interview responses. This chapter begins by discussing the survey responses. Next, the results are presented and sample responses are provided for each interview participant at the targeted locations, for all of the codes identified in the interviews, in the order of most-frequently used codes to least-frequently. Chapter 4 looks more closely at the responses across the interviews and case studies. This chapter is structured around the 3 main questions informing this study, broken into 6 overall answers. The answers to these questions lead to the development of an initial framework for describing the landscape of tutor education for assisting with digital multimodal compositions that I call the “AAA Framework.” The final chapter of this dissertation— Chapter 5— outlines the implications and limitations of this study, and the need to continue exploring the ways tutor education for digital multimodal compositions is being conducted, so as to continue (re)shaping the framework developed in response to the data collected in this study.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Custer_fsu_0071E_14608
Format: Thesis

Title: Literary Violence in the Age of Depression.
Creator: Osborne, Patrick William Frank, Edwards, Leigh H., Faulk, Barry J., Mariano, Trinyan, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of English
Abstract/Description: Literary Violence in the Age of Depression explores violence in contemporary literature and popular culture by evaluating the decline of social bonds in American society and the heightening of Mertonian strain that developed in the wake of consumer culture. The influence of consumerism has given rise to what many scholars deem an age of narcissism and depression. The ideology of the American Dream incites intense feelings of externality and individualism, and the demands of work and...
Show moreLiterary Violence in the Age of Depression explores violence in contemporary literature and popular culture by evaluating the decline of social bonds in American society and the heightening of Mertonian strain that developed in the wake of consumer culture. The influence of consumerism has given rise to what many scholars deem an age of narcissism and depression. The ideology of the American Dream incites intense feelings of externality and individualism, and the demands of work and consumerism ultimately erode social bonds leading to greater rates of isolation and dejection. Accordingly, much of the violence in American society can be attributed to increasing rates of social strain and the decline of social bonding—i.e. social strain exacerbates feelings of shame while the decrease of the social bond diminishes feelings of connection and love. This is evinced through contemporary literature and popular culture. Rather than simply serving as a dismal depiction of America’s underground drug culture, for example, Selby employs heroin addiction throughout Requiem for a Dream as a symbol for a capitalist ethos that incites social strain and dismantles social bonds. In the epilogue of Prozac Nation, Wurtzel demonstrates that her controversial book is not simply the narcissistic rantings of a young woman battling depression but, more significantly, provides an indictment concerning the current structure of feeling in an American society that has left so many of its citizens cynical, anxious, and miserable. Recent romantic comedies delineate an ambivalent view of love, often reflecting the emergence of a hookup culture, and depict traditional relationships as potentially threatening to the individual; while many remain hopeful of love American’s despondently navigate the hookup culture which typically leads to higher rates of depression. Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl elucidates the effects patriarchal violence extolled by the consumer culture has on the female psyche, and, presents Amy’s deviant actions as a response to a social structure that reinforces gendered illusions of self-actualization and allows male entitlement to remain unchallenged. By focusing the plot of Breaking Bad on Walter’s impeded pursuit of financial security, Vince Gilligan presents his decision to cook methamphetamine as the product of social strain. Socialized to strive for the symbols that equate wealth and status in American society but unable to achieve them through conventional channels, Walter turns to crime as an avenue for obtaining the financial stability he so greatly desires. Strain theory likewise aids in interpreting the Hobbesian dystopia Rockstar Games’ presents as American life in GTA IV, and provides a method for explicating Bellic’s motivations for criminal innovation: GTA IV justifies Bellic’s unlawful actions by advocating the necessity of material goods within the game’s plot and hypermediated interface by romanticizing lawlessness rather than encouraging the player’s conformity to societal norms. The American rampage violence narrative, popularized following the aftermath of Columbine, focuses on the shooter’s internalization of social strain due to his inability to form social bonds within their schools and communities by presenting the killer as a psychopath in the vein of Eric Harris or a misunderstood outcast much like Dylan Klebold. Finally, the writers of Glee argue that social boding allows socially strained adolescents to feel connected to society and find a positive outlet for overcoming social strain in a negative school environment. Such literature demonstrates that the elevation of strain and shame produced by the current age of depression, criminological speaking, is an impetuous for violent behavior that America unfortunately observes on a consistent basis.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Osborne_fsu_0071E_14600
Format: Thesis

Title: Latinx College Student Narratives of Familism and College Persistence.
Creator: Salerno, Stacy Lynn, Reynolds, John R., Radey, Melissa, Tillman, Kathryn H., Ueno, Koji, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Department of...
Show moreSalerno, Stacy Lynn, Reynolds, John R., Radey, Melissa, Tillman, Kathryn H., Ueno, Koji, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Department of Sociology
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Abstract/Description: Latinx immigrants view college attendance as a vehicle for upward mobility and a primary means for achieving the American Dream. Despite ongoing debates over the rightful place of immigrants in U.S. society and periods of anti-immigrant sentiment and xenophobia in the Brexit/Trump era, immigrants still believe in education as a vehicle for upward mobility. This dissertation explores the social psychological and cultural mechanisms that underlie Latinx college student narratives of persistence...
Show moreLatinx immigrants view college attendance as a vehicle for upward mobility and a primary means for achieving the American Dream. Despite ongoing debates over the rightful place of immigrants in U.S. society and periods of anti-immigrant sentiment and xenophobia in the Brexit/Trump era, immigrants still believe in education as a vehicle for upward mobility. This dissertation explores the social psychological and cultural mechanisms that underlie Latinx college student narratives of persistence in seeking a college degree, and the resources used by students who seek a college degree but whose status is “suspect” due to their ethnicity. These mechanisms include the influence of parental immigrant narratives on self-efficacy, motivation, and the use of academic career narratives to make sense of their own college experiences. Academic career narratives are individual student stories that are created in an effort to make sense of their academic journey and future. The data come from thirty in-depth interviews with currently enrolled first and second-generation Latinx college students at public and private universities in the Southeast who have been in college at least two years. All students in the sample are of traditional college age (19-22 years old). The sample is stratified by gender, legal status- whether they are documented or undocumented, and generational status (1st or 2nd generation). Students who are undocumented, are attending college through the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Data analysis suggests that Latinx students fortify their college aspirations in the face of negative experiences (discrimination, economic stress, etc.) by adopting their parent’s narratives of achieving mobility through hard work. This interpretive frame and narrative allows Latinx students to recast negative experiences as challenges they successfully endure, even badges of honor, and the resolution of which reinforces their self-efficacy and motivation to persist. Narrative construction is also a means by which Latinx students make sense of the difficult process associated with matriculating to college as first generation college students- preserving their self-efficacy, particularly for undocumented students. In this way Latinx college students construct their own narratives of immigrant mobility as experienced in specific events related to preparing for, applying to, and attending college. Another major finding is how familial ties affect how Latinx women talk about their college experiences very differently than Latinx men. While close family ties are generally beneficial to academic success, there is one downside to strong parental connections: the stress that accompanies high family expectations and present and future family responsibilities. How Latinx college students manage family-related expectations varies significantly by gender. I frame these gender differences through Machismo and Marianismo- two broad cultural conceptions that define gender roles and obligations in Latinx families. The women I interviewed reported feelings of homesickness as a result of wanting to care for family members. These women also described their beliefs and behaviors using language associated with selflessness, sacrifice and chastity. The men, on the other hand expressed a duty to provide financially for their parents, but not to provide care. These men reported feelings of irritation toward maternal requests for constant communication, as well as a desire for greater independence. Obtaining a better understanding of Latinx college students’ collegiate experiences is important for the social scientific research on college persistence, transition to adulthood, sociology of education literature on motivation and self-efficacy, and for colleges and universities seeking to increase the relatively low college completion rate of Latinx students. This dissertation extends our understanding of Latinx college students by identifying narratives that redefine negative life experiences as positive, and by providing a more nuanced portrayal of family ties in the Latinx student population.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Salerno_fsu_0071E_14708
Format: Thesis

Title: Investigation of the Osmotic Drying of Alumina-Gelatin Objects Utilizing an Aqueous Poly(Ethylene glycol) Liquid Desiccant.
Creator: Hammel, Emily Catherine, Okoli, Okenwa O. I., Hruda, Simone Peterson, Liang, Zhiyong, Zhang, Mei, Florida State University, College of Engineering, Department of Industrial and...
Show moreHammel, Emily Catherine, Okoli, Okenwa O. I., Hruda, Simone Peterson, Liang, Zhiyong, Zhang, Mei, Florida State University, College of Engineering, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
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Abstract/Description: Advanced ceramics and ceramic composites have a variety of advantageous properties, such as high hardness, strength, and wear resistance. This makes them good candidates for materials in the aerospace, automotive and defense industries, among others. A major disadvantage of advanced ceramics and ceramic composites is their requirement for specialized processing which often makes manufacturing complex shaped ceramic objects challenging and costly. Additionally, these materials are susceptible...
Show moreAdvanced ceramics and ceramic composites have a variety of advantageous properties, such as high hardness, strength, and wear resistance. This makes them good candidates for materials in the aerospace, automotive and defense industries, among others. A major disadvantage of advanced ceramics and ceramic composites is their requirement for specialized processing which often makes manufacturing complex shaped ceramic objects challenging and costly. Additionally, these materials are susceptible to flaw incorporation during production. These flaws are initiation points for failure and thus lead to a drastic reduction in strength. Repeatable manufacturing methods and optimized processes are compulsory for cost saving and production of high quality parts. In recent years, new processing technologies, such as gelcasting, have been developed to accommodate the formation of complex shaped ceramics and also the manufacture of ceramic composites. The use of wet forming technologies, like slip casting or gelcasting, necessitates the careful drying of ceramic objects. Complex shaped objects are particularly difficult to properly dry without introducing internal stresses which may result in warping and cracking, thus rendering the object unusable. Additionally, traditional drying processes are often energy intensive and lengthy, neither of which are favorable in a production setting. To improve manufacturability, the processing-structure-property relationships developed during the drying process must be investigated further. This work addresses the need to define optimized process conditions for the drying of alumina objects gelcast using gelatin. The osmotic drying process was employed to remove solvent from the objects through the use of an aqueous liquid desiccant solution of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The process settings for the solution’s osmotic pressure and molecular weight were investigated, in addition to the total immersion time. The mass transfer processes that occurred between the ceramic object and the liquid desiccant solution were quantified in several case studies. For one sample, 40 weight% of the initial water content was removed in 75 minutes demonstrating the potential drying efficiency of this method. Depending on the initial solution conditions, the PEG solute was found to diffuse into the ceramic object to varying degrees. The effect of the drying condition on the object’s density and hardness was also measured. Through the development of regression equations, the process settings were optimized based on the goals to maximize water loss, minimize solids gain, and maximize the object’s density. The optimum drying settings for the objects studied in this work were an osmotic pressure of 2.50 MPa, a molecular weight of at least 100,000 g/mol, and an immersion time of 60 minutes. When objects of similar geometry, composition, and solution-to-object volume ratio are immersed in this type of solution, they are expected to lose 28 weight% of the object’s initial water content, gain solids of 0.82 weight% of the object’s initial mass, and have a density of 3.54 g/cm3. Furthermore, the regression models were validated using an independent experimental study. A model based on mass balance was used to define the kinetics of the mass transfer, along with the equilibrium values. Lastly, a demonstration of the feasibility of combining gelcasting, osmotic drying, and sacrificial templating is presented. Overall, these results may be used as the basis for further investigation into the scale up of the osmotic drying of gelcast alumina with the eventual implementation of the process in an industrial setting.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Hammel_fsu_0071E_14711
Format: Thesis

Title: Metal Halide Perovskites for Light Emitting Diodes.
Creator: Tian, Yu, Ma, Biwu, Xiong, Peng, Hellstrom, Eric, Siegrist, Theo, Huang, Chen, Florida State University, Graduate School, Program in Materials Science
Abstract/Description: My research has been focusing on the development and processing of metal halide perovskites, an emerging class of semiconductor materials, for various types of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In this dissertation, introduction to metal halide perovskites will be presented in the chapter 1, followed by three chapters detailing the work on the use of metal halide perovskites as hole transport layer for organic LEDs (chapter 2), as light emitting layer for electrically driven LEDs (chapter 3), and...
Show moreMy research has been focusing on the development and processing of metal halide perovskites, an emerging class of semiconductor materials, for various types of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In this dissertation, introduction to metal halide perovskites will be presented in the chapter 1, followed by three chapters detailing the work on the use of metal halide perovskites as hole transport layer for organic LEDs (chapter 2), as light emitting layer for electrically driven LEDs (chapter 3), and down conversion LEDs (chapter 4). A new type of hole transport layer based on metal halide perovskite, CH3NH3PbCl3 has been demonstrated for highly efficient OLEDs. Two types of hole transport layer have been fabricated, including PIP-CH3NH3PbCl3 composite thin films and neat CH3NH3PbCl3 thin films. Solution processed multilayer green phosphorescent OLEDs based on this new PIP- CH3NH3PbCl3 nanograss HTLshowed superior performance over devices using conventional PEDOT: PSS HTL with lower turn-on and operating voltages, as well as higher brightness. The improved device performance is primarily attributed to the high conductivity of CH3NH3PbCl3 and large interpenetrating interfaces between the hole transporting perovskite nanopillars and the emitting layer. In order to further enhance efficiencies of OLEDs based on CH3NH3PbCl3 as HTL, the solvent passivation approach has been adapted for the formation of smooth neat CH3NH3PbCl3 perovskite thin films with great surface coverage. Solution-processed multilayer green phosphorescent OLEDs based on this new perovskite HTL showed superior performance over the device using conventional PEDOT:PSS HTL, with lower turn-on and operating voltages, as well as higher brightness, EQE, power efficiency and luminous efficiency. The improved device performance is primarily attributed to the wide band gap of CH3NH3PbCl3, suitable energy levels, and efficient the hole injection and transport from ITO to CH3NH3PbCl3 and light emitting layer. This work demonstrates a new pathway toward highly efficient solution processed multilayer OLEDs, and further establishes organic-inorganic halide perovskites as a new class of semiconductors with highly desirable characteristics for thin film optoelectronic devices. Perovskite LEDs have recently attracted great research interest for their narrow emissions and solution processability. Remarkable progress has been achieved in green emitting perovskite LEDs in recent years, but not blue or red ones. Highly efﬁcient and spectrally stable red perovskite LEDs with quasi-2D perovskite/poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) composite thin ﬁlms as the light-emitting layer have been successfully demonstrated. By controlling the molar ratios of organic salt (benzyl ammonium iodide) to inorganic salts (cesium iodide and lead iodide), luminescent quasi-2D perovskite thin ﬁlms are obtained with tunable emission colors from red to deep red. The perovskite/polymer composite approach enables quasi-2D perovskite/PEO composite thin ﬁlms to possess much higher photoluminescence quantum efﬁciencies and smoothness than their neat quasi-2D perovskite counterparts. Electrically driven LEDs with emissions peaked at 638, 664, 680, and 690 nm have been fabricated to exhibit high brightness and external quantum efﬁciencies (EQEs). For instance, the perovskite LED with an emission peaked at 680 nm exhibits a brightness of 1392 cd/m2 and an EQE of 6.23%. Both the maxima brightness and external quantum efficiencies of our devices are among the highest reported to date for red perovskite LEDs. Moreover, exceptional electroluminescence spectral stability under continuous device operation has been achieved for these red perovskite LEDs. This work clearly shows the effectiveness of processing and device engineering to realize high performance perovskite optoelectronic devices. Recently, our lab developed a new class of luminescent materials, zero-dimensional perovskites. These novel luminescent materials show very high photoluminescence quantum efficiencies (PLQEs) with a very broad emission. For these new 0D perovskites, their excellent optical properties enable us to fabricate down conversion white LEDs. By combing these new 0D perovskites with commercialized blue phosphor, I have successfully fabricated down conversion white LEDs with high color quality. For example, a new type of mixed halide 0D perovskite, (C4N2H14Br)4SnBrxI6–x (x = 3), with a PL emission peak of 582 nm, a larger FWHM of 126 nm and a high PLQEs of 85% have been used as yellow phosphors in down conversion LEDs. By overcoming the issue of deficiency in the red emission present in most yellow phosphors, this 0D tin mixed-halide perovskite enabled optically pumped WLEDs with high color rendering index (CRIs) of up to 85.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Tian_fsu_0071E_14662
Format: Thesis

Title: Longitudinal Follow-Up of Purging Syndromes: Outcome and Predictors.
Creator: Forney, Katherine Jean, Keel, Pamela K., Winegardner, Mark, Joiner, Thomas, Schmidt, Norman B., Williams, Diana L., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences,...
Show moreForney, Katherine Jean, Keel, Pamela K., Winegardner, Mark, Joiner, Thomas, Schmidt, Norman B., Williams, Diana L., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
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Abstract/Description: Both psychological and physiological data support the concurrent validity of distinguishing between bulimia nervosa (BN) and purging disorder (PD) based on the presence vs. absence of binge-eating episodes, respectively. However, limited data exist on the predictive validity of this distinction. Differences in outcome or predictors of outcome would support the clinical utility of distinguishing between the two disorders, a key criterion for diagnoses within the Diagnostic and Statistical...
Show moreBoth psychological and physiological data support the concurrent validity of distinguishing between bulimia nervosa (BN) and purging disorder (PD) based on the presence vs. absence of binge-eating episodes, respectively. However, limited data exist on the predictive validity of this distinction. Differences in outcome or predictors of outcome would support the clinical utility of distinguishing between the two disorders, a key criterion for diagnoses within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The current study sought to describe the long-term outcome of PD and compare that outcome to BN and to examine cognitive (shape/weight concerns), cognitive-affective (depressive symptoms, loss of control eating), and behavioral (eating episode size) predictors of outcome. Exploratory analyses tested if predictors of outcome differed between diagnoses and examined physiological (leptin and postprandial cholecystokinin response) predictors of outcome. Women (N = 217; N = 84 PD, N = 133 BN) were invited to completed diagnostic interviews and questionnaires at a mean (SD) of 10.60 (3.72) years following baseline assessments. Two outcomes were examined: eating disorder status and purging frequency. Of the women sought, 94% were successfully located, and 58 PD and 91 BN participated. Diagnostic stability was observed at follow-up, but outcome did not differ between PD and BN. Within PD, greater depressive symptoms predicted a lower likelihood of remission, and lower leptin levels predicted higher purging frequency at follow-up. Within BN, no variables predicted eating disorder status at follow-up. Fewer shape/weight concerns, greater loss of control eating frequency, and a larger postprandial cholecystokinin response each predicted a higher purging frequency in BN at follow-up; however, these models should be interpreted cautiously due to difficulties with model fit. Exploratory analyses indicated that baseline diagnosis did not significantly moderate associations between predictors and outcome. Taken together, results do not provide conclusive support for distinguishing between PD and BN based on outcome or predictors of outcome. Findings may reflect the longer duration of follow-up in this study compared to prior work. More work on empirically supported treatments in PD, and potential differences in response between PD and BN, are needed to fully evaluate the clinical utility of distinguishing between PD and BN and to inform diagnostic schemes.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Forney_fsu_0071E_14419
Format: Thesis

Title: Low Dimensional Electron Correlated Materials.
Creator: Pak, Chongin, Shatruk, Mykhailo, Hellstrom, Eric, Albrecht-Schmitt, Thomas E., Stiegman, Albert E., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of...
Show morePak, Chongin, Shatruk, Mykhailo, Hellstrom, Eric, Albrecht-Schmitt, Thomas E., Stiegman, Albert E., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
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Abstract/Description: This PhD thesis is devoted to investigation of inorganic materials with low-dimensional structures. Such materials attract significant fundamental and applied interest due to the potential to achieve highly anisotropic properties, which can be controlled by various external stimuli. After brief introduction to this research area in Chapter 1 and description of experimental and theoretical methods in Chapter 2, we describe the study of ternary manganese selenides, Na2Mn2Se3 and Na2Mn3Se4, in...
Show moreThis PhD thesis is devoted to investigation of inorganic materials with low-dimensional structures. Such materials attract significant fundamental and applied interest due to the potential to achieve highly anisotropic properties, which can be controlled by various external stimuli. After brief introduction to this research area in Chapter 1 and description of experimental and theoretical methods in Chapter 2, we describe the study of ternary manganese selenides, Na2Mn2Se3 and Na2Mn3Se4, in Chapter 3. The relationship between the layered crystal structure of these materials and their magnetic behavior is discussed based on the arrangement of magnetic sites in each layer, and results of quantum chemical calculation on Na2Mn2Se3 and Na2Mn3Se4 indicate both compounds are semiconductors. Na2Mn2Se3 does not exhibit magnetic ordering down to 1.8 K, but strong antiferromagnetic correlations were confirmed by field-dependent magnetization measurements. Neutron diffraction study on powder and single crystal samples also did not reveal clear signatures of magnetic ordering. The strong magnetic frustration was confirmed by calculating the frustration factor. A new antiferromagnetic compound, Na2Mn3Se4, was also discovered. It exhibits antiferromagnetic transition at 27 K. Additional magnetic transition is observed at 50 K in single crystal and powder neutron diffraction studies. The magnetic structure of this material shows a complex combination of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions that alternate along the crystallographic a-axis. Strong magnetic frustration due to triangulated spin arrangement is confirmed. Synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of layered materials ACeSe2 (A = Li, Na) are described in Chapter 4. The unconventional magnetism of these compounds is due to the arrangement of magnetic sites on the regular triangular lattice, which causes strong magnetic frustration. A detailed investigation of magnetic properties reveals no magnetic ordering down to 1.8 K. The Weiss constant, determined from fitting experimental data to the Curie-Weiss law, is –71 K, suggesting a very large magnetic frustration factor for this system. The relationship between the structural and magnetic properties of the geometrically frustrated magnetic system is discussed. The extension of studies of layered structures to potentially two-dimensional magnetic materials, Fe3GeTe2 and Bi2MnSe4, is described in Chapter 5. These crystal structures contain stacks of 2D magnetic sheets interacting through weak interlayer van der Waals forces. Chemical vapor transport method is employed to grow high-quality single crystals. The structural and magnetic properties of these materials, including magnetocrystalline anisotropy of bulk samples, were confirmed by temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurement. The potential to modify magnetic behavior for few-layer materials, down to the monolayer limit obtained by mechanical or liquid phase exfoliation methods, is yet to be investigated. Chapter 6 describes the study of one-dimensional structures that contain tubular or ribbon-shaped polyphosphide fragments. Thin nano-ribbons were obtained by mechanical and liquid-phase exfoliation of bulk KP15, due to the weak van der Waals interactions between the polyphosphide tubes. Optical bandgap slightly increases as the thickness of nano-ribbons decreases which is an indication of bandgap tunability in the material. Nevertheless, the results of Raman spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction studies suggest the decreased stability of the samples that contain thinner nanoribbons (<20 nm).
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Pak_fsu_0071E_14679
Format: Thesis

Title: Moving Metacognitive Regulation Beyond Curriculum and into Culture: Improving Marginalized Students' Agency through Motivation Infused Cognitive Awareness Training.
Creator: Sermon, Jenay R. (Jenay Rolaunda), Klein, James D., Jones, Maxine Deloris, Dennen, Vanessa P., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational...
Show moreSermon, Jenay R. (Jenay Rolaunda), Klein, James D., Jones, Maxine Deloris, Dennen, Vanessa P., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems
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Abstract/Description: Underrepresented (UR) university students approach postsecondary studies in multitudes; yet are minorities in the larger landscape. They are less prepared given sustained societal and systemic inequities, and face added obstacles to success and marginalization in postsecondary settings. To empower them and redress pervasive deficit framing, I evaluated the impacts of a distinctive training system in explicit metacognitive regulation (MR) on low performing, UR university students’ skills and...
Show moreUnderrepresented (UR) university students approach postsecondary studies in multitudes; yet are minorities in the larger landscape. They are less prepared given sustained societal and systemic inequities, and face added obstacles to success and marginalization in postsecondary settings. To empower them and redress pervasive deficit framing, I evaluated the impacts of a distinctive training system in explicit metacognitive regulation (MR) on low performing, UR university students’ skills and agency. Metacognition, or “thinking about thinking” and self-regulation, the successful control of learning processes are critical to students’ learning and achievement. While institutionalized MR teachings characteristically occur in discipline specific or ‘learning to learn’ courses, the challenges of restricted access and stigmatization of UR students are also pervasive. MR training with explicit motivational theory as content, which is also discipline-flexible and culturally driven, is nonexistent. I used mixed data, bound in a descriptive case study to measure the impacts of this nuanced training. To determine initial impacts, I obtained the participants’ pre to post scores on the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory and Self-Regulation Skills Inventory-Self Report. I interviewed participants six months after training as well, to investigate their extended applications of MR skill for agency. MRT participants significantly improved in MR skill initially and used such skills for agency in their academic lives in the two semesters after training. The students also exerted behaviors in their academic contexts to exemplify Bandura’s (1986) agency tenets – Intentionality, Forethought, Self-Reactiveness and Self-Reflectiveness. I attribute the MRT participants’ successes to the integration of explicit motivation theory topics, cultural relevance and context autonomy in training, with implications and recommendations to researchers and practitioners. I encourage future research studies evaluating such intentional MR training systems, which can subsidize agency within these culturally nuanced college learners.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Sermon_fsu_0071E_14531
Format: Thesis

Title: Institutions and Imprinting in the Formalization of Informal Firms: A Cross-Country Analysis.
Creator: Galdino, Katia De Melo, Lamont, Bruce T., Bush, Ashley A., Holmes, R. Michael, Rousseau, Horacio E., Florida State University, College of Business, Department of Management
Abstract/Description: Informal firms are an important aspect of a country’s economic activity and their decision of whether and when to formalize is based on several country-level aspects related to regulatory, political, and economic aspects, as well as their access to the various resources needed before and during the formalization process. Although informal firms have been receiving more attention from management scholars over the last years, knowledge about the formalization process and the specific country...
Show moreInformal firms are an important aspect of a country’s economic activity and their decision of whether and when to formalize is based on several country-level aspects related to regulatory, political, and economic aspects, as well as their access to the various resources needed before and during the formalization process. Although informal firms have been receiving more attention from management scholars over the last years, knowledge about the formalization process and the specific country-level aspects that influence informal firms’ strategic choices is still quite limited (Darbi et al., 2016; Godfrey, 2011). In this dissertation, I combine institutional theory (North, 1990) with the imprinting hypothesis introduced into organizational research by Stinchcombe (1965) to explain how three country-level aspects—factor markets, the institutional environment, and bureaucracy—affect the likelihood of formalization of informal firms and how the imprinting effect of economic conditions at the time of founding interact with these country-levels aspects to also affect the likelihood of formalization over time. Using a large sample comprising informal firms in 122 countries, my results suggest that country-level aspects shape the formalization process, and that imprinting, both by itself and combined with these country-level aspects, consistently affect the likelihood of formalization over time. This dissertation, hence, informs research on informal firms and, in particular, the formalization process. Doing so contributes to a better understanding of entrepreneurial processes in general, especially in resource-constrained firms in emerging markets.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Galdino_fsu_0071E_14767
Format: Thesis

Title: The Effect of Functional Impact Training and Yin Yoga on Body Composition and Bone Mineral Density in Breast Cancer Survivors.
Creator: Artese, Ashley Lynn, Panton, Lynn B., Grubbs, Laurie, Ormsbee, Michael J., Kim, Jeong-Su, Arjmandi, Bahram H, Moffatt, Robert J., Florida State University, College of Human...
Show moreArtese, Ashley Lynn, Panton, Lynn B., Grubbs, Laurie, Ormsbee, Michael J., Kim, Jeong-Su, Arjmandi, Bahram H, Moffatt, Robert J., Florida State University, College of Human Sciences, Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Science
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Abstract/Description: Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among women in the United States. Although survival rates have improved following diagnosis, breast cancer survivors (BCS) must contend with the negative effects of the disease and its treatments. Breast cancer treatments can result in accelerated bone and muscle mass loss in conjunction with gains in fat mass. These unfavorable changes lead to reduced strength, physical function, and quality of life (QOL). Resistance training alone as...
Show moreBreast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among women in the United States. Although survival rates have improved following diagnosis, breast cancer survivors (BCS) must contend with the negative effects of the disease and its treatments. Breast cancer treatments can result in accelerated bone and muscle mass loss in conjunction with gains in fat mass. These unfavorable changes lead to reduced strength, physical function, and quality of life (QOL). Resistance training alone as well as a combination of resistance and impact training, such as hopping or jumping movements, have been effective in preventing losses in bone mineral density (BMD) and negative changes in body composition in BCS. More research is needed to determine if there is an alternative exercise mode that can promote improvements in BMD and body composition as well as strength, physical function, and QOL measures. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 24 weeks of functional impact training (FIT) that combined a circuit of resistance training exercises with high impact exercises compared to a yin yoga program on body composition (lean and fat mass), BMD, blood biomarkers for bone resorption and formation (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP-5b) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP)), strength, physical function, fatigue, and QOL in BCS. Methods: Forty-four postmenopausal BCS (60.3 ± 8.3 years) who had completed primary treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: FIT or yin yoga. Baseline body composition and regional and total BMD were measured via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Blood biomarkers for bone metabolism were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Upper body strength was assessed using a one-repetition maximum (1RM) chest press, and lower body strength was assessed via isokinetic and isometric knee extension and flexion using the Biodex System 3. The Continuous Scale-Physical Functional Performance (CS-PFP) and a sit-to-stand with the Tendo power analyzer were used to measure physical function. Fatigue and QOL were determined via the Rand 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Breast Symptom Index (FACT-B), and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F). Participants completed the 45-minute FIT and yin yoga sessions twice weekly for 24 weeks with 48 hours between the two sessions. Measurements were completed at baseline, after 12 weeks, and at the end of the program. Changes in dependent variables over time were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA (group by time). An intention-to-treat analysis was used for participants who completed baseline testing, but not the 12- or 24-week assessments. Significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Results: Thirty-two participants completed the study with an adherence rate of 86.6% and 84.4% for the FIT and yin yoga groups, respectively. There were no group by time effects for any measures of BMD. Main time effects were observed for BMD at the left femoral neck (0.883 ± 0.138 g/cm2 to 0.870 ± 0.131 g/cm2) and left forearm measures (total forearm: 0.465 ± 0.078 g/cm2 to 0.457 ± 0.069 g/cm2). There were no other changes in body composition or BMD measures over time. There was a group by time interaction for upper body strength with the FIT group significantly improving in upper body strength (73.2 ± 18.1 kg to 83.2 ± 22.3 kg) compared to the yin yoga group (59.8 ± 14.8 kg to 59.3 ± 15.6 kg). Main time effects were observed for peak isokinetic leg extension and flexion at 60o/sec, 120o/sec and 180o/sec and isometric leg flexion. All participants improved isokinetic leg extension and flexion by an average of 13.2% and 16.2%, respectively. Isometric flexion improved by 7.3%. There were time effects for CS-PFP scores (68.53 ± 12.87 U to 73.66 ± 12.62 U), sit-to-stand peak power (700 ± 202 W to 723 ± 199 W) and peak velocity (0.92 ± 0.22 m/s to 0.95 ± 0.23 m/s), fatigue scores (38.09 ± 11.50 to 42.29 ± 9.88), all domains of the SF-36 except pain, and all domains of the FACT-B and FACIT-F except emotional wellbeing. There were no group by time interactions for any of these measures. Conclusion: Both the FIT and yin yoga interventions improved lower body strength, physical function, fatigue and QOL in BCS. The FIT intervention resulted in improvements in upper body strength compared to yin yoga. Therefore, both programs may be beneficial modes of exercise for BCS looking to improve these outcomes. More research is needed to see if a FIT program of longer duration and higher intensity can elicit improvements in body composition and BMD.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Artese_fsu_0071E_14776
Format: Thesis

Title: The Effects of Paid Work on Health in Later Life: Variation by Socioeconomic Status.
Creator: Gumber, Clayton Michael, Barrett, Anne E., Born, Patricia, Taylor, Miles G., Carr, Dawn C, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Department of...
Show moreGumber, Clayton Michael, Barrett, Anne E., Born, Patricia, Taylor, Miles G., Carr, Dawn C, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Department of Sociology
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Abstract/Description: Studies examining the link between older adults’ labor force participation and health frequently report that later life employment is health enhancing. However, few studies consider how these benefits could vary by socioeconomic status (SES). In this dissertation I seek to address this oversight using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). By exploring the relationship between older adults’ employment, SES, and health in three key areas (i.e., depressive symptoms, total recall, and...
Show moreStudies examining the link between older adults’ labor force participation and health frequently report that later life employment is health enhancing. However, few studies consider how these benefits could vary by socioeconomic status (SES). In this dissertation I seek to address this oversight using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). By exploring the relationship between older adults’ employment, SES, and health in three key areas (i.e., depressive symptoms, total recall, and physical impairment), I provide a more in-depth account of the health implications of later life employment. To accomplish this goal, I conduct three sets of analyses. In the first set of analyses I assess cross-sectional associations between employment status and health. My findings indicate that both part-time employment and full-time employment are significantly linked to fewer depressive symptoms, better recall, and fewer functional limitations. Contrary to my expectations, I find no evidence that full-time employment is especially beneficial compared with part-time employment. In the second set of analyses, I use longitudinal data to evaluate associations between employment stability and change and health. The longitudinal results are generally consistent with cross-sectional findings and indicate a positive relationship between older adults’ employment and health. In the third set of analyses, I examine whether the relationship between older adults’ labor force involvement and health varies by SES using cross-sectional and longitudinal data. A review of the interaction terms from the cross-sectional analyses suggests that SES does not significantly condition such a relationship. However, longitudinal findings do offer some evidence that higher educational attainment and wealth may weaken the association between employment change and cognitive and physical health.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Gumber_fsu_0071E_14728
Format: Thesis

Title: Giving Them a Voice: Middle School Students Living in Poverty Perceptions of Effective Teaching.
Creator: Gordon, Bernadette, Park, Toby J., McDowell, Stephen D., Khurshid, Ayesha, Zuilkowski, Stephanie Simmons, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of...
Show moreGordon, Bernadette, Park, Toby J., McDowell, Stephen D., Khurshid, Ayesha, Zuilkowski, Stephanie Simmons, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
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Abstract/Description: This study examines middle school students from low wealth communities and their perceptions of poverty and teacher efficacy. Additionally, this study seeks to provide valuable insight into educators regarding the skills and dispositions economically disadvantaged students identify effective teachers as possessing. It begins by exploring the history of poverty in the United States. It has been more than half a century since President Lyndon Baines Johnson declared a war on poverty. Yet,...
Show moreThis study examines middle school students from low wealth communities and their perceptions of poverty and teacher efficacy. Additionally, this study seeks to provide valuable insight into educators regarding the skills and dispositions economically disadvantaged students identify effective teachers as possessing. It begins by exploring the history of poverty in the United States. It has been more than half a century since President Lyndon Baines Johnson declared a war on poverty. Yet, statistics show that the number of Americans living in poverty is increasing. The study reviews the literature on accountability in the education system, teacher efficacy, and student perception. It uses qualitative methods to collect student perception data through focus group and individual student interviews. By incorporating narrative analysis, stories from the middle-school classroom are unearthed. Keywords: middle school, middle school students, teachers, effective teachers, efficacy, teacher efficacy, poverty, students of poverty, low-income communities, students living in poverty, perception, student perception
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Gordon_fsu_0071E_14747
Format: Thesis

Title: Higher Education/Student Affairs Master's Students' Preparation and Development as Leadership Educators.
Creator: Teig, Trisha, Guthrie, Kathy L., Sinke, Suzanne M., Schwartz, Robert A., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Abstract/Description: Student affairs practitioners’ work often includes expectations for leadership education and development of college students, aligning with the role of leadership educator. However, there exists no formal preparation process or curriculum for master’s students in higher education/student affairs graduate preparatory programs to access learning about becoming a leadership educator. This exploratory case study examines the experiences of a cohort of master’s students in a higher education...
Show moreStudent affairs practitioners’ work often includes expectations for leadership education and development of college students, aligning with the role of leadership educator. However, there exists no formal preparation process or curriculum for master’s students in higher education/student affairs graduate preparatory programs to access learning about becoming a leadership educator. This exploratory case study examines the experiences of a cohort of master’s students in a higher education/student affairs graduate preparatory program to understand more fully their access to leadership education communities of practice and their development of leadership educator professional identity. Through survey, document analysis, and semi-structured interviews, the qualitative inquiry explored the integration of a formal, required course for a cohort in their graduate preparatory program to understand the experiences of learning to be leadership educators.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Teig_fsu_0071E_14646
Format: Thesis

Title: Flow Physics and Nonlinear Dynamics of Separated Flows Subject to ZNMF-Based Control.
Creator: Deem, Eric Anthony, Cattafesta, Louis N., Sussman, Mark, Taira, Kunihiko, Collins, E., Moore, Matthew Nicholas J., Hemati, Maziar, Florida State University, College of...
Show moreDeem, Eric Anthony, Cattafesta, Louis N., Sussman, Mark, Taira, Kunihiko, Collins, E., Moore, Matthew Nicholas J., Hemati, Maziar, Florida State University, College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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Abstract/Description: Aircraft, turbomachinery, wind turbines, and other systems that generate or rely on aerodynamic forces are designed to operate most efficiently when flows are fully attached. However, especially due to increasing off-design performance requirements, there is significant risk of inefficient operation or failure due to flow separation. This work formulates a procedure for extending the performance envelope of many fluidic systems by delaying flow separation through real time separated flow...
Show moreAircraft, turbomachinery, wind turbines, and other systems that generate or rely on aerodynamic forces are designed to operate most efficiently when flows are fully attached. However, especially due to increasing off-design performance requirements, there is significant risk of inefficient operation or failure due to flow separation. This work formulates a procedure for extending the performance envelope of many fluidic systems by delaying flow separation through real time separated flow state estimation and control. The history of active separation control is rich; however the approach presented here is novel in that it employs "real time" dynamical system updates to track nonlinear variations in the flow and provide robustness to flow state conditions. First, the dynamics of the canonical laminar separated flow over a flat plate at Rec=10⁵ are characterized by employing full-field, time-resolved PIV and unsteady surface pressure measurements. Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) is employed on the high dimensional PIV velocity fields to identify the dynamically relevant spatial structure and temporal characteristics of the separated flow. Then, results of various cases of open-loop control using a zero-net mass flux actuator slot located just upstream of separation are presented that show separation reduction occurs for the employed actuation method. Real time estimates of the dynamical characteristics are provided by performing online DMD on measurements from a linear array of unsteady surface pressure transducers. The results show that online DMD of the pressure measurements provides reliable estimates of the modal characteristics of the separated flow subject to forcing. Furthermore, the dynamical estimates are updated at a rate commensurate with the characteristic time scales of the flow. Therefore, as the separated flow reacts to the applied forcing, online DMD applied to the surface pressure measurements provides a time-varying linear estimate of the evolution of the flow. Building upon these results, methods for adaptive control of flow separation based on the model provided by online DMD are formulated and implemented on the separated flow. Feedback control is implemented in which Linear Quadratic Regulator gains are computed recursively as the model provided by online DMD is updated. This physics-motivated, autonomous approach results in more efficient flow reattachment, requiring approximately 30% less actuator effort as compared with the commensurate open loop forcing case. Since this approach relies solely on observations of the separated flow, it is robust to variable flow conditions. Additionally, this approach does not require prior knowledge of the characteristics of the separated flow.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Deem_fsu_0071E_14530
Format: Thesis

Title: Implementation and Evaluation of a Performance Profile Intervention with Collegiate Dancers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Creator: Castillo, Elmer Alfonzo, Chow, Graig Michael, Ericsson, Anders, Ericsson, K. Anders, Tenenbaum, Gershon, Canto, Angela I., Florida State University, College of Education,...
Show moreCastillo, Elmer Alfonzo, Chow, Graig Michael, Ericsson, Anders, Ericsson, K. Anders, Tenenbaum, Gershon, Canto, Angela I., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems
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Abstract/Description: Since its inception nearly three decades ago, the performance profile (PP) technique has undergone several modifications and been employed exclusively in the sport domain. The purpose of this study was to extend the application of the performance profile technique to dance and systematically examine the utility and efficacy of the revised performance profile technique (Gucciardi & Gordon, 2009b) with collegiate dancers on two specific outcomes – self-awareness and behavioral change. The...
Show moreSince its inception nearly three decades ago, the performance profile (PP) technique has undergone several modifications and been employed exclusively in the sport domain. The purpose of this study was to extend the application of the performance profile technique to dance and systematically examine the utility and efficacy of the revised performance profile technique (Gucciardi & Gordon, 2009b) with collegiate dancers on two specific outcomes – self-awareness and behavioral change. The secondary aim was to assess dancer perceptions of the benefits and future use of the revised performance profile technique. Using a RCT design, 44 collegiate dancers were randomly allocated to participate in either a revised PP (experimental; n = 22) condition or a didactic PP (active control; n = 22) condition to examine the pre-post impacts of a single performance profile intervention on the outcome measures. Systematic intervention protocols were developed to guide the implementation of the individually based revised PP and the didactic PP interventions. Results revealed significant differences in the pre-post intervention self-awareness scores between conditions, with a significant increase within the revised PP condition and a decrease within the didactic PP condition. There was no significant difference in pre-post behavior scores between the experimental and active control conditions. Analysis of a brief post-workshop evaluation administered to revised PP participants indicated that dancers felt the intervention provided several benefits and that they were highly likely to use their individual performance profiles again in the future. Applied implications and future directions are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Castillo_fsu_0071E_14455
Format: Thesis

Title: Inequality, Context, and Prosocial Behavior: An Examination of Redistributive Preferences.
Creator: Severson, Alexander William, Coleman, Eric A., Isaac, R. Mark, Großer, Jens W., Gomez, Brad T., Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy,...
Show moreSeverson, Alexander William, Coleman, Eric A., Isaac, R. Mark, Großer, Jens W., Gomez, Brad T., Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Department of Political Science
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Abstract/Description: My dissertation "Inequality, Context, and Prosocial Behavior: An Examination of Redistributive Preferences" contributes to an emergent literature on the effects of inequality on policy outcomes by illuminating the psychological and institutional factors which influence support for redistributive policies differentially among the rich and poor. In my dissertation, I advance two primary arguments. First, drawing from the evolutionary psychological literature on competition effects and the...
Show moreMy dissertation "Inequality, Context, and Prosocial Behavior: An Examination of Redistributive Preferences" contributes to an emergent literature on the effects of inequality on policy outcomes by illuminating the psychological and institutional factors which influence support for redistributive policies differentially among the rich and poor. In my dissertation, I advance two primary arguments. First, drawing from the evolutionary psychological literature on competition effects and the social psychological literature on the social cognition of status, I argue that at the individual-level, economic threat moderates the relationship between social status and prosocial behavior. Secondly, drawing from the resource model of political participation and models of policy responsiveness, I argue that at the institutional-level, transparency interventions fail to promote redistribution to lower-income citizens specifically when (1) lower-income citizens do not access the information released by transparency interventions and when (2) lower-income citizens do not turn out to vote at rates comparable to higher-income citizens. I evaluate my first argument using both a laboratory experiment and public opinion data from the 2012 American National Election Study (ANES). In contrast to theoretical expectations, in the laboratory experiment I present evidence that under conditions of economic threat, low and high-status subjects behave similarly: they are equally likely to perceive threat and give roughly equal amounts to one another in a dictator game. Using data from the 2012 ANES, I present evidence that while income does not predict whether an individual is more likely to blame low-status consumers or high-status Wall Street bankers as being more responsible for the 2008 financial crisis, I do present evidence which suggests that high-income individuals who blame higher-status groups more than lower-status groups are significantly more likely to support increased aid to the poor. I evaluate my second argument empirically with a laboratory experiment and state-level panel data covering the years 1978-2000. Using a laboratory experiment, I present evidence that under conditions of budget transparency, subjects endowed with the power to create budgets were more likely to allocate greater proportions of their budget to subjects who had more resources and who had the power to veto the budget. Using state-level panel data between 1978-2000, I explore the relationship between transparency, media market penetration, class bias in voter participation, and welfare expenditures in the United States. Using a series of between-within panel models, I present evidence that the effect of transparency on public welfare expenditures is conditional on the different turnout propensities of the rich and the poor: in states where wealthier citizens are significantly more likely to vote in elections than the poor, longitudinal increases in budget transparency over time are associated with significant reductions in state welfare effort. The results of my dissertation have produced important insights into the psychological and institutional mechanisms that influence the redistributive preferences of individuals and the redistributive behavior of states. My research can move the fields of political science and social psychology toward resolution of unsettled theoretical debates concerning the generosity of different social classes and from a prescriptive standpoint reinforces the need for transparency interventions to move beyond a singular focus on information-release.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Severson_fsu_0071E_14653
Format: Thesis

Title: I'm Used to Having to Look at Myself through Somebody Else's Eyes: Comparing Black Women's Expeirences of Stereotyping at a Historically Black University and a Predominantly White University.
Creator: Armstrong, Jasmine Cheynne, Padavic, Irene, Reynolds, John R., Tillman, Kathryn H., Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Department of Sociology
Abstract/Description: This study examines variation in the cultural stereotypes African American women encounter at a historically Black university and at a predominantly White university and the possible differences in the stereotypes' effect. Prior research reveals a variety of “controlling images” of African American women in the society at large and at predominantly white universities in particular. A separate literature on HBCUs indicates many advantages for African Americans, such as philosophies that mirror...
Show moreThis study examines variation in the cultural stereotypes African American women encounter at a historically Black university and at a predominantly White university and the possible differences in the stereotypes' effect. Prior research reveals a variety of “controlling images” of African American women in the society at large and at predominantly white universities in particular. A separate literature on HBCUs indicates many advantages for African Americans, such as philosophies that mirror the values in the black community, the high number of black faculty and administrators who cater to the academic needs of the black student population, and the large black student representation on campus that ensures that black students are not a numerical minority. An unexamined potential advantage is that racialized stereotypes about black women may be less pervasive or, if they exist, they may be less pernicious and emotionally damaging than on predominantly-white campuses. I interviewed 46 women on two campuses, one an HBCU and the other a PWI. The purpose of this project is to develop a deeper understanding of Black women's experiences in the college setting and to add to scholarly knowledge about the advantages or disadvantages for black women of attending these two different types of institution. Negative stereotypes of black women have old roots, but they still appear in modern-day public discourse. I examine six stereotypical images of black women: the angry black woman, the strong black woman, the bossy black woman, the Jezebel black woman, the ghetto black woman, and the respectable black woman. These images have nuanced descriptions that categorize black women by their race, gender, and social class yet are adaptations of the historical stereotypes of black women as the Mammy, the Jezebel, and the Sapphire. This study has important policy implications. It can help us understand how stereotypes undermine black women’s efforts to advance. It also can shed light on the effectiveness of HBCUs compared to PWIs for black women’s experience of college life. Such insights may have boarder implications about improving black women’s chances of getting the most out of their education and preparing them for careers. Interviews revealed that women on both campuses encountered multiple stereotypes and that the HBCU was no more effective at protecting women from these encounters than was the PWI. In regard to black women’s experiences, the “angry black woman,” the “strong black woman,” and the “bossy black woman” stereotype were the most pervasive on both campuses. Differences were found in how elaborated the stories were about the stereotypes on one campus or the other. For example, women at the PWI reported more vivid experiences of being stereotyped as ghetto black women while women at the HBCU reported more stories about being labelled as Jezebels. I conclude by describing how this research contributes to intersectionality theory.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_ARMSTRONG_fsu_0071E_14678
Format: Thesis

Title: Identifying Associations among Negative Affect, Cognitive Biases, and Emotional Eating.
Creator: Klein, Kelly M. (Kelly Marie), Keel, Pamela K., Fadool, Debra Ann, Joiner, Thomas, Boot, Walter Richard, Cougle, Jesse R., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences...
Show moreKlein, Kelly M. (Kelly Marie), Keel, Pamela K., Fadool, Debra Ann, Joiner, Thomas, Boot, Walter Richard, Cougle, Jesse R., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology
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Abstract/Description: Emotional eating, or eating in response to negative emotions, represents a valuable construct of study due to its transdiagnostic nature (Habhab, Sheldon, & Loeb, 2009; Masheb & Grilo, 2006) and associations with obesity (Laitinen, Ek, & Sovio, 2002). As such, research on emotional eating could inform interventions that would be applicable to individuals with both full threshold and subclinical eating pathology. While research supports a relationship between increased negative affect and...
Show moreEmotional eating, or eating in response to negative emotions, represents a valuable construct of study due to its transdiagnostic nature (Habhab, Sheldon, & Loeb, 2009; Masheb & Grilo, 2006) and associations with obesity (Laitinen, Ek, & Sovio, 2002). As such, research on emotional eating could inform interventions that would be applicable to individuals with both full threshold and subclinical eating pathology. While research supports a relationship between increased negative affect and emotional eating, limited empirical work has tested the role of cognitive biases in the link between negative affect and emotional eating. This represents an important avenue for research due to the theoretical role cognitive biases play in models of binge eating (Heatherton & Baumeister, 1991). The present study recruited N = 90 women as either control (n=40) or emotional eating participants (n=50) to complete a self-report questionnaire battery, an implicit computer test of cognitive biases, a speech task stress induction, and an ad lib test meal. Participants with emotional eating had higher levels of negative affect and cognitive biases than individuals without such symptoms. Implicit and explicit cognitive biases significantly mediated the relationship between group and global negative affect. However, negative affect did not significantly mediate the relationship between cognitive biases and food consumption following stress. Given that our hypotheses were partially supported, further examination of the relationship between cognitive biases and emotional eating is warranted to determine if there is potential benefit in modifying cognitive biases to reduce emotional eating symptoms.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Klein_fsu_0071E_14645
Format: Thesis

Title: Fear, Loss, and Adaptations of Latino Families: Learning from Families Who Have a Parent at Risk for Deportation.
Creator: Rayburn, Allison Dorothy, McWey, Lenore M, Gussak, David, Cui, Ming, Gonzales Backen, Melinda Airr, Florida State University, College of Human Sciences, Department of Family and...
Show moreRayburn, Allison Dorothy, McWey, Lenore M, Gussak, David, Cui, Ming, Gonzales Backen, Melinda Airr, Florida State University, College of Human Sciences, Department of Family and Child Sciences
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Abstract/Description: Poor mental health outcomes are associated with families who have a parent without legal U.S. residential documentation who are at-risk for detainment or deportation (Dreby, 2012; Gulbas, Zayas, Yoon, Szlyk, Aguilar-Gaxiola, & Natera, 2016; Zayas, Aguilar-Gaxiola, Yoon, & Natera Rey, 2015). With an estimated 5.7 million U.S. born youth living with parents who do not have legal residential documentation, there is a need for furthering the understanding of the needs and resiliency of this...
Show morePoor mental health outcomes are associated with families who have a parent without legal U.S. residential documentation who are at-risk for detainment or deportation (Dreby, 2012; Gulbas, Zayas, Yoon, Szlyk, Aguilar-Gaxiola, & Natera, 2016; Zayas, Aguilar-Gaxiola, Yoon, & Natera Rey, 2015). With an estimated 5.7 million U.S. born youth living with parents who do not have legal residential documentation, there is a need for furthering the understanding of the needs and resiliency of this largely underserved population (Warren & Kerin, 2017). In addition to receiving less mental health and social services than families with parents with legal U.S. documentation, families who have a parent does not have legal residential documentation fate is often determined by legal and social service systems, including immigration, incarceration, and child welfare. Therefore, there is a need to explore further and examine the experiences and needs of this population to find ways in which to address negative outcomes and build upon their existing resilience. The purpose of this study was to give voice to Latino youth and their parents to further the understanding of the relationship between the experiences, needs, and resiliency factors associated with coping with having a parent at risk for detainment or deportation. This research examined the reported experiences of youth and parents to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences with this potentially traumatic event and resiliency factors. Both developmental trauma theory (van der Kolk, 2005) and ambiguous loss theory (Boss, 1999) provided the theoretical frameworks for this study. Using a qualitative design, a constructivist grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2006: 2013) was used to further the theoretical understanding of the interactions and experiences of Latino families who are at risk or who have experienced parental deportation. Participants include 16 families who had a least one parent who was at risk for detainment or deported. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in either Spanish or English with parents and youth separate to gather depth and descriptive richness of the participants’ story from their perspective and with their choice of language. Also, demographic information and a quantitative trauma measure were used to triangulate the qualitative findings Results revealed themes of emotional distress and injustices from both parents and youth of this population. Additionally, parents and youth identified both cultural factors and parent-youth communication about the potential trauma contributed to parent and youth resiliency. Implications for professionals in the helping field and future directions for research are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Rayburn_fsu_0071E_14618
Format: Thesis

Title: The Forgotten Topic: A Study on the Transition College Experiences of Former Foster Youth.
Creator: Kenton, David Hopeton, Guthrie, Kathy L., Roberts, Winston, Schwartz, Robert A., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy...
Show moreKenton, David Hopeton, Guthrie, Kathy L., Roberts, Winston, Schwartz, Robert A., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
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Abstract/Description: The educational trajectory of foster care students in the United States is often delayed. However, there are foster care students who have been able to successfully navigate the educational pipeline and complete a college degree (Batsche et al., 2012). The purpose of this study was to explore the transition experiences of foster care students from high school to a four-year university and to identify contributors to their adaption into the college environment. This study challenges previously...
Show moreThe educational trajectory of foster care students in the United States is often delayed. However, there are foster care students who have been able to successfully navigate the educational pipeline and complete a college degree (Batsche et al., 2012). The purpose of this study was to explore the transition experiences of foster care students from high school to a four-year university and to identify contributors to their adaption into the college environment. This study challenges previously held beliefs by focusing on the actual rather than perceived contributors to their success while in college. Data from this study came from demographic questionnaires and 60-90-minute interviews with 11 qualified study participants. The study participants provided multifaceted responses about their transition experiences to the university. Findings and themes which emerged from the study focused on the experiences of transferring from a state college, being homeless, and identifying helpful support resources during their transition process. Study participants discussed the need for utilizing campus resources, developing transition strategies, and the importance of networking and engagement. The study results also provided insight into practices not considered helpful by foster care students. The discussion and implication section provide suggested resources for foster care programs and university administrators who support this population. Future research recommendations focused on self-development and program effectiveness followed by concluding thoughts.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Kenton_fsu_0071E_14552
Format: Thesis

Title: Examining First-Year Student-Athlete Transition into College.
Creator: Freeman, Jaison Cleveland, Chow, Graig Michael, Taylor, John, Tenenbaum, Gershon, Becker, Martin Swanbrow, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of...
Show moreFreeman, Jaison Cleveland, Chow, Graig Michael, Taylor, John, Tenenbaum, Gershon, Becker, Martin Swanbrow, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems
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Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model of first-year student-athlete (FYSA) transition into college. The model examined basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS) levels in both athletic and collegiate domains, and the impact of BPNS in each domain on athletic (sport motivation, athlete satisfaction, sport confidence, perceived sport performance), academic (academic motivation, student satisfaction, academic self-efficacy, perceived academic performance), and quality of...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to develop and test a model of first-year student-athlete (FYSA) transition into college. The model examined basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS) levels in both athletic and collegiate domains, and the impact of BPNS in each domain on athletic (sport motivation, athlete satisfaction, sport confidence, perceived sport performance), academic (academic motivation, student satisfaction, academic self-efficacy, perceived academic performance), and quality of life outcomes amongst a sample of FYSA at various NCAA institutions in Divisions I, II, and III across the country (N = 260). The model was tested via path analysis, and the results revealed a number of significant direct associations between the factors. Included amongst the most notable and powerful of these relationships were influences of athletic competence on sport confidence, athletic autonomy on athlete satisfaction, collegiate competence on academic efficacy and academic motivation, and sport confidence on academic efficacy and integrated quality of life. The general conclusions of the study stressed the significant impact that BPNS and the development of psychological skills can have on the transition and adaptation process for FYSA. The analyses conducted in this study contribute to the development a deeper understanding of how FYSA experience transition into college and has potentially significant implications for how athletic department administrators approach and allocate resources to orienting FYSA to the campus community.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Freeman_fsu_0071E_14731
Format: Thesis

Title: Examining Positive Life Outcomes in the Face of Antisocial Traits.
Creator: Boccio, Cashen I. M., Beaver, Kevin M., Tripodi, Stephen J., Stewart, Eric Allen, Blomberg, Thomas G., Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice,...
Show moreBoccio, Cashen I. M., Beaver, Kevin M., Tripodi, Stephen J., Stewart, Eric Allen, Blomberg, Thomas G., Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
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Abstract/Description: Previous research links antisocial traits with criminal involvement and contact with the criminal justice system. In line with these findings, an emerging body of research has begun to explore if antisocial traits and persistent criminal behavior are associated with life outcomes outside of crime. The limited research that has examined the associations between antisocial traits, persistent offending, and life outcomes outside of crime has revealed that both antisocial traits and persistent...
Show morePrevious research links antisocial traits with criminal involvement and contact with the criminal justice system. In line with these findings, an emerging body of research has begun to explore if antisocial traits and persistent criminal behavior are associated with life outcomes outside of crime. The limited research that has examined the associations between antisocial traits, persistent offending, and life outcomes outside of crime has revealed that both antisocial traits and persistent offending are associated with an array of negative life outcomes including unemployment, financial instability, health problems, and turbulent interpersonal relationships (Beaver et al., 2016; Farrington, 2006; Miller, Barnes, & Beaver, 2011; Moffitt, Caspi, Harrington, & Milne, 2002; Moffitt et al., 2011). Considerably less research, however, has examined potential protective factors that may moderate the associations between antisocial traits, persistent offending, and negative life outcomes. This dissertation will address these gaps in the literature by examining associations between antisocial traits (i.e., low self-control, psychopathic personality traits), life-course-persistent offending, and life outcomes outside of crime and contract with the criminal justice system. In addition, this dissertation will explore potential individual-level and environmental protective factors that may moderate the associations between antisocial traits, persistent offending, and life outcomes outside of crime. The results reveal that antisocial traits and persistent offending are associated with life outcomes outside of crime. Additionally, the findings indicate that the relationships between antisocial traits, persistent offending, and life outcomes are moderated by several protective factors. The implications of these findings are discussed in reference to theory, policy implications, and future research.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Boccio_fsu_0071E_14624
Format: Thesis

Title: The Museum as a Space for Therapeutic Art Experiences for Adolescents with High Functioning Autism (HFA).
Creator: Hartman, Ashley, Gussak, David, Hanessian, Holly, Villeneuve, Pat, Parker-Bell, Barbara Faye, Love, Ann Rowson, Florida State University, College of Fine Arts, Department of Art...
Show moreHartman, Ashley, Gussak, David, Hanessian, Holly, Villeneuve, Pat, Parker-Bell, Barbara Faye, Love, Ann Rowson, Florida State University, College of Fine Arts, Department of Art Education
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Abstract/Description: Museum education and art therapy collaborations have emerged to work together to achieve simultaneous education and therapeutic goals for adolescent populations (Peacock, 2012). There is a need for research in the area of improving the services and quality of lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This study explored the responses of adolescents with high functioning autism (HFA) as they engaged in therapeutic art experiences in the museum setting. Four adolescents ages 13...
Show moreMuseum education and art therapy collaborations have emerged to work together to achieve simultaneous education and therapeutic goals for adolescent populations (Peacock, 2012). There is a need for research in the area of improving the services and quality of lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This study explored the responses of adolescents with high functioning autism (HFA) as they engaged in therapeutic art experiences in the museum setting. Four adolescents ages 13-17 participated in two hour-long sessions twice weekly over the course of ten weeks. They created thematic exhibitions with artist statements that were displayed in a university-based art museum in an exhibition titled My Own Expression. A thematic analysis identified four themes that emerged to describe the therapeutic benefits of utilizing the museum as a space for art therapy sessions with this population. Participant responses indicated four areas of development that occurred across the cases: cognitive and language development, adolescent identity development, socioemotional development, and sensory and affect regulation development. Keywords: art therapy, art museum education, high functioning autism (HFA), joint attention, cognitive and language development, socioemotional development, sensory regulation
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Hartman_fsu_0071E_14588
Format: Thesis

Title: Multi-Temporal-Spectral Land Cover Classification for Remote Sensing Imagery Using Deep Learning.
Creator: [No family name], Atharva, Liu, Xiuwen, Yang, Xiaojun, Tyson, Gary Scott, Zhao, Peixiang, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Sustainability research of the environment depends on accurate land cover information over large areas. Even with the increased number of satellite systems and sensors acquiring data with improved spectral, spatial, radiometric and temporal characteristics and the new data distribution policy, most existing global land cover datasets were derived from a single-date multi-spectral remotely sensed image using pixel-based classifiers with low accuracy. To improve the accuracy, the bottleneck is...
Show moreSustainability research of the environment depends on accurate land cover information over large areas. Even with the increased number of satellite systems and sensors acquiring data with improved spectral, spatial, radiometric and temporal characteristics and the new data distribution policy, most existing global land cover datasets were derived from a single-date multi-spectral remotely sensed image using pixel-based classifiers with low accuracy. To improve the accuracy, the bottleneck is how to develop accurate and effective image classification techniques. By incorporating and utilizing the spatial and multi-temporal information with multi-spectral information of remote sensing images for land cover classification, and considering their spatial and temporal interdependence, I propose three deep network systems tailored for medium-resolution remote sensing data. With a test site from the Florida Everglades area (with a size of 771 square kilometers), the proposed new deep systems have achieved significant improvements in the classification accuracy over most existing pixel-based classifiers. A proposed patch-based recurrent neural network (PB-RNN) system, a proposed pixel-based recurrent neural network system and a proposed patch-based convolutional neural network system achieve 97.21%, 87.65% and 89.26% classification accuracy respectively while a pixel-based single-image neural network (NN) system achieves only 64.74% classification accuracy. By integrating the proposed deep networks and the huge collection of medium-resolution remote sensing data, I believe that much accurate land cover datasets can be produced over large areas.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Atharva_fsu_0071E_14727
Format: Thesis

Title: Multiple Imputation Methods for Large Multi-Scale Data Sets with Missing or Suppressed Values.
Creator: Cao, Jian, Beaumont, Paul M., Duke, D. W., Norrbin, Stefan C., Ökten, Giray, Cano-Urbina, Javier, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy,...
Show moreCao, Jian, Beaumont, Paul M., Duke, D. W., Norrbin, Stefan C., Ökten, Giray, Cano-Urbina, Javier, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Department of Economics
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Abstract/Description: Without proper treatment, direct analysis on data sets with missing or suppressed values can lead to biased results. Among all of the missing data handling methods, multiple imputation (MI) methods are regarded as the state of the art. The multiple imputed data sets can, on the one hand, generate unbiased estimates, and on the other hand, provide a reliable way to adjust standard errors based on missing data uncertainty. Despite many advantages, existing MI methods have poor performance on...
Show moreWithout proper treatment, direct analysis on data sets with missing or suppressed values can lead to biased results. Among all of the missing data handling methods, multiple imputation (MI) methods are regarded as the state of the art. The multiple imputed data sets can, on the one hand, generate unbiased estimates, and on the other hand, provide a reliable way to adjust standard errors based on missing data uncertainty. Despite many advantages, existing MI methods have poor performance on complicated Multi-Scale data, especially when the data set is large. The large data set of interest to us is the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage (QCEW), which is the employment and wages of every establishment in the US. These detailed data are aggregated up through three scales: industry structure, geographic levels and time. The size of the QCEW data is as large as 210 x✕ 2217 ✕ 3193 ≈ 1.5 billion observations. For privacy concerns the data are heavily suppressed and this missingness could appear anywhere in this complicated structure. The existing methods are either accurate or fast but bot both in handling the QCEW data. Our goal is to develop a MI method which is capable of handling the missing value problem of large multi-scale data set both accurately and efficiently. This research addresses this goal in three directions. First, I improve the accuracy of the fastest MI method, Bootstrapping based Expectation Maximization (EMB) algorithm, by equipping it with a Multi-Scale Updating step. This updating step uses the information from the singular covariance matrix to take multi-scale structure into account and to simulate more accurate imputations. Second, I improve the MI method by using a Quasi Monte Carlo technique to accelerate its convergence speed. Finally, I develop a Sequential Parallel Imputation method which can detect the structure and missing pattern of large data sets, and partition it to small data sets automatically. The resulting Parallel Sequential Multi-Scale Bootstrapping Expectation Maximization Multiple Imputation (PSI-MBEMMI) method is accurate, very fast, and can be applied to very large data sets.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Cao_fsu_0071E_14706
Format: Thesis

Title: The Official Supporter's Group Section: Conceptualizing and Measuring Its Effect on Sport Consumer Satisfaction and Behavioral Outcomes.
Creator: Reid, Charles Elliott, Kim, Amy C. H., Gray, Edward G., James, Jeffrey D., Newman, Joshua I., Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Sport Management
Abstract/Description: Attendance at sporting events remains a vital part of sporting contests, as spectators have been shown to have a significant impact upon the atmosphere of an event (Uhrich & Benkenstein, 2012). As more attractive options for consuming sporting events continue to arise (e.g., higher-definition televisions, game watch parties, etc.), sport managers should seek to better understand what elements of in-person spectating are most important for repeat attendance. Sport stadium atmosphere...
Show moreAttendance at sporting events remains a vital part of sporting contests, as spectators have been shown to have a significant impact upon the atmosphere of an event (Uhrich & Benkenstein, 2012). As more attractive options for consuming sporting events continue to arise (e.g., higher-definition televisions, game watch parties, etc.), sport managers should seek to better understand what elements of in-person spectating are most important for repeat attendance. Sport stadium atmosphere researchers have identified other spectators as a positive source of influence for future attendance intentions (Biscaia, Correia Rosado, Maroco, & Ross, 2012; Lee, Lee, Seo, & Green, 2012; Uhrich & Benkenstein, 2012). However, spectators have only been studied in aggregate, as though all spectators were homogenous and part of one entire group. Through the present research I evaluated a specific sub-group, the Official Supporter’s Group (OSG) Section, of the spectating population for its effects on the non-OSG spectators in attendance at Major League Soccer games. The stated purpose of the OSG Section is to assist their team through chants, singing, and cheering. As a means of achieving this goal, those within the OSG Section attempt to involve other spectators outside the section to increase the volume and intensity of support for their team. The existence of these supporter’s groups is explained through Social Identity Theory and Complexity Theory. OSGs and the OSG Section are theorized to be sub-components of the Sport Stadium Atmosphere (SSA) framework (Uhrich & Benkenstein, 2010; Uhrich & Koenigstorfer, 2009). This framework consists of three dimensions of environmental stimuli (organizer-induced, game-induced, and spectator-induced) that have a positive, direct relationship with consumer affective responses (Uhrich & Benkenstein, 2010). This research was conducted to evaluate the impact of those making up the OSG Section as an influential aspect of the spectator-induced dimension. The two goals of this research were to add to the SSA framework (Uhrich & Benkenstein, 2010; Uhrich & Koenigstorfer, 2009) in two ways: 1) by evaluating the effect of a previously unstudied aspect of the spectating population: the OSG Section, and 2) by including satisfaction as a measure of the effects of the stadium atmosphere upon the consumer. Three stages were employed to investigate the goals above. First, a questionnaire was developed to survey spectators of Major League Soccer (MLS) games during the 2018 season. Item-development processes were undertaken, based on the recommendations of Hinkin’s (1998) scale development process, to evaluate perceived effects of the organizer-induced stimuli, game-induced stimuli, the influence of the OSG Section, and outcome variables of satisfaction, intention to return, and word-of-mouth recommendations. Second, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the new items developed and to refine the instrument for the main study. Finally, a main study was employed to collect data from a second sample of the population (MLS spectators) using the refined survey instrument. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques were used to analyze collected data and test the hypothesized relationships. The members and actions of those comprising the OSG Section were found to have a significant, positive relationship with both resulting spectator emotions and satisfaction. Further, there is evidence to further confirm the relationship between satisfaction and behavioral intentions (Kuenzel & Yassim, 2007; Matsuoka et al., 2003). Practical implications, limitations, and future research directions are all discussed in the final chapter.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Reid_fsu_0071E_14814
Format: Thesis

Title: Pre-Service Teachers Feel Ready, Set, Go on Day One?: Comparing Pre-Service Teachers Teaching Efficacy from a Center of Excellence Teacher Preparation Model and a Traditional Model.
Creator: Caster, Kay Arnold, Preston, Courtney, Ke, Fengfeng, Rutledge, Stacy A., Gawlik, Marytza, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership...
Show moreCaster, Kay Arnold, Preston, Courtney, Ke, Fengfeng, Rutledge, Stacy A., Gawlik, Marytza, Florida State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
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Abstract/Description: This qualitative study examined the unique perspectives of participants, who recently completed their elementary teacher education training, of their sense of effectiveness in leading students to learn, also known as teacher efficacy. This study used a comparative case study approach to compare and contrast the differences in teacher efficacy as impacted by the internship experiences and supervision of cooperating teachers, within two different teacher preparation models. Volunteers were...
Show moreThis qualitative study examined the unique perspectives of participants, who recently completed their elementary teacher education training, of their sense of effectiveness in leading students to learn, also known as teacher efficacy. This study used a comparative case study approach to compare and contrast the differences in teacher efficacy as impacted by the internship experiences and supervision of cooperating teachers, within two different teacher preparation models. Volunteers were selected from a population of 2017 elementary teacher education graduates from Florida Atlantic University and Florida State University who had completed their pre-service internships during the 2016-2017 academic year. Participants responded to open-ended questions during telephone interviews. Data were analyzed to compare participants’ descriptions of their teacher efficacy, how their teacher efficacy may have developed through the progress of their programs and impacted by their internship experiences. This study also examined whether comprehensive training in coaching and mentorship, as provided by one of the two state universities, contributed to the participants’ level of teacher efficacy. The outcomes corroborated current research literature but also revealed unique findings in the formation and development of perceived teaching effectiveness through the preparation program experience. The findings for show that pre-service teachers do not succinctly connect their perceived teacher efficacy to students’ learning and accomplishing instructional goals. Also, that internships need to provide frequent, timely and diverse experiences within an environment of learning and support. The key differences between FAU and FSU were in consistency within placements and in diversity of student populations. Impactful events were noted by participants of both FAU and FSU as opportunities for instructional growth and improvement. Finally, the deepest connection with pre-service teachers in developing their teacher efficacy is the mentor/mentee relationship that encourages and supports instructional practice and improvement. Although FAU has provided multiple professional development trainings for supervising pre-service teachers, other factors such as support, encouragement, flexibility and empathy led to developing a more positive teacher efficacy.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Caster_fsu_0071E_14657
Format: Thesis

Title: Prekindergarten Teachers' Knowledge of Instructional Practices That Facilitate Geometric and Spatial Sense.
Creator: Norton, Lakeshia M., Dennis, Lindsay Rae, Akiba, Motoko, Jakubowski, Elizabeth M., Jones, Ithel, Florida State University, College of Education, School of Teacher Education
Abstract/Description: High-quality school based learning practices are believed to have lasting effects on young children’s achievement. These practices include early mathematics instruction that now extend to promoting geometric and spatial sense in young children. The key contributors to these quality experiences are the early childhood teachers, whose developmentally appropriate practices are noted to shape future success of young learners. Therefore, the present study explored prekindergarten teachers’...
Show moreHigh-quality school based learning practices are believed to have lasting effects on young children’s achievement. These practices include early mathematics instruction that now extend to promoting geometric and spatial sense in young children. The key contributors to these quality experiences are the early childhood teachers, whose developmentally appropriate practices are noted to shape future success of young learners. Therefore, the present study explored prekindergarten teachers’ instructional practices used to promote geometric and spatial sense in their classrooms. Additionally, this research examined the perceptions, understandings, and experiences that informed the VPK teachers’ geometric and spatial instruction. Participating in the study was a sample of five VPK teachers from three child development centers in a mid-sized county in Northern Florida. The data sources examined in the study consisted of classroom observations, video-stimulated recall interviews, and document analysis. The findings indicated that Voluntary prekindergarten teachers’ (VPK) emphasis on Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) emerged as a major theme that typically presented along with subthemes such as play, active/hands-on, and guided instruction during geometric and spatial activities. The data also suggest that VPK teachers’ instructional practices were informed by both their experiences working with mentors and their role as lead teacher. However, the data also suggest that the VPK teachers in the study had an incomplete knowledge of the VPK developmental standards and benchmarks for instruction, and demonstrated surface level understandings of geometric and spatial concepts in general. Finally, the findings from this study may be beneficial when considering professional development trainings for current VPK teachers in an effort to improve the quality of mathematics instruction.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Norton_fsu_0071E_14709
Format: Thesis

Title: Multi-Scalar Assessment of Built-Environment and Bus Networks Influence on Rapid-Transit Patronage: The Case of Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Network.
Creator: Ramos Santiago, Luis Enrique, Brown, Jeff R., Horner, Mark W., Duncan, Michael Douglas, Felkner, John, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy,...
Show moreRamos Santiago, Luis Enrique, Brown, Jeff R., Horner, Mark W., Duncan, Michael Douglas, Felkner, John, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, Department of Urban and Regional Planning
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Abstract/Description: The advent of accelerated global warming and volatile climate change has prompted the need for a better understanding of what factors and policies might contribute to mitigate these events as well as increase the resilience of communities. Transit systems’ effectiveness and efficiency in increasingly disperse, car-dependent, and poly-centric urban agglomerations is one such factor, including the search for strategies to increase transit patronage and decrease car-dependence. Improving access...
Show moreThe advent of accelerated global warming and volatile climate change has prompted the need for a better understanding of what factors and policies might contribute to mitigate these events as well as increase the resilience of communities. Transit systems’ effectiveness and efficiency in increasingly disperse, car-dependent, and poly-centric urban agglomerations is one such factor, including the search for strategies to increase transit patronage and decrease car-dependence. Improving access to rapid-transit systems is one key area as it has the potential to expand the system’s influence beyond station’s immediate pedestrian service areas into larger and less developed suburban areas, and/or serve more disperse employment. Precedent studies and most on-board surveys have focused on a variety of access modes to reach rapid-transit services, including automobile, walking, and bicycle. Bus access, despite representing on average a non-trivial 19.3% of all access trips at national level, more than 30% at some large poly-centric cities in the U.S., and close to 50% of access trips for some rapid-transit lines (out-sizing the share of pedestrian access) has not received as much attention as other access modes. Predictive models for bus access mode report notably lower explanatory power as compared to other modes and the account of bus access events is often conflated with that of walk access in many technical reports and surveys for reasons yet to be understood. Ignoring, overlooking and/or misrepresenting this mode of access may lead to misunderstanding of multi-modal transit travel behavior and its spatial extent, possibly misguiding planners and policy-makers’ decision-making and resulting in system-wide ineffectiveness and/or inefficiency. This investigation documents bus access share for one exemplary case study and clarifies built-environment and bus networks’ influence on rapid-transit patronage within descriptive and inferential quantitative methodologies. This study seeks to answer two guiding research questions: 1- How important are bus networks to rapid-transit ridership in large, dispersed, poly-centric metropolitan regions in the U.S.? and 2- Do land-use and built-environment attributes around feeder bus-stops influence rapid-transit boardings? Because of diverse geographical scales and service levels experienced by a rider on a chained bus / rapid-transit trip this study focuses on two distinct yet linked geographies for analysis: 1-rapid-transit station; and 2- bus-stop. Research design is based on a single-case study in the United States (Los Angeles metropolitan multi-modal transit system). The first study focuses on quantifying the share of bus access trips at station-level and gaging its influence on total boardings within a multivariate generalized regression framework. Several socio-economic, service-level, built-environment, and network attributes are taken into consideration as informed by travel behavior theory and literature review. A strong positive association between bus network’s service and connectivity levels with rapid-transit station boardings registers high statistical confidence levels with boardings across all specified models. The mutual dependence of rapid-transit and bus networks evinced in the case of Los Angeles argues for a full multi-modal transit planning and operations paradigm for advancing a more effective, equitable, and sustainable transit system if it is to compete with ubiquitous automobile travel and its underpinning policy, fiscal, infrastructural, and cultural support. For Los Angeles, rapid-transit bus access represents an estimated 33.5% of all access events at a system-wide level, 20% - 49% at line-level, and a notably wider range at station-level (0% - 86%). The second study in this investigation focuses in assessing bus-stop pedestrian service areas built-environment and land-use attributes’ potential influence on rapid-transit station boardings, whilst controlling for both known and hypothesized control factors at bus-stop and station-level. By simultaneously focusing on bus-stop level attributes and higher-level rapid-transit stations’ attributes this part of the investigation fills a gap in the extant land-use / travel-behavior literature that more often focuses on pedestrian service areas adjacent to rapid-transit stations and ignores those around feeder bus-stops. Results evince a highly significant statistical relationship between bus-stop service area built-environment characteristics and the number of boardings associated with access trips to rapid-transit stations. However, the absolute effect relative to bus service levels and to automobile availability is notably smaller. Taken together as a multi-scalar study of bus and rapid-transit network interactions this investigation points to the importance of bus / rapid-transit network connectivity and service integration for maintaining and increasing rapid-transit patronage and the potential of synergistic contributions of built-environment interventions at feeder bus stops that seek to improve walkability and shorter walking distances. As a general conclusion, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority and its associated MPO policy emphasis on TOD development as a strategy to increase transit ridership is limited. A more comprehensive policy approach based on ‘integrated public transportation’ and a more extensive station access policy that incorporates improvements around feeder bus stops, not only around stations, is the recommended course.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Ramos_fsu_0071E_14637
Format: Thesis

Title: Pattern Recognition in Medical Imaging: Supervised Learning of fMRI and MRI Data.
Creator: Tahmassebi, Amirhessam, Meyer-Bäse, Anke, Foo, Simon Y., Pinker-Domenig, Katja, Beerli, Peter, Slice, Dennis E., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences,...
Show moreTahmassebi, Amirhessam, Meyer-Bäse, Anke, Foo, Simon Y., Pinker-Domenig, Katja, Beerli, Peter, Slice, Dennis E., Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Scientific Computing
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Abstract/Description: Machine learning algorithms along with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides promising techniques to overcome the drawbacks of the current clinical screening techniques. In this study the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to see the level of activity in a patient's brain and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to explore the level of improvement of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer were considered....
Show moreMachine learning algorithms along with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides promising techniques to overcome the drawbacks of the current clinical screening techniques. In this study the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to see the level of activity in a patient's brain and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to explore the level of improvement of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer were considered. As the first project, we considered fMRI of patients before and after they underwent a double-blind smoking cessation treatment. For the first time, this study aims at developing new theory-driven biomarkers by implementing and evaluating novel techniques from resting-state scans that can be used in relapse prediction in nicotine-dependent patients and future treatment efficacy. In this regards, two classes of patients have been studied, one took the drug N-acetylcysteine and the other took a placebo. Our goal was to classify the patients as treatment or non-treatment, based on their fMRI scans. The image slices of brain are used as the variable. We have applied different voxel selection schemes and data reduction algorithms on all images. Then, we compared several multivariate classifiers and deep learning algorithms and also investigated how the different data reductions affect classification performance. For the second part, we have employed multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) using different morphological and functional MRI parameters such as T2-weighted, dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI, and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) has emerged as the method of choice for the early response assessments to NAC. Although, mpMRI is superior to conventional mammography for predicting treatment response, and evaluating residual disease, yet there is still room for improvement. In the past decade, the field of medical imaging analysis has grown exponentially, with an increased numbers of pattern recognition tools, and an increase in data sizes. These advances have heralded the field of radiomics. Radiomics allows the high-throughput extraction of the quantitative features that result in the conversion of images into mineable data, and the subsequent analysis of the data for an improved decision support with response monitoring during NAC being no exception. In this study. we determined the importance and ranking of the extracted parameters from mpMRI using T2-weighted, DCE, and DWI for prediction of pCR and patient outcomes with respect to metastases and disease-specific death employing different machine learning algorithms.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Tahmassebi_fsu_0071E_14652
Format: Thesis

Title: Performing and Connecting through Space: An Analysis of Two Divergent Attempts at Audience Engagement.
Creator: Charity, Edward Malcolm Charles, Thomas, Shannon, Darrow, Alice-Ann, Jiménez, Alexander, Sung, Benjamin, Florida State University, College of Music, College of Music
Abstract/Description: This document investigates the potential connection that can be made between performer and audience by disrupting the normal order of performance. I have drawn from the disciplines of Theater and Psychology to find new ways to convey actively the interpretive visions that inform a concert to an audience, without relying on the more typical program note or pre-concert talk. Helping an audience stay interested and curious in the music’s meaning, for themselves and for the performer, is the...
Show moreThis document investigates the potential connection that can be made between performer and audience by disrupting the normal order of performance. I have drawn from the disciplines of Theater and Psychology to find new ways to convey actively the interpretive visions that inform a concert to an audience, without relying on the more typical program note or pre-concert talk. Helping an audience stay interested and curious in the music’s meaning, for themselves and for the performer, is the primary goal of the project. I have chosen two works to test these methods: Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 and String Quartet No. 1 of György Ligeti. A separate recital is dedicated to each piece, and the way the connection is made with the audience remains distinct for each concert. The preliminary work and research that has gone into the planning of these two recitals is the first section of the writing regarding each performance (so that the reader has a first-hand view of exactly how the end-project was decided upon and achieved). The treatise also discusses the post-concert performer reaction, as well as an overview of each performance.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: 2018_Su_Charity_fsu_0071E_14816
Format: Thesis

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