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- Title
- Characterizing Immune Cells of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins.
- Creator
- Bible, Brittany, Zeng, Menghua, Graduate College, Tamjidi, Saba, Bossart, Gregory D., Nouri-Shirazi, Mahyar
- Abstract/Description
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Background: Marine mammals are ideal sentinel species for human health due to exposure to the same oceans and consumption of the same foods. There have been many studies which demonstrate that wild Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins are exposed to high levels of contaminants which lead to a suppressed immune system and are therefore more susceptible to opportunistic infections, many of which are zoonotic diseases. However, nearly no research has been done on determining defects in the immune cell...
Show moreBackground: Marine mammals are ideal sentinel species for human health due to exposure to the same oceans and consumption of the same foods. There have been many studies which demonstrate that wild Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins are exposed to high levels of contaminants which lead to a suppressed immune system and are therefore more susceptible to opportunistic infections, many of which are zoonotic diseases. However, nearly no research has been done on determining defects in the immune cell population of dolphins, especially Dendritic Cells DCs that are essential for initiating an immune response. Hypothesis: We hypothesize phenotypic and functional differences in the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells PBMC, including DC precursors, of wild dolphins as compared to managed dolphins. Methods: Specifically in this study, we have used terrestrial-specific antibodies and growth factors to characterize immune cells in PBMC and to generate monocyte-derived DCs. Results: We have identified cross-reactive terrestrial antibodies that could detect immune cell subsets within PBMC, including B cells, T cells, NK cells, monocytes and APCs. Interestingly, using these antibodies we found significant changes in immune cell subsets within PBMC of wild and managed dolphins. Finally among the terrestrial DC growth factors tested we found rat GM-CSF and IL-4 generated DCs expressing higher levels of CD11c, CD14, CD40, CD80, CD86, MHC I and MHC II. Conclusion: Our findings allow us to further study defects in the immune cells, especially DCs, in response to environmental contaminants.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005137
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An identification and comparison of intestinal parasites found within Gopherus polyphemus at two differing Southeastern Florida habitats.
- Creator
- Huffman, Jessica, Frazier, Evelyn, Graduate College, Caruso, Joseph P.
- Abstract/Description
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Gopherus polyphemus is a keystone terrestrial reptile, currently threatened in Florida due to habitat destruction. Overcrowded populations are associated with higher infectious disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown, despite growing evidence they may pose significant health risks. There is a large gopher tortoise population in the fragmented, poorly maintained Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP). A separate Martin County population is...
Show moreGopherus polyphemus is a keystone terrestrial reptile, currently threatened in Florida due to habitat destruction. Overcrowded populations are associated with higher infectious disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown, despite growing evidence they may pose significant health risks. There is a large gopher tortoise population in the fragmented, poorly maintained Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP). A separate Martin County population is at Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP) in a higher quality habitat. We hypothesized there would be higher intestinal parasite loads in FAUP tortoises than JDSP tortoises, due to overcrowding. Several methods were used to determine parasite species and infection intensities. Fecal flotations revealed moderate to high Strongyle and Hookworm intensities in FAUP tortoises; in contrast, low Hookworm and moderate Strongyle intensities were seen in JDSP tortoises. Comparing infection intensities to degree of crowding is important to optimize management strategies of these threatened species.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005150
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Comparative survey of hemoparasites in two south Florida gopher tortoise populations.
- Creator
- Elhassani, Dana, Caruso, Joseph P., Graduate College, Frazier, Evelyn
- Abstract/Description
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The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a threatened keystone species of the Southeastern United States. Increasing urban encroachment and tortoise translocation increases the risk of disease transmission. Prior work at Florida Atlantic University suggested resident gopher tortoises had high tick burdens. To investigate ticks as potential disease vectors, two sites were examined. The Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP); managed by mowing and herbicides and Jonathan Dickinson...
Show moreThe gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a threatened keystone species of the Southeastern United States. Increasing urban encroachment and tortoise translocation increases the risk of disease transmission. Prior work at Florida Atlantic University suggested resident gopher tortoises had high tick burdens. To investigate ticks as potential disease vectors, two sites were examined. The Florida Atlantic University Preserve (FAUP); managed by mowing and herbicides and Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP); managed by fire. We hypothesized that gopher tortoises in the FAUP will be infected by heavier hemoparasite loads, potentially causing anemia, when compared to JDSP. To detect hemoparasites, blood was collected from tortoises at FAUP and JDSP. Blood smears revealed intracellular parasites and inclusions at both sites. Packed cell volumes were done to assess whether tortoises were anemic; results found tortoises were not anemic during that sampling period. This study will provide baseline data for blood-borne infections in two south Florida gopher tortoise populations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005145
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Integrated Modeling Approach for Energy Alternatives and Green House Gas Mitigation Assessment in the State of Florida.
- Creator
- Thakkar, Kuntal, Ghenai, Chaouki, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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The International Panel on Climate Change IPCC suggests that by the end of the year 2050, the overall GHG emission has to be reduced by 50-80 of the emission level of year 2000. At the same time to meet the energy demand worldwide the energy supplies must double by 2050 World Energy Council. This research proposed a methodology to mitigate the climate change problems and to reduce the reliance on non-renewable energy sources through an integrated modeling approach.
An integrated modeling tool...
Show moreThe International Panel on Climate Change IPCC suggests that by the end of the year 2050, the overall GHG emission has to be reduced by 50-80 of the emission level of year 2000. At the same time to meet the energy demand worldwide the energy supplies must double by 2050 World Energy Council. This research proposed a methodology to mitigate the climate change problems and to reduce the reliance on non-renewable energy sources through an integrated modeling approach.
An integrated modeling tool was used in this study to 1 track energy consumption, production, and resource extraction, 2 track greenhouse gases emissions and 3 analyze emissions for local and regional air pollutions.
The model was used in this study for short and long term energy and GHG emissions reduction analysis for the state of Florida. The integrated modeling methodology will help to evaluate the alternative energy scenarios and examine emissions-reduction strategies.
The mitigation scenarios have been designed to describe the future energy strategies. They consist of various demand and supply side scenarios.
One of the GHG mitigation scenarios is crafted by taking into account the available renewable resources potential for power generation in the state of Florida to compare and analyze the GHG reduction measure against “Business As Usual” and “Florida State Policy” scenario.
Two more “integrated” scenarios, “Electrification” and “Efficiency and Lifestyle” are crafted through combination of various mitigation scenarios to assess the cumulative impact of the reduction measures such as technological changes and energy efficiency and conservation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005170
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Changes in Ant Species Distribution on Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches in St Croix, US Virgin Islands.
- Creator
- Balkaran, Kavita, Wetterer, James K., Graduate College, Romais, Danielle K., Balkaran, Michael, Balkaran, Deavica
- Abstract/Description
-
Invasive predaceous ants can cause chaos in their new habitats by competing for resources, increasing or decreasing preys or predators, and even threatening the next generation of offsprings. The red imported fire ant RIFA, Solenopsis invicta is a generalist, omnivorous exotic ant from South America. It has been causing ecological, agricultural, and economical havoc in the USA and other parts of the world. Solenopsis invicta preys on pipped eggs and hatchlings of ground nesting birds and...
Show moreInvasive predaceous ants can cause chaos in their new habitats by competing for resources, increasing or decreasing preys or predators, and even threatening the next generation of offsprings. The red imported fire ant RIFA, Solenopsis invicta is a generalist, omnivorous exotic ant from South America. It has been causing ecological, agricultural, and economical havoc in the USA and other parts of the world. Solenopsis invicta preys on pipped eggs and hatchlings of ground nesting birds and reptiles and they are also found on sea turtle nesting beaches. We hypothesized that there will be a change in the fire ant species distribution at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge SPNWR after the first follow-up survey done in 2010, and at Jack Bay after the baseline study in 2011; both nesting beaches are in St Croix, US Virgin Islands. Baited index cards with tuna were set out for approximately two hours then ants were collected in separate marked bags. They were frozen then preserved in ethanol and finally identified. Solenopsis invicta was the most common exotic species at SPNWR. It was significantly more abundant p0.02 than the other fire ant species, Solenopsis geminata which was more abundant in both the 2010 survey and the baseline survey in 2006 at SPNWR. Neither of the fire ant species was found at Jack Bay. This increase in RIFA can become a serious threat to the next generation of sea turtles if its abundance continues to increase at SPNWR.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005135
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Land of Contrast: Osteological Analysis of Human Remains From Salango, Ecuador and a Comparison of Paleopathologies Between Coastal and Highland Sites in Ecuador.
- Creator
- Van Voorhis, Laura, Broadfield, Douglas C., Graduate College, Martinez, Valentina L.
- Abstract/Description
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New data on human skeletal remains from Site 35 in Salango, Ecuador is combined with existing data presented by Jastremski 2006 to compile a more comprehensive report about the health conditions of the people from this locale. Site 35, which is associated with the Manteno culture that flourished in the Integration period from A.D. 500 – 1532, has been determined to comprise a singular population that is represented by a minimum of 27 individuals.
In addition to more comprehensive conclusions...
Show moreNew data on human skeletal remains from Site 35 in Salango, Ecuador is combined with existing data presented by Jastremski 2006 to compile a more comprehensive report about the health conditions of the people from this locale. Site 35, which is associated with the Manteno culture that flourished in the Integration period from A.D. 500 – 1532, has been determined to comprise a singular population that is represented by a minimum of 27 individuals.
In addition to more comprehensive conclusions about Site 35, this thesis uses the compiled data from Site 35 in an extended comparison of health among prehistoric sites from six additional sites to observe general trends over time and across geography. Through an in-depth analysis of six distinct health traits, it can be concluded that the most dramatic trend observed across time was a decline in the overall quality of health.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005171
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in vivo substrates in left ventricle remodeling process.
- Creator
- Tokmina-Roszyk, Dorota, Iyer, R.P., Lindsey, M.L., Graduate College, Fields, Gregg B.
- Abstract/Description
-
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 MMP-9 is involved in the early stages of wound healing, including the inflammatory reaction that follows myocardial infarction and neovascularization. However, its overexpression in the infarct zone leads to deleterious effects. Understanding MMP-9 function and modulation of its activity provides an opportunity to prevent excessive remodeling of the left ventricle. To assess the role of MMP-9 in remodeling process we employed a broad search of in vivo substrates....
Show moreMatrix metalloproteinase-9 MMP-9 is involved in the early stages of wound healing, including the inflammatory reaction that follows myocardial infarction and neovascularization. However, its overexpression in the infarct zone leads to deleterious effects. Understanding MMP-9 function and modulation of its activity provides an opportunity to prevent excessive remodeling of the left ventricle. To assess the role of MMP-9 in remodeling process we employed a broad search of in vivo substrates. Based on comparative analysis of MMP-9 null and wild type mice, several peptides mimicking putative substrates were synthesized. The cleavage sites in the substrates were identified using high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Peptide mapping studies revealed MMP-9 cleavage sites in several proteins, potential biomarkers of excessive remodeling. Specifically, osteopontin, thrombospondin and C-terminal telopeptide regions of type I collagen were susceptible to proteolysis by MMP-9. The best target for MMP-9 was fibronectin, which has multiple cleavage sites in its sequence. In addition to in vivo substrate screening, a selective triple-helical peptide inhibitor MMP- 9i has been designed, synthesized, and utilized as an MMP-9 probe. The sequence of inhibitor was derived from the known MMP-9 substrate type V collagen. In the MMP-9i construct, the G~V scissile bond has been replaced with phosphinate moiety that mimics the transition state of hydrolysis but cannot be cleaved. MMP-9i's effect on MMP-9 activity in serum was tested in a mouse model. The administration of MMP-9i resulted in 30 loss of MMP-9 activity suggesting that MMP-9i can be utilized to regulate activity of MMP-9 in vivo.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005917
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Is there a Future for the Study of Religion at American Universities? A Content Analysis of Selected Higher Education Institutions.
- Creator
- Wolfe, Kathryn A., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
The researcher began to notice that religion and religious studies courses were starting to disappear off of course lists and that religion as a discipline was not as prevalent in many university departments. Additionally, noting from her teaching experience at various universities, the study and approach to teaching religion differed at the type of institution it was and the mission of that university. Therefore, this study aimed at discovering just how religion is taught in institutions of...
Show moreThe researcher began to notice that religion and religious studies courses were starting to disappear off of course lists and that religion as a discipline was not as prevalent in many university departments. Additionally, noting from her teaching experience at various universities, the study and approach to teaching religion differed at the type of institution it was and the mission of that university. Therefore, this study aimed at discovering just how religion is taught in institutions of higher education at selected universities in the United States of America.
The rationale behind this study was twofold: first, to determine if religion is currently being taught at selected institutions of higher education in the U.S. and second, how the instruction and teaching of religion is approached within these institutions. And so, the purpose of this study was to determine if universities are still teaching religion and religious studies courses; if so, what are the structures and approaches that are used when teaching religion at both top-tiered and southeastern universities; and what are the similarities and differences between the two aforementioned types of institutions’ programs. Thus, we may infer from the data whether or not there is a future for these programs within higher education in the U.S.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005173
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Are Attachment Strategy and the Quality of infant care Moderated by Cortisol? A study on the attachment strategies from the Dynamic Maturation Model to attachment development.
- Creator
- Boklaga, Susan, Frain, Michael, Sperry, Len, Graduate College, Jones, Nancy Aaron
- Abstract/Description
-
Attachment strategies are patterns of attachment that develop over the lifespan, and provide a description of interpersonal behavior along with a functional system for diagnosing psychopathology. Genetic factors, in the context of development and the environment regulate the maturation process. As the brain matures, it synthesizes past memories with present experiences in order to judge the behavior of others in future relationships. This is significant because the purpose of the attachment...
Show moreAttachment strategies are patterns of attachment that develop over the lifespan, and provide a description of interpersonal behavior along with a functional system for diagnosing psychopathology. Genetic factors, in the context of development and the environment regulate the maturation process. As the brain matures, it synthesizes past memories with present experiences in order to judge the behavior of others in future relationships. This is significant because the purpose of the attachment figure is to provide protection and aid the child in “making sense” of information made available to them. Research in adult psychopathology continues to show a correlation between adult psychopathology, cortisol, and disruptions in the childhood attachment system. This study will examine how the Dynamic Maturation Model theory of attachment strategies influence care that mothers give to their infants, and if cortisol serves as a moderator. The Adult Attachment Interview and Infant Care Index will be administered to mother/infant dyads. Attachment strategies and quality of infant care indicated by both measurements will be coded , correlated, and cortisol measured. If findings indicate a correlation, treatment interventions can be designed for post- postpartum mothers to prevent long term child and adult mental health psychopathology and associated social problems that may have their etiology in childhood.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005870
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Comparison of Treatment Plans Calculated using Ray Tracing (RT) and Monte Carlo (MC) Algorithms for Lung Cancer Patients Having Undergone Radiotherapy with Cyberknife.
- Creator
- Pennington, Andreea, Selvaraj, Raj, Graduate College, Leventouri, Theodora, Kirkpatrick, Steven, Oliveira, Silvana
- Abstract/Description
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Purpose/ Objectives: The latest publications indicate that the Ray Tracing algorithm significantly overestimates the dose delivered as compared to the Monte Carlo MC algorithm. The purpose of this study is to quantify this overestimation and to identify significant correlations between the RT and MC calculated dose distributions.
Materials/Methods: Preliminary results are based on 50 preexisting RT algorithm dose optimization and calculation treatment plans prepared on the Multiplan treatment...
Show morePurpose/ Objectives: The latest publications indicate that the Ray Tracing algorithm significantly overestimates the dose delivered as compared to the Monte Carlo MC algorithm. The purpose of this study is to quantify this overestimation and to identify significant correlations between the RT and MC calculated dose distributions.
Materials/Methods: Preliminary results are based on 50 preexisting RT algorithm dose optimization and calculation treatment plans prepared on the Multiplan treatment planning system Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. The analysis will be expanded to include 100 plans. These plans are recalculated using the MC algorithm, with high resolution and 1 uncertainty. The geometry and number of beams for a given plan, as well as the number of monitor units, is constant for the calculations for both algorithms and normalized differences are compared.
Results: MC calculated doses were significantly smaller than RT doses. The D95 of the PTV was 27 lower for the MC calculation. The GTV and PTV mean coverage were 13 and 39 less for MC calculation. The first parameter of conformality, as defined as the ratio of the Prescription Isodose Volume to the PTV Volume was on average 1.18 for RT and 0.62 for MC. Maximum doses delivered to OARs was reduced in the MC plans. The correlation of the ratio of air in PTV to the PTV with the difference in PTV coverage had a coefficient of -0.54.
Conclusions: The preliminary results confirm that the RT algorithm significantly overestimates the dosages delivered confirming previous analyses.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005162
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A conserved cysteine framework of toxins from Viola tricolor and Conus brunneus characterized in the Drosophila melanogaster Giant Fiber System.
- Creator
- Hoggard, Mickelene F., Mari, Frank, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
Conotoxins are disulfide rich peptides present in the venom of cone snails, a genus of marine mollusks that prey upon fish, worms, and other mollusks. Conotoxins are promising drugs leads with great prospects in the treatment of diseases and disorders such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Similar compounds can be found in plants; for example, cyclotides, which are cyclic peptides isolated from the Violaceae violet, Rubiaceae coffee, and...
Show moreConotoxins are disulfide rich peptides present in the venom of cone snails, a genus of marine mollusks that prey upon fish, worms, and other mollusks. Conotoxins are promising drugs leads with great prospects in the treatment of diseases and disorders such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Similar compounds can be found in plants; for example, cyclotides, which are cyclic peptides isolated from the Violaceae violet, Rubiaceae coffee, and Cucurbitaceae cucurbit families and they have a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-HIV, uterotonic, and antimicrobial. Cyclotides have a cyclic cysteine knot motif characterized by a cyclic backbone and six conserved cysteine residues that form the three disulfide bridges of the “knot”. This motif provides cyclotides with superior stability against thermal, chemical, and enzymatic degradation; marking them as potential frameworks for peptide drug delivery. Cysteine framework IX conotoxins C-C-C-CXC-C, isolated from the venom of Conus brunneus, contain the same cysteine framework, homologous sequences, and similar 3D structures to cyclotides. Presented are details on the isolation of these conotoxins and cyclotides, from Viola tricolor, and the characterization of their activity in the Drosophila melanogaster Giant Fiber System GFS, which contains GAP, acetylcholine, and glutamate synapses.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005149
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Summary of Findings from a Case Study of Policy Entrepreneurship in Higher Education: A Descriptive Portrait.
- Creator
- Felsher, Rivka A., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
The call for higher education reform in the U.S. intensifies as the gap between the haves and have-nots widens. Policy actors from across the political spectrum advocate for various policy solutions creating a policy environment that is complex and often contentious. In such environments, policy entrepreneurs— those individuals who advocate for policy innovation from within and without government—try to break through the barriers of incremental politics to create reform. As important as this...
Show moreThe call for higher education reform in the U.S. intensifies as the gap between the haves and have-nots widens. Policy actors from across the political spectrum advocate for various policy solutions creating a policy environment that is complex and often contentious. In such environments, policy entrepreneurs— those individuals who advocate for policy innovation from within and without government—try to break through the barriers of incremental politics to create reform. As important as this role is in structuring higher education policy, it has not yet been explored. This study fills a gap in the extant literature by cataloging the traits, values, motivation, skills, and strategies that enable higher education policy entrepreneurs at state and national levels to accomplish sustainable and innovative higher education reform. This study employed a descriptive, revelatory, singlecase study research design interpreted from the postpositivist paradigm. Data drawn from interviews with 23 policy entrepreneurs from across the U.S. were triangulated with document reviews and a multi-level coding strategy. Data were then juxtaposed against nine propositions extracted from the extant literature to derive the findings. Policy entrepreneurs in this study are creative political leaders with a passion for improving educational opportunity. They are pragmatic, resourceful, perseverant, strategic, and influential actors who don’t work in isolation; rather, they are network dependent and value collaboration, compromise, and listening. They reach across the aisle, work hard to build credibility and trust, recognize windows of opportunity, create opportunities to advocate for policy innovation, take calculated risks, and make sacrifices for their cause.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005877
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Covering Small Alternating Groups with Proper Subgroups.
- Creator
- Epstein, Michael, Kappe, Luise-Charlotte, Magliveras, Spyros S., Graduate College, Popova, Daniela
- Abstract/Description
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Any group with a finite noncyclic homomorphic image is a finite union of proper subgroups. Given such a group G, we define the covering number of G to be the least positive integer m such that G is the union of m proper subgroups. We present recent results on the determination of the covering numbers of the alternating groups on nine and eleven letters.
- Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005874
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Nurse Practitioner Holistic Caring Instrument: A Pilot Study.
- Creator
- Kinchen, Elizabeth V., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
Holistic care has long been a defining attribute of nursing practice. From the earliest years of its
formal history, nursing has favored a holistic approach in the care of patients, an approach that is grounded in relationship and considers the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. With passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act PPACA and the publication of the Institute of Medicine’s report on the future of nursing, nurses are slated to take on an expanded role in...
Show moreHolistic care has long been a defining attribute of nursing practice. From the earliest years of its
formal history, nursing has favored a holistic approach in the care of patients, an approach that is grounded in relationship and considers the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. With passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act PPACA and the publication of the Institute of Medicine’s report on the future of nursing, nurses are slated to take on an expanded role in healthcare delivery in the near future. Nurse practitioners, in particular, will be instrumental in filling the gap in primary care availability engendered by the increasing specialization of physician practice and increased access to healthcare made possible by the provisions of the PPACA.
This pilot study used a Content Validity Index CVI, with a convenience sample of experts n8 in Nurse Practitioner care and Holistic Nursing practice, to evaluate the Nurse Practitioner Holistic Caring Instrument NPHCI, a new, investigator-developed measure of the holistic attributes of Nurse Practitioner care. Analysis of CVI responses revealed that the majority of participants were in perfect agreement 1.00 in rating the scale as a whole as ‘content relevant’. In addition, 14 out of 19 instrument items were accorded a perfect score of 1.00. Free-text responses were also solicited in evaluating validity of the instrument. Results from this pilot study indicate that the NPHCI has sufficient validity to render it eligible for use in a larger study, surveying patients on holistic attributes of Nurse Practitioner care.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005152
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- New LS[3][2,3,2^8] Geometric Large Sets.
- Creator
- Hurley, Michael Robert, Khadka, Bal K., Magliveras, Spyros S., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
Let V be an n-dimensional vector space over the field of q elements. By a geometric t-[qn,k,λ] design we mean a collection D of k-dimensional subspaces if V, called blocks, such that every tdimensional subspace T of V appears in exactly λ blocks in D. In a recent paper Braun, Kohnert, Ӧstergård, and Wassermann constructed the first ever known large set LS[N][2,k,qn], namely an LS[3][2,3,28] under a cyclic group G of order 255. In this work we construct an additional 8 large sets with the same...
Show moreLet V be an n-dimensional vector space over the field of q elements. By a geometric t-[qn,k,λ] design we mean a collection D of k-dimensional subspaces if V, called blocks, such that every tdimensional subspace T of V appears in exactly λ blocks in D. In a recent paper Braun, Kohnert, Ӧstergård, and Wassermann constructed the first ever known large set LS[N][2,k,qn], namely an LS[3][2,3,28] under a cyclic group G of order 255. In this work we construct an additional 8 large sets with the same parameters, using the L3 algorithm for lattice basis-reduction.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005885
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Environmental Restoration and Water Circulation Improvement of the Guachinanga Channel, San Jose Lagoon, PR.
- Creator
- Dougherty, Rebecca R., Hague, Erin, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
Urbanization has increased over the last 50+ years around the San José Lagoon, San Juan, Puerto Rico significantly degrading the Lagoon’s ecosystem. The nutrient and sediment loading has caused excessive vegetative growth along the Caño Martín Peña and Guachinanga Channel due to encroachment of infrastructure along the banks of the eastern portion of the river combined with increased nutrient and sediment loading from untreated sewage and stormwater runoff. This has resulted in decreased...
Show moreUrbanization has increased over the last 50+ years around the San José Lagoon, San Juan, Puerto Rico significantly degrading the Lagoon’s ecosystem. The nutrient and sediment loading has caused excessive vegetative growth along the Caño Martín Peña and Guachinanga Channel due to encroachment of infrastructure along the banks of the eastern portion of the river combined with increased nutrient and sediment loading from untreated sewage and stormwater runoff. This has resulted in decreased tidal exchange between San Juan Bay and San José Lagoon, and around Guachinanga Islet. The restoration plan seeks to 1) restore the habitat on Guachinanga Islet by removing a vegetated land bridge used by non-native species that access the Islet and potentially impact native populations, and 2) improve water quality by removing sediment, debris and vegetation to allow flushing in the Guachinanga Channel, around the Islet and adjacent Caño Martín Peña 3) dispose of the comprised dredged resources in a beneficial use manner. An innovative dredge process seeks to address the logistical challenges of the project area. The resulting beneficial use skate and recreational park seeks partnering opportunities of the various social, ecological and health initiatives of the adjacent Caño Martín Peña restoration plan.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005144
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Neuropsychological correlates of emotion regulation in women with HIV: an ERP study.
- Creator
- McIntosh, Roger C., Graduate College
- Date Issued
- 2012-03-30
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3342403
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Effect of a Spiritually-Guided Intervention on Breast Health Attitudes.
- Creator
- Marshall, Jacqueline S., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
Spiritually guided health risk interceptions provide impetus-in-action to achieve healthy balance through the integration of spiritual, physical and emotional dimensions of self. These interventions are devised with the intention of intercepting risky health behaviors. What is the affiliation between one's spirituality and health care practices? Are there salient features centered on core spiritual principles which determine decisions, explain actions and depict health outcomes? Central...
Show moreSpiritually guided health risk interceptions provide impetus-in-action to achieve healthy balance through the integration of spiritual, physical and emotional dimensions of self. These interventions are devised with the intention of intercepting risky health behaviors. What is the affiliation between one's spirituality and health care practices? Are there salient features centered on core spiritual principles which determine decisions, explain actions and depict health outcomes? Central ideologies of spirituality provide a viable platform upon which health promotional activities can be acquired and maintained. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of a spiritually-guided intervention on breast health attitudes in Afro-Caribbean women ACW residing in the South Florida.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005898
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Is Infant Learning of Non-Adjacent Sequential Relations a Domain-General Ability and When Does It Emerge?.
- Creator
- Minar, Nicholas J., Lewkowicz, David J., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Non-adjacent statistical relations are an important class of sequential structure because they aid in the acquisition of syntax and, thus, language. Previous work has demonstrated that 15-month-old infants are sensitive to distant sequential relations but that these types of relations are difficult to learn. Importantly, it is not known whether the ability to learn non-adjacent statistical relations is based on a domain-specific or domain-general pattern-learning mechanism. We examined the...
Show moreNon-adjacent statistical relations are an important class of sequential structure because they aid in the acquisition of syntax and, thus, language. Previous work has demonstrated that 15-month-old infants are sensitive to distant sequential relations but that these types of relations are difficult to learn. Importantly, it is not known whether the ability to learn non-adjacent statistical relations is based on a domain-specific or domain-general pattern-learning mechanism. We examined the domain-generality of this ability in separate groups of 10- and 12-month-old infants in two experiments utilizing the habituation/test procedure.
Experiment 1 habituated infants to sequences of five moving/sounding arbitrary shapes and sounds. The sequences contained two target elements that were always separated by a non-target element. Results indicated that neither age group displayed response recovery when the target elements were switched. Experiment 2 simplified the task by using sequences that were three elements in length e.g., ABC and DBE. During the test trials, the last element from the two unique pairings was again switched e.g., ABE and DBC. Results indicated that only the 12-month-olds detected a change in the sequence [t 48 1.76, p 0.05].
These results indicate that infants’ sensitivity to multisensory non-adjacent statistical dependencies is limited to simple 3 element sequences rather than complex 5 element sequences. Our findings also indicate that infants as young as 12 months of age can learn non-adjacent sequential relations embedded within arbitrary audiovisual sequences, suggesting that this critical ability is domain-general in nature.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005159
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Should we use RapidArc (VMAT) for breast radiotherapy? A Dosimetric comparison of IMRT versus VMAT optimization.
- Creator
- Moshiri Sedeh, Nader, Pella, Silvia, Leventouri, Theodora, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the dose-volumetric results of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with RapidArc (RA Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) for whole breast irradiation. Methods: 25 patients previously treated for whole left breast (either RapidArc plan or IMRT) were the subjects of this planning study. Eclipse v 11.0.47 was used to make all retrospective plans using the same contours, energy, machine and normalization. Prescription dose to the...
Show morePurpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the dose-volumetric results of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with RapidArc (RA Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) for whole breast irradiation. Methods: 25 patients previously treated for whole left breast (either RapidArc plan or IMRT) were the subjects of this planning study. Eclipse v 11.0.47 was used to make all retrospective plans using the same contours, energy, machine and normalization. Prescription dose to the planning target volume was 5000 Gy in 25 fractions. All plans were normalized such that 100% covered 95% of planning target volume (PTV). Results: V10, V20 and Dmean Gy of left lung significantly differed between the two plans (p-value <0.0001, =0.0473 and <0.0001 respectively), but V30 Gy did not (p-value 0.463). V25, D33 and Dmean Gy of heart significantly differed between the two plans (p-value =0.034, <0.0001 and 0.01 respectively), but V10 Gy did not (p-value 0.058). V5 of both right breast and right lung significantly differed between the two plans (p-value <0.0007 and =0.0112, respectively). Also Dmean of both right breast and right lung significantly differed between the two plans (p-value <0.0001 for both). The mean conformity index did not significantly differ, p-value 0.142. There was a significant difference between the mean MUs of the two plans as well, p-value <0.0001.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005901
- Format
- Document (PDF)