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Title: Effects of the Relationship Enhancement® Program on Social Skills, Empathy and Social Support for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Creator: Cunningham, Ali, Graduate College
Abstract/Description: An important area of research is emerging for adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders ASD with respect to the challenges they face in their social relationships. Social relationships include those that are romantic in nature such as dating, cohabitation and marriage. Researchers suggest that engaging in a healthy and happy romantic relationship has many physical and mental health benefits that contribute to improved quality of life. This study used a quasi-experimental group design to...
Show moreAn important area of research is emerging for adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders ASD with respect to the challenges they face in their social relationships. Social relationships include those that are romantic in nature such as dating, cohabitation and marriage. Researchers suggest that engaging in a healthy and happy romantic relationship has many physical and mental health benefits that contribute to improved quality of life. This study used a quasi-experimental group design to explore the effects of psychoeducation for adults with ASD. Study participants were assigned to one of two group conditions. One group received the Relationship Enhancement®RE program and the other received RE with supplements targeting specific social skills. Social skills, empathy and social support were measured pre and post intervention for participants both within and between groups.
Significant differences were found in the assessment of participants in both groups, as measured by t-tests and effect sizes in the variables of social skills t37-2.28-2.72, p.028-.029, η2.122 and empathy t37-2.31, p.027, η2.123. These differences indicate that all participants, in both groups improved in social skills and empathy from pre to post treatment. No significant differences were found among all group participants for the variable of social support. There were no significant differences between groups for the three variables measured p0.05. Overall, these results provide support for the use of RE and the targeted supplements to increase social skills and empathy among adults with ASD who are interested in engaging in romantic relationships.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005143
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Effects of elevated pCO2 and light on growth, photosynthesis and calcification in Halimeda discoidea.
Creator: Peach, Katherine, Koch, Marguerite, Blackwelder, Patricia, Graduate College
Abstract/Description: We hypothesized that ocean acidification OA effects on calcifying benthic macroalgae are inextricably linked to light availability. To address this supposition, we examined OA and light effects on the calcifying green macroalga Halimeda discoidea, an important carbonate sediment producer in tropical reef ecosystems. An aquaria experiment was conducted to examine elevated pCO2 and light saturating vs. sub-saturating effects on photosynthesis, growth, calcification and crystal morphology....
Show moreWe hypothesized that ocean acidification OA effects on calcifying benthic macroalgae are inextricably linked to light availability. To address this supposition, we examined OA and light effects on the calcifying green macroalga Halimeda discoidea, an important carbonate sediment producer in tropical reef ecosystems. An aquaria experiment was conducted to examine elevated pCO2 and light saturating vs. sub-saturating effects on photosynthesis, growth, calcification and crystal morphology. Photosynthetic rates were enhanced under elevated pCO2 and saturating light. This upregulation of photosynthesis did not enhance calcification of new segments or the number of new segments produced. The lowest number of new segments was produced in the saturating light treatment. Scanning electron microscopy of new segments confirmed net calcification and production of aragonite crystals at 2100 pCO2 levels. Aragonite crystal size and abundance were unaffected by CO2 or light treatments. We also examined dissolution of nonliving segments and observed that without photosynthesis dead segments experienced greater dissolution and possessed smaller crystals under elevated pCO2. Our findings support the hypothesis that light plays a crucial role in calcifying macroalgal responses to OA. We further suggest that H. discoidea will maintain its role as a dominant reef sediment producer under year 2100 pCO2 levels.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005906
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.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005898
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Economic Optimization Model of Distributed Combined Heat, Cooling and Power System in a Smart Home.
Creator: Moradi, Hadis, Graduate College
Abstract/Description: Smart homes are one part of smart grid and smart self generation is one of important components of smart homes. In this paper, smart production of energy in residential buildings is presented so that it brings minimum costs to the investors. CHCP technologies offer a smarter way to provide home heat, cooling and power with the added benefits of reduced environmental impact, high energy efficiency and independence from centralized power networks. An energy dispatch algorithm that minimizes the...
Show moreSmart homes are one part of smart grid and smart self generation is one of important components of smart homes. In this paper, smart production of energy in residential buildings is presented so that it brings minimum costs to the investors. CHCP technologies offer a smarter way to provide home heat, cooling and power with the added benefits of reduced environmental impact, high energy efficiency and independence from centralized power networks. An energy dispatch algorithm that minimizes the total cost of energy e.g., cost of electricity from the grid and cost of natural gas into the engine and boiler based on energy efficiency constrains for individual components is presented in this research. It is possible to buy from or sell electrical power to the electrical local utility. This system is composed of several kinds of loads electrical, thermal and cooling and energy sources external network, combined heat, power and cooling system, boiler, and chiller. A load profile is considered for a residential building and the best case with the least cost is chosen by the optimizer in each interval and then run. In addition, it determines the on and off status of CHCP, boiler and site chiller as well as their level of power, heating and cooling production. The utilization of these systems is possible by using different strategies. Three kinds of such strategies which are electrical dispatch, thermal dispatch and hybrid dispatch have been used in this paper.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005161
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Dosimetric Consequences From Minimal Displacements In Abpi With Savi Applicators.
Creator: Chandrasekara, Shereen, Pella, Silvia, Leventouri, Theodora, Graduate College
Abstract/Description: Purpose: To highlight the importance of provide proper solid immobilization initially and in every treatment in ABPI with brachytherapy. Materials and Methods: 100 patients receiving brachytherapy treatments in ABPI using the Savi applicators were considered for the study. The CT scans used in the initial plan was compared with every scan obtained before each treatment. Each of these scans were exported in the planning system and registered with the initial plan. Dosimetric evaluations were...
Show morePurpose: To highlight the importance of provide proper solid immobilization initially and in every treatment in ABPI with brachytherapy. Materials and Methods: 100 patients receiving brachytherapy treatments in ABPI using the Savi applicators were considered for the study. The CT scans used in the initial plan was compared with every scan obtained before each treatment. Each of these scans were exported in the planning system and registered with the initial plan. Dosimetric evaluations were performed with their consequences to the ribs and the skin surface. Results: Making the dosimetric comparison for the critical points on the ribs and skin due to very small changes in the interfractionation position revealed dramatic differences in the maximum dose to these critical organs. The cavity's volume manifested changes between fractions as well as the distances to the two critical organs. Therefore the maximum dose manifested variance between 10 and 32 in both of the sites Conclusions: This study demonstrates that using CT scan before each treatment will minimize the risk of delivering undesired high doses to the critical organs. This reveals the urgent need of increasing and improving the immobilization methods when treating ABPI with Savi. In 30 of the cases re-planning was necessary between fractions therefore we conclude that in each case the treatment and planning teams must be prepared for re-plan as needed.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005872
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Documenting Trematode Larvae in Marine Sponges.
Creator: Plunkett, Rachel, Pomponi, Shirley A., Graduate College
Abstract/Description: Parasitic trematode larvae (cercariae and metacercariae) were discovered in a nearshore sponge habitat on Summerland Key, FL. This is a life cycle study of these consecutive larval stages in the sponge microenvironment. The goal of this research is to elucidate information on the life cycle of these trematodes by (1) identifying the trematode taxa present in the sponge microenvironment, (2) identifying the invertebrate host organism(s) preferred by each taxon, and (3) documenting the...
Show moreParasitic trematode larvae (cercariae and metacercariae) were discovered in a nearshore sponge habitat on Summerland Key, FL. This is a life cycle study of these consecutive larval stages in the sponge microenvironment. The goal of this research is to elucidate information on the life cycle of these trematodes by (1) identifying the trematode taxa present in the sponge microenvironment, (2) identifying the invertebrate host organism(s) preferred by each taxon, and (3) documenting the hostparasite histology. This presentation shows a combination of light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs documenting the histology of trematodes in sponges. In future analyses, 18s rDNA sequencing will be used as a preliminary screening of the taxa present in sponge tissues, and oligonucleotide probes will be developed to detect these parasites in the invertebrate symbionts of the sponges. This combination of microscopy and molecular approaches will elucidate linkages between developmental stages and provide information on the pathway(s) these parasites use to reach their final host(s). These larval stages are important to study in trematode life cycles because they develop into endoparasites of vertebrates; which in this case are likely fish which eat the sponge. Reef fishes such as Acanthostracion quadricornis (scrawled cowfish), Holocanthus ciliaris (queen angelfish), and Holocanthus tricolor (rock beauty) opportunistically consume sponges of this particular genus (Spongia). Much is known about the health impacts of adult trematodes in fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals; however, there is little data directly linking diet choices with infection. Trematodes have not been reported in sponges in previous literature.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005908
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Differences in situational perception moderated by presence (absence) of others.
Creator: Brown, Nicolas A., Serfass, David G., Sherman, Ryne A., Graduate College
Date Issued: 2013-04-12
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3361277
Subject Headings: Situations, Psychology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Differences in biocontaminant accumulation rates for sympatric shark species.
Creator: Matulik, Adam G., Hammerschlag, Neil, Divoll, Timothy, Graduate College, Hammerschmidt, Chad R., Kerstetter, David W., Evers, David C.
Abstract/Description: A common problem in predatory fish is the accumulation of biocontaminants affected by biomagnification through trophic levels and bioaccumulation over time. Bioaccumulation of contaminants is strongly correlated to the increase in age, weight, or length of individual fish. Biomagnification is the increase of the accumulation rate in fish that are higher up in the food chain, such as sharks or tuna. Four sympatric shark species studied in Florida Bay had differences in mercury accumulation...
Show moreA common problem in predatory fish is the accumulation of biocontaminants affected by biomagnification through trophic levels and bioaccumulation over time. Bioaccumulation of contaminants is strongly correlated to the increase in age, weight, or length of individual fish. Biomagnification is the increase of the accumulation rate in fish that are higher up in the food chain, such as sharks or tuna. Four sympatric shark species studied in Florida Bay had differences in mercury accumulation rates, and individuals of similar sizes across species accumulated mercury at different rates. Blacktip sharks had a strong correlation between mercury and length. Stable isotope analysis of this study suggested that dietary differences may cause these varied accumulation rates. These factors do not explain differences in accumulation rates between lemon sharks and blacknose sharks, which were not significantly different for diet or trophic position. Blacknose sharks accumulated significantly higher concentrations of mercury in their tissues, despite being significantly smaller. Since the main pathway for mercury into tissues is ingestion, we hypothesize that metabolism may play a role in these species accumulation rates. Since thyroid hormones are known to be associated with metabolism and growth in various species, we intend to test the relationship between the thyroid hormone concentration and biocontaminant accumulation rate on an individual basis, and metabolic differences between species to determine whether it accounts for species specific accumulation rates of contaminants such a s mercury.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005899
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Development of an assay system to study Id1, Id2, and Twist transcriptional regulation.
Creator: Ho, Joyce, Munoz, Anna E., Graduate College, Glackin, Carlotta A., Sharp, Sandra B.
Abstract/Description: The helix-loop-helix proteins Id1 and Id2 and the basic HLH transcription factor Twist contribute to the regulation of cell growth and differentiation, and abnormal expression has been correlated with different cancers. Understanding the regulation of their expression may provide insight into their roles in normal and deregulated cell growth and development. This project aimed to develop a luciferase reporter assay system to study transcriptional regulation of Id1, Id2, and Twist in various...
Show moreThe helix-loop-helix proteins Id1 and Id2 and the basic HLH transcription factor Twist contribute to the regulation of cell growth and differentiation, and abnormal expression has been correlated with different cancers. Understanding the regulation of their expression may provide insight into their roles in normal and deregulated cell growth and development. This project aimed to develop a luciferase reporter assay system to study transcriptional regulation of Id1, Id2, and Twist in various cell lines. Upstream regions for each gene were selected based on sequences conserved across several species, and cloned into a luciferase reporter vector. Id1, Id2, and Twist promoter activity was compared to mRNA accumulation from the corresponding endogenous genes in human breast cancer cell lines BT 549, MCF7, and MDA MB231, and human embryonic kidney cell line HEK 293. Promoter activity and mRNA accumulation were congruent for only some genes in some cell lines. Additional regulatory sequences outside of the cloned regions may be required in some cell lines or regulatory conditions, or transcription vs. degradation rates may differ in different lines. The reporter constructs can be used for studies to determine the contribution of specific sequences and their binding proteins to differences in promoter activity between normal and abnormal cell lines. Such studies should provide insight into the potential roles of these genes in both normal and deregulated cell growth and development.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005148
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Defying the Feminized Scale: Women Weighing in on Eating Problems from Cyberspace.
Creator: Baugh, Arely B., Graduate College
Abstract/Description: Eating problems – compulsive eating, bulimia, and anorexia – have acquired a complicated symbolic significance that threatens the efficiency of prevention and treatments for such ailments. General and professional conceptualizations of “eating disorders” presume a very narrow and homogenous group of women i.e. young, white, middle-class, and heterosexual victims of a “culture of thinness” and other psychological and psychiatric pathologies Gremillion, 2003; Magnusson & Marecek, 2012; Menassa,...
Show moreEating problems – compulsive eating, bulimia, and anorexia – have acquired a complicated symbolic significance that threatens the efficiency of prevention and treatments for such ailments. General and professional conceptualizations of “eating disorders” presume a very narrow and homogenous group of women i.e. young, white, middle-class, and heterosexual victims of a “culture of thinness” and other psychological and psychiatric pathologies Gremillion, 2003; Magnusson & Marecek, 2012; Menassa, 2004. Consequently, professional discourse, research, and treatment of “eating disorders” neglect and often dismiss the realities of Other women; i.e., minority women, women in other countries, working-class and poor women, older women, and queer women Nasser, Katzman, & Gordon, 2001; Orbach, 1998; Thompson, 1994. Using a critical feminist psychological approach, together with the stories of women “beyond the margins” of “eating disorders,” this study seeks to 1 dispel the damaging myths and stereotypes about eating problems, 2 uncover their embedded connections to systems of racist, sexist, imperialist, patriarchal, and class oppression, and 3 argue that by including all women’s experiences and their contextual interrelations through different systems of oppressions, we can accomplish a better, more complete and unbiased understanding of these ubiquitous and complex methods of coping that could guide the development of more efficient preventative and recovery treatments.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005136
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: 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: Control of RNA oxidation as a novel mechanism for preventing mitochondrial dysfunction.
Creator: Malla, Sulochan, Walker, Merritt, Graduate College, Li, Zhongwei
Abstract/Description: Mitochondria generate energy through oxidative phosphorylation in eukaryotic cell and produce large amount of reactive oxygen species ROS as byproducts during this process. In particular in mitochondria, oxidative modifications of biomolecules by ROS can cause their inactivation. The situation is exacerbated during oxidative stress when excessive amounts of ROS are produced. Oxidative damage of macromolecules causes mitochondrial dysfunction and eventually leads to numerous diseases such as...
Show moreMitochondria generate energy through oxidative phosphorylation in eukaryotic cell and produce large amount of reactive oxygen species ROS as byproducts during this process. In particular in mitochondria, oxidative modifications of biomolecules by ROS can cause their inactivation. The situation is exacerbated during oxidative stress when excessive amounts of ROS are produced. Oxidative damage of macromolecules causes mitochondrial dysfunction and eventually leads to numerous diseases such as cardiovascular and neural disorders. Although the deleterious effects of oxidized DNA, proteins and lipids have been extensively characterized, little is known about the potential causative effects of oxidized RNA. Here, we assessed RNA oxidation levels in the mitochondria and cytosol of cultured human cells, which was analyzed by using 8-hydroxyguanosine 8-oxo-G on the RNA as a marker for oxidative stress. Interestingly, our result revealed that 8-oxo-G levels of mitochondrial mt-RNA was relatively higher than that of cytosolic RNA suggesting that RNA is one of the contributing factors leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. To further evaluate the consequence of RNA oxidation, we will examine mitochondrial functionality, permeability, and cell viability to determine a correlation with the levels of 8-oxo-G in mt-RNA. We previously showed that human polynucleotide phosphorylase hPNPase, which mainly localizes to mitochondria and binds oxidized RNA with high affinity, reduces RNA oxidation and protects HeLa cell during oxidative stress. We intend to elucidate the potential role of hPNPase and its associated RNA helicase, hSUV3, in reducing mt-RNA oxidation which is of relevance to diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005156
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Connectivity and Plasticity of Mesophotic Corals in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
Creator: Studivan, Michael, Voss, Joshua, Graduate College
Abstract/Description: Coral reef ecosystems worldwide are threatened by disease, anthropogenic damage, and climate change. Recently mesophotic coral ecosystems MCEs have been discovered and characterized as continuations of shallow reefs below traditional SCUBA depths. Because MCEs appear to be sheltered from many of the stressors known to affect shallow reefs, Glynn 1996 originally proposed that deeper reefs may act as a refuge for coral species by providing larvae to nearby shallow reefs. My dissertation...
Show moreCoral reef ecosystems worldwide are threatened by disease, anthropogenic damage, and climate change. Recently mesophotic coral ecosystems MCEs have been discovered and characterized as continuations of shallow reefs below traditional SCUBA depths. Because MCEs appear to be sheltered from many of the stressors known to affect shallow reefs, Glynn 1996 originally proposed that deeper reefs may act as a refuge for coral species by providing larvae to nearby shallow reefs. My dissertation research will address key questions that underlie this theory and advance our knowledge of coral ecology and physiology at mesophotic depths. including: 1 How well are MCEs connected to shallow reefs, and 2 Can corals adapt their morphology and gene expression to match changing environmental stimuli? Microsatellite based analysis of genetic connectivity will be complemented by morphometric analyses of corallite phenotypic plasticity and gene expression profiling in the dominant coral species, Montastraea cavernosa. MCEs in the Flower Garden Banks and Pulley Ridge have been surveyed and sampled using both ROVs and technical diving in 2011-2013, with additional expeditions planned for 2014-2015. A reciprocal transplant experiment on Carrie Bow Cay, Belize will assess the physiological and morphological plasticity of M. cavernosa in shallow and mesophotic environments. This project will address the influences of both environment and genotype control on coral’s potentially plastic responses. Additionally, this research is designed to provide data for improved regional management of mesophotic coral reef ecosystems and to strengthen collaborative marine research through NOAA’s Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology CIOERT.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005168
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: 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.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005162
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: 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.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005145
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Coastal Sediment Reflectance Analysis using Hyperspectral Remote Sensing.
Creator: Selch, Donna, Zhang, Caiyun, Graduate College, Oleinik, Anton E.
Abstract/Description: Quantitative assessment of substrate classification for sand properties is needed for land management and conservation. Establishing a sand spectral library is the first step in this process. Hyperspectal analysis allows for rapid, nondestructive data acquisition. This process uses an ASD spectrometer in a laboratory setting with an artificial light source to collect the spectra. Sand collected worldwide was also analyzed for grain size and composition. Development of spectral libraries of...
Show moreQuantitative assessment of substrate classification for sand properties is needed for land management and conservation. Establishing a sand spectral library is the first step in this process. Hyperspectal analysis allows for rapid, nondestructive data acquisition. This process uses an ASD spectrometer in a laboratory setting with an artificial light source to collect the spectra. Sand collected worldwide was also analyzed for grain size and composition. Development of spectral libraries of sand is an essential factor to facilitate analytical techniques to monitor coastal problems including erosion and beach nourishment. This in turn can affect various flora and fauna which requires specific substrate to grow, nest, or live. Preliminary results show that each sand sample has a unique signature that can be identified using hyperspectral data.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005166
Format: Document (PDF)

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: 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.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005137
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.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005135
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Breeding sex ratios of three imperiled marine turtles nesting in southern Florida.
Creator: Lasala, Jacob, Hughes, Colin, Wyneken, Jeanette, Graduate College
Abstract/Description: Sound assessment of the status of a threatened or endangered organism depends on understanding key aspects of behavior throughout its life history. Sometimes organisms can be difficult to observe and key aspects of behavior may not be accessed directly. Alternative assessment techniques include using molecular markers to identify fundamental relationships among males and females. In the context of assessing the status of imperiled populations’ sex ratios, population size and the relatedness...
Show moreSound assessment of the status of a threatened or endangered organism depends on understanding key aspects of behavior throughout its life history. Sometimes organisms can be difficult to observe and key aspects of behavior may not be accessed directly. Alternative assessment techniques include using molecular markers to identify fundamental relationships among males and females. In the context of assessing the status of imperiled populations’ sex ratios, population size and the relatedness of the individuals are important metrics. Environmental sex determination directs developing marine turtle sex so that primary sex ratios depend upon weather and climate; those sex ratios are estimated by proxies. Adult population sizes are inferred from numbers of females nesting on the beach, but numbers of males are unknown. Male breeding population size can be estimated from subtracting maternal genotypes from genotypes of offspring exclusion analyses. The resulting adult sex ratios differ greatly from those estimated for hatchlings. To refine current adult sex ratios in ways that are relevant to production of future generations and add to our understanding of effective population size we compare the breeding sex ratios the number of males and females contributing to a population of three species of sea turtles nesting in southern Florida. We will use the same genetic data to measure relatedness of the female nesters and the male contributors and describe how that relates to genetic flow and population structure.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005893
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Autonomic Computing.
Creator: Mulcahy, James J., Huang, Shihong, Graduate College
Abstract/Description: Modern software systems have grown in complexity and expense, even while costs for the supporting hardware have decreased. Humans still comprise a significant cost from the development to operation and evolution of software, and must be increasingly more skilled as systems grow more complex. Further, legacy software has become more prevalent, as sophisticated enterprise systems developed over many years approach complexity that is too expensive to replace or re-engineer. One of the major...
Show moreModern software systems have grown in complexity and expense, even while costs for the supporting hardware have decreased. Humans still comprise a significant cost from the development to operation and evolution of software, and must be increasingly more skilled as systems grow more complex. Further, legacy software has become more prevalent, as sophisticated enterprise systems developed over many years approach complexity that is too expensive to replace or re-engineer. One of the major software engineering challenges today is the maintenance and evolution of these existing legacy systems to extend the business value of the software, while mitigating the costs and increased complexity. Approaches practiced by researchers and engineers include software reuse, serviceoriented architecture, and autonomic computing principles to improve the reliability of systems, while removing the need for human monitoring and intervention where possible. In this paper, we describe a real-world project in which a multi-channel vendor of musical equipment sought to extend their legacy enterprise system to automatically process customer orders originating from a third party retailer specializing in ecommerce. To realize the solution, an addition to the existing enterprise system was developed using autonomic computing, software reuse, and service-oriented architectural approaches, producing a highly automated order processing stream that was self-monitoring, self-adaptive, and fault-tolerant, while minimizing the need for additional human resources to monitor the system and process the data.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005902
Format: Document (PDF)

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