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- Title
- A Collision-Free Drone Scheduling System.
- Creator
- Steinberg, Andrew, Cardei, Mihaela, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Today, drones have been receiving a lot of notice from commercial businesses. Businesses (mainly companies that have delivery services) are trying to expand their productivity in order bring more satisfaction for their loyal customers. One-way companies can expand their delivery services are through the use of delivery drones. Drones are very powerful devices that are going through many evolutionary changes for their uses throughout the years. For many years, researchers in academia have been...
Show moreToday, drones have been receiving a lot of notice from commercial businesses. Businesses (mainly companies that have delivery services) are trying to expand their productivity in order bring more satisfaction for their loyal customers. One-way companies can expand their delivery services are through the use of delivery drones. Drones are very powerful devices that are going through many evolutionary changes for their uses throughout the years. For many years, researchers in academia have been examining how drones can plan their paths along with avoiding collisions of other drones and certain obstacles in the civil airspace. However, researchers have not considered how the motion path planning can a ect the overall scheduling aspect of civilian drones. In this thesis, we propose an algorithm for a collision-free scheduling motion path planning of a set drones such that they avoid certain obstacles as well as maintaining a safety distance from each other.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004994, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004984
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Drone aircraft., Algorithms., Scheduling., Drone aircraft--Safety measures.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Comparative Look at Student and Faculty Perceptions of Professors at a State College.
- Creator
- Duff, Suzanne M., Bryan, Valerie, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
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Research shows that there is a disconnect between student and faculty perceptions in a range of areas. One area that has not been researched is comparing student and faculty perceptions regarding desirable and undesirable traits in professors. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify what students perceive are the most and least desirable qualities in professors, and how those qualities affect their overall college experience. This study also identified what professors thought...
Show moreResearch shows that there is a disconnect between student and faculty perceptions in a range of areas. One area that has not been researched is comparing student and faculty perceptions regarding desirable and undesirable traits in professors. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify what students perceive are the most and least desirable qualities in professors, and how those qualities affect their overall college experience. This study also identified what professors thought students perceive as the most and least desirable qualities in professors, and how those qualities affect students’ overall college experience. The findings indicate that the largest disparity in perceptions between students and faculty was faculty perception that students rate them based on class rigor and assigned grades, which were two of the least important qualities according to students. The largest similarity that faculty and students agreed upon is that students desire professors who are knowledgeable, passionate, engaging, and able to connect with students. Both groups also perceive that students do not like professors who are boring and monotone. In addition, students and professors agree that students perceive professors as playing an important role in their lives that affect their ability to learn, the grades they receive, and also impact their overall college experience and trajectory in life. The two groups differed when describing how professors’ undesirable qualities can negatively affect students’ emotions and self-confidence. Faculty and students were in agreement in a variety of areas, but they were disconnected in several areas as well. This is a problem as we move into the future. Cox (2009) said, “the traditional college student is no longer the typical college student” (p. 7), especially when it comes to state and community colleges. Professors would benefit from listening to students instead of assuming that their ratings are untrustworthy and based on how hard or easy the class was or what grade they received. The researcher asserts, along with others in the literature, that expertise in content area is no longer good enough to be an effective educator in higher education. Faculty also need to be experts in understanding students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004967, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004957
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Teacher-student relationships., College teachers., Student evaluation of teachers.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Consequence of English-First: Florida’s Separate and Unequal Writing Curricula.
- Creator
- Batchelor, Claudett V., Leeds, John, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of English
- Abstract/Description
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In this thesis, I examine the structure of developmental or remedial English education at U. S. two-year community colleges, specifically focusing on the disparities between Florida’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP), an English as a Second Language (ESL) program, and Developmental English (Dev English), a Basic Writing program. Both programs supposedly prepare disadvantaged and/or immigrant students for freshman composition, but they employ very different pedagogies. Drawing on existing...
Show moreIn this thesis, I examine the structure of developmental or remedial English education at U. S. two-year community colleges, specifically focusing on the disparities between Florida’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP), an English as a Second Language (ESL) program, and Developmental English (Dev English), a Basic Writing program. Both programs supposedly prepare disadvantaged and/or immigrant students for freshman composition, but they employ very different pedagogies. Drawing on existing research and my own experience as a student and a teacher, I present English as it is employed to assimilate and empower second-language users, investigate the role of Florida’s institution in promoting EAP over Dev English, and discuss issues of identity and the categorization of students. I close by recommending the teaching of English as a Second Language – reading, writing, and basic language skills – to all developmental students, immigrant or native, to equip them for higher learning and a competitive workforce.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005921
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Critical Comparative Study of Media Literacy in Australia, England, And The United States.
- Creator
- Rochester, Ramonia R., Hyslop-Margison, Emery, Baxley, Traci P., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
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Ubiquitous media communications technology necessitates democratic and critical media literacy education for developing an active 21st century polity. This study analyzed the context of democratic and critical media competencies in national curriculum standards across Australia, England, and the United States. This, based on Lefebvre’s (1991) conception of conceived space, where standards operate as manifest educational policy and as a basis for establishing good practice. The study employed...
Show moreUbiquitous media communications technology necessitates democratic and critical media literacy education for developing an active 21st century polity. This study analyzed the context of democratic and critical media competencies in national curriculum standards across Australia, England, and the United States. This, based on Lefebvre’s (1991) conception of conceived space, where standards operate as manifest educational policy and as a basis for establishing good practice. The study employed a multi-theoretical approach to textual analysis, within Bereday’s (1964) comparative structure of inquiry. A critical policy lens supported the contextualization of ideological influences that frame democratic and critical media literacies in standards, per Bay-Cheng, Fitz, Alizaga, and Zucker’s (2015) neoliberal subscales. A purposive sample of civics and citizenship, English/English language arts, and media arts/studies was employed. Differences across three main indicators were identified: socio-cultural and youth-based concerns, personal growth via media production and other skills development, and reasoning and communication skills improvement. The neoliberal influences on curricular standards were subsequently explored across three emerging themes: identity politics, problem-based and critical inquiry experiences, and the inclusion of digital new media in curriculum inquiry. Though recognized in the countries’ standards as multifaceted and complex, each obfuscates identity in some way. Both England and the United States inadequately confront race, class, gender, socio-economic status, cultural commodification, and youthbased issues. Though not overtly neoliberal, the Australian standards present identity hegemonically. The role of media is somewhat siloed from the curriculum’s conceptions of identity and active citizenship across all three countries. The English standards are least adept at developing learners’ understandings of the influence of media on identity development, whereas both England and the United States over-emphasize text to the neglect of new media understandings. An apolitical view of media literacy, accompanied by techno-economic terminology, is pervasive in U.S. standards. Despite a counter-critical approach to the framing of its curriculum priorities, Australia presents the most balanced view of democratic/critical media citizenship. England’s standards reflect neoliberal-communitarian citizenship and largely neglect critical questioning. Whereas the United States takes a similarly cosmopolitan view of citizenship to Australia and England, the standards fail to comprehensively explore the links between digital democracy and political engagement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004973, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004963
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Media literacy., Comparative Study.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Curriculum-Based Alternative Value-Added Model for Special Education Teacher Preparation Programs.
- Creator
- McCormick, Jazarae K., Brady, Michael P., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Exceptional Student Education
- Abstract/Description
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The reality of changing state and federal policy, as well as the process of program improvement across teacher preparation programs has prompted a line of research into the exploration of an alternative curriculum-based value-added model (VAM). Based upon a thorough review of VAMs as they have been applied to education policy and decision-making, this line of inquiry focused on a curriculum-based approach to increasing our understanding of how the instructional efforts of our candidates...
Show moreThe reality of changing state and federal policy, as well as the process of program improvement across teacher preparation programs has prompted a line of research into the exploration of an alternative curriculum-based value-added model (VAM). Based upon a thorough review of VAMs as they have been applied to education policy and decision-making, this line of inquiry focused on a curriculum-based approach to increasing our understanding of how the instructional efforts of our candidates affect the learning gains of the K-12 students they teach. Designed to conform to the fundamental principles of evidence-based practice, candidate and program level data for 109 student teachers between 2013 and 2017 were analyzed. Results indicate that variation in K-12 students’ learning gains can likely be attributed to the instructional efforts of our special education teacher preparation program (TPP) completers. Limitations, implications, and directions for future inquiry across policy, practice, and scholarship are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004989, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004979
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Special education teachers--Training of., Teaching & Instruction., Special education.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Quantitative Analysis of Green-Building Features Incorporated in LEED-Certified Campus Buildings.
- Creator
- Ramdin, Gianna, Wright, Dianne A., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
Higher education is an idyllically positioned organization from which meaningful dissemination of knowledge and interdisciplinary research is capable of actuating practices that resource consumption. Paradoxically, the construction, maintenance, and operations of the built environment, including the built campus environment, have contributed to the decline of raw resources and degradation of environmental processes. An opportunity exists to bridge the knowledge gap between the design and...
Show moreHigher education is an idyllically positioned organization from which meaningful dissemination of knowledge and interdisciplinary research is capable of actuating practices that resource consumption. Paradoxically, the construction, maintenance, and operations of the built environment, including the built campus environment, have contributed to the decline of raw resources and degradation of environmental processes. An opportunity exists to bridge the knowledge gap between the design and construction phase and the operations and maintenance phase of the green certified building life cycle, while examining the parts that contributed to the green-certification of the whole building. The purpose of this research was to 1.) identify green-building features and determine their frequency of implementation in new capital (NC) LEED-certified, campus buildings to effectuate operations and maintenance cost savings, indoor wellbeing, and environmental stewardship, and 2.) determine the relationships of greenbuilding feature usage across building, institutional, and LEED characteristics. The study used archival data to document the green efforts of each building with the study’s sample of 195 buildings on the campus of 107 universities and colleges, in the United States, between 2007 and 2017. The study’s findings indicated that the public institutions earned the LEED certification more often than private institutions and the sample was void of two-year community colleges. The sample was restricted for green-building features that (a) reduce economic cost, (b) improve indoor wellbeing, and (c) increase environmental stewardship. The results and implications are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005930
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Sustainable buildings., Education, Higher., Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System., Quantitative research.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Survey of Gopherus polyphemus Intestinal Parasites in South Florida.
- Creator
- Huffman, Jessica, Frazier, Evelyn, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
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Gopherus polyphemus populations are diminishing throughout their range due to urbanization, fragmentation, and poor management of habitats. Increased population densities, poor habitat quality, and lack of fire may influence disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown, despite evidence these pathogens may pose health risks. This study provides a baseline of gopher tortoise endoparasites across South Florida and reports on how varying environmental...
Show moreGopherus polyphemus populations are diminishing throughout their range due to urbanization, fragmentation, and poor management of habitats. Increased population densities, poor habitat quality, and lack of fire may influence disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown, despite evidence these pathogens may pose health risks. This study provides a baseline of gopher tortoise endoparasites across South Florida and reports on how varying environmental and tortoise characteristics may affect endoparasite species prevalence, approximate loads, and overall distributions. Tortoise fecal samples were taken from five differing SF habitats. Seven species of intestinal parasites were discovered from 123 tortoises. Identified parasites include endo-helminths such as cyathostomes, pinworms, ascarids, flukes, and protozoans including Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Amoeba species. Significant differences in parasite prevalence and loads were seen between sampling years, seasons, size classes, and sites, however, overall parasite distributions suggest parasitism remains relatively ubiquitous throughout most host and site characteristics.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005933
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Gopherus polyphemus, Gopher tortoise., Parasites., Florida.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- African-American Leaders in the Field of Science: A Template for Overcoming Obstacles.
- Creator
- Schmidt, Waweise J., Bryan, Valerie, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
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The purpose of this phenomenological multi-case study and three-person interview, was to discover what select prominent African-American scientists perceived were obstacles to overcome to be successful leaders in their professional lives, and the opportunities that aided in their professional growth. Through the addition of the threeperson interview, the researcher discovered commonalities between the perceived obstacles and opportunities of current science, technology, engineering and...
Show moreThe purpose of this phenomenological multi-case study and three-person interview, was to discover what select prominent African-American scientists perceived were obstacles to overcome to be successful leaders in their professional lives, and the opportunities that aided in their professional growth. Through the addition of the threeperson interview, the researcher discovered commonalities between the perceived obstacles and opportunities of current science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals and the perceptions of selected historically prominent scientists. This study examined documents of the period and relics of prominent African- Americans who were in STEM fields and lived from 1860 to 1968. A description of the setting that influenced how the scientists perceived the phenomenon was written with the approach being anchored in the social constructivist tradition. Commonalities emerged through coding experiences of the individuals, which yielded patterns to help explain the phenomenon. By investigating their perceptions, insight was gained into understanding the attributes, tools and skills, and tailored experiences that encouraged Thomas Burton, Kelly Miller, George Carver, Daniel Williams, Matthew Henson, Ernest Just, Charles Drew, Percy Julian, William Cobb, and Benjamin Peery to achieve success in STEM fields between 1860 and 1968. The significance of the study is multifaceted: understanding the obstacles that African-American scientists had to overcome in their professional lives can result in the development of science educators who are better informed regarding the appropriate types of assistance that can be provided to aid their students in overcoming obstacles. This can hopefully increase their opportunities to succeed within the science field. This study can result in the development of science educators who are more sensitive in addressing the needs of the developing minority student, and can encourage, educate, and enlist more individuals to enter into the dialogue regarding the disparity of minority representation in STEM fields.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004961, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004951
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, African-American scientists., Overcoming obstacles., Phenomenological studies., Science--Study and teaching.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Assessment of Fecal Pollution in the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon.
- Creator
- Perricone, Carlie S., McCarthy, Peter J., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
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Contamination of recreational waters with fecal waste, indicated by the presence of enterococci, can have consequences for human and ecosystem health. The difficulty in determining the extent and origin of fecal pollution in dynamic estuarine systems is compounded by contributions from sources including septic tanks and agricultural runoff. This study investigated fecal pollution at five sites with variable hydrological conditions in the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon. The...
Show moreContamination of recreational waters with fecal waste, indicated by the presence of enterococci, can have consequences for human and ecosystem health. The difficulty in determining the extent and origin of fecal pollution in dynamic estuarine systems is compounded by contributions from sources including septic tanks and agricultural runoff. This study investigated fecal pollution at five sites with variable hydrological conditions in the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon. The distribution and occurrence of enterococci was assessed using traditional cultivation. A human-associated microbial source tracking assay was validated and applied in these estuaries using qPCR. Results demonstrated a correlation between enterococci concentrations, rainfall, and salinity. The human-associated assay was sensitive and specific in the lab; however, human fecal pollution was not detected in the field even though samples contained high levels of enterococci. This study highlights the importance of expanding the range of water quality assessment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005023, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005932
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Indian River (Fla. : Lagoon), Saint Lucie River Estuary (Fla.), Enterococcus., Fecal matter., Estuarine pollution.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Examination of Factors Impacting Managerial Behavior towards Compliance Controls: Impact of the EPA Audit Policy.
- Creator
- Davis, Phebian, Higgs, Julia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Business, School of Accounting
- Abstract/Description
-
The United States established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to monitor and enforce compliance with environmental pollution standards through various programs and policies. One such policy, the Audit Policy, allows companies to voluntarily self-report violations to the Agency in exchange for elimination of certain penalties. Despite the policy, firms still incur large environmental penalties, thus indicating the need for better understanding of the policy. A necessary but not...
Show moreThe United States established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to monitor and enforce compliance with environmental pollution standards through various programs and policies. One such policy, the Audit Policy, allows companies to voluntarily self-report violations to the Agency in exchange for elimination of certain penalties. Despite the policy, firms still incur large environmental penalties, thus indicating the need for better understanding of the policy. A necessary but not sufficient condition for penalty relief under the Audit Policy requires discovery of violations by an environmental audit or a compliance management system. This research explores the option of discovery by a compliance management system and examines the motivation of managers to invest in an environmental management system (EMS). The theory of reasoned action (TRA) argues that attitude and subjective norms precede intentions. I use this theory to investigate what factors cause a manager to invest in an environmental management system (EMS). Additionally, I examine whether environmental attitude, tolerance for ambiguity and willful blindness are antecedents to attitude towards an EMS. In this study, I develop and test a scale of the willful blindness construct and measure its impact on managerial decision-making. The willful blindness construct development produced a one-item measure. My results support all hypotheses except for the predicted link between tolerance for ambiguity and attitude.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005924
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, United States. Environmental Protection Agency--Auditing., Compliance., Environmental pollution.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Exploration of Testosterone Mediated Effects on Auditory Learning in Northern Bobwhite Quail.
- Creator
- Bellinger, Seanceray A., Jones, Nancy Aaron, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
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Elevated yolk progesterone has been shown to impair prenatal, but facilitate postnatal auditory learning in bobwhite quail chicks. Elevated yolk testosterone has facilitated prenatal learning, but its effects on postnatal auditory learning in quail are unknown. Either testosterone or an oil vehicle was injected into bobwhite quail eggs prior to incubation. Control eggs were unmanipulated. Following hatching, chicks were exposed to a conspecific maternal call (A or B) for 240 min. At 48 hr,...
Show moreElevated yolk progesterone has been shown to impair prenatal, but facilitate postnatal auditory learning in bobwhite quail chicks. Elevated yolk testosterone has facilitated prenatal learning, but its effects on postnatal auditory learning in quail are unknown. Either testosterone or an oil vehicle was injected into bobwhite quail eggs prior to incubation. Control eggs were unmanipulated. Following hatching, chicks were exposed to a conspecific maternal call (A or B) for 240 min. At 48 hr, chicks were tested for their preference for the familiarized vs. novel call. All groups demonstrated a preference for the familiar call (p < .05), but minimal between group difference were found. Contrary to previous research, elevated yolk testosterone neither facilitated nor impaired postnatal auditory learning in bobwhite quail chicks. Further research will examine underlying mechanisms responsible for differential effects and explore if similar systems are involved in other species-typical processes such as social motivation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005944
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Bobwhite quail, Northern bobwhite., Chicks., Testosterone., Egg yolk.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Analysis of Eye Response to Video Quality and Structure.
- Creator
- Pappusetty, Deepti, Kalva, Hari, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Real-time eye tracking systems with human-computer interaction mechanism are being adopted to advance user experience in smart devices and consumer electronic systems. Eye tracking systems measure eye gaze and pupil response non-intrusively. This research presents an analysis of eye pupil and gaze response to video structure and content. The set of experiments for this study involved presenting different video content to subjects and measuring eye response with an eye tracker. Results show...
Show moreReal-time eye tracking systems with human-computer interaction mechanism are being adopted to advance user experience in smart devices and consumer electronic systems. Eye tracking systems measure eye gaze and pupil response non-intrusively. This research presents an analysis of eye pupil and gaze response to video structure and content. The set of experiments for this study involved presenting different video content to subjects and measuring eye response with an eye tracker. Results show significant changes in video and scene cuts led to sharp constrictions. User response to videos can provide insights that can improve subjective quality assessment metrics. This research also presents an analysis of the pupil and gaze response to quality changes in videos. The results show pupil constrictions for noticeable changes in perceived quality and higher fixations/saccades ratios with lower quality. Using real-time eye tracking systems for video analysis and quality evaluation can open a new class of applications for consumer electronic systems.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005940
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Eye tracking., Video., Quality (Aesthetics)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Assessment of Links between Sea Level Variations and Climate Variability and Change.
- Creator
- Schmidt, Alejandra R., Teegavarapu, Ramesh, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
A comprehensive study is conducted to evaluate global sea levels for trends and variations due to climate change and variability by using non-parametric methods. Individual and coupled effects of inter-annual ENSO, decadal PDO, multi-decadal AMO, and quasi-decadal NAO on sea levels are evaluated. Combined influences of different phases (cool or warm) of PDO, AMO, and NAO influences and ENSO are also evaluated. The results from this study showed that sea level at 60% of the sites is increasing...
Show moreA comprehensive study is conducted to evaluate global sea levels for trends and variations due to climate change and variability by using non-parametric methods. Individual and coupled effects of inter-annual ENSO, decadal PDO, multi-decadal AMO, and quasi-decadal NAO on sea levels are evaluated. Combined influences of different phases (cool or warm) of PDO, AMO, and NAO influences and ENSO are also evaluated. The results from this study showed that sea level at 60% of the sites is increasing with time with all four oscillations impacting global sea levels. AMO warm phase individually and PDO warm combined with La-Niña phase contribute to higher sea levels throughout the world. Trends and variations in sea levels are noted to be spatially non-uniform. Understanding and quantifying climate variability influenced variations in sea levels and assessment of long-term trends enables protection of coastal regions of the world from sea level rise.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005936
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Climatic changes., Sea level., Sea level rise, Global.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Authenticity in the Fictional Voices of Toni Morrison’s Love and Home: Tracing Conversations Among Author, Readers, and Narrators as a Rewrite of U.S. History.
- Creator
- Bulacio-Watier, Marisol, Hagood, Taylor, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of English
- Abstract/Description
-
Toni Morrison’s later novels Love and Home bring forth an issue of identity anxiety for those involved in the narrative: author, narrators, and readers. Featuring both first-person and third-person narrators, these works offer conflicting narratives in which the writer, Morrison, allows her characters to question her own authorial voice. Greater agency is given to the first-person narrators through which they deconstruct the traditional objectivity of third-person narratives. As such, this...
Show moreToni Morrison’s later novels Love and Home bring forth an issue of identity anxiety for those involved in the narrative: author, narrators, and readers. Featuring both first-person and third-person narrators, these works offer conflicting narratives in which the writer, Morrison, allows her characters to question her own authorial voice. Greater agency is given to the first-person narrators through which they deconstruct the traditional objectivity of third-person narratives. As such, this thesis argues, the structures of Love and Home extend their inside conversations to the real world of readers who must reconsider where their narrative trust has been. Moreover, Morrison’s challenge to her authorial voice becomes the means through which she questions the hegemony of U.S. historical narratives. In the end, it is the subjective voices of the first-person narrators which offer a more reliable, counter narrative of not only Morrison’s fictional stories, but that of the nation’s historical past.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004995
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Morrison, Toni--Criticism and interpretation.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Beach dynamics, beachfront development, and climate change: Interactions that impact sea turtle nesting beaches.
- Creator
- Bladow, Rachel A., Milton, Sarah L., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
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Climate change will expose sea turtle nests to higher temperatures and more storms; both may negatively impact sea turtle nest success. In this study, unhatched eggs were collected from the Boca Raton, Florida beach and developmental stage at embryonic death determined. Elevated nest temperatures increased embryonic mortality, and the most significant relationship was between mortality and the percent of time embryos were exposed to temperatures above 34°C. Loggerhead turtles exhibited higher...
Show moreClimate change will expose sea turtle nests to higher temperatures and more storms; both may negatively impact sea turtle nest success. In this study, unhatched eggs were collected from the Boca Raton, Florida beach and developmental stage at embryonic death determined. Elevated nest temperatures increased embryonic mortality, and the most significant relationship was between mortality and the percent of time embryos were exposed to temperatures above 34°C. Loggerhead turtles exhibited higher rates of mortality compared to green turtles at temperatures above 34°C. Only loggerhead nests were exposed to inundation, but embryonic mortality did not differ from noninundated nests. Beach profiles across the nesting season were also determined. A major storm altered the beach more in areas of coastal development; however, this was impacted by a nourishment project and the presence of a structured inlet. Future management strategies may need to protect sea turtle nests from extended periods at elevated temperatures.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005926
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Sea turtles--Ecology., Loggerhead turtle--Florida., Sea turtles--Nests., Climate change
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Behavioral and Electrophysiological Evidence for Hippocampal Involvement in Object Motion Processing in C57BL/6J Mice.
- Creator
- Asgeirsdottir, Herborg Nanna, Stackman, Robert W., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
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Considerable research has been carried out to establish a rodent model for the study of human memory, yet functional similarities between the species remain up for debate. The hippocampus, a region deep within the medial temporal lobe of the mammalian CNS, is critical for long-term episodic memory. Projections from the medial entorhinal cortex convey spatial/contextual information, while projections from the lateral entorhinal cortex convey item/object information to the hippocampus. The...
Show moreConsiderable research has been carried out to establish a rodent model for the study of human memory, yet functional similarities between the species remain up for debate. The hippocampus, a region deep within the medial temporal lobe of the mammalian CNS, is critical for long-term episodic memory. Projections from the medial entorhinal cortex convey spatial/contextual information, while projections from the lateral entorhinal cortex convey item/object information to the hippocampus. The functional significance of these parallel projections to the rodent hippocampus has been suggested to support spatial processing, while the same projections to the human hippocampus support spatial and non-spatial memory. Discharging in a location-specific manner, hippocampal place cells contribute to spatial memory; however, evidence for neuronal correlates of non-spatial object memory has not been fully defined. The current experiments were designed to address the following questions, while utilizing electrophysiology, functional inactivation during a novel behavioral task, and immunohistochemistry. Is the memory for objects hippocampal-dependent, solely due to the location of the object, or are objects represented within hippocampal activity independent of location? To tease apart spatial and non-spatial processing by the hippocampus, the spatial aspects of 3D objects were enhanced by utilizing movement. A novel discriminatory avoidance task, Knowing Your Enemy, was adapted from an Enemy Avoidance task to test true object memory in mice. Current findings support the notion that object-associations acquisition depends upon a specific context. Retrieval of such object-associations is not context-dependent, yet remains sensitive to temporary inactivation of the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus. The avoidance impairments observed following hippocampal inactivation were shown to not be a result of reduced anxiety. Immunohistochemical marker expression suggests that the CA1 region was highly active during object exposures, yet the hippocampal system responded differentially to moving and to stationary objects. Recordings of CA1 neurons yielded non-bursting object-related activity during object exploration, and place cell activity remained unaffected in the presence of moving objects; supporting independent, yet simultaneous processing of spatial and non-spatial information within the hippocampus. Together, the current findings support the notion that the CA1 region of the rodent hippocampus processes object-related information, independent of spatial information.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004981
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Hippocampus (Brain), Declarative memory, Explicit memory.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Cellular Computation in Primary Visual Cortex.
- Creator
- Wilson, Daniel E., Fitzpatrick, David, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
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Individual neurons in the primary visual cortex respond selectively to different features of visual stimuli, such as spatial orientation or direction of motion. A longstanding goal in systems neuroscience has been to understand the transformations single cells perform as they integrate synaptic inputs to generate spiking output. Recent technological developments have facilitated these lines of investigation by enabling direct measurement of the functional properties of single synaptic inputs...
Show moreIndividual neurons in the primary visual cortex respond selectively to different features of visual stimuli, such as spatial orientation or direction of motion. A longstanding goal in systems neuroscience has been to understand the transformations single cells perform as they integrate synaptic inputs to generate spiking output. Recent technological developments have facilitated these lines of investigation by enabling direct measurement of the functional properties of single synaptic inputs to neurons in the neocortex. It remains an outstanding question as to whether the tuning of single neocortical neurons can be predicted by their excitatory synaptic inputs. Here, I show that excitatory synaptic inputs exhibit significant functional diversity with respect to orientation and direction selectivity. I show that cells can use at least two strategies to overcome this functional diversity to achieve selective responses in the face of broadly tuned excitatory input: enhancing responses to the preferred stimuli and suppressing responses to the non-preferred stimuli. In the case of orientation selectivity, synaptic inputs cluster according to orientation preference and evoke local dendritic nonlinearities, thereby enhancing somatic responses to the preferred direction. For direction selectivity, cells receive excitatory synaptic inputs tuned to the preferred and null directions, but selectively suppress inputs tuned for the null direction to enhance direction selectivity. This suppression comes from direction-tuned GABAergic interneurons that make longrange, intercolumnar projections to enhance direction selectivity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004994
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Characterization of Internal Wave Activity in the Straits of Florida.
- Creator
- Tarantul Soto, Andrew, Dhanak, Manhar R., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- Abstract/Description
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The Gulf Stream current in the Straits is typically dominated by a strong northerly current, associated shear, and eddies. The water column also includes a prominent thermocline and periodically features internal waves centered on the upper or lower edges of the thermocline. Despite numerous previous related studies, there is limited available field data on internal waves in the Straits of Florida. Here, study and analysis of velocity, temperature and conductivity data acquired in the Straits...
Show moreThe Gulf Stream current in the Straits is typically dominated by a strong northerly current, associated shear, and eddies. The water column also includes a prominent thermocline and periodically features internal waves centered on the upper or lower edges of the thermocline. Despite numerous previous related studies, there is limited available field data on internal waves in the Straits of Florida. Here, study and analysis of velocity, temperature and conductivity data acquired in the Straits over a period of time are described, in support of identifying presence of internal waves in the flow. A systematic procedure is employed in modifying the universal Garrett- Munk spectrum for internal waves in the open ocean for application to flow in the Straits of Florida. Using this process, identified internal waves are characterized and related velocity fluctuations in the time series are isolated to facilitate consideration of their correlations with simultaneously observed magnetic fields.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005946
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Florida, Straits of, Gulf Stream (Fla.), Internal waves.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Charter School Closures in Florida, 2006-2016: A Population Ecology Perspective.
- Creator
- Jameson, Jorene, Nyhan, Ronald C., Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
- Abstract/Description
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As part of the education reforms of the 1990s, charter schools were proposed as a private alternative to public education, offering parents and their children greater choices. Publicly financed but privately operated, charter schools have now grown in numbers and influence. While there are many studies of student outcomes in charter schools demonstrating mixed results, one negative outcome of charter schools has been less examined. Since inception, 23% of charter schools nationally have...
Show moreAs part of the education reforms of the 1990s, charter schools were proposed as a private alternative to public education, offering parents and their children greater choices. Publicly financed but privately operated, charter schools have now grown in numbers and influence. While there are many studies of student outcomes in charter schools demonstrating mixed results, one negative outcome of charter schools has been less examined. Since inception, 23% of charter schools nationally have closed and these closures are disruptive to parents, children, and their school districts. This paper addresses charter school closures from an organizational perspective. Applying theory from population ecology and resource dependency theory, the population of nonprofit charter schools is examined. What are the primary determinants of charter school success and failure? Florida, with the third highest number of charter schools nationally and, at the same time, the highest number of charter school closures in the United States, is a paradox. This study identifies the significant variables that are related to school survival and failure in the state of Florida over the years 2015-16 through 2015-16. Variables tested in this study, using Survival Analysis (SA), include age, management structure, size, school performance, grants, and density. All variables except density at founding were significant in explaining the unique variance in survival rates among charters. Charter schools sub-contracted by for-profit educational management organizations (EMOs) were larger, achieved higher grades, secured more grants and achieved higher survival rates than their counterpart nonprofit, independent, and charter management organization (CMO) led schools. These results contribute to our understanding of charter school survival and failure, thereby informing public policy options to strengthen the charter school population and the nation’s public education system overall.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004982, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004972
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Charter schools--Florida., Population ecology., Public policy.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Closing the Loop: Student Leader Perceptions of Their Leadership Development at a State University.
- Creator
- Burke, Katie Gale, Floyd, Deborah L., Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
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Collegiate leadership development opportunities that enhance student’s leadership skills are on the rise. This study sought to understand how students perceive their own leadership development prior to entering college and at an institution that has prioritized leadership development in recent years. Through this single-case study, 51 undergraduate student leaders completed a questionnaire that resulted in a descriptive student leader profile and open-ended responses. From those 51 students,...
Show moreCollegiate leadership development opportunities that enhance student’s leadership skills are on the rise. This study sought to understand how students perceive their own leadership development prior to entering college and at an institution that has prioritized leadership development in recent years. Through this single-case study, 51 undergraduate student leaders completed a questionnaire that resulted in a descriptive student leader profile and open-ended responses. From those 51 students, 14 were a part of focus groups. There were three focus groups in total with four, seven, and three participants respectively. From the 14 participants, five volunteered for individual interviews to identify their perceptions of their leadership development in their own words. The research questions for this study were: What are the inputs and environmental influences that shape college students’ leadership development output from the student perspective; and, how do college students describe and understand their leadership development? The descriptive profile and close-ended responses are reviewed in chapter four and report four major findings. The first finding was “Mom made me do it”: The Influence of Family and Experiences Precollege, and the second finding was The What and Who Behind These Students’ Leadership Development in College: Purposeful Experiences and People. The third finding was The Why Behind These College Students’ Engagement in Leadership Development, which encompassed four themes to describe the reasons these students’ are interested in leadership development: encouragement from others, aspirations, self-development, and motivation to support causes they have grown to want to serve and for which they want to develop. The fourth finding was Soft Skills - Not Clear in the Terminology of These Student Leaders, Clear in Their Behaviors and included ways of defining soft skills and the exemplification of student leaders’ soft skills. Conclusions and recommendations are offered in chapter six including the proposal of a new model, Closing the Loop in College, developed from the pattern of findings that emerged in this study inclusive of reflective meaning making in college as essential for these leaders’ development.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004997, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004987
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, State universities and colleges., Leadership., College students.
- Format
- Document (PDF)