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Title: "I distinctly remember you!": an investigation of memory for faces with unusual features.
Creator: Keif, Autumn., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
Abstract/Description: Many errors in recognition are made because various features of a stimulus are attended inefficiently. Those features are not bound together and can then be confused with other information. One of the most common types of these errors is conjunction errors. These happen when mismatched features of memories are combined to form a composite memory. This study tests how likely conjunction errors, along with other recognition errors, occur when participants watch videos of people both with and...
Show moreMany errors in recognition are made because various features of a stimulus are attended inefficiently. Those features are not bound together and can then be confused with other information. One of the most common types of these errors is conjunction errors. These happen when mismatched features of memories are combined to form a composite memory. This study tests how likely conjunction errors, along with other recognition errors, occur when participants watch videos of people both with and without unusual facial features performing actions after a week time lag. It was hypothesized that participants would falsely recognize actresses in the conjunction item condition over the other conditions. The likelihood of falsely recognizing a new person increased when presented with a feature, but the conjunction items overall were most often falsely recognized.
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Date Issued: 2012
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3342207
Subject Headings: Face perception, Human face recognition, Facial expression, Physiological aspects, Recollection (Psychology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: "Tiger Stripe" Phenomena in Indian River Lagoon Dolphins.
Creator: Stevens, Jessie, Lum, Bryanna, Blocker, Cameron, Ferch, Molly, Mazzoil, Marilyn S., Reif, John S., Murdoch, M. Elizabeth, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: A previously undescribed skin abnormality, which we refer to as “tiger stripes,” has been identified in Indian River Lagoon bottlenose dolphins through photo-identification surveys. The condition presents as parallel stripes on the ventral and lateral aspects on the torso of the dolphin with varying length and depth. The condition may be indicative of rapid weight loss, similar to human "stretch marks”, debilitating illnesses resulting in emaciation or a result of starvation due to lack of...
Show moreA previously undescribed skin abnormality, which we refer to as “tiger stripes,” has been identified in Indian River Lagoon bottlenose dolphins through photo-identification surveys. The condition presents as parallel stripes on the ventral and lateral aspects on the torso of the dolphin with varying length and depth. The condition may be indicative of rapid weight loss, similar to human "stretch marks”, debilitating illnesses resulting in emaciation or a result of starvation due to lack of prey. Goals of this study were to determine if tiger stripes are: (1) a marker of rapid weight loss, (2) more prevalent in post-partum females, and to (3) examine the spatial and temporal distribution in the IRL. Preliminary findings indicate that tiger striping is a useful marker suggestive of rapid weight loss. The next phase of research is to determine if the condition can be utilized as a pre-mortem marker of emaciation in IRL dolphins.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005212
Subject Headings: College students --Research --United States.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: 1/f structure of temporal fluctuation in rhythm performance and rhythmic coordination.
Creator: Rankin, Summer K., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
Abstract/Description: This dissertation investigated the nature of pulse in the tempo fluctuation of music performance and how people entrain with these performed musical rhythms. In Experiment 1, one skilled pianist performed four compositions with natural tempo fluctuation. The changes in tempo showed long-range correlation and fractal (1/f) scaling for all four performances. To determine whether the finding of 1/f structure would generalize to other pianists, musical styles, and performance practices, fractal...
Show moreThis dissertation investigated the nature of pulse in the tempo fluctuation of music performance and how people entrain with these performed musical rhythms. In Experiment 1, one skilled pianist performed four compositions with natural tempo fluctuation. The changes in tempo showed long-range correlation and fractal (1/f) scaling for all four performances. To determine whether the finding of 1/f structure would generalize to other pianists, musical styles, and performance practices, fractal analyses were conducted on a large database of piano performances in Experiment 3. Analyses revealed signicant long-range serial correlations in 96% of the performances. Analysis showed that the degree of fractal structure depended on piece, suggesting that there is something in the composition's musical structure which causes pianists' tempo fluctuations to have a similar degree of fractal structure. Thus, musical tempo fluctuations exhibit long-range correlations and fractal scaling. To examine how people entrain to these temporal fluctuations, a series of behavioral experiments were conducted where subjects were asked to tap the pulse (beat) to temporally fluctuating stimuli. The stimuli for Experiment 2 were musical performances from Experiment 1, with mechanical versions serving as controls. Subjects entrained to all stimuli at two metrical levels, and predicted the tempo fluctuations observed in Experiment 1. Fractal analyses showed that the fractal structure of the stimuli was reected in the inter-tap intervals, suggesting a possible relationship between fractal tempo scaling, pulse perception, and entrainment. Experiments 4-7 investigated the extent to which people use long-range correlation and fractal scaling to predict tempo fluctuations in fluctuating rhythmic sequences., Both natural and synthetic long-range correlations enabled prediction, as well as shuffled versions which contained no long-term fluctuations. Fractal structure of the stimuli was again in the inter-tap intervals, with persistence for the fractal stimuli, and antipersistence for the shuffled stimuli. 1/f temporal structure is suficient though not necessary for prediction of fluctuations in a stimulus with large temporal fluctuations.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2705083
Subject Headings: Music, Psychological aspects, Emotions in music, Perceptual-motor learning, Computational neuroscience, Synchronization, Musical perception
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: 9,11-secogorgosterol biosynthesis in gorgonians.
Creator: Kellman, Jaelle, Florida Atlantic University, Kerr, Russell G., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract/Description: 9,11-secogorgosterol is a secondary metabolite from the gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia americana which acts as a chemical defense. The soft coral lives in a symbiotic association with unicellular algae known as zooxanthellae. A biosynthetic investigation, using in vivo and in vitro methods, has resulted in the identification of the metabolic precursor of 9,11-secogorgosterol as gorgosterol. This finding is significant as it indicates that the conversion of gorgosterol to 9,11-secogorgosterol is...
Show more9,11-secogorgosterol is a secondary metabolite from the gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia americana which acts as a chemical defense. The soft coral lives in a symbiotic association with unicellular algae known as zooxanthellae. A biosynthetic investigation, using in vivo and in vitro methods, has resulted in the identification of the metabolic precursor of 9,11-secogorgosterol as gorgosterol. This finding is significant as it indicates that the conversion of gorgosterol to 9,11-secogorgosterol is due to gorgonian metabolism. Since gorgosterol is known to be a product of zooxanthellae metabolism, this would be the first example of a defensive secondary metabolite being produced by two organisms living in symbiosis. A viable acetone powder has been generated from the crude cell-free extract and has demonstrated the efficient transformation of gorgosterol to 9, 11-secogorgosterol. This indicates possible future value as a synthetic tool for secosterol production.
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Date Issued: 1995
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15180
Subject Headings: Sterols--Synthesis, Alcyonacea
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A biological mechanism for enhanced wading bird foraging patches in seasonally-pulsed wetlands.
Creator: Faughnan, Thomas J., Gawlik, Dale E., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description: In tropical wetlands, breeding wading birds rely on concentrations of aquatic fauna during the dry season to meet increased energetic demands. Wetland microtopography increases aquatic fauna concentration levels. Crocodilians modify the landscape creating deep-water refugia but their role as a mechanism for aquatic fauna concentration is unknown. I sampled alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) abundance and slough microtopography to examine correlation between the two measures. Despite...
Show moreIn tropical wetlands, breeding wading birds rely on concentrations of aquatic fauna during the dry season to meet increased energetic demands. Wetland microtopography increases aquatic fauna concentration levels. Crocodilians modify the landscape creating deep-water refugia but their role as a mechanism for aquatic fauna concentration is unknown. I sampled alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) abundance and slough microtopography to examine correlation between the two measures. Despite increased microtopography in high alligator use sloughs, the differences were not significant. Using an in situ experimental approach, I quantified the magnitude, timing, and spatial extent of aquatic fauna concentrations within simulated alligator depressions and the surrounding marsh. Aquatic fauna density and biomass were greater within simulated depressions, thus enhancing wading bird foraging habitat. Further understanding the mechanisms creating microtopography, thus enhancing wading bird habitat, is critical to facilitate restoration and prevent declines of wading bird populations in seasonally pulsed wetlands worldwide.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013060
Subject Headings: Wading birds., Wetland ecology., American alligator.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Comparative Study on the Tensile Properties of Shark Skin.
Creator: Creager, Shelby, Porter, Marianne C., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Our goal was to assess regional differences in denticle density and skin tensile properties in four coastal species of shark. We hypothesized that the denticle density, tensile strength (MPa), stiffness (MPa), and toughness of skin (MJ·m^-3) would vary regionally along the body of an individual and among species. An hourglass-shaped punch was used to extract the skin samples at 10 anatomical landmarks and denticle density was quantified. Denticle density varied significantly among both...
Show moreOur goal was to assess regional differences in denticle density and skin tensile properties in four coastal species of shark. We hypothesized that the denticle density, tensile strength (MPa), stiffness (MPa), and toughness of skin (MJ·m^-3) would vary regionally along the body of an individual and among species. An hourglass-shaped punch was used to extract the skin samples at 10 anatomical landmarks and denticle density was quantified. Denticle density varied significantly among both regions and species, and showed a significant species by region interaction. Skin samples were tested in tension at a strain rate of 2 mm-s until failure. We found significant species and region effects for all tensile and denticle density properties. Also, denticle density increases with skin stiffness but decreases with toughness. Shark skin toughness is similar to that of mammalian tendons. These data show shark skin functions as an exotendon, able to conserve energy during swimming.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004761, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004761
Subject Headings: Sharks--Anatomy., Sharks--Locomotion., Surfaces (Physics), Biophysics.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A comparative survey of Gopherus polyphemus hemoparasites in two differing South Florida habitats.
Creator: Cooney, Brian, Elhassani, Dana, Frazier, Evelyn, Caruso, Joseph P., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species which affects the biodiversity that shares its burrow. Habitat fragmentation has led to a decline in populations within southeastern ranges. Haemogregarina (intracellular parasites) have been identified in the blood of gopher tortoises, possibly due to the lack of prescribed fires which are known to kill ticks. However, little is known about their health significance. Two study sites, Blazing Star Preserve (BSP), and Pine Jog...
Show moreThe gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species which affects the biodiversity that shares its burrow. Habitat fragmentation has led to a decline in populations within southeastern ranges. Haemogregarina (intracellular parasites) have been identified in the blood of gopher tortoises, possibly due to the lack of prescribed fires which are known to kill ticks. However, little is known about their health significance. Two study sites, Blazing Star Preserve (BSP), and Pine Jog Preserve (PJP), differ in their management. The goal of this study is: (1) determine, if any, haemogregarina parasitemia levels of the gopher tortoise population in each site and (2) detect any additional hemoparasite species. We hypothesize that paristemia will be higher in BSP due to increased overcrowding and lack of prescribed fires. This study will benefit current conservation and management practices for gopher tortoises and provide a baseline study for intracellular parasites.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005182
Subject Headings: College students --Research --United States.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A comparison of body proportions in juvenile sea turtles: how shape may optimize survival in a vulnerable life stage.
Creator: Pate, Jessica Hope, Salmon, Michael, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Marine turtles produce many offspring which offsets the high mortality experienced by turtles during early development. Juvenile mortality might be reduced by evolving effective behavioral as well as morphological anti-predator defenses. Body proportions of three species (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys coriacea) of turtles were measured in the first fourteen weeks of development to examine how growth may mitigate predation by gape-limited predators. Growth was categorized as...
Show moreMarine turtles produce many offspring which offsets the high mortality experienced by turtles during early development. Juvenile mortality might be reduced by evolving effective behavioral as well as morphological anti-predator defenses. Body proportions of three species (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys coriacea) of turtles were measured in the first fourteen weeks of development to examine how growth may mitigate predation by gape-limited predators. Growth was categorized as isometric if shape did not change during development or allometric if body shape did change. All three species showed allometric growth in carapace width; however it was less pronounced in the larger D. coriacea turtles. Allometric growth in carapace width decreased as all three species grew in size. When high predation occurs in early development, many species will favor rapid growth into a size refuge. Juvenile sea turtles may optimize their survival by growing allometrically when predation risk is the greatest.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004223, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004223
Subject Headings: Predation (Biology), Sea turtles -- Growth, Sea turtles -- Mortality, Sea turtles -- Population viability analysis
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Computational Study on Different Penalty Approaches for Constrained Optimization in Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning with a Simulated Annealing Algorithm.
Creator: Mohammadi Khoroushadi, Mohammad Sadegh, Kalantzis, Georgios, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
Abstract/Description: Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a cancer treatment method in which the intensities of the radiation beams are modulated; therefore these beams have non-uniform radiation intensities. The overall result is the delivery of the prescribed dose in the target volume. The dose distribution is conformal to the shape of the target and minimizes the dose to the nearby critical organs. An inverse planning algorithm is used to obtain those non-uniform beam intensities. In inverse...
Show moreIntensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a cancer treatment method in which the intensities of the radiation beams are modulated; therefore these beams have non-uniform radiation intensities. The overall result is the delivery of the prescribed dose in the target volume. The dose distribution is conformal to the shape of the target and minimizes the dose to the nearby critical organs. An inverse planning algorithm is used to obtain those non-uniform beam intensities. In inverse treatment planning, the treatment plan is achieved by using an optimization process. The optimized plan results to a high-quality dose distribution in the planning target volume (PTV), which receives the prescribed dose while the dose that is received by the organs at risk (OARs) is reduced. Accordingly, an objective function has to be defined for the PTV, while some constraints have to be considered to handle the dose limitations for the OARs.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004765
Subject Headings: Image-guided radiation therapy., Radiation--Dosage., Mathematical optimization., Evolutionary programming (Computer science), Medical physics., Medical radiology--Data processing.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Constructive Theory of Ordered Sets and their Completions.
Creator: Joseph, Jean S., Richman, Fred, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Abstract/Description: The context for the development of this work is constructive mathematics without the axiom of countable choice. By constructive mathematics, we mean mathematics done without the law of excluded middle. Our original goal was to give a list of axioms for the real numbers R by only considering the order on R. We instead develop a theory of ordered sets and their completions and a theory of ordered abelian groups.
Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013007
Subject Headings: Constructive mathematics, Ordered sets, Abelian groups
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Cross-Lingustic Analysis of Language Effects on Personality Measures in Spanish-English Bilinguals.
Creator: Gonzalez, Katherine, Velez-Uribe, Idaly, Rosselli, Monica, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: The Big Five inventory is a 44-item scale that classifies participants based on five dimensions of personality with versions available in English and Spanish. Previous studies have found differences in BFI dimensions of Spanish-English bilinguals. We asked if Spanish-English bilinguals described themselves differently when answering in different languages. The present study investigated how Spanish-English bilinguals are classified when answering the BFI in both languages. In a cross...
Show moreThe Big Five inventory is a 44-item scale that classifies participants based on five dimensions of personality with versions available in English and Spanish. Previous studies have found differences in BFI dimensions of Spanish-English bilinguals. We asked if Spanish-English bilinguals described themselves differently when answering in different languages. The present study investigated how Spanish-English bilinguals are classified when answering the BFI in both languages. In a cross-linguistic design, we assessed a sample of Spanish-English bilinguals. We hypothesized that we would find that bilinguals would score significantly different in both languages in the dimensions of extraversion and conscientiousness, with English scores being expected to be significantly higher than Spanish scores. Results revealed significantly different scores in Spanish and English in all five dimensions of the BFI. These results emphasize the issue of language in psychological evaluations, with the possibility of language dependence skewing the results for bilingual patients.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005193
Subject Headings: College students --Research --United States.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A dosimetric study of a heterogeneous phantom for lung stereotactic body radiation therapy comparing Monte Carlo and pencil beam calculations to dose distributions measured with a 2-d diode array.
Creator: Curley, Casey Michael, Ouhib, Zoubir, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
Abstract/Description: Monte Carlo (MC) and Pencil Beam (PB) calculations are compared to their measured planar dose distributions using a 2-D diode array for lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). The planar dose distributions were studied for two different phantom types: an in-house heterogeneous phantom and a homogeneous phantom. The motivation is to mimic the human anatomy during a lung SBRT treatment and incorporate heterogeneities into the pre-treatment Quality Assurance process, where measured and...
Show moreMonte Carlo (MC) and Pencil Beam (PB) calculations are compared to their measured planar dose distributions using a 2-D diode array for lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). The planar dose distributions were studied for two different phantom types: an in-house heterogeneous phantom and a homogeneous phantom. The motivation is to mimic the human anatomy during a lung SBRT treatment and incorporate heterogeneities into the pre-treatment Quality Assurance process, where measured and calculated planar dose distributions are compared before the radiation treatment. Individual and combined field dosimetry has been performed for both fixed gantry angle (anterior to posterior) and planned gantry angle delivery. A gamma analysis has been performed for all beam arrangements. The measurements were obtained using the 2-D diode array MapCHECK 2™.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004360
Subject Headings: Cancer -- Radiotherapy, Drug development -- Computer simulation, Image guided radiation therapy, Ion bombardment, Lung cancer -- Treatment, Medical physics, Monte Carlo method, Proton beams
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A generalized stochastic birth/death population model based on Indian RiverLagoon dolphins.
Creator: Stonger, Jon, Noonburg, Erik G., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: For over a decade, researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) have conducted surveys of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population of Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in Florida. I have constructed a 4-stage population model using the statistical program R. The model is used to conduct a viability analysis by analyzing the relationship between birth, calf and adult survival rates. The power analysis compares survey frequency to expected confidence intervals in estimating...
Show moreFor over a decade, researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) have conducted surveys of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population of Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in Florida. I have constructed a 4-stage population model using the statistical program R. The model is used to conduct a viability analysis by analyzing the relationship between birth, calf and adult survival rates. The power analysis compares survey frequency to expected confidence intervals in estimating abundance. The sensitivity analysis shows that the population is most sensitive to changes in adult survival, followed by birth rate and calf survival. The model shows a strong chance of viability over a 50 year time span. The population is vulnerable to long periods of decline if birth, calf or adult survival rates fall below certain thresholds. Overall, the model simulates the future impacts of demographic change, providing a tool for conservation efforts.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004163, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004163
Subject Headings: Animal populations -- Estimates, Bottlenose dolphin -- Florida -- Indian River Lagoon -- Geographical distribution, Indian River (Fla : Lagoon), Marine mammal populations -- Estimates -- Florida -- Mathematical models, Population biology, Stochastic processes
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A habitat suitability model for wading birds in a large subtropical lake: linking hydrologic fluctuations and nesting.
Creator: Botta, Richard A., Gawlik, Dale E., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Anthropogenic hydrologic alterations can affect the quality of lake littoral zone habitats for wading birds, such as the great egret (Ardea alba), snowy egret (Egretta thula), and white ibis (Eudocimus albus). One such lake in Florida, Lake Okeechobee, has experienced a marked decline in wading bird nesting since the 1970’s, concomitant with changes in lake level management. It’s hypothesized that a reduction in foraging habitat has led to the nesting decline; however, there is little...
Show moreAnthropogenic hydrologic alterations can affect the quality of lake littoral zone habitats for wading birds, such as the great egret (Ardea alba), snowy egret (Egretta thula), and white ibis (Eudocimus albus). One such lake in Florida, Lake Okeechobee, has experienced a marked decline in wading bird nesting since the 1970’s, concomitant with changes in lake level management. It’s hypothesized that a reduction in foraging habitat has led to the nesting decline; however, there is little quantitative evidence of this link. A habitat suitability model was developed for Lake Okeechobee wading birds that incorporate the spatial and temporal dynamics of environmental factors that affect wading bird foraging and tests whether foraging habitat is linked to numbers of nests.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004082
Subject Headings: Birds -- Florida -- Lake Okeechobee -- Geographical distribution, Estuarine ecology -- Florida -- Lake Okeechobee, Restoration ecology -- Florida -- Lake Okeechobee, Water birds -- Habitat
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A New Approach to Sensitized Luminescence in Trivalent Lanthanide Coordination Polymers: From Fundamental Luminescence and Crystal Engineering Toward Sensing Applications.
Creator: Einkauf, Jeffrey D., De Lill, Daniel T., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract/Description: Luminescent lanthanide containing coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks hold great potential in many applications due to their distinctive spectroscopic properties. While the ability to design coordination polymers for specific functions is often mentioned as a major benefit bestowed upon these compounds, the lack of a meaningful understanding of the crystal engineering and luminescence in lanthanide coordination polymers remains a significant challenge toward functional design....
Show moreLuminescent lanthanide containing coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks hold great potential in many applications due to their distinctive spectroscopic properties. While the ability to design coordination polymers for specific functions is often mentioned as a major benefit bestowed upon these compounds, the lack of a meaningful understanding of the crystal engineering and luminescence in lanthanide coordination polymers remains a significant challenge toward functional design. Currently, the study of luminescence attributed to these compounds is based on the antenna effect as derived from molecular systems, where organic antennae are used to facilitate lanthanide-centered luminescence. This molecular based approach does not take into account the unique features of extended network solids, particularly the formation of band structure. By comparing molecular and band-based approaches, it was determined that the band structure of the organic sensitizing linker needs to be considered when evaluating the luminescence of lanthanide coordination polymers. This new model, as well as work on the crystal engineering and sensor applications of these materials will be presented.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004890, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004890
Subject Headings: Rare earth metals., Lanthanide shift reagents., Organic compounds--Synthesis., Inorganic compounds--Synthesis., Metallic composites--Speciation., Polymeric composites., Organorare earth metal compounds., Nanostructured materials.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Novel Interaction: The thin stripe hermit Crab, Clibanarius vittatus, kills the Florida crown conch, Melongena corona, for its shell.
Creator: Cutter, Jennifer, Devlin, Donna, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus kills Melongena corona solely to acquire a better fitting shell. This finding is contrary to previous studies, which found that hermit crabs of other species cannot kill gastropods or, in most instances, remove freshly dead gastropods from their shells. This interaction cannot be classified as predation because Melongena tissue was never consumed. Clibanarius killed Melongena only when by doing so they could trade up to a better fitting shell. It cannot be...
Show moreThe hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus kills Melongena corona solely to acquire a better fitting shell. This finding is contrary to previous studies, which found that hermit crabs of other species cannot kill gastropods or, in most instances, remove freshly dead gastropods from their shells. This interaction cannot be classified as predation because Melongena tissue was never consumed. Clibanarius killed Melongena only when by doing so they could trade up to a better fitting shell. It cannot be classified as competition because there is no opportunity for Melongena to gain from the interaction. Therefore the term “lethal eviction” is hereby proposed for this interaction. The ability to kill a gastropod to obtain a superior shell gives Clibanarius vittatus an evolutionary advantage over other hermit crab species. It is not known if the outcome of this interaction is widespread where both species occur or if it is confined to the study area.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004925, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004925
Subject Headings: Crabs--Behavior., Crab culture., Predation (Biology), Adaptation (Physiology), Aquatic ecology., Intertidal ecology., Conservation biology.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A novel method to evaluate local control of lung cancer in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatment using 18f-Fdg positron emission tomography (PET).
Creator: Kathriarachchi, Vindu, Shang, Charles, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
Abstract/Description: An improved method is introduced for prediction of local tumor control following lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET). A normalized background-corrected tumor maximum Standard Uptake Value (SUVcmax) is introduced using the mean uptake of adjacent aorta (SUVref), instead of the maximum uptake of lung tumor (SUVmax). This method minimizes the variations...
Show moreAn improved method is introduced for prediction of local tumor control following lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET). A normalized background-corrected tumor maximum Standard Uptake Value (SUVcmax) is introduced using the mean uptake of adjacent aorta (SUVref), instead of the maximum uptake of lung tumor (SUVmax). This method minimizes the variations associated with SUVmax and objectively demonstrates a strong correlation between the low SUVcmax (< 2.5-3.0) and local control of post lung SBRT. The false positive rates of both SUVmax and SUVcmax increase with inclusion of early (<6 months) PET scans, therefore such inclusion is not recommended for assessing local tumor control of post lung SBRT.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004029
Subject Headings: Cancer -- Radiotherapy, Image guided radiation therapy, Lung cancer -- Treatment, Radiopharmaceuticals, Tomography, Emission
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Novel Role of the Ankyrin-Binding Motif of L1-Type CAM Neuroglian in Nuclear Import and Transcriptional Regulation of Myc.
Creator: Kakad, Priyanka P., Godenschwege, Tanja A., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: L1-type cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) plays an essential role in the development of nervous system and is also highly relevant for the progression of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and cancers, some of the leading causes of human mortality. In addition to its canonical role as a plasma membrane protein organizing the cytoskeleton, recent in vitro studies have revealed that transmembrane as well as cytosolic fragments of proteolytically cleaved vertebrate L1CAM translocate to...
Show moreL1-type cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) plays an essential role in the development of nervous system and is also highly relevant for the progression of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and cancers, some of the leading causes of human mortality. In addition to its canonical role as a plasma membrane protein organizing the cytoskeleton, recent in vitro studies have revealed that transmembrane as well as cytosolic fragments of proteolytically cleaved vertebrate L1CAM translocate to the nucleus and regulate expression of genes involved in DNA post-replication repair, cell cycle control, migration and differentiation. However, little is known about the in vivo function of L1CAM in the adult nervous system. This dissertation research focuses on studying in vivo nuclear translocation and function of L1CAM. Using the Drosophila model system, we first show that the sole Drosophila L1CAM homolog, Neuroglian (Nrg), is proteolytically cleaved by Alzheimer’s associated secretases, similar to L1CAM, and is also translocated to the nucleus in the adult nervous system. Subsequently, we have shown that the deletion of highly conserved Ankyrin binding domain or FIGQY motif disrupts nuclear import. Further experiments have revealed that the nuclear translocation of Nrg is in fact regulated by the phosphorylation of the FIGQY motif. Importantly, our studies also show transgenic expression of full-length Nrg or the intracellular domain of Nrg resulted in increased myc expression, which is associated with increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and reduced life span. On the other hand, deletion of the FIGQY motif or mutations preventing its phosphorylation led to decrease in myc expression. In summary, we have identified a novel role for the highly conserved Ankyrin binding domain in nuclear translocation and transcriptional regulation of the Drosophila myc oncogene, which is of high relevance to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer associated with oxidative stress.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013076
Subject Headings: Cell adhesion molecules., Myc proteins., Transcription, Genetic., Transcription factors, Gene expression., Ankyrins., Translocation, Genetic.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A structural and thermodynamic comparison of substrate interactions and catalysis by family 6 glycosyltransferases from Bacteroides ovatus, Parachlamydia acanthamoebae, and Bos taurus.
Creator: Stinson, Brittany, Brew, Keith, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Family 6 Glycosyltransferases (GT6s) are involved in the biosynthesis of complex glycans and can be found in all vertebrates, cyanophages, and some bacteria and unicellular eukaryotes. Understanding variations within family 6 GTs is important because of the roles of their products in cellular recognition, intercellular interactions, pathogenicity, and immunity and is likewise important for understanding the evolution of GTs. PaGT6 (from Parchlamydia acanthamoebae) and α3GT (from Bos taurus)...
Show moreFamily 6 Glycosyltransferases (GT6s) are involved in the biosynthesis of complex glycans and can be found in all vertebrates, cyanophages, and some bacteria and unicellular eukaryotes. Understanding variations within family 6 GTs is important because of the roles of their products in cellular recognition, intercellular interactions, pathogenicity, and immunity and is likewise important for understanding the evolution of GTs. PaGT6 (from Parchlamydia acanthamoebae) and α3GT (from Bos taurus) both require a divalent metal ion for catalysis which binds to a DXD motif. In BoGT6a from Bacteroides ovatus a NXN motif replaces DXD, and activity is metal-independent. However, mutating the NXN motif in BoGT6a to DXD did not introduce metal-dependency, indicating that metal-dependency is linked to additional differences. Calorimetric studies have shown that the presence of a divalent metal ion enhances UDP and donor substrate binding to PaGT6 and causes an increase in the entropy of the interaction. Protein modelling of PaGT6 has revealed that the presence of Mn2+ allows a hydrogen bond to form between Asp 97 and UDP-GalNAc, causing the donor substrate to bend and form hydrogen bonds with His 119, Asn 229, Lys 228, and Arg 234. These interactions do not occur in the absence of Mn2+. Investigation of acceptor substrate binding revealed that the presence of UDP enhances acceptor substrate binding to BoGT6a and PaGT6. Calorimetric titrations of BoGT6a with 2-fucosyllactose in the absence and presence of UDP showed that UDP increases the affinity of 2-fucosyllactose 16-fold with little effect on ΔH. Measurements of ΔCp for 2-fucosyllactose binding indicate that there is not a hydrophobic effect for the binding of 2-fucosyllactose. The preferred acceptor substrate for the bovine and Bacteroides GT6 has a β-1,4 linked galactose, but P. acanthamoebae GT6 prefers an acceptor substrate with a β-1,3 linked galactose. The N-terminus of the catalytic domain of bacterial GT6s is truncated by 47 residues relative to the catalytic domain of bovine α3GT. Removal of this region from α3GT results in an unfolded protein, indicating that although this region is not directly involved in substrate binding, it forms interactions necessary for the stability of the catalytic domain.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013047
Subject Headings: Glycosyltransferases, Bacteroides, Chlamydiales, Acanthamoeba, Bos taurus, Cattle
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Study on Partially Homomorphic Encryption Schemes.
Creator: Mithila, Shifat P., Karabina, Koray, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Abstract/Description: High processing time and implementation complexity of the fully homomorphic encryption schemes intrigued cryptographers to extend partially homomorphic encryption schemes to allow homomorphic computation for larger classes of polynomials. In this thesis, we study several public key and partially homomorphic schemes and discuss a recent technique for boosting linearly homomorphic encryption schemes. Further, we implement this boosting technique on CGS linearly homomorphic encryption scheme to...
Show moreHigh processing time and implementation complexity of the fully homomorphic encryption schemes intrigued cryptographers to extend partially homomorphic encryption schemes to allow homomorphic computation for larger classes of polynomials. In this thesis, we study several public key and partially homomorphic schemes and discuss a recent technique for boosting linearly homomorphic encryption schemes. Further, we implement this boosting technique on CGS linearly homomorphic encryption scheme to allow one single multiplication as well as arbitrary number of additions on encrypted plaintexts. We provide MAGMA source codes for the implementation of the CGS scheme along with the boosted CGS scheme.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004840, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004840
Subject Headings: Computer networks--Security measures., Computer security., Computers--Access control--Code words., Cyberinfrastructure., Computer network architectures., Cryptography., Number theory--Data processing.
Format: Document (PDF)

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