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Title: SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF NORTH ATLANTIC STORM TRAJECTORIES.
Creator: Lazar, Austin J., Li, Yang, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Storms in the North Atlantic Ocean are observed on a continual basis yearly. Storm trajectories exhibit random behavior and are costly to society. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contains every storm’s track from the year 1851 to 2022. Data of each storm’s track can aid in decision making regarding their behavior. In this article, data analysis is performed on historical storm tracks during the years 1966 to 2022, where access to satellite information is...
Show moreStorms in the North Atlantic Ocean are observed on a continual basis yearly. Storm trajectories exhibit random behavior and are costly to society. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contains every storm’s track from the year 1851 to 2022. Data of each storm’s track can aid in decision making regarding their behavior. In this article, data analysis is performed on historical storm tracks during the years 1966 to 2022, where access to satellite information is available. Analysis on this data will be used to determine if the storms’ trajectory is statistically dependent on other storm’s trajectories at varying distances in space. The proposed model is a spatial statistical model that is fitted on an in-sample data set to determine the spatial relationship for storm trajectories at all pairwise directions or orientations. Afterwards, the model is assessed on an out-of-sample test data set for performance evaluation.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014227
Subject Headings: Spatial analysis (Statistics), Storms, North Atlantic Ocean
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spatial and temporal distributions of sea turtles within the Florida current and surrounding waters.
Creator: Bovery, Caitlin M., Wyneken, Jeanette, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Assessing the spatial and temporal distributions of marine turtles in an open system poses both observational and analytical challenges due to their migratory nature and use of large current systems. Concentrations of animals can shift because turtles undergo large-scale migrations and habitat shifts seasonally as well as a function of lifestage. Surface counts of marine turtles in waters off Florida’s east coast were made in and adjacent to the Florida Current using standard aerial surveys....
Show moreAssessing the spatial and temporal distributions of marine turtles in an open system poses both observational and analytical challenges due to their migratory nature and use of large current systems. Concentrations of animals can shift because turtles undergo large-scale migrations and habitat shifts seasonally as well as a function of lifestage. Surface counts of marine turtles in waters off Florida’s east coast were made in and adjacent to the Florida Current using standard aerial surveys. While it is understood that marine turtles use waters off the eastern coast of Florida, here we document the magnitude of the shift in turtle presence each season throughout a two year study and identify habitat characteristics where turtles occur most frequently. Our assessment of marine turtles in the waters off southeast Florida provide valuable metrics describing the in-water biology of sea turtles in this area to inform future management strategies of these endangered species.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004083, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004083
Subject Headings: Sea turtles -- Atlantic Coast (U.S.) -- Florida -- Distribution, Sea turtles -- Atlantic Coast (U.S.) -- Florida -- Geographical distribution
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spatial and Temporal Mapping of the Evolution of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
Creator: Rochelo, Mark, Roberts, Charles, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Urbanization is a fundamental reality in the developed and developing countries around the world creating large concentrations of the population centering on cities and urban centers. Cities can offer many opportunities for those residing there, including infrastructure, health services, rescue services and more. The living space density of cities allows for the opportunity of more effective and environmentally friendly housing, transportation and resources. Cities play a vital role in...
Show moreUrbanization is a fundamental reality in the developed and developing countries around the world creating large concentrations of the population centering on cities and urban centers. Cities can offer many opportunities for those residing there, including infrastructure, health services, rescue services and more. The living space density of cities allows for the opportunity of more effective and environmentally friendly housing, transportation and resources. Cities play a vital role in generating economic production as entities by themselves and as a part of larger urban complex. The benefits can provide for extraordinary amount of people, but only if proper planning and consideration is undertaken. Global urbanization is a progressive evolution, unique in spatial location while consistent to an overall growth pattern and trend. Remotely sensing these patterns from the last forty years of space borne satellites to understand how urbanization has developed is important to understanding past growth as well as planning for the future. Imagery from the Landsat sensor program provides the temporal component, it was the first satellite launched in 1972, providing appropriate spatial resolution needed to cover a large metropolitan statistical area to monitor urban growth and change on a large scale. This research maps the urban spatial and population growth over the Miami – Fort Lauderdale – West Palm Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) covering Miami- Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties in Southeast Florida from 1974 to 2010 using Landsat imagery. Supervised Maximum Likelihood classification was performed with a combination of spectral and textural training fields employed in ERDAS Image 2014 to classify the images into urban and non-urban areas. Dasymetric mapping of the classification results were combined with census tract data then created a coherent depiction of the Miami – Fort Lauderdale – West Palm Beach MSA. Static maps and animated files were created from the final datasets for enhanced visualizations and understanding of the MSA evolution from 60-meter resolution remotely sensed Landsat images. The simplified methodology will create a database for urban planning and population growth as well as future work in this area.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004904, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004904
Subject Headings: Geographic information systems., Sustainable urban development--Florida--Miami--Planning., Sustainable urban development--Florida--Fort Lauderdale--Planning., Sustainable urban development--Florida--West Palm Beach--Planning., Urbanization--Florida--Miami-Dade County., Urbanization--Florida--Broward County., Urbanization--Florida--Palm Beach County., Remote sensing., Spatial analysis (Statistics)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spatial and trophic ecology of the sawtooth eel, Serrivomer beanii, a biomass-dominant bathypelagic fish over the northern Mid-Atlantic ridge.
Creator: Geidner, Megan E., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The role of Serrivomer beanii in bathypelagic food webs is poorly known, but abundance and biomass estimates from the 2004 G.O. Sars MAR-ECO Expedition suggest it to have a high level of importance. MAR-ECO, a Census of Marine Life field project, has allowed us to increase our knowledge of S. beanii through spatial analysis, including the congeneric species Serrivomer lanceolatoides, and trophic analysis. Serrivomer beanii abundance and biomass exhibited a decreasing trend along the northern...
Show moreThe role of Serrivomer beanii in bathypelagic food webs is poorly known, but abundance and biomass estimates from the 2004 G.O. Sars MAR-ECO Expedition suggest it to have a high level of importance. MAR-ECO, a Census of Marine Life field project, has allowed us to increase our knowledge of S. beanii through spatial analysis, including the congeneric species Serrivomer lanceolatoides, and trophic analysis. Serrivomer beanii abundance and biomass exhibited a decreasing trend along the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge from north to south. In terms of size, S. beanii was found to increase as distance from the ridge decreased, suggesting a topographic aggregation strategy. The diet of S. beanii consisted of crustaceans, cephalopods, and teleosts. The trophic results of this study reveal a likely "alternative" trophic pathway in the deep mid-North Atlantic, and perhaps other, bathypelagic ecosystems: higher trophic-level predators are supported by micronektonic invertebrates as primary prey.
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Date Issued: 2008
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/165941
Subject Headings: Plankton, Ecology, Coral reef animals, Ecology, Deep sea biology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: SPATIAL ECOLOGY OF BOBCATS (LYNX RUFUS) ON EVERGLADES TREE ISLANDS.
Creator: Buckman, Katherine, Dom, Nathan, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Bobcats (Lynx rufos) that inhabit tree islands of the Everglades, an expansive wetland in southern Florida. Bobcats are understudied in Florida and wetland ecosystems, and my objective was to identify factors driving their use of tree islands. I hypothesized that tree island size, distance between islands, and clusters of islands might influence occupancy. Additionally, I tested for effects of water levels and the Burmese Python invasion on bobcat occupancy. I built detection histories using...
Show moreBobcats (Lynx rufos) that inhabit tree islands of the Everglades, an expansive wetland in southern Florida. Bobcats are understudied in Florida and wetland ecosystems, and my objective was to identify factors driving their use of tree islands. I hypothesized that tree island size, distance between islands, and clusters of islands might influence occupancy. Additionally, I tested for effects of water levels and the Burmese Python invasion on bobcat occupancy. I built detection histories using 1,855 bobcat images from camera traps set on 87 tree islands in a -2,350 km2 managed conservation area from 2005-2019 and tested hypotheses about bobcat use relative to habitat and hydrologic covariates. Bobcat occupancy was significantly diminished when Burmese python densities exceeded 2.5 pythons/km2• Occupancy probability also increased with increasing densities of tree islands around the focal island. Effects of high water levels were less clear, but suggested a slight reduction in island occupancy with deeper water in the surrounding wetlands. My results suggest that managing for high tree island density and low densities of Burmese pythons will have stronger effects on bobcat habitat use than specific water levels.
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Date Issued: 2021
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013846
Subject Headings: Lynx rufus, Bobcat, Spatial ecology, Everglades (Fla.)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: SPATIAL VARIATIONS IN MORTGAGE LENDING IN BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA.
Creator: PHILLIPS, JULIE A., Florida Atlantic University, Schultz, Ronald R., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: An analysis of five loan types from twenty-six lending institutions in 125 census tracts of Broward County revealed that lending was concentrated in coastal and western tracts, less in central tracts. Western tract loan activity was greater than average because this area is undergoing conversion from agricultural to urban land uses. Coastal tracts had greater than average rates because of continued expansion of condominium development. Central tracts are mainly commercial, industrial or lower...
Show moreAn analysis of five loan types from twenty-six lending institutions in 125 census tracts of Broward County revealed that lending was concentrated in coastal and western tracts, less in central tracts. Western tract loan activity was greater than average because this area is undergoing conversion from agricultural to urban land uses. Coastal tracts had greater than average rates because of continued expansion of condominium development. Central tracts are mainly commercial, industrial or lower value single-family dwellings and have large black populations. High positive correlations were found among lending rates and income; moderate positive correlations with age and household size; moderate negative with percent black. Geographic discrimination in lending ("redlining") may be suspected, but insufficient quality and quantity of data render such conclusions tentative.
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Date Issued: 1983
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14156
Subject Headings: Mortgage loans--Florida--Broward County
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spatio-temporal modeling of seed dispersal and aquatic plant community restoration in the Kissimmee River floodplain.
Creator: Kennard, Stevee., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: This study created an ecological spatial model, using a geographic information system, to visualize the influence of hydrochory on restoration of the three dominant wetland communities of broadleaf marsh, wetland shrub, and wet prairie across the floodplain of the Kissimmee River. Primary parameters incorporated into the model included floodplain hydrology, seed characteristics of buoyancy and dispersal rates, and species flood tolerance. S²rensen's similarity index, comparing spatial...
Show moreThis study created an ecological spatial model, using a geographic information system, to visualize the influence of hydrochory on restoration of the three dominant wetland communities of broadleaf marsh, wetland shrub, and wet prairie across the floodplain of the Kissimmee River. Primary parameters incorporated into the model included floodplain hydrology, seed characteristics of buoyancy and dispersal rates, and species flood tolerance. S²rensen's similarity index, comparing spatial agreement among model output and observed community data, resulted in values of BLM-BB = 0.10, BLM = 0.07, WS = 0.21, and WP = 0.36. The significant discrepancies between modeled and observed community spatial coverage indicated a need for incorporation of more stochastic variables of climatic disturbances, nutrient availability, and soil characteristics. More research on species flood tolerance across smaller spatial scales is also needed, and base data incorporated into the model should also be reliable and consistent if accuracy is to be achieved.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3360797
Subject Headings: Seeds, Dispersal, Floodplain ecology, Wetland restoration, Restoration ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spatiotemporal beanformer analysis of neuromagnetic activity in sensorimotor cortex: rhythmic perception, production and sensorimotor coordination.
Creator: Ferrari, Paul., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
Abstract/Description: Research presented in this dissertation has the central aim of applying a novel method of source localization called beamforming to neuromagnetic recordings for characterizing dynamic spatiotemporal activity of sensorimotor brain processes in subjects during rhythmic auditory stimulation, self-paced movement, and two sensorimotor coordination (synchronization and syncopation) tasks known to differentiate on the basis of behavioral stability. Each experimental condition was performed at...
Show moreResearch presented in this dissertation has the central aim of applying a novel method of source localization called beamforming to neuromagnetic recordings for characterizing dynamic spatiotemporal activity of sensorimotor brain processes in subjects during rhythmic auditory stimulation, self-paced movement, and two sensorimotor coordination (synchronization and syncopation) tasks known to differentiate on the basis of behavioral stability. Each experimental condition was performed at different rates resulting in 26 experimental runs per subject. Event-related neural responses were recorded with a whole-head MEG system and characterized in terms of their phase-locked (evoked) and non-phase-locked (induced) activity within the brain using both whole-brain analysis and region of interest (ROI) analysis. The analysis of the auditory conditions revealed that neural activity within extraauditory areas throughout the brain, including sensorimotor cortex, is modulated by rhythmic auditory stimulation. Additionally, the temporal profile of this activity was markedly different between sensorimotor and auditory cortex, possibly revealing different physiological processes, entrained within a common network for representing isochronic auditory events. During self-paced movements cycle-by-cycle dynamics of induced neural activity was measured and consistent neuro-modulation in the form of event-related desynchronization (ERD) and synchronization (ERS) was observed at all rates investigated (0.25 - 1.75Hz). ERD and ERS modulations exhibited dynamic scaling properties on a cycle-by-cycle basis that depended on the period of movement. Activity in the beta- and mu-bands also exhibited patterns of phase locking between sensorimotor locations. Phase locking patterns exhibited abrupt decreases with increases in movement rate., During sensorimotor coordination tasks, the effect of temporal positioning of the auditory stimulus was apparent within sensorimotor cortical sites. This finding offers direct source level support for previous sensor level analysis revealing a differentiation of functional specificity for mu- and beta-band activity (Chen, Ding, Kelso, 2003; Jantzen, Fuchs, Mayville et al., 2001; Mayville, Fuchs, Ding et al., 2001), and may be reflective of specific coupling mechanisms between auditory and sensorimotor networks. The beamformer analysis applied within this dissertation successfully characterized large-scale neural networks during a variety of rhythmic perceptual, motor, and sensorimotor tasks resulting in the general message that information processes across disparate parts of the brain from different sensory, motor, and cognitive modalities appear to have the ability for widespread integration.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/228770
Subject Headings: Sensorimotor integration, Perceptual-motor processes, Auditory provoked response, Brain mapping
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spatiotemporal brain dynamics of the resting state.
Creator: Rho, Young-Ah., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
Abstract/Description: Traditionally brain function is studied through measuring physiological responses in controlled sensory, motor, and cognitive paradigms. However, even at rest, in the absence of overt goal-directed behavior, collections of cortical regions consistently show temporally coherent activity. In humans, these resting state networks have been shown to greatly overlap with functional architectures present during consciously directed activity, which motivates the interpretation of rest activity as day...
Show moreTraditionally brain function is studied through measuring physiological responses in controlled sensory, motor, and cognitive paradigms. However, even at rest, in the absence of overt goal-directed behavior, collections of cortical regions consistently show temporally coherent activity. In humans, these resting state networks have been shown to greatly overlap with functional architectures present during consciously directed activity, which motivates the interpretation of rest activity as day dreaming, free association, stream of consciousness, and inner rehearsal. In monkeys, it has been shown though that similar coherent fluctuations are present during deep anesthesia when there is no consciousness. These coherent fluctuations have also been characterized on multiple temporal scales ranging from the fast frequency regimes, 1-100 Hz, commonly observed in EEG and MEG recordings, to the ultra-slow regimes, < 0.1 Hz, observed in the Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) signal of functi onal magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, the mechanism for their genesis and the origin of the ultra-slow frequency oscillations has not been well understood. Here, we show that comparable resting state networks emerge from a stability analysis of the network dynamics using biologically realistic primate brain connectivity, although anatomical information alone does not identify the network. We specifically demonstrate that noise and time delays via propagation along connecting fibres are essential for the emergence of the coherent fluctuations of the default network. The combination of anatomical structure and time delays creates a spacetime structure in which the neural noise enables the brain to explore various functional configurations representing its dynamic repertoire., Using a simplified network model comprised of 3 nodes governed by the dynamics of FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) oscillators, we systematically study the role of time delay and coupling strength in the Using a simplified network model comprised of 3 nodes governed by the dynamics of FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) oscillators, we systematically study the role of time delay and coupling strength in the generation o f the slow coherent fluctuations. We find that these fluctuations in the BOLD signal are significantly correlated with the level of neural synchrony implicating that transient interareal synchronizations are the mechanism causing the emergence of the ultra slow coherent fluctuations in the BOLD signal.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/367762
Subject Headings: Brain mapping, Sensorimotor integration, Perceptual-motor processes, Intersensory effects, Movement sequences
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: SPATIOTEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF THE FLORIDA BAY ECOSYSTEM IN RELATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND EVERGLADES RESTORATION.
Creator: Smith, Mason J., Markwith, Scott H., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: One of the largest restoration programs in the world, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) aims to restore freshwater flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay estuary. Coupled with climate change, future changes from restoration highlight the need to implement an ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) approach in Florida Bay. The Ecopath framework was used to develop and apply a mass-balanced food web model to the spatiotemporal dynamics of hydrological restoration and...
Show moreOne of the largest restoration programs in the world, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) aims to restore freshwater flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay estuary. Coupled with climate change, future changes from restoration highlight the need to implement an ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) approach in Florida Bay. The Ecopath framework was used to develop and apply a mass-balanced food web model to the spatiotemporal dynamics of hydrological restoration and climate change through time. Results suggest Florida Bay is stabilized through large detrital energy pathways and low nutrient inputs, but subject to species distribution shifts due primarily to sea-level rise and salinity variation. A suite of winners and losers predicted provide an opportunity to ensure management strategies are designed appropriately to best achieve desired results for the future of the Florida Bay ecosystem.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013913
Subject Headings: Florida Bay (Fla.), Restoration ecology, Climate change
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spatiotemporal dynamics of the human brain associated with transitions in coordination timing.
Creator: Wallenstein, Gene Vincent, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
Abstract/Description: Recent studies have demonstrated that the strategy an individual uses to synchronize motor behavior (e.g. finger flexions) with externally delivered, periodic stimuli depends, in part, on the stimulus presentation rate (Mates, Muller, Radil, and Poppel, 1994; Engstrom, Kelso, and Holroyd, 1995). At rates slower than approximately 0.5 Hz, subjects typically exhibit a reactive-type coordination pattern where the response follows the stimulus by an order of magnitude consistent with typical...
Show moreRecent studies have demonstrated that the strategy an individual uses to synchronize motor behavior (e.g. finger flexions) with externally delivered, periodic stimuli depends, in part, on the stimulus presentation rate (Mates, Muller, Radil, and Poppel, 1994; Engstrom, Kelso, and Holroyd, 1995). At rates slower than approximately 0.5 Hz, subjects typically exhibit a reactive-type coordination pattern where the response follows the stimulus by an order of magnitude consistent with typical response times (i.e. 150-250 milliseconds). At faster rates, however, subjects typically anticipate the impending stimulus in order to synchronize movement with it. In the present study, scalp electroencephalographic (EEG) signals (61 channels) were recorded during a sensorimotor task designed to investigate transitions from one coordination mode to another. We found that subjects exhibited a spontaneous transition from reactive to anticipatory behavior as the stimulus presentation rate increased past some critical frequency. A spatiotemporal analysis of the EEG signals accompanying this task revealed: (1) a widespread frequency component in the EEG matching that of both the stimulus and movement; (2) peak spectral power density over central and antero-central regions in both men and women during reactive behavior; (3) an additional bilaterally distributed frontal component at the most anterior portion of the scalp in men during anticipatory behavior; (4) an additional left fronto-central component which extended posteriorly toward antero-central regions in women during anticipatory behavior; (5) fluctuation enhancement in both the EEG spectral power density and the time lag ($\tau$) between the movement and stimulus accompanying the transition from reactive to anticipatory behavior; (6) that the spectral power density patterns obtained in the primary experimental condition (REACTIVE) were more similar in terms of their spatial distribution with a control condition in which subjects were asked to produce rhythmic movements without benefit of an external stimulus (MOTOR-ONLY) than with a control condition in which subjects passively watched a periodic visual stimulus (STIMULUS-ONLY); (7) that the spectral power density patterns obtained during reactive behavior in the primary experimental condition were more similar spatially to the MOTOR-ONLY condition than du ring anticipatory behavior; and finally (8) that the spectral power density patterns obtained during the experimental condition are not completely accounted for in terms of purely motor- or stimulus-related components. These results are discussed within a common framework of pattern formation instigated by dynamic instabilities in the human brain and behavior.
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Date Issued: 1995
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12436
Subject Headings: Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Psychobiology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spatiotemporal patterns of neural fields in a spherical cortex with general connectivity.
Creator: Tayefeh, Vahid, Fuchs, Armin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
Abstract/Description: The human brain consists of billions of neurons and these neurons pool together in groups at different scales. On one hand, these neural entities tend to behave as single units and on the other hand show collective macroscopic patterns of activity. The neural units communicate with each other and process information over time. This communication is through small electrical impulses which at the macroscopic scale are measurable as brain waves. The electric field that is produced collectively...
Show moreThe human brain consists of billions of neurons and these neurons pool together in groups at different scales. On one hand, these neural entities tend to behave as single units and on the other hand show collective macroscopic patterns of activity. The neural units communicate with each other and process information over time. This communication is through small electrical impulses which at the macroscopic scale are measurable as brain waves. The electric field that is produced collectively by macroscopic groups of neurons within the brain can be measured on the surface of the skull via a brain imaging modality called Electroencephalography (EEG). The brain as a neural system has variant connection topology, in which an area might not only be connected to its adjacent neighbors homogeneously but also distant areas can directly transfer brain activity [16]. Timing of these brain activity communications between different neural units bring up overall emerging spatiotemporal patterns. The dynamics of these patterns and formation of neural activities in cortical surface is influenced by the presence of long-range connections between heterogeneous neural units. Brain activity at large-scale is thought to be involved in the information processing and the implementation of cognitive functions of the brain. This research aims to determine how the spatiotemporal pattern formation phenomena in the brain depend on its connection topology. This connection topology consists of homogeneous connections in local cortical areas alongside the couplings between distant functional units as heterogeneous connections. Homogeneous connectivity or synaptic weight distribution representing the large-scale anatomy of cortex is assumed to depend on the Euclidean distance between interacting neural units. Altering characteristics of inhomogeneous pathways as control parameters guide the brain pattern formation through phase transitions at critical points. In this research, linear stability analysis is applied to a macroscopic neural field in a one-dimensional circular and a twodimensional spherical model of the brain in order to find destabilization mechanism and subsequently emerging patterns.
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013119
Subject Headings: Cerebral cortex, Neural circuitry, Electroencephalography, Neural fields, Spatiotemporal patterns
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Specific dynamic action in hatchling and post-hatchling green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta ) sea turtles.
Creator: Kowalski, Amy, Florida Atlantic University, Milton, Sarah L., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Specific dynamic action (SDA) describes a post-feeding increase in oxygen consumption where most energy derived from food is allocated to post-absorptive processes, including growth and maintenance. SDA and growth in hatchling sea turtles is of special interest because they experience drastic changes in diet, oxygen availability and habitat during the first several months of life. This study investigated SDA variation between species and among age groups. SDA was quantified in two species of...
Show moreSpecific dynamic action (SDA) describes a post-feeding increase in oxygen consumption where most energy derived from food is allocated to post-absorptive processes, including growth and maintenance. SDA and growth in hatchling sea turtles is of special interest because they experience drastic changes in diet, oxygen availability and habitat during the first several months of life. This study investigated SDA variation between species and among age groups. SDA was quantified in two species of sea turtle (Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta) at 7, 30, 60, & 90 days post-hatching. Turtles were fed a known amount of food, and oxygen consumption was monitored using a metabolic chamber. SDA percentage of total energy did not increase with age (species pooled), although magnitude of SDA was higher in C. mydas when compared to C. caretta (ages pooled). These results imply that SDA does not increase proportionally with age, and that hatchling C. mydas use more absolute energy for SDA than C. caretta .
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Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13283
Subject Headings: Adaptation (Biology), Sea turtles--Feeding and feeds, Physiology, Comparative, Sea turtles--Ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spectroscopic and computational studies of the sol-to-gel process.
Creator: Kolega, Renato, Florida Atlantic University, Jackson, Mark, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract/Description: Structural determination of tetramethoxysilane-derived sol-gel solutions was undertaken with ATR FT-IR. The ATR sampling method provided in-situ and almost real-time analysis. This experimental technique permitted the continuous examination of the sol-gel process throughout its initial stages. The conversion of the starting material, the formation of methanol, and the development of various functional groups were observed. Based on model silica sol-gel compounds, the AM1 quantum mechanical...
Show moreStructural determination of tetramethoxysilane-derived sol-gel solutions was undertaken with ATR FT-IR. The ATR sampling method provided in-situ and almost real-time analysis. This experimental technique permitted the continuous examination of the sol-gel process throughout its initial stages. The conversion of the starting material, the formation of methanol, and the development of various functional groups were observed. Based on model silica sol-gel compounds, the AM1 quantum mechanical computational method was applied in order to determine the favored condensation products. Cyclic oligomers are preferred over chains for larger condensation products. Theoretical vibrational frequencies were obtained for these model compounds as well. Correlation of the computational results with experimental compounds were made.
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Date Issued: 1993
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14948
Subject Headings: Ceramic materials, Colloids
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: SPECTROSCOPIC MEASUREMENTS OF OH ABUNDANCES IN THE TERRESTRIAL ATMOSPHERE.
Creator: LANGSTON, JAMES HUTTON, II., Florida Atlantic University, Burnett, Clyde R., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
Abstract/Description: Spectroscopic observations were made of the resonance absorption of sunlight by the atmospheric hydroxyl radical (OH). The abundance of 0 terrestrial OH was measured from the Fritz Peak Observatory (39.92 N, 105.50°W) in Colorado during September of 1978. These measurements were made on the absorption of the P1 (1) line of the A^2sigma^+ - x^2pi(O , O) rotational band of OH at 3081.7 A. The instrument used was the PEPSIOS (Poly Etalon Pressure Scanned Interferometric Optical Spectrometer)...
Show moreSpectroscopic observations were made of the resonance absorption of sunlight by the atmospheric hydroxyl radical (OH). The abundance of 0 terrestrial OH was measured from the Fritz Peak Observatory (39.92 N, 105.50°W) in Colorado during September of 1978. These measurements were made on the absorption of the P1 (1) line of the A^2sigma^+ - x^2pi(O , O) rotational band of OH at 3081.7 A. The instrument used was the PEPSIOS (Poly Etalon Pressure Scanned Interferometric Optical Spectrometer) because of its high luminosity - resolution product . The computer methods ·~sed in the analysis procedure are described . These measurements indicated an average daytime vertical column abundance of (5.40 ± 0.67) x 10^13 OH molecules/cm^2.
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Date Issued: 1979
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13968
Subject Headings: Spectrum analysis, Absorption spectra, Atmospheric chemistry
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spectroscopic studies of ZnWO4 and doped ZnWO4 single crystals.
Creator: Wang, Hong, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
Abstract/Description: Zinc tungstate (ZnWO4) is promising as a scintillator and laser host material. However, the presence of color centers limit its applications. It has been found that special annealing techniques or doping with metallic elements such as Nb or Sb can bleach the samples (Zhou et al. 1986a, 1986b, 1989). A group-theoretical analysis of the characteristic lattice vibrational modes for ZnWO4 single crystals is given. The mode assignments have been made. The temperature dependence of the Raman...
Show moreZinc tungstate (ZnWO4) is promising as a scintillator and laser host material. However, the presence of color centers limit its applications. It has been found that special annealing techniques or doping with metallic elements such as Nb or Sb can bleach the samples (Zhou et al. 1986a, 1986b, 1989). A group-theoretical analysis of the characteristic lattice vibrational modes for ZnWO4 single crystals is given. The mode assignments have been made. The temperature dependence of the Raman spectra has been obtained experimentally in various polarization geometries. Anharmonic contributions and interactions between phonons are discussed. Photoluminescence studies of ZnWO4 (colored, color-free), ZnWO4: Nb and ZnWO4:Sb have been carried out in the temperature range from 11 to 430 K. All samples show the blue emission band. An IR emission band with a zero-phonon line (ZPL) has been found in ZnWO4 colored samples only. The lineshape function of the emission bands has been theoretically studied and compared with the experimental results. Radiative, non-radiative and multiphonon transitions have been investigated in the thermal quenching model. The temperature dependences of the intensity, the frequency and the linewidth of the ZPL have been studied. Using the Single Configurational Coordinate model, the linear coupling between electrons and phonons has been analyzed. The quadratic coupling of electrons and phonons has been studied in the Debye approximation. The coupling of electronic transitions to normal vibrational modes, pseudo-localized vibrational modes and localized modes is also discussed.
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Date Issued: 1993
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12346
Subject Headings: Physics, Condensed Matter, Physics, Optics, Engineering, Materials Science
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Spin-foam dynamics of general relativity.
Creator: Chaharsough Shirazi, Atousa, Engle, Jonathan S., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
Abstract/Description: In this dissertation the dynamics of general relativity is studied via the spin-foam approach to quantum gravity. Spin-foams are a proposal to compute a transition amplitude from a triangulated space-time manifold for the evolution of quantum 3d geometry via path integral. Any path integral formulation of a quantum theory has two important parts, the measure factor and a phase part. The correct measure factor is obtained by careful canonical analysis at the continuum level. The basic...
Show moreIn this dissertation the dynamics of general relativity is studied via the spin-foam approach to quantum gravity. Spin-foams are a proposal to compute a transition amplitude from a triangulated space-time manifold for the evolution of quantum 3d geometry via path integral. Any path integral formulation of a quantum theory has two important parts, the measure factor and a phase part. The correct measure factor is obtained by careful canonical analysis at the continuum level. The basic variables in the Plebanski-Holst formulation of gravity from which spin-foam is derived are a Lorentz connection and a Lorentz-algebra valued two-form, called the Plebanski two-form. However, in the final spin-foam sum, one usually sums over only spins and intertwiners, which label eigenstates of the Plebanski two-form alone. The spin-foam sum is therefore a discretized version of a Plebanski-Holst path integral in which only the Plebanski two-form appears, and in which the conne ction degrees of freedom have been integrated out. Calculating the measure factor for Plebanksi Holst formulation without the connection degrees of freedom is one of the aims of this dissertation. This analysis is at the continuum level and in order to be implemented in spin-foams one needs to properly discretize and quantize this measure factor. The correct phase is determined by semi-classical behavior. In asymptotic analysis of the Engle-Pereira-Rovelli-Livine spin-foam model, due to the inclusion of more than the usual gravitational sector, more than the usual Regge term appears in the asymptotics of the vertex amplitude. As a consequence, solutions to the classical equations of motion of GR fail to dominate in the semi-classical limit. One solution to this problem has been proposed in which one quantum mechanically imposes restriction to a single gravitational sector, yielding what has been called the “proper” spin-foam model. However, this revised model of quantum gravity, like any proposal for a theory of quantum gravity, must pass certain tests. In the regime of small curvature, one expects a given model of quantum gravity to reproduce the predictions of the linearized theory. As a consistency check we calculate the graviton two-point function predicted by the Lorentzian proper vertex and examine its semiclassical limit.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004488, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004488
Subject Headings: General relativity (Physics), Gravitation, Mass (Physics), Mathematical physics, Quantum gravity, Quantum theory
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: SPIRITUALITY EMPOWERS BLACK LEADERSHIP: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF BLACK MEN STUDENTS’ LEADERSHIP AND SPIRITUALITY.
Creator: Allen Jr., Keven, Salinas Jr., Cristobal, Floyd, Deborah L., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: In this qualitative study, spirituality, and leadership among 15 Black collegiate men enrolled at higher education institutions were examined. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe and explore the essence of spirituality within the lived experiences of undergraduate Black men student leaders. The objective was to understand the intersection of spirituality and leadership within Black men, and how it informed their decision making and influenced their career aspirations...
Show moreIn this qualitative study, spirituality, and leadership among 15 Black collegiate men enrolled at higher education institutions were examined. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe and explore the essence of spirituality within the lived experiences of undergraduate Black men student leaders. The objective was to understand the intersection of spirituality and leadership within Black men, and how it informed their decision making and influenced their career aspirations post their undergraduate collegiate experience. In this study, spirituality is defined as an “internal process of seeking personal authenticity, genuineness, and wholeness as an aspect of identity development” (Love & Talbot, 1999, p. 364). Guided by descriptive phenomenological methodology, four research questions were asked: (1) What is the meaning of spirituality for Black men student leaders? (2) How do Black men student leaders apply spirituality within their daily leadership practices and behaviors? (3) How do Black men student leaders define the connection between spirituality and leadership development? (4) How does spirituality inform the pathways and career aspirations of Black men student leaders? Four findings emerged as a result of the data analysis: (1) The Spirit and the Struggle: Spirituality Empowers Black Leadership, (2) The Spirit of Black Leadership is Service to Others, (3) Leading from Within: Spirituality is the “Backbone” of Black Men Leadership Identity, and (4) Spirituality Influences Black Men Career Aspirations.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013937
Subject Headings: Leadership, Men, Black, Spirituality, Higher education
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Sports and its effects on gender typing.
Creator: Frias, Arian., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
Abstract/Description: Sports and its effects on children have been researched for the benefits that it may bring. The purpose of this study is to see if sports competency, assessed by both peer reports and self-reports, benefits both boys and girls and whether it protects children who generally are gender-atypical from adjustment difficulties and also to see if there are any interactive influences of cross-gender typing and sports competency on self-esteem, depression, and other adjustment indexes. Our results...
Show moreSports and its effects on children have been researched for the benefits that it may bring. The purpose of this study is to see if sports competency, assessed by both peer reports and self-reports, benefits both boys and girls and whether it protects children who generally are gender-atypical from adjustment difficulties and also to see if there are any interactive influences of cross-gender typing and sports competency on self-esteem, depression, and other adjustment indexes. Our results found that there was a significant interaction between sports competence and cross-gender typing when looking at popularity and also a significant interaction between sports self-efficacy and cross-gender typing when looking at self-esteem. Our data did not provide sufficient support for our buffering hypothesis, but it allowed for us to conclude that self-esteem of low-cross-gender-typed children profit more from high sports self-efficacy and suffer more from low sports self-efficacy than the self-esteem of high-cross-gender-typed children.
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Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3175020
Subject Headings: Physical education and training, Psychological aspects, Sports, Psychological aspects, Gender identity, Sex discrimination in sports, Self-esteem
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Squirrel Monkeys, Discrimination Learning and Sequential Testing: The Redundancy, Relative Position and Complexity of Random Shapes.
Creator: McNab, Levie J., Michels, Kenneth M., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
Abstract/Description: This study was a partial replication of one previously reported by Nash and Michels (1966). The purpose was to investigate perceptual form discrimination behavior of young squirrel monkeys as affected by contextual variables of the stimulus. The variables examined were Redundancy, Position and, of the form itself, Complexity. In addition, a sequential method of testing and recording was compared with the conventional 50-trial block procedure. Two 17 month old monkeys were tested on eight...
Show moreThis study was a partial replication of one previously reported by Nash and Michels (1966). The purpose was to investigate perceptual form discrimination behavior of young squirrel monkeys as affected by contextual variables of the stimulus. The variables examined were Redundancy, Position and, of the form itself, Complexity. In addition, a sequential method of testing and recording was compared with the conventional 50-trial block procedure. Two 17 month old monkeys were tested on eight twochoice problems in a Purdue General Test Apparatus. The problems each consisted of two slides on which pairs of random shapes were presented. The shapes within each pair of slides were held constant on the parameters investigated. One slide was designated as the positive stimulus and presented in either the right or left position in random order. The number of correct responses for the 50-trial blocks, as examined by an analysis of variance, failed to reach statistical significance for any of the variables investigated. However, graphic inspection of the data suggests general agreement with the findings of Nash and Michels (1966). In comparing the two methods of testing, the sequential test of performance (STOP) was equally as effective as the conventional method and could have provided a substantial savings in test time. Comparison of scores obtained by the two procedures shows good correlation. Although no strong conclusions can be drawn from the data, they do lead to the speculation that there is a relationship between effect and extent of redundancy, and that failure of S to make a correct response in the test situation may be the result of cue sampling rather than a failure to discriminate.
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Date Issued: 1968
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00012593
Subject Headings: Form perception, Visual discrimination, Monkeys--Behavior
Format: Document (PDF)

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