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Title: A Consequence of English-First: Florida’s Separate and Unequal Writing Curricula.
Creator: Batchelor, Claudett V., Leeds, John, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of English
Abstract/Description: In this thesis, I examine the structure of developmental or remedial English education at U. S. two-year community colleges, specifically focusing on the disparities between Florida’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP), an English as a Second Language (ESL) program, and Developmental English (Dev English), a Basic Writing program. Both programs supposedly prepare disadvantaged and/or immigrant students for freshman composition, but they employ very different pedagogies. Drawing on existing...
Show moreIn this thesis, I examine the structure of developmental or remedial English education at U. S. two-year community colleges, specifically focusing on the disparities between Florida’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP), an English as a Second Language (ESL) program, and Developmental English (Dev English), a Basic Writing program. Both programs supposedly prepare disadvantaged and/or immigrant students for freshman composition, but they employ very different pedagogies. Drawing on existing research and my own experience as a student and a teacher, I present English as it is employed to assimilate and empower second-language users, investigate the role of Florida’s institution in promoting EAP over Dev English, and discuss issues of identity and the categorization of students. I close by recommending the teaching of English as a Second Language – reading, writing, and basic language skills – to all developmental students, immigrant or native, to equip them for higher learning and a competitive workforce.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005921
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Cellular Computation in Primary Visual Cortex.
Creator: Wilson, Daniel E., Fitzpatrick, David, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Individual neurons in the primary visual cortex respond selectively to different features of visual stimuli, such as spatial orientation or direction of motion. A longstanding goal in systems neuroscience has been to understand the transformations single cells perform as they integrate synaptic inputs to generate spiking output. Recent technological developments have facilitated these lines of investigation by enabling direct measurement of the functional properties of single synaptic inputs...
Show moreIndividual neurons in the primary visual cortex respond selectively to different features of visual stimuli, such as spatial orientation or direction of motion. A longstanding goal in systems neuroscience has been to understand the transformations single cells perform as they integrate synaptic inputs to generate spiking output. Recent technological developments have facilitated these lines of investigation by enabling direct measurement of the functional properties of single synaptic inputs to neurons in the neocortex. It remains an outstanding question as to whether the tuning of single neocortical neurons can be predicted by their excitatory synaptic inputs. Here, I show that excitatory synaptic inputs exhibit significant functional diversity with respect to orientation and direction selectivity. I show that cells can use at least two strategies to overcome this functional diversity to achieve selective responses in the face of broadly tuned excitatory input: enhancing responses to the preferred stimuli and suppressing responses to the non-preferred stimuli. In the case of orientation selectivity, synaptic inputs cluster according to orientation preference and evoke local dendritic nonlinearities, thereby enhancing somatic responses to the preferred direction. For direction selectivity, cells receive excitatory synaptic inputs tuned to the preferred and null directions, but selectively suppress inputs tuned for the null direction to enhance direction selectivity. This suppression comes from direction-tuned GABAergic interneurons that make longrange, intercolumnar projections to enhance direction selectivity.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004994
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Development of Smart Phone-based Automated Microfluidic-ELISA For Human Immunodefciency Virus 1.
Creator: Coarsey, Chad Thomas, Asghar, Waseem, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: The majority of HIV prevalence is found in Sub-Saharan Africa with 36.9 mil- lion living with HIV/AIDS. The cultural implications such as patient non-compliance or denial of available routine medical care can potentially cause limitations on the ef- fectiveness of detecting such virulent pathogens and manage chronic disease. The lack of access to healthcare and further socioeconomic impacts hinder the ability to ade- quately diagnose and treat infection in resource-limited settings....
Show moreThe majority of HIV prevalence is found in Sub-Saharan Africa with 36.9 mil- lion living with HIV/AIDS. The cultural implications such as patient non-compliance or denial of available routine medical care can potentially cause limitations on the ef- fectiveness of detecting such virulent pathogens and manage chronic disease. The lack of access to healthcare and further socioeconomic impacts hinder the ability to ade- quately diagnose and treat infection in resource-limited settings. Intervention through diagnosis and treatment helps prevent the spread of transmission, where pre-exposure prophylaxis or active disease prevention measures are not readily available. The cur- rent gold standard for HIV detection is by molecular detection; Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction is widely used that employs cycles of temperature condi- tions that require a thermal cycling platform and typically laboratory space for RNA extraction separate from RT-PCR space required. Serological detection can be ad- vantageous for surveillance and screening, Lateral Flow Assays and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) can detect a viral protein (antigen) or antibodies. The ELISA can require at least 12 hours of assay preparation and takes a diagnostic laboratory many resources to run. There is need to develop Point-of-Care (POC) testing that can potentially be used for decentralized testing that can leverage ex- isting technologies such as smart phone capability and routine medical or diagnostic tests with cutting edge applications leveraging micro uidics, nanotechnology and in- tegrated circuit design. Such technologies allow for automated, rapid turnaround and cost-e ective diagnosis of HIV, where these assays could potentially be read- ily deployed. It is such technology that can potentially change the way diagnostics are performed, as POC technology can be rapidly disseminated, enable decentralized testing and, is user-friendly. A novel smart phone-enabled automated magnetic bead- based platform was developed for a micro uidic ELISA for HIV-1 detection at the POC to meet this demand.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005945
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Relationship Between Sense of Belonging and Instructor Self-Efficacy Among Online Adjunct Faculty in Higher Education.
Creator: Wojcik, Jillian, Weber, Roberta K., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: Given the increased reliance on adjunct faculty and the increased demand for online courses, the online adjunct faculty member is an important figure to know and understand. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of research on this population, particularly in terms of how their feelings of connection to their colleagues, administration, and their institution affects their beliefs about their online teaching abilities. This non-experimental correlational study investigated the relationship between...
Show moreGiven the increased reliance on adjunct faculty and the increased demand for online courses, the online adjunct faculty member is an important figure to know and understand. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of research on this population, particularly in terms of how their feelings of connection to their colleagues, administration, and their institution affects their beliefs about their online teaching abilities. This non-experimental correlational study investigated the relationship between sense of belonging and instructor self-efficacy among online adjunct faculty in higher education. Additionally, this study sought to determine if there is a predictive element between these two variables. This study utilized the Organizational Sense of Belonging (OSB) subscale and the Sense of Efficacy for Online Teaching Scale (SEOTS) as well as demographic questions in order to collect data on the study variables. Questionnaires were distributed to online adjunct faculty members from six higher education institutions within the states of Florida, Virginia, and Nevada. A total of 122 online adjunct faculty members completed the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive analyses, ANOVA, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient, and regression analysis. Results indicated that sense of belonging and instructor self-efficacy share a significant linear relationship. Additionally, a stronger sense of belonging and a higher instructional self-efficacy were found among participants who participate in universitysponsored faculty development opportunities, who participate in non-academic university events, and who communicate with other online adjunct faculty members through social media. Furthermore, sense of belonging was found to be a significant predictor of selfefficacy, both when controlling for significant variables and when not controlling for variables. Further research is needed to determine causality between sense of belonging and instructor self-efficacy.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004970, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004960
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Self-Organization of Object-Level Visual Representations via Enforcement of Structured Sparsity in Deep Neural Networks.
Creator: LaCombe, Daniel C. Jr., Barenholtz, Elan, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
Abstract/Description: A hypothesis for the self-organization of receptive fields throughout the hierarchy of biological vision is empirically tested using simulations of deep artificial neural networks. Results from many fields for topographic organization of receptive fields throughout the visual hierarchy remain disconnected. Although extensive simulation research has been done to model topographic organization in early visual areas, little to no research has investigated such organization in higher visual areas...
Show moreA hypothesis for the self-organization of receptive fields throughout the hierarchy of biological vision is empirically tested using simulations of deep artificial neural networks. Results from many fields for topographic organization of receptive fields throughout the visual hierarchy remain disconnected. Although extensive simulation research has been done to model topographic organization in early visual areas, little to no research has investigated such organization in higher visual areas. We propose that parsimonious structured sparsity principles, that permit the learning of topographic receptive fields in simulated visual areas, are sufficient for the emergence of a semantic topology in object-level representations of a deep neural network. These findings suggest wide-reaching implications for the functional organization of the biological visual system and we conjecture that such observed results in nature could serve as the foundation for unsupervised learning of taxonomic and semantic relations between entities in the world.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004965, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004955
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Optimal Energy Scheduling of a Hybrid Microgrid Considering Environmental Aspects.
Creator: Moradi, Hadis, Abtahi, Amir, Zilouchian, Ali, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Abstract/Description: Lower costs of clean energy generation, the need for a more secure grid, and environmental concerns are leading to create more opportunities for integration of renewable energy resources utilization in the power systems. The recent concept of Microgrid (MG), as a part of the development of smart grid, is required in order to integrate the renewable sources in the utility grid. An MG is described as a small-scale distribution grid that consists of diversified Distributed Energy Resources (DERs...
Show moreLower costs of clean energy generation, the need for a more secure grid, and environmental concerns are leading to create more opportunities for integration of renewable energy resources utilization in the power systems. The recent concept of Microgrid (MG), as a part of the development of smart grid, is required in order to integrate the renewable sources in the utility grid. An MG is described as a small-scale distribution grid that consists of diversified Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs), and local flexible loads that typically can either be operated in islanded or grid-connected modes. The optimal utilization control of such an MG system is a challenging task due to the complexity of coordination among the DERs, BESSs and load management possibilities. Therefore, in this dissertation, optimal component sizing and operation of MGs under different operational strategies is proposed. MGs typically consist of Photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind turbines as well as microgas turbines, fuel cells, batteries and other dispatchable generating units. Firstly, a methodology to perform the optimal component sizing for DERs in islanded/grid-tied modes is developed. The proposed optimal algorithm aims to determine the appropriate configuration among a set of components by taking into consideration the system’s constraints. An Iterative optimization technique is proposed in order to minimize the annual cost of energy and cost of emissions including CO2, SO2, and NOx. A case study from South Florida area, given the local weather data and load demand is investigated for the modeling verification. Using the results from optimal component sizes, a day-ahead optimization problem for the operation of an MG under different scenarios is introduced. Also, the objective function is formulated as a constrained non-linear problem. The uncertainties of stochastic variables (solar radiation, wind speed, and load) are modeled and renewable generations and load demand are forecasted. An advanced dynamic programing procedure is proposed to assess various operational policies. The simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed method.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005014
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: On Mutual Fund Family Diversification, Performance, Persistence and Flows.
Creator: Kaprielyan, Margarita, Agapova, Anna, Florida Atlantic University, College of Business, Department of Finance
Abstract/Description: The first essay introduces a portfolio theory motivated approach to measuring mutual fund family-level diversification and hedging strategies. Diversification of idiosyncratic risk (systematic risk) is measured by the average cross-fund correlation in idiosyncratic returns (predicted returns from the multifactor model). Using new methodology, I find evidence of cross-sectional variation in family-level diversification and examine several fund families’ characteristics as the determinants of...
Show moreThe first essay introduces a portfolio theory motivated approach to measuring mutual fund family-level diversification and hedging strategies. Diversification of idiosyncratic risk (systematic risk) is measured by the average cross-fund correlation in idiosyncratic returns (predicted returns from the multifactor model). Using new methodology, I find evidence of cross-sectional variation in family-level diversification and examine several fund families’ characteristics as the determinants of this crosssectional variation. On average, fund families that offer more objectives are more diversified in terms of both idiosyncratic and systematic risks; however, in the subsample of larger fund families, greater number of objectives is associated with increase (decrease) in idiosyncratic (systematic) risk diversification. Families that concentrate in the retail sector are more diversified. I also find that less diversification of idiosyncratic risk on the family level is associated with better risk-adjusted performance, while greater diversification of systematic risk is associated with greater performance during an economic downturn. The second essay examines whether new measures of diversification are additional determinants of fund family flows and flow volatility. I find that fund family capital flows increase in systematic risk focus, as more of the fund family’s assets are held by institutional investors. Family flow volatility decreases in diversification of systematic risk during market downturn, increase in market uncertainty and during recession. I further find that families with greater concentration in the retail sector (institutional sector) exhibit less family capital flow volatility as the diversification of systematic risk (idiosyncratic risk) increases. Fund-level volatility of focused and concentrated funds within diversified families is greater than in less diversified families, signaling that diversification on the family level may decrease participation costs for the investors. Moreover, in support of participation cost hypothesis, I find that the performance of worst performing funds within fund families increases in the family-level diversification; thus, family-level diversification affects the convexity in the fund flowperformance relation documented in the previous studies. On the family-level, diversification is associated with convexity in flow-performance relation, while family focus with more direct flow-performance relation.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004990
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Analysis of Eye Response to Video Quality and Structure.
Creator: Pappusetty, Deepti, Kalva, Hari, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Real-time eye tracking systems with human-computer interaction mechanism are being adopted to advance user experience in smart devices and consumer electronic systems. Eye tracking systems measure eye gaze and pupil response non-intrusively. This research presents an analysis of eye pupil and gaze response to video structure and content. The set of experiments for this study involved presenting different video content to subjects and measuring eye response with an eye tracker. Results show...
Show moreReal-time eye tracking systems with human-computer interaction mechanism are being adopted to advance user experience in smart devices and consumer electronic systems. Eye tracking systems measure eye gaze and pupil response non-intrusively. This research presents an analysis of eye pupil and gaze response to video structure and content. The set of experiments for this study involved presenting different video content to subjects and measuring eye response with an eye tracker. Results show significant changes in video and scene cuts led to sharp constrictions. User response to videos can provide insights that can improve subjective quality assessment metrics. This research also presents an analysis of the pupil and gaze response to quality changes in videos. The results show pupil constrictions for noticeable changes in perceived quality and higher fixations/saccades ratios with lower quality. Using real-time eye tracking systems for video analysis and quality evaluation can open a new class of applications for consumer electronic systems.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005940
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Eye tracking., Video., Quality (Aesthetics)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Dual Language Proficiencies of Second Generation Immigrants during Development and in Adulthood.
Creator: Giguere, David, Hoff, Erika, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
Abstract/Description: The current studies tested the hypothesis, that early exposure is sufficient for nativelike proficiency. Study 1 compared the English skill of 116 5 year olds who had been exposed to English and Spanish from birth with English monolingual and found that the bilingual children had significantly lower levels of vocabulary skill. Study 2 assessed 65 adult bilinguals, comparing them to 25 English and 25 Spanish monolinguals on a battery of language measures. The bilinguals had lower scores in...
Show moreThe current studies tested the hypothesis, that early exposure is sufficient for nativelike proficiency. Study 1 compared the English skill of 116 5 year olds who had been exposed to English and Spanish from birth with English monolingual and found that the bilingual children had significantly lower levels of vocabulary skill. Study 2 assessed 65 adult bilinguals, comparing them to 25 English and 25 Spanish monolinguals on a battery of language measures. The bilinguals had lower scores in Spanish in 7 of the 8 domains of language skill measured. The bilinguals were not different from the English monolingual speakers in most, but not all, aspects of language proficiency. These findings provide evidence that the monolingual-bilingual gap observed in childhood is no longer evident among adult bilinguals, but that despite early exposure and continued use into adulthood, second generation immigrants are not native-like in their heritage language skills.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004981, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004971
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Immigrants Language., Bilingualism., Language attrition.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Ethnographic Comparison of a Niche Fashion Group, Lolita.
Creator: Berry, Bayli, Brown, Susan Love, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: Lolita fashion is a small youth fashion that originated in Japan but is inspired by historical western clothing. The clothing is not sexual in nature. Most studies look at the style in Japan, but the fashion has also found popularity overseas. This paper takes an ethnographic approach to studying the Lolita community in the United States by comparing two regional communities, Houston and South Florida. The research found that the largest difference between the two groups was size and...
Show moreLolita fashion is a small youth fashion that originated in Japan but is inspired by historical western clothing. The clothing is not sexual in nature. Most studies look at the style in Japan, but the fashion has also found popularity overseas. This paper takes an ethnographic approach to studying the Lolita community in the United States by comparing two regional communities, Houston and South Florida. The research found that the largest difference between the two groups was size and community involvement, with Houston as the larger group and the smaller South Florida group being more concerned with group activity. The study found that compared to the strong subversive element of the wearers in Japan, the United States community at large appears to be motivated by Lolita as a creative outlet. There was no support of the idea that aging played a role in what kind of Lolita fashion was worn.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004982
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Lolita., Fashion., Ethnographic study.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Critical Comparative Study of Media Literacy in Australia, England, And The United States.
Creator: Rochester, Ramonia R., Hyslop-Margison, Emery, Baxley, Traci P., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: Ubiquitous media communications technology necessitates democratic and critical media literacy education for developing an active 21st century polity. This study analyzed the context of democratic and critical media competencies in national curriculum standards across Australia, England, and the United States. This, based on Lefebvre’s (1991) conception of conceived space, where standards operate as manifest educational policy and as a basis for establishing good practice. The study employed...
Show moreUbiquitous media communications technology necessitates democratic and critical media literacy education for developing an active 21st century polity. This study analyzed the context of democratic and critical media competencies in national curriculum standards across Australia, England, and the United States. This, based on Lefebvre’s (1991) conception of conceived space, where standards operate as manifest educational policy and as a basis for establishing good practice. The study employed a multi-theoretical approach to textual analysis, within Bereday’s (1964) comparative structure of inquiry. A critical policy lens supported the contextualization of ideological influences that frame democratic and critical media literacies in standards, per Bay-Cheng, Fitz, Alizaga, and Zucker’s (2015) neoliberal subscales. A purposive sample of civics and citizenship, English/English language arts, and media arts/studies was employed. Differences across three main indicators were identified: socio-cultural and youth-based concerns, personal growth via media production and other skills development, and reasoning and communication skills improvement. The neoliberal influences on curricular standards were subsequently explored across three emerging themes: identity politics, problem-based and critical inquiry experiences, and the inclusion of digital new media in curriculum inquiry. Though recognized in the countries’ standards as multifaceted and complex, each obfuscates identity in some way. Both England and the United States inadequately confront race, class, gender, socio-economic status, cultural commodification, and youthbased issues. Though not overtly neoliberal, the Australian standards present identity hegemonically. The role of media is somewhat siloed from the curriculum’s conceptions of identity and active citizenship across all three countries. The English standards are least adept at developing learners’ understandings of the influence of media on identity development, whereas both England and the United States over-emphasize text to the neglect of new media understandings. An apolitical view of media literacy, accompanied by techno-economic terminology, is pervasive in U.S. standards. Despite a counter-critical approach to the framing of its curriculum priorities, Australia presents the most balanced view of democratic/critical media citizenship. England’s standards reflect neoliberal-communitarian citizenship and largely neglect critical questioning. Whereas the United States takes a similarly cosmopolitan view of citizenship to Australia and England, the standards fail to comprehensively explore the links between digital democracy and political engagement.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004973, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004963
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Media literacy., Comparative Study.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Predicting Levels of Learning with Eye Tracking.
Creator: Parikh, Saurin Sharad, Kalva, Hari, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: E-Learning is transforming the delivery of education. Today, millions of students take selfpaced online courses. However, the content and language complexity often hinders comprehension, and that with lack of immediate help from the instructor leads to weaker learning outcomes. Ability to predict difficult content in real time enables eLearning systems to adapt content as per students' level of learning. The recent introduction of lowcost eye trackers has opened a new class of applications...
Show moreE-Learning is transforming the delivery of education. Today, millions of students take selfpaced online courses. However, the content and language complexity often hinders comprehension, and that with lack of immediate help from the instructor leads to weaker learning outcomes. Ability to predict difficult content in real time enables eLearning systems to adapt content as per students' level of learning. The recent introduction of lowcost eye trackers has opened a new class of applications based on eye response. Eye tracking devices can record eye response on the visual element or concept in real time. The response and the variations in eye response to the same concept over time may be indicative of the levels of learning. In this study, we have analyzed reading patterns using eye tracker and derived 12 eye response features based on psycholinguistics, contextual information processing, anticipatory behavior analysis, recurrence fixation analysis, and pupils' response. We use eye responses to predict the level of learning for a term/concept. One of the main contribution is the spatio-temporal analysis of the eye response on a term/concept to derive relevant first pass (spatial) and reanalysis (temporal) eye response features. A spatiotemporal model, built using these derived features, analyses slide images, extracts words (terms), maps the subject's eye response to words, and prepares a term-response map. A parametric baseline classifier, trained with labeled data (term-response maps) classifies a term/concept as a novel (positive class) or familiar (negative class), using majority voting method. On using, only first pass features for prediction, the baseline classifier shows 61% prediction accuracy, but on adding reanalysis features, baseline achieves 66.92% accuracy for predicting difficult terms. However, all proposed features do not have the same response to learning difficulties for all subjects, as we consider reading as an individual characteristic. Hence, we developed a non-parametric, feature weighted linguistics classifier (FWLC), which assigns weight to features based on their relevance. The FWLC classifier achieves a prediction accuracy of 90.54% an increase of 23.62% over baseline and 29.54% over the first-pass variant of baseline. Predicting novel terms as familiar is more expensive because content adapts by using this information. Hence, our primary goal is to increase the prediction rate of novel terms by minimizing the cost of false predictions. On comparing the performance of FWLC with other frequently used machine learning classifiers, FWLC achieves highest true positive rate (TPR) and lowest ratio of false negative rate (FNR) to false positive rate (FPR). The higher prediction performance of proposed spatio-temporal eye response model to predict levels of learning builds a strong foundation for eye response driven adaptive e-Learning.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005941
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Eye tracking., E-Learning.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Arbëresh Culture: An Ace in the Hole, in the Heart of Calabria.
Creator: Lubonja, Edna, Serra, Ilaria, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Languages, Lingustics and Comparative Literature
Abstract/Description: The Arbëresh of Italy founded their communities in the 1400s when they were forced to flee their homeland, Albania, as the country was conquered and ruled by the Ottoman Empire. For centuries, they kept a close community in the Italian villages preserving their language, culture, rituals and traditions. These elements have defined them as “others” in the Italian community over the centuries, but today, they are better described as Italians who also embrace the Arbëresh culture. This...
Show moreThe Arbëresh of Italy founded their communities in the 1400s when they were forced to flee their homeland, Albania, as the country was conquered and ruled by the Ottoman Empire. For centuries, they kept a close community in the Italian villages preserving their language, culture, rituals and traditions. These elements have defined them as “others” in the Italian community over the centuries, but today, they are better described as Italians who also embrace the Arbëresh culture. This dissertation explores the narratives of Arbëresh authors such as Carmine Abate, Anna Stratigò, and Pino Cacozza, who have preserved glimpses of their culture in their writings, thus creating an oasis that I call “the Arbëresh Utopia.” I situate them in the larger context of Arbëresh history, and in the environment where their stories are located. A recent research conducted through interviews in the Arbëresh towns of Calabria, will add an important “lived” tassel of information, by exploring the Arbëresh culture today in a state of what Michel Foucault calls heterotopia. After many years of living in a closed community, the Arbëresh have learned to live by addition.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004977, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004967
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Calabria (Italy)., Arbëresh language., Heterotopia
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Circular Restricted Four Body Problem is Non-Integrable: A Computer Assisted Proof.
Creator: Kepley, Shane, Kalies, William D., Mireles-James, Jason D., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Abstract/Description: Gravitational N-body problems are central in classical mathematical physics. Studying their long time behavior raises subtle questions about the interplay between regular and irregular motions and the boundary between integrable and chaotic dynamics. Over the last hundred years, concepts from the qualitative theory of dynamical systems such as stable/unstable manifolds, homoclinic and heteroclinic tangles, KAM theory, and whiskered invariant tori, have come to play an increasingly important...
Show moreGravitational N-body problems are central in classical mathematical physics. Studying their long time behavior raises subtle questions about the interplay between regular and irregular motions and the boundary between integrable and chaotic dynamics. Over the last hundred years, concepts from the qualitative theory of dynamical systems such as stable/unstable manifolds, homoclinic and heteroclinic tangles, KAM theory, and whiskered invariant tori, have come to play an increasingly important role in the discussion. In the last fty years the study of numerical methods for computing invariant objects has matured into a thriving sub-discipline. This growth is driven at least in part by the needs of the world's space programs. Recent work on validated numerical methods has begun to unify the computational and analytical perspectives, enriching both aspects of the subject. Many of these results use computer assisted proofs, a tool which has become increasingly popular in recent years. This thesis presents a proof that the circular restricted four body problem is non-integrable. The proof of this result is obtained as an application of more general rigorous numerical methods in nonlinear analysis.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004997
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Mathematical physics., Invariants., Dynamical systems
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Influence of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) on Faculty Leadership.
Creator: Ellis, Althia, Bryan, Valerie, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: The study was born out of a deep concern that there have been missed opportunities to apply cultural intelligence to enrich leadership, instruction, and learning. In particular, direct interaction and observation of students from multicultural backgrounds have revealed the value in adjusting one’s mindset to creating a more inclusive learning environment. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of cultural intelligence on faculty leadership. The problem addressed was the growing...
Show moreThe study was born out of a deep concern that there have been missed opportunities to apply cultural intelligence to enrich leadership, instruction, and learning. In particular, direct interaction and observation of students from multicultural backgrounds have revealed the value in adjusting one’s mindset to creating a more inclusive learning environment. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of cultural intelligence on faculty leadership. The problem addressed was the growing need for faculty to expand their cultural intelligence to enable them to demonstrate exemplary leadership in 21st century classrooms. The study measured the cultural intelligence of faculty using the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS). Faculty members’ leadership was measured using the Leadership Practices Inventory Self (LPI-Self). This quantitative study used associational and survey methods to predict scores and explain associations among variables. Overall, behavioral CQ and cognitive CQ had a greater influence on the following leadership practices: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, and Challenge the Process. For the private university, behavioral CQ had a greater influence on the following leadership practices: Model the Way and Inspiring a Shared Vision. The public university did not show preference for any of the five leadership practices. For the state college, cognitive CQ had a greater influence on all leadership practices, except for Model the Way. The results of this study confirmed that cultural intelligence significantly influenced leadership practices of faculty members. These findings provide important information for faculty development programs, curriculum development, and hiring practices. An urgent requirement for advancing teaching and learning in today’s higher education classrooms is a keen understanding of the underlying values, beliefs, and perceptions of students. These qualities affect students’ understanding and how they express themselves in the classroom. The decision to give instructional leaders leadership training in cultural intelligence is highly recommended. While faculty members showed preference for certain leadership practices, their preferences might be incorporated to develop a blended leadership style that may be more suitable for today’s diverse academic community. The association found between cultural intelligence and leadership practices confirms the value of faculty development in cultural intelligence.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004974, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004964
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Faculty (Education), Leadership., Cultural intelligence.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Random Harmonic Polynomials.
Creator: Thomack, Andrew, Lundberg, Erik, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Abstract/Description: The study of random polynomials and in particular the number and behavior of zeros of random polynomials have been well studied, where the rst signi cant progress was made by Kac, nding an integral formula for the expected number of zeros of real zeros of polynomials with real coe cients. This formula as well as adaptations of the formula to complex polynomials and random elds show an interesting dependency of the number and distribution of zeros on the particular method of randomization....
Show moreThe study of random polynomials and in particular the number and behavior of zeros of random polynomials have been well studied, where the rst signi cant progress was made by Kac, nding an integral formula for the expected number of zeros of real zeros of polynomials with real coe cients. This formula as well as adaptations of the formula to complex polynomials and random elds show an interesting dependency of the number and distribution of zeros on the particular method of randomization. Three prevalent models of signi cant study are the Kostlan model, the Weyl model, and the naive model in which the coe cients of the polynomial are standard Gaussian random variables. A harmonic polynomial is a complex function of the form h(z) = p(z) + q(z) where p and q are complex analytic polynomials. Li and Wei adapted the Kac integral formula for the expected number of zeros to study random harmonic polynomials and take particular interest in their interpretation of the Kostlan model. In this thesis we nd asymptotic results for the number of zeros of random harmonic polynomials under both the Weyl model and the naive model as the degree of the harmonic polynomial increases. We compare the ndings to the Kostlan model as well as to the analytic analogs of each model. We end by establishing results which lead to open questions and conjectures about random harmonic polynomials. We ask and partially answer the question, \When does the number and behavior of the zeros of a random harmonic polynomial asymptotically emulate the same model of random complex analytic polynomial as the degree increases?" We also inspect the variance of the number of zeros of random harmonic polynomials, motivating the work by the question of whether the distribution of the number of zeros concentrates near its as the degree of the harmonic polynomial increases.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004986
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Random polynomials., Functions., Polynomials.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Impact of Undergraduate Research Participation on Research Self-Efficacy.
Creator: Baker, Tracy N., DeDonno, Michael, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: Current literature confirms that self-efficacy, academic self-concept, and participation in undergraduate research influence the academic performance and aspirations of students. However, a gap in the literature remains as research has yet to explore whether students who have participated in research have a higher sense of research self-efficacy and academic self-concept than students who have not participated in these activities. In addition, it is unknown whether undergraduate researchers...
Show moreCurrent literature confirms that self-efficacy, academic self-concept, and participation in undergraduate research influence the academic performance and aspirations of students. However, a gap in the literature remains as research has yet to explore whether students who have participated in research have a higher sense of research self-efficacy and academic self-concept than students who have not participated in these activities. In addition, it is unknown whether undergraduate researchers pursuing STEM degrees differ from students pursuing non-STEM degrees, nor if they vary by gender. The purpose of this study was to investigate the research self-efficacy and academic self-concept of undergraduate researchers, compare these beliefs to nonresearchers, and to examine how these measures differ by gender and field of study (i.e. STEM and non-STEM fields) among undergraduate researchers. Additionally, this research identified various factors that predict research self-efficacy and academic selfconcept. This quantitative study was conducted at a public university located in the Southeast region of the United States. Using survey methods participants’ background information, academic self-concept, and research self-efficacy was collected. Participants were students who had participated in undergraduate research as well as students who had not participated in research activities. Both groups completed the same survey. This study gained insight into the research self-efficacy, academic self-concept, field of study, and gender differences among undergraduate researchers and how they compare to non-researchers. Research findings may assist colleges, universities, and offices that promote undergraduate research in recruiting students to participate in research activities. Findings also contribute to literature supporting undergraduate research as an element that contributes to student success in undergraduate education.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004978, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004968
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Undergraduates--Research., Self-efficacy., Academic achievement.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Closing the Loop: Student Leader Perceptions of Their Leadership Development at a State University.
Creator: Burke, Katie Gale, Floyd, Deborah L., Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: Collegiate leadership development opportunities that enhance student’s leadership skills are on the rise. This study sought to understand how students perceive their own leadership development prior to entering college and at an institution that has prioritized leadership development in recent years. Through this single-case study, 51 undergraduate student leaders completed a questionnaire that resulted in a descriptive student leader profile and open-ended responses. From those 51 students,...
Show moreCollegiate leadership development opportunities that enhance student’s leadership skills are on the rise. This study sought to understand how students perceive their own leadership development prior to entering college and at an institution that has prioritized leadership development in recent years. Through this single-case study, 51 undergraduate student leaders completed a questionnaire that resulted in a descriptive student leader profile and open-ended responses. From those 51 students, 14 were a part of focus groups. There were three focus groups in total with four, seven, and three participants respectively. From the 14 participants, five volunteered for individual interviews to identify their perceptions of their leadership development in their own words. The research questions for this study were: What are the inputs and environmental influences that shape college students’ leadership development output from the student perspective; and, how do college students describe and understand their leadership development? The descriptive profile and close-ended responses are reviewed in chapter four and report four major findings. The first finding was “Mom made me do it”: The Influence of Family and Experiences Precollege, and the second finding was The What and Who Behind These Students’ Leadership Development in College: Purposeful Experiences and People. The third finding was The Why Behind These College Students’ Engagement in Leadership Development, which encompassed four themes to describe the reasons these students’ are interested in leadership development: encouragement from others, aspirations, self-development, and motivation to support causes they have grown to want to serve and for which they want to develop. The fourth finding was Soft Skills - Not Clear in the Terminology of These Student Leaders, Clear in Their Behaviors and included ways of defining soft skills and the exemplification of student leaders’ soft skills. Conclusions and recommendations are offered in chapter six including the proposal of a new model, Closing the Loop in College, developed from the pattern of findings that emerged in this study inclusive of reflective meaning making in college as essential for these leaders’ development.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004997, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004987
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, State universities and colleges., Leadership., College students.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Survey of Gopherus polyphemus Intestinal Parasites in South Florida.
Creator: Huffman, Jessica, Frazier, Evelyn, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Gopherus polyphemus populations are diminishing throughout their range due to urbanization, fragmentation, and poor management of habitats. Increased population densities, poor habitat quality, and lack of fire may influence disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown, despite evidence these pathogens may pose health risks. This study provides a baseline of gopher tortoise endoparasites across South Florida and reports on how varying environmental...
Show moreGopherus polyphemus populations are diminishing throughout their range due to urbanization, fragmentation, and poor management of habitats. Increased population densities, poor habitat quality, and lack of fire may influence disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown, despite evidence these pathogens may pose health risks. This study provides a baseline of gopher tortoise endoparasites across South Florida and reports on how varying environmental and tortoise characteristics may affect endoparasite species prevalence, approximate loads, and overall distributions. Tortoise fecal samples were taken from five differing SF habitats. Seven species of intestinal parasites were discovered from 123 tortoises. Identified parasites include endo-helminths such as cyathostomes, pinworms, ascarids, flukes, and protozoans including Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Amoeba species. Significant differences in parasite prevalence and loads were seen between sampling years, seasons, size classes, and sites, however, overall parasite distributions suggest parasitism remains relatively ubiquitous throughout most host and site characteristics.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005933
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Gopherus polyphemus, Gopher tortoise., Parasites., Florida.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Charter School Closures in Florida, 2006-2016: A Population Ecology Perspective.
Creator: Jameson, Jorene, Nyhan, Ronald C., Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
Abstract/Description: As part of the education reforms of the 1990s, charter schools were proposed as a private alternative to public education, offering parents and their children greater choices. Publicly financed but privately operated, charter schools have now grown in numbers and influence. While there are many studies of student outcomes in charter schools demonstrating mixed results, one negative outcome of charter schools has been less examined. Since inception, 23% of charter schools nationally have...
Show moreAs part of the education reforms of the 1990s, charter schools were proposed as a private alternative to public education, offering parents and their children greater choices. Publicly financed but privately operated, charter schools have now grown in numbers and influence. While there are many studies of student outcomes in charter schools demonstrating mixed results, one negative outcome of charter schools has been less examined. Since inception, 23% of charter schools nationally have closed and these closures are disruptive to parents, children, and their school districts. This paper addresses charter school closures from an organizational perspective. Applying theory from population ecology and resource dependency theory, the population of nonprofit charter schools is examined. What are the primary determinants of charter school success and failure? Florida, with the third highest number of charter schools nationally and, at the same time, the highest number of charter school closures in the United States, is a paradox. This study identifies the significant variables that are related to school survival and failure in the state of Florida over the years 2015-16 through 2015-16. Variables tested in this study, using Survival Analysis (SA), include age, management structure, size, school performance, grants, and density. All variables except density at founding were significant in explaining the unique variance in survival rates among charters. Charter schools sub-contracted by for-profit educational management organizations (EMOs) were larger, achieved higher grades, secured more grants and achieved higher survival rates than their counterpart nonprofit, independent, and charter management organization (CMO) led schools. These results contribute to our understanding of charter school survival and failure, thereby informing public policy options to strengthen the charter school population and the nation’s public education system overall.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004982, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004972
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Charter schools--Florida., Population ecology., Public policy.
Format: Document (PDF)

Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University (83)	+ -
Affect (Psychology). (2)	+ -
Algorithms. (2)	+ -
Climatic changes. (2)	+ -
Ecosystem services--Valuation. (2)	+ -

Education, Higher (2)	+ -
Eye tracking. (2)	+ -
High school students. (2)	+ -
Leadership. (2)	+ -
Nurses--Job satisfaction. (2)	+ -
Radiotherapy Dosage. (2)	+ -
Salt marshes. (2)	+ -
Science--Study and teaching. (2)	+ -
Therapist and patient. (2)	+ -
Academic achievement. (1)	+ -
Acetabulum (Anatomy). (1)	+ -
Adolescents. (1)	+ -
African-American scientists. (1)	+ -
Age Determination by Skeleton. (1)	+ -
Alkynes. (1)	+ -
Ancestry (1)	+ -
Application software--Design. (1)	+ -
Arbëresh language. (1)	+ -
Art and science. (1)	+ -
Art, Abstract. (1)	+ -
Artists' books. (1)	+ -
Asphalt pavements. (1)	+ -
Autism spectrum disorders. (1)	+ -
Autonomous underwater vehicles (1)	+ -
Beaches--Florida (1)	+ -

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Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters (13)	+ -

Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology (12)	+ -
Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (9)	+ -
Department of Psychology (7)	+ -
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing (6)	+ -
Bryan, Valerie (5)	+ -
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Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry (5)	+ -
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Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering (4)	+ -
Weber, Roberta K. (4)	+ -
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