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Title: Analysis of SLKED gene expression in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockouts in Tomato (Micro-Tom).
Creator: Vichyavichien, Paveena, Zhang, Xing-Hai, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein system, CRISPR/Cas9, uses single-guide RNA to guide Cas9 to the target site for genome editing. In this study, the CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to knockout KED in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). KED was first identified while screening the wounded tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves. We found that alignment of the protein sequence of SlKED (Solanum lycopersicum KED) and NtKED (Nicotiana tabacum KED)...
Show moreClustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein system, CRISPR/Cas9, uses single-guide RNA to guide Cas9 to the target site for genome editing. In this study, the CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to knockout KED in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). KED was first identified while screening the wounded tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves. We found that alignment of the protein sequence of SlKED (Solanum lycopersicum KED) and NtKED (Nicotiana tabacum KED) showed 55.1% identity. To investigate, we generated SlKED knockout tomato plants with a single base pair deletion, a five base pair deletion and a three base pair deletion with a single base pair insertion. We performed wounding assays and analyzed gene expression and found that the wounded SlKED knockout plant showed no gene induction. Furthermore, the biological assay results revealed that the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) gained more mass when fed on the SlKED knockout plant. Our studies show that the KED gene plays a role in wound-induced mechanism and suggested it may involve in the plant defense system against biological stress and insect feeding.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013275
Subject Headings: Genome editing, Gene expression, CRISPR/Cas9, CRISPR-associated protein 9
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Analysis of Tardigrade Damage Suppressor Protein (Dsup) Expressed in Tobacco.
Creator: Kirke, Justin, Zhang, Xing-Hai, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: DNA damage is one of the most harmful stress inducers in living organisms. Studies have shown that exposure to high doses of various types of radiation cause DNA sequence changes (mutation) and disturb protein synthesis, hormone balance, leaf gas exchange and enzyme activity. Recent discovery of a protein called Damage Suppressor Protein (Dsup), found in the tardigrade species Ramazzotius varieornatus, has shown to reduce the effects of radiation damage in human cell lines. We have generated...
Show moreDNA damage is one of the most harmful stress inducers in living organisms. Studies have shown that exposure to high doses of various types of radiation cause DNA sequence changes (mutation) and disturb protein synthesis, hormone balance, leaf gas exchange and enzyme activity. Recent discovery of a protein called Damage Suppressor Protein (Dsup), found in the tardigrade species Ramazzotius varieornatus, has shown to reduce the effects of radiation damage in human cell lines. We have generated multiple lines of tobacco plants expressing the Dsup gene and preformed numerous tests to show viability and response of these transgenic plants when exposed to mutagenic chemicals, UV radiation and ionizing radiation. We have also investigated Dsup function in association to DNA damage and repair in plants by analyzing the expression of related genes using RT-qPCR. We have also analyzed DNA damage from X-ray and UV treatments using an Alkaline Comet Assay. This project has the potential to help generate plants that are tolerant to more extreme stress environments, particularly DNA damage and mutation, unshielded by our atmosphere. The possibility of growing plants accompanying human space travel and extraterrestrial colonization inspires our imagination. Extremotolerant tardigrade genes such as Dsup may be a valuable avenue in helping to cultivate crops in these future endeavors.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013384
Subject Headings: DNA damage, DNA Damage--radiation effects, Tardigrada, DNA Repair, Transgenic plants
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A DISINHIBITORY MICROCIRCUIT FOR GATED CEREBELLAR LEARNING.
Creator: Zhang, Ke, Christie, Jason, Dawson-Scully, Ken, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Performance motor errors trigger animals’ adaptive learning behaviors to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the movement. The cerebellum is one of the key brain centers for encoding motor performance and motor learning. Climbing fibers relay information related to motor errors to the cerebellar cortex, evoking elevation of intracellular Ca2+ signals at Purkinje cell dendrites and inducing plasticity at coactive parallel fiber synapses, ultimately recalibrating sensorimotor associations to...
Show morePerformance motor errors trigger animals’ adaptive learning behaviors to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the movement. The cerebellum is one of the key brain centers for encoding motor performance and motor learning. Climbing fibers relay information related to motor errors to the cerebellar cortex, evoking elevation of intracellular Ca2+ signals at Purkinje cell dendrites and inducing plasticity at coactive parallel fiber synapses, ultimately recalibrating sensorimotor associations to alter behavior. Molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) inhibit Purkinje cells to modulate dendritic excitability and action potential output. How MLIs contribute to the regulation and encoding of climbing fiber-evoked adaptive movements remains poorly understood. In this dissertation, I used genetic tools to manipulate the activity of MLIs while monitoring Purkinje cell dendritic activity during a cerebellum-dependent motor learning task with different contexts to evaluate how MLIs are involved in this process. The results show that by suppressing dendritic Ca2+ signals in Purkinje cells, MLI activity coincident with climbing fiber-mediated excitation prevents the occurrence of learning when adaptation is not necessary. On the other hand, with error signals present, disinhibition onto Purkinje cells, mediated by MLI-MLI microcircuit, unlocked the ability of climbing fibers to induce plasticity and motor learning.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013526
Subject Headings: Cerebellum, Interneurons, Purkinje cells, Dendrites, Sensorimotor integration, Neuroplasticity
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: COMBINING TRADITIONAL AND IMAGE ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES FOR UNCONSOLIDATED EXPOSED TERRIGENOUS BEACH SAND CHARACTERIZATION.
Creator: Smith, Molly Elizabeth, Zhang, Caiyun, Oleinik, Anton, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Traditional sand analysis is labor and cost-intensive, entailing specialized equipment and operators trained in geological analysis. Even a small step to automate part of the traditional geological methods could substantially improve the speed of such research while removing chances of human error. Digital image analysis techniques and computer vision have been well developed and applied in various fields but rarely explored for sand analysis. This research explores capabilities of remote...
Show moreTraditional sand analysis is labor and cost-intensive, entailing specialized equipment and operators trained in geological analysis. Even a small step to automate part of the traditional geological methods could substantially improve the speed of such research while removing chances of human error. Digital image analysis techniques and computer vision have been well developed and applied in various fields but rarely explored for sand analysis. This research explores capabilities of remote sensing digital image analysis techniques, such as object-based image analysis (OBIA), machine learning, digital image analysis, and photogrammetry to automate or semi-automate the traditional sand analysis procedure. Here presented is a framework combining OBIA and machine learning classification of microscope imagery for use with unconsolidated terrigenous beach sand samples. Five machine learning classifiers (RF, DT, SVM, k-NN, and ANN) are used to model mineral composition from images of ten terrigenous beach sand samples. Digital image analysis and photogrammetric techniques are applied and evaluated for use to characterize sand grain size and grain circularity (given as a digital proxy for traditional grain sphericity). A new segmentation process is also introduced, where pixel-level SLICO superpixel segmentation is followed by spectral difference segmentation and further levels of superpixel segmentation at the object-level. Previous methods of multi-resolution and superpixel segmentation at the object level do not provide the level of detail necessary to yield optimal sand grain-sized segments. In this proposed framework, the DT and RF classifiers provide the best estimations of mineral content of all classifiers tested compared to traditional compositional analysis. Average grain size approximated from photogrammetric procedures is comparable to traditional sieving methods, having an RMSE below 0.05%. The framework proposed here reduces the number of trained personnel needed to perform sand-related research. It requires minimal sand sample preparation and minimizes user-error that is typically introduced during traditional sand analysis.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013517
Subject Headings: Sand, Image analysis, Remote sensing, Photogrammetry--Digital techniques, Machine learning
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: CHARACTERIZATIONS OF LINEAR ISOMETRIES ON COMPLEX SEQUENCE SPACES.
Creator: Babun Codorniu, Omar, Zhang, Xiao-Dong, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: An operator acting on a Banach space is called an isometry if it preserves the norm of the space. An interesting problem is to determine the form or structure of linear isometries on Banach spaces. This can be done in some instances. This dissertation presents several theorems that provide necessary and sufficient conditions for some linear operators acting on finite and infinite dimensional sequence spaces of complex numbers to be isometries. In all cases, the linear isometries have the form...
Show moreAn operator acting on a Banach space is called an isometry if it preserves the norm of the space. An interesting problem is to determine the form or structure of linear isometries on Banach spaces. This can be done in some instances. This dissertation presents several theorems that provide necessary and sufficient conditions for some linear operators acting on finite and infinite dimensional sequence spaces of complex numbers to be isometries. In all cases, the linear isometries have the form of a permutation of the elements of the sequences in the given space, with each component of each sequence multiplied by a complex number of absolute value 1.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013354
Subject Headings: Banach spaces, Isometrics (Mathematics), Matrices, Linear operators, Normed linear spaces
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Expression of a Dehydrin from the Polar Plant Cerastium arcticum in Transgenic Tobacco.
Creator: Hill, William, Zhang, Xing-Hai, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Water scarcity induced by drought, temperature, and salinity has plagued agricultural sustainability in recent years with unprecedented revenue losses, raising concerns for worldwide food security. Recent studies have revealed unique botanical response mechanisms to combat water related stress, namely the expression of proteins known as the dehydrins. Dehydrin proteins have been shown to serve various intracellular protective functions. The gene for a SK5 type dehydrin from the arctic plant...
Show moreWater scarcity induced by drought, temperature, and salinity has plagued agricultural sustainability in recent years with unprecedented revenue losses, raising concerns for worldwide food security. Recent studies have revealed unique botanical response mechanisms to combat water related stress, namely the expression of proteins known as the dehydrins. Dehydrin proteins have been shown to serve various intracellular protective functions. The gene for a SK5 type dehydrin from the arctic plant Cerastium arcticum (CaDHN) was introduced into tobacco plants and water deficit tolerance was evaluated. Plants overexpressing CaDHN displayed improved tolerance to salt stress, but no improvement was observed under drought stress.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004505, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004505
Subject Headings: Cerastium., Plant bioitechnology., Plants, Effect of stress on., Crops, Effect of stress on., Plant gene expression., Plant proteins., Recombinant proteins.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Data Fusion of LiDAR and Aerial Imagery to Map the Campus of Florida Atlantic University.
Creator: Gamboa, Nicole, Zhang, Caiyun, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Reliable geographic intelligence is essential for urban areas; land-cover classification creates the data for urban spatial decision making. This research tested a methodology to create a land-cover map for the main campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. The accuracy of nine separate land-cover classification results were tested; the one with the highest accuracy was chosen for the final map. Object-based image segmentation was applied to fused and LiDAR point cloud ...
Show moreReliable geographic intelligence is essential for urban areas; land-cover classification creates the data for urban spatial decision making. This research tested a methodology to create a land-cover map for the main campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. The accuracy of nine separate land-cover classification results were tested; the one with the highest accuracy was chosen for the final map. Object-based image segmentation was applied to fused and LiDAR point cloud (elevation and intensity) data and aerial imagery. These were classified by Random Forest, k-Nearest Neighbor and Support Vector Machines classifiers. Shadow features were reclassified hierarchically in order to create a complete map. The Random Forest classifier used with the fused data set gave the highest overall accuracy at 82.3%, and a Kappa value at 0.77. When combined with the results from the shadow reclassification, the overall accuracy increased to 86.3% and the Kappa value improved to 0.82.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004595, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004595
Subject Headings: Spatial analysis (Statistics), Geographic information systems., Cartography--Remote sensing., Thematic maps., Geospatial data--Mathematical models., Criminal justice, Administration of., African Americans, Violence against.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Detection of multiple change-points in hazard models.
Creator: Zhang, Wei, Qian, Lianfen, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Abstract/Description: Change-point detection in hazard rate function is an important research topic in survival analysis. In this dissertation, we firstly review existing methods for single change-point detection in piecewise exponential hazard model. Then we consider the problem of estimating the change point in the presence of right censoring and long-term survivors while using Kaplan-Meier estimator for the susceptible proportion. The maximum likelihood estimators are shown to be consistent. Taking one step...
Show moreChange-point detection in hazard rate function is an important research topic in survival analysis. In this dissertation, we firstly review existing methods for single change-point detection in piecewise exponential hazard model. Then we consider the problem of estimating the change point in the presence of right censoring and long-term survivors while using Kaplan-Meier estimator for the susceptible proportion. The maximum likelihood estimators are shown to be consistent. Taking one step further, we propose an counting process based and least squares based change-point detection algorithm. For single change-point case, consistency results are obtained. We then consider the detection of multiple change-points in the presence of long-term survivors via maximum likelihood based and counting process based method. Last but not least, we use a weighted least squares based and counting process based method for detection of multiple change-points with long-term survivors and covariates. For multiple change-points detection, simulation studies show good performances of our estimators under various parameters settings for both methods. All methods are applied to real data analyses.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004173
Subject Headings: Problem solving--Data processing., Process control--Statistical methods., Point processes., Mathematical statistics., Failure time data analysis--Data processing., Survival analysis (Biometry)--Data processing.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: EVALUATING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM PHOTOGRAMMETRY FOR COASTAL FLORIDA EVERGLADES RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT.
Creator: Durgan, Sara D., Zhang, Caiyun, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: The Florida Everglades ecosystem is experiencing increasing threats from anthropogenic modification of water flow, spread of invasive species, sea level rise (SLR), and more frequent and/or intense hurricanes. Restoration efforts aimed at rehabilitating these ongoing and future disturbances are currently underway through the implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Efficacy of these restoration activities can be further improved with accurate and site-specific...
Show moreThe Florida Everglades ecosystem is experiencing increasing threats from anthropogenic modification of water flow, spread of invasive species, sea level rise (SLR), and more frequent and/or intense hurricanes. Restoration efforts aimed at rehabilitating these ongoing and future disturbances are currently underway through the implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Efficacy of these restoration activities can be further improved with accurate and site-specific information on the current state of the coastal wetland habitats. In order to produce such assessments, digital datasets of the appropriate accuracy and scale are needed. These datasets include orthoimagery to delineate wetland areas and map vegetation cover as well as accurate 3-dimensional (3-D) models to characterize hydrology, physiochemistry, and habitat vulnerability.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013501
Subject Headings: Everglades (Fla )--Environmental conditions--Remote sensing, Aerial photogrammetry, Wetland restoration--Florida--Everglades, Image analysis, Aerial photogrammetry--Data processing, Drone aircraft
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Increasing Integrity in Sea-Level Rise Impact Assessment on Florida’s Coastal Everglades.
Creator: Cooper, Hannah M., Zhang, Caiyun, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Over drainage due to water management practices, abundance of native and rare species, and low-lying topography makes the coastal Everglades especially vulnerable to Sea-Level Rise (SLR). Water depths have shown to have a significant relationship to vegetation community composition and organization while also playing a crucial role in vegetation health throughout the Everglades. Modeling potential habitat change and loss caused by increased water depths due to SLR requires better vertical...
Show moreOver drainage due to water management practices, abundance of native and rare species, and low-lying topography makes the coastal Everglades especially vulnerable to Sea-Level Rise (SLR). Water depths have shown to have a significant relationship to vegetation community composition and organization while also playing a crucial role in vegetation health throughout the Everglades. Modeling potential habitat change and loss caused by increased water depths due to SLR requires better vertical Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and Water Table Elevation Models (WTEMs). In this study, an object-based machine learning approach was developed to correct LiDAR elevation data by integrating LiDAR point data, aerial imagery, Real Time Kinematic (RTK)-Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and total station survey data. Four machine learning modeling techniques were compared with the commonly used bias-corrected technique, including Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The k-NN and RF models produced the best predictions for the Nine Mile and Flamingo study areas (RMSE = 0.08 m and 0.10 m, respectively). This study also examined four interpolation-based methods along with the RF, SVM and k-NN machine learning techniques for generating WTEMs. The RF models achieved the best results for the dry season (RMSE = 0.06 m) and the wet season (RMSE = 0.07 m) WTEMs. Previous research in Water Depth Model (WDM) generation in the Everglades focused on a conventional-based approach where a DEM is subtracted from a WTEM. This study extends the conventional-based WDM approach to a rigorous-based WDM technique where Monte Carlo simulation is used to propagate probability distributions through the proposed SLR depth model using uncertainties in the RF-based LiDAR DEM and WTEMs, vertical datums and transformations, regional SLR and soil accretion rates. It is concluded that a more rigorous-based WDM technique increases the integrity of derived products used to support and guide coastal restoration managers and planners concerned with habitat change under the challenge of SLR. Future research will be dedicated to the extension of this technique to model both increased water depths and saltwater intrusion due to SLR (saltwater inundation).
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Date Issued: 2018
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005991
Subject Headings: Everglades (Fla.), Sea level rise, Coastal ecology--Florida, Everglades (Fla)--Environmental conditions, Impact assessment
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Nitrate Use Efficiency In Tobacco Plants Constitutively Expressing A Maize Nitrate Transporter ZmNRT2.1.
Creator: Cruz, Jessica, Zhang, Xing-Hai, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The NRT2 (high affinity nitrate transporter 2) family is a part of the iHATS (inducible high affinity system) that studies have shown is responsible for the influx of nitrate into the plant cell after provision of nitrate. The ZmNRT2.1 from Zea mays was constitutively expressed in Nicotiana tabacum. To assess how over-expression of this foreign NRT2.1 affects nitrate influx by plants, nitrate content in leaf and root tissue, gene expression, and vegetal growth were analyzed in media with...
Show moreThe NRT2 (high affinity nitrate transporter 2) family is a part of the iHATS (inducible high affinity system) that studies have shown is responsible for the influx of nitrate into the plant cell after provision of nitrate. The ZmNRT2.1 from Zea mays was constitutively expressed in Nicotiana tabacum. To assess how over-expression of this foreign NRT2.1 affects nitrate influx by plants, nitrate content in leaf and root tissue, gene expression, and vegetal growth were analyzed in media with deficient or high nitrate concentrations (0.1, 1, or 10 mM). Compared to wild type plants: the transgenic lines had a significantly larger fresh weight in all nitrate conditions; primary root length was significantly longer in the 0.1 and 1 mM nitrate conditions; both the fresh weight and the primary root length were significantly higher when 50 mM NaCl was applied as a stress factor to medias containing 0.1 and 10 mM nitrate.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004492, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004492
Subject Headings: Nitrogen--Fixation., Nitrogen-fixing plants--Metabolism., Crops and nitrogen., Field crops--Genetic engineering., Plants--Effect of nitrogen on., Soil microbiology.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The expression and analysis of a lysine-rich wound-response protein in tomato plants.
Creator: Kaplan, Noah, Zhang, Xing-Hai, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Understanding the genetic regulation of the response to wounding and wound healing in fruiting plants is imperative to maintaining agricultural sustainability, preserving the quality of food supplies, and ensuring the economic viability of agriculture. Many genes are known to be induced by wounding, providing both structural repair and defense. The KED gene in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) has been shown to be induced by wounding. We have identified its homologue gene in tomato (Solanum...
Show moreUnderstanding the genetic regulation of the response to wounding and wound healing in fruiting plants is imperative to maintaining agricultural sustainability, preserving the quality of food supplies, and ensuring the economic viability of agriculture. Many genes are known to be induced by wounding, providing both structural repair and defense. The KED gene in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) has been shown to be induced by wounding. We have identified its homologue gene in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) that we named SlKED. We have analyzed gene expression pattern of SlKED through tomato growth and development and in response to wounding as well as hormonal and inhibitor treatments. We found that the plant hormone ethylene played a major role in the expression of SlKED. To further identify evidence for physiological and transductional functions of KED and SlKED, the tobacco KED gene was introduced to tomato and overexpressed by the fruit tissue-active PUN1 promoter from pepper (Capsicum annuum,). The expression of this gene was compared to the expression of the native SlKED gene and other known wound response genes in both the wild-type and transgenic tomato plants. The upregulation of the native SlKED gene by wounding was significantly muted in the tobacco KED-expressing transgenic plants. The expression of other genes known to be associated with wound response transduction pathways was also altered. Our studies implicate the KED gene in defense mechanisms for mechanical stress in tomato plants.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004773, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004773
Subject Headings: Wound healing., Wounds and injuries--Genetic aspects., Plant gene expression., Plant genetic regulation., Nanostructured materials--Physiological effect., Biomedical engineering.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Isolation and Structural Elucidation of Novel Bioactive Natural Products from Marine Organisms of the Western Atlantic Ocean.
Creator: Zhang, Long, West, Lyndon, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract/Description: The aim of this dissertation was to elaborate the exploration of biologically active secondary metabolites from the marine sponge Cacospongia cf. linteiformis collected from the Bahamas and the soft coral Briareum asbestinum collected from two different sites in Florida State, Boca Raton and Dry Tortugas. In chapter one, a review on previous chemical and biological studies of the marine sponge C. cf. linteiformis and soft coral B. asbestinum is provided. Particular attention is given to...
Show moreThe aim of this dissertation was to elaborate the exploration of biologically active secondary metabolites from the marine sponge Cacospongia cf. linteiformis collected from the Bahamas and the soft coral Briareum asbestinum collected from two different sites in Florida State, Boca Raton and Dry Tortugas. In chapter one, a review on previous chemical and biological studies of the marine sponge C. cf. linteiformis and soft coral B. asbestinum is provided. Particular attention is given to spongianolides and briarellins, two important classes of compounds isolated from C. cf. linteiformis and B. asbestinum, respectively, and their structural features and diverse bioactivities. In chapter two, the isolation and relative configuration determination of four epimeric sesterterpenoids, spongianolides E & F (18c, 18d, 19c, 19d) from C. cf. linteiformis collected from the Bahamas are discussed. Thanks to chemical modification (acetylation), diastereomeric 18c&18d and 19c&19d, respectively, were able to be isolated using chromatographic techniques for the first time, and then the relative configurations of 18c, 18d, 19c, 19d were determined based on NOESY NMR experiments. The bioactivity of mixture of compounds 18c, 18d, 19c, 19d were tested and it exhibited inhibition against Schnurri-3 (a regulator of postnatal bone mass). In chapter three, the isolation and structural elucidation of four new compounds, florellins A-D (49-52), from B. asbestinum collected off the coast of Boca Raton, FL are discussed. The molecular structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 49-52 are the first briarellins containing an acyl group at C-13, while 49 and 50 are the first briarellins possessing acylation at C-15. Florellins A–C (49-51) were screened and found cytotoxic against three human cell lines, BT474, WM266−4 and HEK293. In chapter four, the isolation and structural elucidation of four new compounds, florellins E-H (57-60), from B. asbestinum collected in Dry Tortugas, FL are discussed. The molecular structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. Florellins F (58) and H (60) were screened against three human cell lines, BT474, WM266−4 and HEK293, but no cytotoxicity was exhibited. In chapter five, all the experimental procedures are described, including analytical instruments, animal materials, extraction and isolation processes, spectroscopic data and protocols of bioassays.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004850, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004850
Subject Headings: Pharmacognosy., Natural products--Analysis., Marine pharmacology., Marine biotechnology., Marine algae--Biotechnology., Bioactive compounds.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Salinity Assessment, Change, and Impact on Plant Stress / Canopy Water Content (CWC) in Florida Bay using Remote Sensing and GIS.
Creator: Selch, Donna, Zhang, Caiyun, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Human activities in the past century have caused a variety of environmental problems in South Florida. In 2000, Congress authorized the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), a $10.5-billion mission to restore the South Florida ecosystem. Environmental projects in CERP require salinity monitoring in Florida Bay to provide measures of the effects of restoration on the Everglades ecosystem. However current salinity monitoring cannot cover large areas and is costly, time-consuming,...
Show moreHuman activities in the past century have caused a variety of environmental problems in South Florida. In 2000, Congress authorized the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), a $10.5-billion mission to restore the South Florida ecosystem. Environmental projects in CERP require salinity monitoring in Florida Bay to provide measures of the effects of restoration on the Everglades ecosystem. However current salinity monitoring cannot cover large areas and is costly, time-consuming, and laborintensive. The purpose of this dissertation is to model salinity, detect salinity changes, and evaluate the impact of salinity in Florida Bay using remote sensing and geospatial information sciences (GIS) techniques. The specific objectives are to: 1) examine the capability of Landsat multispectral imagery for salinity modeling and monitoring; 2) detect salinity changes by building a series of salinity maps using archived Landsat images; and 3) assess the capability of spectroscopy techniques in characterizing plant stress / canopy water content (CWC) with varying salinity, sea level rise (SLR), and nutrient levels. Geographic weighted regression (GWR) models created using the first three imagery components with atmospheric and sun glint corrections proved to be more correlated (R^2 = 0.458) to salinity data versus ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models (R^2 = 0.158) and therefore GWR was the ideal regression model for continued Florida Bay salinity assessment. J. roemerianus was also examined to assess the coastal Everglades where salinity modeling is important to the water-land interface. Multivariate greenhouse studies determined the impact of nutrients to be inconsequential but increases in salinity and sea level rise both negatively affected J. roemerianus. Field spectroscopic data was then used to ascertain correlations between CWC and reflectance spectra using spectral indices and derivative analysis. It was determined that established spectral indices (max R^2 = 0.195) and continuum removal (max R^2= 0.331) were not significantly correlated to CWC but derivative analysis showed a higher correlation (R^2 = 0.515 using the first derivative at 948.5 nm). These models can be input into future imagery to predict the salinity of the South Florida water ecosystem.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004686, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004686
Subject Headings: Environmental management, Florida Bay (Fla.), Geographic information systems, Geospatial data, Marine ecology, Plant water relationships, Remote sensing, Salinity -- Florida -- Florida Bay -- Measurement
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Sand Compositional Analysis Using a Combined Geological and Spectroscopic Approach.
Creator: Smith, Molly E., Oleinik, Anton E., Zhang, Caiyun, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Many minerals, such as calcite and magnetite, show diagnostic overtone and combination bands in the 350-2500 nm window. Sand, though an important unconsolidated material with great abundance on the Earth’s surface, is largely overlooked in spectroscopic studies. Over 100 sand samples were analyzed through traditional microscopic methods and compared to spectral reflectance collected via an ASD Spectroradiometer. Multiple methods were chosen to compare spectroscopic data to sand composition...
Show moreMany minerals, such as calcite and magnetite, show diagnostic overtone and combination bands in the 350-2500 nm window. Sand, though an important unconsolidated material with great abundance on the Earth’s surface, is largely overlooked in spectroscopic studies. Over 100 sand samples were analyzed through traditional microscopic methods and compared to spectral reflectance collected via an ASD Spectroradiometer. Multiple methods were chosen to compare spectroscopic data to sand composition and grain size: 1) existing spectral indices, 2) continuum removal, 3) derivative analysis, and 4) correlation analysis. Particular focus was given to carbonate content. Results from derivative and correlation analysis showed strong correlations in the 2180-2240 nm and 2300-2360 nm windows to carbonate content. Proposed here is the Normalized Difference Carbonate Sand Index (NDCSI), which showed Pearson correlations of r=-0.78 for light-colored samples and r=-0.77 for all samples used. This index is viable for use with carbonate-rich sands.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004634
Subject Headings: Physical geology., Environmental geology., Coast changes--Analysis., Beach erosion., Sand--Optical properties., Spectrophotometry.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Remote sensing of evapotranspiration using automated calibration: development and testing in the state of Florida.
Creator: Evans, Aaron H., Obeysekera, Jayantha, Zhang, Caiyun, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Thermal remote sensing is a powerful tool for measuring the spatial variability of evapotranspiration due to the cooling effect of vaporization. The residual method is a popular technique which calculates evapotranspiration by subtracting sensible heat from available energy. Estimating sensible heat requires aerodynamic surface temperature which is difficult to retrieve accurately. Methods such as SEBAL/METRIC correct for this problem by calibrating the relationship between sensible heat and...
Show moreThermal remote sensing is a powerful tool for measuring the spatial variability of evapotranspiration due to the cooling effect of vaporization. The residual method is a popular technique which calculates evapotranspiration by subtracting sensible heat from available energy. Estimating sensible heat requires aerodynamic surface temperature which is difficult to retrieve accurately. Methods such as SEBAL/METRIC correct for this problem by calibrating the relationship between sensible heat and retrieved surface temperature. Disadvantage of these calibrations are 1) user must manually identify extremely dry and wet pixels in image 2) each calibration is only applicable over limited spatial extent. Producing larger maps is operationally limited due to time required to manually calibrate multiple spatial extents over multiple days. This dissertation develops techniques which automatically detect dry and wet pixels. LANDSAT imagery is used because it resolves dry pixels. Calibrations using 1) only dry pixels and 2) including wet pixels are developed. Snapshots of retrieved evaporative fraction and actual evapotranspiration are compared to eddy covariance measurements for five study areas in Florida: 1) Big Cypress 2) Disney Wilderness 3) Everglades 4) near Gainesville, FL. 5) Kennedy Space Center. The sensitivity of evaporative fraction to temperature, available energy, roughness length and wind speed is tested. A technique for temporally interpolating evapotranspiration by fusing LANDSAT and MODIS is developed and tested. The automated algorithm is successful at detecting wet and dry pixels (if they exist). Including wet pixels in calibration and assuming constant atmospheric conductance significantly improved results for all but Big Cypress and Gainesville. Evaporative fraction is not very sensitive to instantaneous available energy but it is sensitive to temperature when wet pixels are included because temperature is required for estimating wet pixel evapotranspiration. Data fusion techniques only slightly outperformed linear interpolation. Eddy covariance comparison and temporal interpolation produced acceptable bias error for most cases suggesting automated calibration and interpolation could be used to predict monthly or annual ET. Maps demonstrating spatial patterns of evapotranspiration at field scale were successfully produced, but only for limited spatial extents. A framework has been established for producing larger maps by creating a mosaic of smaller individual maps.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004194, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004194
Subject Headings: Climatic changes, Environmental sciences -- Remote sensing, Evapotranspiration -- Measurement, Geographic information systems, Remote sensing -- Data processing, Spatial analysis (Mathematics)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: MODELING GROUND ELEVATION OF LOUISIANA COASTAL WETLANDS AND ANALYZING RELATIVE SEA LEVEL RISE INUNDATION USING RSET-MH AND LIDAR MEASUREMENTS.
Creator: Liu, Jing, Zhang, Caiyun, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: The Louisiana coastal ecosystem is experiencing increasing threats from human flood control construction, sea-level rise (SLR), and subsidence. Louisiana lost about 4,833 km2 of coastal wetlands from 1932 to 2016, and concern exists whether remaining wetlands will persist while facing the highest rate of relative sea-level rise (RSLR) in the world. Restoration aimed at rehabilitating the ongoing and future disturbances is currently underway through the implementation of the Coastal Wetlands...
Show moreThe Louisiana coastal ecosystem is experiencing increasing threats from human flood control construction, sea-level rise (SLR), and subsidence. Louisiana lost about 4,833 km2 of coastal wetlands from 1932 to 2016, and concern exists whether remaining wetlands will persist while facing the highest rate of relative sea-level rise (RSLR) in the world. Restoration aimed at rehabilitating the ongoing and future disturbances is currently underway through the implementation of the Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act of 1990 (CWPPRA). To effectively monitor the progress of projects in CWPPRA, the Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS) was established in 2006. To date, more than a decade of valuable coastal, environmental, and ground elevation data have been collected and archived. This dataset offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the wetland ground elevation dynamics by linking the Rod Surface Elevation Table (RSET) measurements with environmental variables like water salinity and biophysical variables like canopy coverage. This dissertation research examined the effects of the environmental and biophysical variables on wetland terrain elevation by developing innovative machine learning based models to quantify the contribution of each factor using the CRMS collected dataset. Three modern machine learning algorithms, including Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN), were assessed and cross-compared with the commonly used Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). The results showed that RF had the best performance in modeling ground elevation with Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 10.8 cm and coefficient of coefficient (r) = 0.74. The top four factors contributing to ground elevation are the distance from monitoring station to closest water source, water salinity, water elevation, and dominant vegetation height.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013568
Subject Headings: Coastal zone management--Louisiana, Sea level rise, Inundations, Wetland restoration--Louisiana, Machine learning, Computer simulation, Algorithms.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Design and modeling of hybrid software fault-tolerant systems.
Creator: Zhang, Man-xia Maria., Florida Atlantic University, Wu, Jie, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: Fault tolerant programming methods improve software reliability using the principles of design diversity and redundancy. Design diversity and redundancy, on the other hand, escalate the cost of the software design and development. In this thesis, we study the reliability of hybrid fault tolerant systems. Probability models based on fault trees are developed for the recovery block (RB), N-version programming (NVP) and hybrid schemes which are the combinations of RB and NVP. Two heuristic...
Show moreFault tolerant programming methods improve software reliability using the principles of design diversity and redundancy. Design diversity and redundancy, on the other hand, escalate the cost of the software design and development. In this thesis, we study the reliability of hybrid fault tolerant systems. Probability models based on fault trees are developed for the recovery block (RB), N-version programming (NVP) and hybrid schemes which are the combinations of RB and NVP. Two heuristic methods are developed to construct hybrid fault tolerant systems with total cost constraints. The algorithms provide a systematic approach to the design of hybrid fault tolerant systems.
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Date Issued: 1992
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14783
Subject Headings: Computer software--Reliability, Fault-tolerant computing, Algorithms
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Dynamic modeling of two layered stratification.
Creator: Zhang, Yaodong., Florida Atlantic University, Scarlatos, Panagiotis (Pete) D., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Abstract/Description: In this thesis, a two-dimensional in the vertical plane numerical model has been developed for simulation of the free surface and density interface profiles due to a wind shear stress applied on a stratified water body, such as lake or reservoir. The results agreed qualitatively and quantitatively with our experimental results, as well as with the work of other researchers. A computer algorithm is established that can be used to estimate the shear stress along the interface and the velocity...
Show moreIn this thesis, a two-dimensional in the vertical plane numerical model has been developed for simulation of the free surface and density interface profiles due to a wind shear stress applied on a stratified water body, such as lake or reservoir. The results agreed qualitatively and quantitatively with our experimental results, as well as with the work of other researchers. A computer algorithm is established that can be used to estimate the shear stress along the interface and the velocity field throughout the water body. The model can be applied for prediction of wind-induced mixing processes in elongated lakes or reservoirs.
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Date Issued: 1992
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14809
Subject Headings: Upwelling, Turbulence, Density currents
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Modeling of bracelet anodes and anode arrays for pipeline CP systems.
Creator: Zhang, Xiaolin., Florida Atlantic University, Hartt, William H., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Abstract/Description: Two models for pipeline bracelet anodes depletion with time were analyzed: one with uniform corrosion and the other with localized corrosion. The potential of the pipeline was determined to become more positive with time due to corrosion of the anode. The pipeline protected by the anode with localized corrosion had more a positive potential than the one protected by the anode with uniform corrosion. A method based upon the equations of Sunde was developed for determining resistance of linear...
Show moreTwo models for pipeline bracelet anodes depletion with time were analyzed: one with uniform corrosion and the other with localized corrosion. The potential of the pipeline was determined to become more positive with time due to corrosion of the anode. The pipeline protected by the anode with localized corrosion had more a positive potential than the one protected by the anode with uniform corrosion. A method based upon the equations of Sunde was developed for determining resistance of linear and rectangular anode arrays. Accuracy of this approach was evaluated using Boundary Element Modeling (BEM). The difference between the two methods was defined as Error. A corrected function of Sunde's equation was developed in order to get a more accurate resistance of a 1 x N anode array. The influence on resistance of a M x N (M < N) anode array of anode size, separation distance and array number was analyzed. Error increased with increasing anode size and decreased with increasing number of anodes and separation distance. The application and limitations of commonly used anode resistance formulas are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2003
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13087
Subject Headings: Pipelines--Cathodic protection, Corrosion and anti-corrosives, Underwater pipelines, Anodes
Format: Document (PDF)

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