Current Search: poster (x)
Pages
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Title
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The Philosophy of Violent Characters: A Look at Cormac McCarthy’s Judge and Chigurh.
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Creator
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Keith, Ryan, Furman, Andrew, Florida Atlantic University, Department of English, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
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Abstract/Description
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This thesis paper is an in-depth look at two of Cormac McCarthy’s novels: Blood Meridian and No Country for Old Men, and more specifically, the villains of each story seen from a level of violence paired with philosophy. The dialogue and actions of Judge Holden and Anton Chigurh hold precedent over the novels, storylines, and other characters so much that I place a greater importance on the philosophies and actionable scenes without emphasis from outside ideals or quasi-religious sects. By...
Show moreThis thesis paper is an in-depth look at two of Cormac McCarthy’s novels: Blood Meridian and No Country for Old Men, and more specifically, the villains of each story seen from a level of violence paired with philosophy. The dialogue and actions of Judge Holden and Anton Chigurh hold precedent over the novels, storylines, and other characters so much that I place a greater importance on the philosophies and actionable scenes without emphasis from outside ideals or quasi-religious sects. By looking at dialogue and philosophy, previous comparisons to both works never hold the characteristics of each villain as the centerpiece for discussion. Without the reliance of outside precepts, the Judge and Chigurh function as essential placeholders in their novels. Aspects relating to violence become the result of actions proven by speech. Consequently, the Judge and Chigurh are greater than other villains that I explore in detail with this work. I can only hope this paper sheds light on the significance of both characters.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014330
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Subject Headings
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McCarthy, Cormac, 1933-2023. Blood meridian, McCarthy, Cormac, 1933-2023. No country for old men, McCarthy, Cormac, 1933-2023--Criticism and interpretation
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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THE CONSEQUENCES OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STATE ACCOUNTABILITY DATA USAGE IN ONE FLORIDA SCHOOL DISTRICT.
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Creator
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Killeen, Mary K., Mountford, Meredith, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, College of Education
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Abstract/Description
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The accountability era has produced school grading systems that purport to evaluate school effectiveness yet utilize hegemonic formulas that label low-scoring schools and neighborhoods, depriving them of incentive monies tied to their school grades. This quantitative study analyzed the publicly available data of 106 elementary schools in one large urban district in Florida through the lens of Effective Schools Research. Significant findings revealed that the work of Edmonds (1982) and Lezotte...
Show moreThe accountability era has produced school grading systems that purport to evaluate school effectiveness yet utilize hegemonic formulas that label low-scoring schools and neighborhoods, depriving them of incentive monies tied to their school grades. This quantitative study analyzed the publicly available data of 106 elementary schools in one large urban district in Florida through the lens of Effective Schools Research. Significant findings revealed that the work of Edmonds (1982) and Lezotte (1991) supports a growth model when it comes to school-based assessments and outcomes. The schools in the sample earned cumulative incentive rewards over time that were negatively correlated with the schools’ average percentage of economically disadvantaged students. The lower a school’s average percentage of economically disadvantaged students, the higher the school's average grade. This finding held true for the “A”-graded schools with the lowest average economically disadvantaged percentages from 1999 to 2019. This study also found that the schools in the sample with the larger average percentages of economically disadvantaged students would exhibit higher school grades if calculations using only their language arts and math gains were used. These findings have implications for how we might rebuild the assessment of our neighborhood schools and transform the policy structures that contribute to social and educational inequities.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014331
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Subject Headings
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Educational evaluation, Elementary schools--Evaluation, Education and state--Florida
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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PRINCIPALS BUILD TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH NOVICE AND EXPERIENCED TEACHERS AND STRENGTHEN TEACHER RETENTION IN LOW-PERFORMING, UNDERSERVED URBAN SCHOOLS.
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Creator
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Kosches, Sara Melissa, Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, College of Education
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Abstract/Description
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Teacher turnover is a problem in all types of schools at all levels and is especially troubling in low-performing, high minority, urban schools. School principals have the challenge of building relationships with teachers in order to improve teacher retention while also balancing the many tasks and responsibilities they have throughout the day. Principals of low-performing, urban schools have difficulty retaining teachers and are challenged with hiring qualified teachers as many teacher...
Show moreTeacher turnover is a problem in all types of schools at all levels and is especially troubling in low-performing, high minority, urban schools. School principals have the challenge of building relationships with teachers in order to improve teacher retention while also balancing the many tasks and responsibilities they have throughout the day. Principals of low-performing, urban schools have difficulty retaining teachers and are challenged with hiring qualified teachers as many teacher candidates turn down opportunities to work in their schools. Teachers willing to work in low-performing schools are often lower quality, for example they have temporary teaching certificates or are teaching out of their content area (Baugh, 2021; Darling-Hammond & Post, 2000; Peske & Haycock, 2006). This staffing challenge, combined with vacant positions, has a negative impact on student achievement (Ronfeldt et al., 2013). This study explores the impact of school leadership on teacher retention in an urban school district specifically focusing on high minority, low-performing, underserved schools. This qualitative multi-site case study explored ways that principals in four low-performing, urban schools in Miami-Dade County established and sustained relationships with novice and experienced teachers as they managed their day-to-day activities. The research was guided by the research question: How do school principals develop and sustain trusting relationships with teachers at low-performing schools and how do these relationships impact teacher retention? Data was collected through principal interviews, focus groups with novice and experienced teachers, and document reviews. Case data was analyzed individually and through a cross-case analysis.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014308
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Subject Headings
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Teacher turnover, Urban schools, Low-performing schools, Educational leadership, School principals
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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ROE V. WADE OVERTURNED: AN ANALYSIS OF THEMES IN REDDIT POSTS AND PUBLIC INTERVIEWS.
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Creator
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Latchana, Julia P., Rynkiewich, Katharina, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Anthropology, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
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Abstract/Description
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Abortion is an important yet divisive issue that has led to many discussions concerning its legality. In 1973, the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade decriminalized abortion in the United States. On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, jeopardizing abortion access. This study aims to gain insight into the public’s views on abortion through textual analysis of Reddit posts from a subreddit on abortion and interviews with Florida residents. There are two overarching themes...
Show moreAbortion is an important yet divisive issue that has led to many discussions concerning its legality. In 1973, the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade decriminalized abortion in the United States. On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, jeopardizing abortion access. This study aims to gain insight into the public’s views on abortion through textual analysis of Reddit posts from a subreddit on abortion and interviews with Florida residents. There are two overarching themes present in both sets of results: the impact and effects of abortion bans and shifting gender dynamics. Analysis of Reddit posts reveal a shift in two sub-themes following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, with increased posts related to “Abortion Experiences” and decreased posts in “Emotional Support.” Interviewees were found to lean pro-choice, echoing the results of recent national surveys on people’s perception of abortion, and they emphasized the impact of abortion bans and the importance of support systems.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014321
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Subject Headings
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Abortion--Public opinion, Ethnology, Florida
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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RESILIENT STRETCHING IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEADERS: INSTITUTIONAL FISCAL DECISION-MAKING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
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Creator
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Law, Renée, Floyd, Deborah L., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, College of Education
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Abstract/Description
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In this qualitative grounded theory study, I interviewed participants from and analyzed documents associated with three community/state colleges in Florida. Additionally, I have included the perspective of key informants from the state and/or the Florida College System. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to develop a substantive theory to explain the process by which senior administrative leaders engaged in fiscal decision-making due to shifting funding sources during...
Show moreIn this qualitative grounded theory study, I interviewed participants from and analyzed documents associated with three community/state colleges in Florida. Additionally, I have included the perspective of key informants from the state and/or the Florida College System. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to develop a substantive theory to explain the process by which senior administrative leaders engaged in fiscal decision-making due to shifting funding sources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although prior decision-making theories exist, such as rational choice theory and garbage can theory, these theories do not address how fiscal decisions are made in higher education institutions during times of extended crisis exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. This research study found that during the COVID-19 pandemic leaders sought to establish resilience as part of their fiscal decision-making process to ensure their ability to lead and maintain viable institutions of higher education. Moreover, through the fiscal decision-making process, the leaders in this study did not permit themselves or their institutions to accept the status quo, rather they extended themselves and their organizations to stretch beyond prior capabilities to respond to ever changing needs of students as well as external stakeholders brought about from the COVID-19 pandemic. The collective experiences of these leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the resilient stretching theory of community college fiscal decision-making, which will be further expounded upon throughout this research study.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014351
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Subject Headings
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Community college administrators, Education--Finance, Decision making, Education, Higher--Administration, COVID-19
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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PHENOESTHETICS AND THE ARCIMBOLDO CONNECTION: BRIDGING ART, SCIENCE, AND AESTHETICS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE.
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Creator
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Lindner, Robert W., Serra, Ilaria, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Languages, Linguistics and Comparative Literature, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
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Abstract/Description
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Amid the rapid advancements in clinical aesthetics, there lies an intricate gap between the artistic and sensory experience of facial aesthetics and the technical approach of medical sciences. As the field of clinical aesthetics veers further into the realm of the ideal, tensions arise between patient expectations and the practitioner's delivery. Central to this issue is the growing reliance on technology, which often overlooks the immediate sensory experience crucial for aesthetic...
Show moreAmid the rapid advancements in clinical aesthetics, there lies an intricate gap between the artistic and sensory experience of facial aesthetics and the technical approach of medical sciences. As the field of clinical aesthetics veers further into the realm of the ideal, tensions arise between patient expectations and the practitioner's delivery. Central to this issue is the growing reliance on technology, which often overlooks the immediate sensory experience crucial for aesthetic satisfaction. Drawing inspiration from the arts and humanities, this dissertation introduces "Phenoesthetics" as an epistemological bridge, harmonizing the seemingly disparate domains of sensory experience and scientific analysis. By using visual art, particularly the composite works of the Renaissance artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo, as an illustrative tool, this work seeks to elucidate the dual nature of facial aesthetics perception: the universal, tangible forms and the more abstract, cultural interpretations. By weaving together elements from the arts, humanities, and sciences, this study propounds a Phenoesthetics approach — a comprehensive method designed to enhance understanding and communication in clinical aesthetics. The aim is to provide practitioners with a robust framework, fostering more aligned expectations and improving satisfaction rates in the field of aesthetic medicine.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014360
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Subject Headings
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Esthetics, Aesthetics, Medicine
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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“IN THE WAITING ROOM”: EXPERIENCES AND STRATEGIES OF BRAZILIAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS LIMITED LEGALITY.
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Creator
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Lopes, Andreia Ferreira, Koppelman, Carter, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Sociology, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
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Abstract/Description
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This study explores the strategies utilized by migrants under the visa regime of international student and their experiences throughout their time as non-immigrant temporary visitors. The concept of “visa regime” forwarded by Banerjee (2022), illustrates the mechanism of state power that controls immigrants and their families through limited legality (Banerjee 2022). Through the qualitative methods of in-depth interviews and ethnographic work, this study compares the experiences of 20...
Show moreThis study explores the strategies utilized by migrants under the visa regime of international student and their experiences throughout their time as non-immigrant temporary visitors. The concept of “visa regime” forwarded by Banerjee (2022), illustrates the mechanism of state power that controls immigrants and their families through limited legality (Banerjee 2022). Through the qualitative methods of in-depth interviews and ethnographic work, this study compares the experiences of 20 Brazilian international students in a geographical area known for its ethnic communities. South Florida is home to one of the two largest Brazilian communities in the United States, offering an array of opportunities and community support for Brazilian migrants. As demonstrated in this study the experiences of participants demonstrate how the status of international student becomes a waiting room for those hopelessly waiting for an opportunity to acquire permanent residency. With limited pathways to acquire a green card, the waiting room may seem endless for some with limited resources. Leaving both migrants and the educational institutions enabling this waiting room in a vulnerable position.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014361
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Subject Headings
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Students, Foreign--Brazil, Students, Foreign--Legal status, laws, etc.
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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FRAZZLED/DCC REGULATES SYNAPTOGENESIS AT A DROSOPHILA GIANT SYNAPSE.
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Creator
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Lopez, Juan, Murphey, Rodney, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
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Abstract/Description
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Synaptogenesis is a requirement for cellular communication, but the specific molecular mechanisms underlying synaptogenesis are unclear. Here, we investigate and show the role of the protein Frazzled in synaptogenesis using the transheterozygous Frazzled loss-of-function (LOF) mutant in Drosophila. Leveraging the UAS-GAL4 expression system, we drove expression of various Frazzled/DCC gene constructs in the Giant Fibers (GF) of flies and found changes to synaptogenesis and axon pathfinding. We...
Show moreSynaptogenesis is a requirement for cellular communication, but the specific molecular mechanisms underlying synaptogenesis are unclear. Here, we investigate and show the role of the protein Frazzled in synaptogenesis using the transheterozygous Frazzled loss-of-function (LOF) mutant in Drosophila. Leveraging the UAS-GAL4 expression system, we drove expression of various Frazzled/DCC gene constructs in the Giant Fibers (GF) of flies and found changes to synaptogenesis and axon pathfinding. We identified decreases in electrical synaptogenesis and distinct axon pathfinding errors in Frazzled LOF mutants. Strikingly, the expression of Frazzled intracellular domain (ICD) significantly rescues both phenotypes, while full-length Frazzled protein only partially rescues these phenotypes, prompting us to explore the role of different domains within the protein. Deleting the P1 and P2 domains of Frazzled does not rescue axon pathfinding but did partially rescue synaptogenesis while deleting the P3 domain failed to rescue either phenotype. Moreover, when we drive expression Frazzled with a point-mutated P3 domain, silencing its transcriptional activation domain, it fails to rescue both synaptogenesis and axon pathfinding. These results strongly suggest that Frazzled regulates both synaptogenesis and axon pathfinding in the GFs and is necessary for synaptogenesis of the mixed electrochemical GF synapse. Our results provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms governing neural circuit assembly and highlight Frazzled as a key player in axon guidance and synaptic development.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014310
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Subject Headings
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Drosophila, Synapses, Gap Junctions, Receptors, Cell Surface
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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SOCIAL MEDIA AND CRIME ANALYSIS: THE INTERSECTION OF ONLINE POSTING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS.
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Creator
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Lopez, Kevin P., Dario, Lisa M., Florida Atlantic University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, College of Social Work and Criminal Justice
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Abstract/Description
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The current use of social media platforms has expanded to wider audiences, including police departments and other law enforcement agencies. The vast material being posted online may lead to it being used by police departments due to social media information being open-sourced. The following study will investigate the police’s use of social media data by collecting qualitative data from crime analysts through the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA). Participants completed an...
Show moreThe current use of social media platforms has expanded to wider audiences, including police departments and other law enforcement agencies. The vast material being posted online may lead to it being used by police departments due to social media information being open-sourced. The following study will investigate the police’s use of social media data by collecting qualitative data from crime analysts through the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA). Participants completed an openended survey describing their experience with collecting data from online social media sources and how it is used to assist with police activity. The results have implications for future research, such as further exploring the methods by which police are expanding their data collection. Caution may be required when sharing information online. Results from the study may inspire future research regarding the privacy and ethical considerations of using social media data collected from the public.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014352
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Subject Headings
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Crime analysis, Social media--Data processing, Law enforcement
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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OCR2SEQ: A NOVEL MULTI-MODAL DATA AUGMENTATION PIPELINE FOR WEAK SUPERVISION.
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Creator
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Lowe, Michael A., Khoshgoftaar, Taghi M., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
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Abstract/Description
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With the recent large-scale adoption of Large Language Models in multidisciplinary research and commercial space, the need for large amounts of labeled data has become more crucial than ever to evaluate potential use cases for opportunities in applied intelligence. Most domain specific fields require a substantial shift that involves extremely large amounts of heterogeneous data to have meaningful impact on the pre-computed weights of most large language models. We explore extending the...
Show moreWith the recent large-scale adoption of Large Language Models in multidisciplinary research and commercial space, the need for large amounts of labeled data has become more crucial than ever to evaluate potential use cases for opportunities in applied intelligence. Most domain specific fields require a substantial shift that involves extremely large amounts of heterogeneous data to have meaningful impact on the pre-computed weights of most large language models. We explore extending the capabilities a state-of-the-art unsupervised pre-training method; Transformers and Sequential Denoising Auto-Encoder (TSDAE). In this study we show various opportunities for using OCR2Seq a multi-modal generative augmentation strategy to further enhance and measure the quality of noise samples used when using TSDAE as a pretraining task. This study is a first of its kind work that leverages converting both generalized and sparse domains of relational data into multi-modal sources. Our primary objective is measuring the quality of augmentation in relation to the current implementation of the sentence transformers library. Further work includes the effect on ranking, language understanding, and corrective quality.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014367
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Subject Headings
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Natural language processing (Computer science), Deep learning (Machine learning)
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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“Panyard” Steelpan Experiences Impact on Secondary Teachers’ Pedagogical Practices: A Case Study.
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Creator
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Massy, Paul, Nightengale-Lee, Bianca, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry, College of Education
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Abstract/Description
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This study investigates the impact of the Trinidad and Tobago Panyard steelpan experiences on the development of the secondary school, forms one to three (middle school), music teachers’ pedagogical implementation, and how these pedagogical practices are represented in today’s classroom or not. The case study exploration acknowledges that while the instrument was being developed in formal educational systems, there was already a history of teaching and learning of the steelpan in the...
Show moreThis study investigates the impact of the Trinidad and Tobago Panyard steelpan experiences on the development of the secondary school, forms one to three (middle school), music teachers’ pedagogical implementation, and how these pedagogical practices are represented in today’s classroom or not. The case study exploration acknowledges that while the instrument was being developed in formal educational systems, there was already a history of teaching and learning of the steelpan in the community Panyard contributing to its global growth. The symbiosis among instructional practices in the Panyard, the K-12 system, and postsecondary institutions continues to be the fertile space for understanding steelpan curriculum and instruction. Using the lenses of Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, Decoloniality and Legitimation Code theory I analyzed these Panyard steelpan experiences and their impact on teachers’ pedagogical practice. I used some of the data to map the observed integrative knowledge building using the Autonomy dimension of Legitimation Code Theory. “Within-group cultural practices” and “common, across-group cultural practices” (Paris, 2012, p. 95) were also analyzed iteratively, contributing to the growth of both the researcher and participants. This study intentionally provided opportunities to understand Steelpan's histories and social constructs better. Moreover, participants’ backgrounds, biographies and experiences also provided contextual evidence for their pedagogical perspectives (Greene, 2001).
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014332
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Subject Headings
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Pedagogy, Teachers—Training of, Curriculum planning
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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TOPOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS FOR DATA SCIENCE: THE DELAUNAY-RIPS COMPLEX, TRIANGULATION STABILITIES, AND PROTEIN STABILITY PREDICTIONS.
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Creator
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Mishra, Amish, Motta, Francis, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
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Abstract/Description
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Topological Data Analysis (TDA) is a relatively new field of research that utilizes topological notions to extract discriminating features from data. Within TDA, persistent homology (PH) is a robust method to compute multi-dimensional geometric and topological features of a dataset. Because these features are often stable under certain perturbations of the underlying data, are often discriminating, and can be used for visualization of structure in high-dimensional data and in statistical and...
Show moreTopological Data Analysis (TDA) is a relatively new field of research that utilizes topological notions to extract discriminating features from data. Within TDA, persistent homology (PH) is a robust method to compute multi-dimensional geometric and topological features of a dataset. Because these features are often stable under certain perturbations of the underlying data, are often discriminating, and can be used for visualization of structure in high-dimensional data and in statistical and machine learning modeling, PH has attracted the interest of researchers across scientific disciplines and in many industry applications. However, computational costs may present challenges to effectively using PH in certain data contexts, and theoretical stability results may not hold in practice. In this dissertation, we develop an algorithm that can reduce the computation burden of computing persistent homology on point cloud data. Naming it Delaunay-Rips (DR), we define, implement, and empirically test this computationally tractable simplicial complex construction for computing persistent homology of Euclidean point cloud data. We demonstrate the practical robustness of DR for persistent homology in comparison with other simplical complexes in machine learning applications such as predicting sleep state from patient heart rate. To justify the theoretical stability of DR, we prove the stability of the Delaunay triangulation of a pointcloud P under perturbations of the points of P. Specifically, we impose a notion of genericity on the points of P to ensure stability. In the final chapter, we contribute to the field of computational biology by taking a data-driven approach to learn topological features of designed proteins from their persistence diagrams. We find correlations between the learned topological features and biochemical features to investigate how protein structure relates to features identified by subject-matter experts. We train several machine learning models to assess the performance of incorporating topological features into training with biochemical features. Using cover-tree differencing via entropy reduction (CDER), we identify distinguishing regions of the persistence diagrams of stable/unstable proteins. More notably, we find statistically significant improvement in classification performance (in terms of average precision score) for certain designed secondary structure topologies.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014311
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Subject Headings
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Data Science, Data Analysis, Topology--Data processing, Protein Stability
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of β-hairpin Peptides as Covalent Inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint.
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Creator
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Naylon, Sarah, Roche, Stephane, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
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Abstract/Description
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Protein─protein interactions (PPIs) are essential for cell─cell interactions and cellular signal transduction, which play a crucial role in various human diseases. PPIs involved in cancer immunology pathways, known as immune checkpoints, have been intensely studied, leading to a new approach to cancer therapy. The PD1:PDL1 interaction is one of the most essential immune checkpoints. Studies on PD1:PDL1 showed over ten clinical monoclonal antibodies (mAb) used to treat cancer patients....
Show moreProtein─protein interactions (PPIs) are essential for cell─cell interactions and cellular signal transduction, which play a crucial role in various human diseases. PPIs involved in cancer immunology pathways, known as immune checkpoints, have been intensely studied, leading to a new approach to cancer therapy. The PD1:PDL1 interaction is one of the most essential immune checkpoints. Studies on PD1:PDL1 showed over ten clinical monoclonal antibodies (mAb) used to treat cancer patients. Unfortunately, antibodies do not penetrate the tumor microenvironment well, and clearance from the body is slow, leading to unwanted side effects. There is a significant gap in the drug market between the typical Rule of 5 (Ro5) small-molecule drugs (MW<0.5 kDa, SASA ~150 Å) and large antibodies with molecular weights greater than 40 kDa (SASA >2,000 Å). PPIs remain challenging to modulate by small molecules due to their large, shallow, often dynamic, and water-exposed surfaces lacking well-defined binding pockets. Thus, our lab was drawn to work on large β-hairpin peptides (2-3 kDa) that can potentially mimic the CDR-H3 loops of some of the most potent and clinical anti-PD1 antibodies. Exploration of these β-hairpin peptides provided valuable insights into their folding stability, conformational flexibility, passive membrane permeability, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) blocking activities. Additionally, the rational design of TCIs against PD1, specifically targeting a lysine residue, emerged as a strategy to irreversibly obstruct the PD1:PDL1 protein-protein interaction enhancing potency of the non-covalent inhibitors by taking advantage of their specificity. Meticulous structural analysis, peptide synthesis, and biological evaluations are presented contributing comprehensions into covalent inhibitor development of drugs fbRo5.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014353
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Subject Headings
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Cancer--Immunological aspects, Protein-protein interactions, Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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MICROPLASTICS IN MANGROVE AND BEACH SEDIMENTS ON SOUTHEAST FLORIDA BARRIER ISLANDS.
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Creator
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O’Brien, Kayla Shae, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
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Abstract/Description
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Plastic pollution in the marine environment is a global occurrence. Microplastics have been documented in numerous marine systems and organisms. Coastal estuaries and beach systems are at high risk for microplastic pollution. The distribution, abundance, and hazards microplastics present in these marine environments is not fully understood but are widely recognized as needed to support efforts aiming to protect and enhance these extremely valuable marine systems. This project aimed to...
Show morePlastic pollution in the marine environment is a global occurrence. Microplastics have been documented in numerous marine systems and organisms. Coastal estuaries and beach systems are at high risk for microplastic pollution. The distribution, abundance, and hazards microplastics present in these marine environments is not fully understood but are widely recognized as needed to support efforts aiming to protect and enhance these extremely valuable marine systems. This project aimed to quantify the abundance and variation of microplastics in estuarine mangrove and open coast beach sediments on Southeast Florida barrier islands, which are vulnerable and important coastal ecosystems. Barrier islands serve as a buffer between Florida’s wetland environments, reefs, and other marine habitats and may serve as a conduit or temporary sink for microplastics entering the ocean. The microplastic pollution present in estuarine mangrove and open coast beach systems may also elucidate patterns of microplastic pollution in the surrounding or similar coastal environments. There have been no extensive studies or monitoring efforts evaluating microplastics in Southeast Florida barrier islands sediments, nor comparing geomorphic properties of an area on microplastic accumulation. Study sites included back barrier estuarine mangroves and open coast beaches at three regionally similar but geomorphically distinct study sites throughout Palm Beach County, Florida. The sites were sampled seasonally in 2022 (i.e., summer and winter) to quantify the spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014354
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Subject Headings
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Microplastics, Microplastics--Environmental aspects, Mangrove, Coastal sediments
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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PREFERENCE FOR NORMATIVE AND INFORMATIONAL SOCIAL INFLUENCE IN EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY VIOLATION APPEALS.
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Creator
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Olson, Lauren, Nowak, Andrzej, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Psychology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
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Abstract/Description
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Social influence is sought to distribute information processing for decision-making when data is limited. Undergraduate students selected information with normative or informational wording to supplement a fabricated academic integrity appeal from their university and decided whether to affirm the charge. A novel measure, the Adaptive Scale of Preference for Normative Versus Informational Social Influence (ASPNVISI), was piloted in comparison with a Polish scale of influence preference,...
Show moreSocial influence is sought to distribute information processing for decision-making when data is limited. Undergraduate students selected information with normative or informational wording to supplement a fabricated academic integrity appeal from their university and decided whether to affirm the charge. A novel measure, the Adaptive Scale of Preference for Normative Versus Informational Social Influence (ASPNVISI), was piloted in comparison with a Polish scale of influence preference, individual difference measures in motivation (e.g., Need for Closure), and behavioral measures of influence-seeking. Results did not support the hypotheses that psychological needs would predict behavioral social influence preferences, though Need for Cognition and Need to Belong predicted self-reported preferences. The ASPNVISI was correlated with the existing scale of influence preference, providing support for its continued development. Contrary to the hypothesis, confidence in the decision on a charge of academic dishonesty was not related to selected influence; race and conservatism were related to confidence, and gender to the selections. Next steps include further pilot testing of the ASPNVISI and expansion of the behavioral task.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014333
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Subject Headings
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Social influence, Decision making, Social psychology
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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LONG-TERM NATIONAL & REGIONAL BEACH NOURISHMENT TRENDS & DRIVERS: IMPLICATIONS FOR COASTAL RESILIENCE.
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Creator
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Palaparthi, Jyothirmayi, Briggs, Tiffany Roberts, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
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Abstract/Description
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With the escalating challenges posed by global warming, sea-level rise, and natural disasters like hurricanes and tropical storms, coastal erosion has become a critical issue along the US coasts. The economic significance of U.S. coastlines, multitude of services offered by these coastal areas, underscores the critical importance of addressing the threats posed by both natural and human-induced factors that lead to erosion and coastal loss. To enhance future planning and to promote resilience...
Show moreWith the escalating challenges posed by global warming, sea-level rise, and natural disasters like hurricanes and tropical storms, coastal erosion has become a critical issue along the US coasts. The economic significance of U.S. coastlines, multitude of services offered by these coastal areas, underscores the critical importance of addressing the threats posed by both natural and human-induced factors that lead to erosion and coastal loss. To enhance future planning and to promote resilience of these invaluable coastal resources, it is essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategies employed to mitigate coastal erosion in response to the diverse array of driving forces. A widely embraced solution to this erosion, caused by both natural forces and human activities, is beach nourishment. Historical assessments of beach nourishment at the regional level have been conducted, however, there remains a gap in national-level analysis examining the overarching trends and the diverse factors that impact these trends. This study aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on beach nourishment practices encompassing 16 coastal states, including the top ten highly nourished states, and an additional six states selected from various coastal regions. It delves into the multifaceted factors that shape these practices, offering a holistic understanding of the beach nourishment landscape at a national level. An extensive analysis of beach nourishment trends and the influence of factors such as sea level rise, storms, hurricanes, hurricane categories, and coastal management approval years on beach nourishment activities was conducted.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014309
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Subject Headings
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Beach nourishment, Coastal zone management
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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A COACHING CONNECTION FOR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO PREPARE ASPIRING LEADERS IN BUILDING AND SUSTAINING EQUITABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.
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Creator
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Policastro, Katherine Rena, Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, College of Education
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Abstract/Description
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Demographics of the United States’ school system continue to change and diversify. Meeting the needs of diverse learners is critical to the success of all children. Building and sustaining equitable learning environments has proven to be a challenging task for school leaders. Barriers that hinder equity continue to plague schools and are rooted in systems of organizational injustice. Research suggests that leaders who are able to utilize socially just and culturally responsive leadership...
Show moreDemographics of the United States’ school system continue to change and diversify. Meeting the needs of diverse learners is critical to the success of all children. Building and sustaining equitable learning environments has proven to be a challenging task for school leaders. Barriers that hinder equity continue to plague schools and are rooted in systems of organizational injustice. Research suggests that leaders who are able to utilize socially just and culturally responsive leadership practices build and sustain equitable learning environments. School leaders have a large impact on the equity driven practices that exist within the organization; however, research indicates that they may not be prepared to lead such practices. Therefore, supporting the path of aspiring leaders through coaching, since they will eventually lead the charge, has great potential to be critical in the success of equity in our schools, and was the focus of this study. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore and describe the coaching relationship between the principal and aspiring leader in order to understand how this relationship furthers the development of the aspiring leader into a school leader devoted to building and sustaining equitable learning environments.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014355
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Subject Headings
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School principals, Educational leadership, Educational policy
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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Examining Evacuation Decisions of People Experiencing Homelessness During Natural Disasters Using the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM).
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Creator
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Ramos, Andrea, Sapat, Alka K., Florida Atlantic University, School of Public Administration, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
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Abstract/Description
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In this dissertation, I examined the lived experiences of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and their perceptions of protective actions when making evacuation decisions during disasters or extreme weather events. Compared to other members of society, individuals experiencing homelessness during disasters face unique challenges, including a lack of shelter, transportation, access to news, and the need to carry all their belongings. This vulnerability is further heightened when natural...
Show moreIn this dissertation, I examined the lived experiences of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) and their perceptions of protective actions when making evacuation decisions during disasters or extreme weather events. Compared to other members of society, individuals experiencing homelessness during disasters face unique challenges, including a lack of shelter, transportation, access to news, and the need to carry all their belongings. This vulnerability is further heightened when natural disasters occur, as they lack physical protection, leading to increased exposure to hazards and adverse weather effects. The literature on homeless evacuation decision-making is limited (Donley & Wright, 2012), and the direct experiences of PEH and their decision-making processes during natural disasters remain underexplored (Brookfield & Fitzgerald, 2018; Brown et al., 2013; Every & Thompson, 2014; Gaillard et al., 2019; Settembrino, 2017). Additionally, the unsafe living conditions of PEH, coupled with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus, posed unique challenges for homeless communities, increasing the risk of virus transmission and exacerbating social disparities. In this study, I explored PEH’s lived experiences and perspectives when making evacuation decisions during disasters. I utilized Lindell and Perry's (2012) Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) as the theoretical framework. The PADM enabled me to analyze various factors influencing the evacuation decisions of PEH, including their physical aspects (shelter use and mobility) and social context (relationships with other PEH and employment). The findings presented in this study are the result of 41 in-depth semi-structured field interviews with PEH living unsheltered in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014312
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Subject Headings
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Disasters, Evacuations, Homelessness, Public administration
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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PRION FRAGMENT 106-128: AN INVESTIGATION OF AMYLOID FORMATION AND INHIBITION.
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Creator
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Regmi, Deepika, Du, Deguo, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
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Abstract/Description
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Misfolding and aggregation of Cellular Prion Protein (PrPc) is a major molecular process involved in the pathogenesis of Prion diseases. An N-terminal portion of the Prion protein, PrP106-128, is a 23-residue peptide fragment characterized by an amphipathic structure with two domains: a hydrophilic N-terminal domain and a hydrophobic C-terminal domain. Here, we studied the aggregation properties of the prion fragment peptide PrP106-128. The results show that the peptide aggregates in a...
Show moreMisfolding and aggregation of Cellular Prion Protein (PrPc) is a major molecular process involved in the pathogenesis of Prion diseases. An N-terminal portion of the Prion protein, PrP106-128, is a 23-residue peptide fragment characterized by an amphipathic structure with two domains: a hydrophilic N-terminal domain and a hydrophobic C-terminal domain. Here, we studied the aggregation properties of the prion fragment peptide PrP106-128. The results show that the peptide aggregates in a concentration-dependent manner in an aqueous solution and that the aggregation is sensitive to pH and the preformed amyloid seeds.Furthermore, we show that the zwitterionic POPC liposomes moderately inhibit the aggregation of PrP(106–128), whereas POPC/cholesterol (8:2) vesicles facilitate peptide aggregation likely due to the increase of the lipid packing order and membrane rigidity in the presence of cholesterol. In addition, anionic lipid vesicles of POPG and POPG/cholesterol above a certain concentration accelerate the aggregation of the peptide remarkably. The strong electrostatic interactions between the N-terminal region of the peptide and POPG may constrain the conformational plasticity of the peptide, preventing insertion of the peptide into the inner side of the membrane and thus promoting fibrillation on the membrane surface. The results suggest that the charge properties of the membrane, the composition of the liposomes, and the rigidity of lipid packing are critical in determining peptide adsorption on the membrane surface and the efficiency of the membrane in catalyzing peptide oligomeric nucleation and amyloid formation.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014356
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Subject Headings
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Prion Proteins, Prion diseases, Epigallocatechin gallate, Amyloid
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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Title
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An Examination of Recurring Misogynistic & Intersecting Sexist/Racist Female Character Tropes in Popular Science Fiction & Superhero Films & Television Since 1996.
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Creator
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Ronson, Jeannette H., Caputi, Jane, Florida Atlantic University, Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
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Abstract/Description
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The representation of lead female characters as sexually threatening or naturally deceptive, hysterical, or evil, especially non-White or non-gender conforming characters, in popular science fiction and superhero film and television productions over the past few decades is concerning in that these films promote misogynistic and intersecting racist and hetero/sexist tropes in genres that typically appeal to younger audiences. Within their historical roots as cheap print entertainment, i.e.,...
Show moreThe representation of lead female characters as sexually threatening or naturally deceptive, hysterical, or evil, especially non-White or non-gender conforming characters, in popular science fiction and superhero film and television productions over the past few decades is concerning in that these films promote misogynistic and intersecting racist and hetero/sexist tropes in genres that typically appeal to younger audiences. Within their historical roots as cheap print entertainment, i.e., pulp magazines and comic books, directed at White working-class boys and young men, these genres have historically, and unabashedly, featured scantily clad, sometimes racially stereotyped, sexually titillating temptresses such as the Dragon Lady and Catwoman that threatened the hyper-masculine hero as well as humanity. Ignored by literary and cinematic critics throughout the twentieth century as juvenile male fantasy entertainment, the science fiction and superhero genres in film and television now dominate Hollywood productions. Unfortunately, these genres in the twenty-first century still often promote damaging female tropes that suggest women as naturally defective, deceptive, power-hungry, irrational, raging monsters reminiscent of historical patriarchal myths of women. Additionally, a recent popular Netflix television series includes a character assigned female at birth (AFAB) who presents as gender non-conforming and carries attributes such as irrational rage and murderous violence that follows the historic cinematic trope of the “gleeful gay killer” as seen in Psycho (1960) and Dressed to Kill (1980). Although these themes in film and television are fantasy, they also mirror and bring to life the political and cultural anxieties of a significant number of men in our country who support the ideology of the manosphere that includes anti-feminist, anti-LGBTQ+, White supremacist, and racist beliefs. This dissertation examines three popular Hollywood films and one Emmy Award winning Netflix television series from the science-fiction and superhero genres since 1996 that reveal damaging female tropes that still prevail in popular entertainment.
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Date Issued
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2023
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014313
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Subject Headings
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Women in motion pictures, Tropes, Misogyny, Superhero films
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Format
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Document (PDF)
Pages