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- Title
- Effects of elevated pCO2 and light on growth, photosynthesis and calcification in Halimeda discoidea.
- Creator
- Peach, Katherine, Koch, Marguerite, Blackwelder, Patricia, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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We hypothesized that ocean acidification OA effects on calcifying benthic macroalgae are inextricably linked to light availability. To address this supposition, we examined OA and light effects on the calcifying green macroalga Halimeda discoidea, an important carbonate sediment producer in tropical reef ecosystems. An aquaria experiment was conducted to examine elevated pCO2 and light saturating vs. sub-saturating effects on photosynthesis, growth, calcification and crystal morphology....
Show moreWe hypothesized that ocean acidification OA effects on calcifying benthic macroalgae are inextricably linked to light availability. To address this supposition, we examined OA and light effects on the calcifying green macroalga Halimeda discoidea, an important carbonate sediment producer in tropical reef ecosystems. An aquaria experiment was conducted to examine elevated pCO2 and light saturating vs. sub-saturating effects on photosynthesis, growth, calcification and crystal morphology. Photosynthetic rates were enhanced under elevated pCO2 and saturating light. This upregulation of photosynthesis did not enhance calcification of new segments or the number of new segments produced. The lowest number of new segments was produced in the saturating light treatment. Scanning electron microscopy of new segments confirmed net calcification and production of aragonite crystals at 2100 pCO2 levels. Aragonite crystal size and abundance were unaffected by CO2 or light treatments. We also examined dissolution of nonliving segments and observed that without photosynthesis dead segments experienced greater dissolution and possessed smaller crystals under elevated pCO2. Our findings support the hypothesis that light plays a crucial role in calcifying macroalgal responses to OA. We further suggest that H. discoidea will maintain its role as a dominant reef sediment producer under year 2100 pCO2 levels.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005906
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Travel-time Based Signal Performance Measures (TTSPM).
- Creator
- Petrovska, Natasha, Stevanovic, Aleksandar, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Vehicle travel time on arterial roads with signalized intersections is an essential parameter for traffic management. There is an increasing interest in signal performance measurement for signalized intersections in the United States. Reducing the journey times and increasing the capacity are some of the fundamental aims with potential benefits in environmental pollution, and energy utilization. The Travel-time Based Signal Performance Measures application is a tool for estimating signal...
Show moreVehicle travel time on arterial roads with signalized intersections is an essential parameter for traffic management. There is an increasing interest in signal performance measurement for signalized intersections in the United States. Reducing the journey times and increasing the capacity are some of the fundamental aims with potential benefits in environmental pollution, and energy utilization. The Travel-time Based Signal Performance Measures application is a tool for estimating signal performance measures based on upstream-link travel times. The application utilizes well known concept of Volume- Delay Functions to convert measured travel times into signal performance measures. Based on this functionality, it can estimate the performance measures for 7 signalized intersections on Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida. Available performance measures for the major through movements are: volumeto- capacity ratio, Level of Service LOS, and the number of cycles to wait. The derived measures can be graphically visualized on Google Maps. The travel time data acquisition is performed using BlueTOAD devices. The goal is to introduce automated assessment tool, visualization and evaluation of the intersections’ performance measures simultaneously at multiple intersections. The main objective of this web application is to help traffic operators/engineers to evaluate performance of the signalized corridors exploiting the archived measured travel times.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005907
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Documenting Trematode Larvae in Marine Sponges.
- Creator
- Plunkett, Rachel, Pomponi, Shirley A., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Parasitic trematode larvae (cercariae and metacercariae) were discovered in a nearshore sponge habitat on Summerland Key, FL. This is a life cycle study of these consecutive larval stages in the sponge microenvironment. The goal of this research is to elucidate information on the life cycle of these trematodes by (1) identifying the trematode taxa present in the sponge microenvironment, (2) identifying the invertebrate host organism(s) preferred by each taxon, and (3) documenting the...
Show moreParasitic trematode larvae (cercariae and metacercariae) were discovered in a nearshore sponge habitat on Summerland Key, FL. This is a life cycle study of these consecutive larval stages in the sponge microenvironment. The goal of this research is to elucidate information on the life cycle of these trematodes by (1) identifying the trematode taxa present in the sponge microenvironment, (2) identifying the invertebrate host organism(s) preferred by each taxon, and (3) documenting the hostparasite histology. This presentation shows a combination of light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs documenting the histology of trematodes in sponges. In future analyses, 18s rDNA sequencing will be used as a preliminary screening of the taxa present in sponge tissues, and oligonucleotide probes will be developed to detect these parasites in the invertebrate symbionts of the sponges. This combination of microscopy and molecular approaches will elucidate linkages between developmental stages and provide information on the pathway(s) these parasites use to reach their final host(s). These larval stages are important to study in trematode life cycles because they develop into endoparasites of vertebrates; which in this case are likely fish which eat the sponge. Reef fishes such as Acanthostracion quadricornis (scrawled cowfish), Holocanthus ciliaris (queen angelfish), and Holocanthus tricolor (rock beauty) opportunistically consume sponges of this particular genus (Spongia). Much is known about the health impacts of adult trematodes in fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals; however, there is little data directly linking diet choices with infection. Trematodes have not been reported in sponges in previous literature.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005908
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- What Controls The Nocturnal Emergence Rhythm Of Hatchling Marine Turtles?.
- Creator
- Prio, Joseph D., Salmon, Michael, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Most marine organisms partition particular activities, such as growth, migration, reproduction, and hatching, to particular seasons, times of the day or night, or phases of the lunar cycle. The result is characterized as a “rhythm”. Scientists who study these rhythms generally ask two kinds of questions: why do they occur when they do that is, what is their survival value, and how are they controlled, physiologically? Hatchling marine turtles almost always emerge from their nests at night,...
Show moreMost marine organisms partition particular activities, such as growth, migration, reproduction, and hatching, to particular seasons, times of the day or night, or phases of the lunar cycle. The result is characterized as a “rhythm”. Scientists who study these rhythms generally ask two kinds of questions: why do they occur when they do that is, what is their survival value, and how are they controlled, physiologically? Hatchling marine turtles almost always emerge from their nests at night, then crawl down the beach to the sea and migrate offshore. By doing so at night they avoid lethally warm beach sands and diurnally active predators in the shallows. But these “survival value” explanations do not account for how the turtles, digging their way upward inside the nest toward the beach surface, know that it’s dark and time to emerge. The classic explanation for how they “know” is based upon surface sand temperatures. During the day, these sands can be very warm 50° C. When hatchlings digging upward encounter these heated sands, they stop digging until the sand cools, after sunset. But these observations fail to explain why in most studies, hatchlings rarely emerge from their nests at dawn or in the early morning, when the sand is still cool. To account for those observations, we hypothesize that the turtles must also possess a time sense that inhibits emergence during inappropriate times, such as shortly before or after sunrise.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005909
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Hand Orientation Feedback for Grasped Object Slip Prevention with a Prosthetic Hand.
- Creator
- Ray, Zachary, Engeberg, Erik, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
Many myoelectric prosthetic hands do not allow simultaneous control of the wrist joint and grip force of grasped objects. This scenario can lead to frustrating situations where objects are inadvertently dropped as the user cannot directly feel if there is a sufficient grip force to prevent slip as the object is being rotated by the wrist. The goal for this project is to investigate the performance of a non-invasive control scheme used to adjust precision grip of a prosthetic hand based on its...
Show moreMany myoelectric prosthetic hands do not allow simultaneous control of the wrist joint and grip force of grasped objects. This scenario can lead to frustrating situations where objects are inadvertently dropped as the user cannot directly feel if there is a sufficient grip force to prevent slip as the object is being rotated by the wrist. The goal for this project is to investigate the performance of a non-invasive control scheme used to adjust precision grip of a prosthetic hand based on its orientation. Grasping capabilities of a prosthetic hand adapted with sliding mode control were investigated with and without grip-plane orientation feedback, GOF. Benchmark tests involved using the automated control system to grasp a number of common objects varying in shape, texture, and weight, including a foam ball, soda can, paintbrush, copper tube, and compliant sheet metal, with a precision grip, and repeatedly rotate it in and out of the plane of gravity. Benchmark test results showed a significant improvement of the performance metric using GOF. EMG sensors which controlled the hand’s grip action were placed on the forearm of 12 human subjects. An object designed to be repeatedly breakable was grasped and rotated as before. Break and drop failures were recorded while the subjects performed with and without the aid of GOF while either focusing on the test or distracted with a part sorting task. From the testing procedure, GOF offered an effective method for reducing object drops while maintaining a minimum grip force.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005910
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Exploring the Risk Factors for Schizophrenia in Afro-Caribbeans in the United States: A Meta-Synthesis.
- Creator
- Gall-Ojurongbe, Sandra, Williams, Christine L., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Aim: This meta-synthesis explores the potential for schizophrenia in at risk Afro-Caribbeans living in the United States U.S. Background: African Americans are diagnosed with schizophrenia 9 to 32 more than Caucasians. However, this percentage does not distinguish the percentage of schizophrenia in Afro- Caribbeans from the Afro-Caribbean population. Extensive studies conducted in the United Kingdom U.K. reported higher rates of schizophrenia in Caribbean Blacks in Britain when compared to...
Show moreAim: This meta-synthesis explores the potential for schizophrenia in at risk Afro-Caribbeans living in the United States U.S. Background: African Americans are diagnosed with schizophrenia 9 to 32 more than Caucasians. However, this percentage does not distinguish the percentage of schizophrenia in Afro- Caribbeans from the Afro-Caribbean population. Extensive studies conducted in the United Kingdom U.K. reported higher rates of schizophrenia in Caribbean Blacks in Britain when compared to White British citizens. However, there is a paucity of information about schizophrenia in Caribbean Blacks living in the U.S. Method: A review of literature conducted between 1990 and 2014, using a qualitative approach, identified four journal articles; the results of which were analyzed with the aid of NVivo software, using thematic synthesis. Results: The analysis identified six themes; racism and drug use were themes consistent with those identified in some of the primary studies. However, four new themes emerged: Effects of migration; disintegration of family; powerlessness and a rush to diagnose; all were acknowledged as significant factors that may have contributed to the onset of schizophrenia.Discussion: The themes unveiled by this review exposed a number of complex sociopolitical and economic factors that can possibly potentiate schizophrenia. However, these studies were the experiences of Afro-Caribbeans in the U.K. There is a great need for research in the U.S. to further explore the risk factors for schizophrenia in Afro- Caribbean communities.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005911
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Perceived Swallowing Disorders in Healthy Aging Individuals: Impact on Quality of Life.
- Creator
- Singer, Clare, Keintz, Connie, Danesh, Ali, Graduate College, Engstrom, Gabriella, Ouslander, Joseph, Tappen, Ruth M.
- Abstract/Description
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With large numbers of Americans over 65 years of age, millions of elderly individuals could be at risk for swallowing disorders or dysphagia. These disorders can greatly affect a person’s quality of life and health. While the aging process in a healthy individual does not necessarily lead to impaired swallowing, aging can lead to changes in the swallowing process, known as presbyphagia (Robbins, et al., 1992). Further data is needed regarding prevalence, effects of lifestyle, and relationship...
Show moreWith large numbers of Americans over 65 years of age, millions of elderly individuals could be at risk for swallowing disorders or dysphagia. These disorders can greatly affect a person’s quality of life and health. While the aging process in a healthy individual does not necessarily lead to impaired swallowing, aging can lead to changes in the swallowing process, known as presbyphagia (Robbins, et al., 1992). Further data is needed regarding prevalence, effects of lifestyle, and relationship with fatigue and swallowing abilities in healthy aging individuals. The purpose of this study was to: investigate the prevalence of self-reported swallowing difficulties in a healthy aging population; determine if age, ethnicity, or gender impact whether healthy aging individuals perceive swallowing problems; and, if individuals reporting swallowing difficulties experience avoidance of social situations or if fatigue relates as a factor in presbyphagia. A significantly greater proportion of Hispanic Americans indicated swallowing difficulties than expected by chance, 18.8% "No" vs. 40.5% "Yes" (p = .0035). Further analysis indicated those who self-reported swallowing difficulties were less socially engaged (t = 1.75, p = .048) and, for people who self-reported swallowing difficulties a significant correlation between reduced social aspects of life and increased level of fatigue (r = -.473, p = .003).Previous studies have reported mealtime anxiety and avoidance of eating with other people in elderly individuals (Ekberg, 2002). Overall, the negative social impact from presbyphagia can seriously affect an individual’s quality of life, however, early identification of swallowing difficulties and remediation may be beneficial.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005912
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Utilizing Hyperspectral Reflectance to Analyze Sand Composition.
- Creator
- Smith, Molly E., Selch, Donna, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Spectral signatures quickly aid the analysis of sand composition because specific wavelengths correspond with distinct minerals. This provides objectivity to traditional microscopic methods, with the option to create a custom spectral library for Hyperspectral Remote Sensing HRS applications. Removal of salt as a precipitated solid from sea water is useful for clearer microscopic viewing of sand because certain grains are less likely to be misidentified as crystalized salt. Though removal of...
Show moreSpectral signatures quickly aid the analysis of sand composition because specific wavelengths correspond with distinct minerals. This provides objectivity to traditional microscopic methods, with the option to create a custom spectral library for Hyperspectral Remote Sensing HRS applications. Removal of salt as a precipitated solid from sea water is useful for clearer microscopic viewing of sand because certain grains are less likely to be misidentified as crystalized salt. Though removal of salts aids in qualitative visual identification, it is problematic for studies requiring spectral reflectance data to match real-life conditions. Spectroradiometric techniques were used to assess the effects of salt in spectral signatures of sand. Sand samples of mixed siliciclastic-carbonate composition were collected from 15 locations across the southeastern Florida coast. Spectral plots were generated from laboratory collected data with an ASD Spectroradiometer. Spectral data was collected before and after samples were prepared for microscopic study. Laboratory-prepared samples show negative slope at approximately 1500 nm and 2000 nm ranges on the generated plots. These wavelengths are indicative of grains having either predominately carbonate or siliciclastic compositions, which agrees with the microscopic analysis. Salts present in a sample affect the spectral signature, thus salt removal yields spectral plots not necessarily concurrent with plots generated from raw, unprepared samples. For studies utilizing airborne HRS data, the order of data collection and preparation is important. To ensure a more precise match between the spectral library and the hyperspectral imagery, spectral data must be collected before the sample is prepared for microscopic analysis.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005913
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Neural field dynamics on a spherical cortical surface with long-range connectivity and finite propagation speed.
- Creator
- Tayefeh, Vahid, Fuchs, Armin, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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The neuronal ensembles in cortical tissue, which tend to behave as single functional units, communicate with each other and process information over time. Neural activity fields, in form of spatially continuous networks, can be used to model a variety of neurobiological phenomena. The connection topology of brain tissue is such that a cortical area is not only connected to its neighbors locally, but also has global projection to distant areas via a fiber system. Such projections not only...
Show moreThe neuronal ensembles in cortical tissue, which tend to behave as single functional units, communicate with each other and process information over time. Neural activity fields, in form of spatially continuous networks, can be used to model a variety of neurobiological phenomena. The connection topology of brain tissue is such that a cortical area is not only connected to its neighbors locally, but also has global projection to distant areas via a fiber system. Such projections not only serve to organize local dynamics within cortical areas but timing of these processes at different sites will affect the overall emerging pattern and contributes to the macroscopic organization and global dynamics of neural activity. The dynamics of this neural field activity gives rise to pattern formation phenomena and self-organization. Our macroscopic spatiotemporal pattern formation approach assumes the existence of an order parameter dynamics and leads to phenomenological models to understand the collective phenomena even though the microscopic dynamics is not completely known. We are investigating how the emerging patterns depend on the space-time structure of the coupling between functional units i.e. long-range heterogeneous pathways coupling strength (space) and the axonal time delay due to propagation with finite speed between areas (time). We analyze the stability of the rest-state activity of a neural field as manipulating heterogeneous two-point connections varies network connection topology in two geometries with periodic boundary conditions: a closed one-dimensional loop and a closed spherical 2- D cortical surface.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005914
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Using an immunohistochemical approach to identify the sex of marine turtles.
- Creator
- Tezak, Boris, Wyneken, Jeanette, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Marine turtles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). During critical periods of embryonic development, the nest’s thermal environment directs whether an embryo will develop as a male or a female. At warmer sand temperatures the nest tends to produce female-biased sex ratios. The rapid increase of global temperature highlights the need for a clear assessment of effects on sea turtle sex ratios. However, identifying hatchling sex ratios at rookeries remain coarse estimates due...
Show moreMarine turtles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). During critical periods of embryonic development, the nest’s thermal environment directs whether an embryo will develop as a male or a female. At warmer sand temperatures the nest tends to produce female-biased sex ratios. The rapid increase of global temperature highlights the need for a clear assessment of effects on sea turtle sex ratios. However, identifying hatchling sex ratios at rookeries remain coarse estimates due to the lack of any external gender markers. We rely mainly upon laparoscopic procedures to verify a hatchling sex; however, in some species, morphological sex can be ambiguous even at the histological level. Recent studies using immunohistochemical techniques identified that red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) embryos over-expressed a particular cold-induced RNA binding protein in the ovaries in comparison to the testes. This principle allows the distinction between females and males. We developed a variation of this technique and successfully identified the sexes of loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) hatchlings, as confirmed by standard histological and laparoscopic methods that reliably identifies the sex in this species. Next, we tested a more challenging species, the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which retains many neotenic features. The morphology of leatherback hatchling gonads remains difficult to interpret, particularly when dead-in-nest hatchlings and embryos are the source tissues. In summary, this new and more efficient technique enhances our ability to investigate and identify baseline hatchling sex ratios, a critical progression in assessing global climate change on sea turtle populations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005915
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Comparative Stable Isotope Analysis of Two Archaeological Sites in Broward County.
- Creator
- Thomas, Alexandra N., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Understanding people through the foods eaten has proven a formidable method to uncover subsistence patterns and infer lifestyle of the earliest inhabitants of an area. With previously examined paleodiet from East Okeechobee Area, Tatham Mound, and Fort Center, particular areas of Florida’s prehistory have begun to resurrect thorough the eye of the scientist. When we understand the foods consumed, we also corroborate that with the environment where the individual resided. Reconstructing foods...
Show moreUnderstanding people through the foods eaten has proven a formidable method to uncover subsistence patterns and infer lifestyle of the earliest inhabitants of an area. With previously examined paleodiet from East Okeechobee Area, Tatham Mound, and Fort Center, particular areas of Florida’s prehistory have begun to resurrect thorough the eye of the scientist. When we understand the foods consumed, we also corroborate that with the environment where the individual resided. Reconstructing foods eaten not only helps researchers understand the ecology of the habitat, but also the social structure of the group the person belonged to. The conglomeration of these factors enables investigators to understand the people, culture, and environment of a region when photographs and written records are unavailable and unaccountable. Using the stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, a molecular analysis of the collagen and apatite of bones and tooth enamel signifies the quantities and qualities of proteins and carbohydrates eaten by an individual. This method will be utilized and highlighted in the paleodietary analysis of two sites from the inland zone of southeastern Florida. Two South Florida archaeological sites were discovered housing human remains in the early 1970s. Markham Park and Lauderhill Mound are the two sites used for this analysis. Because of the pottery sherds associated in chronological stratigraphic layers, the date range for each site has been shown to differ by about 500 years. This is significant to assess if the diet compares or contrasts throughout the different time periods.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005916
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in vivo substrates in left ventricle remodeling process.
- Creator
- Tokmina-Roszyk, Dorota, Iyer, R.P., Lindsey, M.L., Graduate College, Fields, Gregg B.
- Abstract/Description
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Matrix metalloproteinase-9 MMP-9 is involved in the early stages of wound healing, including the inflammatory reaction that follows myocardial infarction and neovascularization. However, its overexpression in the infarct zone leads to deleterious effects. Understanding MMP-9 function and modulation of its activity provides an opportunity to prevent excessive remodeling of the left ventricle. To assess the role of MMP-9 in remodeling process we employed a broad search of in vivo substrates....
Show moreMatrix metalloproteinase-9 MMP-9 is involved in the early stages of wound healing, including the inflammatory reaction that follows myocardial infarction and neovascularization. However, its overexpression in the infarct zone leads to deleterious effects. Understanding MMP-9 function and modulation of its activity provides an opportunity to prevent excessive remodeling of the left ventricle. To assess the role of MMP-9 in remodeling process we employed a broad search of in vivo substrates. Based on comparative analysis of MMP-9 null and wild type mice, several peptides mimicking putative substrates were synthesized. The cleavage sites in the substrates were identified using high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Peptide mapping studies revealed MMP-9 cleavage sites in several proteins, potential biomarkers of excessive remodeling. Specifically, osteopontin, thrombospondin and C-terminal telopeptide regions of type I collagen were susceptible to proteolysis by MMP-9. The best target for MMP-9 was fibronectin, which has multiple cleavage sites in its sequence. In addition to in vivo substrate screening, a selective triple-helical peptide inhibitor MMP- 9i has been designed, synthesized, and utilized as an MMP-9 probe. The sequence of inhibitor was derived from the known MMP-9 substrate type V collagen. In the MMP-9i construct, the G~V scissile bond has been replaced with phosphinate moiety that mimics the transition state of hydrolysis but cannot be cleaved. MMP-9i's effect on MMP-9 activity in serum was tested in a mouse model. The administration of MMP-9i resulted in 30 loss of MMP-9 activity suggesting that MMP-9i can be utilized to regulate activity of MMP-9 in vivo.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005917
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Peace, Justice and Human Rights: Constructing an Inequality Index for South Florida.
- Creator
- Weisner, Meagan L., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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South Florida’s racial and ethnic diversity make it an interesting, as well as significant region to examine issues of inequality. Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties represent a unique demographic and cultural milieu that composes south Florida. As part of Florida Atlantic University’s Peace, Justice and Human Rights Initiative, we are working towards creating a report card that reveals various health, social, economic and other disparities experienced by local populations....
Show moreSouth Florida’s racial and ethnic diversity make it an interesting, as well as significant region to examine issues of inequality. Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties represent a unique demographic and cultural milieu that composes south Florida. As part of Florida Atlantic University’s Peace, Justice and Human Rights Initiative, we are working towards creating a report card that reveals various health, social, economic and other disparities experienced by local populations. This project promotes a greater awareness centered on the issues of inequality by looking specifically at datasets that highlight demographic information within south Florida. Constructing a human rights report card requires an assiduous effort in locating and analyzing relevant and available data. Healthcare, education, crime and poverty were among the indicators for which data was collected. All data was gathered from various government agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, Florida Department of Education, National Vital Statistics, among others. Statistics were then compared between the four counties, the state of Florida, and the United States to demonstrate south Florida’s current status as it relates to state and national levels of inequality. This report card highlights the various areas of socioeconomic disparities present between south Florida’s communities by analyzing county-level demographic data. The analysis of various health, social and economic data contributes towards a more comprehensive understanding of the adversities that local populations experience.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005918
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Fifth Annual GPSA Research Day.
- Creator
- Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
The Fifth Annual Graduate Research Day was organized by Florida Atlantic University’s Graduate Student Association. Graduate students from FAU Colleges present abstracts of original research and posters in a competition for monetary prizes, awards, and recognition
- Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005797
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Effect of Sea Level Rise on Juncus roemerianus’s Ability To Remain An Environmental Restoration Indicator Species.
- Creator
- Abbott, Cara J., Berry, Leonard, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Juncus roemerianus, the black rush, has long been used in restoration projects in south Florida because of its unique ability to live in both freshwater and saltwater. In particular, it has been used as an indicator of salt-water incursion due to its differing physical forms in varying levels of salinity. When found in freshwater, it can reach heights over 2.1 meters, yet when found in hypersaline water, it becomes dwarfed and only 1 meter in height. Because of its dramatic differences in...
Show moreJuncus roemerianus, the black rush, has long been used in restoration projects in south Florida because of its unique ability to live in both freshwater and saltwater. In particular, it has been used as an indicator of salt-water incursion due to its differing physical forms in varying levels of salinity. When found in freshwater, it can reach heights over 2.1 meters, yet when found in hypersaline water, it becomes dwarfed and only 1 meter in height. Because of its dramatic differences in physical appearance due to salinity, it has provided an easy and fairly cheap method of determining an area’s localized salinity level. Most of Juncus roemerianus’s range in Florida lies around the coasts, which most models predict will experience significant changes due to sea level rise in the not so distant future. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the black rush can remain an environmental restoration indicator species in conditions influenced by sea level rise. This study will take place in the FAU Boca greenhouse and will target increased water levels and increased pH as the main conditions affected by sea level rise. If this study finds that increased water levels and pH do not significantly change the appearance of Juncus roemerianus in varying salinity, then this plant can confidently remain an indicator of salt-water incursion in the future. Conversely, if these conditions do change the appearance of Juncus roemerianus, then this plant may not remain an indicator species in South Florida in the future.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005798
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Perceptual Video Coding.
- Creator
- Adzic, Velibor, Kalva, Hari, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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We are presenting work that is aimed at employing characteristics of human visual system in optimizing video coding compression. Preliminary experiments that include temporal and motion masking show results with significant savings in bitrate compared to state of the art coding algorithms.
- Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005799
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A survey of Red Mangrove Rhizophora mangle prop root community diversity along a latitudinal gradient.
- Creator
- Aquino-Thomas, Jessene, Proffitt, C. Edward, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
Climate change is causing shifts in species geographic distributions. This trend is seen throughout the globe but the impact is especially noticeable in marine environments, which are highly sensitive to phenological and ecological alterations. Here, systemic shifts have cascading effects on the food web, productivity, and event timing. Throughout the tropics and the subtropics, mangrove trees act as the primary foundation species that dominate the intertidal zone. In particular, red...
Show moreClimate change is causing shifts in species geographic distributions. This trend is seen throughout the globe but the impact is especially noticeable in marine environments, which are highly sensitive to phenological and ecological alterations. Here, systemic shifts have cascading effects on the food web, productivity, and event timing. Throughout the tropics and the subtropics, mangrove trees act as the primary foundation species that dominate the intertidal zone. In particular, red mangroves Rhizophora mangle play a crucial role by acting as substrate for sessile species within their ecosystems. In these ecosystems, secondary foundation species that can colonize the prop roots of the red mangroves thereby further affecting the structure of the community. The original habitat architecture limits species variety and the effectiveness of species to utilize the space. Habitat architecture is strongly influenced by the foundation species that form the base for community structure. Investigating the connections between a primary foundation species, secondary foundation species, and the resulting biodiversity of sessile species is critical to understanding the variability of the ecosystem. Association with certain foundation species may provide a more positive environment for certain taxa than others and thus ease stressors that otherwise could functionally eliminate a species from the ecosystem. In addition, these associations can have cascading effects on neighboring species and neighboring ecosystems. Here, we conducted a presence/absence survey from Key West to the Kennedy Space Center to identify the species that utilized mangrove prop roots as habitat, their associations, and distributions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005800
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Object-specific activity recorded from C57BL/6J mouse hippocampal CA1 neurons.
- Creator
- Asgeirsdottir, Herborg Nanna, Stackman, Robert W., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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The rodent hippocampus is an essential neural substrate for spatial memory. This functional capacity is considered to rely upon a cognitive map that represents the location where relevant non-spatial items or objects are encountered and where specific events occur within a contextual or spatial reference frame. Place cell activity recorded from CA1 pyramidal neurons of the dorsal hippocampus of freely moving rodents is influenced by distal and proximal cues or items within an environment, and...
Show moreThe rodent hippocampus is an essential neural substrate for spatial memory. This functional capacity is considered to rely upon a cognitive map that represents the location where relevant non-spatial items or objects are encountered and where specific events occur within a contextual or spatial reference frame. Place cell activity recorded from CA1 pyramidal neurons of the dorsal hippocampus of freely moving rodents is influenced by distal and proximal cues or items within an environment, and increases when objects are placed into a familiar arena. Recently, the CA1 region of the rodent dorsal hippocampus was shown to play a vital role in object-in-context memory, and object memory independent of context; findings consistent with the cognitive map view. Here, we tested the influence of 3D objects on the spatial firing properties of CA1 neurons, since object-specific neuronal activity has not yet been fully established in mouse hippocampus. In vivo extracellular recordings from intermediate dorsal CA1 yielded simultaneous recordings of place cells and a pyramidal neuron demonstrating object-specific activity over two consecutive sessions with objects present. Higher frequency object-specific activity was recorded from the same mouse again 3 weeks later during a comparable task. Object-specific activity was observed only when the mouse explored objects in the arena, and was independent of spatial location or object identity. Recordings from more distal region of dorsal CA1, which receives input from proximal CA3, yielded two additional neurons that demonstrated comparable object-related activity. These results further support the involvement of the rodent hippocampus in non-spatial object memory.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005801
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Empirical Evidence and the Roberts Court: How Conservative Justices treat Social Science Research Data.
- Creator
- Bastidas, Boris, Lenz, Timothy, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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This article examines the treatment of empirical research data by conservative Supreme Court Justices. Supreme Court case decisions have throughout the 20th and 21st centuries cited social science research that contribute to judicial decision making, with conservative justices often showing a pattern of skepticism justices towards social science research. 21 case rulings are examined to see how the conservative justices on the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts treat empirical...
Show moreThis article examines the treatment of empirical research data by conservative Supreme Court Justices. Supreme Court case decisions have throughout the 20th and 21st centuries cited social science research that contribute to judicial decision making, with conservative justices often showing a pattern of skepticism justices towards social science research. 21 case rulings are examined to see how the conservative justices on the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts treat empirical evidence in their decision-making. The treatment of evidence presented by the U.S. Government or Congress in considering the constitutionality of legislation is also examined. Analyzing the opinions found that the conservative justices tend to be skeptical of social science research and often criticize its use by liberal justices, but will cite data depending on the framing of the issue and their view on the reliability of the evidence. The opinions also suggest that while the conservative justices may cite empirical evidence in majority and dissent opinions such evidence does not take precedence over legal and ideologically influenced decision-making.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005802
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Mechanisms for coexistence of two species of octopus at a shallow water habitat.
- Creator
- Bennice, Chelsea, Hanlon, Roger, Brooks, W. Randy, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Ecological components such as availability of resources, physical make-up of the environment, and biotic interactions amongst and between species are factors that determine habitat selection and coexistence of organisms within a community. A stable coexistence of species within a community is possible if the limited resources are partitioned to be speciesspecific. However, sympatric species are expected to exploit similar resources. Two species of octopus Octopus vulargis and Macrotritopus...
Show moreEcological components such as availability of resources, physical make-up of the environment, and biotic interactions amongst and between species are factors that determine habitat selection and coexistence of organisms within a community. A stable coexistence of species within a community is possible if the limited resources are partitioned to be speciesspecific. However, sympatric species are expected to exploit similar resources. Two species of octopus Octopus vulargis and Macrotritopus defilippi with similar ecological requirements coexist at an intra-coastal habitat. The ecological phenomena of coexistence of species can be quantified by measuring the ecological components of the niche. The objective of this study is to identify the components that facilitate coexistence. The ecological components being examined include: general habitat location, habitat heterogeneity, foraging and feeding times and locations, and biotic interactions. Global Positioning System will be used to determine the general location of the octopus species den. The importance of habitat heterogeneity will be addressed by looking at substrate make-up of the different species dens. Foraging and feeding times and locations will be recorded to determine any temporal or spatial influence on species coexistence. Field observations and laboratory habitat selection experiments will be conducted to determine what habitat each species selects in the presence and absence of the other species. Our studies will allow identifying ecological components that facilitate coexistence of sympatric species, provide insight to cephalopod ecology, and conservation at a heterogeneous environment, which is of importance to maintain marine biodiversity and ecotourism in south Florida.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005803
- Format
- Document (PDF)