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- Title
- West Indian Immigrant Women: The Higher Education Lived Experiences of Undergraduate and Graduate Students at Florida Atlantic University.
- Creator
- Lalla, Shireen, Floyd, Deborah L., Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
This phenomenological study explored the perceptions and lived experiences of female West Indian immigrant students as they academically and socially acculturated while attending Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Snowball techniques were employed to select 11 female immigrant West Indian undergraduate and graduate students living in southeastern Florida and attending FAU. Data were gathered from two in-depth one-on one interviews with each participant. Stories emerged that highlight the...
Show moreThis phenomenological study explored the perceptions and lived experiences of female West Indian immigrant students as they academically and socially acculturated while attending Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Snowball techniques were employed to select 11 female immigrant West Indian undergraduate and graduate students living in southeastern Florida and attending FAU. Data were gathered from two in-depth one-on one interviews with each participant. Stories emerged that highlight the immigrant experiences of these female West Indian students. Such narratives have been lacking in the higher education literature about how this population of women persists in colleges and universities in the United States (U.S.). Six findings emerged that constituted the acculturation and adjustment experiences of these women: 1) family influence, 2) financial difficulties, 3) emotional and physical challenges, 4) institutional support, 5) women’s empowerment, and 6) host society adaptation. In conclusion, female West Indian immigrant students are a valuable asset and provide a tremendous benefit to higher education institutions in the U.S. in terms of cultural and academic contributions that they offer. More attention needs to be paid towards better preparing university staff, administrators, and faculty. This can lead to increased retention and graduation rates. The study gives voice to these women whose lived experiences in higher education have been so seldom addressed. Analysis of their experiences suggests a plan of action that includes: family engagement programming, on-campus financial support, student health services outreach, healthier dining options, mentorship programs, immigrant student support services department, online community support, faculty, cultural awareness, and immigrant student programming. Recommendations for future research are also discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013227
- Subject Headings
- Women--West Indies, Immigrant students, Acculturation, Phenomenology--Research
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Summary Judgement at Dachau: Exploiting the Massacre of SS Guards by Allied Liberating Troops at Dachau.
- Creator
- Krzeminski, Stephen C., Kollander, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of History
- Abstract/Description
-
This research analyzes how American soldiers reacted to the Dachau concentration camp, and offers statistics that counter the arguments made by Holocaust deniers and revisionists. It compares how the Soviets, British, and Americans conducted themselves as they freed other prisoners, and discusses why every camp liberation was dissimilar. Evidence gathered from the liberators who executed the SS disproves the argument that they were premediated killers and emphasizes how unique Dachau’s...
Show moreThis research analyzes how American soldiers reacted to the Dachau concentration camp, and offers statistics that counter the arguments made by Holocaust deniers and revisionists. It compares how the Soviets, British, and Americans conducted themselves as they freed other prisoners, and discusses why every camp liberation was dissimilar. Evidence gathered from the liberators who executed the SS disproves the argument that they were premediated killers and emphasizes how unique Dachau’s conditions were on the day of liberation, when compared to other concentration camps. It also directly refutes many arguments made by Holocaust deniers, and addresses their erroneous narratives, statistics, and conclusions regarding the Dachau liberation, and the Holocaust in general.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013226
- Subject Headings
- Dachau (Concentration camp), Dachau liberated, Holocaust deniers, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei Schutzstaffel, Dachau (United States Army Army, 7th)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Functional Stress Resistance: The Role of Protein Kinase G in Modulating Neuronal Excitability in Caenorhabditis Elegans and Drosophila Melanogaster.
- Creator
- Kelly, Stephanie Suzanne, Dawson-Scully, Ken, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
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Diseases such as epilepsy, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders are associated with changes in neuronal dysfunction due to an imbalance of excitation and inhibition. This work details a novel electroconvulsive seizure assay for C. elegans using the well characterized cholinergic and GABAergic excitation and inhibition of the body wall muscles and the resulting locomotion patterns to better understand neuronal excitability. The time to recover normal locomotion from an electroconvulsive...
Show moreDiseases such as epilepsy, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders are associated with changes in neuronal dysfunction due to an imbalance of excitation and inhibition. This work details a novel electroconvulsive seizure assay for C. elegans using the well characterized cholinergic and GABAergic excitation and inhibition of the body wall muscles and the resulting locomotion patterns to better understand neuronal excitability. The time to recover normal locomotion from an electroconvulsive seizure could be modulated by increasing and decreasing inhibition. GABAergic deficits and a chemical proconvulsant resulted in an increased recovery time while anti-epileptic drugs decreased seizure duration. Successful modulation of excitation and inhibition in the new assay led to the investigation of a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) which modulates potassium (K+) channels, affecting neuronal excitability, and determined that increasing PKG activity decreases the time to recovery from an electroconvulsive seizure. The new assay was used as a forward genetic screening tool using C. elegans and several potential genes that affect seizure susceptibility were found to take longer to recover from a seizure. A naturally occurring polymorphism for PKG in D. melanogaster confirmed that both genetic and pharmacological manipulation of PKG influences seizure duration. PKG has been implicated in stress tolerance, which can be affected by changes in neuronal excitability associated with aging, so stress tolerance and locomotor behavior in senescent flies was investigated. For the first time, PKG has been implicated in aging phenotypes with high levels of PKG resulting in reduced locomotion and lifespan in senescent flies. The results suggest a potential new role for PKG in seizure susceptibility and aging.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013225
- Subject Headings
- Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases, Seizures
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Intrinsic Motion and Background Stimuli in Event Representation.
- Creator
- Kelly, Roshawn D., Kersten, Alan, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Intrinsic motion pertains to the relative movements of a character’s body parts while mobile, while extrinsic motion pertains to those movements in relation to external landmarks. The current study aimed to explore whether the removal of identifiable features of a person (race and color of clothing) would force witnesses to move their focus to extrinsic motion. Previous studies regarding the concept of intrinsic and extrinsic motion have found that witnesses are more likely to encode...
Show moreIntrinsic motion pertains to the relative movements of a character’s body parts while mobile, while extrinsic motion pertains to those movements in relation to external landmarks. The current study aimed to explore whether the removal of identifiable features of a person (race and color of clothing) would force witnesses to move their focus to extrinsic motion. Previous studies regarding the concept of intrinsic and extrinsic motion have found that witnesses are more likely to encode intrinsic motion with the identity of a person, while extrinsic motion is encoded separately. This made it easier for participants to recognize an actor based on their manner of movement, rather than where the actor was initially seen. By silhouetting the actors and manipulating the background they were shown in later, the current study was able to identify a negative impact on recognition ability when actors were shown against a background they were not initially shown against while silhouetted. The implications of these results are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013224
- Subject Headings
- Unconscious perception, Subliminal perception, Recognition, Human movements, Body language
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Gorgeous Gold Peacocks: Exploring Masculinity in Professional Wrestling.
- Creator
- Karasick, Scott Philip, Harvey, Mark, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Sociology
- Abstract/Description
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This thesis is a historical comprehensive case study on masculinity that explores stereotypes of masculinity in professional wrestling. Working from theories about gender roles, hegemonic masculinity, misogyny (with its disdain for femininity) and heteronormativity, this study utilizes a content analysis of American professional wrestling to look at the gendered basis of how and why wrestling characters are created and how they are successful. Professional wrestlers historically have created...
Show moreThis thesis is a historical comprehensive case study on masculinity that explores stereotypes of masculinity in professional wrestling. Working from theories about gender roles, hegemonic masculinity, misogyny (with its disdain for femininity) and heteronormativity, this study utilizes a content analysis of American professional wrestling to look at the gendered basis of how and why wrestling characters are created and how they are successful. Professional wrestlers historically have created characters based in American popular cultures and specifically American gender ideologies of masculinity that are based in hetero-patriarchal cultural ideals. By looking through the history of masculinity and gender stereotypes in professional wrestling, I uncover how contemporary wrestlers are reworking these stereotypes to create new characters with changing gender inflections based on global cultural ideals, rather than American culture, demonstrating the influence global culture and the globalized wrestling community has on contemporary American wrestling.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013223
- Subject Headings
- Wrestling, Masculinity, Sex role, Stereotypes (Social psychology)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Adhesive Joint Analyses Using Ansys CZM Modeling of a Prefabricated Hybrid Concrete-GFRP-CFRP Unit.
- Creator
- Kabaluk, Maksim, Arockiasamy, Madasamy, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
The present study reviews applications of FRP materials joined by structural adhesives in civil engineering. FE analysis with mix-mode cohesive zone material model (CZM) was used to analyze stresses induced in two structural adhesives joining dissimilar materials (concrete GFRP-CFRP) of the hybrid-composite unit. The predicted failure loads, displacements and deformation by the 3-D non-linear FE analysis in the present study are in good agreement with the experimental results of the hybrid...
Show moreThe present study reviews applications of FRP materials joined by structural adhesives in civil engineering. FE analysis with mix-mode cohesive zone material model (CZM) was used to analyze stresses induced in two structural adhesives joining dissimilar materials (concrete GFRP-CFRP) of the hybrid-composite unit. The predicted failure loads, displacements and deformation by the 3-D non-linear FE analysis in the present study are in good agreement with the experimental results of the hybrid-composite unit reported by Deskovic et al. (1995). The contact analysis revealed a complex 3-D state of stress in the bondlines of both structural adhesives. It is concluded that higher joint strength is expected when a ductile adhesive is used.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013222
- Subject Headings
- Adhesive joints, Fiber reinforced polymers, Composites, Concrete
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Evaluation of Deep Learning with Class Imbalanced Big Data.
- Creator
- Johnson, Justin Matthew, Khoshgoftaar, Taghi M., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Effective classification with imbalanced data is an important area of research, as high class imbalance is naturally inherent in many real-world applications, e.g. anomaly detection. Modeling such skewed data distributions is often very difficult, and non-standard methods are sometimes required to combat these negative effects. These challenges have been studied thoroughly using traditional machine learning algorithms, but very little empirical work exists in the area of deep learning with...
Show moreEffective classification with imbalanced data is an important area of research, as high class imbalance is naturally inherent in many real-world applications, e.g. anomaly detection. Modeling such skewed data distributions is often very difficult, and non-standard methods are sometimes required to combat these negative effects. These challenges have been studied thoroughly using traditional machine learning algorithms, but very little empirical work exists in the area of deep learning with class imbalanced big data. Following an in-depth survey of deep learning methods for addressing class imbalance, we evaluate various methods for addressing imbalance on the task of detecting Medicare fraud, a big data problem characterized by extreme class imbalance. Case studies herein demonstrate the impact of class imbalance on neural networks, evaluate the efficacy of data-level and algorithm-level methods, and achieve state-of-the-art results on the given Medicare data set. Results indicate that combining under-sampling and over-sampling maximizes both performance and efficiency.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013221
- Subject Headings
- Deep learning, Big data, Medicare fraud--Prevention
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Effects of Electromagnetic Hydrolysis on Dissolved Oxygen in Small Ponds.
- Creator
- Iles, Matthew, Bloetscher, Frederick, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
This pilot study was conducted to determine if an Electron Magnetics Oxygen and Hydrogen (EMOH) device can increase the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of a residential surface water. By using EMOH, DO concentration will increase and allow bacteria to remove the substrate that creates blue-green algae for which the City of Boynton Beach (City) receives complaints. Those complaints center on odors and the visual appearance of the ponds. The study was conducted in-situ at the INCA Pond...
Show moreThis pilot study was conducted to determine if an Electron Magnetics Oxygen and Hydrogen (EMOH) device can increase the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of a residential surface water. By using EMOH, DO concentration will increase and allow bacteria to remove the substrate that creates blue-green algae for which the City of Boynton Beach (City) receives complaints. Those complaints center on odors and the visual appearance of the ponds. The study was conducted in-situ at the INCA Pond system in the City of Boynton Beach, Florida with data collection taking place bi-weekly, using surface aeration techniques. Water sampling was conducted in the INCA Pond system via a handheld water sensor. Primary variable monitored included: water temperature, barometric pressure, DO concentration, and DO saturation (DOSAT). Biomass of dead algae at the bottom of the pond was also monitored to determine if increased DO concentration aided the biological digestion of the organic matter. Data analysis shows that exposure to EMOH treatment allowed the relationship between DO and temperature to change from a negative correlation (the expected relationship) to a positive trend. Furthermore, pressure and DOSAT became less correlated after exposure to EMOH effluent. In all, EMOH was shown to be an effective means of treating hypoxic pond water. The optimal EMOH effluent discharge is determined to be deep in the subject pond. Backed by research on the surface-air water and bubble-water oxygen transfer coefficients, DO concentration in the subject pond was 110% higher when effluent was directed down toward the floor of the pond.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013220
- Subject Headings
- Water--Dissolved oxygen, Hydrolysis, Electromagnetic devices, Blue-green algae, Odor control
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Punctuated Identities In Contemporary Italian Cinema.
- Creator
- Iadevaia, Vincenza, Serra, Haria, Guneratne, Anthony, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Languages, Linguistic and Comparative Literature
- Abstract/Description
-
At a time of major political disruption in Italy, this dissertation aims to explore the landscape of contemporary Italian Cinema in connection with the nation’s new demographic trends and social configurations. Focusing on a selected, inherently representative group of filmmakers, the current study proposes a new form of film theory that sees the emergence and recognition of multi-ethnic filmmaking in a hitherto largely monocultural context as an indicator of a profound cultural...
Show moreAt a time of major political disruption in Italy, this dissertation aims to explore the landscape of contemporary Italian Cinema in connection with the nation’s new demographic trends and social configurations. Focusing on a selected, inherently representative group of filmmakers, the current study proposes a new form of film theory that sees the emergence and recognition of multi-ethnic filmmaking in a hitherto largely monocultural context as an indicator of a profound cultural transformation rather than a mere aesthetic tendency. The critical terminology I propose, “punctuated identitties,” document the characteristics of contemporary filmmakers, since they cannot be easily defined under the categories established by previous critical vocabularies. While these multi-ethnic filmmakers are part of a larger trend in European filmmaking as a whole, and hence constitute a case study of the evolution of a particular trend within individual national cinemas, my aim is to show how their punctuated identities complicate and color the Italian mediascape, and perhaps add a pluralistic dimension to the most recent chapter in the story of one of the most influential national cinemas. The filmmakers analyzed are selected according to specific elements and not on any categorization as first-and-second-generation immigrants. The present analysis includes two immigrants who have consciously chosen Italy as their homeland (Ferzan Özpetek and Jonas Carpignano), a migrant other who rejects nationality (Laura Halilovic), a political exile who relishes a certain sense of freedom in his Italian sojourn (Fariborz Kamkari), and a naturalized son of immigrants (Suranga Katugampala). All move in a fluid and conceptual space that creates a new path inside the traditional domain of national cinema, establishing the validity of others’s points of views and proving that coexistence can enrich even established and influential art forms.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013219
- Subject Headings
- Cinema, Motion pictures, Italian, Contemporary filmmakers, Motion picture producers and directors--Italy
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Loop Quantum Gravity with Cosmological Constant.
- Creator
- Huang, Zichang, Han, Muxin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
- Abstract/Description
-
The spin-foam is a covariant path-integral style approaching to the quantization of the gravity. There exist several spin-foam models of which the most successful one is the Engle-Pereira-Rovelli-Levine/Freidel-Krasnov (EPRL-FK) model. Using the EPRLFK model people are able to calculate the transition amplitude and the n-point functions of 4D geometry (both Euclidean and Lorentzian) surrounding by a given triangulated 3D geometry. The semi-classical limit of the EPRL-FK amplitude reproduces...
Show moreThe spin-foam is a covariant path-integral style approaching to the quantization of the gravity. There exist several spin-foam models of which the most successful one is the Engle-Pereira-Rovelli-Levine/Freidel-Krasnov (EPRL-FK) model. Using the EPRLFK model people are able to calculate the transition amplitude and the n-point functions of 4D geometry (both Euclidean and Lorentzian) surrounding by a given triangulated 3D geometry. The semi-classical limit of the EPRL-FK amplitude reproduces discrete classical gravity under certain assumptions, which shows that the EPRLFK model can be understood as UV completion of general relativity. On the other hand, it is very hard to dene a continuum limit and couple a cosmological constant to the EPRL-FK model. In this dissertation, we addressed the problems about continuum limit and coupling a cosmological constant to the EPRL-FK model. Followed by chapter one as a brief introduction of the loop quantum gravity and EPRL-FK model, chapter two introduces our work about demonstrating (for the first time) that smooth curved spacetime geometries satisfying Einstein equation can emerge from discrete spin-foam models under an appropriate low energy limit, which corresponds to a semi-classical continuum limit of spin-foam models. In chapter three, we bring in the cosmological constant into the spin-foam model by coupling the SL(2, C) Chern-Simons action with the EPRL action, and find that the quantum simplicity constraint is realized as the 2d surface defect in SL(2, C)Chern-Simons theory in the construction of spin-foam amplitudes. In chapter four, we present a way to describe the twisted geometry with cosmological constant whose corresponding quantum states can forms the Hilbert space of the loop quantum gravity with cosmological constant. In chapter five, we introduced a new definition of the graviton propagator, and calculate its semi-classical limit in the contents of spin-foam model with the cosmological constant. Finally the chapter six will be a outlook for my future work.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013218
- Subject Headings
- Quantum gravity, Cosmological constants, Spin foam models
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Functional Morphology of Shark Control Surfaces: A Comparative Analysis.
- Creator
- Hoffmann, Sarah Louise, Porter, Marianne E., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Sharks are an objectively diverse group of animals; ranging in maximum size from 2,000cm (whale shark) to 17cm (dwarf lantern shark); occupying habitats that are periodically terrestrial (epaulette shark) to the deepest parts of the ocean (frilled shark); relying on a diversity of diets from plankton to marine mammals; with vast amounts of morphology diversity such as the laterally expanded heads of hammerhead species, the elongate caudal fins of thresher species, and the tooth embedded...
Show moreSharks are an objectively diverse group of animals; ranging in maximum size from 2,000cm (whale shark) to 17cm (dwarf lantern shark); occupying habitats that are periodically terrestrial (epaulette shark) to the deepest parts of the ocean (frilled shark); relying on a diversity of diets from plankton to marine mammals; with vast amounts of morphology diversity such as the laterally expanded heads of hammerhead species, the elongate caudal fins of thresher species, and the tooth embedded rostrum of saw shark species representing some of the anatomical extremes. Yet despite these obvious differences in morphology, physiology, and ecology, the challenges associated with studying hard to access, large bodied, pelagic animals have limited our comparative understanding of form and function as it relates to swimming within this group. The majority of shark swimming studies examine species that succeed in captivity, which are usually benthic associated sharks that spend time resting on the substrate. These studies have also been limited by the use of flumes, in which the unidirectional flow and small working area precludes the analysis of larger animals, volitional swimming, and maneuvering. The few existing volitional kinematics studies on sharks quantify two-dimensional kinematics which are unable to capture movements not observable in the plane of reference. With this study, we quantified the volitional swimming kinematics of sharks in relation to morphological, physiological, and ecological variation among species. We developed a technique to analyze three-dimensional (3D) kinematics in a semi-natural, large volume environment, which, to our knowledge, provides the first3D analysis of volitional maneuvering in sharks. We demonstrated that Pacific spiny dogfish and bonnethead sharks rotate the pectoral fins substantially during yaw (horizontal) maneuvering and is correlated with turning performance. We proposed that ecomorphological differences correlate with the varied maneuvering strategies we observed between the two species. We also found that there is some mechanical constraint on shark pectoral fin shape that is explained by phylogenetic relationships but describe a continuum of morphological variables within that range. We propose standardized terminology and methodology for the future assessment of shark pectoral fin morphology and function. As with previous studies, the ease of access to species was a challenge in this study and future studies should continue to assess the functional ecomorphology of shark pectoral fins among species.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013217
- Subject Headings
- Sharks, Morphology (Animals), Kinematics
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Male Bonding: A Queer Analysis of the James Bond Canon.
- Creator
- Hester, Grant C., Caputi, Jane, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Center for Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Communication, and Multimedia
- Abstract/Description
-
The character of James Bond which was first introduced in Ian Fleming’s first novel Casino Royale in 1953 and was then featured in 11 subsequent novels, 2 volumes of short stories, and 24 film adaptations has long been considered to be the ultimate man’s man. There is no feat he cannot conquer, villain he cannot best, or lady he cannot bed. However, in an examination of both the novels and the film, clues exist to Bond’s deeper psyche—most notably his repressed homosexuality. While much...
Show moreThe character of James Bond which was first introduced in Ian Fleming’s first novel Casino Royale in 1953 and was then featured in 11 subsequent novels, 2 volumes of short stories, and 24 film adaptations has long been considered to be the ultimate man’s man. There is no feat he cannot conquer, villain he cannot best, or lady he cannot bed. However, in an examination of both the novels and the film, clues exist to Bond’s deeper psyche—most notably his repressed homosexuality. While much discussion has been had of Bond’s misogyny, in many ways it masks his true identity possibly even from himself. Utilizing a framework of theoretical analysis drawing upon Sigmund Freud, Jack Hallberstam, Judith Butler, Susan Sontag, Laura Mulvey, and Charles Klosterman (among many others), this dissertation will fully explore the character Fleming created. Additionally, by examining how the male gaze and camp elements have been utilized by the filmmakers in the Bond films, analysis will be conducted how those elements contribute to a “queerness” of the character’s film incarnations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013216
- Subject Headings
- James Bond 007, Fictitious characters, Homosexuality, Queer
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Big Data Analytics and Engineering for Medicare Fraud Detection.
- Creator
- Herland, Matthew Andrew, Khoshgoftaar, Taghi M., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
The United States (U.S.) healthcare system produces an enormous volume of data with a vast number of financial transactions generated by physicians administering healthcare services. This makes healthcare fraud difficult to detect, especially when there are considerably less fraudulent transactions than non-fraudulent. Fraud is an extremely important issue for healthcare, as fraudulent activities within the U.S. healthcare system contribute to significant financial losses. In the U.S., the...
Show moreThe United States (U.S.) healthcare system produces an enormous volume of data with a vast number of financial transactions generated by physicians administering healthcare services. This makes healthcare fraud difficult to detect, especially when there are considerably less fraudulent transactions than non-fraudulent. Fraud is an extremely important issue for healthcare, as fraudulent activities within the U.S. healthcare system contribute to significant financial losses. In the U.S., the elderly population continues to rise, increasing the need for programs, such as Medicare, to help with associated medical expenses. Unfortunately, due to healthcare fraud, these programs are being adversely affected, draining resources and reducing the quality and accessibility of necessary healthcare services. In response, advanced data analytics have recently been explored to detect possible fraudulent activities. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released several ‘Big Data’ Medicare claims datasets for different parts of their Medicare program to help facilitate this effort. In this dissertation, we employ three CMS Medicare Big Data datasets to evaluate the fraud detection performance available using advanced data analytics techniques, specifically machine learning. We use two distinct approaches, designated as anomaly detection and traditional fraud detection, where each have very distinct data processing and feature engineering. Anomaly detection experiments classify by provider specialty, determining whether outlier physicians within the same specialty signal fraudulent behavior. Traditional fraud detection refers to the experiments directly classifying physicians as fraudulent or non-fraudulent, leveraging machine learning algorithms to discriminate between classes. We present our novel data engineering approaches for both anomaly detection and traditional fraud detection including data processing, fraud mapping, and the creation of a combined dataset consisting of all three Medicare parts. We incorporate the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities database to identify real world fraudulent physicians for model evaluation. Regarding features, the final datasets for anomaly detection contain only claim counts for every procedure a physician submits while traditional fraud detection incorporates aggregated counts and payment information, specialty, and gender. Additionally, we compare cross-validation to the real world application of building a model on a training dataset and evaluating on a separate test dataset for severe class imbalance and rarity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013215
- Subject Headings
- Big data, Medicare fraud, Data analytics, Machine learning
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Investor Connections and Non-GAAP Reporting.
- Creator
- Harwood, Chad, Kohlbeck, Mark, Florida Atlantic University, College of Business, School of Accounting
- Abstract/Description
-
I investigate whether a firm’s social capital with investors impacts its non-GAAP reporting decisions. Critics of non-GAAP reporting suggest that non-GAAP earnings are incomplete, inaccurate, and can be misleading (Derby, 2001; Dreman, 2001; Elstein, 2001; Black et al., 2007). Firms might be hesitant to provide non-GAAP information if other means are available to transfer information. Social capital provides an alternate method of informing investors. However, social capital might also play...
Show moreI investigate whether a firm’s social capital with investors impacts its non-GAAP reporting decisions. Critics of non-GAAP reporting suggest that non-GAAP earnings are incomplete, inaccurate, and can be misleading (Derby, 2001; Dreman, 2001; Elstein, 2001; Black et al., 2007). Firms might be hesitant to provide non-GAAP information if other means are available to transfer information. Social capital provides an alternate method of informing investors. However, social capital might also play another role in the information environment by building trust between managers and investors (Gabarro, 1978; Gulati, 1995). This trust may reduce investor skepticism of non-GAAP information, enhancing the value of non-GAAP disclosures. Additionally, I examine what impact social capital might have on investors’ investment decisions with respect to non-GAAP reporting. Despite critics’ concerns over non-GAAP reporting, prior literature suggests investors’ reactions are more aligned with the non-GAAP definition of earnings (Bradshaw and Sloan, 2002; Bhattacharya et al., 2003), suggesting other factors might influence investors’ decisions. I investigate whether social capital plays a role in reducing skepticism in non-GAAP information leading to reduced information asymmetry and increased investor reaction to non-GAAP disclosures. I find that non-GAAP reporting is increasing in social capital with investors. However, I find no evidence that investor reactions to non-GAAP earnings information differ based on firms’ social capital with investors. I also find information asymmetry around earnings announcements is higher for non-GAAP reporting firms with greater social capital with investors in comparison to non-GAAP reporters with lower social capital. Taken together, my results suggest social capital impacts the decisions of firms in reporting non-GAAP earnings information, but not the decisions of investors. My results are relevant to the current disclosure environment in that non-GAAP reporting is a current topic of interest for regulators with several updates to non-GAAP guidance having recently occurred.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013214
- Subject Headings
- GAAP (Accounting), Investors, Social capital (Economics)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Hurricane Irma Impact and Post-Storm Beach Morphology Evolution in Boca Raton, FL.
- Creator
- Hart, Richard M., III, Roberts Briggs, Tiffany, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Beach morphology changes naturally with seasonal and event-driven variability in the wave climate, as well as due to anthropogenic activities such as erosion mitigation efforts. In 2017, category four Hurricane Irma caused beach erosion and dune overwash in Boca Raton, FL. Immediate post-storm perigean spring tides coupled with typical winter high-wind conditions imposed a regime of spatially and temporally extended meteorologic and morphologic variability. This study evaluates the...
Show moreBeach morphology changes naturally with seasonal and event-driven variability in the wave climate, as well as due to anthropogenic activities such as erosion mitigation efforts. In 2017, category four Hurricane Irma caused beach erosion and dune overwash in Boca Raton, FL. Immediate post-storm perigean spring tides coupled with typical winter high-wind conditions imposed a regime of spatially and temporally extended meteorologic and morphologic variability. This study evaluates the morphologic evolution and post-storm recovery in the first year following Hurricane Irma. Time-series topographic surveys and surface sediment samples were collected. Patterns of accretion and erosion were evaluated with regionally measured water and wind levels. Recovery morphology was generally through berm-building, but lacked shoreline stability. Storm impact regime, mitigation structures, and sediment transport patterns drove the recovery. Total volume lost above the 0 m contour due to the storm was not fully recovered within the year, with a large volume measured in the south.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013213
- Subject Headings
- Hurricane Irma, 2017, Boca Raton (Fla.), Beach erosion
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Habitat Use by Bottlenose Dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon.
- Creator
- Greller, Rachael M., Markwith, Scott, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
- Abstract/Description
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The objective of this research was to examine bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) habitat use in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) based on monthly relocation of photo-identified individuals, prey availability and environmental factors from 2003-2015. We focused on the variation of spatial and temporal abiotic and biotic factors and their influence on bottlenose dolphin habitat use patterns. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) conducted monthly photo-identification surveys along the...
Show moreThe objective of this research was to examine bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) habitat use in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) based on monthly relocation of photo-identified individuals, prey availability and environmental factors from 2003-2015. We focused on the variation of spatial and temporal abiotic and biotic factors and their influence on bottlenose dolphin habitat use patterns. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) conducted monthly photo-identification surveys along the length of the IRL and GPS locations of photographed dolphins were collected at the time of surveying. Stratified random samples of prey and environmental variables were collected monthly by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as part of the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) program. Kernel density estimation was used to determine the magnitude-per-unit area of dolphins across a continuous raster surface of the IRL by wet and dry seasons each year, the values of which were used as a response variable in Classification and regression tree (CART) analyses with FIM fish community and environmental factors as predictors. Understanding how dolphins respond to environmental factors over time in the IRL could be used to predict future responses in estuaries and prioritize conservation and restoration actions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013212
- Subject Headings
- Bottlenose dolphin--Behavior, Indian River (Fla. : Lagoon), Habitat, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Mercury Express.
- Creator
- Gran, Cangshu, Prusa, Carol, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Visual Arts and Art History
- Abstract/Description
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My thesis exhibition “Mercury Express” is the culmination of my creative research and the paintings that I have created over the past three years. This body of work is comprised of fourteen oil glaze paintings on canvas, ranging in size from 16x 16 inches to 36 x 48 inches. These paintings demonstrate, through subjective color and the application of misty layers of luminous paint, my residence on the edge of moving to the future and looking to the past. Through imagination my paintings...
Show moreMy thesis exhibition “Mercury Express” is the culmination of my creative research and the paintings that I have created over the past three years. This body of work is comprised of fourteen oil glaze paintings on canvas, ranging in size from 16x 16 inches to 36 x 48 inches. These paintings demonstrate, through subjective color and the application of misty layers of luminous paint, my residence on the edge of moving to the future and looking to the past. Through imagination my paintings express a longing for connections and offer glimpses of happiness tinted with a pervasive overcast of melancholy. Mercury Express is a visual expression of what I consider to be ‘Kitsch’, ‘Sentimental’ and ‘Adventurous’. Through this work I salvage and renew the child-like wonder that managed to survive into my adulthood. Through the positioning of remembered objects in imaginary landscapes, Mercury Express recalls and explores my childhood memories, ideas and aspirations to reclaim the wonder I have lost as an adult.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013211
- Subject Headings
- Painting, Art
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Developing Empathetic Responses in Third-Grade Students Through Multicultural Literature.
- Creator
- Gordon, Linda Kim, Schoorman, Dilys, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
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This study utilized an action research design with qualitative methods to explore the transformative potential of a multicultural literature curriculum within a general education setting. Providing young students with opportunities to develop perspective taking and empathetic responses to others who are different, offers the critical potential for reducing prejudice. Based on Allport’s (1979) contact theory, originally written in 1954, multicultural literature served as indirect contact,...
Show moreThis study utilized an action research design with qualitative methods to explore the transformative potential of a multicultural literature curriculum within a general education setting. Providing young students with opportunities to develop perspective taking and empathetic responses to others who are different, offers the critical potential for reducing prejudice. Based on Allport’s (1979) contact theory, originally written in 1954, multicultural literature served as indirect contact, providing access to characters who were different from the students. The design included the researcher’s classroom and a teacher cohort of five third grade teachers interacting with a total of 103 students in a public charter elementary school in South Florida. The selection of third graders was purposeful by the developmental window of social perspective taking identified by Selman (1980). Each teacher utilized the multicultural book set to conduct interactive read-alouds along with critical questions to support the students in understanding the settings and problems and therefore the perspective of the diverse characters. We gathered data from student work samples, audio tapes, cohort meetings, teacher journals, researcher journals, and critical friend meetings. Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis aided in the organization and handling of the quantity of data as Glasser’s (2008) constant comparative method was applied to coding through the action research recursive cycles. Emergent themes and patterns from the data demonstrated positive development in the depth of discussion through improved emotional vocabulary and new understanding of mixed emotions. The variety of storylines offered new knowledge of social justice issues such as immigration, refugees, religious tolerance, slavery, and poverty while developing vocabulary to engage in reading and discussion. The indirect contact experiences with diverse characters and the lessons provided practice in perspective taking and emotional empathy skills. This study contributes to the body of literature using multicultural literature for empathy and perspective taking development and adds to indirect contact studies for prejudice reduction by focusing on younger students and being conducted within an authentic school context.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013210
- Subject Headings
- Third grade (Education)--Florida, Multicultural stories, Empathy in children
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Computational Analysis of Bio-Inspired Modified Boundary Layers for Acoustic Pressure Shielding in A Turbulent Wall Jet.
- Creator
- Gonzalez, Alexander J., Glegg, Stewart, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- Abstract/Description
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Surface pressure fluctuations developed by turbulent flow within a boundary layer is a major cause of flow noise from a body and an issue which reveals itself over a wide range of engineering applications. Modified boundary layers (MBLs) inspired by the down coat of an owl’s wing has shown to reduce the acoustic effects caused by flow noise. This thesis investigates the mechanisms that modified boundary layers can provide for reducing the surface pressure fluctuations in a boundary layer....
Show moreSurface pressure fluctuations developed by turbulent flow within a boundary layer is a major cause of flow noise from a body and an issue which reveals itself over a wide range of engineering applications. Modified boundary layers (MBLs) inspired by the down coat of an owl’s wing has shown to reduce the acoustic effects caused by flow noise. This thesis investigates the mechanisms that modified boundary layers can provide for reducing the surface pressure fluctuations in a boundary layer. This study analyzes various types of MBLs in a wall jet wind tunnel through computational fluid dynamics and numerical surface pressure spectrum predictions. A novel surface pressure fluctuation spectrum model is developed for use in a wall jet boundary layer and demonstrates high accuracy over a range of Reynolds numbers. Non-dimensional parameters which define the MBL’s geometry and flow environment were found to have a key role in optimizing the acoustic performance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013209
- Subject Headings
- Turbulent flow, Turbulent boundary layer, Computational fluid dynamics, Wall jets
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Basic or Fabulous? Developing a Life Complexity Scale.
- Creator
- Goldsztajn Farelo, David, Nowak, Andrzej, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
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A Life Complexity Scale (LCS) and Life Diversity Scale (LDS) were developed to assess the richness and diversity of experiences in individuals. In study 1, three hundred and fifty mTurk workers completed the LCS and other standard measurements of personality to assess the scales validity and correlation. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were used to look into the structure of the scale. Four factors were selected according to Scree plot solution and theoretical...
Show moreA Life Complexity Scale (LCS) and Life Diversity Scale (LDS) were developed to assess the richness and diversity of experiences in individuals. In study 1, three hundred and fifty mTurk workers completed the LCS and other standard measurements of personality to assess the scales validity and correlation. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were used to look into the structure of the scale. Four factors were selected according to Scree plot solution and theoretical framework including: complexity, basic, uncertainty, and complicated. In study 2, four hundred mTurk workers completed the LDS along with other measurements of personality, depression, and social support. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were used to explore the structure of the scale finding a single factor solution. The results indicate that both scales have good reliability LCS (Omega total = 1.02) and LDS (Omega total = .8). The associations with other personality traits are explored and recommendations for future research are signaled.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013208
- Subject Headings
- Personality--Research, Personality assessment, Personality tests--Data processing, Personality tests--Design and construction
- Format
- Document (PDF)
