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- 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
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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)
- Title
- A Bird’s Eye View: Assessing Sea Turtle Presence in Florida’s Gulf Stream and Coastal Waters.
- Creator
- Bovery, Caitlin M., Wyneken, Jeanette, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Assessing the presence or absence of marine turtles in an open system poses both observational and analytical challenges due to the migratory nature of marine turtles and their use of large current systems. Concentrations can shift as turtles shift between oceanic and neritic stages and migrate between breeding and foraging grounds. We conducted standard aerial surveys monthly from 2011-2012 to capture seasonal snapshots of sea turtle presence. Each survey covered the area from a northern...
Show moreAssessing the presence or absence of marine turtles in an open system poses both observational and analytical challenges due to the migratory nature of marine turtles and their use of large current systems. Concentrations can shift as turtles shift between oceanic and neritic stages and migrate between breeding and foraging grounds. We conducted standard aerial surveys monthly from 2011-2012 to capture seasonal snapshots of sea turtle presence. Each survey covered the area from a northern boundary near West Palm Beach, Florida 26°43′N to a southern boundary near Miami, Florida 25°40′N, USA with transects up to 20-50 km offshore. 218 turtles were observed during the course of this study 2011: n 79; 2012: n 139. We summarize our sightings by season: Winter December-February, Spring March-May, Summer June-August, and Fall September-November to examine trends in presence of sea turtles. A variety of sizes were observed throughout the year, indicating the presence of several life stages of marine turtles in Florida’s waters during all four seasons. While it is understood that marine turtles use the waters off the eastern coast of Florida, here we document the magnitude of the shift in turtle presence each season throughout two years and where the turtles occur most frequently. Our assessment of marine turtles in the waters off of southeast Florida provide valuable metrics describing the in-water biology of these turtles and for the first time, provide a quantitative assessment of annual and inter-annual fluctuations in presence in the major current and along our coast.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005804
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Development of a scale for the measurement of evolutionarily important situation characteristics.
- Creator
- Brown, Nicolas A., Serfass, David G., Sherman, Ryne A., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Behavior in everyday situations depends on the activation of an individual’s specific goals and motives. Research suggests that basic goals such as protecting oneself, forming coalitions, and avoiding disease have emerged as the result of evolutionary processes Kenrick, Li, & Butner, 2003. However, no scale exists to measure the characteristics of situations that might promote or prevent the achievement of these goals. Participants described a situation they encountered the previous day and...
Show moreBehavior in everyday situations depends on the activation of an individual’s specific goals and motives. Research suggests that basic goals such as protecting oneself, forming coalitions, and avoiding disease have emerged as the result of evolutionary processes Kenrick, Li, & Butner, 2003. However, no scale exists to measure the characteristics of situations that might promote or prevent the achievement of these goals. Participants described a situation they encountered the previous day and rated that situation using 64 items designed to tap seven adaptive problems identified by Kenrick and colleagues 2003. Using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses a 28-item measure of situational characteristics that promote or prevent the achievement of evolutionarily important goals was created. The results suggest that this 28-item measure has both adequate bandwidth and fidelity. Future research should investigate the discriminant and convergent validity of this newly created measure.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005805
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The implications of willow invasion in a sawgrass community.
- Creator
- Budny, Michelle L., Benscoter, Brian, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Purpose: This project will assess the consequences of expansion of coastal willow Salix caroliniana in sawgrass Cladium jamaicense-dominated wetlands on plant community composition and ecosystem water and carbon exchange. Methods: Research will be conducted at Blue Cypress Conservation Area, an impounded sawgrass peatland within the St. John’s Water Management District SJWMD located in Vero Beach, FL. It is part of the River Basin Project controlled by SJWMD and the US Army Corps of Engineers...
Show morePurpose: This project will assess the consequences of expansion of coastal willow Salix caroliniana in sawgrass Cladium jamaicense-dominated wetlands on plant community composition and ecosystem water and carbon exchange. Methods: Research will be conducted at Blue Cypress Conservation Area, an impounded sawgrass peatland within the St. John’s Water Management District SJWMD located in Vero Beach, FL. It is part of the River Basin Project controlled by SJWMD and the US Army Corps of Engineers, which moderates flooding, protects water quality, and reduces the amount of freshwater diverted to the Indian River Lagoon. Plant transpiration and CO2 exchange will be measured on fully expanded, non-damaged leaves of sawgrass and willow using a portable infrared gas analyzer LI-6400, LI-COR, Lincoln, NE, U.S.A.. Plant community composition in both habitats will be surveyed along with measurements of microhabitat conditions and water quality. Results: The results obtained from this study will provide a better understanding of physiological responses and community changes that may occur in sawgrass habitats as a result of willow encroachment. It is anticipated that there will be differences in transpiration rates between the two species as well as changes to community structure and water quality. Measuring plant level physiological responses will help improve landscape level models of water exchange as well as inform water management decisions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005806
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An Examination of Biomedical Intellectual Reputation in Relationship to Graduates’ Productivity, Regional Innovation and Absorptive Capacity at Selected Universities Worldwide.
- Creator
- Cavanaugh, Gesulla, Wright, Dianne A., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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The purpose of this study was first to determine factors associated with intellectual reputation. Second, the study aimed to examine intellectual reputation in relationship to doctoral graduates’ productivity in the biomedical sciences and in relationship to organizational biomedical advancement and productivity. Third, the study aimed to visualize a spatial relationship between intellectual reputation and local organizational biomedical advancement and productivity. Finally, a simulated...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was first to determine factors associated with intellectual reputation. Second, the study aimed to examine intellectual reputation in relationship to doctoral graduates’ productivity in the biomedical sciences and in relationship to organizational biomedical advancement and productivity. Third, the study aimed to visualize a spatial relationship between intellectual reputation and local organizational biomedical advancement and productivity. Finally, a simulated research-based model was proposed for understanding hospital productivity. The study used quantitative analysis and The Geographic Information System GIS. The findings from this study suggest that university’s research intensity, having a Nobel Laureate on staff, Hirsch Index of the most prominent researcher on staff, scientific patent, scientific publications, and affiliation with multiple countries are good predictors of intellectual reputation. Correlation analysis suggests that university intellectual reputation is associated with doctoral graduates’ productivity. When examining the relationship between the university and hospitals, university intellectual reputation was positively correlated with hospital biomedical advancement. Hospital productivity was significantly correlated with university intellectual reputation. University intellectual reputation was significantly correlated with hospital capacity to absorb knowledge and knowledge spillover. Regression analysis also reveals that hospital capacity to absorb knowledge and knowledge spillover are good predictors of hospital biomedical advancement, F 2, 176 62.637, p 0.001.Visual examination of the hospitals suggests that when universities publish at a large quantity, this influences hospitals within the area to publish as well. Additionally, hospitals that are more productive tend to cluster around universities with higher intellectual reputation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005807
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- DNA Fingerprints and ribotypes of the oral microbiome can distinguish smokers and oral disease patients from healthy non smokers.
- Creator
- Chakraborty, Shreyasee, Persaud, Verneshia, Vergas, Sonya, Graduate College, Gautier, Gloryanne, Esiobu, Nwadiuto
- Abstract/Description
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Defining the bacterial communities associated with healthy status will permit rapid detection of shifts associated with disease and foster effective probiotic intervention. This study compares the PCR-RFLP of oral metagenomes and cultured bacterial community, as well as the bacterial diversity profile of smokers, non-smokers and oral disease patients. The goal was to evaluate the stability of bacteria associated with health and capture possible shifts potentially diagnostic of smokers and...
Show moreDefining the bacterial communities associated with healthy status will permit rapid detection of shifts associated with disease and foster effective probiotic intervention. This study compares the PCR-RFLP of oral metagenomes and cultured bacterial community, as well as the bacterial diversity profile of smokers, non-smokers and oral disease patients. The goal was to evaluate the stability of bacteria associated with health and capture possible shifts potentially diagnostic of smokers and oral disease. Oral wash samples were obtained from 5 healthy and 5 smokers twice, 3 months apart. Samples from 5 oral disease patients were also collected. Metagenomic and the genomic DNA of a cultured subset were amplified using primer 1492R and 27F.The generated 16SrRNA gene amplicons were used for arestriction digestion assay and bcloning with the Gene Hunter PCRTrap vector and pCR 4- TOPO cloning kits. The restriction fingerprints were statistically tested using Gel Compare II. The cloned 16S genes were sequenced using the ABI GeneAmp 9700 Thermal cycler. Sequences were analyzed by BLAST on the RDB II database and the HOMD. Sau 3AI and Alu I produced the best distinctive markers of 300 bp in healthy nonsmokers and 500bp in smokers in plate wash communities. The 16S sequence data suggest the presence of a core microbiota in all subjects mostly Streptococcus, Gamella, Candidatuse spp and confirmed that the smokers harbored highly diverse and distinct community Neisseria pharynges, Rothia mucilaginosa. Remarkably, there was a high stability of the fingerprints and diversity profile for smokers and nonsmokers after 3 months.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005808
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Sea-level rise vulnerability mapping using LiDAR DEMs.
- Creator
- Cooper, Hannah M., Fletcher, Chip, Chen, Qi, Graduate College, Barbee, Matthew, Zhang, Caiyun
- Abstract/Description
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Global sea-level rise SLR is projected to accelerate over the next century, with research indicating that global mean sea level may rise 18–48 cm by 2050, and 50–140 cm by 2100. Decision-makers, faced with the problem of adapting to SLR, utilize elevation data to identify assets that are vulnerable to inundation. This paper reviews techniques and challenges stemming from the use of Light Detection and Ranging LiDAR Digital Elevation Models DEMs in support of SLR decision-making. A significant...
Show moreGlobal sea-level rise SLR is projected to accelerate over the next century, with research indicating that global mean sea level may rise 18–48 cm by 2050, and 50–140 cm by 2100. Decision-makers, faced with the problem of adapting to SLR, utilize elevation data to identify assets that are vulnerable to inundation. This paper reviews techniques and challenges stemming from the use of Light Detection and Ranging LiDAR Digital Elevation Models DEMs in support of SLR decision-making. A significant shortcoming in the methodology is the lack of comprehensive standards for estimating LiDAR error, which causes inconsistent and sometimes misleading calculations of uncertainty. Workers typically aim to reduce uncertainty by analyzing the difference between LiDAR error and the target SLR chosen for decision-making. The practice of mapping vulnerability to SLR is based on the assumption that LiDAR errors follow a normal distribution with zero bias, which is intermittently violated. Approaches to correcting discrepancies between vertical reference systems for land and tidal datums may incorporate tidal benchmarks and a vertical datum transformation tool provided by the National Ocean Service VDatum. Mapping a minimum statistically significant SLR increment of 32 cm is difficult to achieve based on current LiDAR and VDatum errors. LiDAR DEMs derived from ‘ground’ returns are essential, yet LiDAR providers may fail to remove returns over vegetated areas successfully. LiDAR DEMs integrated into a GIS can be used to identify areas that are vulnerable to direct marine inundation and groundwater inundation reduced drainage coupled with higher water tables. Spatial analysis can identify potentially vulnerable ecosystems as well as developed assets. A standardized mapping uncertainty needs to be developed given that SLR vulnerability mapping requires absolute precision for use as a decision-making tool.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005809
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Environmental hotspots for antibiotic resistant bacteria arb.
- Creator
- Dawkins, Karim, Esiobu, Nwadiuto, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in environmental and clinical settings have been a driving force for the prevalence of bacterial resistance. In constant interaction with these chemicals which can harm them, adaptively and inherently, bacteria have devised resistance mechanisms to combat the deleterious effects posed. In the presence of a particular antibiotic, it is expected there will be selection of resistant micro-organisms and their associated resistance genes if present. In this...
Show moreThe overuse and misuse of antibiotics in environmental and clinical settings have been a driving force for the prevalence of bacterial resistance. In constant interaction with these chemicals which can harm them, adaptively and inherently, bacteria have devised resistance mechanisms to combat the deleterious effects posed. In the presence of a particular antibiotic, it is expected there will be selection of resistant micro-organisms and their associated resistance genes if present. In this study, a set of 10 samples were taken from recreational beaches in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Hollywood and four different agricultural soils. These soils were enriched after being collected aseptically with three commonly used antibiotics; Ciprofloxacin, Tetracycline and Vancomycin to select for resistant organisms, which produced 29 total samples. A metagenomic analysis was done with 16S rDNA amplification with primers 27F and 1492R which produced 14 out of 29 amplicons producing the expected ~1400 bp fragment from the conserved SSU 16S rDNA region using Agarose gel electrophoresis. From these 14 samples amplified, a second PCR would be run from each enriched antibiotic sample with their respective antibiotic resistance primers eg. vanA-D, tetO and qnrA to identify the resistance genes present expecting that the antibiotic used for enrichment would select for the resistant organisms. Future work includes the sequencing of the amplified resistance genes to help identify novel genetic alterations indicative of new adaptive mechanisms.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005810
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Comparison of Data Sampling Approaches for Imbalanced Bioinformatics Data.
- Creator
- Dittman, David, Wald, Randall, Napolitano, Amri E., Graduate College, Khoshgoftaar, Taghi M.
- Abstract/Description
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Class imbalance is a frequent problem found in bioinformatics datasets. Unfortunately, the minority class is usually also the class of interest. One of the methods to improve this situation is data sampling. There are a number of different data sampling methods, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, which makes choosing one a difficult prospect. In our work we compare three data sampling techniques Random Undersampling, Random Oversampling, and SMOTE on six bioinformatics datasets...
Show moreClass imbalance is a frequent problem found in bioinformatics datasets. Unfortunately, the minority class is usually also the class of interest. One of the methods to improve this situation is data sampling. There are a number of different data sampling methods, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, which makes choosing one a difficult prospect. In our work we compare three data sampling techniques Random Undersampling, Random Oversampling, and SMOTE on six bioinformatics datasets with varying levels of class imbalance. Additionally, we apply two different classifiers to the problem 5-NN and SVM, and use feature selection to reduce our datasets to 25 features prior to applying sampling. Our results show that there is very little difference between the data sampling techniques, although Random Undersampling is the most frequent top performing data sampling technique for both of our classifiers. We also performed statistical analysis which confirms that there is no statistical difference between the techniques. Therefore, our recommendation is to use Random Undersampling when choosing a data sampling technique, because it is less computationally expensive to implement than SMOTE and it also reduces the size of the dataset, which will improve subsequent computational costs without sacrificing classification performance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005811
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Comparison study between BrainLab and Eclipse for small cancer lesions.
- Creator
- Doozan, Brian, Leventouri, Theodora, Pella, Silvia, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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There are many available options today for treating small lesion cancer cells. Two of the most used options are the planning systems BrainLab and Eclipse. The main difference between the two is the algorithms that are used to calculate the dose distribution of external beam radiation therapy. BrainLab offers a Monte Carlo based algorithm while Eclipse utilizes the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm. An investigative study on the quality of the planning system is done for cases in lung, head and...
Show moreThere are many available options today for treating small lesion cancer cells. Two of the most used options are the planning systems BrainLab and Eclipse. The main difference between the two is the algorithms that are used to calculate the dose distribution of external beam radiation therapy. BrainLab offers a Monte Carlo based algorithm while Eclipse utilizes the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm. An investigative study on the quality of the planning system is done for cases in lung, head and neck and prostate. In particular, lung cases are highly heterogeneous which can lead to problems in the calculation. The ability to be able to plan on the best system for individual cases can lead to better and more consistent treatments for cancer patients.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005812
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Exploring Appropriate Offset Values for Pencil Beam and Monte Carlo Dose Optimization in Lung Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Encompassing the Effects of Respiration and Tumor Location.
- Creator
- Evans, Grant, Shang, Charles, Leventouri, Theodora, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Purpose: To explore offset values in dose optimization with pencil beam (PB) algorithm to minimize dosimetric differences with plans calculated with Monte Carlo (MC) for lung cancer treatment with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT). Methods: 20 cases of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, treated with gated full motion range SBRT were selected. According to the proximity of the Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) to the chest wall, two groups are defined. Treatment plans were created on 4D average intensity...
Show morePurpose: To explore offset values in dose optimization with pencil beam (PB) algorithm to minimize dosimetric differences with plans calculated with Monte Carlo (MC) for lung cancer treatment with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT). Methods: 20 cases of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, treated with gated full motion range SBRT were selected. According to the proximity of the Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) to the chest wall, two groups are defined. Treatment plans were created on 4D average intensity projection (AIP) CT set with Brainlab iPlanDose® 4.1.2 planning system. The D97 of PTV was normalized to 50Gy using the fast PB and compared with MC. The optimized plan was then recomputed over each 4D respiratory phase, and compared with MC. Results: The mean difference in the PB and MC D97 of the ITV was 10.5% (±0.8%) of the prescription dose (50Gy). PB algorithm showed 2.3-2.4% less overestimation to the D97 of the ITV, when comparing to MC, in the maximum exhalation phase than in the maximal inhalation phase. Significantly smaller dose difference between PB and MC is also shown in plans for peripheral lesions (7.7 ± 0.7%) versus for central lesions (12.7±0.8%) (p< 0.01). Conclusions: The dosimetric differences between PB and MC can be reasonably predicted depending on the location of lesion in the lung, and may be used as offset value in dose optimization with PB. Caution is suggested when using the maximum inhalation phase for treatment planning.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005813
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Antibiotic resistance in the oral bacterial community.
- Creator
- Famuyiwa, Toluleke, Esiobu, Nwadiuto, Jia, Kailiang, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Purpose: This study was designed to define the antibiotic resistance index of the cultivable oral microbiome to Amoxiacilin Clavulanic acid, Vancomycin, Ciprofloxacin, Clarithomycin, Chlorotetracyclin, Bacitracin, Kanamycin and Tobramycin using a new method adapted from the Kirby Bauer assay. Method: Oral wash samples were collected from 2 current smokers and 2 nonsmokers. Bacterial community were pelleted by centrifugation and used to create a lawn for the assay employing standard disk...
Show morePurpose: This study was designed to define the antibiotic resistance index of the cultivable oral microbiome to Amoxiacilin Clavulanic acid, Vancomycin, Ciprofloxacin, Clarithomycin, Chlorotetracyclin, Bacitracin, Kanamycin and Tobramycin using a new method adapted from the Kirby Bauer assay. Method: Oral wash samples were collected from 2 current smokers and 2 nonsmokers. Bacterial community were pelleted by centrifugation and used to create a lawn for the assay employing standard disk diffusion assay. Zones of inhibition and number of colonies in the zone were recorded. Mean values of inhibition zones were compared to established databases to draw conclusions. Result: The zones of inhibition of Bacitracin antibiotics shows that several bacteria from one of the non smokers were resistant to Bacitracin, while the smokers showed marked susceptibility. Conclusion: The new method developed in our lab yielded consistent set of data which serve as criteria for determining resistance of the oral microbiome to antibiotics. Quite remarkably, it is known that pathogenic beta Streptococci are susceptible to Bacitracin while non-pathogens are not; confirming that healthy persons harbor the healthy strains of streptococci. However the unanswered question is …. Could these normal biota pick up genes and become resistant too? Only time and human habits will decide but we have developed a baseline and an easy method for testing.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005814
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Diffusion of Seawater within Unidirectional Carbon/Vinylester.
- Creator
- Fichera, Maryann, Carlsson, Leif A., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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The objective of this work is to characterize the moisture transport in a unidirectional, transversely isotropic carbon/vinylester composite. Diffusion occurs when the material is immersed in sea water and the moisture is transported through the voids, and interface gaps. This uptake of moisture can cause problems including matrix degradation and swelling, reduction of fiber/matrix interface strength, etc. To characterize water transport, three diffusivities are required, D1, D2, and D3....
Show moreThe objective of this work is to characterize the moisture transport in a unidirectional, transversely isotropic carbon/vinylester composite. Diffusion occurs when the material is immersed in sea water and the moisture is transported through the voids, and interface gaps. This uptake of moisture can cause problems including matrix degradation and swelling, reduction of fiber/matrix interface strength, etc. To characterize water transport, three diffusivities are required, D1, D2, and D3. However, transversely isotropic material can be characterized by two diffusivities, along and transverse to the fibers (D1=DL, and D2=D3=DT). Composite materials may absorb moisture along the fiber/matrix interface, especially if the ends of the fibers are exposed. This mechanism of moisture transport inside the composite is known as “wicking”, which would increase the value of DL. Wicking is promoted by voids and unbonded regions between the fiber and matrix. Experiments will be conducted on specimens made from vinylester resin reinforced with unidirectional carbon fibers. A range of specimens will be prepared and immersed in 40°C sea water. The moisture content will be monitored until maximum saturation. Previous studies indicate that the Fickian diffusion model is a reasonable descriptor of the moisture absorption process. From the plots of moisture content versus time1/2, the apparent diffusivity will be reduced for the different size panels. The longitudinal and transverse diffusivities will be determined using a Matlab algorithm. The amount of moisture absorbed into the composite due to wicking will be quantified from mass balance analysis and related to the longitudinal and transverse diffusivities.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005815
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Three Women Potters in Iran: Issues of Art, Craft and Gender.
- Creator
- Filsoofi, Raheleh T., McConnell, Brian E., Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Iran’s long history of pottery making goes back ten thousand years, and it is as diverse as the country’s geography and ethnic composition. Clay as a material connects contemporary Iranian society to its ancient roots, and it permeates daily life in terms of the economy, technology and even gender roles. This presentation focuses on the lives of three women potters in northern and western Iran, one in the village of Jirdeh Central Gillan province, another in the village of khomar Mahaleh East...
Show moreIran’s long history of pottery making goes back ten thousand years, and it is as diverse as the country’s geography and ethnic composition. Clay as a material connects contemporary Iranian society to its ancient roots, and it permeates daily life in terms of the economy, technology and even gender roles. This presentation focuses on the lives of three women potters in northern and western Iran, one in the village of Jirdeh Central Gillan province, another in the village of khomar Mahaleh East Gillan, and the third outside of the City of Marand West Azerbaijan province. Each woman represents a particular genre of handmade pottery from functional to sculptural work, and she establishes a unique identity in terms of production, commercial distribution and her personal relationship to the social and geographic environment. A selection of interviews, photographs and video clips taken during the summer of 2012 illustrate how these women work and thrive in their leadership, independence and creative artistry. Key concepts include: 1 Land place, home, 2 Technique and work process, 3 Gender roles, 4 Tradition and why their works are considered traditional, and 5 Authenticity and what makes their works authentic. The solitude that separates and yet connects these women offers a contrast to the nature of ceramics in the contemporary art world of Tehran and also opens a dialog for gender and feminist issues that are relevant to study of art technology, design and the roles of women in Iranian society today.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005816
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- To show the differences and similarities in Iranian and American culture through the graphic design.
- Creator
- Ghoreishi, Setareh, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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This thesis project will explore the role of visual design in the interaction of two different cultures from two extremely different countries: Iran and the United States of America. Each has a particular politic relation to each other in history. I want to explore design’s role comparatively in illustrating and displaying the visual cultural subjects of both countries, their communication, and how the two cultures impact each other. Some of the effects on culture are integrated with...
Show moreThis thesis project will explore the role of visual design in the interaction of two different cultures from two extremely different countries: Iran and the United States of America. Each has a particular politic relation to each other in history. I want to explore design’s role comparatively in illustrating and displaying the visual cultural subjects of both countries, their communication, and how the two cultures impact each other. Some of the effects on culture are integrated with technology and tradition too. Particularly tradition, which is part of the root of one’s culture, slowly becomes obsolete due to turning into technology and becoming modern. So sometimes we encounter with exchanging or replacing cultures. Moreover, since social culture and personal culture play a crucial role in personal identity, assimilating with a different society brings about various identities too. In my opinion immigrant people such as myself, as an international student from Iran, are a good example to represent the clash and combination of two cultures and how one adapts and work in accord these cultures. The overall intent of this project is to utilize graphic design to design of series of seven to ten objects as a product packages or consumer artifacts along with advertisement based on visualizing the communication and interaction of these specific countries’ culture. It will demonstrate similarities and differences through visual comparison, collation, and confronting of cultural and social elements through the visual language and the tools of design.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005817
- Format
- Document (PDF)