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- Title
- THE THIRD ISLAND.
- Creator
-
Mora, Iris, Rodriguez Milanes, Cecilia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The Third Island is a novella about a Puerto Rican woman of Spanish descent who faces her biggest fear-death. Death comes in many forms and for Laura Maria De La Esperanza Castel, it comes in the form of a man with whom she thinks she is in love. Vacationing on an island in the Bahamas, novelist Laura Castel finds that the only way to survive is to overcome her fear and reject being controlled by the figure who is trying to take her. She overcomes many obstacles and is taught about self...
Show moreThe Third Island is a novella about a Puerto Rican woman of Spanish descent who faces her biggest fear-death. Death comes in many forms and for Laura Maria De La Esperanza Castel, it comes in the form of a man with whom she thinks she is in love. Vacationing on an island in the Bahamas, novelist Laura Castel finds that the only way to survive is to overcome her fear and reject being controlled by the figure who is trying to take her. She overcomes many obstacles and is taught about self-sufficiency, the history of repression of minorities groups or of the misunderstood, and the importance of protecting those who are not able to protect themselves.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004801, ucf:45479
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004801
- Title
- THE THERMODYNAMICS OF PLANETARY ENGINEERING ON THE PLANET MARS.
- Creator
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Barsoum, Christopher, Lin, Kuo-Chi, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Mars is a potentially habitable planet given the appropriate planetary engineering efforts. In order to create a habitable environment, the planet must be terraformed, creating quasi-Earth conditions. Benchmarks for minimum acceptable survivable human conditions were set by observing atmospheric pressures and temperatures here on Earth that humans are known to exist in. By observing a positive feedback reaction, it is shown how the sublimation of the volatile southern polar ice cap on Mars...
Show moreMars is a potentially habitable planet given the appropriate planetary engineering efforts. In order to create a habitable environment, the planet must be terraformed, creating quasi-Earth conditions. Benchmarks for minimum acceptable survivable human conditions were set by observing atmospheric pressures and temperatures here on Earth that humans are known to exist in. By observing a positive feedback reaction, it is shown how the sublimation of the volatile southern polar ice cap on Mars can increase global temperatures and pressures to the benchmarks set for minimum acceptable survivable human conditions. Given the degree of uncertainty, utilization of pressure scale heights and the Martin extreme terrain were used to show how less than desirable conditions can still produce results where these benchmarks can be met. Methods for obtaining enough energy to sublimate the southern polar ice cap were reviewed in detail. A new method of using dark, carbonaceous Martian moon material to alter the overall average albedo of the polar ice cap is proposed. Such a method would increase Martian energy efficiency. It is shown that by covering roughly 10% of the Martian polar ice cap with dark carbonaceous material, this required energy can be obtained. Overall contributions include utilization of pressure scale heights at various suggested settlement sites, as well as polar albedo altering as a method of planetary engineering. This project serves as a foundational work for long term solar system exploration and settlement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004540, ucf:45225
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004540
- Title
- The Tailor's Apprentice Cinematic Experience Through The Micro-Budget Paradigm.
- Creator
-
Lehman, Jeffrey, Stoeckl, Ula, Sandler, Barry, Schlow, Stephen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The Tailor's Apprentice is a feature-length, micro-budget, narrative digital motion picture, written, produced and directed by Jeffrey Lehman in partial fulfillment of the requirements of earning a Master of Fine Arts in Film from the University of Central Florida. The film is a result of applying specific monetary, logistical and creative limitations to the production process in order to contribute in defining the micro-budget aesthetic, resulting in a final shared cinematic audience...
Show moreThe Tailor's Apprentice is a feature-length, micro-budget, narrative digital motion picture, written, produced and directed by Jeffrey Lehman in partial fulfillment of the requirements of earning a Master of Fine Arts in Film from the University of Central Florida. The film is a result of applying specific monetary, logistical and creative limitations to the production process in order to contribute in defining the micro-budget aesthetic, resulting in a final shared cinematic audience experience. This thesis is a record of all stages from conception to completion of the executed, feature length film with-in the micro-budget production paradigm.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004877, ucf:49660
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004877
- Title
- THE TAÍNO ARE STILL ALIVE, TAÍNO CUAN YAHABO: AN EXAMPLE OF THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF RACE AND ETHNICITY.
- Creator
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Cintron, David, Corzine, Jay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Definitions and boundaries of race and ethnicity are socially constructed. They are malleable inventions created by the negotiation of ascribed ideas from outside groups and asserted notions from the inside group's membership. The revitalization of Taíno identity and culture within the Puerto Rican and related communities is a classic case example of this negotiation. Although objective conditions exist to recognize the descendants of these Caribbean aboriginals as an identifiable...
Show moreDefinitions and boundaries of race and ethnicity are socially constructed. They are malleable inventions created by the negotiation of ascribed ideas from outside groups and asserted notions from the inside group's membership. The revitalization of Taíno identity and culture within the Puerto Rican and related communities is a classic case example of this negotiation. Although objective conditions exist to recognize the descendants of these Caribbean aboriginals as an identifiable group, their identities are contested and sometimes ridiculed. Even though Taíno heritage is accepted as an essential root of Puerto Rico's cultural and biological make-up, this group has been classified as extinct since the early 16th century. This thesis analyzes the official newsletters of the Taíno Nation of the Antilles--one of the leading organizations working for revitalization. The content of this material culture was dissected and organized into rhetorical categories in order to reveal patterns of endogamic assertions of race and ethnicity. This thesis will provide a descriptive analysis of the Taíno Nation's rhetorical process of convincing the world that they do in fact exist.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001325, ucf:46988
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001325
- Title
- THE SYNERGIES BETWEEN TOURISM EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, POVERTY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN ECUADOR.
- Creator
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Rivera, Manuel, Croes, Robertico, Hara, Tadayuki, Pizam, Abraham, Robinson, Edward, Maunez-Cuadra, Jose, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
ABSTRACTThis dissertation attempts to answer the question of what has been the effect of tourism expansion and development in Ecuador. We attempt to analyze, both theoretically and empirically, the relationship between tourism and development. There have been an enormous number of studies explaining how tourism can affect the various dimensions of development. However, no research has been undertaken to simultaneously empirically examine the impact that changes in tourism expansion has on...
Show moreABSTRACTThis dissertation attempts to answer the question of what has been the effect of tourism expansion and development in Ecuador. We attempt to analyze, both theoretically and empirically, the relationship between tourism and development. There have been an enormous number of studies explaining how tourism can affect the various dimensions of development. However, no research has been undertaken to simultaneously empirically examine the impact that changes in tourism expansion has on poverty, human development, and economic growth.To this end, we propose a cointergation methodology with an error correction model to estimate the impact of tourism expansion on poverty, human development, and economic growth. This study employs time series data from 1988 to 2008 as well as a Granger causality test to examine the hypothesized relationships. The five most important results are, first, that tourism seems to have distinguishable effects on reducing poverty. In the case of Ecuador, a tourism poverty nexus exists and it helps fight poverty in terms of intensity, inequality, and the proportion of poor. Secondly, economic growth is Ecuador is (")pro-poor("). Increases in economic growth have both short and long term effects on poverty reduction. Thirdly, tourism does not yet promotes human development but the other way around. Therefore a virtuous cycle between tourism and human development does not exist yet. Therefore, opportunities exist to further promote tourism in an attempt to support human development programs. Fourthly, economic growth promotes human development but human development does not yet promotes growth. These results suggest that Ecuador is in HD lopsided situation when it comes to economic growth and human development. Finally, the relationship between tourism and economic growth is bi-directional; the expansion of either sector promotes the growth of the other.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004161, ucf:49052
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004161
- Title
- THE SYNCHRONICITY OF HOPE AND ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE IN TERMINAL CANCER.
- Creator
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Terry, Brianna M, Chase, Susan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of death worldwide. The rate of mortality is currently approximately 171.2 out of every 100,000 individuals with a terminal cancer diagnosis annually. Individuals with terminal cancer diagnoses facing probable mortality utilize various coping mechanisms or internal resources in an attempt to maintain an internal sense of well-being, commonly referred to as quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this literature...
Show moreCancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of death worldwide. The rate of mortality is currently approximately 171.2 out of every 100,000 individuals with a terminal cancer diagnosis annually. Individuals with terminal cancer diagnoses facing probable mortality utilize various coping mechanisms or internal resources in an attempt to maintain an internal sense of well-being, commonly referred to as quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this literature review was to investigate themes prevalent in the literature pertaining to internal coping mechanisms and analyze any correlation or causation linking these resources to a change in QOL in individuals with a terminal cancer diagnosis. The secondary purpose of this review was to interpret and define the healthcare provider's role in supporting this relationship. A systematic review of the literature was conducted from multiple online databases. Multiple studies related to the overarching themes of internal resources and QOL for individuals with a terminal cancer diagnosis were selected for the review. Results revealed major themes pertaining to correlation between hope and QOL. Studies which analyzed the relationship between hope and QOL found a positive correlation. The literature suggests that healthcare providers are capable of facilitating this relationship between hope and QOL. Healthcare provider facilitation of the relationship between hope and QOL is valuable in the clinical setting, and can aid an individual in achieving a desirable QOL.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000075, ucf:45520
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000075
- Title
- The Sustained Impact of Prekindergarten Participation on Third Grade Academic Performance.
- Creator
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Melin, Marissa, Johnson, Jerry, Clark, M. H., Levin, Judith, Rodriguez, Jordan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In this study, the researcher investigated whether the impact of participating in a prekindergarten program on academic achievement persists through third grade. The study compared three groups of students: students who participated in voluntary prekindergarten, private prekindergarten, and students who did not participate in any prekindergarten program. Using a series of two-factor multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs), this investigation found no interaction effects among...
Show moreIn this study, the researcher investigated whether the impact of participating in a prekindergarten program on academic achievement persists through third grade. The study compared three groups of students: students who participated in voluntary prekindergarten, private prekindergarten, and students who did not participate in any prekindergarten program. Using a series of two-factor multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs), this investigation found no interaction effects among prekindergarten participation and race, gender, socioeconomic status, presence of a discipline referral, or chronic absenteeism on academic achievement in the third grade. However, there was a main effect for the type of prekindergarten program on academic achievement. Both participants of voluntary prekindergarten and private prekindergarten programs outperformed their peers on both third grade mathematics and third grade reading assessments. Thereby, indicating that prekindergarten participation had sustained effects on academic achievement through third grade regardless of student characteristics. Recommendations for future research include evaluating data collection practices, replicating the study annually to continue to evaluate the prekindergarten programs, and following the same cohort to determine the continued impact prekindergarten participation has on students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007686, ucf:52489
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007686
- Title
- The Sustainability of Overconsumption? A Discursive Analysis of Walmart's Sustainability Campaign.
- Creator
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Adams, Kathleen, Jacques, Peter, Kiel, Dwight, Knuckey, Jonathan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study inquires as to whether Walmart's sustainability campaign represents a sincere and holistic change throughout the company's global supply chain or if it is simply a public relations campaign which caters to the growing target market of (")next-generation(") consumers and justifies further expansion into (")emerging markets("). A critical analysis of Walmart's sustainability discourse is presented, using transcribed texts of various corporate and publicity-geared publications....
Show moreThis study inquires as to whether Walmart's sustainability campaign represents a sincere and holistic change throughout the company's global supply chain or if it is simply a public relations campaign which caters to the growing target market of (")next-generation(") consumers and justifies further expansion into (")emerging markets("). A critical analysis of Walmart's sustainability discourse is presented, using transcribed texts of various corporate and publicity-geared publications. Frequently utilized terms and themes are identified throughout the big-box retailer's sustainability campaign which convey a distinctly Neoliberal ethos(-)a political economy which lies at the heart of current practices of institutional unsustainability(-)and emphasize the role of the atomized individual(-)who may purchase protection from environmental risks via green products. Other themes, which are commonly associated with sustainability research, are glaringly absent: subsidiarity; human rights; steady-state economics; economic inequity; the precautionary principle. This research aims to shed light on the prospects for the sustainability of green overconsumption, which Walmart is leading the way in promoting, and for the continuation of the modern economistic zeitgeist into the twenty-first century.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004346, ucf:49416
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004346
- Title
- The Suburban Nightmare: A Study of Atmosphere, Mood and Emotion.
- Creator
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Sobrack, Ericka, Poindexter, Carla, Lotz, Theo, Kovach, Keith, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In this thesis body of work, I focus on the implied human presence through the lack of actual human figures. I believe there is more to say in a landscape with the absence of the figure, allowing the dialogue to be read and interpreted by a larger audience. I am particularly satisfied with White Knuckles, shown in figure 3, because I collide reason with imagination, thus contradicting the context and interpretation of the subject matter. In White Knuckles, I deal with formal elements such as...
Show moreIn this thesis body of work, I focus on the implied human presence through the lack of actual human figures. I believe there is more to say in a landscape with the absence of the figure, allowing the dialogue to be read and interpreted by a larger audience. I am particularly satisfied with White Knuckles, shown in figure 3, because I collide reason with imagination, thus contradicting the context and interpretation of the subject matter. In White Knuckles, I deal with formal elements such as composition, atmosphere, lightness and darkness as well as nuances of color. I have also considered the emotive impact the painting could reflect to the viewer, specifically feelings of tension and unease. The placement of the viewer outside the picture plane was carefully considered to suggest the audience is a participant in the suggested narrative. I often strive to create an ambiguous moment, reflecting feelings of uncertainty and apprehension. Like White Knuckles, my body of work employs unexpected narratives to reveal some of the uncomfortable truths of our human experience. I am interested in exploring the relationship between the mundane and the abnormal in the paintings, a feeling that could be described as a (")suburban nightmare.(")
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007532, ucf:52587
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007532
- Title
- The subjective gameplay experience: An examination of the revised game engagement model.
- Creator
-
Procci, Katelyn, Bowers, Clint, Jentsch, Florian, Sims, Valerie, McDaniel, Rudy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The study of the subjective gameplay experience spans multiple disciplines, from teachers who want to harness the power of gameplay to enhance instruction to game developers hoping to create the next big hit. Despite decades of interest, little agreement has been found regarding the way constructs(-)such as immersion, involvement, presence, and flow(-)are used to describe the subjective gameplay experience. Without the consistent usage of well-defined constructs, it becomes impossible to...
Show moreThe study of the subjective gameplay experience spans multiple disciplines, from teachers who want to harness the power of gameplay to enhance instruction to game developers hoping to create the next big hit. Despite decades of interest, little agreement has been found regarding the way constructs(-)such as immersion, involvement, presence, and flow(-)are used to describe the subjective gameplay experience. Without the consistent usage of well-defined constructs, it becomes impossible to further scientific understanding of this domain. This dissertation examined the theoretical evolution of the key subjective gameplay experience constructs. From this, definitions for immersion, involvement, presence, and flow were extracted. Based on the prior work of Brockmyer et al. (2009), a revised game engagement model was created that incorporated these definitions. To test the proposed relationships within the revised game engagement model, experienced players of the computer game Minecraft were recruited for an experimental study. The participants played the game Minecraft, which was manipulated with respect to both level of difficulty and immersive aspects. This allowed for a range of potential game engagement states to be experienced by the participants. Several individual differences hypothesized to influence the different constructs of game engagement also were measured. The results of the study supported many proposed aspects of the revised game engagement model and revealed ways in which the model could be further refined. The theoretically-derived definitions and revised game engagement model resulting from this work, along with the suggested measures for these relevant constructs, provides a framework for future work in this area. This framework will improve the consistency of construct operationalization, benefiting the continued study of the subjective gameplay experience.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005691, ucf:50128
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005691
- Title
- THE STUDY OF THREE DIFFERENT LAYERED STRUCTURES AS MODEL SYSTEMS FOR HYDROGEN STORAGE MATERIALS.
- Creator
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Oztek, Muzaffer, Hampton, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The strength and success of the hydrogen economy relies heavily on the storage of hydrogen. Storage systems in which hydrogen is sequestered in a solid material have been shown to be advantageous over storage of hydrogen as a liquid or compressed gas. Many different types of materials have been investigated, yet the desired capacity and uptake/release characteristics required for implementation have not been reached. In this work, porphyrin aggregates were investigated as a new type of...
Show moreThe strength and success of the hydrogen economy relies heavily on the storage of hydrogen. Storage systems in which hydrogen is sequestered in a solid material have been shown to be advantageous over storage of hydrogen as a liquid or compressed gas. Many different types of materials have been investigated, yet the desired capacity and uptake/release characteristics required for implementation have not been reached. In this work, porphyrin aggregates were investigated as a new type of material for hydrogen storage. The building blocks of the aggregates are porphyrin molecules that are planar and can assume a face to face arrangement that is also known as H-aggregation. The H-aggregates were formed in solution, upon mixing of aqueous solutions of two different porphyrins, one carrying positively charged and the other one carrying negatively charged functional groups. The cationic porphyrin used was meso-tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium) porphine (TAP) and it was combined with four different anionic porphyrins, meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine (TPPS), meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphine (TCPP), Cu(II) meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphine, and Fe(III) meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphine. The force of attraction that held two oppositely charged porphyrin molecules together was electrostatic attraction between the peripheral groups. Solid state aggregates were successfully isolated either by solvent evaporation or by centrifuging and freeze drying. TCPP-TAP and Cu(II)TCPP-TAP aggregates were shown to interact with hydrogen starting from 150 °C up to 250 °C. The uptake capacity was about 1 weight %. Although this value is very low, this is the first observation of porphyrin aggregates absorbing hydrogen. This opened the way for further research to improve hydrogen absorption properties of these materials, as well as other materials based on this model. Two other materials that are also based on planar building blocks were selected to serve as a comparison to the porphyrin aggregates. The first of those materials was metal intercalated graphite compounds. In such compounds, a metal atom is placed between the layers of graphene that make up the graphite. Lithium, calcium and lanthanum were selected in this study. Theoretical hydrogen capacity was calculated for each material based on the hydriding of the metal atoms only. The fraction of that theoretical hydrogen capacity actually displayed by each material increased from La to Ca to Li containing graphite. The weight % hydrogen observed for these materials varied between 0.60 and 2.0 %. The other material tested for comparison was KxMnO2, a layered structure of MnO2 that contained the K atoms in between oxygen layers. The hydrogen capacity of the KxMnO2 samples was similar to the other materials tested in the study, slightly above 1 weight %. This work has shown that porphyrin aggregates, carbon based and manganese dioxide based materials are excellent model materials for hydrogen storage. All three materials absorb hydrogen. Porphyrin aggregates have the potential to exhibit adjustable hydrogen uptake and release temperatures owing to their structure that could interact with an external electric or magnetic field. In the layered materials, it is possible to alter interlayer spacing and the particular intercalates to potentially produce a material with an exceptionally large hydrogen capacity. As a result, these materials can have significant impact on the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003752, ucf:48769
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003752
- Title
- THE STUDY OF THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD MALTREATMENT.
- Creator
-
Kennie, Katie A, Saunders, Steven, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study explores the link between the presence of childhood trauma and adult criminal behavior. In this study, four distinct categories of childhood trauma (physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect) were examined. In addition, this study conducts a comparative analysis of the United States crime rate with that of Switzerland and Japan. This study examines and compares the policies utilized in ensuring the protection of child welfare. The ultimate goal is to provide...
Show moreThis study explores the link between the presence of childhood trauma and adult criminal behavior. In this study, four distinct categories of childhood trauma (physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect) were examined. In addition, this study conducts a comparative analysis of the United States crime rate with that of Switzerland and Japan. This study examines and compares the policies utilized in ensuring the protection of child welfare. The ultimate goal is to provide research which may build a foundation that will assist in creating and improving policies which will ensure a child's psychological health.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000081, ucf:45543
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000081
- Title
- The Study of Physiochemical Properties of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles and its Application in Biosensors.
- Creator
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Barkam, Swetha, Seal, Sudipta, Heinrich, Helge, Gaume, Romain, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Biosensors continue to get smaller and faster with the advancement in nanotechnology through the use of nanomaterials to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity. However, the continued reliance on biomolecules or enzymes in the biosensor assembly poses the problem of reproducibility, storage and complexity. This dissertation research address some of the challenges by investigating the physiochemical properties of nanoparticles to understand its interaction with biological systems and develop...
Show moreBiosensors continue to get smaller and faster with the advancement in nanotechnology through the use of nanomaterials to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity. However, the continued reliance on biomolecules or enzymes in the biosensor assembly poses the problem of reproducibility, storage and complexity. This dissertation research address some of the challenges by investigating the physiochemical properties of nanoparticles to understand its interaction with biological systems and develop enzyme free biosensors. In this study, we have demonstrated a novel strategy to integrate cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) as an efficient transducer through rigorous screening for developing enzyme/label free biosensors for detecting analytes such as dopamine associated with neurodegenerative diseases and limonin for fruit quality management. CNPs have been proven to exhibit antioxidant properties attributed to its dynamic change in surface oxidation states (Ce4+ to Ce3+ and vice versa) mediated at the oxygen vacancies on the surface of the CNPs. It is also well-established that nanoparticles are resourceful novel materials with a plethora of applications in the field of nanomedicine.It is of significant importance to study the changes in physiochemical properties of different synthesized CNPs for effective use in biomedical applications. In one of the studies, the effects of different anions in the precursor of the cerium salts used for synthesizing CNPs using the same synthesis method, were extensively studied. It has been demonstrated that the physicochemical properties such as dispersion stability, hydrodynamic size, and the signature surface chemistry, antioxidant catalytic activity, oxidation potentials of different CNPs have been significantly altered with the change of anions in the precursor salts. . The increased antioxidant property of CNPs prepared using the precursor salts containing NO3(&)#175; and Cl(&)#175; ions have been extensively studied using in-situ UV-Visible spectroscopy which reveal that the change in oxidation potentials of CNPs with the change in concentration of anions. Thus, this work demonstrated that the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of CNPs can be tuned by anions of the precursor during the synthesis process.After standardizing the synthesis process, CNPs have been immobilized on highly ordered polymer nanopillars to develop an optical sensor for dopamine detection. Dopamine, is one of the main neurotransmitters which plays a significant role in central nervous system and its deficiency leads to neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia etc. Current biosensors in the literature use invasive detection techniques and lacks sensitivity to detect physiological clinically relevant concentrations of dopamine. The interaction between CNPs and dopamine have been extensively studied using UV-visible spectro-electrochemical studies to achieve the right surface chemistry (35-70% Ce4+). The sensor exhibits high sensitivity (1fM detection in simulated body fluid), high selectivity (in acetic acid, sheep plasma) and increased robustness with several cycles of usage.Furthermore, we have developed a CNPs based biosensor by integrating it on a transistor platform for improved sensitivity and better adhesion by immobilizing in silk fibroin matrix. In the final study, CNPs integrated in silk fibroin (SF) polymer electrospun nanofibers incorporated on an organic electrochemical transistor platform, is used to develop a limonin sensor. It has been established that the concentration of limonin in citric fruit predicts the quality in terms of bitter taste from the HLB bacteria infected fruits. A unique in-house electrospinning set-up using drum as collector was used to develop SF (extracted from cocoon) nanofibers used as CNP (synthesized in-situ in fibers) transducer carrier, both of which have a specific interaction with limonin. This novel biosensor has exhibited high sensitivity (100nM in PBS) and selectivity (citric acid, sugar etc.) with improved robustness in terms of reuse. The broader impact of the study is to develop holistic diagnostic non-invasive biosensors that can directly be used to detect the analytes using samples from humans and/or on field for fruit quality determination, which is a huge stepping stone in the advancement of nanotechnology based biosensors. This will fuel future generation of enzyme free biosensors which can utilize similar concepts for the detection of other analytes. The biosensor could be printed on a flexible substrate to advance wearable smart biosensor and could eventually enable users to wirelessly monitor the analyte concentrations using smartphones.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006931, ucf:51662
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006931
- Title
- The Study of Photo-reduction of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles in Presence of Dextran: An Attempt in Understanding the Functionality of the System.
- Creator
-
Barkam, Swetha, Seal, Sudipta, Heinrich, Helge, Gaume, Romain, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Malignant melanoma cancer is the sixth common cancer diagnosed in the United States. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are some of the successful techniques in killing tumor cells. However, in these techniques, it is not easy to distinguish tumor cells from the healthy once which inadvertently get exposed to chemical agent/radiation. Therefore it is required to develop an anti-cancer agent which selectively kills the cancer cells, while still protecting the normal tissues. In our...
Show moreMalignant melanoma cancer is the sixth common cancer diagnosed in the United States. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are some of the successful techniques in killing tumor cells. However, in these techniques, it is not easy to distinguish tumor cells from the healthy once which inadvertently get exposed to chemical agent/radiation. Therefore it is required to develop an anti-cancer agent which selectively kills the cancer cells, while still protecting the normal tissues. In our preliminary work, we have shown that Dextran (1000Da) coated Cerium oxide nanoparticles (Dex-CNPs) selectively kills the cancer cells (50% killing at a concentration of 150?M) without inducing toxicity to the normal cells. However, the mechanism involved on how CNPs/Dex-CNPs attain the selectivity and efficiently kill the tumor cells is still unknown. In this study we have synthesized Dextran coated ceria nano particles (Dex- CNPs) with different surface oxidation state ratio (Ce4+/Ce3+). This will provide an in depth understanding of the key chemical and physical properties of the system that can improve its efficacy. The varied surface oxidation of the particles is achieved by exposing Dex-CNPs to light which initiates a color change from dark to pale yellow indicating the reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+. Interestingly we have found that the Dex-CNPs exposed to light have reduced cytotoxicity towards squamous cell carcinoma cell line (CCL30) compared to the protected once. Characterization of the same revealed that Dex- CNPs exposed to light have decreased Ce4+ /Ce3+ surface oxidation ratio compared to the other. This provides more insight in useful synthesis of Dex-CNPs in terms of storage and handling. In summary, higher Ce4+ /Ce3+ surface oxidation ratio is more efficient in hindering tumor growth by effectively hindering the tumor-stoma interaction.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0005301, ucf:50508
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005301
- Title
- The Study of an Impinging Unsteady Jet - Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer Analysis.
- Creator
-
Osorio, Andrea, Kapat, Jayanta, Kinzel, Michael, Raghavan, Seetha, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The high heat transfer capabilities of impinging jets have led to their widespread use in industrial applications, such as gas turbine cooling. These impinging jets are usually manufactured on the walls of super-alloy metals and are influenced by being positioned with a confined setting. Studies have been shown to enhance the heat transfer of impinging jets by fluctuating the flow which will be analyzed in this project with two designs. The first design is a self-sustaining stationary fluidic...
Show moreThe high heat transfer capabilities of impinging jets have led to their widespread use in industrial applications, such as gas turbine cooling. These impinging jets are usually manufactured on the walls of super-alloy metals and are influenced by being positioned with a confined setting. Studies have been shown to enhance the heat transfer of impinging jets by fluctuating the flow which will be analyzed in this project with two designs. The first design is a self-sustaining stationary fluidic oscillator that causes a sweeping motion jet to impinge on the surface. This is investigated using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to study the flow field as well as copper- block heated surface to study the heat transfer. The second design involves pulsating the jet through a rotating disk that opens and closes the jet hole, providing a pulsing impingement on the surface. This is examined using hot-wire anemometry for understanding the fluid mechanics and copper-block heated surface to study the heat transfer. Both configurations are tested at a constant Reynolds number of 30,000 with the oscillator tested at normalized jet-to-surface spacings of 3, 4, 6 and the pulsing mechanism tested at jet-to-surface spacing of 3. The results for the fluidic oscillator indicate: Reynolds stress profiles of the jet demonstrated elevated levels of mixing for the fluidic oscillator; heat transfer enhancement was seen in some cases; a confined jet does worse than an unconfined case; and the oscillator's heat removal performed best at lower jet-to- surface spacings. The results for the pulsing mechanism indicate: lower frequencies displayed high turbulence right at the exit of the jet as well as the jet-to-surface spacing of 3; the duty cycle parameter strongly influences the heat transfer results; and heat transfer enhancement was seen for a variation of frequencies.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007353, ucf:52102
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007353
- Title
- THE STUDY AND COMPARISION OF THE LEVEL OF MOTIVATION, ATTRIBUTIONAL STYLE, LOCUS OF CONTROL, AND CAREER INDECISION BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE NINTH GRADE STUDENTS.
- Creator
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Johnson, Nicola, Hayes, B. Grant, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference between Black and White 9th grade suburban students in regard to career indecision and certainty, and to determine what relationship exists between career indecision/certainty, motivational level, locus of control, and attributional style. The sample size of this study was 95 ninth grade students from a Seminole County high school in the state of Florida. Some of the demographic variables taken into account for this study were...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate the difference between Black and White 9th grade suburban students in regard to career indecision and certainty, and to determine what relationship exists between career indecision/certainty, motivational level, locus of control, and attributional style. The sample size of this study was 95 ninth grade students from a Seminole County high school in the state of Florida. Some of the demographic variables taken into account for this study were student socioeconomic status, involvement in special programming at school (i.e. Exceptional Education, or Advanced Placement), parental education level, and parental occupation. The data in this study was collected through the use of the Career Decision Scale (CDS), Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire-Revised (CASQ-R), Children's Nowicki-Strickland Internal External Locus of Control Scale (CNISE), and the Five Item Polarized Motivation Scale. The results of this study came as a result of the use of an ANOVA and Mann Whitney test, as well as a series of simple linear regression analyses. The ANOVA and Mann Whitney test determined if there was a difference in career indecision/ certainty level based on race. The linear regression analysis compared the variables of career indecision/certainty, motivation level, attributional style, and locus of control to uncover any predictive relationships. Post hoc analyses were also conducted to determine if the variables of motivational level, locus of control, attributional style, and career indecision/certainty are predictors for race. The results of the data indicate that there is no statistical significance between race and career indecision between Black and White students. Also the results uncovered the only predictive relationships among the variables existed between career certainty and motivation, career indecision and attributional style, and locus of control and attributional style. The post hoc analyses uncovered that race cannot be predicted by any of the variables in this study. This study is exploratory in nature and should be replicated with the use of a larger sample size to further explore this phenomenon.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001632, ucf:47191
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001632
- Title
- THE STUDENT DEBT CRISIS AND POLITICAL POLARIZATION IN THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION.
- Creator
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Wallace, Dylan, Kinsey, Barbara, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
According to the Pew Research Center, the modern wave of political polarization began in 1994, and is the strongest today than it has ever been during the 23-year period. (2007) Polarization in the US party system is evidenced by several factors including: growing consistent partisan views, partisan antipathy, ideological bubbles, growing difference in preferences, a shrinking political center, and the lack of political compromise. (Pew Research Center 2014) The question I attempt to answer...
Show moreAccording to the Pew Research Center, the modern wave of political polarization began in 1994, and is the strongest today than it has ever been during the 23-year period. (2007) Polarization in the US party system is evidenced by several factors including: growing consistent partisan views, partisan antipathy, ideological bubbles, growing difference in preferences, a shrinking political center, and the lack of political compromise. (Pew Research Center 2014) The question I attempt to answer in this thesis is on the factors associated with political polarization within the millennial generation. One of the most pressing issues to this generation is what is known as the Student Loan Crisis, which is the $1.45 Trillion dollars Americans owe to private and federal lenders to attend college. (StudentLoanHero.com). In this thesis, I argue that economic inequality, via the student loan crisis, contributes to political polarization within the millennial generation. My analysis takes place at the level of the individual. I conduct a statistical analysis using the 2016 American National Election Survey Dataset, to test whether political polarization, operationalized as ideological and partisan polarization, is associated with polarization on economic issues that I link to wealth inequality in the millennial generation, controlling for polarization on social issues, interest in politics, and income. The main finding is that party/ideological polarization is positive and significantly related to polarization on economic issues in the millennial generation; whether or not the Student Loan Crisis underlies this link requires further study.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000381, ucf:45773
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000381
- Title
- THE STRUGGLE FOR REGIONAL HEGEMONY: HOW THE IRANIAN REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS CONTINUES TO INFLUENCE IRAQ.
- Creator
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Velasco, Juliana, Sadri, Houman, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Due to the recent war in Iraq, the Middle East has once against jumped to the forefront of everyone's mind. The world has been focused on Iraq and Iran for a decade now because Iran has established a strong foothold in Iraqi life since the toppling of Saddam Hussein. However, in order to understand this issue and attempt to solve it, an extensive study must be made of all the reasons that Iran is succeeding where the United States has not. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the...
Show moreDue to the recent war in Iraq, the Middle East has once against jumped to the forefront of everyone's mind. The world has been focused on Iraq and Iran for a decade now because Iran has established a strong foothold in Iraqi life since the toppling of Saddam Hussein. However, in order to understand this issue and attempt to solve it, an extensive study must be made of all the reasons that Iran is succeeding where the United States has not. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the historical influence that Iran, particularly the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has had on Iraq since its creation. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has taken over its home country and a historical analysis will chronicle its rise. Case studies of Iran and Iraq will be used to understand the geopolitical, military, economic, and religious reasons for the IRGC's ever-increasing influence. Previous studies and news coverage have only focused on one issue at a time; however, it is rare to find a study which combines all the reasons. This thesis will not only compile an analysis of these reasons, but will also explore and suggest what steps or policies Iraq can adopt in order to prevent it from being a puppet to other world powers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0003737, ucf:44743
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003737
- Title
- THE STRUCTURAL AND FOLDING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PLASMID-ENCODED TOXIN FROM ENTEROAGGREGATIVE ESCHERICHIA COLI.
- Creator
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Scaglione, Patricia, Teter, Kenneth, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) from enteroaggregative Escherichia coli is a member of the autotransporter subfamily termed SPATE (serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae). Autotransporters, which are the most common Gram-negative secreted virulence factors, contain three functional domains: an amino terminal leader sequence, a mature protein or passenger domain, and a carboxy-terminal β domain. The leader sequence targets the protein to the periplasmic space and the β...
Show morePlasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) from enteroaggregative Escherichia coli is a member of the autotransporter subfamily termed SPATE (serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae). Autotransporters, which are the most common Gram-negative secreted virulence factors, contain three functional domains: an amino terminal leader sequence, a mature protein or passenger domain, and a carboxy-terminal β domain. The leader sequence targets the protein to the periplasmic space and the β domain then forms a β-barrel pore in the outer membrane of the bacterium which allows the passenger domain to enter the external milieu. In some cases the passenger domain is cleaved from the β-barrel at the extracellular surface to release a soluble toxin. This is thought to be a self-contained process that does not require chaperones or ATP for folding and export of the passenger domain. Pet produces cytotoxic effects through cleavage of its target, the actin-binding protein α- fodrin. Pet is secreted into the extracellular environment, but its target lies within the cytosol. To reach its target, Pet moves from the cell surface to the ER where it triggers ER-associated degradation (ERAD) to enter the cytosol. ERAD is a normal cellular process in which improperly folded proteins are exported from the ER to the cytosol for degradation. Other toxins that utilize this pathway are AB toxins such as cholera toxin (CT) and ricin. The A subunits of these toxins are thermally unstable, and this facilitates their ERAD-dependent translocation into the cytosol. Pet, however, is not an AB toxin. We predict that thermal unfolding is not the mechanism Pet employs to exploit ERAD. It was necessary to purify the toxin first in order to study the structural properties and ER export of Pet. Surprisingly, purified Pet eluted as two close peaks by size exclusion chromatography. Both peaks were Pet as demonstrated through immunoblotting. The folding efficiency of autotransporters has not been extensively elucidated, and based on our purification results, we hypothesized that there is inefficiency in the folding of autotransporters, specifically Pet. A toxicity assay showed that Pet peak one did not display cytopathic activity while Pet peak two did. CD and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements also detected structural differences between the two variants of Pet and demonstrated that Pet peak one was an unfolded variant of Pet peak two. Native gel electrophoresis and biophysical measurements indicated that Pet peak one did not exist as a dimer or aggregate. Our results indicate there are two forms of Pet, and thus the folding process of autotransporters appears to be inherently inefficient. Active Pet (peak two) was used for further biophysical measurements and biochemical assays. Circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the secondary and tertiary structures of Pet are maintained at physiological temperature, 37°C. Thermal unfolding of Pet occurred at temperatures above 50°C. Fluorescence quenching of Pet was also performed and demonstrated that, at 37°C, there are solvent-exposed aromatic amino acids. The slight structural alterations to Pet at physiological temperature as well as the exposed hydrophobic residues could trigger ERAD. In addition, a modeled structure of Pet revealed a hydrophobic loop which is surface-exposed and a likely target for toxin-ERAD interactions. The data suggests that translocation of Pet mediated by ERAD can occur by a mechanism different from certain AB toxins. An open, hydrophobic conformation likely triggers ERAD, but may also contribute to poor folding.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002399, ucf:47761
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002399
- Title
- The Storm.
- Creator
-
Delemeester, Kara, Peynado, Brenda, Thaxton, Terry, Poissant, David, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Set in a world where natural disasters start increasing in both intensity and frequency, this work examines what it means to be self-reliant when the world is falling apart. As the largest recorded hurricane heads for the eastern coast of the United States, Sierra Egan evacuates her Florida home with her boyfriend and makes her way toward safety(-)a shelter in Atlanta, Georgia. When Sierra and her boyfriend breakup and part ways along the evacuation route, Sierra assumes her history of self...
Show moreSet in a world where natural disasters start increasing in both intensity and frequency, this work examines what it means to be self-reliant when the world is falling apart. As the largest recorded hurricane heads for the eastern coast of the United States, Sierra Egan evacuates her Florida home with her boyfriend and makes her way toward safety(-)a shelter in Atlanta, Georgia. When Sierra and her boyfriend breakup and part ways along the evacuation route, Sierra assumes her history of self-reliance will work to her benefit. But an anti-government couple, a beach cult, a lonely storm chaser, an interdependent family, and a pregnancy call this into question, forcing Sierra to ask whether or not it's possible to survive a world like this alone.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007450, ucf:52733
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007450