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- Title
- THE EFFECT OF COLOR ON WORKING MEMORY PERFORMANCE.
- Creator
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Galvez, Michelle, Neider, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This paper explores the effect of color on working memory performance. Interest in Baker-Miller pink surged with the finding by Schauss (1979) that it reduced aggression in aggravated detainees. However, research behind Baker-Miller pink has been influenced by biases and methodological errors. Its effects are likely overstated. Red and blue have also been studied for their effects on creativity, approach-avoidance conflict, detail-orientation, and most importantly, stress. Further research...
Show moreThis paper explores the effect of color on working memory performance. Interest in Baker-Miller pink surged with the finding by Schauss (1979) that it reduced aggression in aggravated detainees. However, research behind Baker-Miller pink has been influenced by biases and methodological errors. Its effects are likely overstated. Red and blue have also been studied for their effects on creativity, approach-avoidance conflict, detail-orientation, and most importantly, stress. Further research has been conducted on the effects of relaxation on cognition, with the conclusion that increased relaxation leads to improvements in working memory performance. This paper tests the effect of color on working memory performance. Accuracy on the n-back was compared across 4 colors�pink, red, blue, and black. No significant differences in accuracy were found in any of the color conditions, though the main effect of load was significant. Future research can increase the sample size and utilize a cognitive task that is inherently stressful.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004859, ucf:45484
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004859
- Title
- THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BASIS OF THREAT PERCEPTION AND ITS EFFECT ON THE USE OF FORCE BY US PRESIDENTS.
- Creator
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Kazazis, Collin J., Schafer, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis creates a new variable for threat perception built upon psychological concepts and then applies this new variable to the question of why leaders use military force in certain situations. The concept of threat perception has a long history in the field in terms of its effect on leaders choosing to use military force. However, while the concept of threat perception is inherently psychological, previous proxies for the variable have included only situational factors, which is highly...
Show moreThis thesis creates a new variable for threat perception built upon psychological concepts and then applies this new variable to the question of why leaders use military force in certain situations. The concept of threat perception has a long history in the field in terms of its effect on leaders choosing to use military force. However, while the concept of threat perception is inherently psychological, previous proxies for the variable have included only situational factors, which is highly problematic. By utilizing the Operational Code, this study creates a new threat-perception variable based on cognitive constructs. Using a sample of US presidents, this new variable is tested in two different ways. The first examines three psychological characteristics (need for power, in-group bias, and distrust) from Leadership Trait Analysis that are thought to influence the level of threat perception in a leader. The second examines threat perception as an explanatory variable for the use of force alongside three other important control variables (economic violence, presidential popularity, and US power). The use of force variable is derived from Meernik's Use of Force dataset with each case in the dataset representing an opportunity to use force. The psychological data are derived from the verbal material of US presidents using at-a-distance methods found in the literature. OLS regression and probit are used to model the research questions. The project finds that levels of threat perception are indeed affected by a leader's level of distrust, in-group bias, and need for power. In addition, the new psychologically-derived threat-perception variable is a very good predictor of a president's use of force: presidents with higher levels of threat perception have a much higher probability of using force when the situation presents an opportunity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000559, ucf:45649
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000559
- Title
- PERCEPTUAL GROUPING BY CLOSURE IN VISUAL WORKING MEMORY.
- Creator
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Neira, Sofia, Neider, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Research on visual working memory (VWM) suggests a capacity limit of three to four objects (Luck & Vogel, 1997), but recent studies on the fidelity of VWM capacity for objects indicates that informational bandwidth, which can vary with factors like complexity and amenability to perceptual grouping, can interact with this capacity (Brady, Konkle & Alvarez, 2011). For example, individual features can be grouped into objects for an added benefit in VWM capacity (Xu, 2002). Along these lines, the...
Show moreResearch on visual working memory (VWM) suggests a capacity limit of three to four objects (Luck & Vogel, 1997), but recent studies on the fidelity of VWM capacity for objects indicates that informational bandwidth, which can vary with factors like complexity and amenability to perceptual grouping, can interact with this capacity (Brady, Konkle & Alvarez, 2011). For example, individual features can be grouped into objects for an added benefit in VWM capacity (Xu, 2002). Along these lines, the Gestalt principles of proximity and connectedness have been shown to benefit VWM, although they do not influence capacity equally (Xu 2006; Woodman, Vecera & Luck, 2003). Closure, which has not been investigated for its influence in VWM capacity, is similar to connectedness and proximity as it promotes the perception of a coherent object without physical connections. In the current experiment, we evaluated whether closure produces similar or greater VWM capacity advantages compared to proximity by having participants engage in a change detection task. Four L-shaped features were grouped in tilted clusters to either form an object (closure condition) or not (no-object condition), with a set size of two (8 L features), four (16 L features), or six clusters (24 L features). Following a brief mask (1000 ms), the orientation of one cluster was changed (tilted 25 or -25 degrees) on half the trials. Our results indicate that there was no difference in accuracy or reaction time for the perceptual grouping conditions of closure/no-object, although we did find a main effect for set size and change conditions. Overall, it seems that grouping by closure provides no further advantages to VWM capacity than proximity; however, more experiments need to be conducted to solidify the findings of the current experiment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000038, ucf:45604
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000038
- Title
- ANALYSIS OF THE REPAIR OF TOPOISOMERASE II DNA DAMAGE.
- Creator
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Goldstein, Eric, Muller, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
A large number of anti-cancer chemotherapeutics target DNA topoisomerases. Etoposide is a specific topoisomerase II poison which causes reversible double strand DNA breaks. The focus of this project is to analyze the repair of DNA damage induced by etoposide.. Double strand DNA break repair is mediated by through either non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination. NHEJ repairs through direct ligation of a double stranded break while homologous recombination utilizes a...
Show moreA large number of anti-cancer chemotherapeutics target DNA topoisomerases. Etoposide is a specific topoisomerase II poison which causes reversible double strand DNA breaks. The focus of this project is to analyze the repair of DNA damage induced by etoposide.. Double strand DNA break repair is mediated by through either non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination. NHEJ repairs through direct ligation of a double stranded break while homologous recombination utilizes a homologous template to recover the wild type sequence. A reporter cassette, RYDR-GFP, has been stably integrated into HeLa cells. This reporter contains an ultra-high affinity topoisomerase II cleavage site (RY) placed in the middle of a mutant GFP sequence. Flanking this sequence is a corresponding stretch of wild type GFP that is used as template to repair the break and restore gene function yielding GFP positive cells. Titrations with etoposide have shown that a logarithmic increase in drug concentration yields a corresponding increase in repair through homologous recombination (HR). This result demonstrates that topoisomerase II mediated damage is efficiently repaired by the process of HR. To examine NHEJ repair, a doxycycline inducible, stably integrated NHEJ HeLa cell reporter cassette was also evaluated. The data indicates that repair of topoisomerase II mediated DNA damage occurs more efficiently through the HR pathway. Collectively, the data suggests that tumor cells proficient in HR repair may effectively elude treatment by topoisomerase II targeting drugs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0003785, ucf:44767
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003785
- Title
- THE EFFECT OF AN AUDITORY STIMULUS ON CHANGE BLINDNESS.
- Creator
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McCormack, Shane, Neider, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This research examined whether or not an auditory stimulus would affect rates of change blindness. Change blindness occurs when there is a failure to detect an obvious change to a visual scene. For this experiment 40 participants were asked to determine if a change occurred between two pictures. This involved an original picture shown for 1 second, a neutral screen shown for 50 milliseconds and then either a modified version of the original image or the same image for 1 second and then...
Show moreThis research examined whether or not an auditory stimulus would affect rates of change blindness. Change blindness occurs when there is a failure to detect an obvious change to a visual scene. For this experiment 40 participants were asked to determine if a change occurred between two pictures. This involved an original picture shown for 1 second, a neutral screen shown for 50 milliseconds and then either a modified version of the original image or the same image for 1 second and then repeated. Participants then determined whether a change occurred in the visual display. For some participants a familiar song played on repeat during the visual task. My goal was to determine if music would affect rates of change blindness and how quickly changes would be detected if present. I found that participants in both the music and non-music conditions were more accurate when there was no change to a scene. Participants in the music condition also took longer to respond as opposed to the control group. When examining reaction times of only correct responses, both conditions responded in a similar amount of time for pictures with changes. In trials with no changes the participants in the music condition took longer to respond than the control group. Overall, it appears that music had a negative effect on reaction times when a change was present. Participants were also more accurate in detecting pictures with no changes as opposed to pictures with changes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004360, ucf:45016
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004360
- Title
- GOLD (III) MACROCYCLES ARE DNA INTERCALATORS THAT INHIBIT TOPOISOMERASE I AND II.
- Creator
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Fagenson, Alexander, Muller, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Human Topoisomerase IB (TOP1) and Topoisomerase IIα (TOP2α) are essential nuclear enzymes that control DNA topology during DNA replication, gene transcription and cell division. These enzymes carry out their catalytic function by making transient single-strand (type I) or double-strand (type II) breaks in the DNA. In vivo, these complexes are short-lived but can be exploited by anti-cancer drugs to mechanistically kill cancer cells. Two general classes of compounds can kill cancer cells...
Show moreHuman Topoisomerase IB (TOP1) and Topoisomerase IIα (TOP2α) are essential nuclear enzymes that control DNA topology during DNA replication, gene transcription and cell division. These enzymes carry out their catalytic function by making transient single-strand (type I) or double-strand (type II) breaks in the DNA. In vivo, these complexes are short-lived but can be exploited by anti-cancer drugs to mechanistically kill cancer cells. Two general classes of compounds can kill cancer cells through a topo-targeted mechanism. Interfacial Poisons (IFPs) act at the enzyme-DNA interface to inhibit the religation reaction, resulting in the accumulation of DNA double-stand breaks (DSBs) in the genomic setting. Catalytic Inhibitor Compounds (CICs) act by interfering with other steps of the catalytic cycles such as DNA/protein binding or the cleavage reaction. In this work we identify new Au3+ macrocyclic gold complexes that act as CICs of both TOP1 and TOP2α. The complexes exhibit square planar geometry with an aromatic system that allows for DNA intercalation with binding affinities in the low micromolar range. A cytotoxicity screen across 60 human cancer cell lines performed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI, USA) reveals significant anti-tumor potential. Our lead compound (butyl gold(III) macrocycle, cmpd 3.) is currently undergoing further studies in animal models at the NCI. In vitro assays with purified DNA and enzyme reveal the Au3+ ion to be the quintessential switch that allows for DNA intercalation and subsequent inhibition of TOP1 and TOP2α.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004161, ucf:44823
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004161
- Title
- EPIGENETIC CONTROL MECHANISMS IN SOMATIC CELLS MEDIATED BY DNA METHYLTRANSFERASE 1.
- Creator
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Lee, Bongyong, Muller, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
DNA methylation regulates gene expression through a complex network of protein/protein and protein/DNA interactions in chromatin. The maintenance methylase, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), is a prominent enzyme in the process that is linked to DNA replication and drives the heritable nature of epigenetic modifications in somatic cells. The mechanistic details that explain how DNMT1 catalytic action is directed in a chromatin setting are not well understood. We hypothesize that post...
Show moreDNA methylation regulates gene expression through a complex network of protein/protein and protein/DNA interactions in chromatin. The maintenance methylase, DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), is a prominent enzyme in the process that is linked to DNA replication and drives the heritable nature of epigenetic modifications in somatic cells. The mechanistic details that explain how DNMT1 catalytic action is directed in a chromatin setting are not well understood. We hypothesize that post translational modifications and a variety of protein-protein interactions processes are key regulatory elements that set the methylation of CpG elements essential for normal growth behavior in somatic cells. These fundamental processes can be disrupted by DNA damage leading to inappropriate gene silencing and loss of growth control in somatic cells. First, we show that DNMT1 is post-translationally modified by sumoylation and we have mapped these sumoylation sites by defined mutations. Sumoylated DNMT1 is catalytically active on genomic DNA in vivo and substantially increases the enzymatic activity of DNMT1 both in vitro and in chromatin. These data establish that sumoylation modulates the endogenous activity of a prominent epigenetic maintenance pathway in cells. Second, we investigated novel mechanisms whereby somatic cells can erase then reset DNA methylation events in somatic cells. In this study, the relationship between DNA damage and gene silencing was explored. To this end, we generated a HeLa cell line containing a specialized GFP reporter cassette (DRGFP) containing two mutated GFP genes and a unique I-SceI restriction endonuclease site. These cells do not express GFP. A unique double strand break is then delivered by transfecting in the gene for I-SceI. About 4% of the cells produced a functional GFP by gene conversion and homologous recombination (HR); however roughly half of the GFP recombinants expressed the gene poorly and this was attributed to gene silencing. Silencing of the GFP expressing cell clones was due to DNA methylation and could be reversed using a drug that inhibits global methylation (5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine). Approximately half of the repaired genes were heavily methylated, and half were hypomethylated. That is, a key intermediate methylation state after HR repair is hemimethylated DNA, defined as methylation limited to one strand. Evidence is given that DNMT1 is acting as a de novo methylase at the HR repair patches in cells. Moreover, the DNA damage inducible protein, GADD45, interacts specifically with the catalytic domain of DNMT1 and GADD45 binds with extremely high affinity to hemimethylated DNA sites. Thus, GADD45 is a key regulatory element in silencing of HR repaired DNA segments and appears to inhibit the activity of DNMT1. Consistent with these results, we found that GADD45 increased the expression of recombinant GFP following HR repair, further suggesting its role in orchestrating strand specific DNA methylation by DNMT1. Since these experiments were performed in live cells, there is strong physiological relevance. We propose that DS DNA damage and the resulting HR process involves precise, strand selected DNA methylation mediated by the prominent methylase enzyme, DNMT1. Moreover, DS DNA break repair through HR and gene conversion, may potentially erase and reset DNA methylation patterns and therefore alter the expression of repaired genes. The overall process is tightly regulated by the DNA damage inducible protein GADD45, which may coordinate strand specific methylation by recruiting DNMT1 to HR repair templates. The ability of GADD45 to modulate DNMT1 catalytic activity may explain its role as a passive mediator of demethylation that has been reported by other groups. The overall process of silencing post DNA repair is a strong evolutionary force that may predispose cells to malignant transformation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002872, ucf:48026
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002872
- Title
- THE EXPRESSION OF MAKORIN1 RING FINGER PROTEIN, AN E3 UBIQUITIN LIGASE FOR TELOMERASE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE, IS INDUCED WITH DIFFERENTIATION THERAPY IN LEUKEMIA.
- Creator
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Salvatico, Jose, Muller, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Telomeres are important structural and functional components of chromosomes, serving to provide stability and enabling full replication of the chromosomes. However, a shortening of the telomeres occurs with each cell division that can be fixed by a polymerase activity provided by telomerase, preventing this loss which would otherwise eventually lead to chromosome end-to-end fusions, senescence and cell death. The telomerase activity is present in stem cells and germ line cells, but absent or...
Show moreTelomeres are important structural and functional components of chromosomes, serving to provide stability and enabling full replication of the chromosomes. However, a shortening of the telomeres occurs with each cell division that can be fixed by a polymerase activity provided by telomerase, preventing this loss which would otherwise eventually lead to chromosome end-to-end fusions, senescence and cell death. The telomerase activity is present in stem cells and germ line cells, but absent or barely noticeable in adult somatic cells. However, in approximately 80-90% of transformed somatic cells the telomerase activity is recovered, resulting in a "telomerase positive phenotype". This phenotype has been a prime target in cancer research, and recently a novel mechanism for regulating telomerase levels has been uncovered. Makorin 1 RING finger protein (MKRN1) was found to be an E3 ubiquitin ligase for hTERT, the rate-limiting catalytic component of telomerase, leading to the ubiqutin-mediated 26s proteasomal degradation of hTERT and reduced telomerase activity. So, MKRN1 plays a role in telomere homeostasis. In this study we looked at the expression of MKRN1 in numerous tumor cell lines (Hela, HCT116, HL60) and the normal diploid fibroblasts (WI-38). In the latter cell line, basal levels of MKRN1 were found to increase 6-fold when the cells were serum starved and arrested in G1/G0. In contrast, the cancer cell lines expressed MKRN1 at low levels or undetectable. This would indicate that MKRN1 is up-regulated in resting or G1 arrested cells.In one cell line the promyelocytic leukemia, HL-60, showed no protein levels of MKRN1. This cell line is able to be terminally differentiated upon ATRA treatment, when cells are arrested at G1. In this model system of cellular differentiation hTERT mRNA levels and telomerase activity decrease drastically and quickly. We hypothesized that the differentiation of HL-60 induced by ATRA would be accompanied by an increase in MKRN1 levels. MKRN1 mRNA and protein levels were strongly up-regulated during the ATRA-mediated differentiation of HL-60 cells. Although, a decrease in hTERT mRNA is a contributor to telomerase inhibition during cellular differentiation; our data indicate that the up-regulation of MKRN1 ensures the effective removal of residual telomerase activity by the ubiquitin-mediated degradation pathway at the proteasome.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002879, ucf:48032
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002879
- Title
- ADHD AND STOP-SIGNAL BEHAVIORAL INHIBITION: IS MEAN REACTION TIME CONTAMINATED BY EXPOSURE TO INTERMITTENT STOP-SIGNALS?.
- Creator
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Alderson, Robert, Rapport, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The current study investigates two recently identified threats to the construct validity of behavioral inhibition as a core deficit of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on the Stop-signal task: calculation of mean reaction time from go-trials presented adjacent to intermittent stop-trials, and non-reporting of the stop-signal delay metric. Children with ADHD (n=12) and typically developing children (TD) (n=11) were administered the standard stop-signal task and three...
Show moreThe current study investigates two recently identified threats to the construct validity of behavioral inhibition as a core deficit of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on the Stop-signal task: calculation of mean reaction time from go-trials presented adjacent to intermittent stop-trials, and non-reporting of the stop-signal delay metric. Children with ADHD (n=12) and typically developing children (TD) (n=11) were administered the standard stop-signal task and three variant stop-signal conditions. These included a No-Tone condition administered without the presentation of an auditory tone; an Ignore-Tone condition that presented a neutral (i.e., not associated with stopping) auditory tone; and a second Ignore-Tone condition that presented a neutral auditory tone after the tone had been previously paired with stopping. Children with ADHD exhibited significantly slower and more variable reaction times to go-stimuli, and slower stop-signal reaction times (SSRT) relative to TD controls. Stop-signal delay (SSD) was not significantly different between groups, and both groups' go-trial reaction times slowed following meaningful tones. Collectively, these findings corroborate recent meta-analyses and indicate that previous findings of stop-signal performance deficits in ADHD reflect slower and more variable responding to visually presented stimuli and concurrent processing of a second stimulus, rather than deficits of motor behavioral inhibition.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002218, ucf:47881
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002218
- Title
- ART THERAPY TREATMENT WITH INCARCERATED WOMEN.
- Creator
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Erickson, Bonnie, Young, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study examined the effectiveness of art therapy in decreasing symptoms of trauma and psychological distress in women who were incarcerated in county jails in the Southeastern United States. In order to protect the integrity of the study, control subjects were in different dormitories from the treatment subjects. While the dormitories were randomly assigned to treatment or control, the subjects were not. The dependent measures were paper and pencil tests, the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45...
Show moreThis study examined the effectiveness of art therapy in decreasing symptoms of trauma and psychological distress in women who were incarcerated in county jails in the Southeastern United States. In order to protect the integrity of the study, control subjects were in different dormitories from the treatment subjects. While the dormitories were randomly assigned to treatment or control, the subjects were not. The dependent measures were paper and pencil tests, the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45.2) and the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) given at pretest and posttest. A demographic questionnaire was completed in the first session to better characterize the participants. In addition, a post study evaluation with open ended questions was completed at the end of the study that allowed participants to share their feelings about the treatment experience. Additional qualitative information was obtained through observation data collected by the investigator who served as the provider of treatment. Art therapy group participants attended six sessions of art therapy over a three week period which was administered using six standard art projects. Like treatment subjects, control participants had access to the treatment available in the jail to all inmates, and were offered art therapy treatment after final data were obtained. Though the statistical data gathered in this study did not provide empirical evidence that the group art therapy treatment was effective in reducing symptomatology, the qualitative responses indicated that the treatment was rated very positively by the participants. No statistically significant changes were found in overall scores, however, some significance was found on some individual treatment scales. Scores measuring psychological distress and trauma symptoms generally decreased over time for all study participants, however, treatment participant scores improved at a greater rate. The study was limited due to small sample size (N=26). Nearly half of the original participants were lost to attrition associated with administrative actions in the county jail system. The measurement instruments used were not specifically adapted to incarcerated individuals and may not have provided adequate measurement for this population. Responses from the participants were overwhelmingly positive. Inmates responses to the post study evaluation indicated that they had enjoyed the experience and would recommend the group to others. More than 75% stated that they felt that the treatment had helped them deal with difficult experiences in their past. The most frequent suggestion for the future was that the groups needed to be continued, and should be longer and more frequent.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002407, ucf:47753
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002407
- Title
- RESOURCE BANKING: AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT, RUN-TIME ADAPTIVE PROCESSOR DESIGN TECHNIQUE.
- Creator
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Staples, Jacob, Heinrich, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
From the earliest and simplest scalar computation engines to modern superscalar out-of-order processors, the evolution of computational machinery during the past century has largely been driven by a single goal: performance. In today's world of cheap, billion-plus transistor count processors and with an exploding market in mobile computing, a design landscape has emerged where energy efficiency, arguably more than any other single metric, determines the viability of a processor for a given...
Show moreFrom the earliest and simplest scalar computation engines to modern superscalar out-of-order processors, the evolution of computational machinery during the past century has largely been driven by a single goal: performance. In today's world of cheap, billion-plus transistor count processors and with an exploding market in mobile computing, a design landscape has emerged where energy efficiency, arguably more than any other single metric, determines the viability of a processor for a given application. The historical emphasis on performance has left modern processors bloated and over provisioned for everyday tasks in the hope that during computationally intensive periods some performance improvement will be observed. This work explores an energy-efficient processor design technique that ensures even a highly over provisioned out-of-order processor has only as many of its computational resources active as it requires for efficient computation at any given time. Specifically, this paper examines the feasibility of a dynamically banked register file and reorder buffer with variable banking policies that enable unused rename registers or reorder buffer entries to be voltage gated (turned off) during execution to save power. The impact of bank placement, turn-off and turn-on policies as well as rail stabilization latencies for this approach are explored for high-performance desktop and server designs as well as low-power mobile processors.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003991, ucf:48675
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003991
- Title
- PREDICTING CLIENT OUTCOMES USING COUNSELOR TRAINEE LEVELS OF EGO DEVELOPMENT AND ALTRUISTIC CARING.
- Creator
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Hutchinson, Tracy, Young, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Research suggests that counselor educators continue to debate whether general personality characteristics, relationship building skills, or other knowledge or skills are important in selecting the most effective counselors (Crews et al., 2005). Further, counselor educators continue to rely on measures that have limited ability to predict counseling competence or success in graduate programs. Such measures include GRE and GPA scores along with heavy reliance on the personal interview that is...
Show moreResearch suggests that counselor educators continue to debate whether general personality characteristics, relationship building skills, or other knowledge or skills are important in selecting the most effective counselors (Crews et al., 2005). Further, counselor educators continue to rely on measures that have limited ability to predict counseling competence or success in graduate programs. Such measures include GRE and GPA scores along with heavy reliance on the personal interview that is well-known for bias. Moreover, research supports that there is a need for assessments that will assist in determining the most effective counselors and emphasize the importance of measuring those characteristics that have a solid empirical link to client outcomes. The purpose of this study was to bridge the gap in the literature and to measure counselor characteristics that have are grounded in current outcome literature. Outcome research has suggested that counselor empathy is one of the strongest predictors of client outcome. Therefore, two constructs were explored in this study that are linked to empathy: Loevinger's (1976) Theory of Ego Development and Altruistic Caring as measured by the Heintzelman Inventory (Robinson, Kuch, & Swank, 2010). The sample consisted of 81 graduate-level counselor trainees in their first or second semester of practicum at a large South Eastern university. Results revealed no statistically significant relationship between variables. However, further exploratory analysis yielded a statistically significant relationship between a component of altruistic caring, specifically early career choice in the counseling field (4.1% of the variance explained), and client outcome. Implications for counselor educators are presented along with areas for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003588, ucf:48907
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003588
- Title
- ADHD BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AND NEAR- AND LONG-TERM SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT: DIFFERENTIAL MEDIATING EFFECTS OF VERBAL AND VISUOSPATIAL MEMORY.
- Creator
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Sarver, Dustin, Rapport, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The current study examined verbal and visuospatial memory abilities as potential mediators of the relationship among ADHD behavior problems and near- and long-term scholastic achievement. Scholastic achievement was measured initially and at 4-year follow-up in an ethnically diverse sample of children (N = 325). Nested composite (reading, math, language) and domain-specific reading structural equation models revealed that ADHD behavior problems exerted a negative influence on scholastic...
Show moreThe current study examined verbal and visuospatial memory abilities as potential mediators of the relationship among ADHD behavior problems and near- and long-term scholastic achievement. Scholastic achievement was measured initially and at 4-year follow-up in an ethnically diverse sample of children (N = 325). Nested composite (reading, math, language) and domain-specific reading structural equation models revealed that ADHD behavior problems exerted a negative influence on scholastic achievement measures, both initially and at follow-up. Much of this influence, however, was mediated by verbal memory's contribution to near-term achievement, whereas visuospatial memory contributed more robustly to long-term achievement. For the domain-specific math achievement model, the collective influence of verbal and visuospatial memory fully mediated the direct influence of ADHD behavior problems on near-term math achievement, and visuospatial memory alone contributed to both near- and long-term achievement. In all models, measured intelligence made no contribution to later achievement beyond its initial influence on early achievement. The results contribute to the understanding of the developmental trajectory of scholastic achievement, and have potential implications for developing remedial programs targeting verbal and visual memory deficits in children with ADHD behavior problems.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003502, ucf:48950
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003502
- Title
- THE EFFECT OF LOVING-KINDNESS MEDITATION ON EMPATHY, PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING APPRAISAL IN COUNSELING STUDENTS.
- Creator
-
Leppma, Monica, Young, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a compassion-based meditation, known as loving-kindness meditation (LKM), as an intervention to positively affect empathy, perceived social support, and problem-solving appraisal in student counselors. This quasi-experimental study included 103 master's level counseling students enrolled in a large Southeastern university. The treatment consisted of six one-hour psychoeducational groups with a LKM component. The LKM intervention was...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a compassion-based meditation, known as loving-kindness meditation (LKM), as an intervention to positively affect empathy, perceived social support, and problem-solving appraisal in student counselors. This quasi-experimental study included 103 master's level counseling students enrolled in a large Southeastern university. The treatment consisted of six one-hour psychoeducational groups with a LKM component. The LKM intervention was compared with a control group on the constructs of (a) multidimensional empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index ; Davis, 1980), (b) perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support ; Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988), and (c) problem-solving appraisal (Problem Solving Inventory ; Heppner, 1988). Participants who received the LKM intervention experienced gains in the cognitive empathy subscales of Perspective Taking (treatment group effect size = .213; control group effect size = .006) and Fantasy (treatment group effect size = .173; control group effect size = .032) and in the affective empathy subscale of Emotional Concern (treatment group effect size = .115, control group effect size = .028). The treatment group also demonstrated a decrease in the affective empathy subscale of Personal Distress (treatment group effect size = .088, control group effect size = .080). The control group did not experience changes in Perspective Taking, Fantasy, Emotional Concern, or Personal Distress. Furthermore, there was no change in either the treatment or control group in perceived social support or problem-solving appraisal from pretest to posttest. In addition, this study examined the relationship between quantity of meditation time and the dependent variables of multidimensional empathy, perceived social support, and problem-solving appraisal. Participants who received the LKM intervention demonstrated a moderate positive correlation (Cohen, 1992) between quantity of meditation and Perspective Taking (Spearman's rank order correlation rs = .29). Implications for counselor education and directions for future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003656, ucf:48813
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003656
- Title
- NAKED WOMEN, THE UNITY IN DIALECTIC FORCES.
- Creator
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Albekord, Nargges, Price, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study investigates my art works, their context, content, and the process by which they were produced. The first part of the study addresses my background ideas and philosophies, their impact on my works, and the environmental and psychological context which made those ideas relevant to my paintings. I am not concerned with answering the usual questions, What is art? and Who is an artist? My intention is to find out who I choose to be and what I choose to do. The second part investigates...
Show moreThis study investigates my art works, their context, content, and the process by which they were produced. The first part of the study addresses my background ideas and philosophies, their impact on my works, and the environmental and psychological context which made those ideas relevant to my paintings. I am not concerned with answering the usual questions, What is art? and Who is an artist? My intention is to find out who I choose to be and what I choose to do. The second part investigates the form and design of the art works from the materials used to make them to the various formal elements utilized in creating them. The connection of form and content in these art works is emphasized. The last part of the study investigates the influences of a few significant artists and the impacts of their works on my art. The future of my art work is, of course, not predictable, and it does not depend on this study. This study is only as factual, reliable, and truthful as my art work is.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003648, ucf:48826
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003648
- Title
- BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD.
- Creator
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Seymour, Gary, Price, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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I am exhibiting several drawings, paintings, and sculptures representing a visual record of my creative research into, and my handling of, snails. Although I depict snails and their environment in a loose representational style, I have begun to incorporate digital drawing to enhance my art in a mixed media approach. I have created illustrative images of a forest floor as I imagine it would look to a snail in a giant, menacing world. Close-up images of grass become unusual jungle scenes, and...
Show moreI am exhibiting several drawings, paintings, and sculptures representing a visual record of my creative research into, and my handling of, snails. Although I depict snails and their environment in a loose representational style, I have begun to incorporate digital drawing to enhance my art in a mixed media approach. I have created illustrative images of a forest floor as I imagine it would look to a snail in a giant, menacing world. Close-up images of grass become unusual jungle scenes, and my once tiny snails achieve a measure of control in this fanciful world. The inspiration for my art is my recollection of the insecurity and struggles I encountered while growing up as a military brat.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003707, ucf:48841
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003707
- Title
- MACHINAL: A SOURCEBOOK FOR THE ACTRESS PLAYING "YOUNG WOMAN".
- Creator
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Rentschler, Brittney, Brotherton, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis will document four phases of my rehearsal process/performance while portraying the role of Helen in Sophie Treadwell's Machinal. The first phase of the project will be researching and analyzing historical material on: Sophie Treadwell (the playwright) Ruth Snyder (the murderess upon whom the character of Helen is based), and the actual murder that occurred in the 1920's. The second phase that will be documented is a character analysis. I will take each episode and divide...
Show moreThis thesis will document four phases of my rehearsal process/performance while portraying the role of Helen in Sophie Treadwell's Machinal. The first phase of the project will be researching and analyzing historical material on: Sophie Treadwell (the playwright) Ruth Snyder (the murderess upon whom the character of Helen is based), and the actual murder that occurred in the 1920's. The second phase that will be documented is a character analysis. I will take each episode and divide it into the following sections: given circumstances, what is said about the character by the playwright, by others, or by herself, objectives, tactics, vocal traits, and physical traits. The third phase will include a written journal of my experiences as an actor as they occurred during the rehearsals and performances. The fourth and final phase will include a self-analysis of the performance. I will reflect on my abilities in synthesizing the research and character analysis found in phase one and two into the actual performance. In addition, Committee Chair, Mark Brotherton, and my thesis Committee Members, Kate Ingram and Vanduyn Wood will also give written responses. The performances will be held February 14-17, and 21-24, 2007 in the University of Central Florida's Black Box Theatre. Dr. Julia Listengarten will direct the performance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002643, ucf:48205
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002643
- Title
- ADHD AND WORKING MEMORY: THE IMPACT OF CENTRAL EXECUTIVE DEFICITS AND OVERWHELMING STORAGE/REHEARSAL CAPACITY ON OBSERVED INATTENTIVE BEHAVIOR.
- Creator
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Kofler, Michael, Rapport, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Inattentive behavior is considered a core and pervasive feature of ADHD; however, an alternative model challenges this premise and hypothesizes a functional relationship between working memory and inattentive behavior. The current study investigated whether inattentive behavior in children with ADHD is functionally related to domain-general central executive and/or subsidiary storage/rehearsal components of working memory. Objective observations of children's attentive behavior by...
Show moreInattentive behavior is considered a core and pervasive feature of ADHD; however, an alternative model challenges this premise and hypothesizes a functional relationship between working memory and inattentive behavior. The current study investigated whether inattentive behavior in children with ADHD is functionally related to domain-general central executive and/or subsidiary storage/rehearsal components of working memory. Objective observations of children's attentive behavior by independent observers were conducted while children with ADHD (n=15) and typically developing children (n=14) completed 10 counterbalanced tasks that differentially manipulated central executive, phonological storage/rehearsal, and visuospatial storage/rehearsal demands. Results of latent variable and effect size confidence interval analyses revealed two conditions that completely accounted for the attentive behavior deficits in children with ADHD: (a) placing demands on central executive processing, the effect of which is evident under even low cognitive loads, and (b) overwhelming storage/rehearsal capacity, which has similar effects on children with ADHD and typically developing children but occurs at lower cognitive loads for children with ADHD. Collectively, the results challenge the current DSM-IV conceptualization of ADHD and indicate that inattentive behavior may be secondary to underlying working memory deficits.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002695, ucf:48201
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002695
- Title
- THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COUNSELOR HOPE AND OPTIMISM ON CLIENT OUTCOME.
- Creator
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Muenzenmeyer, Michelle, Young, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The counselor is an important contributor to client outcome. Research findings about therapist effects are mixed. In this study positive psychology variables, hope and optimism, were evaluated with client outcome. The sample for this study consisted of 43 graduate-level counselor trainees in the first or second practicum semester and their adult clients in a university's community counseling clinic. Results revealed no statistically significant relationships between student counselors' hope...
Show moreThe counselor is an important contributor to client outcome. Research findings about therapist effects are mixed. In this study positive psychology variables, hope and optimism, were evaluated with client outcome. The sample for this study consisted of 43 graduate-level counselor trainees in the first or second practicum semester and their adult clients in a university's community counseling clinic. Results revealed no statistically significant relationships between student counselors' hope and optimism and client outcomes. Post hoc analysis of student hope and their post-graduation expectations, revealed statistically significant relationships. Implications for counselor educators are presented along with areas for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003884, ucf:48747
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003884
- Title
- The effects of altered traffic signs upon vehicular driving modes and consequent fuel conservation and environmental benefits, as measured by vehicular noise-imprints.
- Creator
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Pfarrer, Mark Daniel, null, null, Engineering
- Abstract / Description
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Florida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; The hypothesis is that the recorded noise-imprints of a vehicle at an intersection can be used to identify and accurately time the driving modes of deceleration, idle, slow cruise, and acceleration. This is proven by analyzing and comparing noise-imprints of vehicles at an uncontrolled intersection marked first with a 'stop' sign, and then by a 'yield' and an experimental 'dead slow' sign. By relating the duration of each driving...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis; The hypothesis is that the recorded noise-imprints of a vehicle at an intersection can be used to identify and accurately time the driving modes of deceleration, idle, slow cruise, and acceleration. This is proven by analyzing and comparing noise-imprints of vehicles at an uncontrolled intersection marked first with a 'stop' sign, and then by a 'yield' and an experimental 'dead slow' sign. By relating the duration of each driving mode to known relations, the overall efficiency of an intersection can be characterized. A new technique for studying various types of traffic conditions at intersections is the result. Initial noise-imprint analysis and comparison shows that a 'yield' sign is to be preferred over a 'stop' sign to decrease travel time, air pollution emissions, gasoline consumption, and wear-and-tear on the car. The experimental 'dead slow' sign is used as a demonstration of the noise-imprint technique upon an unknown situation. The efficiency of a 'dead slow' sign proved to be less than that of a 'yield' sign, but still greater than that of a 'stop' sign.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1976
- Identifier
- CFR0003525, ucf:52986
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003525