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- Title
- DIFFERENCES IN VOTE MARGIN OF CANDIDATES IN THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.
- Creator
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Stevens, Meghan L, Jewett, Aubrey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
What explains differences in the margin of victory in Florida legislative races? Data is collected for all 160 legislative races from 2016 (120 house contests and 40 senate elections) and two sets of analyses are conducted: all races and just competitive races. When looking at all races, five variables are statistically significant in the multivariate model. District party registration difference has a positive effect on margin of victory and the greatest relative impact. Races involving two...
Show moreWhat explains differences in the margin of victory in Florida legislative races? Data is collected for all 160 legislative races from 2016 (120 house contests and 40 senate elections) and two sets of analyses are conducted: all races and just competitive races. When looking at all races, five variables are statistically significant in the multivariate model. District party registration difference has a positive effect on margin of victory and the greatest relative impact. Races involving two major party candidates have a much smaller margin of victory, a contest with a major party versus a minor party (or No Party Affiliation candidate) has a somewhat smaller margin of victory, and a race involving only a write-in candidate as an opponent has a wider margin of victory. House races had somewhat smaller margins of victory compared to senate races. When examining just competitive races (contests that had at least two candidate names listed for an office) only two variables were statistically significant in the multivariate model. District party registration difference had a positive relationship with margin of victory and races involving a minor party candidate as the main challenger had higher margins than contests between two major party candidates.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000443, ucf:45826
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000443
- Title
- ANISOTROPY EVOLUTION DUE TO SURFACE TREATMENT ON 3D-PRINTED FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING (FDM) OF ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE STYRENE (ABS).
- Creator
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Lozinski, Blake E, Kassab, Alain, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Purpose: This paper will present insight to the methodology and results of the experimental characterization of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). The work in this research explored the effects of print orientation, surface treatment, and ultraviolet (UV) light degradation with the utilization of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) on ABS tensile specimens. Design/methodology: ABS specimens were printed at three build orientations (flat (0 degrees), 45...
Show morePurpose: This paper will present insight to the methodology and results of the experimental characterization of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). The work in this research explored the effects of print orientation, surface treatment, and ultraviolet (UV) light degradation with the utilization of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) on ABS tensile specimens. Design/methodology: ABS specimens were printed at three build orientations (flat (0 degrees), 45 degrees, and up-right (90 degrees)). Each of these specimens were treated with three different surface treatments including a control (acrylic paint, Cyanoacrylate, and Diglycidyl Bisphenol A) followed by exposure to UV light to the respective batches. This experiment design will provide tensile direction properties with the effect of thermoset coatings and UV degradation. Dogbone FDM specimens based on ASTM standard D638 type IV were printed on a Stratasys Dimension SST (Soluble Support Technology) 1200es 3D Printer and loaded into a MTS Landmark Servohydraulic Test Systems. Analysis was preformed on the fracture section of the tensile specimens utilized DIC and comparing Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) and Ultimate Fracture Strength (UFS). Findings: From the results UV light did not play a large factor in the strength of the specimens. The print orientation showed the largest anisotropic behavior where some specimens experienced as much as a 54% difference in ultimate tensile strength. Thermoset coated specimens experienced a maximum of 2% increase in strength for the Cyanoacrylate and Diglycidyl Bisphenol A specimens where the acrylic paint and natural did not. Several findings were of value when looking at the stress strain plots. Originality/value: This paper provides knowledge to the limited work on print build orientation, thermoset coatings and, UV light on ABS specimens. Very little to no work has been done on these three properties. This paper can serve as the foundation of future work on external applications on ABS plastics.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH2000269, ucf:45825
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000269
- Title
- HOPF BIFURCATION ANALYSIS OF CHAOTIC CHEMICAL REACTOR MODEL.
- Creator
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Mandragona, Daniel, Choudhury, Roy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Bifurcations in Huang's chaotic chemical reactor system leading from simple dynamics into chaotic regimes are considered. Following the linear stability analysis, the periodic orbit resulting from a Hopf bifurcation of any of the six fixed points is constructed analytically by the method of multiple scales across successively slower time scales, and its stability is then determined by the resulting final secularity condition. Furthermore, we run numerical simulations of our chemical reactor...
Show moreBifurcations in Huang's chaotic chemical reactor system leading from simple dynamics into chaotic regimes are considered. Following the linear stability analysis, the periodic orbit resulting from a Hopf bifurcation of any of the six fixed points is constructed analytically by the method of multiple scales across successively slower time scales, and its stability is then determined by the resulting final secularity condition. Furthermore, we run numerical simulations of our chemical reactor at a particular fixed point of interest, alongside a set of parameter values that forces our system to undergo Hopf bifurcation. These numerical simulations then verify our analysis of the normal form.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000342, ucf:45831
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000342
- Title
- PARASYMPATHETIC NERVE DERIVED EXOSOMES INHIBIT HYPERGLYCEMIA INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN CARDIOMYOBLAST CELLS.
- Creator
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Singla, Reetish K, Cheng, Zixi (Jack), University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Diabetic cardiomyopathy involves both forms of cardiac cell cell death such as apoptosis and necrosis. However, this remains unknown whether hyperglycemia induced apoptosis in the cell culture system is inhibited by parasympathetic nerve derived exosomes. We isolated parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves and derived exosomes. We developed hyperglycemia induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. H9c2 cells were divided into 4 groups: 1) Control, 2) H9c2+ Glucose 100 mmol, 3) H9c2+ Glucose ...
Show moreDiabetic cardiomyopathy involves both forms of cardiac cell cell death such as apoptosis and necrosis. However, this remains unknown whether hyperglycemia induced apoptosis in the cell culture system is inhibited by parasympathetic nerve derived exosomes. We isolated parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves and derived exosomes. We developed hyperglycemia induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. H9c2 cells were divided into 4 groups: 1) Control, 2) H9c2+ Glucose 100 mmol, 3) H9c2+ Glucose +parasympathetic-exo, 4) H9c2+ Glucose+sympathetic-exo. We determined cell proliferation and viability with MTT assay kit and apoptosis with TUNEL staining and cell death detection ELISA kit. Data was further confirmed with pro-apoptotic proteins caspase-3 and BAX and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2. High glucose exposed H9c2 cells significantly reduced cell viability which is improved by parasympathetic-exo but not by sympathetic-exo. Increased apoptosis in hyperglycemia in H9c2 cells confirmed with TUNEL staining and cell death ELISA was significantly (p
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000378, ucf:45833
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000378
- Title
- SPITEFUL HOUSES, SWEET HOMES: ANALYZING DENVER'S TRAUMATIC SPACE IN BELOVED.
- Creator
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Dick, Tyler, Angley, Patricia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis aims to explore and evaluate the traumatic space of Denver in Toni Morrison's Beloved. Currently, a lack of critical discourse exists to link together Denver, trauma, and theories of spatiality. This thesis evaluates three types of trauma that inform and develop Denver's traumatic space: direct, indirect, and insidious trauma. Paired with spatial theories, the origins of Denver's trauma are mapped throughout the various places of the novel. The result of this analysis reveals a...
Show moreThis thesis aims to explore and evaluate the traumatic space of Denver in Toni Morrison's Beloved. Currently, a lack of critical discourse exists to link together Denver, trauma, and theories of spatiality. This thesis evaluates three types of trauma that inform and develop Denver's traumatic space: direct, indirect, and insidious trauma. Paired with spatial theories, the origins of Denver's trauma are mapped throughout the various places of the novel. The result of this analysis reveals a complex and layered traumatic space, with lasting ramifications on Denver's sense of safety, identity, and stability in a post-slavery United States.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000484, ucf:45797
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000484
- Title
- NEW COURLAND, TOBAGO: A GIS ANALYSIS OF A 17TH-CENTURY SETTLEMENT.
- Creator
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Sumner, Amanda, Branting, Scott, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Caribbean island of Tobago was contested by several European powers. Among them was an unlikely colonizer, the small Duchy of Courland, located in the western part of modern-day Latvia, which established the New Courland colony on the west coast of Tobago, in May 1654. The aim of this study was to determine the exact geographic location of this settlement through examination of historical texts, maps, and geographic information systems (GIS) data. Remote...
Show moreIn the 17th and 18th centuries, the Caribbean island of Tobago was contested by several European powers. Among them was an unlikely colonizer, the small Duchy of Courland, located in the western part of modern-day Latvia, which established the New Courland colony on the west coast of Tobago, in May 1654. The aim of this study was to determine the exact geographic location of this settlement through examination of historical texts, maps, and geographic information systems (GIS) data. Remote sensing and GIS methods were used to map the Courlander Fort Jacob on the site of an earlier Dutch fortification, Nieuw Vlissingen. Subsequently, a predictive model was created in ArcGIS to analyze the probability of a 17th-century animal-powered sugar mill location on the territory of an 18th-century British sugar estate. Several locales were identified as matching the model criteria. The results of this study contribute to the knowledge about the New Courland colony and can be used in the design of a future archaeological fieldwork project.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000313, ucf:45798
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000313
- Title
- BLOGGING FOR PROFIT IN THE 21ST CENTURY: AN AUTOETHNOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS.
- Creator
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Warren, Samantha L, Roozen, Kevin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this thesis is to conduct an autoethnographic analysis on my literate activities as a blogger to better understand the content creation and monetization practices of modern bloggers. In Chapter 1, I introduce readers to my blog and discuss some current lines of scholarship on blogging. In Chapter 2, I discuss my research methods and justify my use of autoethnography for my study. In Chapters 3 and 4, I explain my content creation and monetization processes in detail. In Chapter...
Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to conduct an autoethnographic analysis on my literate activities as a blogger to better understand the content creation and monetization practices of modern bloggers. In Chapter 1, I introduce readers to my blog and discuss some current lines of scholarship on blogging. In Chapter 2, I discuss my research methods and justify my use of autoethnography for my study. In Chapters 3 and 4, I explain my content creation and monetization processes in detail. In Chapter 5, I draw conclusions from my analysis and provide a few further directions for research. My suggestions for future research include to analyze other bloggers' work, use different research methods in addition to autoethnography, and look at different types of blogs instead of just sites in the lifestyle category. One of my key takeaways from my research is that blogging is an interdisciplinary activity that requires skills in not just writing, but design, technology, and marketing.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000446, ucf:45802
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000446
- Title
- TARGETED DELIVERY OF A THERAPEUTIC PROTEIN FOR THE TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.
- Creator
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Holman, Heather, Sugaya, Kiminobu, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and the underexpression of TOM40, a protein with chaperone-like qualities that is responsible for transporting precursor proteins into the mitochondria. Overexpression of TOM40 is reported to partially restore mitochondrial dysfunction and decrease the accumulation of neurotoxic aggregates of ?-synuclein. Our goal is to develop an effective method for delivery of TOM40...
Show moreNeurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and the underexpression of TOM40, a protein with chaperone-like qualities that is responsible for transporting precursor proteins into the mitochondria. Overexpression of TOM40 is reported to partially restore mitochondrial dysfunction and decrease the accumulation of neurotoxic aggregates of ?-synuclein. Our goal is to develop an effective method for delivery of TOM40 protein to the brain. Previous studies have used lentiviruses to carry TOM40 into the hippocampus of ?-synuclein transgenic mice. The disadvantage of lentiviral transfection is the random insertions of the target gene into the host genome, which could cause toxic effects. Synthetic phospholipid vesicles containing TOM40 were considered as an alternative delivery method, but these "liposomes" elicit not only toxicity, but also an immune response. Thus, development of a safer delivery method of TOM40 protein is needed. We investigated exosomes, which are extracellular vesicles originating from multivesicular endosomes filled with protein, lipid, or RNA cargoes for cell-cell communication. Since exosomes are created from host cells, they are non-immunogenic and may be a more desirable method. Expression constructs have been made for the production of TOM40 protein within or on the surface of exosomes. In order to target the delivery of TOM40 to the brain, we attached peptides to the surface of the exosomes, which specifically interact with receptors on neural cells. We attempted to confirm the functionality of the expression constructs through immunocytochemistry followed by flow cytometry and Western blotting.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000328, ucf:45803
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000328
- Title
- INFECTION DYNAMICS OF HERPESVIRUS IN GOPHER TORTOISES.
- Creator
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Saldanha, Joanne, Savage, Anna, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Gopherus polyphemus, commonly known as the Gopher Tortoise, is a dryland reptile native to the southeastern United States. It is commonly a resident of longleaf pine and dry oak sand hill habitats. It is considered a keystone species because they dig deep burrows that provide shelter to them as well as many other animals. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and disease are major threats and have caused this species to be federally listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)...
Show moreGopherus polyphemus, commonly known as the Gopher Tortoise, is a dryland reptile native to the southeastern United States. It is commonly a resident of longleaf pine and dry oak sand hill habitats. It is considered a keystone species because they dig deep burrows that provide shelter to them as well as many other animals. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and disease are major threats and have caused this species to be federally listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Disease is a major threat to the gopher tortoise's survival, and with declining populations, the need to investigate pathogens is crucial. Herpesvirus, is known to contribute to upper respiratory tract diseases (URTD) in G. polyphemus and is the primary focus of this project. Due to high mutation rates in the virus, a modified version of PCR, nested PCR, was conducted on eye and nose swabs and blood samples obtained from G. polyphemus to detect the presence of the alpha herpesvirus pathogen. The positive samples were then sent for genetic sequencing to confirm the occurrence of the pathogen. The detectability of Herpesvirus in eye and nose swabs was compared to blood and lymph samples and statistical tests concluded that both sample types had the same detectability.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000376, ucf:45786
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000376
- Title
- THE WOW FACTOR: LESBIAN REPRESENTATION AND IMPACT IN LATE-20TH CENTURY THEATRE.
- Creator
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Maginness, Brenna L, Wood, Vandy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The intent of this thesis is to investigate the influence of 1980's and 1990's lesbian playwrights on modern queer representation in theatre. By analyzing the successful works of troupes and artists born out of the Women's One World (WOW) Cafe, it became apparent that the greatest changes in lesbian portrayal on stage came from queer and feminist authorship. Additionally, WOW Cafe became the common denominator in the success of many lesbian playwrights due to the freedom it gave its writers...
Show moreThe intent of this thesis is to investigate the influence of 1980's and 1990's lesbian playwrights on modern queer representation in theatre. By analyzing the successful works of troupes and artists born out of the Women's One World (WOW) Cafe, it became apparent that the greatest changes in lesbian portrayal on stage came from queer and feminist authorship. Additionally, WOW Cafe became the common denominator in the success of many lesbian playwrights due to the freedom it gave its writers and performers. As an independent theatre, WOW allowed its members to experiment with few rules, and offered a stage to pieces too experimental, feminist, or queer to see commercial Broadway success. Thesis discussion includes analysis of historically homophobic theatre, the techniques and topics conveyed in the work of The Five Lesbian Brothers and Split Britches, and the importance of WOW as a stepping stone for the success of plays like Lisa Kron's Well. Lesbian-centric work is often left out of theatre history in classrooms even today, and by diving deeper into the important history of queer women in drama, the intent of this thesis is to add to the academia in a way that helps future lesbian artists, performers, and students recognize themselves in the narrative.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000483, ucf:45787
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000483
- Title
- SEXUALIZED MUSIC'S EFFECT ON ADOLESCENT AND EMERGING ADULT BEHAVIOR: A META-ANALYSIS.
- Creator
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Scholl, Brittany M, Wright, Chrysalis, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Reports on sexual activity among U.S. adolescents have shown a rise in their seriousness (Martino, Collins, Elliott, Strachman, Kanouse, & Berry, 2006). Such young sexual initiation is seen as a predictor of overall riskier sexual behavior such as having a multitude of sexual partners, not using any protective birth control and taking part in unwanted sex (Brown, L'Engle, Pardun, Guo, Kenneavy, & Jackson, 2006; Martino et at., 2006; Parkes, Wight, Hunt, Henderson, & Sargent, 2013; Price &...
Show moreReports on sexual activity among U.S. adolescents have shown a rise in their seriousness (Martino, Collins, Elliott, Strachman, Kanouse, & Berry, 2006). Such young sexual initiation is seen as a predictor of overall riskier sexual behavior such as having a multitude of sexual partners, not using any protective birth control and taking part in unwanted sex (Brown, L'Engle, Pardun, Guo, Kenneavy, & Jackson, 2006; Martino et at., 2006; Parkes, Wight, Hunt, Henderson, & Sargent, 2013; Price & Hyde, 2009; Primack, Douglas, Fine, & Dalton, 2009; Steinberg & Monahan, 2010). It is apparent that such riskier sexual behaviors result in higher rates of STI's and unwanted pregnancies (Brown et al., 2006; Parkes et al., 2013; Price & Hyde, 2009; Primack et al., 2009; Martino et al., 2006; Steinberg & Monahan, 2010). In September 2007, the United States Congress held a hearing on the gravity of sexual music content and their relationship to risky sexual behavior (Kistler & Lee, 2009). Recognition has also been found through studies, including some self-reported, concluding that young populations seek out entertainment media to facilitate as a tool of insight into personal development in the areas of sexual norms, and as a means of reference in establishing their own identities (Brown et al., 2006; Coyne et al., 2013; Coyne & Padilla-Walker, 2015; Primack et al., 2009). Music has been suggested to have the largest personality developing influence when compared to other media forms (Primack et al., 2009). Being that adolescence is the time of accepting or rejecting normalizations, including those distorted, (Turner, 2011) it remains a subject group that provides great value to this study. An organized computer search was directed with the assistance of MedLine, PsycINFO, Communications, and Mass Media in April and May 2017 in search of relevant articles. From here strategic elimination of those without inclusion criteria were made. The remaining data was coded and assessed through the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software program. Although, suitable to both random and fixed effect models, only random models were reported in accordance to Hunter and Schmidt's (2005) argument on population variation. Positive effects signified associations with music in the form of lyrics or video and that to sexual behaviors. All studies presented said positive relationship in support of the music as sexual behavior indicator perspective. Generally, music is not something people are thinking critically about (Burgess & Burpo, 2012) bringing light to the closer but still not reached need in media literacy education. This is essential as it is not realistic to expect media to stop selling sex, therefore the responsibility for change lies in those who can use this knowledge to promote its awareness and ultimately help our youth become better prepared for making healthy, responsible deductions out of the sexually clad music we all enjoy. It is true that the wheels are already in motion (Wright et al., 2016; Wright, Dillman Carpentier, Hopper, & Warburton, 2017); the goal of this study was to keep up its momentum to continue propelling the movement forward.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000308, ucf:45764
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000308
- Title
- WHAT WOMEN WANT: A STUDY OF COMMUNICATION, SEX AND PERSONALITY.
- Creator
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Morley, Landon C, White, Grace, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Sexual communication is important in overall sexual and relationship satisfaction.Women, in particular, report lower psychological well-being when sexual dysfunction occurs (Davison, Bell, LaChina, Holden and Davis, 2009). This study was designed to uncover precisely how important sexual communication is in relation to sexual satisfaction, whether there are any discrepancies between women's desired sexual acts verses the acts they actively take part in, and to what degree personality has an...
Show moreSexual communication is important in overall sexual and relationship satisfaction.Women, in particular, report lower psychological well-being when sexual dysfunction occurs (Davison, Bell, LaChina, Holden and Davis, 2009). This study was designed to uncover precisely how important sexual communication is in relation to sexual satisfaction, whether there are any discrepancies between women's desired sexual acts verses the acts they actively take part in, and to what degree personality has an effect on sexual communication and activity. Participants were 428 women from the psychology pool at University of Central Florida. The average age of the sample was 20.7 years (SD = 5.24). Approximately 56% of the sample identified as white, 14% as black, 7% as Asian and 10% as other. Communication was positively correlated to sexual satis-faction, there were no found discrepancies between sexual participation and desired sexual acts among the study participants, and personality significantly predicted levels of communication and participation in varying sexual acts, particularly regarding extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness. Communication about sex is strongly related to life and health satisfaction and a greater understanding of sexual desires should be continually sought to create harmony within relationships.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000346, ucf:45780
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000346
- Title
- EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCE IN SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SENATOR RUBIO IN THE 2016 ELECTION IN FLORIDA.
- Creator
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Miguez Devesa, Florencia, Jewett, Aubrey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
What explains the difference between the county level vote received by President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio in the 2016 Florida general election? Over the last couple of decades, Florida has earned a reputation for being a highly competitive state that impacts control of the White House and congress. As Florida's electorate becomes increasingly diverse, will the Democratic Party begin to win more often as their usual base grows, or will the Republican Party figure out a way to...
Show moreWhat explains the difference between the county level vote received by President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio in the 2016 Florida general election? Over the last couple of decades, Florida has earned a reputation for being a highly competitive state that impacts control of the White House and congress. As Florida's electorate becomes increasingly diverse, will the Democratic Party begin to win more often as their usual base grows, or will the Republican Party figure out a way to remain competitive? The 2016 general election presents an opportunity to analyze the structure of support for two Republican candidates who represent different paths for the future of the Republican Party: Trump, who won Florida by just one percent, and seemingly alienated Hispanics and women with his comments and policy proposals; or Rubio, who won by about eight percent, a Cuban-American thought to be a fresh voice for the GOP and a bridge to Hispanic voters. Regression analysis is used to examine support for Trump and Rubio and also the difference in support between the candidates. The results indicate Trump did better in counties with larger percentages of lower educated whites, lower income households, and higher unemployment rate. Rubio performed better than Trump in counties with larger numbers of Cuban and non-Cuban Hispanics, women, and voters not registered with either major party. These results suggest that Democrats may gain ground in Florida over time if the Trump wing of the GOP takes over the party and if current population trends continue.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000373, ucf:45781
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000373
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF SITE-DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS ON HEMERYTHRIN-LIKE PROTEIN RV2633C.
- Creator
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Rosch, Kelly M, Self, William, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis, one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. One of the genes upregulated in Mtb during macrophage infection is rv2633c, but the structure and function of its gene product remain unknown. Preliminary research has indicated that Rv2633c is a hemerythrin-like protein that exhibits catalase activity and binds two iron atoms using an HHE domain. Additionally, Rv2633c appears to exist as a dimer. The purpose of this project...
Show moreMycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis, one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. One of the genes upregulated in Mtb during macrophage infection is rv2633c, but the structure and function of its gene product remain unknown. Preliminary research has indicated that Rv2633c is a hemerythrin-like protein that exhibits catalase activity and binds two iron atoms using an HHE domain. Additionally, Rv2633c appears to exist as a dimer. The purpose of this project is to identify specific residues outside of the HHE domain that contribute to the protein's iron-binding ability and/or catalase activity, and to determine whether residues on the C terminus are required for dimerization. Conserved residues D37, E42, and E95 were selected due to their proximity in the amino acid sequence to the HHE domain. Each residue was mutated to alanine using site-directed mutagenesis and the mutations were confirmed using Sanger sequencing. The E95A mutant and the C-terminal truncation mutant were expressed in Escherichia coli using the T7 expression system and purified using affinity chromatography. While wild-type Rv2633c eluted as a soluble protein, the C-terminal truncation mutant was not soluble, indicating that the C terminus may be required for Rv2633c folding. The E95A mutant eluted as a soluble protein, but may have lower iron content than wild-type Rv2633c, indicating that this glutamic acid residue could contribute to iron-binding, despite being outside the HHE domain.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000438, ucf:45794
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000438
- Title
- RECONSTRUCTING ANCIENT BURIALS AT LOMA DON GENARO.
- Creator
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Kulenguski, Alexandra M, Barber, Sarah B., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis reconstructs and analyzes a Classic period (AD 250-800) burial collection from the archaeological site of Loma Don Genaro in Oaxaca, Mexico. This research aims to address two main questions: 1.) What information about the burial collection is available through the archaeological archives? 2.) What does this information tell us about social organization during the Classic period at Loma Don Genaro? In order to address these questions, the following objectives were explored: to...
Show moreThis thesis reconstructs and analyzes a Classic period (AD 250-800) burial collection from the archaeological site of Loma Don Genaro in Oaxaca, Mexico. This research aims to address two main questions: 1.) What information about the burial collection is available through the archaeological archives? 2.) What does this information tell us about social organization during the Classic period at Loma Don Genaro? In order to address these questions, the following objectives were explored: to reconstruct ancient burials using archival material; to describe the burial demography across the site; to describe variation in grave goods; to relatively date and order the burials chronologically; to draw conclusions about social organization through patterns visible in the burial record. This project included bringing together existing archival records such as field drawings, burial record forms, lot forms, field maps, photographs, and field notes in order to reconstruct detailed burial records for 25 individuals. This recontextualization of the burial collection has made the data concerning each burial easily accessible, enabling further data to be gleaned from the remains. After creating a usable data management system for the burial collection and its associated records, the burials were analyzed. Analysis included: providing relative dates for the burials and chronologically ordering the burials using stratigraphic information; demographic analysis in order to identify the number adults, juveniles, males, and females in the collection, as well as the ages of each individual; analysis of burial position and orientation; analysis of the diversity of both the amount and type of grave goods (such as ceramic vessels, jade beads, figurines, and lithics) present in each burial. Several patterns relating to sex, age, and social status across the site were identified: there is an emphasis on adult burials with minimal children in the burial collection; the more elaborate burials reflecting a higher social status for the buried individuals were those with greater than ten ceramic vessels, had slab-lined burials, or were slab-lined and contained greater than ten vessels, and contained both male and female individuals. The data from this thesis provide an important snapshot of life during a key period of social change in ancient Mexico.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000335, ucf:45795
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000335
- Title
- SEEKING HELP FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA IN VENEZUELA: A LITERATURE REVIEW OF SCHOOL-BASED INTERVENTIONS AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS.
- Creator
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Spinetti Rincon, Maria P, Macy, Marisa, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The main purpose of this research synthesis was to determine recommendations that promote the development of a trauma-informed approach in Venezuelan schools to address the traumatic effects of political unrest in young children through a systematic review of existent intervention programs. After conducting an initial search, four studies were identified that studied the effectiveness of an intervention program in schools targeting trauma in children younger than 14 years old. Results showed...
Show moreThe main purpose of this research synthesis was to determine recommendations that promote the development of a trauma-informed approach in Venezuelan schools to address the traumatic effects of political unrest in young children through a systematic review of existent intervention programs. After conducting an initial search, four studies were identified that studied the effectiveness of an intervention program in schools targeting trauma in children younger than 14 years old. Results showed that there were four categories that all studies incorporated. All intervention programs used an assessment tool to determine PTSD presence and symptomatology, as well as other domains that could be impacted. The assessment was used to determine the need for extensive intervention and to record the effectiveness of the program. The development of the intervention program was carefully established. Approaches varied in length, intervention provider, curriculum used, and ages, yet all focused on either Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Play Therapy as the foundation. Third, teachers were trained and received support throughout the study. Training included education on the repercussions of trauma, symptomatology, and ways to address the need of children. Clinicians provided ongoing classroom support to improve the environment. Finally, in three of the studies, parents received training on trauma symptomatology and the effects of trauma. Parents learned strategies to work with their children and were able to take part in the intervention. Even though the understanding of trauma in childhood populations dates back to World War II, there is a lack of tiered intervention programs provided in schools for children at risk. In Venezuela today, children experience an ongoing environment of toxic stress paired with systemic oppression trauma. Thus, there is a need for an intervention program to reach large groups of children that does not generate an economic burden on parents. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of effective methods that can be used for a further intervention program. New policies need to be established to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive all the services needed to succeed in the future and that the socioeconomic gap is narrowed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000442, ucf:45804
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000442
- Title
- BACTERIA THAT RESIST CENTRIFUGAL FORCE.
- Creator
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Kessler, Nickolas, Moore, Sean, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Our lab discovered that approximately 1 in 10,000 Escherichia coli cells in stationary phase remain in suspension after a high g-force centrifuge event. To establish the mechanism behind this curious phenotype, multiple mutant strains of E. coli were independently evolved such that the majority of their populations resisted migration when exposed to high centrifugal forces. Genomic DNA sequencing of the mutants' revealed unique, isolated mutations in genes involved in capsule synthesis and...
Show moreOur lab discovered that approximately 1 in 10,000 Escherichia coli cells in stationary phase remain in suspension after a high g-force centrifuge event. To establish the mechanism behind this curious phenotype, multiple mutant strains of E. coli were independently evolved such that the majority of their populations resisted migration when exposed to high centrifugal forces. Genomic DNA sequencing of the mutants' revealed unique, isolated mutations in genes involved in capsule synthesis and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. Each mutant exhibits a novel mechanism that allows them to remain in suspension. The mutants were further characterized by determining their growth rates, strengths of resistance to various centrifugal forces, the phenotype's dependence on a carbon source, and timing of the phenotype's presentation. The results revealed: comparable mutant generation times to the wild-type strain, variable resistance to centrifugal force, phenotype dependence on carbon source, and phenotype presentation during early stationary phase. To interrogate the mechanism by which these cells stay in suspension the production of EPS was quantified, and gene knock-outs were performed. Quantification of the EPS revealed approximately a seventeen-fold increase in EPS in the mutants' compared to the wild-type strain. Gene knock-outs revealed the EPS produced can be attached to the outer-membrane or freely secreted into the media by different mechanisms. In addition, this mechanism was further confirmed to be responsible for the centrifuge resistant trait by attaching extracted EPS to polystyrene microspheres. Experimental results show that mutant extracted EPS treated beads caused increased bead retention in suspension compared to wild-type EPS treated beads. These results reveal that E. coli is using a novel mechanism to adapt to a new environmental factor introduced to remove the bacteria. With the discovery of this mechanism and the transferability to inorganic objects industrial applications are now envisioned where particle sedimentation is controllable and mixtures remain homogenized by attaching optically transparent biomolecules.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000332, ucf:45800
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000332
- Title
- INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF THE CASPASE-6 CLEAVAGE FRAGMENT OF MUTANT HUNTINGTIN IN HUNTINGTON DISEASE PATHOGENESIS.
- Creator
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McKinnis, Jourdan A, Southwell, Amber, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Huntington disease (HD) is a devastating and fatal neurodegenerative disease. At the moment, no disease modifying therapies are available, with only symptomatic treatment offered to alleviate psychiatric and some types of motor deficits. As a result, many people will continue to suffer and die from this disease. Small molecule therapies have failed to provide benefit in HD, necessitating more complex gene therapy approaches and the identification of less traditional therapeutic targets. A...
Show moreHuntington disease (HD) is a devastating and fatal neurodegenerative disease. At the moment, no disease modifying therapies are available, with only symptomatic treatment offered to alleviate psychiatric and some types of motor deficits. As a result, many people will continue to suffer and die from this disease. Small molecule therapies have failed to provide benefit in HD, necessitating more complex gene therapy approaches and the identification of less traditional therapeutic targets. A previous study demonstrated that preventing cleavage of the huntingtin (HTT) protein, the protein that when mutated causes HD, by caspase 6 (C6) at amino acid 586 prevents the onset of disease in transgenic HD model mice. This suggests that inhibiting the toxicity initiated by N586 cleavage could be a promising therapeutic strategy, but a safe and specific way to do this in humans has not been identified. General C6 inhibition is not a feasible strategy due to the vital functions it plays throughout life. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether the C6 cleavage fragment of HTT, N586, is itself a toxic species of HTT or if it initiates a toxic proteolytic pathway in order to identify more viable therapeutic strategies for HD. To accomplish this, we are using novel and highly sensitive immunoprecipitation and flow cytometry (IP-FCM) protein detection assays, specific for the N586 neoepitope of HTT, to evaluate the in vivo persistence of N586 in HD model mice. If N586 is detected, it is likely that it is itself toxic and promoting its degradation may be beneficial. Conversely, if it is not detected, N586 cleavage likely initiates a toxic degradation pathway and promoting its stability may be beneficial. The results of these studies have the potential to define new therapeutic strategies for HD that can be addressed more specifically than generalized C6 inhibition for the prevention of N586-mediated toxicity. The selective targeting of N586 toxicity, either to promote or prevent its degradation depending on our results, would ensure that therapeutic activity is restricted to HTT and reduce the potential for deleterious off-target effects
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000395, ucf:45801
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000395
- Title
- IMPACT OF INCREASED GREEN TURTLE NESTING ON LOGGERHEAD FITNESS.
- Creator
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Carmichael, Amanda R, Mansfield, Kate, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Marine turtles exhibit strong fidelity to their nesting beaches, making the conservation of nesting beaches important for ensuring successful sea turtle populations. Conservation of these nesting beaches involves understanding how species interact with the environment and each other, and understanding how environmental change and population growth can affect the suitability of the nesting habitat. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) is unusual in its high density of sea turtle...
Show moreMarine turtles exhibit strong fidelity to their nesting beaches, making the conservation of nesting beaches important for ensuring successful sea turtle populations. Conservation of these nesting beaches involves understanding how species interact with the environment and each other, and understanding how environmental change and population growth can affect the suitability of the nesting habitat. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) is unusual in its high density of sea turtle nesting by two species: green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles. The ACNWR in Melbourne Beach, Florida was established in 1991 due to the high density of loggerhead nesting, but in the time since it was established there has been a significant increase in green turtle nesting, from fewer than 50 nests in 1982 to over 15,000 in 2017. With such a high density of these two species in one relatively small area (21 kilometers of beach), the two species may compete for space. This is especially true for green turtles, which disturb large amounts of sand during their nesting process; in 2017, we observed 338 loggerhead clutches disturbed by nesting females during nesting surveys, nearly all of which were disturbed by green turtles. Using observed spatial and temporal nesting patterns for both green turtles and loggerheads on the ACNWR, I examined the effects these species may have on each other's nests now and in the future. Additionally, green turtles and loggerheads nest in different densities along the length of the ACNWR, with green turtles more concentrated in the southern portions of the Refuge. Finally, green turtle nesting begins and peaks approximately one month later on the ACNWR than loggerhead nesting. For each of these metrics, there is both considerable overlap and distinct separation between the two species. By using these metrics in a modeling approach, I estimated the probability of nest disturbance by a subsequently nesting female, ranging from 0 to 0.105, and how these probabilities are predicted to change over time with a growing green turtle population. Evaluating the carrying capacity of this beach is important in the context of habitat disturbance, including climate change and an increase in storm frequency, and informing adaptive management strategies for effective conservation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000284, ucf:45878
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000284
- Title
- A MACHINE LEARNING APPROACH TO ASSESS THE SEPARATION OF SEISMOCARDIOGRAPHIC SIGNALS BY RESPIRATION.
- Creator
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Solar, Brian, Mansy, Hansen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The clinical usage of Seismocardiography (SCG) is increasing as it is being shown to be an effective non-invasive measurement for heart monitoring. SCG measures the vibrational activity at the chest surface and applications include non-invasive assessment of myocardial contractility and systolic time intervals. Respiratory activity can also affect the SCG signal by changing the hemodynamic characteristics of cardiac activity and displacing the position of the heart. Other clinically...
Show moreThe clinical usage of Seismocardiography (SCG) is increasing as it is being shown to be an effective non-invasive measurement for heart monitoring. SCG measures the vibrational activity at the chest surface and applications include non-invasive assessment of myocardial contractility and systolic time intervals. Respiratory activity can also affect the SCG signal by changing the hemodynamic characteristics of cardiac activity and displacing the position of the heart. Other clinically significant information, such as systolic time intervals, can thus manifest themselves differently in an SCG signal during inspiration and expiration. Grouping SCG signals into their respective respiratory cycle can mitigate this issue. Prior research has focused on developing machine learning classification methods to classify SCG events as according to their respiration cycle. However, recent research at the Biomedical Acoustics Research Laboratory (BARL) at UCF suggests grouping SCG signals into high and low lung volume may be more effective. This research aimed at com- paring the efficiency of grouping SCG signals according to their respiration and lung volume phase and also developing a method to automatically identify the respiration and lung volume phase of SCG events.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000310, ucf:45877
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000310
