Current Search: Development (x)
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- Title
- Promoting Recovery in Trauma Affected Children: Developing a School-Based Professional DevelopmentTool for Teacher Awareness and Intervention.
- Creator
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Ioannides Sperber, Ellen, Hewitt, Randall, Hopp, Carolyn, Vitale, Thomas, Van Horn, Stacy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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ABSTRACT The problem of practice addressed in this paper is the need for professional development training in the educational setting on the social, emotional, academic, cognitive, and behavioral needs of students who have experienced a traumatic event. The need identified exists due to the lack of knowledge, interest, and opportunity to partake in professional development training in an effort to understand the impact trauma has on academic achievement and the toll that is placed on the...
Show moreABSTRACT The problem of practice addressed in this paper is the need for professional development training in the educational setting on the social, emotional, academic, cognitive, and behavioral needs of students who have experienced a traumatic event. The need identified exists due to the lack of knowledge, interest, and opportunity to partake in professional development training in an effort to understand the impact trauma has on academic achievement and the toll that is placed on the school environment. The purpose of this paper is to review research on childhood trauma, examine the psychological impact on student academic achievement, foster child resiliency, and develop a foundation for effectuating change through a school-based intervention program that concentrates on promoting recovery in affected children. Traumatic events are a very real part of life that becomes a societal problem when a very young mind has to cope with the aftermath of the event. A survey and two interviews were administered to inform the professional development framework of the needs of students and teachers along with research on social-emotional learning, psychological resilience, and recovery methods offering an informative vehicle for change that will significantly impact the child's life. Cultivating Resilience Through The Arms of Academics is a school-based professional development framework designed to educate teaching professionals on the psycho-social needs of trauma affected children while providing systematic interventions designed to help these children with the factors necessary for healing to the extent allowable by the public school system. Schools are targeted to provide the interventions necessary for healing due to their extensive influence on the children they serve. This program will provide children with an emotionally safe environment thus establishing a school climate that is conducive for learning. The interventions in the program promote healing for trauma victims, assist teachers by providing strategies to engage the trauma affected students, and addresses the psycho-social competence and educational performance of all children in the educational population.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006689, ucf:52874
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006689
- Title
- Destination Image and Tourist's Imagination: The Forgotten Component.
- Creator
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Khalilzadeh, Jalayer, Pizam, Abraham, Fyall, Alan, Tasci, Asli, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The objectives of this dissertation was to 1) develop a comprehensive scale to measure visitors' imagination, 2) investigate the structural relationship between imagination and tourism destination image (TDI) components of cognitive, affective, and conative, 3) compare and contrast the various qualities of vividness, richness, saliency, control, and spatial between imagination and prospection, and 4) study the impact of different information sources on the evolving process of prospection to...
Show moreThe objectives of this dissertation was to 1) develop a comprehensive scale to measure visitors' imagination, 2) investigate the structural relationship between imagination and tourism destination image (TDI) components of cognitive, affective, and conative, 3) compare and contrast the various qualities of vividness, richness, saliency, control, and spatial between imagination and prospection, and 4) study the impact of different information sources on the evolving process of prospection to imagination. By conducting four different studies and seven data collection phases, the imagination scale was developed, validated, and utilized to test the proposed structural and differential hypotheses. In study 1, the phenomenology approach was employed and through a series of interviews, the internal experience of the imagination process was extracted. In study 2, which is composed of two focus groups, the potential manifest variables to measure imagination/prospection were developed and the structure of the questionnaire was designed. In study 3, through 3 data collection phases, two versions of long and short imagination scale questionnaire were validated and the structural relationships between imagination and destination image was investigated. In the final study, utilizing experimental design, hypotheses related to five qualities of imagination were compared to those of prospection. Finally, by adopting an exploratory approach, the impact of different information sources on imagination was investigated. The results of this dissertation indicated that the imagination scale is a reliable and valid scale to be used in various hospitality and tourism consumption contexts. It shows a high discriminant validity with TDI and structurally moderates the inter-relationships of the TDI components. In addition, findings of this dissertation support the theoretical discussions on the differences between imagination and prospection. Finally, the results revealed significant distinctions among image, video, and textual information sources regarding their impact on the quality of the mental image.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007207, ucf:52279
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007207
- Title
- The Client Assessment of Multicultural Competent Behavior (CAMCB): Development and Validation.
- Creator
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Oh, Seungbin, Shillingford-Butler, Ann, Lambie, Glenn, Taylor, Dalena, Witta, Eleanor, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The significance of multicultural counseling competence (MCC) has been increasingly recognized in the literature on mental health. Cultural diversification in the United States has prompted greater research in specialized mental health needs among diverse populations. However, despite the specialized mental health needs, diverse cultural groups have faced challenges in finding multiculturally competent mental health services. Accordingly, mental health professions have placed a greater...
Show moreThe significance of multicultural counseling competence (MCC) has been increasingly recognized in the literature on mental health. Cultural diversification in the United States has prompted greater research in specialized mental health needs among diverse populations. However, despite the specialized mental health needs, diverse cultural groups have faced challenges in finding multiculturally competent mental health services. Accordingly, mental health professions have placed a greater emphasis on the development of therapists' MCC through the training and education, but also made ongoing efforts to integrate MCC into evidenced-based treatment. However, the mental health professions have faced difficulty in exploring evidence for the validity of MCC in therapy, due to a measurement concern regarding MCC. Specifically, such measurement concern in the MCC literature is involved with the fact that there has not existed a client-rated instrument designed to measure therapists' actual MCC performance (i.e., multicultural competent behaviors) in therapeutic process. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop the Client Assessment of Multicultural Competent Behavior (CAMCB) and examine its psychometric properties with a sample of clients.With a correlational research design, the present study involved two phases (Phase I and II) with a sample of diverse clients to inform the development and validation investigation of the CAMCB. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 280) with the initial pool of 30 items resulted in a three-factor, 23-item CAMCB model. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 282) was performed to cross-verify the three-factor, 23-item structure of the CAMCB (as identified from EFA) and accumulate evidence of its psychometric properties. CFA resulted in a final three-factor, 19-item CAMCB model with an acceptable model fit. The final CAMCB was found to have good internal consistency reliability and initial evidence for convergent validity with the current data. Lastly, results from a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated small but significant difference in the CAMCB total or subscale scores by some subgroups (e.g., race, gender, religion). Discussion of results, limitations of the present study, recommendations for future research, and implications for mental health professionals, researchers, and educators are provided.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007582, ucf:52566
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007582
- Title
- Scale Development to Measure the Co-Creation Experience, and Resulting Value and Behavioral Intentions in Museums, Exhibitions, and Installations.
- Creator
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Mathis, Elaine, Okumus, Fevzi, Van Niekerk, Mathilda, Rivera, Manuel, Weber, Karin, Uysal, Muzaffer, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to develop and test a scale that can measure the co-creation experience, resulting value, and behavioral intentions in MEI. The study addresses six objectives: (1) To propose a framework of co-creation, (2) To evaluate what constructs of co-creation are needed, (3) To analyze how and what value is created, (4) To evaluate how co-creation impacts behavioral intentions, (5) To evaluate how value impacts behavioral intentions, and (6) To create a model that tests...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to develop and test a scale that can measure the co-creation experience, resulting value, and behavioral intentions in MEI. The study addresses six objectives: (1) To propose a framework of co-creation, (2) To evaluate what constructs of co-creation are needed, (3) To analyze how and what value is created, (4) To evaluate how co-creation impacts behavioral intentions, (5) To evaluate how value impacts behavioral intentions, and (6) To create a model that tests the co-creation experience and resulting value and behavioral intentions in MEI. This dissertation employed a mixed-method approach. A qualitative study was conducted to develop and define the constructs, wherein a survey was developed. The survey led into the quantitative portion of the study, which measured co-creation, so a scale was created and tested. Statistical analyses consisted of exploratory factor analyses, confirmatory factor analyses, and partial least squares structural equation modeling. Study results indicate that the developed co-creation scale is reliable and identified what dimensions of co-creation exist with MEI. The research findings suggest that co-creation can be used to facilitate more interactive experiences within the museum, exhibition, and installation environment. Co-creation not only encourages greater interaction but leads to enhanced value and positive behavioral intentions. This study provided a better understanding of the co-creation experience including how attendees co-create, and how to enhance the value added which can impact behavioral intentions. By identifying the constructs to measure co-creation, value, and behavioral intentions, event designs may be planned to stimulate true co-creation, welcoming the interaction and input from all actors. This study provided a (")Collage of Co-Creation(") which can direct future research to develop a comprehensive scale of co-creation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007224, ucf:52233
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007224
- Title
- Modeling the innovation ecosystem and development of a dynamic innovation index.
- Creator
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Schoen, Henriette, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hoekstra, Robert, Shumaker, Randall, Akbas, Mustafa, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The topic of innovation currently generates a tremendous amount of interest around the world. Innovation is considered an essential part of the solution to creating more jobs and improving the socio-economic conditions of many countries around the globe. Innovation comes about through the existence of many interrelated solutions to socio-economic problems in an extensively interconnected network, which create value for each other. Such a complex creativity and innovation value-creating...
Show moreThe topic of innovation currently generates a tremendous amount of interest around the world. Innovation is considered an essential part of the solution to creating more jobs and improving the socio-economic conditions of many countries around the globe. Innovation comes about through the existence of many interrelated solutions to socio-economic problems in an extensively interconnected network, which create value for each other. Such a complex creativity and innovation value-creating network is here called an Innovation Ecosystem (IE). The main objective of this dissertation research is to improve the current understanding of the IE by developing a simulation model that uses a broad set of relevant static and dynamic variables and incorporates the principles of system dynamics (SD). The proposed model, which is named the IECO-model is based on the relationships between 91 variables and the combined influences of the 43 parameters. Available data for 32 countries, representing a full span of GDP worldwide, was used to study the level of innovation in each of these countries. The result of the developed IECO-model is a novel ranking of the level of innovation through a dynamic innovation index, called the DII. The DII is a new tool to evaluate the innovation and entrepreneurship level of a given country in the context of the global economy. The most significant differentiator from other existing indices of innovation is that the DII is focusing more on the entrepreneurship qualities in 19 of the 43 parameters by looking at cultural values and belief systems, the social context, existing entrepreneurial culture, innovation attitudes, and mentality of each of the considered countries. According to DII-based ranking, the ten most innovative countries in the world are 1. Switzerland, 2. USA, 3. Finland, 4. Netherlands, 5. Iceland, 6. Sweden, 7. Germany, 8. Denmark, 9. The United Kingdom, and 10. Austria.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007586, ucf:52537
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007586
- Title
- Commitment and Credibility in FDI.
- Creator
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Sullivan, Kathleen, Hamann, Kerstin, Edwards, Barry, Boutton, Andrew, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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How can firms in foreign direct investment (FDI) best protect their assets from host government contract beach? FDI is the largest and most stable form of external financing to less developed countries (LDCs). It increases job growth, technological development, and efficiency in the host country, subsequently increasing economic development. Companies prefer to invest in countries that are less prone to contract breach. I propose that credibility of commitments can help explain variation in...
Show moreHow can firms in foreign direct investment (FDI) best protect their assets from host government contract beach? FDI is the largest and most stable form of external financing to less developed countries (LDCs). It increases job growth, technological development, and efficiency in the host country, subsequently increasing economic development. Companies prefer to invest in countries that are less prone to contract breach. I propose that credibility of commitments can help explain variation in contract breach. I propose that firms are most likely to avoid contract breach when they are involved in supply chains and when the host country has a preferential trade agreement (PTA).I measure this relationship using a difference of means test and logistic regression. Using data from 1992-2008 from the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), I find that on average, the least amount of cases filed involved supply chains and PTAs. Only 4% of cases involved supply chains and PTAs, suggesting a protective force in FDI. The interaction between supply chains and PTAs has a significantly positive effect on investors winning their cases in the ICSID. My results suggest that in the event of a contract breach, my interaction variable of membership in supply chains and PTA's help investors protect their assets. The implications of these findings are twofold. To safeguard their FDI, firms can ensure better protection from contract breach through supply chains. Furthermore, host countries can attract more FDI from PTAs. For future research, I suggest case study analysis as well as interviews with representatives from foreign firms that have dealt with contract breach.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007866, ucf:52795
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007866
- Title
- THE ROLE OF WEB 2.0 AND SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY IN EDUCATION AS A FORM OF TEACHER PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
- Creator
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Smith, Brandi, Gunter, Glenda, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Teachers are facing greater technological demands. They are expected to use and teach their students to use various forms of collaborative technology (Partnership for 21st Century Learning, 2010). Personal professional development is professional development that teachers seek on their own, strictly on a voluntary basis, so that they can meet the needs of their students or address issues that are unique to their classroom. This study used a survey to examine the relationship between how...
Show moreTeachers are facing greater technological demands. They are expected to use and teach their students to use various forms of collaborative technology (Partnership for 21st Century Learning, 2010). Personal professional development is professional development that teachers seek on their own, strictly on a voluntary basis, so that they can meet the needs of their students or address issues that are unique to their classroom. This study used a survey to examine the relationship between how teachers' reported using social media community in education for personal professional development and the criteria for effective professional development, teachers' integration practices, teachers' frequency of collaboration, and teachers' ability to communicate with colleagues. The results revealed a relationship between the criteria that a professional development be content specific and coherent and integrated with teachers' daily lives and whether or not teachers report using social media community in education as a form of professional development. There was also a statistically significant relationship between the frequency of technology integration, the reported level of technology integration, and the feeling of growth based on whether or not teachers used social media community in education to enhance professional practices. A statistically significant relationship was found between the frequency at which teachers report collaborating on technology integration projects with colleagues in social media communities in education and whether or not respondents use Social media community in education connect with other educational professionals. Finally, a statistically significant relationship was found between how comfortable participants are giving technology integration advice to colleagues in social media communities in education based on whether or not respondents use social media community in education to share materials and ideas. Based on the findings of the study, several implications can be made regarding the use of social networks for personal professional development. First, the use of social networks for personal professional development is best when there is content specificity and cohesion with teachers' personal and professional goals. Secondly the users of a social network for personal professional development must purposeful in their reasons for using the social network, users must perceive themselves as capable of learning and they must have the willingness to commit to learning. Another implication is that increased levels of ownership for the material in social media communities in education would result in greater frequency of collaboration. Finally, teachers' perceptions of their integration abilities will determine if teachers will use social networks to communicate professionally with colleagues.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004027, ucf:49179
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004027
- Title
- Counselor education doctoral students' levels of Research Self-Efficacy, Interest in Research, and Research Mentoring: A cross-sectional investigation.
- Creator
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Petko, John, Lambie, Glenn, Robinson, Edward, Van Horn, Stacy, Sivo, Stephen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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ABSTRACTDoctoral counselor education programs are charged to develop effective researchers; however, limited investigations have examined research constructs in counselor educators-in-training. Therefore, this study will investigate a national sample of doctoral counselor education students' levels of research self-efficacy (Research Self-Efficacy Scale; Greeley, et. al 1989), interest in research (Interest in Research Questionnaire; Bishop (&) Bieschke, 1994), and research mentoring ...
Show moreABSTRACTDoctoral counselor education programs are charged to develop effective researchers; however, limited investigations have examined research constructs in counselor educators-in-training. Therefore, this study will investigate a national sample of doctoral counselor education students' levels of research self-efficacy (Research Self-Efficacy Scale; Greeley, et. al 1989), interest in research (Interest in Research Questionnaire; Bishop (&) Bieschke, 1994), and research mentoring (Research Mentoring Experiences Scale; Hollingsworth (&) Fassinger, 2002). A cross-sectional, correlational research design will be used to test if doctoral counselor education students' year of preparation (1st, 2nd, or 3rd year) predicts their research self-efficacy, interest in research, and research mentoring scores. In addition, the study will investigate if doctoral students' research practices, (e.g., publishing refereed journal articles, presenting papers at national conferences) correlates with their levels of the three research constructs. Limitations and implications for the study will be discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004583, ucf:49212
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004583
- Title
- EMERGENT WRITING SKILLS IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENT.
- Creator
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Pavelko, Stacey, Lieberman, R. Jane, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Much research demonstrates that alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness, and emergent writing are all significant predictors of later reading and writing outcomes, and that children with language impairments (LI) are particularly at risk for later literacy difficulties. Further, children with LI consistently demonstrate depressed emergent literacy skills in the areas of phonological awareness, print concepts, and alphabet knowledge; however, little is known about their emergent writing...
Show moreMuch research demonstrates that alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness, and emergent writing are all significant predictors of later reading and writing outcomes, and that children with language impairments (LI) are particularly at risk for later literacy difficulties. Further, children with LI consistently demonstrate depressed emergent literacy skills in the areas of phonological awareness, print concepts, and alphabet knowledge; however, little is known about their emergent writing skills. Therefore, the purposes of this study were twofold: (1) to compare the emergent writing skills of preschool children with language impairment to their typically developing peers using a range of writing tasks and a detailed, consistent scoring rubric for each task; and, (2) to explore the relationships among emergent writing skills and alphabet knowledge, phonological awareness, and oral language. The participants included four groups of preschool children: 11 4-year-old children with LI; 11 4-year-old language typical (LT) children, age-matched to children with LI; 20 4-year-old children with typical language; and, 21 5-year-old children with typical language. Children with language impairment scored between 70 and 84 on the Language Index of Assessment of Literacy and Language (ALL) (Lombardino, Lieberman, & Brown, 2005), and children with typical language scored between 85 and 115. All children passed a bilateral hearing screen, scored within the normal range on a non-verbal intelligence screen, demonstrated an unremarkable developmental history relative to sensory, neurological, and motor performance, spoke English as their primary language, and had mothers with at least a high school education or equivalent. During two sessions, children were administered the ALL and five emergent writing tasks: Write Letters, Write Name, Write CVC Words, Picture Description, and Sentence Retell. The writing tasks and accompanying scoring rubrics were adopted from a previous study by Puranik and Lonigan (2009). Results indicated that children with LI demonstrated significantly less advanced letter and word writing skills than their language typical, age-matched peers. In addition, significant relationships between all emergent writing tasks and alphabet knowledge were observed for all children as well as significant relationships between oral language and phonological awareness for children with typical language. No significant relationships between any of the emergent writing tasks and phonological awareness or between oral language and alphabet knowledge were found. Further, results indicated the same developmental patterns exist in written as well as oral language for children with LI. This study has therapeutic implications for speech-language pathologists. In particular, emergent writing tasks need to be included in comprehensive assessment and intervention approaches for children with LI. Assessments need to yield accurate descriptions of emergent writing skills relevant to later literacy outcomes. Finally, integrated intervention approaches that combine initial sound awareness tasks with alphabet knowledge and emergent writing tasks may achieve the best learning outcomes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004067, ucf:49138
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004067
- Title
- An Analysis of Teacher Action Research Focused on Differentiated Instruction for Student Subgroups in One Florida School District in 2009-2010.
- Creator
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Madden, Michelle, Taylor, Rosemarye, Pawlas, George, Witta, Eleanor, Little, Mary, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study examined the action research reports written by teachers in one Florida school district after they had received professional development on differentiated instruction and the action research process in the 2009-2010 school year. The 69 reports that were completed by the teachers were assessed using the Action Research Rubric that was developed for this study. This rubric evaluated whether the reports contained the elements of action research along with the characteristics that the...
Show moreThis study examined the action research reports written by teachers in one Florida school district after they had received professional development on differentiated instruction and the action research process in the 2009-2010 school year. The 69 reports that were completed by the teachers were assessed using the Action Research Rubric that was developed for this study. This rubric evaluated whether the reports contained the elements of action research along with the characteristics that the district emphasized as part of the professional development such as differentiation, student subgroups, and collaboration.The Action Research Rubric contained seven subscales: Purpose of the Study, Plan, Professional Collaboration and Resources, Data and Evidence, Results, Instructional Decisions and Professional Reflection, and Sharing Results. Descriptive statistics were found for the aggregate group of reports as well as subgroups depending upon the school level (elementary, middle, or high school), the types of teachers within the elementary category, or the FCAT subject area of focus for the report. Overall, the action research reports met the district's standard as measured by the Action Research Rubric. As an aggregate group, the reports also met the standard on the Purpose of the Study, Professional Collaboration and Resource, and Data and Evidence Subscales. They did not perform as well on the Plan and Sharing Results Subscales.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004131, ucf:49095
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004131
- Title
- TRANSFER AND DEVELOPMENT LENGTH OF STRANDS IN POST-TENSIONED MEMBERS AFTER ANCHOR HEAD FAILURE.
- Creator
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El Zghayar, Elie, Mackie, Kevin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Post-tensioning tendons in segmental bridge construction are often only anchored within the deviator and pier segments. The effectiveness of the post-tensioning (PT) system is therefore dependent on proper functioning of the anchorages. On August 28, 2000 a routine inspection of the Mid-Bay Bridge (Okaloosa County, Florida) revealed corrosion in numerous PT tendons. Moreover, one of the 19-strand tendons was completely slacked, with later inspection revealing a corrosion-induced failure at...
Show morePost-tensioning tendons in segmental bridge construction are often only anchored within the deviator and pier segments. The effectiveness of the post-tensioning (PT) system is therefore dependent on proper functioning of the anchorages. On August 28, 2000 a routine inspection of the Mid-Bay Bridge (Okaloosa County, Florida) revealed corrosion in numerous PT tendons. Moreover, one of the 19-strand tendons was completely slacked, with later inspection revealing a corrosion-induced failure at the pier anchor location. Anchorage failure caused all PT force to transfer to the steel duct located within the pier segment that in turn slipped and caused the tendon to go completely slack. After the application of PT force, the anchorage assembly and steel pipes that house the tendon are filled with grout. These short grouted regions could, in the event of anchorage failure, provide a secondary anchorage mechanism preventing the scenario mentioned above from occurring. This paper presents the results of a full-scale experimental investigation on anchorage tendon pull-out and a finite element model to support the experimental results and interpretation. The study focuses on the length required to develop the in-service PT force within the pier segment grouted steel tube assembly. Seven, twelve, and nineteen 0.6ÃÂ" diameter strand tendons with various development lengths were considered. Recommendations for pier section pipe detailing and design will be discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003363, ucf:48465
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003363
- Title
- Age as a factor in inter-tissue spacing of stable carbon isotope values in juvenile human remains from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt.
- Creator
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Norris, Annie, Dupras, Tosha, Williams, Lana, Mcintyre, Matthew, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Although stable isotope analysis is routinely utilized in bioarchaeology and relies on principles that are well-understood, there are still fundamental issues that have not been thoroughly investigated. This thesis examines the relationship between inter-tissue spacing of carbon stable isotope values (?13C) and age in juvenile human remains. Analyses of tissues within the same individual reveal disparate isotopic values for a variety of physiological and biological reasons discussed herein....
Show moreAlthough stable isotope analysis is routinely utilized in bioarchaeology and relies on principles that are well-understood, there are still fundamental issues that have not been thoroughly investigated. This thesis examines the relationship between inter-tissue spacing of carbon stable isotope values (?13C) and age in juvenile human remains. Analyses of tissues within the same individual reveal disparate isotopic values for a variety of physiological and biological reasons discussed herein. This project examines the distance between the ?13C values in bone collagen, skin, hair, and nail, and examines how these distances vary between different age groups, utilizing data collected from 52 well-preserved human remains from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt: 28 individuals between the ages of 1 and 4 years, 14 between 5 and 10 years, and 10 between the ages of 11-15 years. The mean carbon isotope values for each tissue were compared across each age group, and used to calculate the differences between each tissue type. Although distances between tissues were found to vary across all age categories, the distances between collagen and hair, collagen and skin, and collagen and nail are all substantially greater in the 11-15 year old category than those in the 1-4 and 5-10 year categories. Possible physiological, developmental and social factors are discussed in an effort to explain this discrepancy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004418, ucf:49403
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004418
- Title
- The relationship between caregiver intimate partner violence, posttraumatic stress, child cognitive self-development, and treatment attrition among child sexual abuse victims.
- Creator
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Delorenzi, Leigh, Daire, Andrew, Young, Mark, Lambie, Glenn, Abel, Eileen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a worldwide problem, with two-thirds of all cases going unreported. A wealth of research over the last 30 years demonstrates the negative emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual, academic, and social effects of CSA. As a result, researchers and mental health professionals frequently attempt to measure the efficacy of treatment modalities in order to assess which treatments lead to better outcomes. However, in order to effectively study treatment outcomes,...
Show moreChild sexual abuse (CSA) is a worldwide problem, with two-thirds of all cases going unreported. A wealth of research over the last 30 years demonstrates the negative emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual, academic, and social effects of CSA. As a result, researchers and mental health professionals frequently attempt to measure the efficacy of treatment modalities in order to assess which treatments lead to better outcomes. However, in order to effectively study treatment outcomes, researchers must be able to track the status of child functioning and symptomology before, during, and after treatment. Because high levels of treatment attrition exist among CSA victims, researchers are unable to effectively study outcomes due to large losses in research participants, loss of statistical power, and threats to external validity (Kazdin, 1990). Moreover, due to the high prevalence of concurrent family violence, caregivers with intimate partner violence are more than twice as likely to have children who are also direct victims of abuse (Kazdin, 1996). Caregivers ultimately make the decisions regarding whether or not a child stays in treatment, and therefore, it is important to examine the influence of both parent factors (e.g., intimate partner violence) and child factors (e.g., traumatization and/or disturbances in cognitive self-development) on treatment attrition. This two-pronged approach of examining both child and family characteristics simultaneously with attrition patterns offers a more complete picture for the ways concurrent family violence influences treatment than looking at child and caregiver factors separately.The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between caregiver intimate partner violence, child posttraumatic stress (Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children [TSCC]; Briere, 1996), child cognitive self-development (Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale [TABS]; Pearlman, 2003), and treatment attrition. The statistical analyses in this study included (a) Logistic Regression, (b) Poisson Regression, and (c) Chi-square Test for Independence. Elevated TSCC subscale scores in posttraumatic stress predicted both an increased number of sessions attended and increased number of sessions missed. Elevated TABS subscale scores in self-trust predicted an increased number of sessions attended and decreased number of sessions missed. Elevated TABS subscale scores of other-intimacy and self-control predicted an increased number of sessions missed. Moreover, the presence of past or current caregiver intimate partner violence predicted a decrease in number of sessions attended. While no relationship existed between child posttraumatic stress or cognitive self-development and whether a child graduated or prematurely terminated from treatment, children with parents who confirmed past or current intimate partner violence were 2.5 times more likely to prematurely terminate from treatment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004369, ucf:49439
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004369
- Title
- Quasi-Experimental Study: The Effects of Virtual Covert Audio Coaching on Teachers' Transfer of Knowledge from Professional Development to Classroom Practice.
- Creator
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Jackson-Lee, Marilyn, Hines, Rebecca, Gunter, Glenda, Boote, David, Boulware, Donald, Sena, Leslie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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ABSTRACTA quasi-experimental multiple time series design was used to analyze and compare the impact of two types of instructional coaching, face-to-face and virtual covert audio provided with Bluetooth technology, on teacher transfer of knowledge learned in professional development into classroom practice. Teacher transfer across baseline, intervention, and maintenance phases was analyzed. The study was conducted at a public elementary school in a Florida suburban school district with...
Show moreABSTRACTA quasi-experimental multiple time series design was used to analyze and compare the impact of two types of instructional coaching, face-to-face and virtual covert audio provided with Bluetooth technology, on teacher transfer of knowledge learned in professional development into classroom practice. Teacher transfer across baseline, intervention, and maintenance phases was analyzed. The study was conducted at a public elementary school in a Florida suburban school district with approximately 750 students. Twelve teachers were randomly selected from teachers who volunteered to attend professional development. Six teachers (one from each grade level K-5) in the treatment group received virtual covert audio coaching. Six teachers (one from each grade level K-5) in the control group received face-to-face coaching.Professional development was on RallyCoach(TM), a Kagan cooperative learning structure, which allows students to interact and practice procedural learning such as calculating math algorithms, defending a point of view, or editing writing. This structure was chosen to provide teachers with an instructional tool to teach and provide students practice for the speaking and listening strand of the Common Core State Standards. RallyCoach(TM) was also chosen to increase student engagement.Data analysis included descriptive statistics and visual analysis methods. Both the control and treatment groups increased the mean (level) percentages of RallyCoachTM components implemented across time from baseline to intervention and from intervention to maintenance. There was an increasing trend line for implementation of RallyCoachTM components across phases for both study groups. The decreasing standard deviation across phases represented a decreasing variability of data and can be considered to show a treatment affect for both types of coaching. Teachers who received both types of coaching continued increased implementation into the maintenance phase when the coaching intervention was removed. Data analysis revealed an increasing percentage of student pairs providing positive student-to-student interaction with an increasing trend line and a decreasing standard deviation (reduced variability) across time over phases. Face-to-face and virtual coaching had a positive impact on student-to-student positive interaction.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004867, ucf:49675
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004867
- Title
- UNDERSTANDING THE ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF SALES & USE TAX POLICY: EVIDENCE FROM THREE STUDIES.
- Creator
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Hageman, Amy, Bobek, Donna, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This dissertation consists of three separate but interrelated studies examining the antecedents and consequences of sales and use tax (SUT) policy. The first study investigates whether elements of the SUT system influence elements of economic development, and tests whether SUT rates and/or bases influence state-aggregated levels of capital expenditures and employment within the manufacturing sector from 1983-2006. Results indicate that elements of the tax base (i.e., SUT exemptions) affect...
Show moreThis dissertation consists of three separate but interrelated studies examining the antecedents and consequences of sales and use tax (SUT) policy. The first study investigates whether elements of the SUT system influence elements of economic development, and tests whether SUT rates and/or bases influence state-aggregated levels of capital expenditures and employment within the manufacturing sector from 1983-2006. Results indicate that elements of the tax base (i.e., SUT exemptions) affect these indicators of economic development, but the same relationship was not seen for SUT rates. The second study examines individual taxpayer compliance across different tax settings (i.e., the state use tax compared to the federal income tax) and tests whether differences in detection mechanisms, social norms, or ignorance explain these differences in compliance. Based on a final sample of 148 taxpayers, results show that social norms had an important influence on tax compliance differences across tax settings. The third study investigates the antecedents of states' adoption of the Streamlined Sales & Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA) using both a cross-sectional empirical model and an in-depth qualitative case study of three states. Both the model and case study suggest that governmental interest groups, rather than businesses, play an important role in the adoption of inter-jurisdictional tax policy changes. Overall, the three studies within this dissertation all advance the SUT literature by using various theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches to demonstrate that governmental interest groups influence the adoption of SUT policy (antecedents), and that SUT provisions in turn influence business and individual decisions alike (consequences).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002739, ucf:48178
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002739
- Title
- AN EXPLORATION OF THE POTENTIALS AND LIMITATIONS OF ADAPTING TRADITIONAL TEXT-BASED NARRATIVE TO INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY.
- Creator
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Jardaneh, Said, Fiore, Stephen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Narrative is expressed in many forms, yet the reading of narrative through books may be unique in its transformative qualities. The medium of books has existed for thousands of years as a primary means of passing down and internalizing narrative from generation to generation. Are books now a dying medium in the face of ever-advancing technology in an increasingly fast-paced and technologically-dependent society? Technology now incorporates narrative into interactive environments in various...
Show moreNarrative is expressed in many forms, yet the reading of narrative through books may be unique in its transformative qualities. The medium of books has existed for thousands of years as a primary means of passing down and internalizing narrative from generation to generation. Are books now a dying medium in the face of ever-advancing technology in an increasingly fast-paced and technologically-dependent society? Technology now incorporates narrative into interactive environments in various ways often immersing the user in ever more realistic experiential scenarios. Yet, is something potentially lost with these advancements that can only be afforded through the time-tested method of old-fashioned reading? What makes reading so compelling a medium/activity for personal development? Does experience in these interactive environments offer the same transformative intrinsic experience afforded through the tranquil receptive processing, reflective elaboration and insight offered through the reading of books? This thesis seeks to explore these questions by looking at three major factors that must be considered in furthering our understanding of the potentials and limitations of interactive narrative technologies as they compare to narrative delivered via the established medium of books: 1) theories of self, identity/character, cognitive development and behavior (specifically as these relate to traditional text-based narrative), 2) theory and research associated with narrative transportation and transformation, and 3) current and future efforts to adapt narrative to the medium of interactive technology.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003037, ucf:48360
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003037
- Title
- ROLE OF REVOLUTIONARY LEADERSHIP IN IRAN TO ITS FOREIGN POLICY.
- Creator
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Latorre, Aida, Sadri, Houman, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study investigated the role of different leadership styles within Iran and how such leadership changes influenced Iranian foreign policy. The study utilized event-data analysis of Iranian history and current events and discussed the role of realist and idealist to the development of Iran into the regional power it is today as well as how Western relations played a role in developing Iranian foreign policy, particularly with regard to its nuclear development. The main body of the study...
Show moreThis study investigated the role of different leadership styles within Iran and how such leadership changes influenced Iranian foreign policy. The study utilized event-data analysis of Iranian history and current events and discussed the role of realist and idealist to the development of Iran into the regional power it is today as well as how Western relations played a role in developing Iranian foreign policy, particularly with regard to its nuclear development. The main body of the study drew from the dynamics within Iran, its relations with the West, relations with Israel, and relations with other foreign powers. The event-data analysis also took into account the political and socioeconomic stability and conditions within Iran as it would readily influence the foreign policy-making within the nation. The first part of the study analyzed Iranian society under the Shah and the under the revolutionary guidance of the Ayatollah Khomeini; the second part analyzed the post-Khomeini period in Iran. In addition to reviewing the role of different revolutionary leadership styles within Iran, this study considers the role that Iranian-Western relations have played in Iranian policy-making. Further, this study considers the tumultuous role that nuclear development has had in Iran's foreign relations. Findings showed that there is a relationship between Western presence in the Middle East and growing aggression by Iranian leadership. Moreover, the study demonstrates that the role of revolutionary leadership styles is critical in accessing the manner in which foreign policy decisions are made. The study found that the role of Islam in Iranian politics has brought much contention but found that in the post-Khomeini years, it has not been the central reason for policy decisions. Recommendations were made for the continued study of the role of nuclear development in Iranian-Western relations as this study was able to find some evidence of it having some level of relevance. Additionally, recommendations were made that additional research be conducted with regard to the role of Islam in shaping Iranian foreign policy in the Post-Khomeini era.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002726, ucf:48145
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002726
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF URBANIZATION ON THE STRUCTURE, QUALITY, AND DIVERSITY OF CYPRESS PLANT COMMUNITIES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA.
- Creator
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Knickerbocker, Courtney, Quigley, Martin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The integrity of wetland ecosystems is largely determined by hydrological functionality, degree of connectivity to like ecosystems, and permeability to external influence. Land use changes in upland areas adjacent to wetland ecosystems may influence hydrology and connectivity while introducing novel biotic and abiotic materials. There is an increasing trend toward the use of remote assessment techniques to determine the degree of impact of external influences on adjacent wetlands. Remote...
Show moreThe integrity of wetland ecosystems is largely determined by hydrological functionality, degree of connectivity to like ecosystems, and permeability to external influence. Land use changes in upland areas adjacent to wetland ecosystems may influence hydrology and connectivity while introducing novel biotic and abiotic materials. There is an increasing trend toward the use of remote assessment techniques to determine the degree of impact of external influences on adjacent wetlands. Remote assessment and predictive capabilities are provided by indices such as the Landscape Development Intensity Index (LDI) (Brown and Vivas 2005) which may be beneficial in determining site condition, and which have the added benefit of providing a quantitative gradient of human impact. This study assessed the predictive ability of the LDI in cypress ecosystems, by testing its correlations with plant community metrics including an index of floral quality calculated using coefficients of conservatism (CC)(Cohen et al. 2004), plant species diversity, and fluctuation in community composition assessed by changes in the wetland status and native status of component plant species. LDI was also compared against an independent measure of disturbance which was used to construct an a priori disturbance gradient. Overall, diversity measures showed little correlation with any of the disturbance indices, while CC scores were significantly correlated. Models were constructed in an attempt to explain each of the variables of plant community response to development in the surrounding landscape. The length of time since the development of the land adjacent to the cypress domes was a predictor of plant community response only when included in models with other variables. LDI was the strongest predictor in all models except where increases in land use associated with hydrological changes helped predict or better predicted proportions of exotic and upland species.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002576, ucf:48280
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002576
- Title
- DIGITAL RESEARCH CYCLES: HOW ATTITUDES TOWARD CONTENT, CULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY AFFECT WEB DEVELOPMENT.
- Creator
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Scott, Edward, Saper, Craig, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
It has been estimated that one third of the world's population does not have access to "adequate" health care. Some 1.6 billion people live in countries experiencing "concentrated" acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemics. Many countries in Africa -- and other low-income countries -- are in dire need of help providing adequate health care services to their citizens. They require more hands-on care from Western health workers -- and training so more African health workers can...
Show moreIt has been estimated that one third of the world's population does not have access to "adequate" health care. Some 1.6 billion people live in countries experiencing "concentrated" acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemics. Many countries in Africa -- and other low-income countries -- are in dire need of help providing adequate health care services to their citizens. They require more hands-on care from Western health workers -- and training so more African health workers can eventually care for their own citizens. But these countries also need assistance acquiring and implementing both texts -- the body of medical information potentially available to them -- and technology -- the means by which that information can be conveyed. This dissertation looks at these issues and others from a multi-faceted approach. It combines a survey of the developers of Web sites designed for use by health workers in low-income countries and a proposal for a novel approach to communication theory, which could help improve health communication and other social marketing practices. It also includes an extensive review of literature regarding a number of topics related to these issues. To improve healthcare services in low-income countries, several things should occur. First, more health workers -- and others -- could visit African countries and other places to provide free, hands-on medical care, as this researcher's group did in Uganda. Such trips are ideal occasions for studying the cultural differences between "mzungu" (white man) and the Ugandan people. A number of useful medical texts have been written for health workers in low-income countries. Others will be published as new health information becomes available. But on what medium will they be published? Computers? Personal digital assistants? During the past 10 years the Internet became an ideal venue for conveying information. Unfortunately, people in target countries such as Uganda encounter cultural differences when such new technologies are diffused. This dissertation looks at cultural and technological difficulties encountered by people in low-income countries who attempt to diffuse information and communication technologies (ICT). Once a technology has been successfully adopted, someone will look for ways to use it to help others. There are hundreds of sites on the Internet -- built by Web developers in Western countries -- that are designed for use by health workers in low-income countries. However, these Web developers also experience cultural and technological differences, based on their knowledge of and attitudes toward best practices in their field. This research includes a survey of Web developers which determined their attitudes toward best practices in their field and tested this researcher's hypothesis that there is no significant difference among the developers' attitudes toward the content on their sites, their audience's cultural needs and the various technological needs their audience has. It was found that the Web developers agree with 17 of 18 perceived best practices and that there is a significant difference between Web developers' attitudes toward their audience's technological needs and their attitudes toward quality content and the audience's cultural needs. Creation of the survey herein resulted in this researcher generating a new way of thinking about communication theory -- called digital research cycles. The survey was based on a review of literature and is rooted in the belief that any successful communication of a computer-mediated message in the information age is a behavior which is influenced by the senders' and receivers' attitudes and knowledge about textual style, the audience, technology and the subject matter to which the message pertains.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002637, ucf:48218
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002637
- Title
- GENETIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTION OF ADRENERGIC CELLS IN HEART DEVELOPMENT.
- Creator
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Osuala, Kingsley, Ebert, Steven, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The adrenergic hormones norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) are essential for cardiovascular development as embryos lacking NE/EPI begin to die abruptly between embryonic days 10.5 and 11.5 due to apparent cardiac failure. The objective of this research aimed to elucidate the mechanism of embryonic fatality observed in the NE/EPI deficient mouse model. We utilized the dopamine [two]-hydroxylase knockout (Dbh-/-) mouse model, which lacks the gene and subsequent enzyme necessary for...
Show moreThe adrenergic hormones norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI) are essential for cardiovascular development as embryos lacking NE/EPI begin to die abruptly between embryonic days 10.5 and 11.5 due to apparent cardiac failure. The objective of this research aimed to elucidate the mechanism of embryonic fatality observed in the NE/EPI deficient mouse model. We utilized the dopamine [two]-hydroxylase knockout (Dbh-/-) mouse model, which lacks the gene and subsequent enzyme necessary for conversion of dopamine to NE. We utilized embryonic mouse hearts at E10.5 from Dbh+/+ (control) and Dbh-/- (experimental model) mice for mRNA transcript expression profiling. Gene expression data suggests a novel connection between the ability of the heart to synthesize adrenergic hormones and the gene expression of enzymes involved in the production of retinoic acid. We found a statistically significant change in transcriptional expression of the retinol binding protein-1 (Rbp-1) [+ 1.4 fold], retinol dehydrogenase 12 (Rdh-12) [+ 2.1 fold], and the beta carotene monooxygenase-1(Bcmo1) [- 2.7 fold] genes in the hearts of E10.5 Dbh-/- embryos. These genes encode enzymes responsible for the transport and enzymatic conversion of retinoic acid precursor molecules. Since alterations in retinoic acid concentration have been shown to cause mid-gestational embryonic teratogenesis and lethality, we chose to quantify retinoic acid present in the Dbh-/-embryo at E10.5. Our results showed a significantly higher concentration of retinoic acid in E10.5 Dbh-/- embryos as compared to wild-type controls. This finding indicates that altered expression of genes involved in retinoic acid synthesis lead to a physiological change in retinoic acid concentration which may contribute to the mid-gestational lethality of the Dbh-/- embryos. Previous studies have shown that adrenergic hormones are produced within the heart itself beginning early in embryonic development, but little is known about the fate and disposition of adrenergic cells within the heart at later stages and into adulthood. To investigate this, we utilized a genetic mouse model that expresses [two]-galactosidase ([two]-Gal) in cells capable of synthesizing EPI in order to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of adrenergic-derived cells in the developing heart. The model was designed so that cells capable of expressing the gene phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (Pnmt), which is responsible for the synthesis of epinephrine, also produce the enzyme [two]-Gal as a reporter. Evaluation of the location of these cells in the embryonic heart showed a preferential distribution at the sinoatrial node and atrioventricular sulcus at E10.5, and later at E18.5 a more widely distributed ventricular pattern was observed. In the adult heart, the right myocardium showed two small cclusters of XGAL positive cells, one near the apex and another region of the sinoatrial node. However the left heart myocardium showed XGAL positive cells throughout the left atrium and scattered through the LV where the staining appeared localized to myocytes. Interestingly, the left-sided distribution in the LV appeared to be non-random and non-uniform, since specific regions near the base, mid-section, and apex were consistently XGAL-positive. These findings suggest that adrenergic cells differentiate into cardiac muscle tissue that is predominantly found on the left side of the heart by adult stages of development. Taken collectively, this study has shown a novel connection between adrenergic hormones and RA synthesis, two crucial developmental signaling pathways in the embryonic heart. Remarkably, adrenergic derived cells were also found to persist in the adult heart where they constitute relatively large sections of the left ventricle and atrium. These findings provide important new insights into the mechanism of adrenergic actions in the developing heart and a previously unanticipated structural role for cells descending from an adrenergic lineage in the formation of left myocardial tissue.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003987, ucf:48653
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003987