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- Title
- An Assessment of Trace Elements Distribution in Teeth Utilizing a Sample Group from Postclassic Lamanai: The Application of LA-ICP-MS in Bioarchaeology and Forensics.
- Creator
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Hawkins, Michelle, Schultz, John, Williams, Lana, Baudelet, Matthieu, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Trace element analysis of skeletal remains and teeth is a common research technique in biological and forensic anthropology. In particular, LA-ICP-MS has become a widely-accepted tool for analyzing and mapping the distribution of trace elements in teeth. Investigation into the relative spectral intensities and spatial distribution of thirteen trace isotopes (13C, 24Mg, 27Al, 31P, 44Ca, 47Ti, 52Cr, 55Mn, 56Fe, 66Zn, 88Sr, 138Ba, 208Pb) within teeth was undertaken using LA-ICP-MS. The total...
Show moreTrace element analysis of skeletal remains and teeth is a common research technique in biological and forensic anthropology. In particular, LA-ICP-MS has become a widely-accepted tool for analyzing and mapping the distribution of trace elements in teeth. Investigation into the relative spectral intensities and spatial distribution of thirteen trace isotopes (13C, 24Mg, 27Al, 31P, 44Ca, 47Ti, 52Cr, 55Mn, 56Fe, 66Zn, 88Sr, 138Ba, 208Pb) within teeth was undertaken using LA-ICP-MS. The total archaeological sample of teeth (N=26) was comprised of four tooth types (UCI, ULI, UPM1, and UPM2) and 18 individuals from a Postclassic Lamanai site. In preparation for analysis, teeth sectioned down the center using a low-speed saw. Maps were created using the laser ablation system and MATLAB(&)#174; software. The frequency of each isotope detected at low, moderate, and high intensities at each of the six defined tooth locations was calculated. The inner dentine and the outer root border were the two areas that most commonly exhibited the highest intensities of isotopes. Detection of major structural isotopes (44Ca and 31P) was similar in both spatial locations and relative intensity across all teeth. In comparison, detection of more minor isotopes, while similar in spatial locations across all teeth, varied in relative intensity per individual sample. The frequency that each isotope was detected also varied by tooth type. These findings demonstrate the disparities between different types of dental tissue for retaining trace elements and serve to illuminate possible sources of external exposure and internal bioavailability influencing interindividual variation within the Lamanai sample population. Variation in isotope frequency based on tooth type may be due to developmental properties and/or changes in diet during early life. Ultimately, teeth act as storehouses of trace elements, and maps of isotopic distribution in teeth help reveal how individuals are influenced by both biological processes and cultural activities.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006881, ucf:51722
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006881
- Title
- DISCRIMINATION OF FORENSIC TRACE EVIDENCE USING LASER INDUCED BREAKDOWN SPECTROSCOPY.
- Creator
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Bridge, Candice, Sigman, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Elemental analysis in forensic laboratories can be tedious and many trace evidence items are not analyzed to determine their elemental composition. Presently, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) is the primary analytical tool for determining the elemental composition of trace evidence items. However, due to the time it takes to obtain the required vacuum and the limited number of samples that can be analyzed at any one time, SEM-EDS can be impractical...
Show moreElemental analysis in forensic laboratories can be tedious and many trace evidence items are not analyzed to determine their elemental composition. Presently, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) is the primary analytical tool for determining the elemental composition of trace evidence items. However, due to the time it takes to obtain the required vacuum and the limited number of samples that can be analyzed at any one time, SEM-EDS can be impractical for a high volume of evidence items. An alternative instrument that can be used for this type of analysis is laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). While LA-ICP-MS is a very precise and quantitative analytical method that determines elemental composition based on isotopic mass measurements; however, the instrumentation is relatively expensive and therefore is budgetarily prohibitive for many forensic laboratories. It is the purpose of this research to evaluate an inexpensive instrument that can potentially provide rapid elemental analysis for many forensic laboratories. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an analytical method that meets these requirements and offers information about the elemental composition based on ionic, atomic and diatomic molecular emissions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001957, ucf:47463
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001957
- Title
- Investigating The Late Woodland Climate Of Old Tampa Bay, Florida.
- Creator
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Rogers, Jaime, Barber, Sarah, Williams, Lana, Baudelet, Matthieu, Starbuck, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Tampa Bay and the broader Central Gulf Coast region of Florida bear evidence of site reduction and population decline during the onset of the Late Woodland period (AD 500-1000). Concomitantly, Weeden Island culture flourished to the north, while climatic instability loomed to the south. It is unclear if the site abandonments in the area between the two are related to social or cultural change, an unstable climate, or a combination thereof. Interdisciplinary research has provided evidence for...
Show moreTampa Bay and the broader Central Gulf Coast region of Florida bear evidence of site reduction and population decline during the onset of the Late Woodland period (AD 500-1000). Concomitantly, Weeden Island culture flourished to the north, while climatic instability loomed to the south. It is unclear if the site abandonments in the area between the two are related to social or cultural change, an unstable climate, or a combination thereof. Interdisciplinary research has provided evidence for climate change and sea level regression during the sixth and seventh centuries in Southwest Florida, but these variables have yet to be investigated in Tampa Bay. This study implements a multi-scalar sclerochronological analysis to better understand how the climate of Tampa Bay has changed through time. Analyses of low-resolution stable isotopes (13C and 18O) paired with high-resolution trace elements (Mg, Na, Li, Sr) from 50 eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) specimens supports climatic instability during the Late Woodland period in Tampa Bay.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007902, ucf:52749
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007902
- Title
- Qualitative and Quantitative Elemental Composition Analysis of the Surrounding Pollen Coating via ICP-MS.
- Creator
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Voyer, Brandy, Baudelet, Matthieu, Rex, Matthew, Sigman, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Pollen evidence has proven to be a powerful forensic tool to trace a suspect or item to a victim or a crime scene. This is possible because it is microscopic, abundant in nature, resistant to degradation and decay; it presents dispersal patterns that can be used to generate a 'fingerprint' within specific areas, and has illustrated a unique morphology that can be used to classify species. While the pollen grain morphology has been extensively used to characterize the specific species, not...
Show morePollen evidence has proven to be a powerful forensic tool to trace a suspect or item to a victim or a crime scene. This is possible because it is microscopic, abundant in nature, resistant to degradation and decay; it presents dispersal patterns that can be used to generate a 'fingerprint' within specific areas, and has illustrated a unique morphology that can be used to classify species. While the pollen grain morphology has been extensively used to characterize the specific species, not much has been investigated as pertains to the coating that surrounds the pollen grain aside from it being categorized as waste. This Master thesis focuses on the qualitative and quantitative determination of the elemental composition of this coating surrounding pollen via Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Two methodologies for sample preparation were compared: a complete digestion and analysis of (i) the entire pollen and (ii) the surrounding pollen coating alone removed from the pollen grain by Soxhlet extraction in ethanol. The goal was to discern the elemental composition of the coating and its specific elemental composition in comparison with the whole pollen grain. The results of both F-test and T-test performed for three pollen species indicated that, of the 19 elements investigated, B, Mg, Mn, K, Ti, and Cs resulted in significant differences between the whole grain and the coating alone; while Se, V, Pb, Cr, Al, and Zn can be recognized as being characteristic of the coating surrounding the pollen grain.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007261, ucf:52189
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007261
- Title
- Trace Element Analysis of Human Dentition from the Elite Meroitic Cemetery at Sedeinga, Sudan to Determine Dietary Consumption and Cultural Behaviors.
- Creator
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Lee, Tiffany, Dupras, Tosha, Schultz, John, Williams, Lana, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Minimal research has been conducted on the human skeletal remains from this site, and this research is aimed toward adding knowledge of the Nubian culture for the period between the 1st c. AD to the 4th c. AD, particularly focusing on answering the following questions: 1) Was intra- individual variation present in dietary consumption or cultural behaviors based on elements found within an individual's multiple molars after analysis; 2) Was an inter-individual variation apparent, based on...
Show moreMinimal research has been conducted on the human skeletal remains from this site, and this research is aimed toward adding knowledge of the Nubian culture for the period between the 1st c. AD to the 4th c. AD, particularly focusing on answering the following questions: 1) Was intra- individual variation present in dietary consumption or cultural behaviors based on elements found within an individual's multiple molars after analysis; 2) Was an inter-individual variation apparent, based on developmental age through permanent molars, that indicated a distinction between dietary consumption against all individuals; and 3) Based on known medicinal and cosmetic use of kohl in neighboring societies, as well as archaeological evidence found at Sedeinga, if individuals will have used kohl based on observed increased levels of lead or antimony? A trace element analysis was performed on an archaeological sample from 13 individuals consisting of 21 first, second, and third permanent molars excavated from the elite Nubian Meroitic Cemetery of Sedeinga, located in northern Sudan. Elemental analysis was performed using Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma- Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). A total of 13 trace elements including Ca44 and P31; minor elements Mg24, S32, C13, and Sr88; metals Fe56, Cu63, Zn66, Sb121, and Pb208; and La139 and U238 were analyzed for each sample with concentration values mapped and analyzed. The data collected during laser ablation was utilized to create two-dimensional detection and concentration maps of each tooth using MATLAB(&)#174; software. Analysis of concentration values confirmed dietary change from early childhood to late adolescence across the population. Probable use of antimony and lead-based kohl was determined from high concentration values mapped in dentition. Two-dimensional mapping of trace elements within teeth have revealed cultural and dietary changes across the population.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007579, ucf:52580
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007579
- Title
- Reactive sputter deposition of lithium phosphorus oxynitride thin films, a Li battery solid state electrolyte.
- Creator
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Mani, Prabhu Doss, Coffey, Kevin, Heinrich, Helge, Hickman, James, Sundaram, Kalpathy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Lithium phosphorus oxy-nitride (LiPON) thin films are widely studied and used as a thin film electrolyte for lithium ion battery applications. LiPON thin films may be prepared by many techniques, but RF sputter deposition is most frequently used and was investigated in this dissertation, in spite of its low deposition rate, because of it offers more reliable and controllable processing. This dissertation includes the methodologies of sputter deposition and materials characterization of the...
Show moreLithium phosphorus oxy-nitride (LiPON) thin films are widely studied and used as a thin film electrolyte for lithium ion battery applications. LiPON thin films may be prepared by many techniques, but RF sputter deposition is most frequently used and was investigated in this dissertation, in spite of its low deposition rate, because of it offers more reliable and controllable processing. This dissertation includes the methodologies of sputter deposition and materials characterization of the LiPON thin film electrolytes.The LiPON thin films were deposited under varying conditions of process gas, substrate bias, and deposition temperature. To understand the variations in ionic conductivity observed, the films were extensively characterized to examine structural and compositional differences, including examination by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP/OES), and spectroscopic ellipsometry. In addition, film density, and the intrinsic stress of the deposited films were also studied.The highest ionic conductivity of 9.8 x 10-6 S/cm was obtained at elevated deposition temperature and is correlated to a reduced density of defects, as indicated from the optical characterization.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005835, ucf:50929
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005835
- Title
- Brain stethoscope: A non-invasive method for monitoring intracranial pressure.
- Creator
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Azad, Md Khurshidul, Mansy, Hansen, Kassab, Alain, Bhattacharya, Samik, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Monitoring intracranial pressure (ICP) is important for patients with increased intracranial pressure. Invasive methods of ICP monitoring include lumbar puncture manometry, which requires high precision, is costly, and can lead to complications. Non-invasive monitoring of ICP using tympanic membrane pulse (TMp) measurement can provide an alternative monitoring method that avoids such complications. In the current study, a piezo based sensor was designed, constructed and used to acquire TMp...
Show moreMonitoring intracranial pressure (ICP) is important for patients with increased intracranial pressure. Invasive methods of ICP monitoring include lumbar puncture manometry, which requires high precision, is costly, and can lead to complications. Non-invasive monitoring of ICP using tympanic membrane pulse (TMp) measurement can provide an alternative monitoring method that avoids such complications. In the current study, a piezo based sensor was designed, constructed and used to acquire TMp signals. The results showed that tympanic membrane waveform changed in morphology and amplitude with increased ICP, which was induced by changing subject position using a tilt table. In addition, the results suggest that TMp are affected by breathing, which has small effects on ICP. The newly developed piezo based brain stethoscope may be a way to monitor patients with increased intracranial pressure thus avoiding invasive ICP monitoring and reducing associated risk and cost.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0006972, ucf:51643
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006972
- Title
- ADDITIVE LITHOGRAPHY FABRICATION AND INTEGRATION OF MICRO OPTICS.
- Creator
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Pitchumani, Mahesh, Johnson, Eric, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Optical elements are the fundamental components in photonic systems and are used to transform an input optical beam into a desired beam profile or to couple the input beam into waveguides, fibers, or other optical systems or devices. Macroscopic optical elements are easily fabricated using grinding and polishing techniques, but few methods exist for inexpensive fabrication of micro optical elements. In this work we present an innovative technique termed Additive Lithography that makes use of...
Show moreOptical elements are the fundamental components in photonic systems and are used to transform an input optical beam into a desired beam profile or to couple the input beam into waveguides, fibers, or other optical systems or devices. Macroscopic optical elements are easily fabricated using grinding and polishing techniques, but few methods exist for inexpensive fabrication of micro optical elements. In this work we present an innovative technique termed Additive Lithography that makes use of binary masks and controlled partial exposures to sculpt photoresist into the desired optical surface relief profile. We explore various masking schemes for fabricating a variety of optical elements with unprecedented flexibility and precision. These masking schemes used in conjunction with the additive lithographic method allows us to carefully control the photoresist exposure and reflow processes for fabricating complex aspheric lens elements, including aspheric elements whose fabrication often proves highly problematic. It will be demonstrated that employing additive lithography for volume sculpting followed by controlled reflow can also allow us to fabricate refractive beam shaping elements. Finally we will discuss the dry etching techniques used to transfer these optical elements into the glass substrate. Thus the additive lithography technique will be demonstrated as an inexpensive, high throughput and efficient process in the fabrication of micro optical elements.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0000914, ucf:46761
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000914