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Mining Canonical Views From Internet Image Collections, Lin Yang
Mining Canonical Views From Internet Image Collections, Lin Yang
All ETDs from UAB
Recent years have seen an explosion of internet image collections. The explosion was brought about by the popularity of photo sharing sites such as Flickr and Picasa Web Albums, where millions of internet users upload their personal photos online and share these photos with the public. The wealth of images provides an excellent resource for perceiving the world through the eyes of others. However, the gigantic volume of images also poses a challenge to the consumption of this unorganized visual information. In this dissertation, we present research on canonical view mining. Given an image collection, we leverage a combination of …
An Examination Of Secondary Metabolites And Inorganic Acids As Chemical Defenses Against Predation And Fouling In Antarctic And Sub-Tropical Ascidians, Gil Koplovitz
All ETDs from UAB
Palatability of outer tissues of 12 species of ascidians from the Western Antarctic Peninsula was evaluated using the sympatric, omnivorous predator fish Notothenia coriiceps and sea star Odontaster validus. Tissues of 100% of those tested were unpalatable to fish, while 58% were unpalatable to sea stars. Lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts of 11 species were incorporated into pellets and tested in fish and sea star bioassays. Only the lipophilic extract from Distaplia colligans caused sea star and fish feeding deterrence. Organic extracts from 10 ascidian species were also examined in food pellet assays using the sympatric, omnivorous amphipod Gondogeneia antarctica. Only …
Which Components Of Joint Attention Are Critical For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders To Learn New Words?, Dana Smith
All ETDs from UAB
Though established that language deficits comprise a core element of a definitive autism diagnosis, relatively less research has been conducted to understand the bases for impaired language abilities as compared to understanding the social deficits associated with the disorder. Children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have impoverished joint attention (JA) abilities, evidenced by their relative difficulty both in initiating bids for JA as well as responding to them. Once accepted that JA was crucial in lexical development in typically developing (TD) children, recent trends have diverged from this perspective, shedding light on JA's role in lexical development in an …
A Series Of Methods For The Systematic Reduction Of Phishing, Bradley Wardman
A Series Of Methods For The Systematic Reduction Of Phishing, Bradley Wardman
All ETDs from UAB
Phishing continues to expand as efforts to thwart attacks are ineffective and criminals behind these scams operate with apparent impunity. In order to address both issues, this research provides three steps towards the reduction of phishing: identifying phishing websites, collecting phishing evidence, and correlating the phishing incidents. The first step is to identify phishing websites automatically. Experimental results demonstrate that content-based algorithms can classify phishing websites with greater than 90% detection rates while maintaining low false-positive rates. Next, the development of custom software collects additional information and evidence about these phishing websites. In the final step, this research offers two …
Study Of The Cold Adaptive Mechanisms In Antarctic Bacteria And Investigation Of The Chemotherapeutic And Antimicrobial Potential Of Their Pigments, Nazia Mojib
All ETDs from UAB
Antarctic ecosystems are extreme environments to study the biodiversity, survival and adaptation of bacteria. The current study describes the rich and diverse heterotrophic bacterial communities from seasonally ice-free open lakes in East Antarctic Schirmacher Oasis and a perennially ice-covered Lake Joyce in West An-tarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys using culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. Heterotrophic bacteria from three different Phyla: Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were cultured from lakes of Schirmacher Oasis using 16S rRNA gene-based taxonomic analysis. However, similar approach applied on the community DNA of the Black Hole sediments in Lake Joyce exhibited previously undescribed heterotrophs from seven different phyla: Proteobacteria, …
Synthesis And Optical Characterization Of Molecular And Polymeric Phosphonate-Substituted Bithiophene Derivatives, Jason Lee Freeman
Synthesis And Optical Characterization Of Molecular And Polymeric Phosphonate-Substituted Bithiophene Derivatives, Jason Lee Freeman
All ETDs from UAB
The synthesis and optical characterization of a series of novel molecular and polymeric phosphonate-substituted bithiophenes are reported. Many of the compounds reported herein exhibit good nonlinear optical absorption and emission properties in the violet-blue spectral region. The first chapter investigates a series of molecular phosphonate bithiophenes derived from 2,2′-biphenol, BpP(X)(C4H2S)2H and BpP(X)(C4H2S)2P(X)Bp (Bp = 2,2′-C12H8O2; X = O, S , Se). Their syntheses have been optimized, and solid-state structures of two of these compounds are reported. The linear absorption spectra, emission spectra, and emission quantum yields show distinct trends with respect to the chalcogen attached to the phosphorus and the …
Health Status And Health Behavior As Factors Predicting Online Health Seeking, Timothy Hale
Health Status And Health Behavior As Factors Predicting Online Health Seeking, Timothy Hale
All ETDs from UAB
The purpose of this dissertation is to examine why people use the Internet for health-related purposes and whether this usage is part of larger pattern of health-promoting behaviors, or health lifestyle. Pierre Bourdieu's concept of habitus provides the key theoretical concept that links health lifestyle theory and the digital inequality framework to explain how socioeconomic status and level of Internet access may contribute to status-specific attitudes and behaviors, or lifestyles. Two dependent variables are used to measure online health behavior: (1) online health information seeking, and (2) an index constructed from six types of online health-related activities. Path analysis is …
Predictors Of The Decision To Terminate Pregnancy Following Prenatal Diagnoses Of Fetal Abnormalities, Cynthia Renee Hall
Predictors Of The Decision To Terminate Pregnancy Following Prenatal Diagnoses Of Fetal Abnormalities, Cynthia Renee Hall
All ETDs from UAB
The purpose of the present study was to examine several factors and their contri-butions to termination decisions and address limitations associated with previous re-search. Specifically, type of prenatally diagnosed disorder, perception of parenting, atti-tude toward abortion, attachment, religiosity, and attitude toward disabled persons were examined as predictors of the decision to terminate pregnancy. Also, the role of familiari-ty with persons having developmental disabilities was explored as a covariate. In addi-tion, priming effect of labeled disorders was investigated. Participants (N = 144) were college students aged 19 - 56 years (M = 22.07, SD = 6.62). Participants completed the Experiences in …
Biology And Conservation Of The Diamondback Terrapin, Malaclemys Terrapin Pileata, In Alabama, Andy Coleman
Biology And Conservation Of The Diamondback Terrapin, Malaclemys Terrapin Pileata, In Alabama, Andy Coleman
All ETDs from UAB
The diamondback terrapin is the only obligate estuarine turtle in North America and is considered an integral member of the salt marsh ecosystem. Unfortunately, many populations throughout the terrapin's range have experienced size declines due to past overexploitation and have been unable to rebound due to current threats including crab trap mortality, habitat degradation, nest predation, and road mortality. The current study was the first comprehensive study examining various population and conservation parameters of Mississippi diamondback terrapins in Alabama. Through various field survey methods conducted in numerous salt marshes along the Gulf Coast of Alabama, it was concluded that Cedar …
Statistical Analysis Of Curve Fitting In Errors In-Variables Models, Ali Abdelkareem Al-Sharadqah
Statistical Analysis Of Curve Fitting In Errors In-Variables Models, Ali Abdelkareem Al-Sharadqah
All ETDs from UAB
This dissertation is devoted to the problem of fitting geometric curves such as lines, circles, and ellipses to a set of experimental observations whose both coordinates are contaminated with noisy errors. This kind of regression is called Errors-in-Variables models (EIV), which is quite different and much more difficult to solve than the classical regression. This research study is motivated by the wide range of EIV applications in computer vision and image processing. We adopted statistical assumptions suitable for these applications and we studied the statistical properties of two kinds of fits; geometric fit and algebraic fit for line, circle and …
Gas Phase Laser Synthesis And Processing Of Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles For Biomedical Applications, Parimal Vilas Bapat
Gas Phase Laser Synthesis And Processing Of Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles For Biomedical Applications, Parimal Vilas Bapat
All ETDs from UAB
Biochemical processes make pervasive use of calcium and phosphate ions. Calcium phosphate salts that are naturally nontoxic and bioactive have been used for several medical applications in form of coatings and micropowders. Nanoparticle-based calcium phosphates have been shown to be internalized by living cells and be effective in DNA transfection, drug delivery, and transport of fluorophores for imaging of intracellular processes. They are also expected to interact strongly with cell adhesive proteins and are therefore promising elements in approaches to mimic the complex environment of the extra cellular matrix of bone. Harnessing this biomedical potential requires the ability to control …
Gender, Race, Power And Condom-Use: Understanding Relationship Power And Condom-Use Among Young Heterosexually-Active Adults, Tara L. Jones
Gender, Race, Power And Condom-Use: Understanding Relationship Power And Condom-Use Among Young Heterosexually-Active Adults, Tara L. Jones
All ETDs from UAB
GENDER, RACE, POWER AND CONDOM-USE: UNDERSTANDING RELATIONSHIP POWER AND CONDOM-USE AMONG YOUNG HETEROSEXUALLY-ACTIVE ADULTS HIV/AIDS continues to be a significant public health threat among heterosexual-ly-active females in the United States, particularly among Black females. Rates of HIV infection among heterosexually-active, non-injection drug using females have been in-creasing since the 1990s. Previous research recommends the need to consider the gen-dered and cultural context within which these infections are occurring. This research re-sponds to these recommendations by using Connell's (1987) theory of gender and power as a theoretical guide to test the following research questions: 1. Does relationship power differ by sex …
The Effects Of Supplemental Dietary Vitamins On Weight Gain And Organ Production In The Variegated Sea Urchin, Lytechinus Variegatus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea), Warren T. Jones
All ETDs from UAB
Due to the global decline in sea urchin fisheries, there has been an increased need to produce nutritionally-complete sea urchin diets for the emerging sea urchin aquaculture industry. Previous studies have established various macronutrient requirements; however, micronutrient requirements have not been well-researched in sea urchins. Vitamins are important micronutrients in both vertebrates and invertebrates, but their importance has not been established in any sea urchin species. To establish the essentiality and nutritional requirements of vitamins in sea urchins, a suite of important vitamins were tested in nutritional trials in the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus. Sea urchins fed moderate levels of …
Explaining Racial Differences In Mci Classification In The Active Sample, Bridgett Hill Kennedy
Explaining Racial Differences In Mci Classification In The Active Sample, Bridgett Hill Kennedy
All ETDs from UAB
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is 2 to 5 times more common than dementia and can be a predisposing marker for the development of dementia. African Americans are reported to be at an increased risk for developing MCI when compared to Caucasians. The purpose of the present study was to examine reasons for racial disparity in rates of MCI classification and, in particular, whether preservation of functional abilities over time occurs among African Americans so classified, suggesting possible misclassification. Level and quality of education and prevalence of vascular disease were examined as mediators of the racial disparity in MCI classification. Previously …
Biological, Ecological, And Conservational Implications Of Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination In Sea Turtle Populations, Jennifer Estes Layton
Biological, Ecological, And Conservational Implications Of Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination In Sea Turtle Populations, Jennifer Estes Layton
All ETDs from UAB
Various aspects of TSD were examined in two different sea turtle populations, representing two sea turtle species. Sex ratio was examined in the juvenile portion of the loggerhead sea turtle population in the southeastern U.S. Turtles were captured in the intake channel of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power plant on the central Atlantic coast of Florida. Blood samples were collected from a total of 111 juvenile turtles from May 2005 through April 2007, and the samples were analyzed in a testosterone radioimmunoassay that was validated for use as a sexing technique for sea turtles. The results suggest a significant female-biased …
Development And Characterization Of Thermal Diffusion Doped Fe2+:Znse/Zns Polycrystalline Gain Media For Room Temperature Mid-Ir Lasing, Nosoung Myoung
Development And Characterization Of Thermal Diffusion Doped Fe2+:Znse/Zns Polycrystalline Gain Media For Room Temperature Mid-Ir Lasing, Nosoung Myoung
All ETDs from UAB
The dissertation is focused on thermo-diffusion doping of Fe2+:ZnSe, Fe2+:ZnS, Fe2+:Co2+:ZnSe, and Fe2+:Co2+:ZnS polycrystals and their laser-spectroscopic characterization. Most materials absorb infrared (IR) light at specific patterns of frequencies directly related to their structure. IR spectra can therefore be used to identify and quantify the constituents of an unknown material, making detection of chemicals by their absorption of IR light an important analytical tool. For instance, Mid-infrared lasers (ë = 3 to 5µm) are widely used for an environmental monitoring, remote sensing of atmosphere and defense-related applications. Tunable middle infrared lasers are essential for highly sensitive detection of organic molecules …
Estrogen Increases Stress Resilience And Hippocampal Synaptic Physiology In The Learned Helplessness Model Of Depression In Female Rats, Teruko Michelle Bredemann
Estrogen Increases Stress Resilience And Hippocampal Synaptic Physiology In The Learned Helplessness Model Of Depression In Female Rats, Teruko Michelle Bredemann
All ETDs from UAB
A recent focus of psychiatric research is estrogen related mood disorders such as postpartum depression and major depressive disorder in women. It is now clear that women are more susceptible to depression in response to stress during reproductive events when ovarian hormones are low or fluctuating. Depressive episodes are characterized by feelings of helplessness and despair as well as learning and memory impairments that have been linked to the hippocampus. Thus, decreased functioning of hippocampal circuits likely contributes to the cognitive symptoms associated with depression. Preclinical research shows that stress, which triggers depressive episodes, decreases the ability of excitatory synapses …
Examination Of Ideal Physical Parameter Choices For Efficacious Hyperthermic Treatment Of Cancer, Lauren Rast
Examination Of Ideal Physical Parameter Choices For Efficacious Hyperthermic Treatment Of Cancer, Lauren Rast
All ETDs from UAB
This dissertation presents results on the computational modeling of electromagnetic and thermal effects during the hyperthermic treatment of cancer using magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia can be used for direct targeting and destruction of tumors through heat treatment or as a complement to chemotherapy. This method of treatment would be much less invasive than many current treatment options. Additionally, since these are nanoscale devices, the hyperthermic treatment of the cancer cells would be extremely localized. This would cause very minimal damage to surrounding tissue, making these systems superior to traditional hyperthermic treatment. The use of ferrofluids for cancer treatment requires …
Neighborhood Context As A Predictor Of Nursing Home Placement Among Older Adults, David Russell Buys
Neighborhood Context As A Predictor Of Nursing Home Placement Among Older Adults, David Russell Buys
All ETDs from UAB
Persons who are aging face an increased risk of adverse health events and decreased levels of personal competencies, potentially inhibiting their ability to age in place. Sometimes, nursing home placement (NHP) may be imperative, especially if persons experience environmental docility-- an incongruence of their physical capacity with their environment. This study links the neighborhood disadvantage literature with Lawton's environmental press and environmental docility theories to examine how the environment interacts with individual level variables to impact likelihood of NHP. Findings suggest that there is not a direct link between living in a disadvantaged context and likelihood of NHP, but that …
Structural Brain Changes Produced By Different Motor Therapies After Stroke, Lynne Vonda Gauthier
Structural Brain Changes Produced By Different Motor Therapies After Stroke, Lynne Vonda Gauthier
All ETDs from UAB
Changes in afferent input have been associated with structural and functional changes to brain tissue. Increased use through an intense neurorehabilitation treatment such as CI therapy has been shown to result in increased grey matter in sensorimotor cortex, more anterior motor areas, and hippocampus. In contrast, decreased use of an arm after stroke results in a contraction of the cortical representation zone involved in its movement. The chronic effects of ischemia and subsequent prolonged nonuse of an extremity on the structure of stroke-affected brains was unknown prior to this investigation, however. This study employed voxel-based morphometry, an MRI analysis technique, …
An Evaluation Of Dietary Lipids On Growth Performance In The Sea Urchin, Lytechinus Variegatus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea), Victoria K. Gibbs
An Evaluation Of Dietary Lipids On Growth Performance In The Sea Urchin, Lytechinus Variegatus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea), Victoria K. Gibbs
All ETDs from UAB
Sea urchin fisheries are declining across the world, and sea urchin aquaculture will be an important alternative to wild-caught fisheries. A significant aspect of a successful sea urchin culture operation is the formulation of nutritionally-complete diets with the potential to support optimal growth and health to sea urchins at different life stages. Due to the ecological variety of sea urchin species, the inclusion level and source of the various macronutrients and micronutrients needed for a complete diet must be carefully considered for each sea urchin species. Lytechinus variegatus is an echinoid species commonly found in the northern Gulf of Mexico, …
Responses Of Two Heterokonts (Classes Phaeophyceae And Bacillariophyceae) To Environmental Variables Throughout Their Microenvironments, Anthony Philip Bucolo
Responses Of Two Heterokonts (Classes Phaeophyceae And Bacillariophyceae) To Environmental Variables Throughout Their Microenvironments, Anthony Philip Bucolo
All ETDs from UAB
Behavioral responses to variations in the microenvironments of motile spores of the Antarctic epiphyte E. antarctica and the motile epiphytic diatom, Navicula sp. were investigated. Most macroalgal species along the Western Antarctic Peninsula are chemically defended against predation and are also mostly devoid of free living filamentous algal epiphytes. However, one endo/epiphyte, Elachista antarctica, is found growing exclusively out of the palatable rhodophyte Palmaria decipiens. Choice and no choice feeding assays with tissues of epiphyte and host were conducted in three different trials with four amphipods commonly found on P. decipiens to test whether meso-grazers prefer the host over the …
Exploration Of Attitudes Toward Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Stephanie Chopko
Exploration Of Attitudes Toward Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Stephanie Chopko
All ETDs from UAB
Individuals with disabilities, and with intellectual disabilities/mental retardation (ID/MR) in particular, have a long history of being overlooked in many different areas, including research, service provision, health care, education, and treatment. Recent research has suggested that the attitudes that are held by individuals in the general population toward individuals with ID/MR has not changed significantly over the past 50 years, both nationally and internationally. Attitudes can be powerful. Social psychologists have documented how the perception or attitude that an individual holds about another can lead to confirmation of that perception, even if it is not valid, by means of the …
Metallacrown Ethers As Hydroformylation Catalyst, Justin Thomas Sheff
Metallacrown Ethers As Hydroformylation Catalyst, Justin Thomas Sheff
All ETDs from UAB
The research described in this manuscript includes a study of the effects of alkali metal salts on the activities and regioselectivities of rhodium metallacrown ether catalysts for the hydroformylation of styrene. It also includes a complementary study of the binding of alkali metal cations to the model metallacrown ethers for the rhodium catalysts that provides insight into the factors affecting the activity and regioselectivity of styrene hydroformylation. Chapter 1 of this dissertation evaluates cis-Mo(CO)4(2,2'-C12H8O2)PO(CH2CH2O)4(2,2'-C12H8O2) metallacrown ether binding of alkali metal salts by application of binding density analysis to determine accurate binding constants by 31P{1H} NMR titrations in an optimized mixture …
Model Transformation By Demonstration: A User-Centric Approach To Support Model Evolution, Yu Sun
Model Transformation By Demonstration: A User-Centric Approach To Support Model Evolution, Yu Sun
All ETDs from UAB
Domain-Specific Modeling (DSM) is an innovative software development methodology that raises the specification of software to graphical models at a high-level of abstraction using domain concepts available in a language that is defined by a metamodel. Using DSM, models become first-class entities in the construction of software systems, and therefore model evolution becomes as important as code evolution in traditional software development. Model transformation is a core technology of DSM that converts a source model to a target model, which plays a significant role in supporting model evolution activities. A common approach toward model transformation is to write transformation rules …
Sexual Orientation And Risk: Patterns Of Association Across Outcomes, Penny S. Loosier
Sexual Orientation And Risk: Patterns Of Association Across Outcomes, Penny S. Loosier
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This study highlights associations between sexual orientation and risk outcomes in late adolescence and early adulthood using an expanded measure of sexual orientation. Recent data indicate higher levels of risk behavior in a newly identified population, mostly heterosexuals, as compared to heterosexuals. Comparisons among groups using an expanded measure of sexual orientation such as this, however, often do not include all possible groups or may restrict comparisons between groups. Data were derived from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health); participants identified as heterosexual, mostly heterosexual, bisexual, mostly gay, or gay. Risk outcomes were parental mistreatment, home displacement, …
Identification Of Putative Gene Targets Of Pgc-1alpha In The Brain: Insights Into Inhibitory Neuron Maturation, Physiology, And Behavior, Elizabeth Lucas
Identification Of Putative Gene Targets Of Pgc-1alpha In The Brain: Insights Into Inhibitory Neuron Maturation, Physiology, And Behavior, Elizabeth Lucas
All ETDs from UAB
The transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) is a master regulator of energy homeostasis in peripheral tissues, and it has been assumed that PGC-1α plays a similar role in the brain. Previous work has shown that PGC-1α localizes to neurons that express high levels of the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase of 67 kDa (GAD67) during early postnatal development, leading us to hypothesize that PGC-1α regulates gene expression primarily in GABAergic neurons. We initially investigated the distribution of inhibitory neuron markers in PGC-1α -/- mice and observed a striking reduction in expression of the Ca2+-binding protein parvalbumin …
Developmental Factors For Different Strains Of Medically Important Mosquitoes, Joel Abraham Morris
Developmental Factors For Different Strains Of Medically Important Mosquitoes, Joel Abraham Morris
All ETDs from UAB
Competition between northern sympatric mosquitoes, Culex restuans and Culex pipiens pipiens, was evaluated in Illinois using different ratios of the two species. Similarly, competition between southern sympatric species, Culex restuans and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus, was evaluated in Alabama. Species ratios were repeated at biologically relevant temperatures and densities. Results for the northern study suggested that Cx. restuans survival was greater than Cx. pipiens across all treatment variables, whereas survival did not differ between the southern strains. Survival of both northern and southern strains of Cx. restuans increased with increasing competition, but southern strains of this species had poor survival in …
Syntheses Of Marine Natural Products And Their Analogs As Potential Anticancer Agents, Dwayaja H. Nadkarni
Syntheses Of Marine Natural Products And Their Analogs As Potential Anticancer Agents, Dwayaja H. Nadkarni
All ETDs from UAB
Cancer is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells and is one of the most common causes of millions of deaths worldwide. Currently used chemotherapeutic drugs have severe side effects. Hence, there is a need to develop new cancer therapeutic drugs that can offer higher survival rates and fewer limitations. About 60 % of the known anticancer drugs are either natural products or are derived from natural products. Development of marine natural products into drugs has received increasing attention as a part of humanity's quest for newer sources of cancer drugs. Marine natural products are isolated only in small quantities …
A Topological Approach To Shape Analysis And Alignment, Benjamin David O'Gwynn
A Topological Approach To Shape Analysis And Alignment, Benjamin David O'Gwynn
All ETDs from UAB
When analyzing multiple mesh models, an important first step is to find the rigid transform that best aligns them. Many mesh alignment techniques exist, but because they treat input meshes as a collection of surface samples, they tend to be sensitive to surface variations between those meshes. We instead wish to align shapes based upon an analysis of mesh topology, thus making it possible to align shapes with similar part structures but varying surface geometry. To this end, we present a novel algorithm that extracts a curve-skeleton from a mesh based on its connectivity, rather than its surface geometry. We …