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Measuring The Effects Of Veteran Employment In Government Service: A Public-Private Examination Of Veteran Women And Minority Representation, Veteran Wage Differentials, And Explanatory Factors, Matthew L. Peterson Nov 2020

Measuring The Effects Of Veteran Employment In Government Service: A Public-Private Examination Of Veteran Women And Minority Representation, Veteran Wage Differentials, And Explanatory Factors, Matthew L. Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Veterans’ preference policies in government employment, at all levels, have existed for the intention of providing advantages for veterans who consider employment in public service after military service. While the purpose of these policies is well intended for veterans who have served, there exists the potential that this practice can be perceived as an endorsement to hire from a pool of candidates that consists of mostly white males. From a representation standpoint, for women and minority groups, this creates the potential to undo much of the progress that has been made in terms of better representation within the public workforce. …


Mechanical Properties Of Southern Pine Over 5 Decades., James Tedrick Ratcliff Jr Nov 2020

Mechanical Properties Of Southern Pine Over 5 Decades., James Tedrick Ratcliff Jr

Theses and Dissertations

Over the last 50 years significant advancements have been made in the southern yellow pine (SYP) forests in the U.S. south. Due to silvicultural changes and large scale reforestation efforts the US south has seen significant increases in standing volume (more than 120% over the period). Landowners that grow SYP plantations largely manage for trees that are harvested to produce dimensional lumber. With the changes in growth patterns it is of interest if there have been any changes in structural properties of the lumber that is produced from timber grown today. Landowners desire confirmation that what they are doing in …


Methionine: An Essential Amino Acid And Potential Enhancer Of Antioxidant Systems In Swine Diets, Rebecca M. Humphrey Nov 2020

Methionine: An Essential Amino Acid And Potential Enhancer Of Antioxidant Systems In Swine Diets, Rebecca M. Humphrey

Theses and Dissertations

L-Methionine (L-Met) is a new product that supplies the biologically active form of methionine. Therefore, the objective of this study was to elucidate the benefits of dietary L-Met supplementation relative to the industry standard DL-Met. Sixteen gilts with an initial BW 81.2±7.93 kg were individually penned and randomly allotted to one of two equivalent dietary treatments for 37 days in 2 trials (8 pigs/trial): DL-Met (0.050% of diet) or L-Met (0.052% of diet). Body weight and feed intake were measured on days 0, 19, and 37 to calculate performance measures. Pigs were harvested and carcasses assessed on day 38. Liver, …


Modified Adsorbents From Waste Materials For Water Remediation, Medagama Liyanage Achala Sandamali Liyanage Nov 2020

Modified Adsorbents From Waste Materials For Water Remediation, Medagama Liyanage Achala Sandamali Liyanage

Theses and Dissertations

Water pollution is one of the major ecological threats people face around the world. Water contamination by organic and inorganic compounds is hazardous to both the environment and human health. Adsorption techniques have gained much attention in the field of water remediation due to their efficiency, simplicity in operation, and ease of implementation. However, the adsorbents currently being used are costly. The main objective of this work is to develop novel, low-cost adsorbents from waste material by modifying the adsorbent surface for water remediation. Adsorbent modifications involve various chemical and physical methods such as acid/base treatments, metal/metal oxide impregnation, functional …


The Effects Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports On The Number Of Discipline Referrals And Academic Achievement Of Fourth And Fifth Grade Students, John A. Daves Jr Nov 2020

The Effects Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports On The Number Of Discipline Referrals And Academic Achievement Of Fourth And Fifth Grade Students, John A. Daves Jr

Theses and Dissertations

Student achievement is one of the most important aspects of school life. With the rise in current standards and the pace to which teachers and students are expected to conduct their lessons, teachers must find ways to improve student behaviors by nonpunitive discipline techniques. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a form of classroom management that focuses on the good behavior rather than the bad behavior. A rural school in Mississippi took on such an initiative by implementing PBIS as a schoolwide discipline management plan after the 2011-2012 school year. The purpose of the study was to determine the …


Proteomic Analysis Of Outer Membrane Vesicles Of Aeromonas Hydrophila Ml09-119, Jordan Ashley Smink Nov 2020

Proteomic Analysis Of Outer Membrane Vesicles Of Aeromonas Hydrophila Ml09-119, Jordan Ashley Smink

Theses and Dissertations

Aeromonas hydrophila ML09-119 is an important fish pathogen that severely affects channel catfish aquaculture. To better understand this strain’s virulence factors, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were isolated, and their proteome was assessed. Using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, OMVs were shown to be monodispersed particles with an average diameter of 120.33 nm. OMV proteins were identified using mass spectrometry, and analysis of the resulting proteome of 74 proteins revealed that many originated from the cytoplasm, but there was an enrichment of outer membrane, periplasmic, and extracellular proteins compared to the total proteome. The majority of the functional classifications …


Roles And Interaction Of Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) And Introduced Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis Invicta And S. Invicta X Richteri) In Carrion Decomposition In The Southeastern United States, Grant De Jong Nov 2020

Roles And Interaction Of Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) And Introduced Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis Invicta And S. Invicta X Richteri) In Carrion Decomposition In The Southeastern United States, Grant De Jong

Theses and Dissertations

Invasive fire ants (Solenopsis invicta and its hybrid with S. richteri) have been reported from carrion in the southeastern United States and are considered a part of the succession community. Alteration of ecological processes by fire ants could affect forensic interpretation of entomological data; therefore, I conducted studies to investigate the relative roles and interactions of fire ants and blow flies in carrion decomposition. The blow fly species composition in Mississippi has not been studied since 16 species were reported in 1983. Specimens from the Mississippi Entomological Museum were used to update the checklist of the blow flies of Mississippi …


Toward Improved Characterization Of Biologically Relevant Isomeric And Isobaric Ions On Mass Spectrometry-Based Platforms, Baku Acharya Nov 2020

Toward Improved Characterization Of Biologically Relevant Isomeric And Isobaric Ions On Mass Spectrometry-Based Platforms, Baku Acharya

Theses and Dissertations

Mass spectrometry has frequently been employed in the analysis of biologically relevant molecules; however, mass spectrometry alone may not always be sufficient for the differentiation and characterization of isomeric and isobaric ions. In this work, infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) were evaluated as complementary techniques for the characterization and separation of isomeric and isobaric ions of biological relevance. In the first project, analysis of experimental IRMPD spectroscopy data shows that this technique is useful in the differentiation of hydroxyproline isomers. Absorption bands allow for the differentiation of three isomeric species: 1640 cm-1 (trans-4-hydroxyproline), 1718 …


Perspectives On Shame Among Palestinian Women, Andrea Sakleh Nov 2020

Perspectives On Shame Among Palestinian Women, Andrea Sakleh

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will examine the ways in which Palestinian women in Ramallah experience and think about shame (eib). I will approach this topic with the intention of complicating the traditional anthropological narrative regarding the honor/shame dichotomy. Within studies focused on honor and shame in the Middle East, anthropologists have examined the ways that honor and shame impact men and women (Abu-Lughod 1986; Baxter 2007; Glick et.al. 2016; Harik & Marston 1996; Kanaaneh 2002; Rasmussen 2007; Zoepf 2016), yet rarely are the two concepts, especially shame, examined independently. Overarchingly, I wish to understand what Palestinian women in Ramallah think about shame, …


The Effect Of Light-Emitting Diode Light On The Growth, Egg Production, Egg Quality, Hormone Concentration And Health Of Hy-Line® W-36 Laying Hens, Ishab Poudel Nov 2020

The Effect Of Light-Emitting Diode Light On The Growth, Egg Production, Egg Quality, Hormone Concentration And Health Of Hy-Line® W-36 Laying Hens, Ishab Poudel

Theses and Dissertations

Light-emitting diode (LED) is an improved light delivery technology that provides better energy efficiency, longer lifespan, and the ability to select a specific wavelength of light. We evaluated the effect of blue and red-LED on performance, behavior, egg quality, hormonal concentration, and prevalence of Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) like E. coli in pullets and laying hens raised in cageree housing system. Results showed that birds raised in blue-LED during the pullet phase had higher body weight and earlier onset of early lay. Red-LED increased the yolk percentage, illustrating that red-LED can stimulate reproduction. Red-LED also decreased the relative spleen …


Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of Phospholipid Bilayers Under Deformation – A Comparison Between Gromacs And Lammps, Anh Tn Vo Nov 2020

Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of Phospholipid Bilayers Under Deformation – A Comparison Between Gromacs And Lammps, Anh Tn Vo

Theses and Dissertations

Model of nanoscale deformation mechanisms of cellular structures could render different results depending on the molecular dynamics (MD) simulator chosen. Also, the comparison of different MD simulators is typically an intricate task, requiring all configurations be converted appropriately with available parameter choices. This study aims to perform and compare MD simulations between two MD programs (GROMACS and LAMMPS), in which a phospholipid bilayer is deformed under different strain states. The two systems produced similar deformation behaviors and strain state effect on bilayer failure. However, GROMACS produced more pores at lower strains, lower stress, and higher damage values. Multiple setting options …


Assessment Of Nutrient Sources At Watershed Scale In Agro-Ecosystem Of Mississippi, Avay Risal Nov 2020

Assessment Of Nutrient Sources At Watershed Scale In Agro-Ecosystem Of Mississippi, Avay Risal

Theses and Dissertations

Excessive nutrient concentrations from a different point and non-point sources are the main cause of water impairment in the United States. Appropriate management practices, according to the source and quantity of pollutions, need to be implemented to control excessive nutrient influx in the water body. Various types of hydrological and water quality models with diverse function, capability and degree of complexity are employed to quantify watershed hydrologic processes and nutrient pollution. Multiple models can be applied to a watershed but the suitable model must be selected based on watershed type and simulation need. Two watershed-scale models, Soil and Water Assessment …


Computational Chemistry Investigation Of Gas-Phase Structures, Infrared Spectroscopy, And Dissociation Pathways Of Isomeric Molecules, Widana Kaushalya Nov 2020

Computational Chemistry Investigation Of Gas-Phase Structures, Infrared Spectroscopy, And Dissociation Pathways Of Isomeric Molecules, Widana Kaushalya

Theses and Dissertations

While chemical isomers typically have distinct properties, differentiating between them is often an analytical challenge, especially for mass spectrometric methods. Infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) can be useful in analysis of such isomeric compounds; however, experimental results alone do not directly provide in-depth structural information. In this thesis, computational chemistry is first used to explain experimental results and understand the conformational preference of the gas phase ions formed from the lithiation of cis-3, cis-4 and trans-4 hydroxyproline isomers and then used in a predictive manner to evaluate IRMPD spectroscopy and IMS as potential paths …


A Study On Biogeography And Floral Trait Evolution In Platanthera Subgenus Limnorchis (Orchie) Using Phylogenomic Approaches, W I W H M Eranga Hansanee Wettewa Nov 2020

A Study On Biogeography And Floral Trait Evolution In Platanthera Subgenus Limnorchis (Orchie) Using Phylogenomic Approaches, W I W H M Eranga Hansanee Wettewa

Theses and Dissertations

Platanthera is one of the largest genera of temperate orchids and exemplifies a lineage that has adaptively radiated into diverse habitats within North America, Asia, Europe, North Africa, Borneo, and Sarawak. Major centers of diversity in this genus are western North America and eastern Asia. The diversity in floral morphological traits such as floral color, shape and the length of nectar spur is associated with numerous pollination syndromes, making Platanthera an ideal system to study the evolution of floral traits and pollination biology. Despite its diversity, a thorough phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus is lacking because no studies have yet …


Mental Health During Emerging Adulthood: The Role Of Differentiation Of Self And Social Comparison Orientation Using Social Media, Kayla Lloyd Wenth Nov 2020

Mental Health During Emerging Adulthood: The Role Of Differentiation Of Self And Social Comparison Orientation Using Social Media, Kayla Lloyd Wenth

Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety is a prevalent health concern for emerging adults and the top concern for those seeking mental health treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the features of emerging adulthood (i.e., identity exploration, feelings of optimism about possibilities, instability, selfocus, and feeling in-between), which may be predictive of anxiety symptoms, as well as explore factors (i.e., differentiation of self and social comparison orientation using social media), which may intensify or lessen the anxiety symptoms. The study sample included 598 emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 25. The results of this study suggested that identity exploration, instability, …


Spatial Analysis Of A Chesapeake Bay Sub-Watershed: How Land Use And Precipitation Patterns Impact Water Quality In The James River, Kristina Delia Nov 2020

Spatial Analysis Of A Chesapeake Bay Sub-Watershed: How Land Use And Precipitation Patterns Impact Water Quality In The James River, Kristina Delia

Theses and Dissertations

As land cover throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed is modified and climate patterns alter, changes in runoff occur which can impact water quality. A study was conducted using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for the James River watershed in Virginia, the southernmost tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, for 1986 to 2018. A comparison of land cover changes throughout that time frame was included in the analysis. Land cover data was derived from satellite imagery with values extracted using Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis. The SWAT model was run within the web-based Hydrologic and Water Quality System (HAWQS). The …


Spatial Vulnerability Analysis And Thematic Mapping Of Urban Floods: A Case Study Of 100-Year Floodplain Areas Of Birmingham, Alabama, Mohammad Khalid Hossain Nov 2020

Spatial Vulnerability Analysis And Thematic Mapping Of Urban Floods: A Case Study Of 100-Year Floodplain Areas Of Birmingham, Alabama, Mohammad Khalid Hossain

Theses and Dissertations

The social and economic impact of urban flooding is becoming more severe in the United States over time. Urban areas are mostly vulnerable to flash floods because of the impervious surface, which increases the surface runoff. More than 80 percent of people live in urban areas in the United States, and they are at higher risk of urban flooding. Although many urban areas have a higher risk of urban flooding, there is still a significant knowledge gap of understanding between the minority's and nonminority's vulnerability to urban floods. Therefore, using Birmingham, Alabama, as a study area, this research designs a …


Examining Body Composition Differences Between Vegetarian And Non-Vegetarian Women, Carlie Mapp Nov 2020

Examining Body Composition Differences Between Vegetarian And Non-Vegetarian Women, Carlie Mapp

Theses and Dissertations

Diet and lifestyle choices play a vital role in the overall health of an individual. There are many types of diets with varying instructions on what kind and how much of a food, or food group, should be eaten. This cross sectional study focused on possible health benefits of a vegetarian diet in regards to the body composition of non-vegetarian and vegetarian women. Total meat, poultry, seafood, and fish (MPSF) intake were separated into three categories to compare low-to-very-low, moderate, and high intake. Anthropometric measurements collected included waist to hip ratio (WHR), weight, height, and percentage of body fat. No …


Hemp Fiber – An Environmentally Friendly Fiber For Concrete Reinforcement, Brian Giltner Nov 2020

Hemp Fiber – An Environmentally Friendly Fiber For Concrete Reinforcement, Brian Giltner

Theses and Dissertations

The commercial use of hemp fiber in the construction industry within the United States is non-existent. This lack of use is because of State and Federal laws forbidding the growth of hemp in the United States, which has led to a lack of research. Not having an established supply chain for hemp and coupled with limited research has put the United States behind other countries in finding viable options for these renewable resources. This is a study of the performance of raw hemp fibers and processed hemp twine in a cement past mixture subjected to tensile loading. Three water/cement ratios …


Electrochemical Characterization Of Fluoropolymers And Aromatic Compounds For Corrosion Protection Applications, Eugene B. Caldona Nov 2020

Electrochemical Characterization Of Fluoropolymers And Aromatic Compounds For Corrosion Protection Applications, Eugene B. Caldona

Theses and Dissertations

The consequences of corrosion are extremely costly and troublesome. In manufacturing companies, for instance, corrosion is considered a chronic problem that causes sudden disruptions in many segments of operation including processing, production, transportation, and containment of commodity products. Protection against corrosion is, therefore, important, as it helps achieve service life extension for metals and reduction in corrosion-related costs. Risk reduction for catastrophic structural failures and accident prevention can also be realized. Broader application of protective coatings and corrosion inhibiting agents remains one of the best technical practices in minimizing the effects of corrosion. This study introduces different classes of polymers …


Residual Strength Of A High-Strength Concrete Subjected To Triaxial Pre-Stress, George Harlan Vankirk Nov 2020

Residual Strength Of A High-Strength Concrete Subjected To Triaxial Pre-Stress, George Harlan Vankirk

Theses and Dissertations

Simplified mechanical loading paths, which represent more complex loading paths observed during penetration, were investigated using a triaxial chamber and a high-strength concrete. Objectives were to determine the effects that stress/strain (load) paths had on the material’s unconfined (UC) residual strength. The loading paths included hydrostatic compression (HC), uniaxial strain in compression (UX), and uniaxial strain load biaxial strain unload (UXBX). The experiments indicate that load paths associated with non-visible microstructural damage were HC and UX, which produced minimal impact on the residual UC strength (<30%), while the load paths associated with visible macro-structural damage were UXBX, which significantly reduced the UC strength (>90%). The simplified loading paths were also investigated using a material model driver code …


Exploring The Relationship Between Genetic Variation In Taste Receptor Genes And Salt Taste Perception Among People With Hypertension, Pradtana Tapanee Nov 2020

Exploring The Relationship Between Genetic Variation In Taste Receptor Genes And Salt Taste Perception Among People With Hypertension, Pradtana Tapanee

Theses and Dissertations

Different taste preferences and genetic variations may lead to particular food patterns that contribute to nutrient-related health outcomes such as hypertension. The objective of this study was to investigate single polymorphism of taste genes and salt taste perception in order to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the salt taste receptor genes (SCNN1B, TRPV1) affect salt taste perception in hypertensive participants. A cross-sectional study of 253 adults age 20-82 from each group, hypertensive (49%) and normotensive (51%), were enrolled. Salt taste recognition threshold, food preference score, and salt taste receptor genotype were determined. The hypertensive group had a higher …


A Coupled Large Eddy Simulation-Synthetic Turbulence Method For Predicting Jet Noise, Joshua Daniel Blake Nov 2020

A Coupled Large Eddy Simulation-Synthetic Turbulence Method For Predicting Jet Noise, Joshua Daniel Blake

Theses and Dissertations

The noise generated by jet engines represents a significant environmental concern that still needs to be addressed. Accurate and efficient numerical predictions are a key step towards reducing jet noise. The current standard in highidelity prediction of jet noise is large eddy simulation (LES), which resolves the large turbulent scales responsible for the low and medium frequency noise and models the smallest turbulent scales that correspond to the high frequency noise. While LES requires significant computational resources to produce an accurate solution, it fails to resolve the noise in the high frequency range, which cannot be simply ignored. To circumvent …


Detection Rates Of Northern Bobwhite Coveys Using A Small Unmanned Aerial System-Mounted Thermal Camera, Megan Elaine Martin Nov 2020

Detection Rates Of Northern Bobwhite Coveys Using A Small Unmanned Aerial System-Mounted Thermal Camera, Megan Elaine Martin

Theses and Dissertations

Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) monitoring (e.g., covey-call surveys) is labor-intensive and imprecise. We evaluated the influence of bobwhite covey size and cover type on covey detectability when surveyed with a thermal camera-equipped small unmanned aerial system (sUAS). We placed bobwhite groups (3, 6, and 12 individuals/cage) among three cover types (grass, shrub, forest) on a private farm in Clay County, Mississippi (3 replicates, 27 total cages). At civil twilight, the sUAS flew over cages at 30 m, capturing photographs every 5 s. We asked 31 volunteers to evaluate 57 photographs for covey presence. Overall true positive rate was 0.551, but …


Halo Effective Field Theory For Radiative Capture Reactions, Pradeepa Sanjeewani Premarathna Nov 2020

Halo Effective Field Theory For Radiative Capture Reactions, Pradeepa Sanjeewani Premarathna

Theses and Dissertations

In this work, the radiative capture reactions 7Li(n, γ)8Li, 7Be(p, γ)8B, 3He(α, γ)7Be, and 3H(α, γ)7Li are studied using halo effective field theory (EFT). These capture reac- tions are some of the key nuclear reactions for the solar neutrino production and heavy element production in stellar and primordial nucleosyntheses. At low energy, halo EFT provides a model independent framework to describe physical observable as an expansion of a low momentum scale over a high momentum scale with well-defined error estimates. In this dissertation, electric dipole (E1) capture cross section of 7Li(n, γ)8Li reaction is calculated as a coupled channel using …


Wintering Population Estimates And Microplastics Prevalence For Tidal Marsh Birds Of Mississippi, Spencer Weitzel Nov 2020

Wintering Population Estimates And Microplastics Prevalence For Tidal Marsh Birds Of Mississippi, Spencer Weitzel

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the global loss of tidal marsh area, potential anthropogenic and natural disturbances to these systems, and coastal marshes’ affinity for trapping environmental pollutants, understanding how marsh birds inhabiting these ecosystems will adapt to these changes is paramount. To quantify future changes, I first needed to have something to compare against – baseline estimates. To this end, I performed distance sampling line transect surveys during the nonbreeding season to estimate species-specific population abundance, density, and habitat associations and captured two species of marsh bird, Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans) and Seaside Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima), to estimate baseline ingestion of one …


An Examination Of Vegetation Ordinances Within Communities Across The Southern United States, Kripa Neupane Nov 2020

An Examination Of Vegetation Ordinances Within Communities Across The Southern United States, Kripa Neupane

Theses and Dissertations

The complexity of urban areas within the mosaic of private and public vegetation has led communities to enact regulations to manage numerous benefits of urban vegetation. As urban populations continue to increase, regulations for governing vegetation becomes increasingly common. This study examined the variation in trends, structure, language, clauses, and provisions of vegetation ordinances within communities across the Southern United States. Qualitative content analysis using NVivo computer software was used for analyzing ordinances collected from Municode. Several discrepancies and similarities were explored in ordinance structure and content, along with problems such as lack of effective ordinance components (enforcement and severability …


Development Of The Pet-Related Events And Tasks Scale (Pets), Courtney Bolstad Nov 2020

Development Of The Pet-Related Events And Tasks Scale (Pets), Courtney Bolstad

Theses and Dissertations

Depression is a common, debilitating disorder that is often treated using behavioral activation (BA), which includes identification and scheduling of pleasant activities. Owning a pet appears to be a viable source of pleasant activities, though current BA tools do not extensively consider these activities. The present study aimed to develop the Pet-Related Events and Tasks Scale (PETS) to determine what activities of pet ownership are pleasant and may be used in BA. Various methods were used to generate items (i.e., focus groups, surveys, and adaptation of existing event schedule items) and revise the developing PETS (i.e., cognitive interviews and expert …


Diet Quality And Mental Health In College Students: Impact On Dietary Factors Including Intake Of Protein, Sugar, Vegetable And Omega-3 Fatty Acid On Depression, Yulu Wang Nov 2020

Diet Quality And Mental Health In College Students: Impact On Dietary Factors Including Intake Of Protein, Sugar, Vegetable And Omega-3 Fatty Acid On Depression, Yulu Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Depression is one of the most debilitating disorders among youth. Many factors impact depression risk, and dietary quality is one of the most significant modifiable factors. This work was to investigate whether diet quality, including protein, sugar, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids’ intake, had any effect on the development of depression. Data from 82 subjects were used for analysis. There was no significant relationship between Dietary Quality Index (p=.21, n=82) and depression based on this research. Results included total protein (p=.77, n=82), animal-based protein (p=.77, n=82), vegetable-based protein (p=.29, n=82), total sugar (p=.55, n=78), added sugar (p=.48, n=78), total vegetable …


Distribution And Habitat Use Of Sharks In The Coastal Waters Of West-Central Florida, Lindsay Mullins Nov 2020

Distribution And Habitat Use Of Sharks In The Coastal Waters Of West-Central Florida, Lindsay Mullins

Theses and Dissertations

An elasmobranch survey conducted from 2013-2018 in the waters adjacent to Pinellas County, Florida, was used for a baseline assessment of the local shark population. ArcGIS and Boosted Regression Trees were used to identify hot spots of abundance and links between environmental predictors and distribution, as well as create species distribution models. A diverse assemblage of sharks, dominated by five species: nurse shark, bonnethead, Atlantic sharpnose shark, blacktip shark, and blacknose shark, was identified. A large proportion of captures (~42%) were immature sharks. Results indicate areas characterized by seagrass and “No Internal Combustion Engine” zones correlate with greater diversity and …