Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

University of Central Florida

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 4831 - 4860 of 14427

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

The Effects Of Social Support And Working Alliance On Latino-American Male Combat Veterans, Lloyd Duran Jan 2017

The Effects Of Social Support And Working Alliance On Latino-American Male Combat Veterans, Lloyd Duran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The negative effects of traumatic combat experiences on combatants' psychological functioning is well documented in the literature. The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) has resulted in many veterans returning from deployments with mental health conditions related to trauma exposure, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, general anxiety, and suicidality. Past researchers found significant ethnic differences in psychological functioning, with Latino-American veterans reporting more symptoms of PTSD. Furthermore, Latino-American cultural values place importance on collective orientation and secrecy of mental health concerns which may affect treatment. Thus, this study built on limited research about Latino-American male combat veterans by focusing on …


Consequences Of Altered Short-Chain Carbon Metabolism In Heart Failure, Julie Horton Jan 2017

Consequences Of Altered Short-Chain Carbon Metabolism In Heart Failure, Julie Horton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease is currently the foremost cause of death within the United States. Heart failure (HF) is a syndrome defined by the inability of the heart to adequately execute requisite pump function in order to deliver nutrients and oxygen to peripheral tissues, irrespective of etiology. One of the most common causes of HF is chronic pressure overload due to hypertension. Ischemic heart disease is also a common driver of HF, often in conjunction with hypertension. Pressure overload initially causes compensatory metabolic changes. Structural changes follow shortly thereafter typically resulting in left ventricular hypertrophy. Eventually, the heart loses the ability to …


The Paths Less Traveled: Movement Of Gopher Tortoises Along Roads And Railways, Rhett Rautsaw Jan 2017

The Paths Less Traveled: Movement Of Gopher Tortoises Along Roads And Railways, Rhett Rautsaw

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization and an expanding human population have led to a large degree of habitat destruction and fragmentation. These, in turn, reduce biodiversity and wildlife population sizes on a global scale. Transportation infrastructure, such as roads and railways, are some of the largest contributors to habitat fragmentation. Roads are well-established to negatively impact wildlife, but some studies suggest a potential use in habitat connectivity by functioning as wildlife corridors to connect distant populations. Railways are similarly known to impact wildlife by increasing mortality rates as well as provide unique risks such as electrocution and entrapment when compared to roads. However, the …


The Impact Of Automation And Stress On Human Performance In Uav Operation, Jinchao Lin Jan 2017

The Impact Of Automation And Stress On Human Performance In Uav Operation, Jinchao Lin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force (USAF) has increasing needs for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators. Automation may enable a single operator to manage multiple UAVs at the same time. Multi-UAV operation may require a unique set of skills and the need for new operators calls for targeting new populations for recruitment. The objective of this research is to develop a simulation environment for studying the role of individual differences in UAV operation under different task configurations and investigate predictors of performance and stress. Primarily, the study examined the impact of levels of automation (LOAs), as well as task demands, on …


A Preliminary Assessment Of Steroid Reproductive Hormones In Archaeological Human Hair Utilizing A Modified Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Elisa) Technique, Elisha Tisdale Jan 2017

A Preliminary Assessment Of Steroid Reproductive Hormones In Archaeological Human Hair Utilizing A Modified Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Elisa) Technique, Elisha Tisdale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hair has become an invaluable resource in forensic, clinical, and bioarchaeological research. The unique interaction between the growing hair fiber, the hair follicle, and the endocrine system inundates the growing hair fiber with an incremental record of many of the discreet physiological processes of the body. Recently, a novel study by Webb et al. (2010) demonstrated that endogenous records of cortisol, the "stress hormone", are capable of being extracted from archaeological human hair through a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, thus providing insight into the "invisible" stress experiences of an individual that would otherwise not be detectable through skeletal …


An Exploratory Study Of Usa Candidates' And Recent Graduates' Perceptions Of Professional Doctorate Supervision, Kari Whaley Jan 2017

An Exploratory Study Of Usa Candidates' And Recent Graduates' Perceptions Of Professional Doctorate Supervision, Kari Whaley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on exploring professional doctorate candidates' and recent graduates' perceptions of their doctoral supervision experience. Candidates from across the United States, in various academic disciplines, were surveyed and 255 total responses were gathered. The literature search focused on doctorate supervisory practices, doctoral supervisors' characteristics, and unique differences of academic disciplines. This was a mixed-methods study. The data were analyzed by quantitative and qualitative analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (chi square test and Kruskal-Wallis test). Qualitative responses were analyzed using Grounded Theory. Respondents identified the most important competencies of a …


Novel Cytokine Signaling And Molecular Therapeutic Strategy In Pancreatic Cancer, Sarah Gitto Jan 2017

Novel Cytokine Signaling And Molecular Therapeutic Strategy In Pancreatic Cancer, Sarah Gitto

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly chemo-resistant and has a five year survival rate of < 8%. Risk factors of pancreatic cancer, such as chronic pancreatitis, help to elicit a pro-tumor immune response, and highly fibrotic environment that promotes tumorigenesis. To study how chronic pancreatitis promotes cancer initiation, traditional KRasG12D mice and double mutant Akt1Myr/KrasG12D mice were used to model microenvironment changes. Akt1Myr/KrasG12D mice were more susceptible to chronic tissue damage, accelerated tumor development and metastatic disease. These mice exhibited histological changes consistent with immune cell privilege, where M2 macrophages and non-cytotoxic eosinophils were co-localized with fibrotic regions. IL-5 expression was up regulated in pancreatic cells undergoing acinar to ductal metaplasia and then diminished in advanced lesions. Tumor cells treated with IL-5 exhibit increased migration and activation through STAT5 signaling. Collectively, the results suggest that eosinophils, which are responsive to IL-5, are key mediators in the pancreatic environment subjected to chronic inflammation and injury. Current therapeutics fall short in increasing patient survival. There remains an urgent need for innovative treatments and thus we tested difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) in combination with a novel polyamine transport inhibitor, Trimer44NMe, against Gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cells. Prior clinical failures when targeting polyamine biosynthesis with DFMO monotherapy may be due to tumor escape via an undefined polyamine transport system. In pancreatic tumor cells DFMO alone and with Trimer44NMe significantly reduced PDAC cell viability by inducing apoptosis or cell cycle arrest. In vivo orthotopic PDAC growth with DFMO treatment resulted in decreased c-Myc expression, a readout of polyamine pathway dysfunction. Moreover, dual inhibition significantly prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice, and increased M1 macrophage infiltration and reduced FoxP3 expression. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that targeting polyamine pathways in PDAC is a promising immunomodulating therapy that increases survival.


Career Preparation For Interdisciplinary Science Phd Students: A Case Study, Sabrina Gordon Jan 2017

Career Preparation For Interdisciplinary Science Phd Students: A Case Study, Sabrina Gordon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This case study intended to collect and analyze responses from stakeholders of the UCF Modeling and Simulation graduate program regarding the ways in which interdisciplinary (IDS) science PhD students could be prepared for diverse career paths. A mixed methodology study was executed and quantitative survey (N=96) and qualitative interview (N=10) data were collected to address three research questions. Overall, stakeholders for this case study were found to represent the three main career paths of academia, government, and industry. Survey data were utilized to gauge the level of importance that survey participants perceived for various survey scales and items. The scales …


Student Conduct Administrators' Perceptions Of Effective Sanctions That Reduce Recidivism Of Alcohol Violations Among College Students, Andel Fils-Aime Jan 2017

Student Conduct Administrators' Perceptions Of Effective Sanctions That Reduce Recidivism Of Alcohol Violations Among College Students, Andel Fils-Aime

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent researchers have found that when alcohol use and/or abuse is a factor in an undergraduate students' college experience, there is a substantial increase in dependence, decreased academic productivity, an increase in safety and security issues, an increase in suicide ideation and attempts, unprotected sexual encounters, and physical assaults that result in injuries (Amaro et al., 2010). One of the most effective ways that institutions in higher education can combat alcohol-related issues on their campuses is for the institutional leaders to play a role in addressing this issue (Busteed, 2008). In many institutions of higher education, student conduct administrators have …


Network Partitioning In Distributed Agent-Based Models, Antoniya Petkova Jan 2017

Network Partitioning In Distributed Agent-Based Models, Antoniya Petkova

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Agent-Based Models (ABMs) are an emerging simulation paradigm for modeling complex systems, comprised of autonomous, possibly heterogeneous, interacting agents. The utility of ABMs lies in their ability to represent such complex systems as self-organizing networks of agents. Modeling and understanding the behavior of complex systems usually occurs at large and representative scales, and often obtaining and visualizing of simulation results in real-time is critical. The real-time requirement necessitates the use of in-memory computing, as it is difficult and challenging to handle the latency and unpredictability of disk accesses. Combining this observation with the scale requirement emphasizes the need to use …


Biological Nutrient Removal (Bnr) Process Optimization And Recovery Of Embedded Energy Using Biodiesel By-Product, Sultan Salamah Jan 2017

Biological Nutrient Removal (Bnr) Process Optimization And Recovery Of Embedded Energy Using Biodiesel By-Product, Sultan Salamah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) as well as biological nitrogen removal require a carbon source to be carried out. Volatile fatty acid (VFAs) (mainly acetic and propionic acids) are the major driving force for EBPR. Many domestic wastewaters have an insufficient amount of VFAs. However, carbon sources such as acetic and propionic acids can be produced using primary solids fermentation process. Due to the cost of VFA production, an external carbon source can be added to the biological nutrient removal (BNR) system that can be fermented to provide the desired VFAs. Glycerol (biodiesel by-product) offers a solution to reduce carbon …


Investigating The Impact Of Levels Of Experience On Workload During Nuclear Power Plant Operations, Jonathan Harris Jan 2017

Investigating The Impact Of Levels Of Experience On Workload During Nuclear Power Plant Operations, Jonathan Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The human-machine interface (HMI) of a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Main Control Room (MCR) is complex. Understanding HMI factors that influence Reactor Operator (RO) performance and workload when controlling an NPP is important. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) began a program of research known as the Human Performance Test Facility (HPTF) with the goal of collecting human performance data to better understand cognitive and physical elements that support safe control room operation. The HPTF team developed an experimental methodology to evaluate workload using perceived ratings, performance measures, and physiological correlates. This methodology focuses on tasks commonly performed during operations in …


Redox-Active Solid State Materials And Its Biomedical And Biosensing Applications, Ankur Gupta Jan 2017

Redox-Active Solid State Materials And Its Biomedical And Biosensing Applications, Ankur Gupta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are byproducts of physiological processes in human body, and strengthened production of ROS is known to cause acute conditions such as inflammation, aging, Alzheimer's disease, melanoma and ovarian cancer, fibrosis and multiple sclerosis. Therefore, early detection of ROS at nanomolar concentration (at cellular level) and developing more potent antioxidants is essential for regular health monitoring. As an example, ROS are also responsible for inflammation reactions at orthopedic implants-tissue interface triggered by wear debris. Inflammation induced by ROS results in revision surgery. Coatings of redox-active materials exhibiting antioxidant properties on implants have potential to mitigate the inflammation …


Complex Affect Recognition In The Wild, Behnaz Nojavanasghari Jan 2017

Complex Affect Recognition In The Wild, Behnaz Nojavanasghari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Artificial social intelligence is a step towards human-like human-computer interaction. One important milestone towards building socially intelligent systems is enabling computers with the ability to process and interpret the social signals of humans in the real world. Social signals include a wide range of emotional responses from a simple smile to expressions of complex affects. This dissertation revolves around computational models for social signal processing in the wild, using multimodal signals with an emphasis on the visual modality. We primarily focus on complex affect recognition with a strong interest in curiosity. In this dissertation,we ?rst present our collected dataset, EmoReact. …


Developing An Insider Threat Experimental Environment, Eric Ortiz Jan 2017

Developing An Insider Threat Experimental Environment, Eric Ortiz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Simulated, 3D gaming environments have been used for a wide-range of applications including training, entertainment, and experimentation in an assortment of domains for some time. This can be attributed to their unique ability to emulate multifaceted situations that may be difficult to control, while affording participants the opportunity to operate in a relatively safe environment. In cybersecurity research, investigation of insider threat behavior is an endeavor that has received little attention in terms of available environments and resources for experimental manipulation. This research effort aimed to close this gap. A simulated, 3D gaming environment and accompanying scenarios were developed for …


Reducing Sulfuric Acid Pretreatment In A Nanofiltration Process Treating Surficial Groundwater, Carlyn Higgins Jan 2017

Reducing Sulfuric Acid Pretreatment In A Nanofiltration Process Treating Surficial Groundwater, Carlyn Higgins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nanofiltration (NF) is a pressure driven membrane process employed in drinking water treatment that requires pretreatment for reliable operation. The objective of this research was to determine if NF membranes can proficiently operate with a decreased or eliminated dose of sulfuric acid pretreatment. When used as pretreatment, sulfuric acid prevents calcium carbonate scaling on NF membranes, yet is costly, hazardous, and imparts high sulfate concentrations to NF feed and concentrate streams. To conduct this research, a 0.324 million gallon per day (MGD) NF pilot plant was operated for 3,855 run-hours at a flux rate of 15 gallons per square foot-day. …


A Framework For Lean Transformation In Developing Countries: The Case Of Saudi Arabian Industry, Murad Andejany Jan 2017

A Framework For Lean Transformation In Developing Countries: The Case Of Saudi Arabian Industry, Murad Andejany

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lean is a dynamic, knowledge-driven, and customer focused philosophy that continuously eradicates waste and generates value, with a goal to improve a company's productivity, efficiency, and quality. Successful implementation of lean does not only offer cost reduction and improved quality and productivity, but also provides efficient guidance for organizations to attain significant and continued growth. Although its adoption by companies has proven successful in developed countries, there is no sufficient evidence of its successful implementation in developing countries such as Saudi Arabia. A review of the literature indicates that there is a need to study lean transformation in developing countries …


A Comprehensive Assessment Of Vehicle-To-Grid Systems And Their Impact To The Sustainability Of Current Energy And Water Nexus, Yang Zhao Jan 2017

A Comprehensive Assessment Of Vehicle-To-Grid Systems And Their Impact To The Sustainability Of Current Energy And Water Nexus, Yang Zhao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation aims to explore the feasibility of incorporating electric vehicles into the electric power grid and develop a comprehensive assessment framework to predict and evaluate the life cycle environmental, economic and social impact of the integration of Vehicle-to-Grid systems and the transportation-water-energy nexus. Based on the fact that electric vehicles of different classes have been widely adopted by both fleet operators and individual car owners, the following questions are investigated: 1. Will the life cycle environmental impacts due to vehicle operation be reduced? 2. Will the implementation of Vehicle-to-Grid systems bring environmental and economic benefits? 3. Will there be …


The Effectiveness Of Child Restraint And Bicycle Helmet Policies To Improve Road Safety, Claudia Bustamante Jan 2017

The Effectiveness Of Child Restraint And Bicycle Helmet Policies To Improve Road Safety, Claudia Bustamante

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Analyzing the effect of legislation in children's safety when they travel as motor-vehicle passengers and bicycle riders can allow us to evaluate the effectiveness in transportation policies. The Child Restraint Laws (CRL) and Bicycle Helmet Laws (BHL) were studied by analyzing the nationwide Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) to estimate the fatality reduction as well as drivers' decisions to use Child Restraint Systems (CRS) and bicycle helmets respectively. Differences in legislation could have different effects on traffic fatalities. Therefore, this study presents multiple methodologies to study these effects. In the evaluation of traffic safety issues, several proven statistical models have …


Pervasive Secure Content Delivery Networks Implementation, Hector Lugo-Cordero Jan 2017

Pervasive Secure Content Delivery Networks Implementation, Hector Lugo-Cordero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the years, communication networks have been shifting their focus from providing connectivity in a client/server model to providing a service or content. This shift has led to topic areas like Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), Heterogeneous Wireless Mesh Networks, and Ubiquitous Computing. Furthermore, probably the broadest of these areas which embarks all is the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT is defined as an Internet where all physical entities (e.g., vehicles, appliances, smart phones, smart homes, computers, etc.), which we interact daily are connected and exchanging data among themselves and users. The IoT has become a global goal for companies, researchers, …


Theory And Measurement Of Perceived Introvert Mistreatment, Mallory Mccord Jan 2017

Theory And Measurement Of Perceived Introvert Mistreatment, Mallory Mccord

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Perceived introvert mistreatment, or the extent to which an individual perceives he or she is treated unfairly at work because he or she is introverted, is a form of workplace mistreatment that may be associated with numerous negative outcomes for the workers it impacts. Although an understanding of perceived introvert mistreatment may augment current theoretical knowledge of workplace mistreatment, researchers have yet to consider why (or if) this mistreatment exists or the effects it may have on the individual. Thus, the purpose of this paper is twofold: first, in an attempt to explain how perceived introvert mistreatment may develop and …


Pedestrian Safety Analysis Through Effective Exposure Measures And Examination Of Injury Severity, Md Imran Shah Jan 2017

Pedestrian Safety Analysis Through Effective Exposure Measures And Examination Of Injury Severity, Md Imran Shah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pedestrians are considered the most vulnerable road users who are directly exposed to traffic crashes. In 2014, there were 4,884 pedestrians killed and 65,000 injured in the United States. Pedestrian safety is a growing concern in the development of sustainable transportation system. But often it is found that safety analysis suffers from lack of accurate pedestrian trip information. In such cases, determining effective exposure measures is the most appropriate safety analysis approach. Also it is very important to clearly understand the relationship between pedestrian injury severity and the factors contributing to higher injury severity. Accurate safety analysis can play a …


Analysis Of Pedestrian Safety Using Micro-Simulation And Driving Simulator, Jiawei Wu Jan 2017

Analysis Of Pedestrian Safety Using Micro-Simulation And Driving Simulator, Jiawei Wu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, traffic agencies have begun to place emphasis on the importance of pedestrian safety. In the United States, nearly 70,000 pedestrians were reported injured in 2015. Although the number only account for 3% of all the people injured in traffic crashes, the number of pedestrian fatalities is still around 15% of total traffic fatalities. Furthermore, the state of Florida has consistently ranked as one of the worst states in terms of pedestrian crashes, injuries and fatalities. Therefore, it is befitting to focus on the pedestrian safety. This dissertation mainly focused on pedestrian safety at both midblock crossings and …


Printable Carbon Nanotube Based Multifunctional Nanocomposites For Strain Sensing And Self-Heating, Xin Wang Jan 2017

Printable Carbon Nanotube Based Multifunctional Nanocomposites For Strain Sensing And Self-Heating, Xin Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent a potential for developing a piezo-resistive strain sensor and a resistive heating sheet with a smart structure. Conventional fabrication techniques of CNT based nanocomposites such as molding, casting or spray coating lack the ability to control the geometry and properties of fabricated composites. In order to meet the various requirements of strain sensing or self-heating applications, nanocomposites with complex geometry and controllable properties are in high demand. Digital printing technique is able to fabricate CNT films with precisely controlled geometry with the help of computer aided design, and their properties could also …


Assessment Of Tattoo And Silicone Wounds In Terms Of Time Of Treatment And Perceived Treatment Quality, M Pettitt Jan 2017

Assessment Of Tattoo And Silicone Wounds In Terms Of Time Of Treatment And Perceived Treatment Quality, M Pettitt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

At the point of injury, critical medical tasks include locating and identifying an injury as well as applying the appropriate initial care. Over the past decade, to increase the fidelity of wound representation and ultimately the quality of medical care, a considerable amount of research and development has occurred to improve simulated wounds during training, primarily at the point of injury. As material and techniques mature and as more relevant data is collected on tissue properties, examining what fidelity is required for training at the point of injury is crucial. The main objective of this effort was to assess a …


Analysis Of Dialog Surrounding Animal Testing In Vaccine Research, Natalie Johnson Jan 2017

Analysis Of Dialog Surrounding Animal Testing In Vaccine Research, Natalie Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed the scholarly discussions surrounding the topic of animal testing for vaccine potency and safety in humans. The primary stakeholders in this discussion are the scientists, medical professionals, and researchers who are involved in animal models and alternative testing methods, specifically related to vaccine development. The debate among these professionals regarding alternative methods, which encompasses any testing approach that does not involve animals, has been analyzed. This project looks at the argument from a historical perspective, which provides background context for the current debate and an understanding of how the current arguments originated. The changing mindset over time …


Only The End: A Collection Of Connected Short Stories, Lucy Sneeringer Jan 2017

Only The End: A Collection Of Connected Short Stories, Lucy Sneeringer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In a series of connected short stories, the author explores the funeral industry by following a body as it is prepared for its final resting. The EMTs, mortician, funeral director, and cremators offer their unique perspective on the many faces death can take. However, it is the eyes of the mourners and Benny himself that see the deeper impact of his passing. By uncovering who Benny was in life, a man struggling with marriage and fatherhood, the author shows just how far the impact of his death reaches.


The Relationship Between Participation In Tutoring And Accountability Outcomes In Three Urban Middle Schools, Pamela Rajadhyax Jan 2017

The Relationship Between Participation In Tutoring And Accountability Outcomes In Three Urban Middle Schools, Pamela Rajadhyax

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study was conducted to determine the relationship between participation in a school based tutoring and change in accountability measures on the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) in Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) in the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years. The research was designed to determine the impact of participation in tutoring for urban middle school students. All students who attended one of the three urban middle schools and participated in the administration of FSA for mathematics or ELA in both the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years were divided into two groups: students who participated in school based tutoring …


A Methodology For Internet Of Things Business Modeling And Analysis Using Agent-Based Simulation, Mohammed Basingab Jan 2017

A Methodology For Internet Of Things Business Modeling And Analysis Using Agent-Based Simulation, Mohammed Basingab

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Internet of Things (IoT) is a new vision of an integrated network covering physical objects that are able to collect and exchange data. It enables previously unconnected devices and objects to become connected using equipping devices with communication technology such as sensors and radio frequency identification tags (RFID). As technology progresses towards new paradigm such as IoT, there is a need for an approach to identify the significance of these projects. Conventional simulation modeling and data analysis approaches are not able to capture the system complexity or suffer from a lack of data needed that can help to build a …


The Scoop, Vol. 3 Issue 10, January 2017, Health Sciences Library Jan 2017

The Scoop, Vol. 3 Issue 10, January 2017, Health Sciences Library

Volume 3

Latest news and events from the Health Sciences Library in our monthly newsletter for January 2017.