Digital Commons Network^™

Angiogenesis: An Update And Potential Drug Approaches, Maen Abdelrahim, Santhi Konduri, Riyaz Basha, Philip A. Philip, Cheryl H. Baker

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The therapeutic potential of targeting tumor endothelium and vascular supply is now widely recognized to treat different diseases. One such disease is cancer; where endothelial cells are actively proliferating to support the tumor growth. Solid tumors cannot grow beyond the size of a few millimeters without inducing the proliferation of endothelium and formation of new blood vessels. Hence it is crucial to search for new agents that selectively block tumor blood supply. These include anti-angiogenic molecules, vascular disrupting agents or endothelial disrupting agents. The anti-angiogenic molecules such as monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors disrupt endothelial cell survival mechanisms and …

Phoneme-Based Video Indexing Using Phonetic Disparity Search, Carlos Leon Barth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents and evaluates a method to the video indexing problem by investigating a categorization method that transcribes audio content through Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) combined with Dynamic Contextualization (DC), Phonetic Disparity Search (PDS) and Metaphone indexation. The suggested approach applies genome pattern matching algorithms with computational summarization to build a database infrastructure that provides an indexed summary of the original audio content. PDS complements the contextual phoneme indexing approach by optimizing topic seek performance and accuracy in large video content structures. A prototype was established to translate news broadcast video into text and phonemes automatically by using ASR …

Fabrication Of Integrated Optofluidic Circuits In Chalcogenide Glass Using Femtosecond Laser Direct Writing, Troy P. Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Femtosecond laser direct writing (FLDW) is a versatile process that uses focused femtosecond pulses to modify the physical structure of a material, which can result in a shift of optical properties such as the linear and nonlinear refractive index. If the photon energy of the femtosecond pulses lies below the material bandgap, nonlinear absorption rather than linear absorption becomes the dominant mechanism of energy transfer to the material. In this manner, a focused femtosecond pulse train can be used to fabricate functional features such as optical waveguides, diffractive optical elements, or micro-fluidic elements within the volume of a transparent medium. …

Oxford, Ucf Libraries

Technology Fee Funded Projects

Oxford University Press is the oldest and largest university press in the world. The e-books in this collection are suitable for research, study, and course projects, and can be assigned as textbooks. With the purchase of this collection, UCF will gain perpetual rights and online access to over 4,600 titles including access to Oxford’s premier reference titles. Sample titles are provided in Section C of this proposal. A full title list is available online.

The agreement between UCF and Oxford will allow for any fair use of the content for educational purposes, including embedding links to the content in Webcourses. …

Fish Invaders At Gypsy Point: Katie And George Learn About Alternatives To Aquarium Dumping, Grace V. Nimnualrat, Anne Marie Wotkyns, George H. Zaleski, Linda Walters, Susan Zaleski

CEELAB Children's Books

While snorkeling, Katie and George come across a beautiful but unknown fish, so they snap a photo of it and take the photo to Dr. Linda at the University Marine Lab. She describes the unknown fish as a lionfish - a new, invasive species in western Atlantic waters that was most likely introduced by aquarium dumping (humans releasing unwanted plants and pets from aquarium tanks in to local waterways). Dr. Linda discusses the serious problems this fish and another invasive species, the green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia, are causing to coral reefs and other aquatic habitats. She also explains better alternatives …

Springer Archive, Ucf Libraries

Technology Fee Funded Projects

Springer is a major publisher of academic and professional journals, providing content that supports research and study, and articles suitable for course projects. With the purchase of the Online Archive Collection, UCF would gain perpetual rights to all Springer journals and book series from the first volume to 1996. Many of the included journals were started in the 1800’s, so the 961 titles comprise 34,454 individual volumes. Because the Libraries currently provides online access to all Springer journals from 1997 through to the present, this purchase of would enable UCF to access to all online journal content available from Springer. …

The Learning Marketspace, January 2010, Bob Heterick, Carol Twigg

The Learning MarketSpace (4/03 - 4/14)

No abstract provided.

Polarization Dependent Two-Photon Absorption Properties Of Chiral Molecules, Carlos Toro

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Molecules that are non-superimposable on their mirror image are named chiral or optically active compound. Over the years, molecular chirality has played an essential role in the understanding of fundamental aspects associated the origin of life, drug and food technologies and, asymmetric catalysis, among others. Moreover, most of the groundbreaking discoveries and advances made in this field have happened due to the development of spectroscopic techniques based on the natural asymmetry of the enantiomers and their ability to preferentially absorb right or left polarized light. For instance, circular dichroism (CD), which measures the difference in absorption between these two states …

Biosignal Processing Challenges In Emotion Recognitionfor Adaptive Learning, Aniket Vartak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

User-centered computer based learning is an emerging field of interdisciplinary research. Research in diverse areas such as psychology, computer science, neuroscience and signal processing is making contributions the promise to take this field to the next level. Learning systems built using contributions from these fields could be used in actual training and education instead of just laboratory proof-of-concept. One of the important advances in this research is the detection and assessment of the cognitive and emotional state of the learner using such systems. This capability moves development beyond the use of traditional user performance metrics to include system intelligence measures …

Patterned Cell Cultures For High Throughput Studies Of Cell Electrophysiology And Drug Screening Applications, Anupama Natarajan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the last decade, the field of tissue and bio-engineering has seen an increase in the development of in vitro high-throughput hybrid systems that can be used to understand cell function and behavior at the cellular and tissue levels. These tools would have a wide array of applications including for implants, drug discovery, and toxicology, as well as for studying cell developmental behavior and as disease models. Currently, there are a limited number of efficient, functional drug screening assays in the pharmacology industry and studies of cell-surface interactions are complicated and invasive. Most cell physiology studies are performed using conventional …

Studies On A Novel Human Cardiospecific Transcription Factor And Its Involvement In Omi/Htra2 Mediated Cell Death, Meenakshi Puthucode Balakrishnan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Omi/HtrA2 is a mitochondrial serine protease that is known to translocate to the cytoplasm upon induction of apoptosis and to activate caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death. The molecular mechanism of Omi/HtrA2's function is not clear but involves degradation of specific substrates. These substrates include cytoplasmic, mitochondrial, as well as nuclear proteins. We have isolated a new Omi/HtrA2 interactor, the THAP5 protein. THAP5 is a fifth member of a large family of transcription factors that are involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle control, chromosome segregation, chromatin modification and transcriptional regulation. THAP5 is an approximately 50kDa nuclear protein, with a restricted …

Learning From Geometry In Learning For Tactical And Strategic Decision Domains, Jason Gauci

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are an abstraction of the low-level architecture of biological brains that are often applied in general problem solving and function approximation. Neuroevolution (NE), i.e. the evolution of ANNs, has proven effective at solving problems in a variety of domains. Information from the domain is input to the ANN, which outputs its desired actions. This dissertation presents a new NE algorithm called Hypercube-based NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies (HyperNEAT), based on a novel indirect encoding of ANNs. The key insight in HyperNEAT is to make the algorithm aware of the geometry in which the ANNs are embedded and …

A Blueprint For Planning And Designing Staged-Authentic Heritage Attractions In Small Island Nations, Earney F. Lasten

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this largely qualitative study was to develop a blueprint for planning and designing a staged-authentic heritage tourist attraction for small island nations. Data were gathered and analyzed in three phases. In Phase I, existing and potential supply, demand, and external variables associated with staged-authentic heritage attractions were identified, and a preliminary planning model and conceptual framework was developed. In Phase II, the model was refined. A blueprint containing seven major questions and 26 sequential steps was developed. In Phase III, the blueprint was tested using focus groups and an online tourist survey in the Caribbean region (Aruba) …

Development Of Optical Coherence Tomography For Tissue Diagnostics, Panomsak Meemon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microvasculature can be found in almost every part of the human body, including the internal organs. Importantly, abnormal changes in microvasculature are usually related to pathological development of the tissue cells. Monitoring of changes in blood flow properties in microvasculature, therefore, provides useful diagnostic information about pathological conditions in biological tissues as exemplified in glaucoma, diabetes, age related macular degeneration, port wine stains, burn-depth, and potentially skin cancer. However, the capillary network is typically only one cell in wall thickness with 5 to 10 microns in diameter and located in the dermis region of skin. Therefore, a non-invasive flow imaging …

The Evolution Of The Swastika : From Symbol Of Peace To Tool Of Hate, Lindsey L. Turnbull

HIM 1990-2015

Few figures in the history of the Americas are surrounded with more colorful lore and acclamation than the Cuban politician, teacher, patriot, and poet Jose Marti. Among Marti's literary contributions, his Ismaelillo, a collection of fifteen poems published in 1882, claims prominence as both Marti's first book of poems and as a seminal Latin American text. Celebrated for its sincere communication of paternal love and lauded as the genesis of Hispanic literary modernism, Ismaelillo captures the longing of an exiled father separated from his son and homeland. Its language is at once evocative of classical Spanish literature and innovative, incorporating …

Contemporary Hijra Identity In Guyana: Colonial And Postcolonial Transformations In Hijra Gender Identity, Shainna Ali

HIM 1990-2015

Before European colonialism, inhabitants of Guyana were Amerindians scattered across the “land of many waters” (Glasgow 1970:6; Rabe 2005:5). During the era of imperialism (1499-Guyanese Independence May 1966), the Dutch and British utilized indigenous and African slave labor as well as indentured servants from Asia to harvest cash crops (Glasgow 1970:131; Whitehead 2010:53). The British brought indentured servants across the kala pani, or dark water, from India to Guyana under the pretense of a better life. Under the harsh restrictions of colonial life, the Indian indentured laborers, negatively referred to as coolies, were culturally suppressed. Virtually, all aspects of daily …

From A Bird's Eye View: Using Satellite Imagery To Map And Analyze The Forest Islands Of The Llanos De Mojos, Bolivia, Stephanie Boothby

HIM 1990-2015

Recent discoveries about pre-Columbian societies in the Amazon have revolutionized the way researchers think about the environment, and the degree of interaction that humans have with their surroundings. New evidence indicates that ancient Amazonian populations were not only much larger and more complex than previously thought, but they were also modifying their environment and creating artificial landscapes. Although information about pre-Columbian cultures can be gained from archaeological excavations and historical accounts, the advent of new technology allows archaeologists to conduct research remotely.

Earthworks were constructed by pre-Hispanic peoples to create higher ground for occupation and agriculture, as an adaptation to …

Acquisition And Transference Of Physics-Based Conceptual Knowledge: An Analysis Of Fourth-Grade Student's Ability, Ashton Dacus

HIM 1990-2015

Distressingly, at the end of the 2008-2009 school year, 53% of fifth-grade students scored the equivalence of a D or lower on Florida's standardized science assessment (NCLB School District and State Public Accountability Report, 2009). One possible way to adapt methods of science education that is becoming more popular is through the use of computer games, as numerous studies have shown positive correlations between the use of computer games and increased learning gains in science.

This thesis not only discusses previous researc concerning computer games as tools for science education but it also provides a description and the results of …

University Of Central Florida Factbooks 2009-2010, University Of Central Florida

Historical Fact Book and Enrollment

Historical fact book and enrollment data for the University of Central Florida.

Species Composition And Spatiotemporal Pattern Of The Seed Bank And Vegetation In Native And Degraded Florida Rosemary Scrub, Jennifer J. Navarra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The soil seed bank plays a dynamic role in the regeneration of plant communities after natural and anthropogenic disturbance. In this thesis, I addressed how disturbances influence the vegetation and seed bank of Florida rosemary scrub. In Chapter One I evaluated changes in species composition and spatiotemporal pattern of the vegetation and seed bank along a gradient of disturbance. During the summers and winters of 2007-2009 percent ground cover and seed bank species composition were assessed among replicates of three vegetation types subjected to minimal, moderate, and extreme anthropogenic disturbance (native rosemary scrub, degraded scrub, and agriculturally improved pasture, respectively). …

Characterizing The Vertical Structure And Structural Diversity Of Florida Oak Scrub Vegetation Using Discrete-Return Lidar, James J. Angelo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vertical structure, the top-to-bottom arrangement of aboveground vegetation, is an important component of forest and shrubland ecosystems. For many decades, ecologists have used foliage height profiles and other measures of vertical structure to identify discrete stages in post-disturbance succession and to quantify the heterogeneity of vegetation. Such studies have, however, required resource-intensive field surveys and have been limited to relatively small spatial extents (e.g.,

Using Landscape Genetics To Assess Population Connectivity In A Habitat Generalist, Tyler Duncan Hether

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the nature of genetic variation in natural populations is an underlying theme of population genetics. In recent years population genetics has benefited from the incorporation of landscape and environmental data into pre-existing models of isolation by distance (IBD) to elucidate features influencing spatial genetic variation. Many of these landscape genetics studies have focused on populations separated by discrete barriers (e.g., mountain ridges) or species with specific habitat requirements (i.e., habitat specialists). One difficulty in using a landscape genetics approach for taxa with less stringent habitat requirements (i.e., generalists) is the lack of obvious barriers to gene flow and preference …

Novel Improvements On The Analytical Chemistry Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons And Their Metabolites, Wang Huiyong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are important environmental pollutants originating from a wide variety of natural and anthropogenic sources. Because many of them are highly suspect as etiological agents in human cancer, chemical analysis of PAH is of great environmental and toxicological importance. Current methodology for PAH follows the classical pattern of sample preparation and chromatographic analysis. Sample preparation preconcentrates PAH, simplifies matrix composition, and facilitates analytical resolution in the chromatographic column. Among the several approaches that exist to pre-concentrate PAH from water samples, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the use of solid-phase extraction (SPE). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and …

Influence Of The Csi Effect On Education And Mass Media, Sarah E. Mcmanus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Forensic science television shows, especially CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, have been said to influence the public’s perception of how forensic science is used and create interest in studying forensic science and pursuing jobs in the field. This study investigates this claim through a variety of methods. First, definitions of the CSI effect are discussed, including how it was first used and mentioned in the media. Second, survey data from students in a forensic anthropology course regarding interest in forensic science media and educational and career choices are analyzed. Third, the number and debut dates of forensic science non-fiction books, novels, …

Application Of Antenna Synthesis And Digital Signal Processing Techniques For Active Millimeter-Wave Imaging Systems, Wilson Ariel Caba

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Millimeter-wave imaging has gathered attention in recent years for its ability to penetrate clothing, thin layers of soils, and certain construction materials. However, image quality remains a challenge that needs to be addressed. One way of improving image quality is by increasing the dimensions of the collecting aperture. A sparse array can be used to synthesize a larger aperture with a limited set of relatively small detectors. In this research we design, build, and test a test-bed having an active source at 94 GHz and an array of coherent detectors, mounted on arms that extend radially on a rotary table. …

Symmetry In The Dissociative Recombination Of Polyatomic Ions And In Ultra-Cold Few Body Collisions, Nicolas Douguet

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We discuss the role of symmetries in the dissociative recombinations (DR) of three polyatomic ions, namely the linear HCO+ (formyl) ion and the two highly symmetric H+3 and H3O+ (hydronium) molecular ions. Regarding the HCO+ ion, we apply a quantum mechanical treatment using the Multi-channel Quantum Defect Theory (MQDT) formalism to describe the ion-electron scattering process. Our study takes into account the Renner-Teller effect in order to model the non Born-Oppenheimer vibronic coupling in linear polyatomic ions. The coupling has shown to represent the main mechanism responsible for electronic capturing in highly excited Rydberg states associated with excited vibrational levels …

Foreign Language Oral Assessment Practices In Florida Middle And High Schools, Grace Kerr Kellermeier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current foreign language pedagogy encourages a communicative approach to language learning. Instead of the reading and writing focus of the past, this communicative approach requires instruction in all skills, which include reading, writing, listening, speaking and having knowledge of associated cultures. A random sample of Florida foreign language teachers was surveyed to establish whether or not the goals and actual instructional practices were aligned. Respondents were asked to identify how much of a typical class period is dedicated to each of the five skills and how much of a typical unit test is dedicated to the same five skills. The …

A Comparative Analysis Of Student Achievement In Florida Charter And Non-Charter Public High Schools 2007-2009, Shannon R. Sommella

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if any relationship existed between the change in developmental scale scores (DSS) on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) for reading and mathematics, in selected Florida school districts among charter and non-charter public high schools, for grades 9 and 10. This study also investigated if any relationship existed in student achievement based on student demographics (gender, economically disadvantaged, primary home language (ELL) and ethnicity), and examined if there was a difference in professional demographics of faculty (advanced degrees, teachers’ average years of teaching experience, and percent of courses taught by out of …

Biogeography And Diversification In The Neotropics: Testing Macroevolutionary Hypotheses Using Molecular Phylogenetic Data, Juan Manuel Daza Rojas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lineage diversification in the Neotropics is an interesting topic in evolutionary biology and one of the least understood. The complexity of the region precludes generalizations regarding the historical and evolutionary processes responsible for the observed high diversity. Here, I use molecular data to infer evolutionary relationships and test hypotheses of current taxonomy, species boundaries, speciation and biogeographic history in several lineages of Neotropical snakes. I comprehensively sampled a widely distributed Neotropical colubrid snake and Middle American pitvipers and combined my data with published sequences. Within the colubrid genus Leptodeira, mitochondrial and nuclear markers revealed a phylogeograhic structure that disagrees with …

Fabrication Of Functional Nanostructures Using Polyelectrolyte Nanocomposites And Reduced Graphene Oxide Assemblies, Anindarupa Chunder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A wide variety of nanomaterials ranging from polymer assemblies to organic and inorganic nanostructures (particles, wires, rods etc) have been actively pursued in recent years for various applications. The synthesis route of these nanomaterials had been driven through two fundamental approaches - 'Top down' and 'Bottom up'. The key aspect of their application remained in the ability to make the nanomaterials suitable for targeted location by manipulating their structure and functionalizing with active target groups. Functional nanomaterials like polyelectrolyte based multilayered thin films, nanofibres and graphene based composite materials are highlighted in the current research. Multilayer thin films were fabricated …