Digital Commons Network^™

The Weekly Challenger, July 16, 2009, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The July 16, 2009, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Environmental Remediation Of Tnt Using Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Metal, Erica Echols

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research focused on the use of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) to remediate trinitrotoluene (TNT). Zero-valent iron has demonstrated effective degradation of TNT, however, these particles themselves have significant problems in treating sorbed phase TNT in the aerobic environment. This research was comprised of four areas: degradation studies of neat nano-iron with aqueous TNT, degradation studies of nanoiron emulsion with aqueous TNT, characterization of TNT in Vieques, Puerto Rico sediment, and Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) technique interface with HPLC. Both neat and emulsion NZVI studies showed TNT degradation. More degradation was seen in studies using fresher iron. The results from …

Six Fifth Grade Students Experiences Participating In Active Gaming During Physical Eduction Classes, Lisa Witherspoon Hansen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As technology and sedentary lifestyles have become an integral part of children's lives, so too has the prevalence of childhood obesity. Although video games are often associated with influencing sedentary behaviors, active gaming is a new genre that requires children to become physically active while playing the games. In this inquiry I explored six fifth grade students' experiences participating in active gaming in physical education classes for 30 minutes, twice weekly, during an eight week (16 sessions) study. I used qualitative methods including interviews, journal entries, and observational field notes. Analysis of data revealed students have a "Persistence to Game" …

Building A Brighter Future Through Education: Student Housing For Single Parent Families, Carrie Cogsdale

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

On the possibilities of a child the Center for Disease Control says, “Every Child

should have the opportunity to reach their full potential”. (CDC) Children who grow up

in low-income families are at risk of falling behind in education before they even enter

kindergarten. Single parents that struggle to provide food and shelter often lack the time

and the resources to provide the early education that their children need. A college

education could provide these parents and their children with a better quality of life.

University student housing could include built in childcare services, educational

assistance and peer support, for …

Plp-Dependent Α-Oxoamine Synthases: Phylogenetic Analysis, Structural Plasticity, And Structure-Function Studies On 5-Aminolevulinate Synthase, Tracy D. Turbeville

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

5-Aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS) and 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase (AONS) are two of four homodimeric members of the alpha-oxoamine synthase family of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes. The evolutionary relationships among α-oxoamine synthases representing a broad taxonomic and phylogenetic spectrum have been examined to help identify residues that may regulate substrate specificity.

The structural plasticity of ALAS has been documented in studies of functional circularly permuted ALAS variants and the single polypeptide chain ALAS dimer (ALAS/ALAS) exhibiting a greater turnover number than wild-type ALAS. An examination of the contribution of each ALAS/ALAS active site to the enzymatic activity shows that each active site makes …

Florida Sentinel Bulletin, June 26, 2009, Gwen Hayes

Florida Sentinel Bulletin Collection

The June 26, 2009, issue of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin.

Florida Sentinel Bulletin, June 19, 2009, Gwen Hayes

Florida Sentinel Bulletin Collection

The June 19, 2009, issue of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin.

The Weekly Challenger, June 18, 2009, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The June 18, 2009, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Florida Sentinel Bulletin, June 16, 2009, Gwen Hayes

Florida Sentinel Bulletin Collection

The June 16, 2009, issue of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (Cla) Prevents Age-Associated Skeletal Muscle Loss, Md M. Rahman, Ganesh V. Halade, Amina El Jamali, Gabriel Fernandes

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

In this study, we examined the effect of CLA isomers in preventing age-associated muscle loss and the mechanisms underlying this effect, using 12-months-old C57BL/6 mice fed 10% corn oil (CO) or a diet supplemented with 0.5% c9t11-CLA, t10c12-CLA, or c9t11-CLA+t10c12-CLA (CLA-mix) for 6 months. Both t10c12-CLA and CLA-mix groups showed significantly higher muscle mass, as compared to CO and c9t11-CLA groups, measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and muscle wet weight. Enhanced mitochondrial ATP production, with higher membrane potential, and elevated muscle antioxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathione peroxidase) production, accompanied by slight increase in H2O2 production was noted in t10c12-CLA and …

Evaluating The Effects Of Exergaming On Physical Activity Among Inactive Children In A Physical Education Classroom, Victoria A. Fogel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Childhood obesity is a serious concern that requires the attention of the behavioral community. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2007) recommends that children engage in physical activity for 60 minutes per day. Children spend the majority of their day in school, making school an ideal environment to increase the opportunity for physical activity. Simple, straightforward interventions that can be applied in the school setting, which take into consideration the environment and focus on maintenance by making the process of engaging in physical activity reinforcing, are greatly needed. Video games have been noted in the literature as a …

Speleo Spiel, No. 372, May-June 2009, Alan Jackson

Speleo Spiel

Contents: Regular Bits -- Trip Reports -- Other Exciting Stuff

List, Presidents, Altrusa International Of Tampa Bay, 1953-2009, Altrusa International Of Tampa Bay, Inc.

Altrusa International of Tampa Bay, Inc. - Records

A chronological list of the Presidents of the Altrusa Club of Tampa, from 1953-2009.

The Neuron-Silicon Carbide Interface: Biocompatibility Study And Bmi Device Development, Christopher L. Frewin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Damage to the central nervous system (CNS) leads to the generation of an immune response which culminates with the encapsulation of the damaged area. The encapsulation, known as a glial scar, essentially breaks neural signal pathways and blocks signal transmissions to and from the CNS. The effect is the loss of motor and sensory control for the damaged individual. One method that has been used successfully to treat this problem is the use of a brain-machine interface (BMI) which can intercept signals from the brain and use these signals to control a machine. Although there are many types of BMI …

Florida Sentinel Bulletin, May 22, 2009, Gwen Hayes

Florida Sentinel Bulletin Collection

The May 22, 2009, issue of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin.

Florida Sentinel Bulletin, May 15, 2009, Gwen Hayes

Florida Sentinel Bulletin Collection

The May 15, 2009, issue of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin.

Examining An Acute Environmental Trigger For Dysfunctional Eating: Measuring The Immediate Impact Of Fat Disparagement Media Exposure And Its Effects On Body Dissatisfaction, Negative Affect, Weight Control Practice Intentions, And Sub-Clinical Binge Eating Behavior In College Women, Susan Himes

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Binge eating is a maladaptive eating practice associated with unhealthy weight control methods (vomiting, laxative abuse) and the development of weight gain and obesity. Isolating psychological and environmental variables that trigger binge eating can prevent or potentially moderate eating disturbance. Previous research implicates media exposure as an environmental contributor to psychological and eating disturbance. The current study sought to uncover whether fat stigmatization media exposure is an acute environmental trigger for psychological disturbance and binge initiation by dismantling fat media messages and experimentally manipulating messages. Undergraduate women (N=197) were assigned to one of four media message conditions: a fat negative …

Ecological Footprints In Monteverde, Costa Rica, May 2009, Sarah Ory

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

In this study I calculated the Ecological Footprints of community members in three areas in the zone of Monteverde, Costa Rica. The three areas that I studied were San Luis/ Cañitas, Santa Elena/ Cerro Plano, and Monteverde. I presented a survey of 21 questions regarding a person’s environmental impacts in rural communities and more urban communities. I assessed the difference in Ecological Footprints, Carbon Footprints, Food Footprints, Housing Footprints, and Goods and Services Footprints between the three communities and determined no statistically significant differences. The mean Ecological Footprint in San Luis/ Cañitas was 8.12, Santa Elena/ Cerro Plano was 8.44, …

Ant-Plant Coevolution: A Systematic Evaluation Of The Myrmelachista Haberi (Formicinae) And Ocotea Sp. (Lauraceae) Symbiosis, May 2009, Murtaza Paghdiwala

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

I have evaluated the relationship between Myrmelachista haberi and Ocotea sp. (Los Llanos) to provide definitive evidence supporting the nature of the symbiosis and possible explanations in terms of co-evolutionary history. This interaction has been described in terms of benefit to the ant-domatia and nutrition via phloem-feeder farming – but benefits from the plants perspective have gone largely unstudied. McNett (2009) attempted to quantify the nature of the relationship by monitoring the uptake and movement of stable isotopes through each of the three participating species. This study found that nutrients do not transfer between the organisms, but left the possibilities …

The Effects Of Cecropia Obtusifolia And Cecropia Polyphlebia On Lung Capacity In Relation To Alkaloid Concentration, May 2009, Mai Lee Xiong

Monteverde Institute: Tropical Ecology and Conservation

For centuries, people have depended on nature to alleviate their ailments. A popular natural remedy for asthma is the use of Cecropia adenopus (Rivero 2008). In this study, I looked at two Cecropia spp., C. obtusifolia and C. polyphlebia, found in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Cecropia obtusifolia is found at lower elevation and has a mutualism with Azteca ants while C. polyphlebia is found at higher elevation in the Cloud Forest with no ant mutualism. A previous study by Ross (2003) found that ingestion of C. obtusifolia leaf decoction increased lung capacity by three to four percent compared to a placebo …

Communicating Spirituality, Dying And A “Good Death” At The End-Of-Life: The Role Of Hospice Interdisciplinary Team Members, Jillian A. Tullis Owen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hospices use interdisciplinary teams to aid patients and families as they cope with the imminence of death while helping them achieve a death free of physical and spiritual pain, also known as a good death. This study investigated the communication between hospice team members and their patients regarding spirituality, dying, death and a good death. Through 300 hours of participant observation and interviews with hospice staff at one large not-for-profit hospice in the Southeastern United States this project shows that team members understand patient's spirituality through a religious frame potentially compromising spiritual care. Talk between patients and their care …

The Weekly Challenger, April 30, 2009, The Weekly Challenger, Et Al

Weekly Challenger Newspaper Collection

The April 30, 2009, issue of The Weekly Challenger.

Praxis And Theōria: Heidegger’S “Violent” Interpretation, Megan E. Altman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper attempts to mark out new ground in the connections between the philosophical writings of Martin Heidegger and Aristotle by posing an interesting question that has never been addressed. Both writers devote much of their early thoughts to questions concerning human beings' practical ways of understanding. However, in their later thoughts Heidegger and Aristotle suddenly seem to completely change the subject to ideal or transcendental ways of understanding. At first glance these ideal modes of human apprehension seem to have nothing to do with each other. Yet, Heidegger and Aristotle seem to have similar motives for turning away from …

The Preference Of Protein Powders Among Adult Males And Females: A Protein Powder Taste Study, Joshua Manter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Protein is essential in one's diet because it is an important component in many organs and tissues throughout the body. Athletes ingest protein in order to stimulate protein synthesis and increase lean muscle mass. In order to assist with obtaining adequate amounts of protein, athletes and bodybuilders purchase supplemental protein in the form of protein powders. Protein metabolism and digestion play key roles in this because if the protein is not metabolized or digested effectively, then those who are wishing to gain fat free mass will not be successful. A high quality protein will be digested, metabolized, and directed towards …

Examining The Title X Family Planning Program’S (Public Law 91-572) Legislative History Through A Feminist Lens: A Thematic Analysis And Oral Histories With Key Stakeholders In Florida, Cheryl A. Vamos

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Title X Family Planning Program (Public Law 91-572), enacted by President Richard Nixon in 1970, provides federal funds for voluntary, confidential family planning services to all women, regardless of their age or economic status. This federal legislation aspired to prevent unintended pregnancies and poor birth outcomes to those in most need. However, over the past three decades, Title X has faced political, financial and social challenges. Despite its enormous success in improving the health and well-being of women and children by decreasing unintended pregnancies, the need for abortions and providing key comprehensive preventive services, without a newfound political will …

Digging It: A Participatory Ethnography Of The Experiences At A School Garden, Branimir Cvetkovic

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This case study of a school garden focuses on concepts of community that are fostered and embodied at this setting. By utilizing participatory ethnographic methodologies, this research explored gemeinschaft and gesellschaft concepts of community. Data reveals that students are able to learn mastery, belonging, generosity and independence while participating in the garden work. Teachers manage students who attempt to challenge the boundaries of this community by utilizing and ethic of care which allows teachers to de-emphasize authority and to first consider the networks of relationships and how to mend and improve them. Students are able to experience governmentality and an …

“The Best We Can With What We Got”: Mediating Social And Cultural Capital In A Title I School, Jarin Rachel Eisenberg

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined teachers' perceptions and attitudes of Title I students at an urban elementary school in which over 90% of the student population receives free or reduced-priced lunch. Using participant observation and in-depth interviews, this research analyzed three avenues for Title I students to acquire cultural and social capital at school: material and non-material resources, language acquisition, and the building of positive teacher-student relationships. In order to analyze these avenues, this study explored the following questions: How do teachers talk about and perceive Title I students? Do their attitudes and the images constructed from these perceptions impact students' ability …

Can Colored Dissolved Organic Material Protect Coral Reefs By Reducing Exposure To Ultraviolet Radiation?, Lore Michele Ayoub

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Although mass coral bleaching events are generally triggered by high seawater temperatures, experiments have demonstrated that corals and reef-dwelling foraminifers bleach more readily when exposed to high energy, short wavelength solar radiation (blue, violet and ultraviolet [UVR]: Lambda ~ 280 - 490 nm). In seawater, colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), also called gelbstoff, preferentially absorbs these shorter wavelengths, which consequently bleach and degrade the CDOM. Alteration of watersheds and destruction of coastal wetlands have reduced natural sources of CDOM to reefal waters.

I tested the null hypothesis that CDOM does not differ between reefs that differ in coral health, …

A Proposal For A Student Office For Sustainability And Awareness, Frank Michael Malatesta

Grace Allen Scholars Theses

The environment has been neglected for too much of the history of industrialized society, Only now, after much damage has occurred, are nations beginning to support environmentally friendly policies and initiatives. Despite the effort, the need for change has not hit the all of thepopulation with a "Jolt." One of the best places to develop a sustainability mindset is at the University level. Universities must lead the example as the focal points of their respective communities and as the training grounds for the leaders of tommorrow. Currently, the University of South Florida falls short in the endeavor. The University lacks …

Ontological Destruction: Genocide And Canadian Aboriginal Peoples, Andrew Woolford

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

The impact of colonialism on Aboriginal groups in Canada is often described as ‘‘cultural genocide’’ or ‘‘ethnocide.’’ In contrast, this article offers a re-reading of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) that is sensitive to Aboriginal understandings and experiences of group life and group destruction. Through this re-reading, it is argued that genocide must be understood in a culturally contextualized manner so as to avoid modernist and Eurocentric biases. Only by opening up the conception of genocide will we be able to contend adequately with Canadian Aboriginal experiences of colonialism.