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Multi-Scale Patch Dynamics Of Coral Communities: A Cross-Caribbean Investigation Using A Landscape Ecology Approach, Brittany Huntington
Multi-Scale Patch Dynamics Of Coral Communities: A Cross-Caribbean Investigation Using A Landscape Ecology Approach, Brittany Huntington
Open Access Dissertations
The overarching objective of this dissertation was to improve our knowledge of the relationship between seascape heterogeneity and diversity of stony coral assemblages across spatial scales. Coral communities on patch reefs in three regions of the Caribbean were used as a model system to investigating this relationship because patch reef heterogeneity could be readily quantified within the seascape using remote sensing and image analysis techniques. I began with a theoretical approach, exploring the origins of observed species diversity among coral communities at increasing spatial scales. Hierarchical sampling and null models revealed that coral diversity was governed by non-random processes at …
Translational Regulation Of Acetylcholinesterase By The Rna Binding Protein Pumilio-2 At The Neuromuscular Synapse, Emilio Marrero
Translational Regulation Of Acetylcholinesterase By The Rna Binding Protein Pumilio-2 At The Neuromuscular Synapse, Emilio Marrero
Open Access Dissertations
In skeletal muscle acetylcholinesterase AChE is highly expressed at sites of nerve-muscle contact where it is regulated at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Scientists have elucidated many aspects of synaptic AChE structure, function, and localization during the past 80 years. However our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulation is incomplete, but it appears to involve both translational and post-translational events as well. We found that Pumilio-2 (PUM2), an RNA binding translational repressor, is highly localized at the neuromuscular junction where AChE mRNA concentrates and that PUM2 binds to the AChE transcripts when immoprecipitation studies were performed. A …
Characterization Of The Pseudouridine Synthase Trud Family, Claudia C. Recinos
Characterization Of The Pseudouridine Synthase Trud Family, Claudia C. Recinos
Open Access Dissertations
RNA contains over 100 post-transcriptional chemical modifications. Of these, the most abundant is pseudouridine (Ψ), the 5’ ribosyl isomer of uridine. The formation of Ψ occurs at the polynucleotide level, and is catalyzed by Ψ synthase enzymes. To date, five families of Ψ synthases have been identified. Our work deals with the fifth and last family to be discovered, the Ψ synthase TruD family. TruD homologs are present in organisms across the three kingdoms of life. A sequence alignment of TruD homologs reveals distinct sequence insertions at specific and conserved locations in homologs from higher organisms. We have carried out …
The Mechanism Of Neuroprotection Mediated By Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Adenylyl Transferase (Nmnat), Yousuf O. Ali
The Mechanism Of Neuroprotection Mediated By Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Adenylyl Transferase (Nmnat), Yousuf O. Ali
Open Access Dissertations
Neurons need to be maintained to persist throughout adulthood for proper brain function. However neuronal activity, injury and aging exert physical stress on the nervous system, which compromise nervous system function. Healthy neurons are able to maintain their integrity throughout the lifespan of the animal, suggesting the existence of a maintenance mechanism that allows neurons to sustain or even repair damage. A forward genetic screening in Drosophila identified mutations in a gene called nmnat that cause a rapid and severe neurodegeneration immediately post neuronal differentiation and development. NMNAT protein was required to maintain neuronal integrity in an activity-dependent manner. When …
Overcoming Glial-Derived Inhibition Of Regeneration In Cns Neurons: From Novel Compounds To Novel Uses For Fda-Approved Compounds, Andrea L. Johnstone
Overcoming Glial-Derived Inhibition Of Regeneration In Cns Neurons: From Novel Compounds To Novel Uses For Fda-Approved Compounds, Andrea L. Johnstone
Open Access Dissertations
Trauma to the central nervous system (CNS) results in an irreversible disruption of axon tracts, often leading to lifelong functional deficits. Despite a large body of research into the mechanisms that underlie the lack of axonal regeneration after CNS injury, there are currently no effective treatments. One major obstacle involves the presence at injury sites of CNS growth-inhibitory molecules, such as myelin proteins and astrocyte-derived chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), which act as environmental barriers to axonal regeneration. Our lab recently described the identification and characterization of a novel compound, F05, which promotes growth on inhibitory substrates in vitro. I show …
Correlates Of Self-Efficacy To Disclose Injection Drug Use To Hiv Primary Care Providers Among A Sample Of Hiv Seropositive Injection Drug Users, Yves Jeanty
Open Access Dissertations
This dissertation sought to identify correlates of perceived self-efficacy to disclose drug use to one’s HIV primary care provider (DISDR) among a sample of HIV-positive injection drug users (IDUs). Additionally the relationship between identified correlates and DISDR was evaluated to determine whether it persists longitudinally. Potential correlates consisted of individual characteristics (socio-demographic), health care service utilization, sex/drug use behaviors, and psychosocial characteristics. It was postulated that selected variables from these domains would be associated with DISDR. This study presents baseline and longitudinal data that suggest a positive association between self-efficacy to disclose injection drug use to one’s HIV primary care …
Spatial Dynamics Of Coral Populations In The Florida Keys, Dione W. Swanson
Spatial Dynamics Of Coral Populations In The Florida Keys, Dione W. Swanson
Open Access Dissertations
Coral reef degradation has been observed worldwide over the past few decades resulting in significant decreases in coral cover and abundance. However, there has not been a clear framework established to address the crucial need for more sophisticated understanding of the fundamental ecology of corals and their response to environmental stressors. Development of a quantitative approach to coral population ecology that utilizes formal, well established principles of fishery systems science offers a new framework to address these issues. The goal of this dissertation is to establish a quantitative foundation for assessment of coral reefs by developing some essential ecological and …
Assessment Of South Florida's Bonefish Stock, Michael F. Larkin
Assessment Of South Florida's Bonefish Stock, Michael F. Larkin
Open Access Dissertations
Florida’s recreational bonefish fishery generates substantial economic benefits to the region; however, the resource has never been adequately assessed to determine standard benchmarks for sustainability. The situation offered a unique opportunity to address unresolved issues in sustainability for a valuable recreational fishery that is almost exclusively catch and release. The goal of this dissertation was three-fold: (1) to develop a comprehensive framework for conducting rigorous stock assessments on recreational catch-and-release fisheries; (2) to apply these methods to the Florida bonefish fishery to compare results against internationally-recognized sustainable fishery benchmarks; and, (3) provide recommendations for longer-term assessment strategies and management efforts. …
A Novel Multifunctional Photocatalytic Oxidation (Pco) Gel Preventing Mold/Mildew Growth And Volatile Organic Compound (Voc) Emission, Yao Gao
Open Access Dissertations
With the increasing time people spend indoors, the indoor environment quality draws more and more attention. The concentration of indoor pollutants is usually much higher than outdoors, in which volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and mold/mildew are both major pollutants and cause many health problems to residents. Efforts devoted from academy and industry to protecting people from indoor environment problems are apparently not sufficient. Photocatalysts, such as TiO2, WO and ZnO, can absorb light photons and react with O2 and H2O to generate highly oxidative radicals, which can oxidize VOCs and disinfect microorganisms. Recently, this photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) technology has been …
Growing Out Of Adolescence: Conceptions Of Adulthood, Close Relationships, And Health Behaviors Of Emerging Adults With Hiv, Olivia Hsin
Open Access Dissertations
Objective: The current study examined conceptions of adulthood, close personal relationships, and health behaviors (dietary intake, substance use, sexual behaviors) of emerging adults aged 18-30 with horizontally-infected HIV. Emerging adults were expected to differ in levels of achievement of adulthood tasks. The quality of close relationships, and perceptions of close friends’ behaviors were hypothesized to be associated with health behaviors. Method: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, 48 emerging adults with HIV (64.6% female; M age = 22.59, SD = 3.17) from a youth-based clinic serving most of Miami-Dade County were recruited. Participants completed measures on markers of adulthood, close friend and …
Communication Deviance, Expressed Emotion, And Family Cohesion In Schizophrenia, Radha G. Carlson
Communication Deviance, Expressed Emotion, And Family Cohesion In Schizophrenia, Radha G. Carlson
Open Access Dissertations
Although schizophrenia is a biologically-based disorder, environmental stress (including stress within familial relationships) plays a major role in the onset and maintenance of symptoms. This study examined family variables that have implications for psychotherapeutic treatment of schizophrenia. Previous research has found Communication Deviance (CD), Expressed Emotion (EE), and family cohesion (FC) to be related to symptom severity. However, the exact nature of the relationship between these constructs is unclear. The current study tested a model whereby the tone and content of family member’s communication (EE) and the sense of family unity (FC) are hypothesized to mediate the relationship between CD …
Fitness Dependent Dispersal In Intraguild Predation Communities, Daniel P. Ryan
Fitness Dependent Dispersal In Intraguild Predation Communities, Daniel P. Ryan
Open Access Dissertations
A model of a three species intraguild predation community is proposed. The model is realized as a system of cross-diffusion equations which allow the intraguild prey species to adjust its motility based on local resource and intraguild predator densities. Solutions to the cross-diffusion system are shown to exist globally in time and the existence of a global attractor is proved. Abstract permanence theory is used to study conditions for coexistence in the ecological community. The case where the intraguild prey disperses randomly is compared to the case where the intraguild prey disperses conditionally on local ecological fitness and it is …
Advancement And Application Of Gas Chromatography Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Techniques For Atmospheric Trace Gas Analysis, Brian M. Giebel
Advancement And Application Of Gas Chromatography Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Techniques For Atmospheric Trace Gas Analysis, Brian M. Giebel
Open Access Dissertations
The use of gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS) for compound specific stable isotope analysis is an underutilized technique because of the complexity of the instrumentation and high analytical costs. However stable isotopic data, when coupled with concentration measurements, can provide additional information on a compounds production, transformation, loss, and cycling within the biosphere and atmosphere. A GC-IRMS system was developed to accurately and precisely measure δ13C values for numerous oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) having natural and anthropogenic sources. The OVOCs include methanol, ethanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, 2-pentanone, and 3-pentanone. Guided by the requirements for analysis of …
Innovative Methods To Determine Material Properties Of Cartilaginous Tissues And Application For Tissue Engineering, Tai-Yi Yuan
Innovative Methods To Determine Material Properties Of Cartilaginous Tissues And Application For Tissue Engineering, Tai-Yi Yuan
Open Access Dissertations
Low back pain is one of the major health concerns in the US. It affects up to 80% of the population at some time during their lives. It not only causes discomfort to patients and affects their physical ability but also has a huge economic impact on society. Although the cause of low back pain is still poorly understood, it is implicated that degeneration of the intervertebral disc is the primary factor. Currently, researchers are trying to use tissue engineering approaches to develop new treatments capable of removing the degenerated disk and replacing it with a biological substitute. However, to …
Effects Of Changes In The Everglades On Two Indicator Species: Sigmodon Hispidus And Oryzomys Palustris, Miguel Fernandes
Effects Of Changes In The Everglades On Two Indicator Species: Sigmodon Hispidus And Oryzomys Palustris, Miguel Fernandes
Open Access Dissertations
The Everglades, a wetland ecosystem unique to southern Florida has been degraded by the loss of nearly half of its area to urban and agricultural development as well as by alterations to Florida’s hydrology. Modifications to the flow of water to the Everglades have altered the remaining portion of the Everglades. Most prominent among these changes in the remaining Everglades is the loss of tree islands with a disproportionately greater loss of larger tree islands. Despite their significance as “keystone habitats”, our understanding of how changes to Everglades tree islands will affect fauna is poor. In the work presented, 16 …
A Health Empowerment Theory Approach To Pregnant Adolescents 18 And 19 Years Of Age In The Bahamas, Shirley E. Curtis
A Health Empowerment Theory Approach To Pregnant Adolescents 18 And 19 Years Of Age In The Bahamas, Shirley E. Curtis
Open Access Dissertations
In The Bahamas between the years 2,000 to 2007, the percentage of single mothers under the age of 20 years accounted for 11.3 – 12.7% of all births in the country. Mothers between the ages of 10 -14 years accounted for 0.1 – 0.4 % of all births and mothers age 15 -19 years accounted for 11.2 – 12.6% of all births during the same time period. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of empowerment among pregnant adolescents living in The Bahamas aged 18-19 years by testing the levels of autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, …
Associations Of The Oxytocin Receptor Gene (Oxtr) And Emotional Reactions To Betrayal In An Iterated Prisoner’S Dilemma, Benjamin A. Tabak
Associations Of The Oxytocin Receptor Gene (Oxtr) And Emotional Reactions To Betrayal In An Iterated Prisoner’S Dilemma, Benjamin A. Tabak
Open Access Dissertations
Recent research has shown that variation in the gene encoding for the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) contributes to individual differences in social-cognitive and emotional functioning in both clinical and non-clinical populations. OXTR has been associated with prosocial behavior, positive and negative emotionality, empathy, maternal sensitivity, and stress reactivity. To date, no study has investigated OXTR in the context of behavioral and emotional reactions to betrayals in trust. The present study examined how variation in 10 SNPs on OXTR may contribute to individual differences in behavior, emotional reactions, and perceptions following a betrayal in trust in an iterated prisoner’s dilemma game. Following …
The Relationships Among Medication And Low-Salt Diet Adherence, Beliefs About Medicines, And Psychosocial Variables Among Individuals With Heart Failure., Kristen A. Farrell
The Relationships Among Medication And Low-Salt Diet Adherence, Beliefs About Medicines, And Psychosocial Variables Among Individuals With Heart Failure., Kristen A. Farrell
Open Access Dissertations
Heart failure (HF) is a debilitating chronic illness that afflicts millions of Americans and carries a poor prognosis, likely due to insufficient medication and low-salt diet adherence, which exacerbates HF symptoms and leads to frequent rehospitalizations. Specific reasons underlying non-adherence among HF patients are unclear. Studies investigating reasons for adherence among HF patients have shown that correlates of poor adherence include demographic (i.e., age, income), functional (i.e., NYHA), and psychosocial (i.e., social support, depression) variables. Research studies among individuals with chronic diseases suggest that an individual’s beliefs about medicines may explain adherence, but this research is limited among HF patients. …
The Role Of Psychological Distress, Eating Styles, Dietary Intake, And Gender In Cardiometabolic Risk, Virginia Tai Coryell
The Role Of Psychological Distress, Eating Styles, Dietary Intake, And Gender In Cardiometabolic Risk, Virginia Tai Coryell
Open Access Dissertations
Approximately one-third of U.S. adults are at increased risk for life-threatening diseases such as atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Such individuals are considered healthy without any diagnosed cardiometabolic conditions but may have a constellation of cardiometabolic complications that include obesity, glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, and hypertriglyceridemia. When most of these preclinical conditions comorbidly occur, the condition has been referred to as metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is considered to reflect one or more early pathophysiological processes in cardiometabolic disease; however, the extent to which these complications and their underlying pathophysiology interact with behavioral factors such as stress, …
The Genetic And Functional Analysis Of The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Spectrum, Uzoezi Ozomaro
The Genetic And Functional Analysis Of The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Spectrum, Uzoezi Ozomaro
Open Access Dissertations
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the spectrum of associated conditions, affect 2-4% of the population worldwide. Although heritability studies in OCD have shown a 3 - 12 times increased risk for first degree relatives, the identification of the underlying risk-conferring genetic variation using classic genetic association studies has proven to be difficult. The possibility of a larger contribution of rare genetic variants to the risk of psychiatric disorder has been suggested by several successful studies. We expect that a spectrum of risk allele frequencies exists, which includes not only common variation but also a substantial amount of rare genetic variants that …
Preschool Predictors Of Social Problem-Solving And Their Relations To Social And Academic Adjustment In Early Elementary School, Olga Lydia Walker
Preschool Predictors Of Social Problem-Solving And Their Relations To Social And Academic Adjustment In Early Elementary School, Olga Lydia Walker
Open Access Dissertations
The current study took a multi-method approach to examine the influence of temperament on children’s social problem solving (SPS) abilities and, in turn, whether SPS skills are a mechanism through which early temperament influences later social and academic adjustment. Participants included 270 children. Maternal reports of temperament were collected when the children were 2, 3, and 4 years old. At age 5, children were observed while interacting with an unfamiliar peer during an SPS task. At age 7, children were directly assessed on their academic achievement and completed measures of social adjustment. Both reactive and self-regulatory aspects of temperament related …
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae As A Model Organism To Delineate Initial Lesion Detection Events In Chromatin Repair: A Focus On Ddb2-Mediated Gg-Ner, Kristi Lyn Jones
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae As A Model Organism To Delineate Initial Lesion Detection Events In Chromatin Repair: A Focus On Ddb2-Mediated Gg-Ner, Kristi Lyn Jones
Open Access Dissertations
DNA damage repair is an essential and complex cellular process. Although the basic mechanisms of nucleotide excision repair (NER) have been studied for decades, some mechanistic details remain elusive. The lesion detection step remains one of the most elusive in the process of NER in the contest of chromatin. The work described herein addresses the initial events in the lesion detection step of chromatin repair, also referred to as global genome repair (GG-NER). Both the role of post-translational modifications of lesion identification proteins, and the initial sequence of events in recruitment of repair and remodeling factors are investigated. First, the …
Biophysical Studies Of The Binding Of Erα Nuclear Receptor To Dna, Brian J. Deegan
Biophysical Studies Of The Binding Of Erα Nuclear Receptor To Dna, Brian J. Deegan
Open Access Dissertations
Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is a member of a family of ligand-modulated transcription factors that have come to be known as nuclear receptors. ERα mediates the action of estrogens and plays an integral role in a wide range of physiological processes ranging from embryonic development and morphogenesis to reproduction to cardiovascular health. Not surprisingly, malfunction of the estrogen system is associated with a host of pathological conditions such as osteoporosis, heart disease and most notably breast cancer. Essential to its functioning as a transcription factor are specific protein-DNA interactions which are mediated by the binding of the DNA-binding (DB) domain …
Identification Of Novel Phospholipid Related Functions Of Mitofusin 2 In Cell Models Of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease 2a, Donald S. Mccorquodale Iii
Identification Of Novel Phospholipid Related Functions Of Mitofusin 2 In Cell Models Of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease 2a, Donald S. Mccorquodale Iii
Open Access Dissertations
The mitofusin 1 and 2 (MFN and MFN2) proteins reside in the outer mitochondrial membrane and have been shown to regulate mitochondrial network architecture by mediating tethering and fusion of mitochondria. Mitochondria normally form a tubular and branched reticular network dynamically regulated by a balance of fusion and fission events. Absence of either Mfn1 or Mfn2 results in a fragmented mitochondrial network. Züchner et al. previously described mutations in the gene mitofusin 2 (MFN2) as the cause of the major autosomal-dominant, axonal form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT2A). CMT type 2 (CMT2) is characterized by chronic axonal degeneration of peripheral nerves …
Adl-Specific Versus Standard Aquatic Exercise In Older Persons, David A. Edwards
Adl-Specific Versus Standard Aquatic Exercise In Older Persons, David A. Edwards
Open Access Dissertations
With aging there is a decrease in a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) which may be most effectively addressed using training patterns that are biomechanically similar to ADL. Since aquatic exercise offers the opportunity to provide resistance with a high level of safety, the pool may afford the ideal environment for ADL-specific training in an aging population. Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to compare a traditional aquatic exercise program (TRAD) to an aquatic program tailored to target ADL (ADLspec). Methods: Eighteen independently living individuals (68.7 + 7.5 years) were randomly assigned to a TRAD …
Rip1 And Fadd's Role In Innate Immunity, Jinhee Hyun
Rip1 And Fadd's Role In Innate Immunity, Jinhee Hyun
Open Access Dissertations
Rapid production of type I Interferon is pivotal to initiate cellular antiviral host defense and adaptive immunity. In order to facilitate innate immune processes, a cell harbors pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) which sense distinctive forms of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). For example, Toll like receptors (TLRs) and RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) were discovered as PRRs for pathogen derived molecules and the production of type I Interferon (IFN). To induce type I IFN, several transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-ĸB), interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), and activating protein-1 (AP-1) need to be stimulated through …
Evidence For Opsin-Based Photosensitivity In Coral Larvae, Benjamin M. Mason
Evidence For Opsin-Based Photosensitivity In Coral Larvae, Benjamin M. Mason
Open Access Dissertations
Photosensitive behaviors and circadian rhythms are well documented in reef-building corals and their larvae, yet photoreceptive structures and opsins have not been described in these organisms. Here I provide evidence for red sensitivity in several species of coral larvae. Behavioral experiments with two Caribbean corals, Porites astreoides and Acropora palmata demonstrated that larvae settle and metamorphose at a greater frequency on red substrata than on similar substrata of other colors. Attachment to red substrata was not observed when larvae were maintained in the dark, suggesting that red sensitivity was responsible for the observed behavior. Extracellular recordings confirm photosensitivity and indicate …
Volumetric Analysis Of Brain Mri For Alzheimer’S Disease, Qian Shen
Volumetric Analysis Of Brain Mri For Alzheimer’S Disease, Qian Shen
Open Access Dissertations
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, is a gradually progressive degenerative neurological disorder that is characterized by increasing cognitive impairment, characteristic degenerative pathology and brain atrophy. Studies have shown that the progression of AD pathology in the brain develops in a predictable pattern and the pathological changes that take place in brain begin at the microscopic level long before the first signs of memory loss. Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which has exceptional soft tissue contrast and detailed resolution, is the best way to noninvasively examine changes which occur early in the course of …
Linking Hydroperiod With Water Use And Nutrient Accumulation In Wetland Tree Islands, Xin Wang
Linking Hydroperiod With Water Use And Nutrient Accumulation In Wetland Tree Islands, Xin Wang
Open Access Dissertations
Many large terrestrial ecosystems have patterned landscapes as a result of a positive feedback system between vegetation communities and environmental factors. One example is tree island habitats in the Florida Everglades. Although they only occupy a small portion of the Everglades landscape, tree islands are important features as the focus of nutrient accumulation and wildlife biodiversity in the Everglades ecosystem. The hardwood hammock community on the elevated head of tree island habitats can accumulate high phosphorus concentration in the otherwise P-limited Everglades ecosystem. In this dissertation, I examined two hypotheses derived from the chemohydrodynamic nutrient accumulation model, which suggests that …
Community And Functional Ecology Of Lianas In The Yasuní Forest Dynamics Plot, Amazonian Ecuador, Hugo Geovanny Romero-Saltos
Community And Functional Ecology Of Lianas In The Yasuní Forest Dynamics Plot, Amazonian Ecuador, Hugo Geovanny Romero-Saltos
Open Access Dissertations
I studied the community of lianas in the Yasuní Forest Dynamics Plot (YFDP), in Amazonian Ecuador. I found that species diversity of lianas in valley habitat was higher than in ridge habitat, but liana abundance was similar. I also found that community structure (species composition and their abundances) of lianas in ridge was distinct from that in valley because of the differential distribution and abundance of certain species along the topographic gradient. In an attempt to explain this phenomenon deterministically, I took two approaches: (1) to explore if trait expression of leaf-based traits, wood specific gravity and stem growth rate …