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Vocal And Instrumental Musicians: Electrophysiologic And Psychoacoustic Analysis Of Pitch Discrimination And Production, Dee Adams Nikjeh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Neurological evidence indicates that instrumental musicians experience changes in the auditory system following skill acquisition and sensory training; yet, little is known about auditory neural plasticity in formally trained vocal musicians. Furthermore, auditory pitch discrimination and laryngeal control are recognized as essential skills for vocal musicians; however, the relationship between physiological variables, perceptual abilities, and vocal production is unclear. Electrophysiologic and psychoacoustic measures were used to examine pitch production accuracy as well as pre-attentive and active pitch discrimination between nonmusicians and two classes of musicians. Participants included 40 formally trained musicians (19 vocalists/21 instrumentalists) and 21 nonmusician controls. All were …

Thermal Analyses Of Hydrophilic Polymers Used In Nanocomposites And Biocompatible Coatings, Kadine Mohomed

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSRACT: This research focuses on two hydrophilic polymers that form hydrogels when they sorb water: Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and Poly(2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate) (PDHPMA). Present work in the field obviated the need to properly characterize the thermal and dielectric properties of these materials.The dielectric permittivity, e', and the loss factor, e", of dry poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and poly(2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate) were measured using a dielectric analyzer in the frequency range of 0.1Hz to 100 kHz and between the temperature range of -150 °C to 275°C. The dielectric response of the sub-Tg gamma transition of PHEMA has been widely studied before but little to no …

Investigating The Fouling Behavior Of Reverse Osmosis Membranes Under Different Operating Conditions, Dhananjaya P. Niriella

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation describes the investigation of the fouling of a reverse osmosis membrane under different operating conditions. A mass transfer model to predict the permeate flux decline is defined. These studies used kaolin clay and bentonite clay as the fouling particles. As the membranes, thin film Low fouling Composite 1 polyamide reverse osmosis flat sheet membranes were used. Baseline experiments using only kaolin in D.I. water were conducted. At an operating pressure of approximately 1,380 kPa, no flux decline was observed. These results established the effects of a membrane-particle interaction. For the fouling experiments with kaolin clay, experiments show a …

Coral Reef Habitat Change And Water Clarity Assessment (1984-2002) For The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Using Landsat Satellite Data, David A. Palandro

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The decline of coral reef habitats has been witnessed on a global scale, with some of the most dramatic decline occurring in the florida keys. as remote sensing can provide a synoptic view of coral reef ecosystems, 28 landsat images (1984-2002) were utilized to study water clarity and habitat change. first, the data were used to derive the diffuse attenuation coefficient (kd, m-1), a measure of water clarity, for 29 sites throughout the florida keys national marine sanctuary (fknms). landsat-derived kd values from bands 1 (blue) and 2 (green) provided useful information for 26 of 29 sites, whereas band 3 …

Distribution And Habitat Characterization Of The Florida Burrowing Owl In Non-Urban Areas, Mark S. Mueller

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The full geographic distribution and habitat use of the Florida Burrowing Owl, a state "Species of Special Concern," is not well-understood, particularly in remote, non-urban areas. This thesis aimed to expand and improve knowledge about non-urban burrowing owls. We first compiled databases of historic sighting observations. Fieldwork verified and updated existing breeding observation point records and also yielded new breeding locations. Using a GIS, we characterized observed land use, landcover, relevant soil attributes, projected future land use and managed area status for selected points. We quantified landcover within biologically-determined buffer distances around burrows from our own field-verified records. Using standard …

Altered Features Of Female Pigeons (Columba Livia) Elicit Preference Behavior In Male Pigeons, Tadd B. Patton

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has shown that male pigeons (Columba livia) respond with courtship displays to video playbacks of a female pigeon indicating that they 'recognize' the female as a potential mate. Courtship displays significantly decline when the head region of the female is occluded (Shimizu, 1998) suggesting that features located within the head are important for species recognition and mate selection. However, little is known about the exact visual features necessary to elicit displays. The current study examined the preference behavior of male pigeons when given a choice between photographic images of normal looking or altered female pigeon faces. The altered-face …

The Acquisition Of Spanish Through Videoconferencing And Video-Based Lessons By Individual Fifth Graders, Annette L. Norwood

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide an in-depth examination of the language learning experiences of four fifth-grade students learning Spanish through videoconferencing and video-based lessons. This interpretive qualitative study involved intensive data collection over a period of 7 months through participant observation, audio and video recording of classes with subsequent transcription, and interviews of the students and their teachers. The following points of focus guided this research: (a) What instances of interaction and output are observed in the different instructional settings?; (b) Are patterns of change observed in learners' language production during the period under study?; (c) What …

Late Holocene Planktic Foraminiferal Assemblages From Orca Basin; Effects Of Dissolution On Faunal Assemblages, Denise D. Palmer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Studies of planktic foraminifers have been, and continue to be, very important to paleoceanographic reconstructions and are dependent on the integrity of the carbonate tests. This study investigates the methods and procedures that can be used to obtain an accurate planktic foraminifer assemblage. Samples from Orca Basin boxcore OB-BC4D were processed and examined to obtain census data on planktic foraminifers. Experimentation of the splitting technique demonstrates the method is acceptable for estimating a planktic foraminifer assemblage. The effects of a sonication step in the processing of the faunal assemblage were also examined and revealed that sonication is not recommended for …

The Science And Policy That Compels The Wetland Mitigation Of Phosphate-Mined Lands, Nejma Danielle Piagentini

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The State of Florida ranks fifth in the world's production of phosphate. The phosphate industry relies on surface mining to withdraw the phosphate ore, and this process can devastate the natural environment. One of the most impacted natural resources is wetlands. Federal laws permit the legal destruction of wetlands providing their loss is compensated by the mitigation (i.e., the restoration, creation, or enhancement) of other wetlands, but the complexity of wetland ecosystems makes the mitigation process difficult. One of the goals of this thesis is to review the established Federal, State and non-regulatory guidelines for the development and maintenance of …

The Contribution Of The Neighborhood Context To Social Disparities In Access To Health Care Among Sexually Experienced Adolescent Females, Jodi Nearns

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Access to health care is an important resource for sexually experienced adolescent females in the prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. However, a paucity of research exists regarding the extent to which social disparities in access to health care exist among this vulnerable population of adolescents, including the potential contribution of the neighborhood context. Therefore, the primary aims of this dissertation were to examine (1) the extent to which racial and socioeconomic disparities in access to health care exist among sexually experienced adolescent females, (2) the extent to which access to health care among sexually experienced …

Influence Of Solution And Surface Chemistry On Yttrium And Rare Earth Element Sorption, Kelly Ann Quinn

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The sorption behavior of yttrium and the rare earth elements (YREEs) was investigated using a variety of hydroxide precipitates over a range of solution conditions. Experiments with amorphous hydroxides of Al, Ga, and In were conducted at constant pH (~6.0) and constant ionic strength (I = 0.01 M), while YREE sorption by amorphous ferric hydroxide was examined over a range of ionic strength (0.01 M < ̲ I < ̲ 0.09 M), pH (3.9 < ̲ pH < ̲ 7.1), carbonate concentration (0 M < ̲ [CO32-]T < ̲ 150 micro-M), and temperature (10°C < ̲ T < ̲ 40°C). Sorption results were quantified via distribution coefficients, expressed as ratios of YREE concentrations between the solid and the solution, and normalized to concentrations of the sorptive solid substrate. Distribution coefficient patterns for Al, Ga, and In hydroxides were well correlated with the pattern for YREE hydrolysis.

In contrast, amorphous ferric hydroxide developed a distinct pattern that was different than those for Al, Ga, and In precipitates but similar to the pattern predicted for natural marine particles. YREE sorption was shown to …

Group Fission-Fusion Dynamics And Communication In The Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus), Ester Quintana-Rizzo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The bottlenose dolphin exhibits a fission-fusion social structure characterized by temporary associations lasting from minutes to hours. Although social structure has been described for some dolphin communities, the selective pressures affecting fission-fusion patterns and their consequences on dolphin communication are not well understood. The goals of the present study were three-fold: 1) to quantify the rate with which fission-fusion occurred and identify the selective pressures influencing an individual's decision to leave and join a temporary group; 2) to examine the communication signals produced during temporary separations; and 3) to estimate the distances over which dolphins could remain in acoustic contact …

Mode Of Action And Structure­Activity Studies Of N­Alkylthio B­Lactams And N­Alkylthio­2­Oxazolidinones, And Synthesis Of Second­Generation Disulfide Inhibitors Of B­Ketoacyl­ Acyl Carrier Protein Synthase Iii (Fabh) As Potent Antibacterial Agents, Kevin David Revell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Work in the Turos group over the past five years has focused on the development of N-alkylthio beta-lactams, which show antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus (including MRSA), Bacillus, and others. These compounds do not function in the manner of the traditional beta-lactam antibiotics, but were thought to undergo an intracellular thiol-transfer to coenzyme A. In expanding the SAR of these novel compounds, it was found that N-alkylthio-2-oxazolidinones also exhibit antibacterial activity. Although CoA acts as the thiol-redox buffer in the genera most susceptible to the N-alkylthio beta-lactams, studies on Coenzyme A disulfide reductase (CoADR) show that the redox buffer is not …

Characterization Of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus By Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis, Multilocus Sequence Typing, And Staphylococcal Protein A Sequencing: Establishing A Strain Typing Database, Jill Carolyne Roberts

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Staphylococcus aureus has long been recognized as a leading cause of nosocomial infection. However, several recent publications have demonstrated this pathogen as the cause of community-acquired severe wound infections and necrotizing pneumonia in otherwise healthy individuals. These highly virulent endemic clones have been reported in several locations in the United States and Canada. The rapid spread of the organism, the ability of certain clones to cause serious infection, and the antibiotic resistance of the endemic clones, illustrates the importance of infection control measures. In this study we examined three S. aureus typing techniques; pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing …

Effects Of Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus) Translocation On Movements, Reproductive Activity, And Body Condition Of Resident And Translocated Individuals In Central Florida, Susannah Christina Riedl

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Human-caused destruction of xeric habitats in Florida that support gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus Daudin) is occurring at a rapid rate. One conservation strategy that has been used for numerous taxa is translocation. The effects of translocation on the health, reproductive activity, and movements of translocated and resident telemetered individuals was evaluated for a population of gopher tortoises in central-Florida from 2001 to 2004. Only one of the 13 individuals released left the site during the study. The home range estimates of resident individuals were not significantly different before and after the release of the translocated individuals on the site, and …

Women In Nontraditional Careers, Teresa Ann Roche

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In a traditional male dominated field such as construction, and automotive technology, artificial barriers and attitudes have often prevented qualified females from reaching their full potential. The late entrance of females into these fields has created very few role models for nontraditional younger females entering these professions. This study was designed to create a profile for nontraditional females working in a male dominated work force. A large percentage of females have experienced some barriers due to discrepancies in gender performance. Acceptance by peers, community and administrators, combined with the challenge of balancing family and career appears to be areas of …

Structure And Dynamics Of Heterogeneous Molecular Systems, Alfred B. Roney

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Although current classical force fields describe homogeneous single-componentsystems fairly well, they do not represent the response of an individual molecule's electronic structure to its local environment with enough detail to reliably predict atomic motions in interfacial regions such as a solvation structure or liquid surface.Since most chemical processes of non-trivial interest involve two or more dissimilar molecules interacting at a short distance, molecular models must accurately simulate the interactions between different molecular species as well as bulk behavior in order to provide useful information. Results from two simulation studies are presented to illustrate both the utility of current point-charge electrostatics …

Spin Polarization Measurements And Sensor Applications In Thin Films And Carbon Nanotube-Based Devices, Jeff T. Sanders

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show a great deal of potential for nanoelectronic devices, spintronic devices, biosensing and chemical sensing applications. Their applicability as interconnects for spintronic devices derives from their one-dimensionality and theoretically predicted preservation of spin current. In this work, we combine an investigation of spin polarization in materials such as half metallic oxides in thin film and bulk form with studies on several aspects of CNTs for sensing and spin transport applications. These two areas of study are intimately related within the umbrella of spin-electronics and nanoscale sensors that are being pursued with great topical …

Regulation Of Transcription And Analysis Of Drug Targets In Lymphoma And Myeloma Cells, Noah L. Silverman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The passage of two major hurricanes across southwest Florida (Category 5, Labor Day Hurricane of 1935; Category 4, Hurricane Donna 1960) resulted in fragmentation of mangrove forest at Big Sable Creek, Everglades National Park. Over time forest fragmentation led to forest loss and patchy conversion to unvegetated mudflats. My goal was to determine the consequence of forest fragmentation on nekton (i.e., fish and decapod crustaceans) inhabiting the intertidal zone. I used block nets across intertidal rivulets to compare nekton leaving replicate forest and unvegetated mudflat sites from October, 2002 through April 2004. Overall nekton density (individuals per 100 m3) was …

Correlates Of Weight In Adolescents: A Path Analysis, Angela T. Sheble

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the interrelationships between adolescent weight and several other variables thought to impact weight and obesity: physical activity, depressive symptoms, binge-eating symptoms, dieting, socio-economic status, special education status, gender, and ethnicity. The sample consisted of 251 high school students in rural Florida who completed measures of depression, binge-eating, dieting, and physical activity. Measurement instruments included the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-2nd Edition (RADS-2), the bulimia scale of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), the dieting scale of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and a physical activity questionnaire derived from the Youth Risk Behavior Scale for Students (YRBSS). The study …

Assessment Of Biogeochemical Deposits In Landfill Leachate Drainage Systems Phase Ii, Abdul R. Mulla Saleh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Land disposal of solid waste is a vital component of any solid waste management system. Design, operation and closure of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are required by regulations to control leachate and gases generated during the life, closure,and post-closure of the facility. Clogging of leachate drainage and removal systems in landfills is a common phenomenon and has been acknowledged in several landfills throughout the United States and abroad. This project was conducted in two phases. Phase I was completed in February of 2005 and Phase II was completed in August of 2006. Leachate characteristics data obtained in Phase I …

Heme Biosynthesis: Structure–Activity Studies Of Murine Ferrochelatase, Zhen Shi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Ferrochelatase catalyzes the terminal step of heme biosynthesis by inserting ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX. The current study is aimed at understanding the structural basis of porphyrin binding and distortion in ferrochelatase-catalyzed reaction by functional analysis of a highly conserved active site loop motif. The loop was shown to contact bound porphyrin based on crystallographic and molecular modelling observations, and its role in murine ferrochelatase was assessed by random mutagenesis and steady-state kinetic analysis. To overcome the limitations of conventional kinetic assay methods for ferrochelatase, a continuous assay was developed by monitoring porphyrin fluorescence decrease using natural substrates ferrous iron …

Holocene Climate And Hydrologic Changes Recorded In Tufa And Lacustrine Deposits In Southern Yemen, Kirk M. Sander

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tufa and lacustrine deposits are useful paleoclimate archives in reconstructing the early to middle Holocene climate and paleohydrology of southern Yemen's Wadi Idim and Wadi Sana, which are north-flowing tributaries to Wadi Hadramawt. Numerical age estimates and oxygen-isotopes are used to assess the onset and cessation of tufa formation and reconstruct the environment of lacustrine sediment deposition in the region in order to understand the broader early to middle Holocene hydrologic system.Numerical age estimates from the studied wadis show a correspondence between early to mid-Holocene humid-phase sediment deposition and the northward shift of the ITCZ, as documented in paleoclimate records …

A Novel Air Sampling And Analytical Method For Determination Of Airborne Bronopol, John Charles Smyth

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bronopol has been used as a preservative in drugs and cosmetics since 1964. Bronopol has low dermal irritancy at levels commonly used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals but it is significantly irritating at higher concentrations. Laboratory testing of bronopol indicates a low potential for dermal sensitization; however, a number of case reports demonstrate human allergenic reactions. No reports were identified on the allergenic properties of bronopol for the inhalation route of exposure. In 1983 approximately 5,200 people in the United States were occupationally exposed to bronopol. Current novel uses of bronopol include mold remediation and the sanitizing of ventilation system components. …

Preservice Teachers’ Responses To An Interactive Constructivist Model For Web-Based Learning, Cherry O. Steffen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

College and university teacher education programs are not, and should not be, exempt from the growing demand for distance education opportunities. Science teacher education is no exception to this growing demand. While there are some distance-learning courses and even complete programs for teacher education, the majority of these are offered as continuing education or post-graduate education opportunities. The number of programs offered specifically in science teacher education (either undergraduate or post-graduate) is extremely limited. Those distance-learning classes that are available for teacher education rarely reflect the instruction expected from teachers by the National Science Education Standards when they enter the …

8-Isoprostane Levels In Exhaled Breath Condensate Of Pregnant Women Compared To Non-Pregnant Women; Is There A Baseline Difference?, Rosemary Szollas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated whether or not there was an overall difference in the pulmonary oxidative marker, 8-isoprostane (PGF2-a), found in exhaled breath condensate, during pregnancy versus the non-pregnant state. The utility of this information was important secondary to the effect of maternal asthma on pregnancy and outcome, as it has been demonstrated in past studies that overall pregnant females with asthma have been shown to have an increased risk of exacerbation requiring medical intervention.The primary goal of this study sought to determine if there is a difference in PGF2a levels in the exhaled breath condensate of pregnant versus non-pregnant females. …

Considering Security In Florida’S Transportation Project Development Process, Phillip W. Stevens

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The transportation decision-making process takes on different forms in different states. The purpose of this study was to include and move considerations for national, state, and local security needs into the transportation project development arenas with a focus on Florida. A thorough and updated literature review was completed to determine the current state of the industry regarding incorporating security considerations into the transportation planning process. A review of current Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations concerning planning requirements was conducted to outline planning parameters and limitations. An information request letter was mailed to the key planning staff members for …

Icon, Representation And Virtuality In Reading The Graphic Narrative, David Steiling

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

"Icon," "representation," and "virtuality," are key elements to consider when reading multi-modal narratives, including graphic narratives. By considering in detail how these elements are realized in various examples, the author shows how the study of the comics can lay groundwork for critical reading across the technological continuum of storytelling.The author looks at how icon, representation, and virtuality interact in a reading of William Hogarth's A Harlot's Progress. He then examines each term in more detail through readings of a variety of graphic narratives including Max Ernst's, Une Semaine de Bonte, Winsor McCay's Little Nemo in Slumberland, Kurt Vonnegut's Breakfast of …

A Descriptive Study Of Students’ Perspectives On Controversial Issues Embedded In A College Environmental Science Course, Chyrisse P. Tabone

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study described non-science undergraduate majors' responses to controversial issues embedded in an introductory level environmental science course in a liberal arts college located in the southeastern United States. Participants enrolled in this 12-week summer course were both traditional college-age (late teens to early twenties) and non-traditional age student (thirties to fifties). Approximately 76 percent were female. Students demonstrated various lifestyles (e.g., gay, single-parent, living at home), socioeconomic statuses (e.g., middle-income, low income), employment (e.g., employed, unemployed, ex-military) and ethnicities. The structure of the environmental science course was consistent with the science education reform movement standards applied to K-12 …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Religiosity And Subjective Well-Being In Older Adults: The Mediating Role Of Optimism, Teri A. Trede

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The proportion of adults aged 65 and older in the United States has been increasing steadily for years. Although most would agree that this increased longevity is a remarkable achievement, there is growing concern regarding the resources that will be necessary to provide care and services for this rapidly expanding segment of the population. From a public health perspective, simply increasing longevity is no longer the ultimate outcome sought. A more pertinent goal is increasing the quality of life years, or promoting resilience and successful aging. Strategies that assist adults in delaying the onset of disability or reducing the severity …