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University Of Central Florida Undergraduate Catalog, 2008 - 2009, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Agricultural Transformation And Livelihood Struggles In South Africa's Western Cape, Michaela B. Palchick

Geography Honors Projects

Agricultural Transformation and Livelihood Struggles in South Africa’s Western Cape South Africa’s post-Apartheid land reform programs redistribute previously white-owned farmland to a small percentage of blacks, and provide these new farmers with agricultural extension services that promote large-scale agriculture. Due to the national legacy of racial oppression and an international pressure for neoliberal development policies, there is scant infrastructural support for small-scale agriculture. Despite the government’s vision, most black farmers produce for local consumption because competing internationally is unfavorable, especially since the removal of agricultural subsidies in 1994. The shortcomings of the agricultural transformation program are apparent in the village …

Immigration Reform From The Outside In., Bill Piatt

The Scholar: St. Mary's Law Review on Race and Social Justice

Abstract Forthcoming.

The N-Terminal Domain Of The Y-Box Binding Protein Yb-1 Plays A Major Role In Cell Proliferation And Apoptosis, Payal Khandelwal

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Y-box binding protein, YB-1, is a member of the cold shock domain superfamily of proteins. It is involved in a plethora of cellular functions, including cell proliferation. The molecular mechanisms governing the involvement of YB-1 in cell proliferation are still unclear. Earlier studies done in chicken pre-B lymphocyte DT-40 cells in our laboratory have shown that a targeted disruption in one allele of chicken YB-1

(Chk-Yb-1b) gene at its N-terminal domain resulted in multiple abnormalities in the heterozygous mutants, including slower growth rate, abnormal cell morphology, increased cell size, increased genomic DNA content and significant changes in levels of cell …

Predictors Of Depressive And Anxiety Symptoms Among African American Hiv-Positive Women, Nina Katherine Sublette

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

This descriptive correlation study had four purposes: describe depressive and anxiety symptom levels in pregnant and non-pregnant African American (AA) HIV-positive women, examine the association between underlying vulnerabilities and depressive symptoms in HIV-positive AA women, determine the association between underlying vulnerabilities and anxiety symptoms in AA HIV-positive women, and determine the predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms among African American HIV-positive women. A convenience sample of 80 African American HIV-positive women was recruited from university-based obstetrics/-gynecology and infectious disease practices in a large metropolitan city in the Mid-South. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale …

The Structural And Functional Study Of Git1 Paxillin Binding Domain, Ziwei Zhang

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The G protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-kinase (GRK) interacting protein 1 (GIT1) is a multidomain protein that plays an important role in cell adhesion, motility, cytoskeletal remodeling, and membrane trafficking. GIT1 mediates the localization of p21-activated kinase (PAK) and PAK-interactive exchange factor (PIX) to focal adhesions, and its activation is regulated by the interaction between its C terminal paxillin-binding domain (PBD) and the LD motifs of paxillin.

In this dissertation, we determined the solution structure of rat GIT1 PBD by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The PBD folds into a four-helix bundle, which is structurally similar to the focal adhesion targeting …

To Re-Present A Stream: Stream Morphology And Environmental Art Combine Through Elementary Education, Jessica Lynn Thayer

All Theses

The interdisciplinary nature oflandscape architecture rarely occurs in our education system due to the divide b,etween the sciences and the humanities. This discipline divide is evident in the structure of school subjects from elementary school to college. By accepting the divided system, students are unknowingly affected by it and miss an opportunity for a truly interdisciplinary approach to education. As an alternative, this paper. proposes a combination of a science and a discipline of the humanities which can provide an inclusive education for students at any age. If students are taught in elementary school, not only to investigate surroundings through …

Animal-Companion Depictions In Women’S Magazine Advertising, Patricia F. Kennedy, Mary G. Mcgarvey

Department of Marketing: Faculty Publications

Via a content analysis of 1398 advertisements that include both people and pets and that appeared in women’s magazines over a period of four decades, this study examines the changing roles played by companion animals and the changes in themes used in these advertisements. Considering both the pictures and text, the study codes advertisements for themes, pet roles, whether or not the pet appears on a leash, and the physical location of the pet. These data show the movement of companion animals from outdoor protectors and companions to loved family members sharing all areas of the home with their human …

Leaf Area Index Simulation In Soybean Grown Under Near-Optimal Conditions, T. D. Setiyono, Albert Weiss, James E. Specht, Kenneth G. Cassman, A. Dobermann

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Different approaches have been used to simulate leaf area index (LAI) in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr). Many of these approaches require genotype-specific calibration procedures. Studies modeling LAI dynamics under optimal growth conditions with yields close to the yield potential of soybean have remained scarce. A sink-driven approach was developed and evaluated for LAI simulation in soybean under near-optimal environments. The rate of change in expanding leaf area was simulated using the first derivative of a logistic function accounting for plant population density, air temperature, and water deficit. The rate of change in senescing leaf area was also simulated …

Artificial Neural Network Estimation Of Soil Erosion And Nutrient Concentrations In Runoff From Land Application Areas, Minyoung Kim, John E. Gilley

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The transport of sediment and nutrients from land application areas is an environmental concern. New methods are needed for estimating soil and nutrient concentrations of runoff from cropland areas on which manure is applied. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) trained with a backpropagation (BP) algorithm were used to estimate soil erosion, dissolved P (DP) and NH₄–N concentrations of runoff from a land application site near Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Simulation results from ANN-derived models showed that the amount of soil eroded is positively correlated with rainfall and runoff. In addition, concentrations of DP and NH₄–N in overland flow …

Cellular Arrays (Us Patent Application), Angela K. Pannier, Eric A. Ariazi, V. Craig Jordan, Lonnie D. Shea

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The present invention relates to characterizing transcription within cells. In particular, the present invention provides transfected cell arrays (e.g., two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional arrays) and systems, kits and methods utilizing the same (e.g., for transcriptional activity characterization). Compositions and methods of the present invention find use in, among other things, research, drug discovery and clinical (e.g., diagnostic, preventative and therapeutic) applications.

Apoptosis And Eosinophils. Regulation And Clinical Relevance, Faris Q Alenzi،

Saudi Medical Journal

Apoptosis, or program cell death, is a process of fundamental biological importance, and eosinophil apoptosis is believed to be the primary mechanism for removing eosinophils from the lung followed by their recognition and phagocytosis by macrophages or resident bronchial epithelial cells. There is, therefore, an increased interest in the fundamental role of the signals and intracellular signaling molecules that initiate and control apoptosis in human eosinophils though much remains to be established. This article reviews briefly the cross talks between apoptosis and eosinophils and summarizes the recent developments in this field.

The Effect Of Paclitaxel On Rats Following Benzoapyrene Treatment, Didem Cosan, Ayse Basaran, Irfan Degirmenci, Hasan V. Gunes, Erinc Aral

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of paclitaxel on rats that received benzoapyrene. METHODS: In this study, 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 2-month-old were used, which were housed at the Medical Biology Department of Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey in 2006. Urine, blood, liver, and kidney tissue samples of Sprague Dawley rats treated with benzoapyrene and paclitaxel were examined in our study. Biochemical data were evaluated on urine and blood samples, and liver and kidney tissue samples were investigated by light microscopy. RESULTS: Superoxide dismutase, catalase activities, and malondialdehyde values in the group which received benzoapyrene were significantly different than the …

Physiological Effects Of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Immunocontraception On White-Tailed Deer, Paul D. Curtis, Milo E. Richmond, Lowell A. Miller, Fred W. Quimby

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Before immunocontraceptives can be considered safe to use on wildlife species, potential health risks should be assessed. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) immunocontraceptive has successfully reduced fertility of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus); however, associated deer physiology has rarely been examined. We conducted gross necropsy examinations, histology, and blood chemistry comparisons on euthanized deer previously vaccinated with immunogenic GnRH (n = 18 females and n = 4 males), or left as untreated controls (n = 7 females and n = 6 males). Granulomas were found at injection sites of most deer, even 3 years post-treatment. There were no significant differences in …

Gnrh Immunocontraception Of Male And Female White-Tailed Deer Fawns, Lowell A. Miller, James P. Gionfriddo, Jack C. Rhyan, Kathleen A. Fagerstone, Donald C. Wagner, Gary J. Killian

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Immunocontraceptive vaccines based on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) have been tested in adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), but their effects on fawns are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if early immunization against GnRH would induce a long-lasting immune response in fawns, and if it would delay or prevent sexual development. We gave primary and subsequent booster injections of a KLH-GnRH/Freund’s vaccine to 6 male and 6 female fawns. This vaccine contained the same active ingredients as GonaCon™ vaccine, but it contained Freund’s adjuvant instead of AdjuVac™ adjuvant. Two 450-μg injections were given 1 month apart …

Crazy Or Hungry: Oral Accounts Of Continuity And Change In A Mississippi Gulf Coast Commercial Fishing Fleet, Natalie Brooke Roberts Cruthirds

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

A Natural History, Jessica Marquez

Theses

A Natural History is an installation that creates the atmosphere of a miniature museum and has as its focus familial, autobiographical content. This “museum” appropriates its format from the ethnographic museum and cabinets of curiosities, which provide an institutional gaze and appeal to a sensibility of imagination and wonder. Major themes addressed include the public and private collection, art and science, and systems of ordering. Exploring these themes offers a means to visualize concepts of identity and memory. To make tangible that which is ephemeral, such as the past, identity and memory, I use objects, images and words as mimetic …

The Ephemeral Form And Objects Of Inspection, Desireé Rose Schanding

Theses

The series The Ephemeral Form is my attempt to communicate the ways in which women are similar in order to empower women so that they may overcome their differences creating a way for more open communication. This series of prints explore the notion of femaleness from a personal perspective and aesthetic. The main subject in each piece is the female torso as a static figure or a figure in motion. There is a specimen-like quality to the images as well as direct references to medieval panel paintings. Within each image the torso of the female is transparent revealing the biology …

Elucidating The Functional Role Of Nitric-Oxide In Bacillus Subtilis By Proteomic Analysis, Erin R. Treece

Theses

A Nitric-oxide synthase-like (NOS) protein has been found to be present in several Gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis. NOS generates nitric-oxide from the amino acid L-arginine via the stable intermediate N-hydroxy-L-arginine. The function of NO production in Gram-positive bacteria has not yet been elucidated, but studies indicate a function in signal transduction. In this study, a proteomic approach is used to examine the physiological role of NO in the Gram-positive model bacteria, B. subtilis. Protein profiles obtained from two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of cells grown in the presence of aminoguanidine, a known NOS inhibitor, revealed the downregulation of three proteins via …

Semi-Automated Dirsig Scene Modeling From 3d Lidar And Passive Imagery, Stephen R. Lach

Theses

The Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) model is an established, first-principles based scene simulation tool that produces synthetic multispectral and hyperspectral images from the visible to long wave infrared (0.4 to 20 microns). Over the last few years, significant enhancements such as spectral polarimetric and active Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) models have also been incorporated into the software, providing an extremely powerful tool for multi-sensor algorithm testing and sensor evaluation. However, the extensive time required to create large-scale scenes has limited DIRSIG’s ability to generate scenes ”on demand.” To date, scene generation has been a laborious, …

Retiring Hitler And “Appeasement” From The National Security Debate, Jeffrey Record

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Book Reviews, Parameters Editors

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Lost For Words: The Intelligence Community’S Struggle To Find Its Voice, Josh Kerbel

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

Reflections On Leadership, Robert Gates

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Children's Gender On Living Arrangements And Child Support, Kristin Mammen

Publications and Research

Previous evidence suggests that the gender composition of a family's children--specifically, the presence of sons--affects a number of parental behaviors, including marriage formation, marriage disruption, and living arrangements. Using the March Current Population Survey from 1988 to 2006, this paper examines whether girls are at a double disadvantage in terms of living in single mother homes, and in the likelihood of receiving child support from absent fathers. The findings show that girls are indeed more likely to live in single mother homes and boys are overrepresented in married parent homes with a father or stepfather, and in single father families. …

Narrow Grass Hedge Effects On Nutrient Transport Following Compost Application, John E. Gilley, Bahman Eghball, David B. Marx

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The placement of stiff‐stemmed grass hedges on the contour along a hillslope has been shown to decrease nutrient transport in runoff. This study was conducted to measure the effectiveness of a narrow grass hedge in reducing runoff nutrient transport from plots with a range of soil nutrient values. Composted beef cattle manure was applied at dry weights of 0, 68, 105, 142, and 178 Mg ha^-1 to a silty clay loam soil and then incorporated by disking. Soil samples were collected 243 days later for analysis of water‐soluble phosphorus (WSP), Bray and Kurtz No. 1 phosphorus (Bray‐1 P), NO …

The Illusion Of Substance: Why Rapanos V. United States And Its Resulting Regulatory Guidance Do Not Significantly Limit Federal Regulation Of Wetlands, Samuel P. Bickett

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Childless Women In The Plays Of William Inge, Tennessee Williams, And Edward Albee, Suzanne Macdonald Winkel

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is an examination of three major twentieth-century American playwrights—William Inge, Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee—and their dramatic use of childless women characters in Come Back, Little Sheba (1950), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955), and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962) respectively. Although the plays of Inge, Williams, and Albee have been analyzed individually by numerous scholars, they have not been studied together as works about procreation and childlessness. The study's historical focus is the post World War II era during which time the three plays proposed for analysis were written and produced. Commonly called the baby boom …

Measuring The Oxygen Consumption Of Plethodon Hubrichti And P. Cinereus To Find The Metabolic Cause Of Range Limitation Of P. Hubrichti: The Closed Respirometer And The Oxygen Probe, Alisha W. Walker

Senior Honors Theses

The Peaks of Otter area, a mountainous region of the central piedmont of Virginia, varies in elevation from 152 m to 1280 m. Plethodon cinereus is a salamander that is found at all elevations in this area. Plethodon hubrichti is a salamander that is found only at elevations above 600 m. It has been suggested that metabolism is the cause for the range limitation of P. hubrichti at lower elevations. The metabolism of salamanders can be determined by measuring oxygen consumption. Two apparati were evaluated to measure the oxygen consumption of these two salamander species at different temperatures to test …

Correlates Of C-Reactive Protein Levels In Young Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study Of 3827 Subjects In Brazil, Aydin Nazmi, I. O. Oliveira, Cesar G. Victora

Food Science and Nutrition

The socio-demographic, behavioral and anthropometric correlates of C-reactive protein levels were examined in a representative young adult Brazilian population. The 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study (Brazil) recruited over 99% of births in the city of Pelotas that year (N = 5914). Individuals belonging to the cohort have been prospectively followed up. In 2004-2005, 77.4% of the cohort was traced, members were interviewed and 3827 individuals donated blood. Analyses of the outcome were based on a conceptual model that differentiated confounders from potential mediators. The following independent variables were studied in relation to levels of C-reactive protein in sex-stratified analyses: skin …