Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating The Effects Of Beach Nourishment On Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta Caretta) Nesting In Pinellas County, Florida, Corey R. Leonard Ozan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The health of Florida's beaches are vital to the survival of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), as nearly half of the world's loggerheads nest on the states beaches. Many of the beaches utilized by the turtles have undergone nourishment projects in hopes of combating erosion of the shoreline, protecting beachfront property, and creating more suitable beaches for tourism. Although it is argued that beach nourishment benefits sea turtles by providing more nesting habitat, the effects of the Pinellas County nourishment projects on loggerhead nesting are unknown. Beach nourishment can alter the compaction, moisture content, and temperature of the sand, all …

Device Physics Of Solution Processable Solar Cells, Jason Erik Lewis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This Ph.D work reports the studies of photovoltaic devices produced by solution processable methods. Two material systems are of interest: one is based on organic semiconductors, and another on organic/inorganic hybrid composites. Specifically, organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices are made using photoactive materials consisted of a p-conjugated polymer [Poly(3-hexylthiophene), or P3HT] and fullerene derivative [phenyl-C60-butric acid methyl ester, or PCBM] in a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structure of donor/acceptor network. On the other hand, hybrid photovoltaic (HPV) devices are made from blend of quantum dots and p-conjugated polymers. The QD material presented here are of the lead sulfide (PbS), and lead selenide …

Self-Alignment Of Silicon Microparts On A Hexadecane-Water Interface By Surface Tension, Caroline Elizabeth Liberti

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mechanical assembly of systems and structures on the micro-scale can be inefficient as particles of sub-millimeter dimensions are difficult to manipulate. Cutting edge manufacturing methods implement self-assembly as an approach to ordering micro and nano-sized parts into a desired arrangement. This thesis studies a technique utilizing surface tension as a method of actuating microparts on a liquid-liquid interface via lateral capillary interactions. Preliminary experimentation is conducted to investigate the feasibility of developing a new method for self-alignment of microparts by observing the influence of interfacial geometry on the movement of silicon tiles along a hexadecanewater interface. Different surface geometries are …

Performance Assessment Of Predicted Heat Strain In High Heat Stress, Ronald Eugene Long

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Heat stress is a common physical agent associated with many occupations. The most commonly used method of assessing heat stress exposure is an empirical method using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index but his method is limited in its ability to parse out individual contributors to the heat stress. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published a rational model called Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) in 2004, and rational methods have the advantage of separating out the individual pathways for heat exchange. The objective of this research was a performance assessment of the current PHS model. This experimental design consisted of …

The Search For The Missing Mantles Of Differentiated Asteroids: Evidence From Taxonomic A-Class Asteroids And Olivine-Dominated Achondrite Meteorites, Michael Peter Lucas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The apparent rarity of taxonomic A-class asteroids poses a significant paradox for understanding asteroid differentiation and the dynamical evolution of the early solar system. Based on results from asteroid taxonomic surveys, and on the abundances and mineralogy of different achondrite meteorites, it appears that olivine-dominated mantle remnants are missing from both the asteroid population and in meteorite collections. Several scenarios to explain this paradox have been proposed: (1) olivine mantle material has been stripped away by collisions and only remains as small fragments (< ~5 km), (2) A-class asteroids are abundant but have been altered in some way masking their presence, or (3) differentiated asteroids did not form thick olivine-rich mantles.

We have approached these questions through the collection of taxonomic and observational data on known A-class …

Crystal Engineering Of Pharmaceutical Cocrystals, Sreya Mukherjee

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Pharmaceutical cocrystals use principles of crystal engineering for the design of crystalline forms of drugs and can improve their solubility, bioavailability, stability and other important properties without changing the efficacy of the drug. Herein reported are pharmaceutical cocrystals of two API's, caffeine and Pentoxifylline.

Research has indicated that caffeine has the ability to reverse AB; plaque deposition in the brain (believed to be the primary cause of Alzheimer's pathogenesis) and thus revert memory and improve cognitive impairment. But owing to the fast absorption rate and short half life, a controlled release formulation of caffeine would be clinically beneficial. Thus, novel …

New Media Photographic Representations Of Women`S Collegiate Volleyball: Game Faces, Action Shots, And Equipment, Alicia Pack

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Researchers consistently find that mainstream media often represent women athletes in stereotypical ways including trivialization, sexualization, infantilization, passivity, and utilization of camera down-angles. However, research on new media's visual representation of women athletes is still in its infancy. This study adds to the growing literature on new media's representation of women athletes and concurs with previous findings suggesting that new media might be an outlet that can counter old media gender stereotypes. This thesis used mixed methods of qualitative content analysis and photovoice in order to better understand how Big East volleyball players are represented in photographs on websites: Instances …

Book Review: Karst Rock Feature Karren Sculpturings, Jo De Waele

International Journal of Speleology

No abstract provided.

Cover: Volume 40, Issue 2

International Journal of Speleology

No abstract provided.

Why Do All Casinos Seem To Be The Same? A Glance Into Casino Games, Gambling Machines And The Doctrine Of Fair Use, Eric D. Gorman

North Dakota Law Review

No abstract provided.

Theoretical Considerations For Understanding Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (Tpack), Charles R. Graham

Faculty Publications

The technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) framework is increasing in use by educational technology researchers around the world who are interested in issues related to technology integration. Much that is good can be found in the TPACK framework; however considerable theoretical work needs to be done if TPACK research is to cohere and constructively strengthen the field of educational technology. This paper uses Whetten’s (1989) criteria for theory building as a lens for examining the TPACK framework. Specific weaknesses are identified, which in turn suggest areas needing theoretical development. This paper calls for researchers to increase emphasis on using research …

Instruction And Physical Environments That Support Process Writing In Elementary Classrooms, Monica Thomas Billen, Brad Wilcox, Damon Bahr, Jill Shumway, Byran Korth, Elizabeth Yates, Timothy G. Morrison, Sue Simmerman, Stan V. Harwarad, Nancy Peterson, Linda E. Pierce

Faculty Publications

This study conducted in eight Utah school districts documented the amount of time devoted to elementary writing instruction and described classroom physical environments related to that instruction. One-hundred-seventy-seven full-day observations were completed during a one-week period. Results indicated that process-writing time was dominated by explicit instruction from the teacher. Other elements of the writing workshop were implemented, but in a fragmented way. Classroom physical environments were generally not literacy rich. Process-oriented teachers had richer environments than those who focused on conventions.

The Structural And Conceptual Interweaving Of Mathematics Methods Coursework And Field Practica In An Era Of Mathematics Reform, Damon L. Bahr, Eula Ewing Monroe, Dennis L. Eggett

Faculty Publications

This paper describes a study of observed relationships between the design of a preservice mathematics methods course with accompanying field practicum and changes in the extent to which participating preservice teachers identified themselves with the mathematics reform movement after becoming inservice teachers. The curriculum of the course with its embedded field practicum experiences was designed to support preservice teachers in interweaving methods coursework and pedagogical instruction with classroom practice. University and public school structures were interwoven by conducting weekly mathematics methods course sessions held at a public school site followed immediately by related classroom practicum experiences. The interweaving of conceptualizations …

In Vitro Analysis Of Immersed Human Tissues By Raman Microspectroscopy, Franck Bonnier, A. Mehmood, Peter Knief, Aidan Meade, Helen Lambkin, Kathleen Flynn, V. Mcdonagh, C. Healy, T. C. Lee, Fiona Lyng, Hugh Byrne

Articles

Raman microspectroscopy is a powerful tool for the analysis of tissue sections, providing a molecular map of the investigated samples. Nevertheless, data pre-processing and, particularly, the removal of the broad background to the spectra remain problematic. Indeed, the physical origin of the background has not been satisfactorily determined. Using 785 nm as source in a confocal geometry, it is demonstrated for the example of the protein kappa-elastin that the background and resulting quality of the recorded spectrum are dependent on the morphology of the sample. Whereas a fine powder yields a dominant broad background, compressed pellets and solution-cast thin films …

A Practical Photoelectrochemical Cell Using Nonprecious Metal Electrodes, Patrick Enright, Tony Betts, John Cassidy

Articles

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) can be used to harvest light from the oxidation of dissolved organic matter. Similar to fuel cells but requiring light to operate, PECs contain a light assisted electrode that oxidises electron rich materials (anode); these electrons then flow to a typically Pt cathode where O₂ is normally the electron acceptor. In this work a PEC cell containing inexpensive materials was shown to (a) mineralise typical organic compounds present in waste water and (b) produce electricity from their decomposition. The PEC cell consisted of a TiO₂ coated conducting ink anode exposed to a light source, …

Non Aggregated Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles For Surface Enhanced Resonance Raman Spectroscopy, Aoife Power, John Cassidy, Tony Betts

Articles

Silver nanoparticles with a tuneable l max were produced as colloids by heterogeneous nucleation. The synthesis process is both fast and repeatable, producing stable PVA capped nanoparticles. The colloid’s effectiveness in the SERRS system was investigated using Rhodamine 6G, R6G, Crystal Violet, CV, and Malachite Green, MG, as probe molecules. A clear sensing trend was observed, where the Raman signal emitted was significantly enhanced by the addition of silver nanoparticles. A build up of signal intensity is observed until an optimum ratio is achieved, followed by a decline in signal intensity as the concentration of nanoparticles is further increased. The …

Chromium Salen, Gráinne Hargaden, Pier Giorgio Cozzi

Articles

No abstract provided.

Di-Tert Butyl Chlorosilane, Gráinne Hargaden, Timothy O'Sullivan

Articles

No abstract provided.

On Adjoint Entropy Of Abelian Groups, Brendan Goldsmith, Ketao Gong

Articles

The theory of endomorphism rings of algebraic structures allows, in a natural way, a systematic approach based on the notion of entropy borrowed from dynamical systems. In the present work we introduce a \lq dual\rq \ notion based upon the replacement of the finite groups used in the definition of algebraic entropy, by subgroups of finite index. The basic properties of this new entropy are established and a connection to Hopfian groups is investigated.

Holomorphic Liftings From Infinite Dimensional Spaces, Sean Dineen, Milena Venkova

Articles

We obtain a number of positive solutions to a holomorphic lifting problem on a domain in a locally convex space.

Integrating Formative Feedback Into Individual And Group Assessments In A First Year Organic Chemistry Module, Barry Ryan, Julie Dunne

Conference papers

It is common for science undergraduates, particularly first year students, to remark that they do not receive appropriate support in their transition from second level to third level education; particularly in effective scientific laboratory report writing, new subject area preparedness and technical ‘know-how’ [1]. This is compounded by the insufficient, or inappropriate, feedback offered to students in these problem areas. The pedagogical emphasis often focuses on quantity rather than quality; both in report writing and content delivered. This publication describes an assessment methodology redesign to, firstly, incorporate on-line formative feedback and; secondly, to introduce one-to-one and one-to-group lab report feedback …

A Review Of Situation Identification Techniques In Pervasive Computing, Juan Ye, Simon Dobson, Susan Mckeever

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

Feasibility Study Of Utility-Directed Behaviour For Computer Game Agents, Colm Sloan, John D. Kelleher, Brian Mac Namee

Conference papers

Utility-based control (UBC) hasn’t been widely adopted for commercial game AI. Some of the reasons for this are that UBC is perceived to be: (1) resource intensive, (2) difficult to design complex behaviours with, and (3) difficult to scale for use in complex environments. This paper investigates these perceptions to see if UBC is suitable for controlling the behaviour of non-player characters in commercial games. The investigation compares agents using a UBC system against two control systems that are more frequently used in commercial games: finite state machines (FSMs), considered a simple control system, and goal-oriented action planning (GOAP), considered …

Feeling The Ambiance: Using Smart Ambiance To Increase Contextual Awareness In Game Agents, Colm Sloan, John D. Kelleher, Brian Mac Namee

Conference papers

The behaviour of non-player character game agents can be made more interesting and believable through the use of increased contextual awareness. In this paper, we present smart ambiance which allows information about the am- biance of an environment (determined by the environment itself, objects in the environment and recent events) to be used in agent plan generation. We demonstrate how this leads to contextually in uenced action selection and, in turn, more interesting and believable character behaviour.

Investigating Intrinsic And Extrinsic Variables During Simulated Internet Search, Molly M. Liechty, Poornima Madhaven

Psychology Faculty Publications

Using an eye tracker we examined decision-making processes during an internet search task. Twenty experienced homebuyers and twenty-five undergraduates from Old Dominion University viewed homes on a simulated real estate website. Several of the homes included physical properties that had the potential to negatively impact individual perceptions. These negative externalities were either easy to change (Level 1) or impossible to change (Level 2). Eye movements were analyzed to examine the relationship between participants' "stated preferences"[verbalized preferences], "revealed preferences" [actual decisions[, and experience. Dwell times, fixation durations/counts, and saccade counts/amplitudes were analyzed. Results revealed that experienced homebuyers demonstrated a more refined …

Density And Temperature Scaling Of Disorder-Induced Heating In Ultracold Plasmas, Scott D. Bergeson, A. Denning, M. Lyon, F. Robicheaux

Faculty Publications

We report measurements and simulations of disorder-induced heating in ultracold neutral plasmas. Fluorescence from plasma ions is excited using a detuned probe laser beam while the plasma relaxes from its initially disordered nonequilibrium state. This method probes the wings of the ion velocity distribution. The simulations yield information on time-evolving plasma parameters that are difficult to measure directly and make it possible to connect the fluorescence signal to the rms velocity distribution. The disorder-induced heating signal can be used to estimate the electron and ion temperatures ~100 ns after the plasma is created. This is particularly interesting for plasmas in …

Natural Product Drug Discovery Against Tropical Diseases, Wai Sheung Ma

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation describes the isolation of secondary metabolites from natural origins through a series of chromatographic techniques and spectrometric characterization in the effort of drug discovery. The isolated compounds obtained were used as drug leads against tropical diseases, namely malaria and leishmaniasis. While first chapter offers an introduction on the use of a natural product by itself as an effective therapeutic and its role on inspiring the discovery of new drugs, the later chapters will concentrate on isolation and characterization of bioactive natural products from an Antarctic sponge and mangrove endophytic fungi during the dissertation work.

The second chapter describes …

Numeracy, Cancer Risk Perceptions, And Self-Protective Behaviors Among U.S. Adults, Teri Malo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Individuals have become more involved in health-related decisions, in part due to an unprecedented access to information that can be used to enhance both physical and mental health. Much of this health-related information is presented in a numerical format; unfortunately, research suggests many Americans may not possess the literacy skills necessary to comprehend numerical health-related information. More research needs to be conducted to examine numeracy and its role in cancer risk perceptions, and how those risk perceptions relate to cancer self-protective behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to: (a) examine socio-demographic variables associated with numeracy, (b) determine which …

Automorphism Groups Of Quandles, Jennifer Macquarrie

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis arose from a desire to better understand the structures of automorphism groups and inner automorphism groups of quandles. We compute and give the structure of the automorphism groups of all dihedral quandles. In their paper Matrices and Finite Quandles, Ho and Nelson found all quandles (up to isomorphism) of orders 3, 4, and 5 and determined their automorphism groups. Here we find the automorphism groups of all quandles of orders 6 and 7. There are, up to isomoprhism, 73 quandles of order 6 and 289 quandles of order 7.

Impacts Of Artificial Reefs On Surrounding Ecosystems, Sarine Manoukian

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Artificial reefs are becoming a popular biological and management component in shallow water environments characterized by soft seabed, representing both important marine habitats and tools to manage coastal fisheries and resources. An artificial reef in the marine environment acts as an open system with exchange of material and energy, altering the physical and biological characteristics of the surrounding area. Reef stability will depend on the balance of scour, settlement, and burial resulting from ocean conditions over time. Because of the unstable nature of sediments, they require a detailed and systematic investigation.

Acoustic systems like high-frequency multibeam sonar are efficient tools …