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2012

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Novel Function Of Sjam-C In Promoting Cytoskeleton Rearrangement And Migration In Mammary Epithelial Cells, Anila Qureshi Jan 2012

Novel Function Of Sjam-C In Promoting Cytoskeleton Rearrangement And Migration In Mammary Epithelial Cells, Anila Qureshi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Soluble form of Junctional adhesion molecule C (sJAM-C) has been identified to cause angiogenesis as well as chemotaxis in endothelial cells. However, the role of sJAM-C in the context of cancer has not been elucidated. Our atomic force microscopy (AFM) stiffness measurements of normal mammary epithelial cells (MCF 10A) have shown a two-fold decrease in cell's stiffness in response to sJAM-C. Changes in cell stiffness are indicative of modulations in a cell's mechanical properties. Our results indicated that sJAM-C increased the MCF 10A cell migration about two-fold and also promoted a three-fold increase in chemotaxis. Additionally, sJAM-C treatment resulted in …

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Neuropsychological Correlates Of Emotion Regulation In Hiv, Roger C. Mcintosh Jan 2012

Neuropsychological Correlates Of Emotion Regulation In Hiv, Roger C. Mcintosh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Diminished affective behavior is a frequently observed concomitant of cognitive dysfunction in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), yet little is known about their relationship. A neuropsychological battery and electroencephalogram (EEG) recording was conducted on 29 HIV+ (Mage = 35.6 years, SD =5.36) and 30 HIV- (Mage =32.9 years, SD =6.39) women recruited from a family AIDS care program in South Florida. Using an emotion regulation paradigm, we compared event-related potentials (ERPs) following cues to view-neutral, view-negative and reappraise-negative images from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS). A group X instruction interaction was found for the P200 and early (400-1000 ms) …

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Language Production And Comprehension In Bilingual Children, Krystal M. Ribot Jan 2012

Language Production And Comprehension In Bilingual Children, Krystal M. Ribot

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Many adults who have dual language experience describe themselves as "passive bilinguals," able to understand two languages, but speak only one. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between language production and comprehension in bilingual children in order to determine whether bilingual comprehension is more readily achieved than production. ... Productive and receptive skills in both languages were assessed using standardized tests. Children's relative amount of exposure to each language, as well as their language choice during production was measured via interview with the primary caregiver.... Language exposure as measured via dominance in one language over another …

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Call Of Public Service, Jacqueline. Ackerina Jan 2012

Call Of Public Service, Jacqueline. Ackerina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The purpose of this study was to determine if individuals who are professionally committed to careers in public education possess public service motivation. The participants in this study were a sample of convenience selected through their enrollment in graduate education programs within three East Coast universities. The sample was stratified into three groups based on their education roles as teachers, aspiring leaders, and school district administrators. Based on the 258 education sector participants, the majority were Caucasian, female, and under the age of 30. All respondents held at least a bachelor's degree and the majority held up to ten years …

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Characterization Of The Lap Aquarius Phantom For External Lap Laser Alignment And Magnetic Resonance Geometric Distortion Verification For Stereotactic Radiation Surgery Patient Simulation, Daniel Vergara Jan 2012

Characterization Of The Lap Aquarius Phantom For External Lap Laser Alignment And Magnetic Resonance Geometric Distortion Verification For Stereotactic Radiation Surgery Patient Simulation, Daniel Vergara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The Thesis explores additional applications of LAP's Aquarius external laser alignment verification Phantom by examining geometric accuracy of magnetic resonance images commonly used for planning intracranial stereotactic radiation surgery (ICSRS) cases. The scans were performed with MRI protocols used for ICSRS, and head and neck diagnosis, and their images fused to computerized tomographic (CT) images. The geometric distortions (GDs) were measured against the CT in all axial, sagittal, and coronal directions at different levels. Using the Aquarius Phantom, one is able to detect GD in ICSRS planning MRI acquisitions, and align the external LAP patient alignment lasers, by following the …

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Comparing Salinity Models In Whitewater Bay Using Remote Sensing, Donna Selch Jan 2012

Comparing Salinity Models In Whitewater Bay Using Remote Sensing, Donna Selch

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This study compared models that used remote sensing to assess salinity in Whitewater Bay. The quantitative techniques in this research allow for a less costly and quicker assessment of salinity values. Field observations and Landsat 5 TM imagery from 2003-2006 were separated into wet and dry seasons and temporally matched. Interpolation models of Inverse Distance Weighting and Kriging were compared to empirical regression models (Ordinary Least Squares and Geographically Weighted Regression - GWR) via their Root Mean Square Error. The results showed that salinity analysis is more accurate in the dry season compared with the wet season. Univariate and multivariate …

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Cleavage Of Brain Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase 65 By Calpain Under Pathological Conditions, Chandana Buddhala Jan 2012

Cleavage Of Brain Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase 65 By Calpain Under Pathological Conditions, Chandana Buddhala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Brain glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of the major inhibitory neurotransmitter-amino butyric acid (GABA) from the substrate L-glutamic acid. Severe lapse in GABA neurotransmission is one of the etiologies documented in the manifestation of certain neurodegenerative diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease etc. Because GAD65 synthesizes GABA, any modulation of GAD65, therefore, has direct implications on the quanta of GABA released at the synapse. Hence, the major objective of this study was to focus on the regulation of GAD65, with special emphasis on investigating the proteolytic cleavage of fGAD65. Previously, we …

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Comprehensive Study Of The Zad Family Of Zinc Finger Transcription Factors In Drosophila Melanogaster, Joseph. Krystel Jan 2012

Comprehensive Study Of The Zad Family Of Zinc Finger Transcription Factors In Drosophila Melanogaster, Joseph. Krystel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The zinc finger associated domain (ZAD) family of transcription factors from Drosophila melanogaster is not well described in the literature, in part because it is very difficult to study by traditional mutagenesis screens. Bioinformatic studies indicate this is due to overlapping functions remaining after a recent evolutionary divergence. I set out to use in vitro-binding techniques to identify the characteristics of the ZAD family and test this theory. I have constructed glutathione S-transferase (GST)-ZAD domain chimeric proteins for use in pull down protein binding assays,and GST-Zinc finger (ZnF) array domain chimera for electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA). Protein binding assays …

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Cultivating Supportive, Professional Relationships Among Black Women In Educational Leadership, Dildra. Martin-Ogburn Jan 2012

Cultivating Supportive, Professional Relationships Among Black Women In Educational Leadership, Dildra. Martin-Ogburn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Although current employment statistics paint a promising picture for women in general, they fail to address both the multitude of challenges women face in their attempt to secure leadership positions or in their ability to gain and maintain support from their female colleagues. Black women, in particular, tend to be torn between their fabled image to others in the organization and their official duties and responsibilities at work. This paper discusses definitions and conceptual uses of horizontal and vertical violence by Black female educational leaders ; problematizes the phenomenon as outlined by Freire (1970) at the theoretical level ; outlines …

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Cytogenic Bioinformatics Of Chromosomal Aberrations And Genetic Disorders, Jagadeshwari. Karri Jan 2012

Cytogenic Bioinformatics Of Chromosomal Aberrations And Genetic Disorders, Jagadeshwari. Karri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Cytogenetics is a study on the genetic considerations associated with structural and functional aspects of the cells with reference to chromosomal inclusions. Chromosomes are structures within the cells containing body's information in the form of strings of DNA. When atypical version or structural abnormality in one or more chromosomes prevails, it is defined as chromosomal aberrations (CA) depicting certain genetic pathogeny (known as genetic disorders). The present study assumes the presence of normal and abnormal chromosomal sets in varying proportions in the cytogenetic complex ; and, stochastical mixture theory is invoked to ascertain the information redundancy as a function of …

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Data Gateway For Prognostic Health Monitoring Of Ocean-Based Power Generation, Joseph. Gundel Jan 2012

Data Gateway For Prognostic Health Monitoring Of Ocean-Based Power Generation, Joseph. Gundel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

On August 5, 2010 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has designated the Center for Ocean Energy Technology (COET) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) as a national center for ocean energy research and development. Their focus is the research and development of open-ocean current systems and associated infrastructure needed to development and testing prototypes. The generation of power is achieved by using a specialized electric generator with a rotor called a turbine. As with all machines, the turbines will need maintenance and replacement as they near the end of their lifecycle. This prognostic health monitoring (PHM) requires data to be …

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Detection, Localization, And Identification Of Bearings With Raceway Defect For A Dynamometer Using High Frequency Modal Analysis Of Vibration Across An Array Of Accelerometers, Nicholas. Waters Jan 2012

Detection, Localization, And Identification Of Bearings With Raceway Defect For A Dynamometer Using High Frequency Modal Analysis Of Vibration Across An Array Of Accelerometers, Nicholas. Waters

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This thesis describes a method to detect, localize and identify a faulty bearing in a rotating machine using narrow band envelope analysis across an array of accelerometers. This technique is developed as part of the machine monitoring system of an ocean turbine. A rudimentary mathematical model is introduced to provide an understanding of the physics governing the vibrations caused by a bearing with a raceway defect. This method is then used to detect a faulty bearing in two setups : on a lathe and in a dynamometer.

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Doing It For Themselves, Megan. Tomei Jan 2012

Doing It For Themselves, Megan. Tomei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Whereas male masturbation has generally been normalized by being the butt of friendly jokes and a popular subject in romantic comedies, the predominant discourse surrounding female masturbation, both in society and the movies, is silence and stigmatization. However, female masturbation is symbolically powerful because it signifies a female sexuality that is not dependent on male presence. This thesis seeks to explore depictions of female masturbation, specifically looking at how female characters who engage in autoeroticism are stigmatized, controlled or silenced. This thesis will also explore the minority of depictions that show the act as liberating in films like Pleasantville (1998) …

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Ecstatic Whitman, Ryan. Frabrizio Jan 2012

Ecstatic Whitman, Ryan. Frabrizio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This thesis examines Walt Whitman's use of the body in his poetry as a location for spiritual experience, and how his use of the body bears strong connection to its use by medieval Persian Sufi poets. The first chapter focuses upon Sufi poetry's role as a shared point of interest between Whitman and his onetime mentor Ralph Waldo Emerson. Their differing philosophies regarding the cultivation of the soul caused them to absorb Sufi ideas into their own bodies of work in separate ways, and contributed to the split that eventually occurred between them. The second chapter focuses upon connections between …

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Educational Tobacco Intervention, Kelley E. Rhoads Jan 2012

Educational Tobacco Intervention, Kelley E. Rhoads

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The purpose of this study was to determine whether an educational tobacco intervention impacted college students' perceptions relative to tobacco, self-efficacy, and perceived stress levels. The Health Belief Model (HBM) provided a theoretical framework to distinguish differences relative to tobacco between groups. Both the control (N=155) and intervention (N=184) group consisted of a convenience sample of students from a 2000-level health course. A pre- and post-test questionnaire was administered to both groups which included questions regarding demographics, tobacco use, HBM, self-efficacy, and perceived stress. Data analysis included frequency counts, confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and two-way ANOVA. Two-way ANOVA results …

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Effect Of A Classroom Intervention On Adolescent Wellness, Success Skills, And Academic Performance, Jacqueline Lee-Russell Wirth Jan 2012

Effect Of A Classroom Intervention On Adolescent Wellness, Success Skills, And Academic Performance, Jacqueline Lee-Russell Wirth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This study sought to measure the impact of an evidence-based school guidance counseling curriculum. Student Success Skills (Brigman & Webb, 2010),on : (a) wellness factors for early adolescences, (b) engagement in school success skills, and (c) grades in core subject areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, reported at nine-week intervals. ... The results of this study provide a link between the collaboration between school counselors and teachers when delivering classroom guidance interventions on wellness behaviors in adolescents. More research in needed on the impact of school counseling curriculum programs on early adolescent wellness, engagement in school success …

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Effect Of Compression Stockings On Cycling Performance And Post Exercise Muscle Soreness In Moderately Trained Females, Korey Kilsdonk Jan 2012

Effect Of Compression Stockings On Cycling Performance And Post Exercise Muscle Soreness In Moderately Trained Females, Korey Kilsdonk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Purpose: Determine effect of below knee compression stockings on metabolic and perceptual responses to cycling (i.e., BLa, HR, VO2, and RPE) in moderately-trained female cyclists. Methods: Subjects (n=12) performed a graded exercise test (GXT) on a cycle-ergometer to assess VO2peak. Subsequently, and on different days, two graded tests were administered (with, without stockings) with 5 minute warm-up at 50 W followed by 5 minute stages at 60 %, 70%, and 80% of max power output. Following the last sub-maximal stage, participants performed 3 - 5 supramaximal trials. Each lasted 30 seconds at 200% of her peak power output with HR, …

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Effects Of Freshwater Discharges And Habitat Architecture On Oyster Reef Community Development And Diversity, Elizabeth A. Salewski Jan 2012

Effects Of Freshwater Discharges And Habitat Architecture On Oyster Reef Community Development And Diversity, Elizabeth A. Salewski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Oyster reefs support diverse estuarine communities and food webs. Factors controlling oyster reef community development were studied on restored reefs in the St. Lucie Estuary. Freshwater discharges create stresses that cause oyster mortality, habitat loss and reduction in reef community diversity. Using structural equation modeling, it was demonstrated that salinity, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a gradients influence oysters and some reef invertebrate species, but did not support the predictions of the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. In contrast, diversity and species richness were greatest at low stress sites. A field experiment showed that topographic relief and architectural complexity enhanced colonization and growth of reef-building …

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Estimating The Vulnerability Of Everglades Peat To Combustion, James. Johnson Jan 2012

Estimating The Vulnerability Of Everglades Peat To Combustion, James. Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Fire occurrences in the Everglades have increased since hydrologic alterations began, yet the vulnerability of Everglades peat to combustion during wildfires has yet to be determined. Natural fire regimes help maintain ecosystem functions and services and disruptions of natural disturbance regimes can have detrimental impacts, jeopardizing ecosystem health. Severe peat combustion can destroy native vegetation, alter microtopography, and release large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere. To create a better understanding of the mechanistic controls on Everglades ground fires, the soil's physical properties within several sites of Water Conservation Area 3 and how changes in water table affect these …

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Evaluation Of Methodology, Dispersal And Habitat Usage Of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides Floridanus) From A Supplemental Stocking On Lake Okeechobee, Florida, Alyssa. Jordan Jan 2012

Evaluation Of Methodology, Dispersal And Habitat Usage Of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus Salmoides Floridanus) From A Supplemental Stocking On Lake Okeechobee, Florida, Alyssa. Jordan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fishery was at an all time low on Lake Okeechobee when experimental supplemental stockings were done to try and enhance local bass populations. Largemouth bass had never been stocked on a large lake like Lake Okeechobee. The objectives were to develop a methodology, study dispersal, and compare stocked versus wild bass habitat choices. The methodology underwent considerable changes between studies. Bass dispersed to the edges by the second sampling period, so a larger sampling area may be needed. Water depth and pH were found to be significantly different between wild and stocked bass. Hatchery bass …

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Experiences And Perceptions As Expressed By Adolescent Females At A Residential Treatment Center (Rtc), Krista D. Allison Jan 2012

Experiences And Perceptions As Expressed By Adolescent Females At A Residential Treatment Center (Rtc), Krista D. Allison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This is a qualitative study examining the experience of students currently enrolled in Steppin' Stone Farm, a residential treatment center in central Florida. In addition to building a more solid foundation of literature in this field, this study investigates at-risk teenage female residents' perceptions of educational experiences within a residential treatment environment. The relationship between formal, informal, and non-informal experiences, preferred learning strategies, and success patterns were explored. This phenomenological study utilized a lens of critical theory to understand the meaning of girls' educational experiences at a residential treatment center. The design includes studying 16 girls' formal, non-formal, and informal …

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Exploring Teachers' Perceptions Of Professional Development In Virtual Learning Teams, Courtney Paschal Purnell Jan 2012

Exploring Teachers' Perceptions Of Professional Development In Virtual Learning Teams, Courtney Paschal Purnell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The demand for virtual education is rapidly increasing due to the proliferation of legislation demanding class size limitations, funding cuts, and school choice across the United States. Virtual education leaders are discovering new ways to enhance and develop teachers to become more efficient and increase quality of learning online. Learning teams are one tool implemented by professional development departments in order to obtain a community of shared best practices and increase professional learning for teachers. ... The purpose of this exploratory case study was to investigate teachers' perceptions of the contribution of virtual learning teams to their professional development in …

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Family Resiliency, Family Needs And Community Re-Integration In Persons With Brain Injury, Julianne Agonis Jan 2012

Family Resiliency, Family Needs And Community Re-Integration In Persons With Brain Injury, Julianne Agonis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a disability resulting in functional impairments and heightened dependence on others. Family members of persons with TBI can assume added responsibilities during the adjustment to the disability and rehabilitation process, placing strain on the family system. Community re-integration is a primary goal of the rehabilitation process for persons with TBI as this is a step in developing autonomy and promoting independence and productive activity throughout different areas of the person's life (e.g., work, social networks, and home life). This study was designed to examine predictors of community re-integration outcomes of TBI survivors and empirically test …

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Fractal Analysis Applied To Ancient Egyptian Monumental Art, Jessica. Robkin Jan 2012

Fractal Analysis Applied To Ancient Egyptian Monumental Art, Jessica. Robkin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The study of ancient Egyptian monumental art is based on subjective and qualitative analyses by art historians and Egyptologists who use the change in stylistic trends as Dynastic chronological markers. The art of the ancient Egyptians is recognized the world over due to its specific and consistent style that lasted the whole of Dynastic Egypt. This artwork exhibits fractal qualities that support the applicability of applying fractal analysis as a quantitative and statistical tool to be used in this field. In this thesis, I show the fractality of ancient Egyptian monumental art by analyzing black and white line drawings of …

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Gaze To Discover, Tabitha. Pennekamp Jan 2012

Gaze To Discover, Tabitha. Pennekamp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Gaze to discover is the approach a viewer should take as s/he encounters the work within this exhibition. The main idea is that the work should be interactive. Developing this interaction is the objective of each piece. To engage viewers to interact with a piece of art coincides with the ability to acquire their undivided attention. The realization that it is difficult for a viewer to have a tangible interaction with artwork in a gallery setting leads to asking the viewer to interact visually, "to look fixedly" - to gaze (Webster's Dictionary). Gazing at the work will direct the viewer …

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Gender, Disability, And Literature In The Global South, Tulasi. Acharya Jan 2012

Gender, Disability, And Literature In The Global South, Tulasi. Acharya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This thesis explores gender, disability and literature in the Global South through an examination of the writings of two physically disabled contemporary women writers from Nepal, BIshnu Kumari Waiwa and Jhamak Ghimire. I show how these renowned contemporary writers challenge stigmas of the disabled body by deconstructiong the "ideology of ability" through their poetry, fiction, and autobiographical narratives. Religious and cultural values disable women's autonomy in general, and create even greater disadvantages for women who are physically disabled. Challenging these cultural stigmas, Waiwa and Ghimire celebrate sexuality and disability as sources of creativity, agency, and identity in narratives that deconstruct …

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Generating Narratives, Samuel. Greene Jan 2012

Generating Narratives, Samuel. Greene

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

In order to facilitate the development, discussion, and advancement of the relatively new subfield of Artificial Intelligence focused on generating narrative content, the author has developed a pattern language for generating narratives, along with a new categorization framework for narrative generation systems. An emphasis and focus is placed on generating the Fabula of the story (the ordered sequence of events that make up the plot). Approaches to narrative generation are classified into one of three categories, and a pattern is presented for each approach. Enhancement patterns that can be used in conjunction with one of the core patterns are also …

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Habitat Location And Selection By The Sargassum Crab Portunus Sayi, Lorin E. West Jan 2012

Habitat Location And Selection By The Sargassum Crab Portunus Sayi, Lorin E. West

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The Sargassum community consists of a unique and idverse assemblage of fauna critical to pelagic food chains. Associated organisms presumably have adaptations to assist in finding Sargassum. This study investigated cues used for habitat location and selection by the Sargassum crab, Portunus sayi. Chemical detection trials were conducted with a two-chamber choice apparatus with Sargassum spp. and Thalassia testudinum as source odors. Visual detection trials (devoid of chemical cues) and habitat selection trials were conducted in which crabs were given a choice of habitats. Results showed that P. sayi respoded to chemical odors from Sargassum spp. Crabs visually located habitats …

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Heaven's Fertile Soil, Ashley. Santy Jan 2012

Heaven's Fertile Soil, Ashley. Santy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This thesis explores W.P. Kinsella's emphasis on love for land, family, and baseball in discussing relationships between characters in his short story "Shoeless Joe Jackson Comes to Iowa". Chapter I introduces the characters, their role in establishing this as a tale of conservation through agrarianism, and how Kinsella's choice to write a positive story creates unique potential for healing. Chapter II establishes similarities between the father's war experiences and Jackson's exile from baseball, underscoring its mythic importance. Chapter III examines the relationship between the protagonist and his wife, and how their relationship symbolically fosters love for nature through farming, and …

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Hope On The Horizon, Valorie. Ebert Jan 2012

Hope On The Horizon, Valorie. Ebert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This project considers the future, and the hope for humanity within three dystopian science fiction works : Mordecai Roshwald's Level 7, Cordwainer Smith's "The Dead Lady of Clown Town," and James Tiptree, Jr.,'s "The GIrl Who Was Plugged In". There are many aspects and different manifestations of hope in science fiction, even in authors who show readers the darkest side of human nature and what will become of humans, and by default earth, if an effort is not made to change the world's direction. Though some dystopian stories show horrible possible futures, there is an underlying hope within these stories …

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