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2012

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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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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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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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Extraction Optimization And Determination Of The Absolute Configuartion Of Clathric Acid, De Leon Rolando Rueda Jan 2012

Extraction Optimization And Determination Of The Absolute Configuartion Of Clathric Acid, De Leon Rolando Rueda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Current research in natural products has heavily focused on the identification of potent biologically active compounds, specifically for drug development. The project detailed in this thesis focuses on the extraction of compounds from marine invertebrates as well as defining the absolute configuration for a compound. Utilizing marine invertebrates, the sonications method developed in this thesis provides an alternative approach to rapidly extract compounds for primary screening. This method is viable compared to a traditional overnight extraction method, without suffering compound degredation... Previously, clathric acid was isolated from an unknown Clathria sp. This compound is a bibyblic C-21 terpenoid shown to …

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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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Fight For Education, Fight For Freedom, Samantha. Messinger Jan 2012

Fight For Education, Fight For Freedom, Samantha. Messinger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The three novels examined in this thesis do not deal with the subject of slavery directly; however, I argue that, much like slave narratives, they all depict oppressive master/slave relationships and feature protagonists who fight for freedom through literacy and/or education. This thesis outlines three contemporary novels that take place during or after the Civil Rights Movement, what I call "freedom narratives," that not only signify on, but pay tribute to, the slave and neo-slave narrative tradition. These novels borrow from the tradition, not only in terms of structure, but also in terms of plot, point of view, theme, and …

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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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Gad 65 And Its Role In Pancreatic Tissue Survival, Neeta. Kumari Jan 2012

Gad 65 And Its Role In Pancreatic Tissue Survival, Neeta. Kumari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

We employed three genotypes of GAD 65, wildtype (GAD 65 +/+), heterozygous (GAD 65 +/-) and knockout (GAD 65 -/-) to investigate the role of GAD 65 in survival of pancreatic islets. We analyzed the mRNA expression of pro-survival proteins including Bcl2 and Bax in pancreas of wildtype, heterozygous and knockout using Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR). The level of expression of Bcl2 mRNA was down regulated in knockout mice pancreas and Bax to Bcl2 ratio was found higher in knockout mice pancreas suggesting higher cell death rate. However, further studies are required to recognize and understand the specific …

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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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Global Distribution Of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (Otec) Resources And Applicability In U.S. Waters Near Florida, Lynn. Rauchenstein Jan 2012

Global Distribution Of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (Otec) Resources And Applicability In U.S. Waters Near Florida, Lynn. Rauchenstein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The following study explores the worldwide spatial and temporal distributions of electrical power that can be extracted from the ocean's stored solar energy via the process of closed-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). Special emphasis is placed on resources surrounding the state of Florida. The study combines oceanographic input from a state-of-the-art ocean circulation model, the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model, with a state-of-the-industry OTEC plant model to predict achievable power values across the world. These power predictions are then constrained by local replenishment rates of cold deep sea water to provide an upper limit to the sustainable OTEC resource. Next, …

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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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Habitat Selection Among Fishes And Shrimp In The Pelagic Sargassum Community, Chelsea Bennice Jan 2012

Habitat Selection Among Fishes And Shrimp In The Pelagic Sargassum Community, Chelsea Bennice

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Pelagic Sargassum was used to determine the effects of habitat architecture for one species of shrimp (Leander tenuicornis) and two species of fish (Stephanolepis hispidus and Histrio histrio). Inter-thallus spacing (low, medium, and high) and depth (shallow versus deep) were manipulated independently to test whether the spatial components of habitat architecture. Two differing habitats (Sargassum versus seagrass species) were tested for the structural component of habitat architecture. There were no significant results for inter-thallus spacing experiments for L. tenuicornis and S. hispidus. H histrio selected habitats with medium inter-thallus spacing in two treatments. Large individual H. histrio contributed mostly to …

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High Summer, Martinez Michelle Hasler Jan 2012

High Summer, Martinez Michelle Hasler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

High Summer is a manuscript-length compilation of narrative science essays that trace the relationship the narrator has with her father. These essays focus on the ongoing presence of drugs, their historical basis, and their pharmacological effects on the body.

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Highwire's Characterization And Signaling Roles In Drosophila Central Synapse Formation, Kimberly Diane Rowland Jan 2012

Highwire's Characterization And Signaling Roles In Drosophila Central Synapse Formation, Kimberly Diane Rowland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The assembly and maintenance of central synapses is a complex process, requiring myriad genes and their products. Highwire is a large gene containing a RING domain, characteristic of ubiquitin E3 ligases. Highwire has been shown to restrain axon growth and control synaptogenesis at a peripheral synapse. Here I examine the roles of Highwire at a central synapse in the adult Drosophila Giant Fiber System (GFS). Highwire is indeed necessary for proper axonal growth as well as synaptic transmission in the GFS. Differences arise between the central synapse and the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), where highwire was initially characterized : expresion from …

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Hominin Endocast Topography, Melissa. Boas Jan 2012

Hominin Endocast Topography, Melissa. Boas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This study examined the topography of prefrontal molds of human endocasts using three-dimensional laser scanning and geographic information systems (GIS) in order to carry out intra-species comparisons. Overall brain topography can indicate when major reorganizational shifts in brain structure happened in our evolutionalry history, and these shifts may indicate major shifts in cognition and behavior. Endocasts are one of the sole sources of information about extinct hominin brains ; they reproduce details of the brain's external morphology. Analysis of endocast morphology has never been done using GIS methodology. The use of GIS helps to overcome previous obstacles in regards to …

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Identification Of Others Using Biological Motion, Sara. Manuel Jan 2012

Identification Of Others Using Biological Motion, Sara. Manuel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The literature regarding biological motion suggests that people may accurately identify and recognize the gender of others using movement cues in the absence of typical identifiers. This study compared identification and gender judgments of traditional point-light stimuli to skeleton stimuli. Controlling for previous experience and execution of actions, the frequency and familiarity of movements was also considered. Watching action clips, participants learned to identify 4 male and 4 female actors. Participants then identified the corresponding point-light or skeleton displays. Although results indicate higher than chance performance, no difference was observed between stimuli conditions. Analyses did show better gender recognition for …

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Identifiying Cost Savings Through Energy Conservation Measures In Mechanically Aerated Activated Sludge Treatment Processes In Southeast Florida, Eric. Stanley Jan 2012

Identifiying Cost Savings Through Energy Conservation Measures In Mechanically Aerated Activated Sludge Treatment Processes In Southeast Florida, Eric. Stanley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This thesis presents a model which estimates energy and cost savings that can be realized by implementing Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) at mechanically aerated wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in southeast Florida. Historical plant monitoring data is used to estimate savings achieved by implementing innovative aeration technologies which include : 1) Fine Bubble DIffusers ; 2) Single-Stage Turbo Blowers ; 3) Automatic Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Control. Key assumptions for modeling performance of each technology are researched and discussed, such as trends in the future cost of electricity, efficiency of blowers, and practical average DO levels for each scenario. Capital cost estimates …

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Impact Of Stress On Elementary School Principals And Their Effective Coping Mechanisms, Joyce. Krzemienski Jan 2012

Impact Of Stress On Elementary School Principals And Their Effective Coping Mechanisms, Joyce. Krzemienski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

In today's era of high stakes testing and accountability, school principals are confronted with many difficult challenges in addition to those traditionally experienced by principals given the advent of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the many mandates each school principal must report on annually. With mandated curriculum standards and widespread demand to improve student achievement, principals face a multitude of administrative tasks. As the school accountability deadline to meet the 2014 federal objective of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 rapidly draws closer for the majority of states, this federal legislation has created increasingly high stress levels, …

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Information-Theoretics Based Technoeconomic Growth Models, Raef Rashad Yassin Jan 2012

Information-Theoretics Based Technoeconomic Growth Models, Raef Rashad Yassin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This research is concerned with algorithmic representation of technoeconomic growth concerning modern and next-generation telecommunications including the Internet service. The goal of this study thereof is to emphasize efforts to establish the associated forecasting and, the envisioned tasks thereof include : (i) Reviewing the technoeconomic considerations prevailing in telecommunication (telco) service industry and their implicating features; (ii) studying relevant aspects of underlying complex system evolution (akin to biological systems), (iii) pursuant co-evolution modeling of competitive business structures using dichotomous (flip-flop) states as seen in predator evolutions ; (iv) conceiving a novel algorithm based on information-theoretic principles toward technoeconomic forecasting on …

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Intestinal Autophagy Activity Protects Against Salmonella Typhimurium Infection In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Alexander L. Curt Jan 2012

Intestinal Autophagy Activity Protects Against Salmonella Typhimurium Infection In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Alexander L. Curt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation pathway present in eukaryotes that allows a cell to break down cytoplasmic proteins and organelles to maintain homeostasis. The autophagy pathway has been shown to play a significant role in the immune systems protective response against various bacterial pathogen infections, such as the intestinal pathogen Salmonella typhimurium, in Caenorhabditis elegans and in mammals. This study investigated if the autophagy pathway acts in a tissue-specific manner to protect against S. typhimurium infection in C. elegans. Wild type C. elegans and worms where the autophagy gene bec-1 was inhibited in different tissues by RNAi treatment were infected …

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Predicting Removal Efficiency Of Reverse Osmosis Membranes With Respect To Emerging Substances Of Concern Using A Discriminant Function Analysis, Herrera Fernando J Pleitez Jan 2012

Predicting Removal Efficiency Of Reverse Osmosis Membranes With Respect To Emerging Substances Of Concern Using A Discriminant Function Analysis, Herrera Fernando J Pleitez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

This paper presents the results of the spike tests performed in the alternative water supply pilot testing program for the City of Pembroke Pines. It establishes the effectiveness of a protocol that can be used to gain further insight on the rejection capacities of RO membranes. An in-depth study of the molecular descriptors affecting rejection by RO membranes is presented and used in the development of a discriminant function analysis. This analysis proved to be an effective way to predict the passage of Emerging Substances of Concern (ESOCs) through RO membrane. Further, a principal component (PC) analysis was performed to …

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Population Distribution, Habitat Selection, And Life History Of The Slough Crayfish (Procambarus Fallax) In The Ridge-Slough Landscape Of The Central Everglades, Der Heiden Craig Van Jan 2012

Population Distribution, Habitat Selection, And Life History Of The Slough Crayfish (Procambarus Fallax) In The Ridge-Slough Landscape Of The Central Everglades, Der Heiden Craig Van

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Understanding where and why organisms are distributed in the environment are central themes in ecology. Animals live in environments in which they are subject to competing demands, such as the need to forage, to find mates, to reproduce, and to avoid predation. Optimal habitats for these various activities are usually distributed heterogeneously in the landscape and may vary both spatially and temporally, causing animals to adjust their locations in space and time to balance these conflicting demands. In this dissertation, I outline three studies of Procambarus fallax in the ridge-slough landscape of Water conservation Area 3A (WCS-3A). The first section …

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Phosphorus Limitation In Reef Macroalgae Of South Florida, Courtney. Kehler Jan 2012

Phosphorus Limitation In Reef Macroalgae Of South Florida, Courtney. Kehler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Nitrogen (N) has traditionally been regarded as the primary limiting nutrient to algal growth in marine coastal waters, but recent studies suggest that phosphorus (P) can be limiting in carbonate-rich environments. To better understand the importance of P. alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) was measured in reef macroalgae in seven counties of south Florida ; several significant trends emerged : 1) APA decreased geographically from the highest values in Dada>Monroe>Palm Beach>St. Lucie>Broward>Martin>Lee counties 2) APA varied temporally with increasing nutrient-rich runoff in the wet season 3) APA varied due to taxonomic division Phaeophyta>Rhodophyta>Chlorophyta …

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Psychophysiological Measures Of Aggression And Victimization In Early Adolescence, Christopher D. Aults Jan 2012

Psychophysiological Measures Of Aggression And Victimization In Early Adolescence, Christopher D. Aults

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

Many cardiovascular psychophysiological studies have found evidence of lower arousal states in aggressive individuals and hyper-arousal states in individuals exposed to chronic stress. However, most of these studies have relied on clinical diagnoses or self-reports to identify aggressive and victimized individuals. The present study used peer nominations to identify aggressive, victimized, and non-aggressive or victimized adolescents (mean age = 12.09 yrs.) to examine if any psychophysiological differences exist during resting and startle conditions. ANOVAs revealed that high aggressive/low victimized adolescents had a lower resting heart period/rate compared to high victimized/low aggressive adolescents. Further analyses revealed a statistical trend of lower …

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Proposed Expanded Green Space Plan Using Gis For Natural Areas In Palm Beach County, Corrie. Rainyn Jan 2012

Proposed Expanded Green Space Plan Using Gis For Natural Areas In Palm Beach County, Corrie. Rainyn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

In the past 25 years, Palm Beach County has acquired more than 31 million acres of public preserves consisting of numerous native habitats that are home to threatened and endangered flora and fauna. Both endemic habitats and plant species benefit from expansion and connectivity through the adoption of native plants in surrounding areas. The next step in conserving these protected, larger areas is to identify ways to connect them in order to reduce their isolation and improve their likelihood of continued ecosystem health. This study aims to perform an analysis using a GIS database of Palm Beach County's Eastern urban …

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Quantifying The Energetic Cost Of Disorientation In Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) And Green (Chelonia Mydas) Sea Turtle Hatchlings, Sean. Williams Jan 2012

Quantifying The Energetic Cost Of Disorientation In Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) And Green (Chelonia Mydas) Sea Turtle Hatchlings, Sean. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The photopollution of beaches caused by artificial light sources can interfere with sea turtle hatchlings' ability to orient properly towards the sea. Exhaustion due to extended disorientation crawling may then increase hatchling mortality. This study evaluated the energetic consequences of long-distance crawls in green and loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings. Turtles crawled for 200 m or 500 m on a treadmill, followed by a 30 minute evaluation of swim performance. Metabolic activity was quantified via measures of blood glucose, blood lactate, and oxygen consumption. No significant changes in metabolism resulted from long-distance crawling activity in loggerheads ; however, loggerheads rested for …

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Relationship Bertween Wellness And Burnout Among Novice Counselors, Jennifer. Bilot Jan 2012

Relationship Bertween Wellness And Burnout Among Novice Counselors, Jennifer. Bilot

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2010 - 2019

The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between wellness and burnout among novice counselors. This research was carried out in order to gain a better understanding of the experience of the novice counselor as well as to gain insight into the effects of wellness and burnout on these experiences. The significance of this research lies in the need to understand the novice counselor's journey, the factors that can contribute to or prevent burnout, and the potential prevention and intervention strategies that can be employed in response to burnout. The data of a final sample of 144 participants' …

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