Digital Commons Network^™

Predicting Lemna Minor Growth Rate Response To Temperature Fluctuations, Elizabeth Novich

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

The effects of global climate change on populations may be further understood when environmental variability is included. There are strong theoretical reasons that support the idea that environmental fluctuations matter when studying ecological systems. In order to further explore this, we parameterized a model of the growth rate of Lemna minor at constant temperatures and made predictions on how L. minor would respond to fluctuating temperatures based on this model. There were four trials performed that compared the difference between growth rates at constant and fluctuating temperatures in order to test if our predictions were correct. For our results, only …

Do Tree Species In A Bornean Mixed Dipterocarp Forest Display Preferential Uptake Of Different Nitrogen Forms?, Jocelyn Onley

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Lambir Hills National Park in Malaysian Borneo is composed of dipterocarp tree species which specialize on different soil types. Although the mechanisms contributing to this distribution of tree species are unknown, one hypothesis is that tree species at Lambir differ in their preferences for different nitrogen forms. In this study we investigated (1) whether clay soil and sandy loam soil types at Lambir differ in the availability of ammonium and nitrate and (2) whether tree species specializing on either clay soil or sandy loam soil at Lambir have differing preferences or capacities to take up ammonium, nitrate, or glycine (organic …

Developing Environmental Sustainability Criteria For University Research Laboratories: A Tool For Rating And Implementing Green Methodology In Labs, Maxine White

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

This study examines sustainable behavior and methodology in university research labs. Environmental problems like global warming are becoming common knowledge to many people throughout the world, and it is necessary for humans to live in more sustainable ways that leave a healthy planet for future generations. Universities are an important part of the global community, and it is pertinent that they become more involved in sustainable efforts. University research laboratories produce large amounts of regular and hazardous waste, use massive amounts of energy, and are currently not operating in sustainable ways. The purpose of this study is to determine the …

A Comparison Of Moist-Soil Seed Sampling Techniques In The Nebraska Rainwater Basin, Lisa Zilli

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Wetland managers sometimes estimate seed production of wetlands managed for migrating waterfowl habitat. Using estimation techniques, managers can determine if wetland plants produce enough seed to support the nutritional needs of migrating waterfowl. Usually, a one-time sampling method is used; this technique samples seeds once a year during peak seed production. However, this technique may underestimate seed production due to plants producing large quantities of seed before or after peak seed production or producing seed throughout the growing season. Season long sampling may be more representative of a wetland’s seed production. We comparing one-time sampling with season- long sampling by …

Transportation Network Analysis For Bicycle Suitability In Lincoln Nebraska Using Geographic Information Systems (Gis), Andrew J. Pedley

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

With increasing fuel costs, concern over global climate change, and increasing obesity levels, cycling is being promoted as a healthy sustainable alternative to automobile transportation. In order to improve a city’s transportation network to accommodate cyclists, an assessment of the current system is needed. This project uses the Bicycle Compatibility Index (BCI) to rate the bikeability of streets in a subarea of Lincoln, Nebraska. In this study I assessed the feasibility of using the BCI rating method on a city-wide level and list suggestions to improve the method. The information created in this project can be used by planning officials …

Cheating Cheatgrass: New Research To Combat A Wily Invasive Weed, Gail Wells

Joint Fire Science Program Digests

Cheatgrass and its cousin, red brome, are exotic annual grasses that have invaded and altered ecosystem dynamics in more than 41 million acres of desert shrublands between the Rockies and the Cascade-Sierra chain. A fungus naturally associated with these Bromus species has been found lethal to the plants’ soil-banked dormant seeds. Supported by the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP), researchers Susan Meyer, Phil Allen, and Julie Beckstead cultured this fungus, Pyrenophora semeniperda, in the laboratory and developed an experimental field application that, in some trials, killed all the dormant soil-banked Bromus seeds, leaving none to germinate the following year. The …

Use Of Injectable Eugenol For Euthanasia And Anesthesia Of American Lobsters (Homarus Americanus) And Similar Species, Carlton Huntsberger

Biology Theses

Crustaceans are economically and ecologically significant, but current treatment and diagnostic protocols for crustacean health are limited. According to standards given by the American Veterinary Medical Association there are no current methods of euthanizing lobsters, nor are there effective methods of quick release anesthesia. The objective of this research demonstrated that eugenol by direct injection is a safe, efficient and reliable method for euthanizing or anesthetizing crustaceans. Anesthetic levels were determined by behavior responses, death was determined by a lack of response to stimuli. The results presented here suggest eugenol can be used as a euthanizing agent for American lobsters …

Visual Thinking: Sketching My Future As A Visual Practitioner, Melinda Walker

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

John Berger states in his classic book, Ways of Seeing (1972), “We only see what we look at. To look is an act of choice…We never look at just one thing; we are always looking at the relation between things and ourselves.” (p. 8-9) This project looks at the field of visual thinking and the relations to creativity. Extensive practice of the visual and graphic synthesis of information is a key component of this exploration. When appropriate, graphic visuals are used throughout this paper to further emphasize and illustrate the impact of visuals in comprehension and communication. Various references are …

Designing An "Information-Experience" Using Creativity Science Theory And Tools, Stephanie Belhomme

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

An “information-experience” encapsulated by a technological/digital audio-visual tool presents data and potentially meaningful information to prompt actionable knowledge concerning: “unspoken creative process elements;” their profound impacts on both how well our “physiology of creativity” functions; but also on how well foundational creative thinking and behavioral prerequisites (energy, motivation, imagination, and ownership) are leveraged.

The product: 1) introduces the user to one component of the CPS (Creative Problem Solving) Facilitation Process - Exploring the Challenge; 2) features a content specific component which prompts exploration of the many correlations between societal, organizational / community, human physiological / behavioral data, and the direct …

Synthesis, Characterization And Applications Of Different Nanostructures, Whitney Snyder

All Theses

There has been a growing interest in the field of nanoscience for the last several decades including the use in optical, electrical, biological and medicinal applications. This thesis focuses on the synthesis of different nanoparticles for their potential uses in drug delivery and antimicrobial agents as well as porous alumina membranes as surface enhanced Raman scattering or SERS substrates.
The synthesis of nanocomposites (NCs) composed of silica and poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) in a basic ethanol solution is presented in chapter 2. The composition of the NCs appears to be homogenous after synthesis and is greatly affected by heat and pH …

Photocatalytic Degradation Of Azo Dyes Using Doped Titania Fibers, Prasad Shanmugasundaram

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Photo-catalytic degradation using semiconductor particle as dispersion in aqueous medium has been gaining increased attention over the past several years. Their versatility in application makes them unique along with their easy processing techniques and low cost. Titania semiconductor is one of the most important members of this family. It has been widely used for various applications ranging from environmental to bio-medical. Titanium dioxide has gained importance as an effective photo-catalyst because of its advantages over other semiconductor oxides which include high photo-stability, inexpensive, reusable property, chemical and biological inertness, high reactivity, non-toxicity, corrosion resistance, operation at ambient temperatures and its …

Semiparametric Bayesian Modeling Of Density Dependence, Masatoshi Sugeno

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Density dependence is a foundation of population biology. Analysis of population data with parametric models has long provided estimates of the maximum reproductive rate and the form of density dependence. These in turn determine the limit of sustainable harvest and the population's stability, respectively. However, standard parametric analyses of population data generate incorrect inferences of density dependence in noisy and short series. Therefore, there is a clear need for improved statistical methods for inferring density dependence. In this thesis, I developed new semiparametric Bayesian (SB) methods for estimating reproductive rates and for identifying forms of density dependence. Using simulated data, …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Iodine Laden Graphene Nano Platelets Via Reduction Of Graphene Oxide Using Hydrogen Iodide, Joe Livingston Sundararaj

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

This research thesis proposes a novel method for the synthesis, analysis and characterization of Iodinated X-Ray contrast agents using Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) for Computed Tomographic Imaging. Graphene Oxide was synthesized using the Hummers Method of Oxidation [1] through oxidative treatment of Graphite with Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4). The resulting Graphene Oxide was chemically reduced using varying concentrations of Hydrogen Iodide or Hydroiodic acid (HI), rather than the conventionally used highly toxic Hydrazine Hydrate (N2H4) to strip off the oxygen functionalities. In the process of chemical reduction using Hydrogen Iodide, we hypothesized that this would result in the incorporation of Iodine into …

Ultrafast Coherent Control Spectroscopy, Chien-Hung Tseng

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Coherent control of quantum systems is currently a very active area of research in physics and chemistry. The goal of coherent control is to prepare molecules in specic quantum states that can lead to different chemical reactions, e.g. fragmentation and isomerization. One approach is the control of interference between multiple quantum pathways via their phases from the initial to the final state which consequently excites one molecular state or molecule over another with shaped pulses. The other approach is to generate different reaction products with pulses that match specic transient Franck Condon windows and transfer the wavepacket in a precise …

Adsorption Of Polybutadiene From The Melt Onto Solid Substrates, Han Zexi

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

In this paper, adsorbed polybutadiene (PB) layers onto solid substrates have been studied with two different molecular weights and different terminated groups. Spin cast PB film (originally around 25 nm in thickness) prepared on two kinds of preconditioning (with and without HF etch) in silicon substrates. The samples were annealed at 150??C for 10 h under vacuum and subsequently rinsed with toluene (a good solvent for PB) extensively. The residual PB layers were characterized by using X-ray reflectivity, and the result showed that the adsorbed layers were well fitted by a 3-layer (a silicon substrate, a native oxide, a polymer …

New Development In Cluster Analysis And Other Related Multivariate Analysis Methods, Shaonan Zhang

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Cluster analysis is a multivariate analysis method aimed at (1) unraveling the natural groupings embedded within the data, and (2) dimension reduction. With the wide application of cluster analysis in the diversified modern research/business fields including machine learning, bioinformatics, medical image analysis, pattern recognition, market research and global climate research, many clustering algorithms have been developed to date. However, novel and/or special circumstances always call for better customized cluster analysis methods, and thus this thesis. This thesis work consists of two parts. In the first part, we extend the modern multiple-objective cluster analysis from using a single set of features …

Preschool Psychopathology: Continuity And Outcomes At Age 6, Sara J. Bufferd

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

Relatively few studies have examined the continuity of preschool emotional and behavioral problems. Existing studies have typically focused on externalizing problems, included checklist measures that provided few details about symptoms, and used clinical samples that are subject to a variety of biases. Longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the clinical significance and future implications of psychopathology in young children. This prospective study examined the stability of psychopathology in a large (N = 462) community sample of young children using a comprehensive diagnostic interview with parents. Specific emotional and behavioral symptoms were assessed at ages 3 and 6, and child, familial, …

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Carbon Foams For Repair And Reconstruction Of Bone Defects, Brock Holston Marrs, Rodney Andrews, Larry Cunningham Jr.

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

The present invention relates to a tissue scaffold and a method of preparing a tissue scaffold for implantation. The tissue scaffold includes a body having a graphite foam core. At least a first portion of the external surface of that graphite foam core is covered by a composite material to provide additional mechanical strength to the scaffold.

Effects Of Moderate Swim Exercise On Adiposity And Metabolic Function In Mice, Roberta L. Pohlman, Ana Carneiro, Vera Farah, Lynn K. Hartzler, Mariana Morris

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Vital Signs, Summer 2012, Boonshoft School Of Medicine

Vital Signs

A forty-eight page newsletter created by the Boonshoft School of Medicine to document the current affairs of the school. This issue includes a variety of feature articles, a research spotlight, alumni notes, and more.

Insufficient Radiofrequency Ablation Promotes Angiogenesis Of Residual Hepatocellular Carcinoma Via Hif-1Α/Vegfa, Jian Kong, Jinge Kong, Bing Pan, Shan Ke, Shuying Dong, Xiuli Li, Aimin Zhou, Lemin Zheng, Wen Bing Sun

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Background: The mechanism of rapid growth of the residual tumor after radiofrequency (RF) ablation is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of hyperthermia on HepG2 cells and generated a subline with enhanced viability and dys-regulated angiogenesis in vivo, which was used as a model to further determine the molecular mechanism of the rapid growth of residual HCC after RF ablation. Methodology/Principal Findings: Heat treatment was used to establish sublines of HepG2 cells. A subline (HepG2 k) with a relatively higher viability and significant heat tolerance was selected. The cellular protein levels of VEGFA, HIF-1α and p-Akt, VEGFA …

Commencement 2012, Sacred Heart University

Commencement Programs

Program for the Graduate and Undergraduate ceremonies held May 12-13 2012.

Commencement Convocation Program, St. Petersburg Campus, May 1, 2012, University Of South Florida St. Petersburg

USF St. Petersburg Graduations and Commencements

King O'Neal Award: John Boda, Andrew Thurston, Emily Young; Outstanding Graduate: Britanny Lyp

The Effect Of Chlorine And Ozone In Controlling Microbes On Organically Grown Cilantro And Carrots, Adam Holtz

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project investigates the relative efficacy of ozonated water and chlorinated water for the purpose of sanitizing freshly-harvested organic produce. The aim of this study was to assist the Cal Poly Organic Farm in deciding whether or not to invest in an ozone generator. The crops used for testing were grown organically in the same field. Carrots and cilantro were harvested and promptly treated with 5 ppm ozone solution or 25 ppm sodium hypochlorite solution. Carrots were sampled at 0, 7, and 14 days storage to determine microbial populations. Cilantro was similarly tested at 0, 6, and 12 days …

Effects Of Construction Of Coastal Structure On Ecosystem, A. Jahangirzadeh, S. Akib, B. Kamali, N.S. Shamsudin, K. Kimiaei

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

Coastal defense structures were built to protect part of shore from beach erosion and flooding by sea water. Unfortunately, these structures produced some impacts on the environment which most of them are negative. Physical changes in beach landscape and habitats disturbance are the example of the effects. Although some of the effects are beneficial in socioeconomic aspect, but environment matters should be given more concerns because it can bring bad consequences to the earth landscape and make the ecosystem be unbalanced. This study outlines the coastal defense structure effects on ecosystem. Effects of coastal defense structures can be negative or …

Electromagnetic Flux Modeling Of Ac Field Over Planar Microarray Dot Electrodes Used In Dielectrophoretic Lab-On-Chip Device, A. Azaman, Nahrizul Adib Kadri, Noor Azuan Abu Osman

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

Introduction: Lab-on-chip devices have been proven to be advantageous in terms of selective collection, manipulation and separation of cells and particles. Numerous physical methods have been employed in the development of such devices, and alternating current (AC) electrokinetics was one of the chosen techniques due to its selectivity, efficacy, noninvasiveness, and low fabrication costs. Recently it has been shown that, by employing a specific AC electrokinetics technique called dielectrophoresis, it was possible to fabricate an addressable microarray dots in creating axisymmetrical AC fields over a planar microelectrode within a chamber containing the cell sample. Each of these dots received different …

Genetic Ensemble Biased Artmap Method Of Ecg-Based Emotion Classification, C.K. Loo, W.S. Liew, M.S. Sayeed

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

This study is an attempt to design a method for an autonomous pattern classification and recognition system for emotion recognition. The proposed system utilizes Biased ARTMAP for pattern learning and classification. The ARTMAP system is dependent on training sequence presentation to determine the effectiveness of the learning processes, as well as the strength of the biasing parameter, lambda λ. The optimal combination of λ and training sequence can be computed efficiently using a genetic permutation algorithm. The best combinations were selected to train individual ARTMAPs as voting members, and the final class predictions were determined using probabilistic ensemble voting strategy. …

In Vitro And In Vivo Anti-Angiogenic Activities Of Panduratin A, Siew Li Lai, Shiau Chuen Cheah, Pooi Fong Wong, Suzita Mohd Noor, Mohd Rais Mustafa

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

BACKGROUND: Targeting angiogenesis has emerged as an attractive and promising strategy in anti-cancer therapeutic development. The present study investigates the anti-angiogenic potential of Panduratin A (PA), a natural chalcone isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda by using both in vitro and in vivo assays. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: PA exerted selective cytotoxicity on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with IC(50) value of 6.91±0.85 µM when compared to human normal fibroblast and normal liver epithelial cells. Assessment of the growth kinetics by cell impedance-based Real-Time Cell Analyzer showed that PA induced both cytotoxic and cytostatic effects on HUVECs, depending on the concentration used. Results …

Sparse F-Incsfa For Action Recognition, C. Loo, Y. Bardia

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

High dimensional input streams and unsupervised learning are two important factors in the area of humanoids and processes of the actions and movements of human. Our Fast Incremental Slow Feature Analysis (F-IncSFA) can learn and extract the few significant features of the complex sensory input sequences regarding high-level spatio-temporal conceptions. In this paper, the application of the F-IncSFA and some of its structure to make a hierarchical compound network made of F-IncSFA has been described. Also the techniques developed by adding efficient sparse coding as an encoder and a preprocessing step before an application of the F-IncSFA. The efficient sparse …

Women In Leadership: Factors That Affect The Achievement Of Women In Higher Education Administration At Four-Year Public And Private Universities In Texas, Dawn Liguez

Theses & Dissertations

Women in Leadership: Factors that affect the Achievement of Women in Higher Education Administration At Four-Year Public and Private Universities in Texas

By: Dawn Marie Ramirez

Dissertation Chair, Absael Antelo, Ph.D.

University of the Incarnate Word, 2012

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the factors that affect women administrators in higher education at four-year public and private universities in Texas. By comparing private and public universities, the research provided an assessment of similarities and differences of the factors impacting achievement of women in higher education. This study surveyed (N = 288) female administrators in higher education, …