Digital Commons Network^™

Recent Developments In R.F. Magnetron Sputtered Thin Films For Ph Sensing Applications - An Overview, Devendra Maurya, Ali Sardarinejad, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

pH sensors are widely used in chemical and biological applications. Metal oxides-based pH sensors have many attractive features including insolubility, stability, mechanical strength, electrocatalyst and manufacturing technology. Various metal oxide thin films prepared by radio frequency (R.F.) magnetron sputtering have attractive features, including high pH sensitivity, fast response, high resolution, good stability and reversibility as well as potential for measuring pH under conditions that are not favourable for the commonly used glass electrodes-based pH sensors. In addition, thin film pH sensors prepared by R.F. magnetron sputtering offer many advantages, such as ease of packaging, low cost through the use of …

Bulk Tib2-Based Ceramic Composites With Improved Mechanical Property Using Fe-Ni-Ti-Al As A Sintering Aid, Chao Yang, Hao Guo, Mo Daguang, Shengguan Qu, Xiaoqiang Li, Weiwen Zhang, Laichang Zhang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The densification behavior, microstructure and mechanical properties of bulk TiB2-based ceramic composites, fabricated using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique with elements of (Fe–Ni–Ti–Al) sinter-aid were investigated. Comparing the change of shrinkage displacement of pure TiB2 and TiB2–5 wt% (Fe–Ni–Ti–Al), the addition of elements Fe–Ni–Ti–Al into TiB2 can facilitate sintering of the TiB2 ceramics. As the sintering temperature exceeds 1300 °C, the relative density does not significantly change. Alumina particles and austenite (Fe–Ni–Ti) metallic binder distributed homogeneously in the grain boundary of TiB2 can inhibit the growth of the TiB2 grains when the sintering temperature is below 1300 °C. The …

The Effect Of Double-Blind Carbohydrate Ingestion During 60 Km Of Self-Paced Exercise In Warm Ambient Conditions, Camila Nassif, Aline R. Gomes, Gustavo H.C. Peixoto, Mauro H. Chagas, Danusa D. Soares, Emerson Silami-Garcia, Eric J. Drinkwater, Jack Cannon, Frank E. Marino

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study evaluated double blind ingestions of placebo (PLA) versus 6% carbohydrate (CHO) either as capsules (c) or beverage (b) during 60 km self-paced cycling in the heat (32C and 50% relative humidity).

Time Course Of Central And Peripheral Alterations After Isometric Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation-Induced Muscle Damage, Alexandre Fouré, Kazunori Nosaka, Jennifer Wegrzyk, Guillueme Duhamel, Arnaud Le Troter, Helene Boudinet, Jean-Pierre Mattei, Christophe Vilmen, Marc Jubeau, David Bendahan, Julien Gondin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Isometric contractions induced by neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) have been shown to result in a prolonged force decrease but the time course of the potential central and peripheral factors have never been investigated. This study examined the specific time course of central and peripheral factors after isometric NMES-induced muscle damage. Twenty five young healthy men were subjected to an NMES exercise consisting of 40 contractions for both legs. Changes in maximal voluntary contraction force of the knee extensors (MVC), peak evoked force during double stimulations at 10 Hz (Db10) and 100 Hz (Db100), its ratio (10:100), voluntary activation, muscle soreness and …

A Combination Of Physical Activity And Computerized Brain Training Improves Verbal Memory And Increases Cerebral Glucose Metabolism In The Elderly, Tejal Shah, Giuseppe Verdile, Hamid R. Sohrabi, A Campbell, E Putland, C Cheetham, S Dhaliwal, M Weinborn, P Maruff, D Darby, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Physical exercise interventions and cognitive training programs have individually been reported to improve cognition in the healthy elderly population; however, the clinical significance of using a combined approach is currently lacking. This study evaluated whether physical activity (PA), computerized cognitive training and/or a combination of both could improve cognition. In this nonrandomized study, 224 healthy community-dwelling older adults (60-85 years) were assigned to 16 weeks home-based PA (n = 64), computerized cognitive stimulation (n = 62), a combination of both (combined, n = 51) or a control group (n = 47). Cognition was assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning …

Decreased Serum Zinc Is An Effect Of Ageing And Not Alzheimer's Disease, Alan Rembach, Dominic Hare, James Doecke, Samantha Burnham, Irene Volitakis, Christopher Fowler, Robert Cherny, Catriona Mclean, Rudolf Grimm, Ralph N. Martins, David Ames, Colin Masters, Ashley Bush, Blaine Roberts

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

We examined the distribution of zinc in the periphery (erythrocytes and serum) in a large, well-characterised cohort, the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study, in order to determine if there is systemic perturbation in zinc homeostasis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We observed an age dependent decrease in serum zinc of approximately 0.4% per year. When correcting for the age dependent decline in serum zinc no significant difference between healthy controls (HC), mildly cognitively impaired (MCI) or AD subjects was observed.

“Keeping It Together, Keeping Their Heads Above Water”: Western Australian Child Health Nurses’ Understanding Of Resilience In Postpartum Mothers, Rachael O. Collins, Julie Ann Pooley, Myra F. Taylor

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Assessing the well-being of postpartum mothers is an important aspect of postnatal nursing care. For this reason, Child Health Nurses (CHNs) are charged with the responsibility of identifying postpartum mothers who do/not manifest resilient behavioral qualities. However, little is known about CHNs’ conceptualization of resilience or how they assess resilience in postpartum mothers. This exemplar study addressed this knowledge shortfall by conducting semi-structured interviews with eight practicing CHNs. The study’s findings reveal that although CHNs’ conceptual understanding of resilience is congruent with current theoretical thinking, some variance does exist in the ways in which CHNs assess postpartum resilience, particularly, in …

A Monte Carlo Study: The Consequences Of The Misspecification Of The Level-1 Error Structure, Merlande Petit-Bois

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Single-case interventions allow for the repeated measurement of a case or participant across multiple time points, to assess the treatment¡͞s effect on one specific case or participant. The basic interrupted time series design includes two phases: baseline and treatment. Raudenbush and Byrk (2002) demonstrated that a meta-analysis of large group designs can be seen as a special case of multi-level analysis with participants (level-one) nested within studies (level-two). Raw data from a set of single case design studies have a similar structure. Van den Noortgate and Onghena (2003) illustrated the use of a two-level model to analyze data in primary …

British Cultural Narrative In Winston Churchill's Political Communication, Andres L. Faza

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study uses Winston Churchill's "We Shall Fight on the Beaches" speech, delivered to the House of Commons following the evacuation of Dunkirk, France in June 1940, as a source text by which to examine Churchill's use of British cultural narratives in political communication. Narrative and heuristic theories are proposed as means by which listeners process such messages. A number of rhetorical devices are defined, in order to inform a discussion of the narratives identified, particularly the means by which those narratives were rhetorically embedded in the text. After a careful examination of the source text, the narratives of knighthood …

A National Investigation Of Pre-Activity Health Screening Procedures In Fitness Facilities: Perspectives From American College Of Sports Medicine Certified Health Fitness Specialists, Aaron C. Craig

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

It is well established in the literature that the morbidity and mortality rates due to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, and diabetes in the U.S are alarmingly high. Likewise, there is ample data which demonstrates that participating in physical activity can help prevent and control many types of chronic diseases. Though the benefits outweigh the risks of participation in physical activity, the risks must be acknowledged.

Published standards and guidelines in the health fitness field have been established to address operational practices of fitness facilities, increase safety of participants and mitigate these risks. The present study was …

En Attendant Centiloid, Victor L. Villemagne, Vincent Doré, Paul Yates, Belinda Brown, Rachel Mulligan, Pierrick Bourgeat, Robyn Veljanoski, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Kevin Ong, Alan Rembach, Robert Williams, Samantha C. Burnham, Simon Laws, Olivier Salvado, Kevin Taddei, S. L. Macaulay, Ralph Martins, David Ames, Colin L. Masters, Christopher C. Rowe

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aims: Test the robustness of a linear regression transformation of semiquantitative values from different Aβ tracers into a single continuous scale. Study Design: Retrospective analysis. Place and Duration of Study: PET imaging data acquired in Melbourne and Perth, Australia, between August 2006 and May 2014. Methodology: Aβ imaging in 633 participants was performed with four different radiotracers: flutemetamol (n=267), florbetapir (n=195), florbetaben (n=126) and NAV4694 (n=45). SUVR were generated with the methods recommended for each tracer, and classified as high (Aβ+) or low (Aβ-) based on their respective thresholds. Linear regression transformation based on reported head-to-head comparisons of each tracer …

Illegitimate, Helen V. Bonavita, Lelia Green

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

No abstract provided.

Template-Based C8-Scorpion: A Protein 8 State Secondary Structure Prediction Method Using Structural Information And Context-Based Features, Ashraf Yaseen, Yaohang Li

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Background: Secondary structures prediction of proteins is important to many protein structure modeling applications. Correct prediction of secondary structures can significantly reduce the degrees of freedom in protein tertiary structure modeling and therefore reduces the difficulty of obtaining high resolution 3D models.

Methods: In this work, we investigate a template-based approach to enhance 8-state secondary structure prediction accuracy. We construct structural templates from known protein structures with certain sequence similarity. The structural templates are then incorporated as features with sequence and evolutionary information to train two-stage neural networks. In case of structural templates absence, heuristic structural information is incorporated instead. …

Automated Identification Of Cell Type Specific Genes In The Mouse Brain By Image Computing Of Expression Patterns, Rongjian Li, Wenlu Zhang, Shuiwang Ji

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Background: Differential gene expression patterns in cells of the mammalian brain result in the morphological, connectional, and functional diversity of cells. A wide variety of studies have shown that certain genes are expressed only in specific cell-types. Analysis of cell-type-specific gene expression patterns can provide insights into the relationship between genes, connectivity, brain regions, and cell-types. However, automated methods for identifying cell-type-specific genes are lacking to date.

Results: Here, we describe a set of computational methods for identifying cell-type-specific genes in the mouse brain by automated image computing of in situ hybridization (ISH) expression patterns. We applied invariant image feature …

Toward A Real Time Multi-Tissue Adaptive Physics Based Non-Rigid Registration Framework For Brain Tumor Resection, Fotis Drakopoulos, Panagiotis Foteinos, Yixun Liu, Nikos Chrisochoides

Computer Science Faculty Publications

This paper presents an adaptive non-rigid registration method for aligning pre-operative MRI with intra-operative MRI (iMRI) to compensate for brain deformation during brain tumor resection. This method extends a successful existing Physics-Based Non-Rigid Registration (PBNRR) technique implemented in ITKv4.5. The new method relies on a parallel adaptive heterogeneous biomechanical Finite Element (FE) model for tissue/tumor removal depicted in the iMRI. In contrast the existing PBNRR in ITK relies on homogeneous static FE model designed for brain shift only (i.e., it is not designed to handle brain tumor resection). As a result, the new method (1) accurately captures the intra-operative deformations …

A Scalable Backward Chaining-Based Reasoner For A Semantic Web, Hui Shi, Kurt Maly, Steven Zeil

Computer Science Faculty Publications

In this paper we consider knowledge bases that organize information using ontologies. Specifically, we investigate reasoning over a semantic web where the underlying knowledge base covers linked data about science research that are being harvested from the Web and are supplemented and edited by community members. In the semantic web over which we want to reason, frequent changes occur in the underlying knowledge base, and less frequent changes occur in the underlying ontology or the rule set that governs the reasoning. Interposing a backward chaining reasoner between a knowledge base and a query manager yields an architecture that can support …

Automatic Curvilinear Quality Mesh Generation Driven By Smooth Boundary And Guaranteed Fidelity, Jing Xu, Andrey N. Chernikov

Computer Science Faculty Publications

The development of robust high-order finite element methods requires the construction of valid high-order meshes for complex geometries without user intervention. This paper presents a novel approach for automatically generating a high-order mesh with two main features: first, the boundary of the mesh is globally smooth; second, the mesh boundary satisfies a required fidelity tolerance. Invalid elements are eliminated. Example meshes demonstrate the features of the algorithm.

Gpu Accelerated Long-Term Simulations Of Beam-Beam Effects In Colliders, B. Terzić, V. Morozov, Y. Roblin, F. Lin, H. Zhang, M. Aturban, D. Ranjan, M. Zubair

Computer Science Faculty Publications

We present an update on the development of the new code for long-term simulation of beam-beam effects in particle colliders. The underlying physical model relies on a matrix-based arbitrary-order particle tracking (including a symplectic option) for beam transport and the generalized Bassetti-Erskine approximation for beam-beam interaction. The computations are accelerated through a parallel implementation on a hybrid GPU/CPU platform. With the new code, previously computationally prohibitive long-term simulations become tractable. The new code will be used to model the proposed Medium-energy Electron-Ion Collider (MEIC) at Jefferson Lab.

Tracing Beta Strands Using Strandtwister From Cryo-Em Density Maps At Medium Resolutions, Dong Si, Jing He

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Major secondary structure elements such as α helices and β sheets can be computationally detected from cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) density maps with medium resolutions of 5–10 A˚ . However, a critical piece of information for modeling atomic structures is missing, because there are no tools to detect β strands from cryo-EM maps at medium resolutions. We propose a method, StrandTwister, to detect the traces of β strands through the analysis of twist, an intrinsic nature of a β sheet. StrandTwister has been tested using 100 β sheets simulated at 10 A˚ resolution and 39 β sheets computationally detected from cryo-EM …

A Nonrigid Registration Method For Correcting Brain Deformation Induced By Tumor Resection, Yixun Liu, Chengjun Yao, Fotis Drakopoulos, Jinsong Wu, Liangfu Zhou, Nikos Chrisochoides

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Purpose: This paper presents a nonrigid registration method to align preoperative MRI with intraoperative MRI to compensate for brain deformation during tumor resection. This method extends traditional point-based nonrigid registration in two aspects: (1) allow the input data to be incomplete and (2) simulate the underlying deformation with a heterogeneous biomechanical model.

Methods: The method formulates the registration as a three-variable (point correspondence, deformation field, and resection region) functional minimization problem, in which point correspondence is represented by a fuzzy assign matrix; Deformation field is represented by a piecewise linear function regularized by the strain energy of a heterogeneous biomechanical …

Hierarchical Graphical Bayesian Models In Psychology, Guillermo Campitelli, Guillermo Macbeth

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The improvement of graphical methods in psychological research can promote their use and a better comprehension of their expressive power. The application of hierarchical Bayesian graphical models has recently become more frequent in psychological research. The aim of this contribution is to introduce suggestions for the improvement of hierarchical Bayesian graphical models in psychology. This novel set of suggestions stems from the description and comparison between two main approaches concerned with the use of plate notation and distribution pictograms. It is concluded that the combination of relevant aspects of both models might improve the use of powerful hierarchical Bayesian graphical …

Moved But Not Gone: An Evaluation Of Real-Time Methods For Discovering Replacement Web Pages, Martin Klein, Michael L. Nelson

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Inaccessible Web pages and 404 “Page Not Found” responses are a common Web phenomenon and a detriment to the user’s browsing experience. The rediscovery of missing Web pages is, therefore, a relevant research topic in the digital preservation as well as in the Information Retrieval realm. In this article, we bring these two areas together by analyzing four content- and link-based methods to rediscover missing Web pages. We investigate the retrieval performance of the methods individually as well as their combinations and give an insight into how effective these methods are over time. As the main result of this work, …

Zernike Moments And Genetic Algorithm : Tutorial And Application, Oluleye H. Babatunde, Leisa Armstrong, Jinsong Leng, Dean Diepeveen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aims/ objectives: To demontrate effectiveness of Zernike Moments for Image Classification. Zernike moment(ZM) is an excellent region-based moment which has attracted the attentions of many image processing researchers since its first application to image analysis. Many papers have been published on several works done on ZM but no single paper ever give a detailed information of how the computation of ZM is done from the time the image is captured to the computation of ZM. This work showed how to effectively apply ZM on RGB images. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of Zernike moment in image classification system. A neuro-genetic …

Novel Image-Dependent Quality Assessment Measures, Asaad Hashim, Zahir Hussain

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The image is a 2D signal whose pixels are highly correlated in a 2D manner. Hence, using pixel by pixel error what we called previously Mean-Square Error, (MSE) is not an efficient way to compare two similar images (e.g., an original image and a compressed version of it). Due to this correlation, image comparison needs a correlative quality measure. It is clear that correlation between two signals gives an idea about the relation between samples of the two signals. Generally speaking, correlation is a measure of similarity between the two signals. An important step in image similarity was introduced by …

Theoretical And Experimental Investigations To Improve The Performance Of Surface Acoustic Wave (Saw) Biosensors, Mandek Richardson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this dissertation is to improve the performance of surface acoustic wave (SAW) biosensors for use in point-of-care-testing (POCT) applications. SAW biosensors have the ability to perform fast, accurate detection of an analyte in real time without the use of labels. However, the technology suffers from the inability to differentiate between specific and non-specific binding. Due to this limitation, direct testing of bodily fluids using SAW sensors to accurately determine an analyte's concentration is difficult. In addition, these sensors are challenged by the need to detect small concentrations of a biomarker that are typically required to give a …

(Dis)Abled Gaming: An Autoethnographic Analysis Of Decreasing Accessibility For Disabled Gamers, Kyle David Romano

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Within the context of culture, disability has long existed as a stigmatizing quality (Goffman, 1963). As a result, people with disabilities are often overlooked or completely omitted from various, cultural artifacts. This exclusion of people with disabilities is largely recognized as unproblematic because their disabilities imply an inevitable failing. Through my own experiences as a disabled gamer, I have recognized that video games have also framed gamers with disabilities as problematic. Video games are largely constructed in a one-size-fits-all mentality (Grammenos, 2014), where very specific people, with very specific kinds of bodies, are granted access to play them. Since disabled …

Online On The Mobile: Internet Use On Smartphones And Associated Risks Among Youth In Europe, G Stald, Lelia Green, M Barbovski, L Haddon, G Mascheroni, B Sagvari, B Scifo, L Tsaliki

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This report analyses how children aged 9-16 changed their internet use between 2010, when most children used fixed computers and laptops, and 2013, with over one-quarter (c. 28%) of 9-12 year olds, and three-fifths (c. 60%) of 13-16 year olds, accessing the internet via a smartphone.

Free-Space 120 Gb/S Reconfigurable Card-To-Card Optical Wireless Interconnects With 16-Cap Modulation, Ke Wang, Ampalavanapillai Nirmalathas, Christina Lim, Efstratios Skafidas, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate reconfigurable card-to-card optical wireless interconnects architecture with 16-Carrierless-Amplitude/Phase modulation. Results show that 3×40 Gb/s interconnection is achieved with 2 mW transmission power.

The Syrian Civil War: Four Concentric Forces Of Tensions, Majid Rafizadeh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The ongoing Syrian conflict has been subject to considerable amount of political polemics. Nevertheless, little scholarly work has been conducted in order to comprehend the complexities as well as underlying reasons behind the intensity, scope, and duration of the conflict in Syria. Through qualitative methodology, this research examines the character of the Syrian conflict, by conducting an in-depth and nuanced case study of the Syrian civil war. While some theories of intrastate conflict and civil wars, concentrate on the domestic character of internal conflicts within states, transnational theories focus on external factors in examining intrastate conflicts. Both theoretical framework fail …

Windows Surface Rt Tablet Forensics, Asif Iqbal, Hanan Al Obaidli, Andrew Marrington, Andy Jones

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Small scale digital device forensics is particularly critical as a result of the mobility of these devices, leading to closer proximity to crimes as they occur when compared to computers. The Windows Surface tablet is one such device, combining tablet mobility with familiar Microsoft Windows productivity tools. This research considers the acquisition and forensic analysis of the Windows Surface RT tablet. We discuss the artifacts of both the Windows RT operating system and third-party applications. The contribution of this research is to provide a road map for the digital forensic examination of Windows Surface RT tablets.