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GLP-1R Activation Improves Cognition and Produces an Antidepressant-like Phenotype
Title
GLP-1R Activation Improves Cognition and Produces an Antidepressant-like Phenotype.
Creator
Trammell, Taylor
Abstract/Description
Major depressive disorder has negative effects on both mood and cognition that are not efficiently treated with present therapies. Activation of the glucagon- like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) increases neurogenesis within the dentate gyrus and outer hippocampal region. GLP-1R activation also alters depressive-like behaviors (Isacson, 2011). We hypothesize that a GLP-1R agonist would produce an antidepressant-like phenotype and improve performance in a location discrimination task used to...
Show moreMajor depressive disorder has negative effects on both mood and cognition that are not efficiently treated with present therapies. Activation of the glucagon- like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) increases neurogenesis within the dentate gyrus and outer hippocampal region. GLP-1R activation also alters depressive-like behaviors (Isacson, 2011). We hypothesize that a GLP-1R agonist would produce an antidepressant-like phenotype and improve performance in a location discrimination task used to assess spatial discrimination and memory. In order to investigate this, the existence of GLP-1R-expressing neurons within the DG and Hpc using BAC transgenic mice was first identified. A GLP-1R agonist was peripherally administered and the effects on anxiety- and depressive-like behavior were assessed using the elevated zero maze, light/dark test, and the forced swim test. Lastly, the effects of the agonist on location discrimination were investigated to assess the effects on cognition. Our results suggested that the GLP-1R activation had an antidepressant-like effect without being anxiogenic. It also improved performance on the spatial discrimination task in a sex-specific manner. These effects were seen after acute administration, which is very promising for an effective therapy for MDD-related cognitive decline.
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Date Issued
2018-04-15
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1523842819_ede22630
Format
Thesis
My Own Kind of Hat: The Life, Music, and Impact of Merle Haggard
Title
My Own Kind of Hat: The Life, Music, and Impact of Merle Haggard.
Creator
Brown III, Thomas W
Date Issued
2018-04-22
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524438342_5fbd5a54
Format
Thesis
BladeFoil - Evidence for a Common Ancestor Between the Beta-Trefoil and Beta-Propeller Protein Architectures
Title
BladeFoil - Evidence for a Common Ancestor Between the Beta-Trefoil and Beta-Propeller Protein Architectures.
Creator
Parker, Joseph Brandon
Abstract/Description
Proteins belong to different architectures (or “folds”) by the way they fold into their tertiary structure. Two common protein architectures are the beta-trefoil fold and the beta-propeller fold. The designed protein “Symfoil-4P” is an example of the beta-trefoil fold and exhibits symmetry in it’s three domains down to the primary level. When a single domain was isolated from Symfoil-4P and studied computationally, it was predicted to fold as a “blade” motif belonging to the beta-propeller...
Show moreProteins belong to different architectures (or “folds”) by the way they fold into their tertiary structure. Two common protein architectures are the beta-trefoil fold and the beta-propeller fold. The designed protein “Symfoil-4P” is an example of the beta-trefoil fold and exhibits symmetry in it’s three domains down to the primary level. When a single domain was isolated from Symfoil-4P and studied computationally, it was predicted to fold as a “blade” motif belonging to the beta-propeller protein methylamine dehydrogenase heavy chain (1MDA). This finding gave rise to the idea that there could be a common ancestor between these two protein architectures. The purpose of this study was to see if evidence could be provided for this common ancestor. To test this a blade sequence substitution was made in Symfoil-4P in two locations. Along with two blade insertions, 3 leucine point mutations in two of the mutants were made, creating four mutants in total. The goal of this study was to see if any of these four mutants fold. All four mutants were resolved using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) in both the presence and absence of guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl), a chaotropic agent. Two of the mutants were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to test for thermostability and folding. SEC GuHCl experiments all showed significant unfolding events. DSC experiments showed evidence of unfolding events and high thermostability. The outcome from these experiments offers evidence for a possible common ancestor between these two protein architectures.
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Date Issued
2018-04-22
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524438081_15d64dbc
Format
Thesis
Thermodynamic Approach to Modeling Deep Eutectic Systems
Title
A Thermodynamic Approach to Modeling Deep Eutectic Systems.
Creator
Passino, Sean
Date Issued
2018-04-23
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524754615_71c9f817
Format
Thesis
Can Conversation Partners Effectively Influence Others’ Perception of Them?
Title
Can Conversation Partners Effectively Influence Others’ Perception of Them?.
Creator
Simonin, Natalie
Abstract/Description
The purpose of this study is to examine if people are successful in creating an impression when interacting with someone they just met. Participants were given ten minutes to either engage in conversation with a partner, or they were given a goal to make their partner view them as likeable or unlikeable. Both partners then answered a series of questions about each other. The results showed that participants were successful in meeting their goals. Big Five personality traits of both the...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to examine if people are successful in creating an impression when interacting with someone they just met. Participants were given ten minutes to either engage in conversation with a partner, or they were given a goal to make their partner view them as likeable or unlikeable. Both partners then answered a series of questions about each other. The results showed that participants were successful in meeting their goals. Big Five personality traits of both the participant and their partner did not show a major impact on how effective the participants were in accomplishing their goals.
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Date Issued
2018-04-23
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524858077_941e2c68
Format
Thesis
From My Grandfather's Hands
Title
From My Grandfather's Hands: El Coqui: A Puerto Rican Play.
Creator
Mercado, Cristian A
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524859097_38969e99
Format
Thesis
Effects of Effort and Ability Feedback on Emotions Toward Math
Title
Effects of Effort and Ability Feedback on Emotions Toward Math.
Creator
Shorter, Courtney N
Abstract/Description
Emotions toward academic subjects can positively or negatively affect achievement, but little work focuses on state emotions, which occur during math tasks. This preregistered study addresses the lack of research on state emotions by measuring students’ self-reported emotions while taking varied math quizzes and receiving three possible types of feedback. The 147 college students took math quizzes that involved either success or failure, and were asked about their current feelings of pride,...
Show moreEmotions toward academic subjects can positively or negatively affect achievement, but little work focuses on state emotions, which occur during math tasks. This preregistered study addresses the lack of research on state emotions by measuring students’ self-reported emotions while taking varied math quizzes and receiving three possible types of feedback. The 147 college students took math quizzes that involved either success or failure, and were asked about their current feelings of pride, enjoyment, anxiety, boredom, and anger. Students were also randomly assigned to effort, ability, or no feedback conditions. Using repeated measures analyses of variance, we found that students had more positive and less negative emotions after experiencing success compared to experiencing failure. The only effect of type of feedback was on anger, which showed that there was a significant increase in anger reports for the effort feedback condition between the time before conditions started and after. Additionally, type of feedback had no significant effect on math performance. The correlations between growth and fixed mindsets and emotions in response to success and failure showed only a small positive correlation between growth mindset and enjoyment. There were no significant correlations between growth or fixed mindset and math performance. Therefore, our results suggest that emotions change in responses to success and failure, that feedback had a minimal effect on emotions towards and performance in math, and that mindset is minimally correlated to emotions or performance.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524859362_57a4d3c3
Format
Thesis
Corregidora's Blues
Title
Corregidora's Blues: Re-Inventing the Mulatto Identity.
Creator
McGrew, Darius O.
Abstract/Description
Corregidora posits Blues as a conduit through which Ursa may address the transgenerational trauma which has plagued the matriarchy of her biracial genealogy. This trauma underscores the importance of memory and oral tradition in African-American culture, and demonstrates the personal and political agency by which it may be characterized. Blues functions as an agent of self-determination and a subsequent contradiction to the tragic mulatto trope, my written Thesis will analyze and draw...
Show moreCorregidora posits Blues as a conduit through which Ursa may address the transgenerational trauma which has plagued the matriarchy of her biracial genealogy. This trauma underscores the importance of memory and oral tradition in African-American culture, and demonstrates the personal and political agency by which it may be characterized. Blues functions as an agent of self-determination and a subsequent contradiction to the tragic mulatto trope, my written Thesis will analyze and draw connections between Corregidora and “Was Your Mama a Mulatto?”. My goal is to wholly identify the role of Blues in the alternate presentation of the tragic mulatto figure in Corregidora.
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Date Issued
04/27/2018
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524860905_b0ea2cd8
Format
Thesis
Chemotactic Strategies in Marine Bacteria
Title
Chemotactic Strategies in Marine Bacteria.
Creator
Grosser, Kyle Frederic
Abstract/Description
Bacteria are unicellular microorganisms that live in a variety of habitats, including aquatic environments, soil, and inside multicellular organisms. Like any other organism, bacteria need resources in order to survive and reproduce. They obtain these resources by performing chemotaxis, the process by which bacteria migrate up a chemical gradient. This complex method of motility has been investigated in recent decades by researchers from a number of disciplines, including mathematics, physics...
Show moreBacteria are unicellular microorganisms that live in a variety of habitats, including aquatic environments, soil, and inside multicellular organisms. Like any other organism, bacteria need resources in order to survive and reproduce. They obtain these resources by performing chemotaxis, the process by which bacteria migrate up a chemical gradient. This complex method of motility has been investigated in recent decades by researchers from a number of disciplines, including mathematics, physics, and microbiology. However, understanding chemotaxis is crucial not only for understanding bacterial motility. Since bacteria play a significant role in the nutrient absorption in larger organisms, epidemiology, nutrient cycling, and waste degradation, chemotaxis underpins a variety of important questions. Marine bacteria, on which this study focuses, perform chemotaxis in turbulent marine habitats. This turbulence further complicates chemotaxis and warrants further analysis. We aim to better understand the complex chemotaxis that marine bacteria perform.
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Date Issued
2018/04/27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524796627_d9642c2f
Format
Thesis
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Zika Virus-Mediated S-Phase Cell Cycle Arrest
Title
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Zika Virus-Mediated S-Phase Cell Cycle Arrest.
Creator
Karimipour, Farrah
Date Issued
2018-04-24
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524796986_5c5a232a
Format
Thesis
Digital Compensation To Mechanical Error
Title
Digital Compensation To Mechanical Error: An Investigation Into Cyber-Physical Systems With DeXter™ A Hybrid Additive Manufacturing System.
Creator
Psulkowski, Sean Psulkowski Colin
Abstract/Description
As the need arises for high throughput manufacturing of products with higher complexity, so does the acquisition rate of autonomous systems in the industrial settings. The growing promise of additive manufacturing technology and the realization of industry 4.0 practices requires the introduction of cooperative robotic systems to meet demand. The research and development of the DeXter™ hybrid manufacturing system at HPMI strives to bridge the gaps of current and future manufacturing technology...
Show moreAs the need arises for high throughput manufacturing of products with higher complexity, so does the acquisition rate of autonomous systems in the industrial settings. The growing promise of additive manufacturing technology and the realization of industry 4.0 practices requires the introduction of cooperative robotic systems to meet demand. The research and development of the DeXter™ hybrid manufacturing system at HPMI strives to bridge the gaps of current and future manufacturing technology. The inclusion of a cooperative robotic system working simultaneously on a part in close proximity spurs inquiry to the issues of effectiveness and practicality compared to what is witnessed by conventional operation. The following manuscript aims to narrate the design process and capabilities of the DeXter™ system, as well as measure current performance under typical operation. Investigations were aided with (1)computer vision analysis and (2)dynamic modeling to provide insight on the limitations of the current system. Finally, to benchmark performance as it compares to modern on market systems. The rationale is presented as to the benefits of future investment into the DeXter™ system, including expected operation protocol of a fully realized system of manufacturing. The following study presents a corrective algorithm of operation, to mitigate tool-head precision error digitally in a system where physical improvement is mechanically limited. Such work acts as a cornerstone to a late neural network of cyber physical systems operating cooperatively to facilitate a fluid workflow of custom manufacturing never before witnessed.
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Date Issued
4/27/2018
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524799119_9f381d5c
Format
Thesis
Categorical Perception in Complex Objects
Title
Categorical Perception in Complex Objects.
Creator
Boyd, Joshua
Abstract/Description
Categorical perception refers to the enhanced discernibility of stimuli that exist in different innate or learned categories. This effect has been observed in many different contexts, ranging from speech phoneme differentiation (Liberman et al, 1957) to distinguishing between simple shapes (Goldstone, 1994). While evidence for categorical perception has been found for many different types of stimuli, experiments have given mixed results regarding the existence of CP in complex (non-face)...
Show moreCategorical perception refers to the enhanced discernibility of stimuli that exist in different innate or learned categories. This effect has been observed in many different contexts, ranging from speech phoneme differentiation (Liberman et al, 1957) to distinguishing between simple shapes (Goldstone, 1994). While evidence for categorical perception has been found for many different types of stimuli, experiments have given mixed results regarding the existence of CP in complex (non-face) shapes. Some research found no evidence for categorical perception of complex shapes. Instead, global acquired distinctiveness, or an enhanced ability to detect dimensionally relevant differences regardless of category, was determined to be present (Folstein, Palmeri and Gauthier, 2014). This study attempted to find evidence of categorical perception in complex objects by using a variation of an experimental setup utilized by Goldstone in 1994. Subjects completed both a category learning exercise and object discrimination task within a single one-and-a-half-hour session. While no evidence for categorical perception was discovered, the amount of time participants had to learn the categories may have prevented the effect from being observed.
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Date Issued
2018-04-26
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524799479_df6b8b21
Format
Thesis
La Sorella Dell'Ave: The Sister of the Ave Maria
Title
La Sorella Dell'Ave: The Sister of the Ave Maria: A Translation of the Romanzi in Versi by Ludovica Ripa di Meana.
Creator
Beasley, Jessica
Abstract/Description
This work seeks to get a better grasp on translation in favor of doing justice to the book, La Sorella Dell'Ave by Ludovica Ripa di Meana. While the research surrounding translation theory is presented here, this project also included the first few chapters of the translation that this project worked on, with the help of Dr. Silvia Valisa. This research discusses ethical translation, feminist translation, translation decisions, and translation perceptions, specifically pertaining to western...
Show moreThis work seeks to get a better grasp on translation in favor of doing justice to the book, La Sorella Dell'Ave by Ludovica Ripa di Meana. While the research surrounding translation theory is presented here, this project also included the first few chapters of the translation that this project worked on, with the help of Dr. Silvia Valisa. This research discusses ethical translation, feminist translation, translation decisions, and translation perceptions, specifically pertaining to western culture.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524812703_4f6e2250
Format
Thesis
Dying Industry?: The "Alternative" Funeral Movement In the American Mainstream
Title
A Dying Industry?: The "Alternative" Funeral Movement In the American Mainstream.
Creator
Cox, Ruthelen Evangeline
Abstract/Description
Since Jessica Mitford's "The American Way of Death" in the 1960s, an active push against the American funeral industry toward "alternative funerals" gains momentum. Many different interest groups have many different motives for conducting "alternative funerals" -- and so-called "traditional" ones. In the last decade, some activists have suggested creating a mainstream "movement" comprised of these groups, hoping a broader demographic will garner more attention for "alternatives" overall to...
Show moreSince Jessica Mitford's "The American Way of Death" in the 1960s, an active push against the American funeral industry toward "alternative funerals" gains momentum. Many different interest groups have many different motives for conducting "alternative funerals" -- and so-called "traditional" ones. In the last decade, some activists have suggested creating a mainstream "movement" comprised of these groups, hoping a broader demographic will garner more attention for "alternatives" overall to change the Federal Trade Commission's Funeral Rule. However, a movement cannot develop without one particular end in mind -- and these groups pursue their own respective, sometimes irreconcilable, ends. This paper examines past economic, hygienic and diversity-based considerations in alternative funeral activism in order to inform current activists of recurring obstacles and suggest, ultimately, that the best Funeral Rule avoids specificity and favors open interpretation.
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Date Issued
2018/04/27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524807356_0d4e6e8b
Format
Thesis
Homosociality and Whiteness: YoungLife Christians on Instagram
Title
Homosociality and Whiteness: YoungLife Christians on Instagram.
Creator
Teek, Mackenzie
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524834539_30489885
Format
Thesis
Homosociality and Whiteness: YoungLife Christians on Instagram
Title
Homosociality and Whiteness: YoungLife Christians on Instagram.
Creator
Teek, Mackenzie
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524834543_38f725b3
Format
Thesis
Astoria Stories
Title
Astoria Stories.
Creator
Maceira, Gabriela Gema
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524836587_6b3eb86b
Format
Thesis
Effect of Histone Expression on Sensitivity to Metal Ions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Title
Effect of Histone Expression on Sensitivity to Metal Ions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Creator
Swanson, Nicholas
Abstract/Description
Histones are proteins that are essential for DNA organization, chromatin structure, and gene regulation. Their expression has been linked to many cellular functions and the extent of their utility is still not completely understood. It has been demonstrated that histone overexpression affects the expression of genes involved in iron metabolism and iron-dependent biotin synthesis pathways, which may indicate that histones are used in the regulation of metal metabolism in the cell. Peptides...
Show moreHistones are proteins that are essential for DNA organization, chromatin structure, and gene regulation. Their expression has been linked to many cellular functions and the extent of their utility is still not completely understood. It has been demonstrated that histone overexpression affects the expression of genes involved in iron metabolism and iron-dependent biotin synthesis pathways, which may indicate that histones are used in the regulation of metal metabolism in the cell. Peptides corresponding to histone proteins have been shown to bind directly to various metal ions in vitro, which may support the idea that histones are able to chelate metal ions in a “self-sacrifice” pathway of preventing cell damage due to excess metal. This study examines how histone genes and their expression affects the ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to survive in environments rich in either iron or copper. Here I show that histone H2B underexpression engineered via a deletion of the htb2 gene resulted in a decreased viability in excess iron, though it was the only histone gene deletion which had any effect on survival in high iron. Deletion of hht1-hhf1, hht1, hta2-htb2, hhf2, hta1, and hht2-hhf2 genes were linked to a decreased viability in excess copper. When hht1-hhf1 was reintroduced to the cell via transformation, however, the cells’ viability on excess copper did not improve suggesting that a more complex regulatory mechanism may be involved. Furthermore, overexpression of histones did not impact viability in excess iron. This study demonstrates that there is a strong relationship between histone expression and viability in the presence of excess copper; however there is little impact of most histone genes on survival in excess iron.
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Date Issued
4/25/18
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524835210_995d4ced
Format
Thesis
PALM/etto Collective
Title
PALM/etto Collective: An Exploration into Socially Engaged Artistic Environmentalism.
Creator
Egelfeld, Jennifer Lynn
Abstract/Description
PALM/etto Collective: An Exploration into Socially Engaged Artistic Environmentalism was initially conceived in July 2016 during a summer internship with artist Mary Miss in her environmental/art-focused non-profit, City as Living Lab (CaLL). In the course of my internship, I witnessed the developmental, collaborative, and marketing efforts of the staff to reach their goals of collective action, policy change, and environmental education. It was this integration of arts and science that...
Show morePALM/etto Collective: An Exploration into Socially Engaged Artistic Environmentalism was initially conceived in July 2016 during a summer internship with artist Mary Miss in her environmental/art-focused non-profit, City as Living Lab (CaLL). In the course of my internship, I witnessed the developmental, collaborative, and marketing efforts of the staff to reach their goals of collective action, policy change, and environmental education. It was this integration of arts and science that inspired an interest in social engagement and relationship building as a form of art. The objective of this project was to encourage environmental and social action through art by developing workshops and associated zines that connect participants with their artistic faculties, relate ecology to artistic practice, and keep an open dialogue about local concerns, culture, and geography. During the first semester of my research, I laid the foundation of the project that I would later name PALM/etto Collective. I created a summary, mission statement, and theory of change, designed workshops, and established a social media presence. Additionally, I looked to other organizations that employed similar artistic approaches to help determine success in other efforts. The second semester of my research was dedicated to executing the workshops I proposed: Environmentalism in Papermaking, Guerrilla Gardening: History, Tactics, Artistic Practice, Making Zines: DIY Publishing on Literally Anything, and Creating P(ie/ea)ce. I also dedicated myself to forming relationships between PALM/etto Collective, other organizations, and community members. This thesis will explain the concept of participatory art, on which much of this project is based, as well as present projects from which PALM/etto Collective derived, explain the evolution of the procedures in determining effectiveness, and provide figures that offer a glimpse into the workshops.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524837775_d31f2fe8
Format
Thesis
Effective Integration Outcomes for Refugees in Varied Communities in the United States
Title
Effective Integration Outcomes for Refugees in Varied Communities in the United States.
Creator
Gillingham, Carly
Abstract/Description
The world is currently experiencing its largest displacement crisis in history, and countries throughout the world are receiving significant numbers of refugees as a consequence. Many studies have paid attention to the process of resettlement, but the following research examines the process that occurs after resettlement: integration. Integration includes the processes refugees go through in order to become self-sufficient members of their new communities. It examines integration through the...
Show moreThe world is currently experiencing its largest displacement crisis in history, and countries throughout the world are receiving significant numbers of refugees as a consequence. Many studies have paid attention to the process of resettlement, but the following research examines the process that occurs after resettlement: integration. Integration includes the processes refugees go through in order to become self-sufficient members of their new communities. It examines integration through the lens of five factors: English language ability, employment, financial independence, development of a diverse social circle, and what Jessica A. Marks (2014) calls “civic attachment,” or “an individual's feelings: that he/she is an important community member, his/her opinions matter in community affairs, and he/she wants to be make the community a better place through his/her contributions.” The study uses field research conducted via interviews with personnel from refugee assistance agencies in Central Florida and the surrounding area of Atlanta, Georgia, as well as surveys with refugee clients. It combines the results from these interviews and surveys with related work in the field of refugee integration in other US cities. Ultimately, using the aforementioned five factors for integration, it synthesizes the experiences of refugee integration in the United States and establishes the most effective practices to improve integration processes.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524838596_b25cb46e
Format
Thesis
High Resolution MR Imaging of Amyloid Deposition in a Genetic Model of Familial Alzheimer's Disease
Title
High Resolution MR Imaging of Amyloid Deposition in a Genetic Model of Familial Alzheimer's Disease.
Creator
Palin, Tara Nicole
Abstract/Description
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia characterized by a gradual loss in memory, reasoning and orientation. Currently clinical diagnosis of AD required documentation of progressive decline in memory by means of longitudinal clinical examinations and neuropsychologic tests. Unfortunately, due to clinical criteria, these tests are less than 70% accurate when diagnosing AD. Traditionally diagnosed postmortem by the observation of amyloid-beta (A) deposits in the brain....
Show moreAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia characterized by a gradual loss in memory, reasoning and orientation. Currently clinical diagnosis of AD required documentation of progressive decline in memory by means of longitudinal clinical examinations and neuropsychologic tests. Unfortunately, due to clinical criteria, these tests are less than 70% accurate when diagnosing AD. Traditionally diagnosed postmortem by the observation of amyloid-beta (A) deposits in the brain. Cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by - and -secretase results in plaque deposition, however mutations in presenilin1 (PS1) is known to affect this function, accelerating the rate at which the plaques are generated. A subgroup of cases has been termed familial AD (FAD) since they have been attributed to a genetic defect mapped to chromosome 21 by genetic linkage analysis. Despite the early onset seen in FAD patients, the pathology and symptoms have been found to be similar to that of the non-inherited form. This project utilizes the 5xFAD APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse model since it is known to have an aggressive and rapid plaque deposition, starting at around 2-months. Since this model does not show to have any significant tau pathology, it is representative of an amyloid-predominant model. In order to observe changes in plaque density and overall brain volume, 3D gradient-recalled echo fast low angle shot (GRE FLASH), more specifically gradient echo Fourier imaging tomography (GEFI-TOMO) were acquired. Scans acquired with a spatial resolution of 50-m were acquired at two different magnetic field strengths of 11.75-T (500-MHz) and 21.1-T (900-MHz) at two different echo times (TE). Scans acquired with a spatial resolution of 25-m were only acquired at 21.1-T. All scans were acquired at two different echo times (TE) of 7.5 and 15-ms. It was found that the optimal scan parameters when trying to best compromise when trying to optimize the SNR and spatial resolution for plaque visualization. Due to the presumed presence of iron in the plaques, susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) were acquired in order to try and exploit susceptibility differences in tissue. T2* values were estimated and showed a decrease when comparing 1- to 6-month samples due to iron causing changes in plaque voxel contrast. This decrease is assumed to be caused by the increased presence of plaques, however the TE times observed were not able to quantify these values by means of T2* mapping. More echo times would need to be evaluated in order to better fit the data to an exponential curve.
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Date Issued
2018-04-25
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524840305_d08907cb
Format
Thesis
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Neural Connectivity Alterations in a Familial Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Title
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Neural Connectivity Alterations in a Familial Model of Alzheimer's Disease.
Creator
Boebinger, Scott Everett
Date Issued
4/20/2018
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524842318_e60839ea
Format
Thesis
Relationship between Vocabulary Knowledge and Morphological Awareness in English Learners
Title
Relationship between Vocabulary Knowledge and Morphological Awareness in English Learners.
Creator
Baldauf, Nicole Sue
Abstract/Description
This study examined the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and morphological awareness. It was thought that these two measures would be positively correlated. There were 35 participants from a summer migrant education program ranging in age from fourth to seventh grade. There were three measures of morphological awareness and two measures of vocabulary knowledge that were examined for correlation. The results showed that there was in fact a positive correlation between each of the...
Show moreThis study examined the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and morphological awareness. It was thought that these two measures would be positively correlated. There were 35 participants from a summer migrant education program ranging in age from fourth to seventh grade. There were three measures of morphological awareness and two measures of vocabulary knowledge that were examined for correlation. The results showed that there was in fact a positive correlation between each of the compared morphological awareness and vocabulary knowledge tasks. These correlations ranged in strength from moderately to strongly correlated. Future research should also focus on the population of English Learners as it is underrepresented however, it should be causal in order to inform clinicians and teachers on the best method in which to aid English Learners.
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Date Issued
4/27/2018
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524843199_54d787c8
Format
Thesis
Finishing Sophocles
Title
Finishing Sophocles: An Attempt to Recreate a Fragmented Satyr Play.
Creator
Vancini, Charles Benjamin
Abstract/Description
Under the supervision of Dr. Samer Al-Saber, I researched ancient Athenian culture and the satyr play dramatic tradition in order to recreate the lost ending to Sophocles' Ichneutae. This project combined dedicated academic research with playwriting and artistic creativity.
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524843337_38251a22
Format
Thesis
Inotropic Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Arrthymias in Ischemic Mouse Heart
Title
Inotropic Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Arrthymias in Ischemic Mouse Heart.
Creator
Kiss, Kaelin
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524843472_781937dd
Format
Thesis
Investigating SREBP2 as a Potential Zika Virus Host Cofactor
Title
Investigating SREBP2 as a Potential Zika Virus Host Cofactor.
Creator
Bell, Alexander Bell, Lee, Emily, Tang, Hengli
Abstract/Description
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an Aedes mosquito transmitted flavivirus that has drawn global concern during the 2015-2016 epidemic in the Americas. The identification of host proteins and pathways may elucidate potential drug targets for antiviral therapy. Cholesterol synthesis has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of several members of the flaviviridae family.16,18 Cholesterol biosynthesis occurs via the mevalonate pathway, and all participating enzymes are transcriptionally...
Show moreZika virus (ZIKV) is an Aedes mosquito transmitted flavivirus that has drawn global concern during the 2015-2016 epidemic in the Americas. The identification of host proteins and pathways may elucidate potential drug targets for antiviral therapy. Cholesterol synthesis has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of several members of the flaviviridae family.16,18 Cholesterol biosynthesis occurs via the mevalonate pathway, and all participating enzymes are transcriptionally regulated by sterol regulatory-element binding proteins (SREBPs). 12,13 RNAi mediated expression knockdown of SREBP2 followed by NS1 FRET analysis reveals a 43% decrease in ZIKV infectivity in SNB-19 cells. Interestingly, RNAi mediated expression knockdown of individual genes that are transcriptionally activated by SREBP2 results in an increase of ZIKV infectivity. This suggests that the antiviral effect of SREBP2 knockdown is not solely mediated by depletion of mevalonate pathway products such as cholesterol. We hypothesize that the SREBP2 post-translational processing pathway contains pro-viral elements, and that ZIKV infectivity can be modulated by the activity of the pathway. Knockdown of SREBP2 does not induce spontaneous interferon beta (IFN-β) expression, but may increase IFN-β expression in the response to an infection. Overexpression of SREBP2 and SREBP1a result in increased transcription of mevalonate pathway enzymes, and increased ZIKV infection. SREBP1a’s enhancement of ZIKV infectivity indicates that SREBP2’s pro-viral role is likely mediated through the activity of it’s transcriptional targets. The specific mechanism of SREBP2’s interaction with ZIKV is not known, and is the subject of potential future plans for investigation.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524861754_b7c9463e
Format
Thesis
Millennial Financial Preparedness Across Racial Groups
Title
Millennial Financial Preparedness Across Racial Groups.
Creator
Keen, Trissanne Lee Anna
Abstract/Description
This research study surveys 680 Millennials to analyze how financial literacy and financial behaviors vary across different racial groups. Respondents in this study consisted of Asians, Black/African Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians. Results from the study demonstrated that only 59% of survey respondents could answer financial literacy questions correctly. Moreover, Caucasians displayed the highest level of financial literacy compared to other racial groups, and women displayed lower...
Show moreThis research study surveys 680 Millennials to analyze how financial literacy and financial behaviors vary across different racial groups. Respondents in this study consisted of Asians, Black/African Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians. Results from the study demonstrated that only 59% of survey respondents could answer financial literacy questions correctly. Moreover, Caucasians displayed the highest level of financial literacy compared to other racial groups, and women displayed lower levels of financial literacy than men. This study concludes that Millennials are not knowledgeable on subjects concerning financial concepts. In essence, Millennials lack of financial knowledge can lead to them making sub-optimal financial decisions which can be detrimental to their success.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524845287_2acaf164
Format
Thesis
Correlation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Production with Body Mass Index in Men and Women
Title
The Correlation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Production with Body Mass Index in Men and Women.
Creator
Keen, Shanon Deidre
Abstract/Description
The increasing prevalence of obesity is a major public health concern since it is associated with many chronic diseases and imparts a large economic burden in the United States (U.S). Obesity is marked as a state of chronic low grade inflammation that can lead to insulin resistance. The objective of this study was to examine if Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) serum levels were higher in obese individuals or overweight individuals. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included a...
Show moreThe increasing prevalence of obesity is a major public health concern since it is associated with many chronic diseases and imparts a large economic burden in the United States (U.S). Obesity is marked as a state of chronic low grade inflammation that can lead to insulin resistance. The objective of this study was to examine if Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) serum levels were higher in obese individuals or overweight individuals. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included a total of 68 men and postmenopausal women between the ages of 45 to 65 years who were overweight (n=26) or obese (n=42). Measurements of each participant’s BMI were done and fasting venous blood was collected to assess TNF-α serum levels. An ELISA kit was used to measure the serum levels of TNF-α. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment correlations (r), where the degree of the relationships between BMI and TNF-α serum production was assessed to determine the relationship between variables. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Significance was accepted at p≤0.05. There were no significant difference between the TNF-α serum levels in the group of overweight individuals 0.86 ± 0.25(pg/ml) and the obese group: 0.92 ± 0.42 (pg/ml). Numerically speaking there were 6% differences between overweight verses obese individuals. Our findings, albeit not significantly, support the notion that TNF-α plays a role in the development of insulin resistance due to obesity.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524843967_ace63889
Format
Thesis
Observations from a Refuge House for Young Female Victims of Human Trafficking in Mexico
Title
Observations from a Refuge House for Young Female Victims of Human Trafficking in Mexico.
Creator
Neville, Kristen Jay
Date Issued
2018-04-26
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524843743_7fe4848f
Format
Thesis
Phronesis as Authorial Know-how
Title
Phronesis as Authorial Know-how: A Play on the Art of Living a Well Written Story.
Creator
Carpenter, Jennifer
Abstract/Description
A Letter to the Audience Before I draw the curtain and release the philosophical coddiwomple that follows, I would like to take this time to reflect on its coming to be and, hopefully, explain myself to the audience. A preemptive rundown and a warning (or two) of what this project is meant to be--and why I've chosen to write it in this way--will be helpful in understanding what’s going on. To start, I’d like to ward off any high expectations for traditional order or strict structure to my...
Show moreA Letter to the Audience Before I draw the curtain and release the philosophical coddiwomple that follows, I would like to take this time to reflect on its coming to be and, hopefully, explain myself to the audience. A preemptive rundown and a warning (or two) of what this project is meant to be--and why I've chosen to write it in this way--will be helpful in understanding what’s going on. To start, I’d like to ward off any high expectations for traditional order or strict structure to my creative project: I make no claim to the exactness or completeness to the words written here. Of course I suppose my argument could have been made by writing a regular paper, and probably with less words at that, and, to justify this piece of thoughtful whimsy, I’ll start by answering this obvious question that the reader might find themselves asking--why didn't I? It's a fair question. There are so many ways I would like to address this question, but I’ll try to constrain myself to the most topical. First, in the most blunt way: I've get lyrically restless writing philosophy in the prescribed formats and sometimes adhering to strict contextual expectations can restrict the writer on a thoughtful quest. I long for the days when philosophers were allowed a bit of creative freedom in getting their thoughts out there; mostly relying on their own thinking and just writing it in the way they wanted. I feel restrained by rules of philosophical writing, at times, and I think this subject beckons for me to stretch my imagination and ignore (for the moment) the need to follow a certain path of inquiry. This reason, for the unorthodox method that I take, address the less than straightforward way I go about putting forth my case: lives are not straightforward. Nothing about by subject is straightforward. Our lives, conduct and even characters are barely legible to us. Once more, our thoughts are not like he standard philosophical paper--not really. Academic papers (strictly academic) are crafted y stepping outside oneself to edit. Our thoughts do not chug along like a train down one track, at least mine do not. It's more like flying a kite. I have this idea, storytelling as the art of living, and I release it letting the thought mingle with my other beliefs, desires, and goals. The control I have the kite is minimal, just a flimsy piece of plastic and a big of string. Every once in a while a gust of whimsy blows by and takes my kid away, then, I have to slowly gain back control by guiding into a better position. As the reader will experience in the arupt way in which conversations end and begin. It will help to see this piece as the writing process of what would be philosophy paper, refined for presentation. I wanted to represent this attitude in the setting of the lay, thus, I set my scene within the mind of a student reading Aristotle with my interlocutors being character manifestations of our student's different perspectives. Her multitudes, if you will, come together to interpret Aristotle's lesson for living well as a lesson in writing well; with one of them further arguing that his lesson is taught to convince us that is self-authorship is what makes a life well lived. As our student reads the relevant passages from Aristotle, lachessi presents her authorial analogy to the group: showing how authorship is practical wisdom and how this take on wisdom better informs us as to what happy people are doing. After Which the collective discusses Lachesis Second claim, that, Aristotle is telling us to become the author of our own stories. Finding the form that best fit the matter at hand is not an easy task; I struggled to find an appropriate vessel for discussion the art of living as the art of storytelling. I needed a narrative form, that relies on heavy dialogue, and one that would allow for me to incorporate quotes from the nicomachean ethics in a way that wouldn't interrupt the flow. I, also, wanted a writing style that could allow be to sway a bit from the course, in a relevant manner. A stage play is the practical choice for m project mostly because of its dialog aspect; and the organization's of acts and scene help to keep the dialogues as individual conversations that go together, yet, do not exactly merge seamlessly from topic to topic. This type allows me to connect Aristotle's Phronimos to the well written author and discuss how she embodies the notion of authoring her one's own life.
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Date Issued
2019-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524861087_cd109dd1
Format
Thesis
Investigating 14-3-3 Proteins and the Regulation of Delta-catenin
Title
Investigating 14-3-3 Proteins and the Regulation of Delta-catenin.
Creator
Horvat, Nathan Patrick
Abstract/Description
The family of 14-3-3 proteins are involved in many cellular processes including intracellular signaling, ion channel regulation, cell cycle control, and apoptosis. Additionally, 14-3-3 proteins have been linked to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Recently, 14-3-3ε/ζ double-knockout mice have been shown to have increased levels of a signaling protein called δ-catenin that is involved in neurogenesis and differentiation, implicating the involvement of 14-3-3 proteins in these processes....
Show moreThe family of 14-3-3 proteins are involved in many cellular processes including intracellular signaling, ion channel regulation, cell cycle control, and apoptosis. Additionally, 14-3-3 proteins have been linked to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Recently, 14-3-3ε/ζ double-knockout mice have been shown to have increased levels of a signaling protein called δ-catenin that is involved in neurogenesis and differentiation, implicating the involvement of 14-3-3 proteins in these processes. Since δ-catenin has been shown to be degraded through two cellular pathways, the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS) and the Lysosomal Degradation Pathway, we wanted to determine how the lifetime of δ-catenin was affected by 14-3-3 proteins in the cell, and if 14-3-3 was involved in regulating δ-catenin through both degradation pathways. By transfecting human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells with δ-catenin and either 14-3-3γ or 14-3-3ζ, we demonstrated 14-3-3 proteins increase levels of δ-catenin, contrary to the effect showed with the mouse models. When treated with a protein synthesis inhibitor, however, the levels of δ-catenin were shown to decrease, demonstrating the involvement in 14-3-3 in regulation of protein degradation specifically. Furthermore, in either conditions, when cells were transfected with δ-catenin and a 14-3-3 inhibitor, we showed increases in δ-catenin, consistent with the 14-3-3 deficient mouse models. Lastly, when HEK cells were co-transfected with δ-catenin and 14-3-3γ, and treated with either a UPS inhibitor, or a lysosome inhibitor, we observed decreases in δ-catenin levels, providing new evidence that 14-3-3 proteins might not only be involved in regulating proteins through the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System, but also through the Lysosomal Degradation Pathway.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524862581_938bb4c8
Format
Thesis
Millennial Financial Preparedness Across Racial Groups
Title
Millennial Financial Preparedness Across Racial Groups.
Creator
Keen, Trissanne Lee Anna
Abstract/Description
This research study surveys 680 Millennials to analyze how financial literacy and financial behaviors vary across different racial groups. Respondents in this study consisted of Asians, Black/African Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians. Results from the study demonstrated that only 59% of survey respondents could answer financial literacy questions correctly. Moreover, Caucasians displayed the highest level of financial literacy compared to other racial groups, and women displayed lower...
Show moreThis research study surveys 680 Millennials to analyze how financial literacy and financial behaviors vary across different racial groups. Respondents in this study consisted of Asians, Black/African Americans, Hispanics and Caucasians. Results from the study demonstrated that only 59% of survey respondents could answer financial literacy questions correctly. Moreover, Caucasians displayed the highest level of financial literacy compared to other racial groups, and women displayed lower levels of financial literacy than men. This study concludes that Millennials are not knowledgeable on subjects concerning financial concepts. In essence, Millennials lack of financial knowledge can lead to them making sub-optimal financial decisions which can be detrimental to their success.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524845291_77a14140
Format
Thesis
Effect of Ultrasonic Bone Stimulation on Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Humans
Title
The Effect of Ultrasonic Bone Stimulation on Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Humans.
Creator
Kyle, Sarah
Abstract/Description
Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is altered by stimulation of the vestibular system. Studies indicate that the otolith organs mediate increases in MSNA when engaged by head-down rotation (HDR). These findings are important with regards to postural blood pressure regulation on earth and post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance. It is currently unknown if non-gravitational activation of the otolith organs can mediate increases in MSNA. One method believed to stimulate the otolith organs...
Show moreMuscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is altered by stimulation of the vestibular system. Studies indicate that the otolith organs mediate increases in MSNA when engaged by head-down rotation (HDR). These findings are important with regards to postural blood pressure regulation on earth and post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance. It is currently unknown if non-gravitational activation of the otolith organs can mediate increases in MSNA. One method believed to stimulate the otolith organs is ultrasonic bone stimulation (UBS) of the mastoid. To test the hypothesis that UBS can augment MSNA, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and leg MSNA were measured during gravitational stimulation of the otolith organs by HDR and during stimulation of the mastoid via UBS in 14 healthy subjects (4 males and 10 females: age 25 ± 4 yr; BMI: 24 ± 4 kg/m2). UBS of the mastoid elicited a significant increase in leg MSNA (3 ± 1 burst/min, 31 ± 10% total activity; p < 0.05). This increase in MSNA via UBS was comparable to HDR (4 ± 1 bursts/min, 35 ± 8% total activity; p < 0.05). UBS of the clavicle (n=10), which served as a control, did not increase MSNA. In all studies, HDR and UBS did not elicit changes in heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure. These results indicate that UBS stimulation can elicit muscle sympathetic outflow and may assist in maintaining peripheral resistance and arterial blood pressure during orthostatic challenges.
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Date Issued
2018-04-13
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524845949_203f84ae
Format
Thesis
Advancing Diabetes Care
Title
Advancing Diabetes Care: The Optimization of Insulin Pump Medication Delivery.
Creator
Wilcox, John Hartford
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524862378_d562eb9f
Format
Thesis
Sustainability of Rapid Economic Growth in Hpae’s
Title
The Sustainability of Rapid Economic Growth in Hpae’s.
Creator
Digney, Matthew J
Abstract/Description
This paper contributes to the ongoing research into the sustainability of the rapid economic expansion of the High Performing Asian Economies. Data was collected and analyzed from seven different nations who make up the group that is referred to as High Performing Asian Economies, or HPAE’s. This paper analyzed and interpreted data in relation to both public and fiscal policy in each of the countries. The findings show patterns that point to a correlation between a prosperous private sector...
Show moreThis paper contributes to the ongoing research into the sustainability of the rapid economic expansion of the High Performing Asian Economies. Data was collected and analyzed from seven different nations who make up the group that is referred to as High Performing Asian Economies, or HPAE’s. This paper analyzed and interpreted data in relation to both public and fiscal policy in each of the countries. The findings show patterns that point to a correlation between a prosperous private sector that is not burdened by a high top marginal tax rate, coupled with conservative government spending and economies that have sustained a high rate of economic growth.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524845994_a7908260
Format
Thesis
Analysis of Shell Dump Features from Mound Field (8Wa8), Wakulla County, Florida
Title
An Analysis of Shell Dump Features from Mound Field (8Wa8), Wakulla County, Florida.
Creator
Schultz, Julian Erich
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524846323_38065531
Format
Thesis
Lend Me Your Ears
Title
Lend Me Your Ears: Artistic Expression as Political Action in Young People.
Creator
Bonahue, Edward
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524864620_e5568482
Format
Thesis
Reading Ability and Substance Use in Adolescents
Title
Reading Ability and Substance Use in Adolescents: A Twin Study.
Creator
Bater, Devan
Abstract/Description
Through the study of vulnerability and early risk factors, the increased chance of those with reading disabilities suffering from substance abuse can be possibly prevented and better ways to cope can be discovered. Previous studies have shown that low reading scores and abilities in adolescence can be an early sign of possible reading disorders and substance use in adolescence can be a risk factor for substance abuse later in life. The focus of this study was to explore the correlation...
Show moreThrough the study of vulnerability and early risk factors, the increased chance of those with reading disabilities suffering from substance abuse can be possibly prevented and better ways to cope can be discovered. Previous studies have shown that low reading scores and abilities in adolescence can be an early sign of possible reading disorders and substance use in adolescence can be a risk factor for substance abuse later in life. The focus of this study was to explore the correlation between different reading ability measures and a substance use measure to determine if there is a correlation between the two risk factors. A twin study was also used to determine if any possible correlations were due to genetic factors, environmental factors, or both. This study was conducted using adolescent twin data collected from the Florida Twin Project on Reading, Behavior, and Environment. The substance use measure in this study focused primarily on alcohol use. It was hypothesized that lower reading abilities would mean a higher probability of substance use, and that this correlation would be caused by genetic factors. The results showed very few phenotypic correlations with statistical significance between the reading ability measures and the substance use measure. The twin correlations for the substance use measure proved to show the correlations with the most statistical significance. Only one cross-twin cross-trait correlation was found to be statistically significant between the reading ability measures and the substance use measure. The findings in this study do not provide evidence to support nor dispute the hypothesis since there did not appear to be a clear positive nor negative relationship between low reading ability and substance use in adolescents. The results did suggest non-additive genetics could be a causal effect on the relationship of substance use between twin pairs.
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Date Issued
2018-04-04
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524848029_b28c57d3
Format
Thesis
State Policy Innovations: Examining Which States Give Driving Privileges to Undocumented Immigrants
Title
State Policy Innovations: Examining Which States Give Driving Privileges to Undocumented Immigrants.
Creator
Dawahare, Alexander
Abstract/Description
This study builds on theories derived from the policy innovation and immigration literature to help explain the effects of political, economic, demographic, and geographical circumstances on the likelihood of a state adopting a policy allowing an undocumented immigrant to obtain a driver’s license from 2003 – 2015. By employing the use of an event history analysis, I find evidence to support my hypotheses that a state’s partisan composition, Latino population, and proximity to previously...
Show moreThis study builds on theories derived from the policy innovation and immigration literature to help explain the effects of political, economic, demographic, and geographical circumstances on the likelihood of a state adopting a policy allowing an undocumented immigrant to obtain a driver’s license from 2003 – 2015. By employing the use of an event history analysis, I find evidence to support my hypotheses that a state’s partisan composition, Latino population, and proximity to previously adopting neighbors affects the likelihood of a state adopting the policy itself. Ultimately, examining why some states chose to adopt an integrative immigration policy at such a polarizing time in American politics will help researchers better understand the mechanisms with which policy innovations occur.
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Date Issued
Not Published
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524848279_a0e8ece2
Format
Thesis
How Memes Construct Realities Through Terministic Screens
Title
How Memes Construct Realities Through Terministic Screens.
Creator
Khanam, Shaimaa
Abstract/Description
Internet memes are one of the latest developments in the image genre, growing directly out of the digital age. Andrew S. Ross and Damian J. Rivers, in 2017, analyzed how the 2016 election memes functioned to delegitimize the candidates that they represented. I am taking this idea one step further, positing that Internet memes not only delegitimize, but are an important way that identities are constructed for the individuals they depict. Thanks to the Internet, the distribution, circulation,...
Show moreInternet memes are one of the latest developments in the image genre, growing directly out of the digital age. Andrew S. Ross and Damian J. Rivers, in 2017, analyzed how the 2016 election memes functioned to delegitimize the candidates that they represented. I am taking this idea one step further, positing that Internet memes not only delegitimize, but are an important way that identities are constructed for the individuals they depict. Thanks to the Internet, the distribution, circulation, and repetition of words, images, and other forms of communication are more readily available, and can happen on a much larger scale than communication prior to the digital age. Focusing on the 2016 election memes of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, this work aims to study how the characteristics of a meme, combined with social media and the digital circulation, work together to construct realities for their viewers, and consequently, identities for the individuals they depict. To investigate this, I analyzed four sets of memes from this election cycle – two for each of the major party candidates – against Kenneth Burke’s theory on terministic screens, which suggests that reality is constructed through language in a process of selection, reflection, and deflection. I believe the same thing happens with images. Through analyzing these sets, I believe I have come to a better understanding of what identities were put forth by the images representing these individuals, and how those identities represent “the reality” of how people understood the candidates. I then explore what it means that these ideas were circulated via social media as memes.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524871878_8c6e5841
Format
Thesis
Correlation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Production with Body Mass Index in Men and Women
Title
Correlation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Production with Body Mass Index in Men and Women.
Creator
Keen, Shanon
Abstract/Description
The increasing prevalence of obesity is a major public health concern since it is associated with many chronic diseases and imparts a large economic burden in the United States (U.S). Obesity is marked as a state of chronic low grade inflammation that can lead to insulin resistance. The objective of this study was to examine if Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) serum levels were higher in obese individuals or overweight individuals. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included a...
Show moreThe increasing prevalence of obesity is a major public health concern since it is associated with many chronic diseases and imparts a large economic burden in the United States (U.S). Obesity is marked as a state of chronic low grade inflammation that can lead to insulin resistance. The objective of this study was to examine if Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) serum levels were higher in obese individuals or overweight individuals. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included a total of 68 men and postmenopausal women between the ages of 45 to 65 years who were overweight (n=26) or obese (n=42). Measurements of each participant’s BMI were done and fasting venous blood was collected to assess TNF-α serum levels. An ELISA kit was used to measure the serum levels of TNF-α. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment correlations (r), where the degree of the relationships between BMI and TNF-α serum production was assessed to determine the relationship between variables. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Significance was accepted at p≤0.05. There were no significant difference between the TNF-α serum levels in the group of overweight individuals 0.86 ± 0.25(pg/ml) and the obese group: 0.92 ± 0.42 (pg/ml). Numerically speaking there were 6% differences between overweight verses obese individuals. Our findings, albeit not significantly, support the notion that TNF-α plays a role in the development of insulin resistance due to obesity.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524878986_0593b76b
Format
Thesis
Bisphenol-A as an estrogen mimic altering chromatin structure
Title
Bisphenol-A as an estrogen mimic altering chromatin structure: Link between environmental toxins and chromatin biochemical state.
Creator
Budine, Taylor D
Abstract/Description
Steroid hormones are the largest class of regulatory factors in the mammalian biology. Steroid hormones bind hormone receptors, allowing them to dimerize and function as transcription factors. Frequently this regulation of gene transcription is associated with nucleosome redistribution. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a common toxin found in many of the plasticids and epoxy resins we use every day. BPA is a thought to be an estradiol mimic, binding to hormone receptors allowing them to dimerize and...
Show moreSteroid hormones are the largest class of regulatory factors in the mammalian biology. Steroid hormones bind hormone receptors, allowing them to dimerize and function as transcription factors. Frequently this regulation of gene transcription is associated with nucleosome redistribution. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a common toxin found in many of the plasticids and epoxy resins we use every day. BPA is a thought to be an estradiol mimic, binding to hormone receptors allowing them to dimerize and function as transcription factors, which stimulate nucleosome redistribution at inappropriate times. However, nucleosome distribution from BPA exposure has not yet been observed. I expect that as BPA mimics estradiol and dysregulates the potential for gene expression, and that monitoring alterations in chromatin structure will give valuable insights into the first steps of this dysregulation. I mapped nucleosome redistribution and nucleosome sensitivity in both untreated cells and cells exposed to BPA to observe any change in nucleosome repositioning and biochemical composition after this stimulus. If BPA functionally acts as an estradiol mimic and is able to change chromatin structure, untimely or unwanted gene expression may result. BPA will be expected to induce remolding in the cell’s chromatin structure and affect the endocrine responsive genes. My results would show how other stimuli could mimic naturally occurring substances and be unexpected regulatory factors in altering our chromatin structure. BPA is one of many persistent toxins readily in our environment that we are exposed to. We found that there are transient nucleosome positional changes with exposure to Estradiol and Bisphenol-A at the -2, -1, TSS, +1 and +2 positions while comparing the two stimuli at the 10-minute post exposure time period. We are especially interested in the nucleosome loss or gain at the +1 position because of its implications for possible gene expression. These results show that there is indeed similar chromatin remodeling behavior between Estradiol and Bisphenol-A to possibly warrant connections to the potential of the cell. This study will be one of the first to propose chromatin remodeling as the underpinnings to Bisphenol-A ability to mimic the natural sex hormone Estradiol. The scientific world is now becoming more aware of how environmental factors and pollutants all around us can have an acute or trans-generational effect on our health and epigenomic regulation.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524847528_f54529a4
Format
Thesis
Metabolic and Mitotic Roles for the Kinesin-4 KLP3A
Title
Metabolic and Mitotic Roles for the Kinesin-4 KLP3A.
Creator
Huetteman, Kaitlyn
Abstract/Description
The centrosome is the main microtubule-organizing center in animal cells. Centrosomin (Cnn), a gene that encodes a centrosomal protein, is key to centrosome function. Mutations in the human Cnn gene are associated with an inherited developmental syndrome called autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH). Cnn mutant Drosophila were used as a model in order to examine the genetic basis of the disorder. Through preliminary screening of the mutant, we discovered that genes regulating...
Show moreThe centrosome is the main microtubule-organizing center in animal cells. Centrosomin (Cnn), a gene that encodes a centrosomal protein, is key to centrosome function. Mutations in the human Cnn gene are associated with an inherited developmental syndrome called autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH). Cnn mutant Drosophila were used as a model in order to examine the genetic basis of the disorder. Through preliminary screening of the mutant, we discovered that genes regulating metabolism augmented the affects of Cnn, making these mutants susceptible to starvation sensitivity. Additionally, a forward genetic screen revealed mutations that were synthetic lethal with Cnn and we subsequently tested them for starvation sensitivity. Our goal was to identify which other genes regulate metabolism in the Cnn genetic network. One mutation that fulfilled criteria for starvation sensitivity was mapped to a gene that encodes a microtubule-based motor protein involved in transportation and spindle formation. Likely, this candidate shares a microtubule-based function with Cnn. My project investigated whether these mutants are defective in the regulation of metabolism and microtubule assembly in mitosis, and will contribute to our understanding the genetics of the disease pathway of MCPH.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524849081_7fd7fbea
Format
Thesis
Reaction Kinetics of Lithium Electrodes with Solid Polymer Electrolytes
Title
Reaction Kinetics of Lithium Electrodes with Solid Polymer Electrolytes.
Creator
Berliner, Marc Dylan
Abstract/Description
Solid polymer electrolytes have the potential to produce safe, effective alternative to liquid batteries. Creative, new approaches must be developed to determine reaction kinetics. An alternative method to cyclic voltammetry in rotating disk electrodes has been developed in solid polymer electrolytes. The novel pulsed voltammetry approach analysis was verified using a rotating disk electrode with a liquid ferri/ferrocyanide redox couple, and reasonable agreement for exchange current density...
Show moreSolid polymer electrolytes have the potential to produce safe, effective alternative to liquid batteries. Creative, new approaches must be developed to determine reaction kinetics. An alternative method to cyclic voltammetry in rotating disk electrodes has been developed in solid polymer electrolytes. The novel pulsed voltammetry approach analysis was verified using a rotating disk electrode with a liquid ferri/ferrocyanide redox couple, and reasonable agreement for exchange current density was found. Reaction kinetics of lithium electrodes were also studied in solid polymer electrolytes consisting of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide salt (LiTFSI) dissolved in polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers (SEO). Symmetric Li cells were cycled with pulsed voltammetry to measure current at different salt concentrations and temperatures. Butler-Volmer kinetics for single-electron transfer, reversible reactions were applied to obtain exchange current density and the transfer coefficients. The plating reaction rate of lithium metal was found to be significantly greater than the stripping reaction rate. Reaction kinetics were found to be nearly independent of salt concentration, which suggests that they are dominated primarily by the nature of the lithium metal surface. The activation energy and pre-exponential factor for the plating of lithium metal was found to be a weak function of salt concentration.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524850184_6a0b8089
Format
Thesis
Discussion of the Social and Political Factors of the Bubonic Plague and Malaria in Italy
Title
A Discussion of the Social and Political Factors of the Bubonic Plague and Malaria in Italy.
Creator
Emerson Gunter, Kristen Lynmarie
Abstract/Description
The purpose of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the social and political factors of the bubonic plague and malaria epidemics in Italy. The goal is to understand the ways in which bacterial and parasitic microbial diseases affect the development of medical practices and social structures, and how, reciprocally, social and political structures interact with the spread and treatment of each disease. Social dynamics of a population are often overlooked or criticized as being...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the social and political factors of the bubonic plague and malaria epidemics in Italy. The goal is to understand the ways in which bacterial and parasitic microbial diseases affect the development of medical practices and social structures, and how, reciprocally, social and political structures interact with the spread and treatment of each disease. Social dynamics of a population are often overlooked or criticized as being unreliable in the research of infectious diseases, however they have proved to be monumental in understanding and treating a disease. Socio-economic, political and cultural factors are significant constituents in the research of disease related epidemics. Infectious diseases continue to inhibit the economic edifices and the social anatomy of developing countries, and remain a key underlying problem in economic development. Making these trans-disciplinary links by bridging the gap between social and natural sciences and studying the social and biological parallels of past diseases may help in understanding similar relationships in the 21st century.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524884434_e6f6e67e
Format
Thesis
Infant Preference for Infant Directed Speech versus Adult Directed Speech
Title
Infant Preference for Infant Directed Speech versus Adult Directed Speech.
Creator
Foley, Megan Rose, Borovsky, Dr. Arielle
Abstract/Description
This thesis, as part of the international research consortium “ManyBabies”, aims to identify differences in the effect sizes of infant speech preferences based on data cleaning practices and the potential confounding variables of gender, trial order, and participant age. These questions are of interest specifically in the context of study replication, particularly if these factors could explain some of the issues there are with replicating developmental psychology studies. It was thought that...
Show moreThis thesis, as part of the international research consortium “ManyBabies”, aims to identify differences in the effect sizes of infant speech preferences based on data cleaning practices and the potential confounding variables of gender, trial order, and participant age. These questions are of interest specifically in the context of study replication, particularly if these factors could explain some of the issues there are with replicating developmental psychology studies. It was thought that infant-directed speech (IDS) clips would have significantly longer screen looking times than adult-directed speech (ADS) clips, and that these effects would be significantly impacted by trial number and the participant age, but less so by gender. The experiment was conducted using an eyetracking paradigm where IDS and ADS audio clips were presented in one of four trial orders. Results found that there was a significant effect of trial type on mean looking time (p < .001) with IDS trials looked at longer than ADS trials. The variables of gender and trial order also had significant effects on looking time across all four conditions. Participant age did not have a significant effect on looking time until participants younger than 365 days were compared with those older than 365 days, where it was found older participants had significantly longer looking time for adult-directed speech trials than younger participants. These findings can be used to formulate better practices for study replication to ensure that potential confounding variables are accounted for; common data cleaning practices were also not found to have a significant influence on effect significance.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524849823_c5a0746b
Format
Thesis
Cross – Sectional Study Comparing Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, Strength, Power, Quality of Life Between Short-term and Long-term Breast Cancer Survivors
Title
A Cross – Sectional Study Comparing Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, Strength, Power, Quality of Life Between Short-term and Long-term Breast Cancer Survivors.
Creator
Giles, Jordin
Abstract/Description
The purpose of this study was to compare body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), strength, muscle power, and quality of life in short-term breast cancer survivors (ST-BCS) and long-term breast cancer survivors (LT-BCS). METHODS: Body composition and BMD measures were completed on 17 ST-BCS (57.2  9.3 years) and 26 LT-BCS (62.0  7.2 years) via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Upper body strength was measured by a 1 repetition maximum chest press and lower body strength was...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to compare body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), strength, muscle power, and quality of life in short-term breast cancer survivors (ST-BCS) and long-term breast cancer survivors (LT-BCS). METHODS: Body composition and BMD measures were completed on 17 ST-BCS (57.2  9.3 years) and 26 LT-BCS (62.0  7.2 years) via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Upper body strength was measured by a 1 repetition maximum chest press and lower body strength was assessed using BIODEX isokinetic and isometric leg extension and flexion tests. Muscle power was measured by a Tendo unit and quality of life was assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean time since completion of primary treatment was 7.7  7.1 years. Time since treatment completion for ST-BCS and LT-BCS was 1.8  1.1 years and 11.5  6.7 years, respectively. No significant differences were found between ST-BCS and LT-BCS in measures of body composition, BMD, strength, muscle power, or quality of life. A positive correlation was observed between time since completion of treatment and lumbar spine BMD (r=.38). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that ST-BCS and LT-BCS experience similar rates of changes in body composition, BMD, strength, power, and quality of life, regardless of time since the completion of treatment. This may be due to the similarity in menopausal age between the ST-BCS and LT-BCS in this study. Both may have experienced the same rate of age-related changes since the onset of menopause, as well as similar changes during the cancer treatment period. More research is needed to determine what factors influenced the changes specifically in the lumbar spine BMD over time. Furthermore, more research is needed comparing ST-BCS and LT-BCS to determine whether the effects of treatment persist over time and for how long.
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Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524885285_d9701640
Format
Thesis
Neural Correlates of Tourette's Syndrome in Mu Oscillations of the Sensorimotor Cortex
Title
Neural Correlates of Tourette's Syndrome in Mu Oscillations of the Sensorimotor Cortex.
Creator
Bockler, Olivia R.
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524887548_07be1322
Format
Thesis
Institutions, Incentives and a Long-Lasting Peace
Title
Institutions, Incentives and a Long-Lasting Peace.
Creator
Pelaez de los Rios, Ana Francisca
Abstract/Description
2016 peace process in Colombia with the FARC guerrillas and their reintegration to the economy through the incentives put in place by the newly created institutions.
Date Issued
2018/04/27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524894778_c02d3a8c
Format
Thesis
Air-sea coupling dependency on sea surface temperature fronts as observed by research vessel data.
Title
Air-sea coupling dependency on sea surface temperature fronts as observed by research vessel data.
Creator
Stauffer, Catherine L.
Date Issued
2018-04-27
Identifier
FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1524965224_4d96af1a
Format
Thesis

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