College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Chemistry

11503

Voltage Charging Enhances Ionic Conductivity in Gold Nanotube Membranes

My research is to find out how transport of solution through nanotubes changes due to electrostatic changes on the nanotube surface. A general problem for solution transport in small tubes is the high solution resistance. My research aims at increasing the conductivity of solutions in nanotubes by either making the nanotubes positive charge or negative charge. When electrolyte solution is in touch with a charged surface, a region called electrical double layer will be developed, where counter ions are more concentrated to balance the charge on the surface. The concentration of ions within the electrical double layer should increase when more charges are present on the contacting surface. We used gold nanotube membrane with potassium chloride to demonstrate the research. We found that by charging the gold nanotubes, the conductivity of solution within the tubes could be increased over 2 orders of magnitude higher. The result from this research may inspire new ways of increasing solution conductivity and lowering membrane resistance. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 14.6)

11489

Integration magnitudes and patterns in human and great ape mandibles.

We describe the underlying integration architecture of great ape and human mandibles. Integration architecture is important, because it describes how differing modules within the mandible interact with each other through the evolutionary process. This has implications on the available paths through morphospace, the speed at which the mandibles can evolve, and how spandrels (i.e. evolutionary byproducts) might be produced. We show that humans have the same general pattern and magnitude of integration that the other great apes show. This demonstrates that human chins (which are unique to humans) may have been generated through tinkering elsewhere in the mandible, through the integration of forward most portion of the jaw with other mandibular modules. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 13.4)

11466

Examine the Determinants of Voucher Locational Outcomes

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) subsidizes housing for low-income tenants by giving them vouchers to take to private landlords. Focusing on the central debate of whether HCVP is successful in promoting upward mobility, this study attempts to identify the determinants of voucher locational outcomes and to find out to what extent these determinants affect the locational outcomes. The theoretical base of this research is the consumer behavior model, developed by Pearmain and his colleague in 1991. This model lays out a conceptual structure that identifies components of choice and relationships among them, which is adapted in this research to conceptualize the housing choice process. Evaluation of voucher locations is based on a recent study which uses the Housing Suitability Model, a GIS-based model that characterizes voucher locations and other residential parcels across the county in terms of “opportunity” and “accessibility” (Wang, Larsen, and Ray, forthcoming). This paper is focused on three questions: (1) Whether voucher location outcome is associated with the combined effect of preference and constraint? (2) Whether voucher locational outcome is associated with housing search strategy? And (3) To what extent do location choice factors, such as preference, search strategy, voucher subgroups, and constraints, affect voucher locational outcome. This research will use primary data collected through survey between 2013 and 2014. The first and second research questions are addressed through categorizing the combined effect of preferences and constraints, as well as housing search strategies. Then ANOVA analysis will be conducted to examine locational differences measured by suitability scores across aforementioned categories. The third research question will be addressed through conducting regression analysis to identify determinants of voucher locational outcomes. The study area is in Duval County, Florida, a rapidly growing county known for its low density, suburban-style development. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 18.1)

11460

Oral Presentation

As the demand of energy keeps increasing nowadays, traditional fossil fuels, for example petroleum, will not meet our needs in short future, not only because of their low efficiency and limited quantity, but also the pollution problem they will cause. Therefore, thin film solar cell is one of the excellent alternatives since it is pollution-free, highly effective and not limited to the quantity of energy source. However, the most popular type of thin film solar cell contains four different elements: Copper, Gallium, Indium and Selenium, which makes the manufacturing process very complicated. After silver was added into the thin film, the synthesis process becomes even more complex. One of the ways to explore the most efficient reaction pathway is to do thermodynamics modeling for this complex system. With the help of thermodynamics modeling, the exact phase and reaction at certain concentration, pressure and temperature can be predicted. Thus, the best synthesis reaction conditions can be found and the cost of manufacturing thin film solar cell can be reduced. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 15.4)

11443

Scopophilia, Phantasm, and Simulacra: James Cameron’s Avatar and the Colonial Lens

It is my argument that while watching Avatar, James Cameron’s audience inhabits the role of the colonizer. Cameron uses groundbreaking technology to "wow" the audience, keeping them interested in seeing more; thus, the audience is unconcerned with their curiosity in the face of this technological spectacle. As the Na’vi people are not real, there is no guilt in the desire to know more; and, as Cameron intends the Na’vi to be symbolic of all colonized subjects (in his problematic conflation of Hindu, African, and Native American traditions), both Cameron and the audience commit violence in shoehorning vastly different cultures into one symbolic representation. The film does not hesitate to define and create norms and customs for the Na’vi—Pandora's native people—emphasizing otherness as opposed to sameness at every turn. From the outset of the film, Cameron places a sustained focus on the experience of seeing and, in particular, how individuals view themselves in relation the racial and cultural Other. Cameron, and thus the audience, revels in the pleasure gained in scrutinizing the Na'vi subjects and taking possession of Avatar's details. Cameron imagines an entire culture around what Americans want and expect from their films on colonization. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 16.6)

11430

A New Network of Mn12 Molecules

My research focuses on the synthesis of single molecules which function as magnets. Unlike traditional magnets found in hard drivers or refrigerators, the magnetic behavior of “single-molecule magnets” (SMMs) comes from only one molecule, rather than relying on magnetic interactions that travel along a long chain of metal atoms (essentially a polymer). This is advantageous because a SMM is extremely small compared to a traditional magnet, allowing for higher-density information storage or ultrafast computing. In order for the phenomenon of single-molecule magnetism to arise, two conditions must be met: There must be many unpaired electrons in the molecule which align parallel to one another, and the molecule must be asymmetric with respect to how these electrons orient themselves (e.g. egg-shaped vs. spherical). When these criteria are satisfied, the molecule can possess a permanent magnetic moment, which allows it to act similarly to a traditional magnet. The molecule “Mn12,” which contains twelve unpaired-electron containing manganese atoms per molecule, was the first discovered SMM, and is very likely the most well studied. Not only is Mn12 very robust and therefore easily analyzed, but modifications can be easily carried out on it allowing concise study with regard to how structure and magnetic behavior are related. A new derivative of Mn12 has been synthesized which is entirely unique in that it is linked to neighboring molecules through hydrogen bonds, which are much weaker than more traditional covalent or ionic bonds. The potential applications of this material would include all the benefits of SMMs in addition to the potential for simultaneous reading and writing of data in a device due to the interactions between the molecules through the hydrogen bonds. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 16.4)

11398

Strategic Premises and the Legislative Process: Understanding Congressional Entrepreneurship through Transformative Policy

This research builds upon several core theories in American institutional politics to better understand the role that members of Congress play in passing reform legislation. What makes this research so interesting is that reform legislation, meaning legislation that transforms or changes the rules, procedures, and norms of the institution of Congress itself, is never expected to happen. Most scholars and citizens do not expect members of Congress to pass a bill that would alter the power structure of Congress, especially when the changes remove power. It is the fox guarding the hen house idea - why would members of Congress seek to remove power from themselves, how do they accomplish that, and why - that is what this paper seeks to explain. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 13.7)

11379

Predator Stress Combined with Extinction-Reinstatement as an Animal Model of PTSD Comorbid with Cocaine Addiction, Poster

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly occurs in combination with cocaine dependence (CD). About 43% of individuals with CD meet criteria for lifetime PTSD. This rate is alarming given that the estimated lifetime prevalence rate of PTSD in the general population is 8%-12%. Despite this, little is known about the neurobiological mechanisms of PTSD comorbid with CD (PTSD+CD). Knowledge of these mechanisms is necessary for the prevention and treatment of PTSD+CD. Animal models allow researchers to assess brain areas and/or screen medications for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. However, there are currently no known animal models of PTSD+CD. Our lab developed a novel animal model of PTSD+CD, which is the basis of my poster presentation. In this model, rats are exposed to predator stress and then tested for “PTSD-like” behaviors. Next, rats are given the opportunity to self-administer cocaine and, following a period of abstinence, reinstate cocaine seeking (i.e., “relapse”). Our results revealed that exposure to TMT, a compound found in fox urine, is sufficient to induce “PTSD-like” symptoms in about 20% of rats. Notably, this incidence rate is similar to the prevalence rate of PTSD in humans exposed to trauma. Moreover, although exposure to predator stress did not influence cocaine self-administration, rats exposed to TMT that developed “PTSD-like” behaviors were significantly more likely to “relapse” than TMT-exposed rats that did not develop “PTSD-like” behaviors and rats that were not exposed to predator stress. However, 48 hours after being re-exposed to the environment in which the predator stress took place, “PTSD-like” rats showed significantly lower rates of “relapse” than all other rats in the study. Our results provide support for the use of this paradigm as an animal model of PTSD+CD. Future studies in our lab will assess several neurobiological alterations among rats exposed to this paradigm. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 12.3)

11373

Incorporation of Diversity Training in Extension Programs: Needs Associated with Colorblindness

"Tighter immigration has been considered in the United States to protect national security. However, it can impact the agricultural industry adversely due to large amounts of undocumented immigrants work in agriculture. Studies have proved that people’s colorblindness level affect their opinions about immigration issues, thus impact policy-making.

This study looked at how Florida residents’ demographics and their personal experiences with undocumented immigrants related to their levels of colorblindness. Colorblindness is the belief that race should not and does not matter. An online survey was sent to Florida residents (18 or older). They answered their demographic characteristics, personal experiences with undocumented immigration, and 20 questions measuring their level of colorblindness.

We found that Hispanics were more colorblind than non-Hispanics; Black respondents were more colorblind than whites. It means the Hispanic and black populations want themselves to be seen as equal as the majority, but underestimate the value of their cultural contributions to society.

We found that respondents whose most familiar immigrants were a romantic partner were less colorblind than those whose most familiar immigrants were their neighbors. It means that respondents who had romantic relationship with an immigrant tended to recognize and appreciate the unique characteristics of cultural diversity. Respondents whose most familiar immigrants were neighbors valued equality of immigration, but were prone to overlook the importance of the diversity immigrants brings to society.

Race and personal relationship with immigrants play a significant role in perceptions of colorblindness. Extension educators and communicators should incorporate diversity training into educational programs. It will enhance personal relationship between immigrants and their clientele. Thus it will help their clientele value the contributions of immigrant populations to the agriculture and natural resources industry. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 16.3)"

11357

Differentiated Instruction in a Standards-Based Mathematics Curriculum

With the current implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in American classrooms, developing problem-solving skills and deep conceptual understanding has become a focal point in mathematics curricula. However, simply implementing a new standards-based curriculum will not guarantee that all students will develop the skills and concepts intended. In fact, differentiating mathematics instruction in order to provide equitable learning for all students in a standards-based curriculum can be challenging for many teachers. This research study was designed to understand how differentiated instruction was utilized by elementary teachers during the implementation of a new standards-based mathematics curriculum. Data collected from surveys, observations, and interviews illuminate teacher insight on effective teaching strategies that provide all students access to the rich learning opportunities a standards-based curriculum can offer. In addition, results of this study have the potential to inform future professional development for teachers and develop curricular resources aimed at improving the implementation of standards-based curriculum for all mathematics learners. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 19.3)

11347

Understanding How the Design of Environmental Factors on the Physical and Psychological Safety of Psychiatric Patients

"Patients with mental disorders are one of the most vulnerable populations as they are in risk of hurting themselves, others, or getting hurt. Upon admission to psychiatric ward, these patients are under constant care to avoid any incidents that may compromise their safety. For example, some patients may be watched for suicide prevention. Many interior designers, architects and healthcare staff have learned that psychiatric patients may be very resourceful, which makes the environmental design as a source of potential safety hazard. Literature reveals that patients with suicide precautions might use doors as a source for hanging to commit suicide; however, the design of the interior environment in psychiatric units can improve the patient safety. For example, bathroom doors are being designed with a slanted top section which makes any effort for hanging impossible as the suicide tool will slide down the door top.

This research aims to explore how the design of the environment can be more effective in improving safety for patients from staff’s point of view. This research is part of the author’s dissertation, which includes a series of interviews with staff at a psychiatric unit and an online survey of staff at a major southeastern psychiatric hospital. The number of participants is 75. The results of the interviews revealed some main categories of the environmental features which contribute to the patient safety and overall patient experience. Some of the categories include visibility, accessibility, and creating a home-like environment. Further the survey results showed the majority of the staff perceive the safety features of the environment in a similar way. The results helps in expanding the literature in this underrepresented population in design research. The findings will help in informing the existing design guidelines for psychiatric hospital buildings. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 15.1)"

11346

College of Fine Arts - Music

In this paper, I examine music's role in the formal structure of director Terrence Malick's film, "The Tree of Life." The film itself is notoriously convoluted and has a difficult plot to understand, but through the film's exploitation of the power of familiar, well-known music to carry meaning, we can better understand the work's central themes. This paper analyzes the semiotic potential of film music as an example of Mikhail Bahktin's concept of dialogic utterances, or utterances that serve as an invocation of an already existing debate. I argue that Malick not only uses "The Tree of Life"'s soundtrack to create a far-reaching, dialogic meaning, but also organizes his film like a musical composition, creating what was described by one of Malick’s crew as “the cinematic equivalent of how, say, Beethoven structured his symphonies.” My interdisciplinary approach to this topic, blending cinema studies, semiotics, and musicology, provides a new way to understand the importance of music in contemporary art film generally and Malick's work in particular. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 19.5)

11339

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Linguistics

The present study investigates the cognitive dimension of novice teachers’ lives in a pre-service teacher education program in New Delhi, India. Teacher cognition is an emerging field of research concerned with teachers’ thoughts, knowledge, and beliefs about teaching (Borg, 2003) which directly influence their actions in the classroom.Adopting the stance that an understanding of teachers’ mental lives (Walberg, 1977) and of the contextual forces influencing their activity is a pre-requisite to the success of education reform in India, the present study explores the process of becoming a teacher in India. The goals of the study are two-fold. First, it investigates how different aspects of teacher cognition- beliefs, prior knowledge, present learning in the teacher education program, and contexts- are manifested in and shape a teacher-learner’s activity of teaching language (Hindi L1 and English L2) in an elementary grade classroom. Second, it examines the nature of support provided in the teacher education program and its role in the conceptual development of the teacher-learner (which is manifested as change in her thinking and activity).The significance of the research lies in its potential to develop the theoretical framework of socio-cultural theory to understand language teaching, to contribute to the discipline of second language teaching in non-western contexts, and to give voice to the neglected Indian teacher. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 18.8)

11338

College of Education - Mental Health Counseling

"Many counselor educators agree that teaching students to practice from a grounded theoretical framework is important because it increases counselor confidence, sharpens case conceptualization skills and creates accountability. A counselor’s theoretical identity may influence many aspects of the counseling process, including how definitions of wellness and pathology are construed, how presenting problems are examined, which interventions are utilized, and how therapeutic alliances are formed.

Exploring how counselors-in-preparation integrate counseling theory with their natural helping instincts and epistemic beliefs is significant because counselors’ theoretical congruence has been related to their professional development and client therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to better understand how counselors-in-preparation construct theoretical orientations and to explore how counselors-in-preparation perceive Narrative techniques designed to foster theoretical orientation development. Participants in this study participated in a workshop series on theoretical orientation development. A number of Narrative strategies were taught, including narrating a working theoretical orientation, using quotes and metaphors as reflections of implicit assumptions, and storying critical moments in counseling.

Data was gathered from a series of transcribed interviews before and after the workshops. The interviews focused on the participants’ understanding of theoretical orientation development and their personal theoretical frameworks. Grounded theory techniques were used to analyze how counselors-in-preparation understand the construction of their theoretical orientations. By conducting a rigorous qualitative Grounded Theory analysis, the researcher sought to hear the subjective voices of counselors-in-preparation.

Findings from this study support prior research that suggests that theoretical orientation development is influenced by personal and professional factors. Specifically, participants reported the importance of personal beliefs, clinical experiences, supervision, and learning about counseling theories. Self-reflection and feedback were reported to be essential to the theoretical development process. Participants also reported finding that Narrative techniques were helpful for fostering self-reflection. Implications for pedagogy, theory, and research are presented.

(Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 20.2)"

11336

The Importance of Soil Characteristics in Managing Land Application of Biochar

Biochar is an effective soil amendments which control nutrients availability. Phosphorus (P) is either adsorbed or become available depending on the properties of biochar as prepared from various sources (feedstock) i.e. either animal or plant produced biochar. Our hypothesis for this specific research is that properties of soil affect the adsorption or release of P rather than properties of biochar irrespective of the source of biochar. Three different rates of commercially available and laboratory-based biochar were added with minimally P-impacted soil. The soil and biochar mixtures were incubated in laboratory for 14 days at room temperature after adding 10 mL of water. Various (12) concentration of P-solution were externally added to each soil and biochar mixture to measure P release and/or adsorption from the soil. The results showed that after soil’s threshold P saturation ratio (PSR; the molar ratio of P to [Iron+Aluminium]), P began to be released from the soils for all treatments irrespective of the source of biochar. Biochar can be used with any P-retaining material for sandy soil like Florida when biochar addition exceeds the threshold PSR. Biochar additions can be utilized to predict P loss risk or addition from/or a soil based on the PSR of the soil. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 12.8)