College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Chemistry

11073

College of Education - Curriculum and Instruction (ISC)

"Learning new math skills is a challenge for many students, and research indicates a direct cause to rigorous content area vocabulary. Math content area vocabulary is especially an issue when students are asked to solve a math word problem, leading teachers to wonder whether students are faced with a difficult learning obstacle of reading and understanding the math language or whether students are lacking the knowledge of the math skills and processes.

I've designed an online learning environment called Sum Sharing that allows students to create videos of themselves solving math word problems and share their videos with their classmates. This highly innovative idea includes the use of 21st century tools, such as a touchscreen portable digital device. The online learning environment allows for student's authentic creation of themselves solving math word problems and also gives them the opportunity to watch their peers solving other word problems. Students can quickly share their knowledge with multiple other students and learn at their own pace by creating videos and/or watching others solve word problems.

I'm heading to Phoenix, AZ for the ATE conference to present my paper findings of the Sum Sharing design project and provide an innovative way for other educators to incorporate an interactive and authentic learning tool into their own classrooms. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 17.5)"

11054

College of Public Health and Health Professions - Psychology

Sleep is important to cognitive functioning, even more so in later life when sleep quality tends to decline. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sleep is even more important to older adult groups who already struggle to maintain cognitive performance, such as those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). This study investigated relationships between nightly sleep and cognitive performance in a sample of elderly adults, both with and without aMCI. 68 older adults (aged 65+) participated in the 31-day study and completed nightly sleep diaries and daily cognitive tasks. Worse sleep was associated with worse cognitive performance, more so for the aMCI group than cognitively normal individuals, and particularly in the domain of memory. Results highlight the importance of sleep for cognitive aging, especially in aMCI, and suggest that sleep-related interventions might benefit the memory performance of older adults with aMCI. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 16.7)

11053

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences - Food and Resource Economics

"I will present two papers in the meeting

1) The first purpose of this paper is to study the relationship among domestically produced and imported melons and vegetables (i.e., fresh onions, fresh tomatoes, spinach, oranges and cantaloupes). We will apply three models to estimate the relationship between domestic and foreign goods. The second purpose of this paper is to the policy implication of the three different types of model estimated in the first part of the paper. In this part, we are particularly interested in the effects of policy and structural changes on import demand functions, which in term will affect prices of agricultural commodities.

2)There is a growing prevalence of obesity in China with the improvement of living standard. In this paper, our objective is to test a hypothesis, though indirectly, whether relatively cheaper food price is one of reasons for overweight and obesity in urban China.. Unlike previous studies, we do not relate directly the changes in relative food prices to BMI. Instead, we estimate a complete demand system including healthful and unhealthful foods to investigate the underlying demand relationships. In other words, we expected that the price changes would result in the substitution between healthy and unhealthy food,

11051

Social justice advocacy and leadership development in the workplace

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships of social justice variables (e.g, belief in one's ability to engage in social justice tasks) with social justice goals and leadership behavior. In this study, social justice is defined as the equal distribution of opportunities, rights, and privileges for individuals across social identities. Importantly, it has been proposed that group cooperation is an important component of leadership behavior. Thus, this study seeks to examine if social justice attitudes and beliefs (i.e., a form of group cooperation) are related to leadership behaviors. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 12.6)

11049

Measurement Invariance of the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (BTACT) in Caucasian and African American Adults

Brief, reliable, and cost-efficient neurocognitive assessments are essential when conducting large-scale studies that require the assessment of thousands of participants. The Brief Test of Adult Cognition (BTACT) was designed for this purpose and can be administered via telephone in 15 minutes. The psychometric properties (e.g., reliability, validity) of the BTACT have been explored in a nationally-representative sample; however, little is known about whether these psychometric properties uphold across racial minority groups as minorities are often underrepresented in the population sample, or race is not a factor considered during statistical analyses. In such instances, it is possible that between-group differences in test performance are a byproduct of the differing psychometric properties of the test, and not the outcome of the racial group’s true performance. Such an oversight may result in bias (i.e., inaccurate neurocognitive assessment of a group). The use of a biased test can initiate the differential treatment or placement of an individual of the minority group, particularly when the neurocognitive assessment was meant to inform healthcare decisions (e.g., whether the person meets threshold for dementia). Thus, the goal of the current study was to compare the psychometric properties of the BTACT between 3697 Caucasian and 437 African American adults enrolled in a national study of age-related changes in health. Statistical analyses compared the hypothesized factor structure of the BTACT across racial groups by constraining each level of the latent constructs to be equivalent across the two groups in a hierarchical manner. Overall, results suggested that the underlying cognitive constructs assessed by the BTACT are the same across both groups. One test that is included in the BTACT may require demographic-adjustments to circumvent the potential for bias. Overall, findings support the utility of the BTACT as a valid measurement of neurocognitive functioning within Caucasian and African American adults. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 14.6)

11046

Clinical Factors Affecting Cerebral White Matter Damage in HIV

"People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV) are at higher risk for brain damage. One type of brain tissue affected is white matter, which is made up of the parts of cells that connect different brain regions so that they may communicate. This study investigated the relationship between measures of HIV severity and white matter to gain insight into which aspects of HIV are most damaging.

Several different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods exist for examining white matter in a person’s brain. One method is measuring white matter hyperintensities (WMH), which reflect damaged white matter that appears brighter, or hyperintense, on certain MRI pictures. Another method produces fractional anisotropy (FA), which is a measure that is higher in healthier white matter. FA can be used to detect subtler white matter damage, as white matter can have lowered FA even without the presence of WMH. Because these methods can produce similar information, we also examined the relationship between them in our study sample.

Greater WMH was highly correlated with lower FA, indicating a strong relationship between the two white matter measures. Presence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was the best predictor of more WMH. This is important because HCV is common in people with HIV and also causes white matter damage. Lower FA was most associated with HCV and lack of medication use. HIV-associated variables that were unrelated to white matter were duration of infection, history of immune dysfunction (AIDS), current immune function, and current viral levels. Thus, specific aspects of HIV were unrelated to white matter damage, but medication use can protect from subtle damage and perhaps prevent more extensive damage. Furthermore, having co-occurring HCV is the biggest risk factor for white matter damage. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 13)"

11043

Symptom Dimensions of Depression and Frontal Brain Volume in Older Adults

Subthreshold depression is a term used to describe individuals who have symptoms of depression that are not severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Subthreshold depression is common in older adults and is associated with multiple negative outcomes, including increased mortality, medical comorbidities, and poorer social support. Individuals with subthreshold depression often present with a wide variety of symptoms. Researchers have grouped like symptoms into different dimensions, such as somatic symptoms (feeling tired, changes in sleep, etc.) and lack of well-being symptoms (feeling hopeless, feeling life is not enjoyable). It has been hypothesized that different symptom dimensions may be associated with unique neurological correlates. This study was conducted to examine how specific symptom clusters of depression may uniquely relate to volumetric differences in frontal brain regions. Forty-seven community dwelling older adults were recruited for the study. Depressive symptoms were measured using a 20-item self-report questionnaire (the Center for Epidemiologic Depression Scale) and depressed mood, somatic, and lack of well-being symptom dimension scores were calculated for each subject. Participants also completed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. MRI images were processed using Freesurfer image suite and gray matter volumes for regions of interest were extracted. The relationship between symptom clusters and brain volumes was examined via linear regressions controlling for age, gender, and total intracranial volume. Results indicated that as lack of well-being symptoms increased gray matter volumes in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex and the pars orbitalis region of the left inferior frontal gyrus decreased significantly. These results suggest that unique symptom clusters of depressed symptoms may indeed correspond to specific changes in brain structure. Understanding these relationships is an important next step in devising personalized treatments for those who suffer from subthreshold depression. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 16.7)

11018

Subthreshold depressive symptoms are associated with age-related structural brain changes

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder that can occur across the lifespan. Both aging and major depression are linked with structural brain changes in frontal and limbic regions, which are important for emotional and cognitive functioning. However, the role of these brain regions in subthreshold depression is not well understood. Subthreshold depression occurs when a person endorses some symptoms of depression, but does not fully meet the clinical criteria for the disorder. Subthreshold depression has been linked with negative outcomes across the lifespan, including increased risk for cognitive dysfunction and development of dementia in older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate how age-related brain changes in frontal and limbic structures are related to increasing depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) in 54 adults aged 18-81 years. Subjects underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and data were processed via FreeSurfer. Gray matter volumes for regions of interest (ROI) were extracted and entered into hierarchical regression models, with the ROI as the dependent variable, age, CES-D score, and their interaction as independent variables, and sex and total gray matter volume as covariates. A depressive symptoms by age interaction was found for the left medial orbitofrontal cortex, such that volumes were smaller in older adults with higher depressive symptoms compared to younger adults. These results suggest that increasing depressive symptoms are associated with age-related structural changes in the left medial orbitofrontal cortex. Implications of this study include the importance of assessing depressive symptoms in older adults, as these symptoms, even below clinical threshold, may have an impact on the structural integrity of the brain. Further research is needed to better understand the possible mechanisms through which subthreshold depressive symptoms affect specific brain regions during aging. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 16.8)

11014

As a member of the UF community in pursuit of a master of music in music education, I have learned various ways to think about my approach to analyzing and teaching music. As one of the largest music conventions, the Texas Music Educators Association hosts clinicians from across the United States. Tim Lautzenheiser (Ball State University) and other prominent researchers in the field of music will be in attendance. Attending the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Clinic/Convention allows me to continue learning successful educational methods in addition to what have I learned through my studies. Attending a wide range of clinics such as Knowing the Score Means Winning the Game and Fight, Flight, or Freeze: Overcoming Performance Anxiety directly aligns with MUT6617: Approaches to Theoretical Analysis in Music Education and MUS6685: Psychology of Music, respectively. Synthesizing graduate work and real-world applications with my own current teaching experiences will help me to grow as an educator. Another session I plan to attend is the College Division Research Poster Session hosted by Dr. Amy Simmons (Texas State University). This is a great opportunity to learn about current research in the music field, as I will be working on my capstone project in the summer of 2015. Attending the TMEA Clinic/Convention connects me to a larger music educator network that will be an extension of the UF community in which I am a part.

Attending the Texas Music Educator Association (TMEA) Clinic/Convention is of significant and direct influence to the Gator Nation. Attending a university is not about taking away knowledge, but is also about sharing knowledge. The benefits to attending the TMEA Clinic/Convention allows me to learn about current research projects and studies pertinent to the field of music education, music performance, and the psychology of music. As I near the end of my masters program in music, these research projects will serve as various paths in which I can direct my research for my capstone in Summer 2015. In turn, my research will become part of the wealth of knowledge from which the University of Florida community will gain.

10999

Finding the right key: An analysis of genetic makeup metaphors used in online media

Genetics is rapidly finding its way in healthcare delivery. While genetic testing and the use of whole genome sequencing becomes more accessible for the identification and prediction of complex disorders, the understanding and knowledge about genetics among the general public remains low. What is more concerning, is some early evidence that genetic risk information may create deterministic health views and diminish intentions to engage in healthy behaviors among health consumers. Mass media have a powerful role in creating mental models and perceptions about scientific discoveries. Specifically, metaphors used by the media can create powerful and long-lasting frameworks for the understanding of genetics. However, it is unclear what role the mass media play in contributing to these views, and if alternative representations of genetics are being used. This study identified metaphors used in online media to cover genomics and genetics topics. Further, this study created and pre-tested dictionaries associated with several prominent metaphors. These dictionaries can be used for future data mining and experimental studies. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 15.8)

10998

PAMP-Triggered Immunity is differentially induced in ‘Sun Chu Sha’ mandarin by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus and Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri flagellin 22

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a citrus bacterial disease quickly destructing the citrus industry in the United States and worldwide. Unfortunately, there is no known effective control method by fay, and there is no resistant citrus type been identified neither. The study on how the HLB causal bacteria successfully infect citrus plants will be helpful to the better control this disease. Our study focused on the molecule called flg22 which is a part of the flagellum of the bacteria. Typically, flg22 can be recognized by the plant host and triggers the defense response that can protect the plant from further bacterial infection. In this study, we found that the flg22 from HLB causal bacteria was less recognizable by the citrus plants, than the potent host defense-eliciting flg22 from another bacterial disease called citrus canker. The results suggest a host defense evasive mechanism the HLB causal bacteria may have. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 13)

10993

Dynamic fracture toughness of pressureless-sintered and reaction-bonded SiC and B4C composites

"My research is all about breaking things and measuring their fracture toughness. The problem is that I work with ceramics, which have very low toughness, meaning they tend to crack and break very easily, like sticks or glass. My research uses so-called engineering ceramics, specifically silicon carbide (SiC) and boron carbide (B4C), which have similar properties to porcelain or fine china (hard, strong, heat-resistant, chemical-resistant), but are used in a wider variety of applications than simply for eating or decoration. The materials I test are used as body armor to protect people, such as soldiers or police officers, from bullets or blades. They are also very lightweight, allowing the person wearing the armor to be more mobile or carry more items.

The fracture toughness is measured using controlled tests. First, a specific notch is cut into a bar specimen so that a crack forms, because cracks end up causing breakage. Then, the bar is bent very slowly until it breaks. Using the specific shape of the bar and the notch, along with the maximum force needed to break the bar, the fracture toughness can be easily calculated. Some materials show different responses when deformed really fast, similar to the behavior of Silly Putty. To investigate this behavior, I perform the same tests except the bar is bent at a much higher rate to see how it affects the outcome.

Rather than looking at how things break on a large (or macro) scale, I look at them on a smaller level—the micro-scale. All materials have what is called a microstructure, which is what the material is made up of and can be seen using a microscope. The microstructure has a great influence on the physical properties of the material, including toughness.

(Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 11.9)"

10989

Voices from the Field: Balancing Mandates and Socially Just Teaching in an Age of Standardization

Teachers’ classroom practices in flux as a result of the impact of federal, state, and local educational mandates. Many teachers are pushed to align their teaching with scripted curricula to meet state and federal standardized testing requirements that affect both students and teachers alike. In a time in which this intense pressure is placed upon both teachers and students for students to perform well on high stakes tests, four middle and high school English teachers in Florida schools have found ways to work with or around mandates to meet requirements while continuing to facilitate student learning that is grounded in best practice and social justice, often in spite of the mandates. These four teachers represent a spectrum of resistant teaching practices in which educators can successfully negotiate the mandates that affect their practice, dependent upon their contexts. Using qualitative collective case study methodology (Stake, 2000), an understanding of these teachers’ resistance to mandates evolved through exploring participants’ classroom practices. Participants are secondary English language arts teachers from a shared graduate program in English Education. Data included teacher interviews, classroom observations, and documents/artifacts related to curriculum and teaching. Data were analyzed utilizing narrative analysis (Riesmann, 2003; Sprague, 2005). Each of the teacher cases demonstrates some of the contemporary challenges teachers face in practice and some different ways teachers respond to those challenges. By understanding the stories and experiences of these teachers, teacher educators can better respond to the challenges pre-service teachers will face in their field experiences and help to better prepare pre-service teachers to address these challenges in their practice. (Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level: 18)

10953

Teaming Up With Virtual Humans: How Other People Change Our Perceptions of and Behavior with Virtual Teammates

"We developed a virtual training program to teach nurses how to speak up when a surgeon makes a decision which could endanger a patient’s safety. We evaluated this system with 69 nurses. Specifically, we looked at how nurses perceived and behaved during the exercise when working with two virtual teammates (computer generated characters) or with one human teammate and one virtual teammate.

This experiment was designed to evaluate whether working with a human teammate would reduce the effectiveness of virtual teammates. This possibility is plausible because of the many differences between real humans and virtual humans, namely lower visual realism, lack of non-verbal communication, and slower response times. It is important to know if the presence of a human teammate reduces the effectiveness of virtual teammates, as this will inform how virtual training systems are developed.

We found that the presence of a human teammate did not reduce the effectiveness of a virtual teammate, so long as the virtual teammate lived up to the nurse’s expectation of how that teammate would behave in real life. We also found that nurses did not preferentially agree with human teammates over virtual teammates, which also supports the use of virtual teammates for training.