Strategic Improvement: A Systems Approach Using The Balanced Scorecard Methodology To Increase Federally Financed Research At The University Of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida has many successful measures to reflect on as it celebrates its 50th year in 2013. It is the university with the 2nd largest student population in the U. S. and its overall ranking in the U.S. News & World Report has improved 4 years in a row. However, with respect to research, the federally funded research and development for the University of Central Florida (UCF) has remained flat. In addition, when compared to other schools, its portion of those federal research dollars is small. This thesis lays the groundwork for developing a model for improving the federally financed academic research and development. A systems approach using the balanced scorecard methodology was used to develop causal loop relationships between the many factors that influence the federal funding process. Measures are proposed that link back to the objectives and mission of the university. One particular measure found in the literature was refined to improve its integration into this model. The resulting work provides a framework with specific measures that can be incorporated at the university to improve their share of the federally financed research and development. Although developed for UCF this work could be applied to any university that desires to improve their standing in the federal financed academic research and development market

The Effects of Branched Chained Amino Acid Supplementation on Acute Markers of Fatigue and Performance

The purposes of this dissertation were to investigate the acute effects of branched-chain amino acids on psychological, physiological, and subsequent performance changes following high volume resistance training. The rationale for this study design was based on abrupt or contiguous training/ competitions that specific athletes encounter in a competitive season. This study design also sought to fill some gaps in the scientific literature concerning the efficacy of BCAAs for subjective fatigue in a resistance training paradigm. To address the purposes of this dissertation, a one-week study was conducted on resistance trained males, in which half of the subjects were randomly selected to receive BCAAs and the other half was a non-supplement group. The subjects in this study performed two high volume resistance training bouts consisting of squat and bench press (5 sets x 10 repetitions at 95% relative intensity) separated by two days. The physiological variables tested in this study were creatine kinase, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, testosterone, and cortisol. The performance variables tested in this study were static and counter-movement jumps, isometric mid-thigh pull, and Bosco repeated jumps. The primary findings from this study was that subjects in the BCAA group had a statistically significant decrease in muscle damage, indicated by levels of CK. Additionally, there was a statistically significant increase in T:C ratio for the BCAA group compared to the NS group. Concerning performance variables, BCAAs had a small to moderate effect on rate of force development; however, this result was not statistically significant. There were no differences in psychological variables between the groups. Based on the findings of this dissertation, BCAAs mitigate levels of muscle damage and rate of force development. To conclude, BCAAs may provide a competitive advantage for athletes when training volume and competitions become contiguous

Investigation of LOCOS Process Using Nitrogen Implantation

A localized oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) process was investigated using nitrogen ion implantation. The doses of 2E12, 2E13, 2E14, and 1E15 atoms/cm2 were implanted through a photoresist mask using the Varian/Extrion 40-100 ion implanter. The results show the initial formation of a LOCOS oxidation. The localized image faded on extended oxidation which indicates the implanted region did not adequately inhibit the diffusion of oxygen

Variable Helper Effects, Ecological Conditions, and the Evolution of Cooperative Breeding in the Acorn Woodpecker

The ecological conditions leading to delayed dispersal and helping behavior are generally thought to follow one of two contrasting scenarios: that conditions are stable and predictable, resulting in young being ecologically forced to remain as helpers (extrinsic constraints and the habitat saturation hypothesis), or that conditions are highly variable and unpredictable, leading to the need for helpers to raise young, at least when conditions are poor (intrinsic constraints and the hard life hypothesis). We investigated how variability in ecological conditions influences the degree to which helpers augment breeder fitness in the cooperatively breeding acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus), a species in which the acorn crop, territory quality, and prior breeding experience all vary in ways that have important effects on fitness. We found that the relationship between ecological conditions and the probability that birds would remain as helpers was variable but that helpers generally yielded greater fitness benefits when ecological conditions were favorable, rather than unfavorable, for breeding. These results affirm the importance of extrinsic constraints to delayed dispersal and cooperative breeding in this species, despite its dependence on a highly variable and unpredictable acorn crop. Our findings also confirm that helpers can have very different fitness effects, depending on conditions, but that those effects are not necessarily greater when breeding conditions are unfavorable

Does the Misregulation of Codon-Biased Genes in the Anterior Pituitary Contribute to Familial Dysautonomia?

Familial Dysautonomia (FD) is a devastating neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative childhood disease characterized by a diminished number of autonomic neurons. FD children suffer from a multitude of autonomic symptoms including cardiovascular instability, gastrointestinal incoordination, and respiratory dysfunction. FD patients also exhibit an abnormal autonomic stress response, tend to be small in stature, and have difficulty gaining and maintaining weight.  FD results from a mutation in the IKBKAP gene and diminished levels of the corresponding protein IKAP, a scaffold that assembles the multi-subunit complex, Elongator. Elongator functions in the modification of tRNAs that mediate translation of AA- and AG-ending codons.  IKAP is expressed throughout the autonomic nervous system and historically FD symptoms have been attributed to autonomic dysfunction. Here we show that IKAP is also robustly expressed in the pituitary gland, both during development and in the adult.  We hypothesize that many FD symptoms may actually result from aberrant pituitary regulation of the autonomic nervous system. To test this hypothesis we are currently generating a conditional knockout mouse where Ikbkap will be selectively ablated in the anterior pituitary. While waiting for our mouse model, we have been optimizing techniques for quantifying pituitary specific genes that are likely candidates for Elongator regulation based on their content of AA- and AG-ending codons

Rural implementation of connected, autonomous and electric vehicles

Connected, autonomous and electric vehicles (CAEV) are at the forefront of transport development. They are intended to provide efficient, safe and sustainable transport solutions to solve everyday transport problems including congestion, accidents and pollution. However, despite significant industry and government investment in the technology, little has been done in the way of exploring the implementation of CAEVs in rural scenarios. This thesis investigates the potential for rural road CAEV implementation in the UK. In this work, the rural digital and physical infrastructure requirements for CAEVs were first investigated through physical road-based experimentation of CAEV technologies. Further investigations into the challenges facing the rural implementation of CAEVs were then conducted through qualitative consultations with transport planning professionals. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of these investigations revealed a need for better rural infrastructure, and an overall lack of understanding regarding CAEVs and their rural implementation requirements amongst the transport planning industry. The need for a measurement tool for transport planners was identified, to expose the industry to, and educate them about, CAEVs and their rural potential. As a result, a CAEV Rural Transport Index (CARTI) is proposed as a simple measurement tool to assess the potential for rural CAEV implementation. The CARTI was implemented, and its effectiveness tested, through further consultation with transport planning professionals. The results indicate the potential for the CARTI to be used as a component of decision-making processes at both local authority and national levels. In conclusion, effective rural CAEV implementation relies on transport planners having a strong understanding of rural community transport needs, the solutions CAEV technologies can offer and the supporting infrastructure they require. Further, the CARTI was found to be an effective tool to support the development of this required understanding and recommendations have therefore been made for its future development

Lifetime Inclusive Fitness Effects of Cooperative Polygamy in the Acorn Woodpecker

Although over 50 y have passed since W. D. Hamilton articulated kin selection and inclusive fitness as evolutionary explanations for altruistic behavior, quantifying inclusive fitness continues to be challenging. Here, using 30 y of data and two alternative methods, we outline an approach to measure lifetime inclusive fitness effects of cooperative polygamy (mate-sharing or cobreeding) in the cooperatively breeding acorn woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus. For both sexes, the number of offspring (observed direct fitness) declined while the number of young parented by related cobreeders (observed indirect fitness effect) increased with cobreeding coalition size. Combining these two factors, the observed inclusive fitness effect of cobreeding was greater than breeding singly for males, while the pattern for females depended on whether fitness was age-weighted, as females breeding singly accrued greater fitness at younger ages than cobreeding females. Accounting for the fitness birds would have obtained by breeding singly, however, lifetime inclusive fitness effects declined with coalition size for males, but were greater for females breeding as duos compared to breeding singly, due largely to indirect fitness effects of kin. Our analyses provide a road map for, and demonstrate the importance of, quantifying indirect fitness as a powerful evolutionary force contributing to the costs and benefits of social behaviors

Habitat Saturation Results in Joint-Nesting Female Coalitions in a Social Bird

Joint nesting by females and cooperative polyandry—cooperatively breeding groups with a male-biased breeder sex ratio—are little-understood, rare breeding systems. We tested alternative hypotheses of factors potentially driving these phenomena in a population of joint-nesting acorn woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus). During periods of high population density and thus low independent breeding opportunities, acorn woodpecker females formed joint-nesting coalitions with close kin. Coalitions were typically associated with groups with a male bias. We found strong evidence for both inter- and intrasexual conflict, as joint nesting conferred a fitness benefit to some males, a significant fitness cost to females, and no gain in per capita reproductive output for either sex. Such conflict, particularly the cost to females, may be an important reason why joint nesting is rare among cooperatively breeding taxa

The toxicity of Prudhoe Bay crude oil in erythrocytes and chick embryos

When it was incubated with herring gull or human erythrocytes Prudhoe Bay crude oil (PBCO) was found to induce methemoglobin formation, hemolysis and glutathione depletions in the-presence of a metaboluractivation system such as rat liver microsomes plus NADPH, these effect's were greatly enhanced. -- Components of crude oil such as naphthalene and methylated naphthalenes induced methemoglobin formation in vitro in erythrocytes only when liver microsomes and NADPH were present in the incubation medium. However, naphthalene metabolites such as 1, 2 and 1 , 4-naphthoquinone, 1,2- and 1,4- dihydrbxynaphthalene and 1-naphthol required no metabolic activation to produce toxic effects. In these studies naphthalene was used as a model to investigate the mechanism of PBCO toxicity in erythrocytes. -- The aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic fractions of Prudhoe Bay crude oil were tested on the developing chick embryo for toxicity (in terms of mortality) and Influence oncytochrome P-4,50 and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction. Induction of these enzymes by the fractions of crude oil was studied in the liver, kidney and lung. The aromatic fraction was found to be responsible for most of the embryo toxicity and enzyme inducing ability, based on its concentration in PBCO. -- Although the heterocyclic fraction was less than 7% (w/v) of PBC0 on a weight equivalent basis, it was approximately as potent as the aromatic fraction in causing embryo toxicity and inducing increases in levels of cytochrome P-450 and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase. The aliphatic fraction had no toxic or inductive effects. These, results suggest that embryo toxicity may be due to the metabolism of aromatic compounds to more toxic derivatives by aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase

Restoration Of Dredged Canals In Wetlands: A Comparison Of Methods

A comparison of two methods for restoring dredged canals to wetlands was examined at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve’s Barataria Preserve Unit near New Orleans, LA. Both northern and southern canals had the remnant dredged spoil material returned to the canal, but the southern canal had additional sediment pumped in from a nearby lake. The water depth in the southern canal shallowed significantly from 1.2 to 0.4 m following backfilling and sediment addition, while the depth of the northern canal (which received no additional sediment) remained unchanged following backfilling. Neither site had complete soil restoration, but the former spoil areas of the northern canal showed greater restoration than the southern canal. The vegetation on the former spoil areas of the northern canal closely resembled that of the reference marsh, while the former spoil areas of the southern canal had species indicative of spoil banks and other elevated areas. After 3 years wetland vegetation was established on approximately 65% of the former spoil areas at both sites and 20–25% of the open water areas. Sediment addition to the southern canal raised costs by a factor of eight times compared to that of the northern canal. The results of this study document the restoration potential of both methods, but also show that backfilling without supplemental sediment additions can restore abandoned canals at a fraction of the cost of other methods