The primary purpose of this study was to examine the underlying latent factor structure of the Trauma Inventory for Partners of Sex Addicts (TIPSA), a 53-item assessment designed to assess for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the context of sexual addiction. It was theorized that the factor structure mirrored the 5 core criteria for PTSD as constituted in DSM-5. Data were gathered from 3,199 self-selected respondents (ages 21 to 55) who completed an online version of the TIPSA. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed utilizing Mplus in order to confirm the hypothesized factor structure of the TIPSA. Several modifications were made to the model, based on factor loadings and modification indices, in order to improve goodness-of-fit. In addition to the original posited model, three other models were also examined: a second-order factor model; a general-factor model; and a bifactor model. The second-order factor model emerged as the model of choice, based on both statistical and theoretical underpinnings. As a result of the findings from this study, revision of the items contained in the TIPSA is recommended. In addition, in order to further establish the validity of the TIPSA as an assessment for PTSD, evaluating convergent and discriminant validity of the TIPSA with other established assessments, such as the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) PTSD Checklist, is also suggested.

Thesis (M.A. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / Refer to the document

The zinc finger protein, zBED6, is a transcriptional regulator of IGF2 along with hundreds of other genes relating to development and growth. Studies on the growth of commercially bred pigs discovered a single nucleotide substitution in the third intron of IGF2 which disrupts the binding of zBED6 and is responsible for the three-fold upregulation of IGF2 in skeletal muscle. The mutation is linked to decreased subcutaneous fat deposition, larger organ size, and increased skeletal muscle mass. Three different constructs of the zBED6 protein made by Björklund 2018 were expressed and purified to characterize their binding affinity, where one contained both zinc finger domains and two of the constructs contained only one zinc finger domain each. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay protocol was optimized to determine the apparent Kd (= 210 ± 31nM) for the full-length construct C13 and to determine which zinc finger domain was sensitive to the mutation in the IGF2 gene. The first zinc finger domain seems to be more specific in its binding target. Preliminary microscale thermophoresis results were highly variable, needing further optimization of the protocol in order to obtain a full binding curve. The next steps involve site directed mutagenesis of residues binding DNA to determine which interactions are the most significant and possibly crystallization studies as well.

Child sexual abuse is a pervasive crime that has numerous negative short and long-term impacts on its victims, as well as negative impacts for society. Modus Operandi (MO) is defined as a pattern of perpetration utilized by those who commit CSA to successfully abuse a child without detection. Understanding how CSA is perpetrated through MO is essential, as this construct influences both prevention of CSA, and treatment for victims and perpetrators. The Modus Operandi Questionnaire (Kaufman, 1991; MOQ) is the first and most comprehensive measurement tool for CSA MO, and is utilized by both researchers and clinicians. This study provides an up-to-date factor analysis of the MOQ, breaking the measure into five stage-based scales (i.e.; Accessing the victim, Gaining the victim's trust, Gaining the victim's cooperation, Sexual Abuse, and Silencing after the abuse). Each stage-based scale was analyzed through Exploratory Factor Analysis to determine structure followed by a Confirmatory Factor Analysis to examine model fit, as well as loadings of first-order factors onto their respective stage-based second order factors. Although model fit for all five scales can be improved, the results of this study determined reliable factors within all five scales, and show a structure that can be utilized to further inform research, treatment, and prevention of CSA.

I test canonical theories in the preference literature - evolutionary psychology, social role theory, and social exchange theory - using group mean comparisons to replicate basic sex differences in spouse preferences. I find that, consistent with past studies, males prefer attractiveness and females prefer resources in potential partners, and in general, we prefer partners who are similar, rather than different, to us. I also find that males who anticipate enacting the "traditional" male role of "provider" within their marriage tend to prefer spouses who would fulfill the caregiver role, compared to males who do not anticipate such "traditional" gender divisions within the family. Interestingly, females who anticipate the "traditional" caregiving role do not in turn prefer spouses who fulfill the "provider" role; they instead prefer a spouse who is family-oriented, as they themselves are. I further test four new theoretical derivations and methodological assessment techniques. First, I expand the test of social exchange theory to include a wide array of personality characteristics and find similarity between how respondents see themselves and the types of characteristics they prefer in a spouse. Second, I include an assessment of gender endorsement - how respondents see themselves in terms of characteristics we commonly associate with masculinity and femininity. Interestingly, I don't find the predicted complimentarity - that highly masculine individuals prefer highly feminine spouses and vice versa. I find instead strong homogamy effects, such that respondents with masculine self-perceptions prefer spouses who also embody those masculine traits, and respondents with feminine self-perceptions prefer spouses who also identify with feminine traits. Third, my data includes a wider age range of unmarried respondents than nearly all other preference studies, so I am able to test preference differences by age. I find that older unmarried adults are generally less "particular" in their preferences, compared to those unmarried adults still in college. Despite my predictions that age would be positively related to the desire for spouse characteristics associated with "growing up," essentially, age appears to be negatively related or unrelated to most spouse preferences. Fourth, I include factor analysis techniques that both replicate a past research study (which was pioneering for the field), and broach the possibility for latent variable assessment using a wider array of preference dimensions than have been previously considered. I find evidence of several underlying preference constructs which could, and should, be taken into account when conducting future preference studies.

One of the most important decisions to make when performing an exploratory factor or principal component analysis regards the number of factors to retain. Parallel analysis is considered to be the best course of action in these circumstances as it consistently outperforms other factor extraction methods (Zwick & Velicer, 1986). Even so, parallel analysis could benefit from further research and refinement to improve its accuracy. Characteristics such as factor loadings, correlations between factors, and number of variables per factor all have been shown to adversely impact the effectiveness of parallel analysis as a means of identifying the number of factors (Pearson, Mundfrom, & Piccone, 2013). Critically, even the choice of criteria on which to evaluate factors (such as the eigenvalue at the 50th or 95th percentile) can have deleterious effects on the number of factors extracted (Peres-Neto, Jackson, & Somers, 2004). One area of parallel analysis yet to be researched is the magnitude of the difference between the actual eigenvalue and the random data-based eigenvalue. Currently, even if the margin between the actual eigenvalue and the random data-based eigenvalue is nominal, the factor is considered to be meaningful. As such, it may behoove researchers to enforce a higher standard, such as a greater margin between the two eigenvalues than just a simple difference. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 10% margin criterion as compared to an absolute margin. These margins were evaluated in conjunction with the 50th, 90th, 95th, and 99th percentile eigenvalue criteria on a population correlation matrix designed to engender underextraction. Previous research (Matsumoto & Brown, 2017) explored the same conditions on a population correlation matrix designed to elicit overextraction. They found that the most stringent standard (99th percentile eigenvalue plus a 10% margin) was the most accurate. For the present study however, it was hypothesized that the most accurate results would be obtained from a standard less stringent than the 99th percentile eigenvalue plus a 10% margin. The results suggest that when a correlation matrix has properties which may illicit underextraction, the use of less stringent criteria may lead to greater accuracy in identifying the number of factors and that the incorporation of an additional margin criterion may not improve the accuracy of the analysis.

Safe drinking water is paramount to a healthy society. Close to a hundred contaminants are regulated by the government. Utilities are using chloramines to disinfect water to reduce harmful byproducts that may present themselves with the use of chlorine alone. Using chlorine and ammonia to disinfect, ammonia oxidizing bacteria can present themselves in an unsuspecting utilities distribution network. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Orientador: Fernando Pinhabel Marafão / Coorientador: Marcelo Gradella Villalva / Banca: José Antenor Pomílio / Banca: Marcelo Godoy Simões / Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema de geração fotovoltaico híbrido, ou seja, capaz de funcionar tanto interligado à rede elétrica como desconectado (ilhado) desta. Quanto ilhado, este sistema fornece potência e uma tensão senoidal para a carga, desde que haja energia solar nos módulos fotovoltaicos e/ou energia armazenada no banco de baterias. Quando conectado, o sistema de geração fotovoltaico é capaz de fornecer potência ativa para a carga e/ou rede elétrica e, simultaneamente, funcionar com um Stalic Synchrnous Compensator (STATCOM), auxiliando no suporte de tensão no ponto de acoplamento comum ou, como um compensador ativo seletivo, atenuando os distúrbios elétricos causados pela carga. Para atingir o objetivo deste trabalho, o sistema de geração fotovoltaico foi estudado, projetado e analisado. O estudo passou por definições de geração distribuida e de microrede; modelagem do dispositivo fotovoltaico; escolha da técnica de rastreamento do ponto de máxima potência (MPPT); modelagem do banho de baterias; projeto, modelagem e controle dos conversores eletrônicos; projeto das malhas de controle de potência, responsáveis pelo gerenciamento do balanço de potência. Também foi realizada uma análise de três diferentes controladores aplicados ao sistema de geração fotovoltaico isolado e, análises do funcionamento do sistema híbrido com algumas multifuncionalidades agregadas, tais como: funcionamento híbrido, STATCOM e compensador ativo seletivo. Os estudos relacionados à modelagem do dispositivo fotovoltaico, escolha da técnica de MPPT, modelagem do banco de baterias e, projeto, modelagem e controle dos conversores CC-CC foram realizados por meio de simulação. Enquanto que o projeto, modelagem e controle do conversor CC-CA, os estudos do sistema fotovoltaico isolado e híbrido, assim como suas multifuncionalidades... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The goal of this work is to develop a hybrid photovoltaic generated system, which means, able to run both connected to the grid as disconnected (islanded). When it operates in the islanted mode, the system provides power and a sinusoidal voltage to the local loads, since there exist solar energy at the photovoltaic modules and/or storage energy in the battery bank. When the photovoltaic system operates in the connected mode, it is able to supply active power to the load and/or grid and, simultaneously, works as a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM), assisting in the voltage support at the point of common coupling or, as a selective active compensator, mitigating disturbance caused by the load. To reach the goal of this work, the photovoltaic system was studied designed and analyzed. The studies addressed to definition of distributed generation and microgrids; modeling of the photovoltaic device; choose of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique; modeling of the battery bank; design, modeling and control of the electronic converters; design of the power control loops responsible for the power balance manager. It was also perfomed an analyze of three different controllers applied in an isolated photovoltaic generated system and analyzed a hybrid system with multifunctionalities, such as: hybrid operation, STATCOM function and selective active compensator function. The studied related to the modeling of the photovoltaic device, choose of the MPPT technique, modeling of the battery bank and, design, modeling and control of the DC-DC converters have been performed by simulation results. Whereas the design, modeling and control of the DC-AC converter, the studies the isolated and hybrid photovoltaic system, such as multifunctionalities, have been analyzed by simulation results and validated by experimental results... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

<div>In 1972, visual arts giftedness was recognized as an aspect of giftedness that needed to be nurtured and developed (Marland, 1972). However, students with gifts and talents in visual arts continued to be overlooked in the field of gifted education. Addressing these gaps in the field of gifted art education, I conducted a mixed methods study to examine the issues. The quantitative part of the study consisted of developing a survey instrument, Perceptions about Art Giftedness, and conducting an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to investigate construct validity of the instrument. The initial instrument consisted of 23 items. Due to the focus of the study and the specificity of the survey, it was necessary to be selective in recruiting the participants. The inclusion criteria are: (a) they must be art teachers in an arts school or a public school that serves middle or high school grade levels; and/or (b) they must be teaching visual arts or fine arts. A total of 150 participants completed the survey. For the qualitative part of the study, I contacted the participants who completed the survey and asked if they were willing to be interviewed (n=11). Since this was an exploratory study, I began with the qualitative analysis. Three major themes were developed from the qualitative analysis: (a) attitudes and behaviors aligned with Art, (b) attitudes and behaviors aligned with giftedness, and (c) the participants’ use of the selection process and the limitations. These themes highlighted how differently art teachers perceived visual art giftedness from the common understanding about giftedness and the importance of creative behaviors in art giftedness. Additionally, these art teachers also commented on the similarities between visual arts giftedness and conventional understanding of giftedness. They shared examples of characteristics, such as being self-directed and able to work independently that they observed among their gifted art students. From the quantitative analysis, the EFA results indicated a two-factor model with Factor 1 had a Cronbach's Alpha of .89 and Factor 2 has a Cronbach's Alpha of .91, suggesting that they were reliable estimates of the data’s internal consistency. After examining the factor loading for the items, four items were eliminated due cross-loading and low communalities. Of the 19 items were retained, 10 items (.467 to .895) loaded onto Factor 1 and nine items (-.451 to -.937) loaded onto Factor 2. After examining the items for each of the factor and based on the results from the qualitative analysis, new descriptors were developed. Factor 1 (dispositions towards creative giftedness) consisted of items focusing the artistic attitudes and behaviors demonstrated by students who were gifted in visual arts. Factor 2 (dispositions towards conventional giftedness) contained items focusing on attitudes and behaviors that were traditionally associated with giftedness. In summation, results from qualitative and quantitative analysis helped to illustrate how participants were looking for characteristics in gifted visual arts students that goes beyond those highlighted by researchers in gifted education. The participants were not only focused on creative behaviors when identifying gifted art students, but they were also looking for conventional gifted characteristics; such as self-directedness, independence, and task commitment. The participants recognized that for students with gifts and talents in visual arts to develop their potential, they would need to possess both sets of characteristics. Interestingly, although there was consensus among the participants about the characteristics and behaviors observed in gifted art students, there was no agreement among them when asked about specific art making skills.</div>

Corynebacterium glutamicum is a Gram-positive non-sporulating soil bacterium which is used in biotechnology as a producer of amino acids, nucleotides, biofuels and alcohols. The aim of this thesis was to create a hybrid σ factor of RNA polymerase which would be able to recognize a matching hybrid promoter without effect on expression of the host genes. Based on the σD and σH amino acid sequence, two types of hybrid factors, σDH and σHD , were designed by the sequence combination of sigD and sigH. As an alternative approach, based on the in silico homology modeling, mutations of wild-type σH in the region recognizing the -35 promoter element of the σH -dependent promoter were introduced. Hybrid promoters were constructed by combining the -35 and -10 promoter regions that were derived from the σD - and σH - dependent promoters. Promoter activity was determined by using gfpuv reporter gene under the control of hybrid promoter. The expression of gfpuv in strains with hybrid sigma factors σDH / σHD and hybrid promoters was rather low compared to strains that carried wild-type σ factor and the respective promoter. The aim of the thesis was achieved by using one of the mutant σH factor (σmutH_6A ) with alterations in the region recognizing the -35 element of the σH -dependent promoter. This mutant σ...