Given the increased reliance on adjunct faculty and the increased demand for online courses, the online adjunct faculty member is an important figure to know and understand. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of research on this population, particularly in terms of how their feelings of connection to their colleagues, administration, and their institution affects their beliefs about their online teaching abilities. This non-experimental correlational study investigated the relationship between sense of belonging and instructor self-efficacy among online adjunct faculty in higher education. Additionally, this study sought to determine if there is a predictive element between these two variables. This study utilized the Organizational Sense of Belonging (OSB) subscale and the Sense of Efficacy for Online Teaching Scale (SEOTS) as well as demographic questions in order to collect data on the study variables. Questionnaires were distributed to online adjunct faculty members from six higher education institutions within the states of Florida, Virginia, and Nevada. A total of 122 online adjunct faculty members completed the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive analyses, ANOVA, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient, and regression analysis. Results indicated that sense of belonging and instructor self-efficacy share a significant linear relationship. Additionally, a stronger sense of belonging and a higher instructional self-efficacy were found among participants who participate in universitysponsored faculty development opportunities, who participate in non-academic university events, and who communicate with other online adjunct faculty members through social media. Furthermore, sense of belonging was found to be a significant predictor of selfefficacy, both when controlling for significant variables and when not controlling for variables. Further research is needed to determine causality between sense of belonging and instructor self-efficacy. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The first essay introduces a portfolio theory motivated approach to measuring mutual fund family-level diversification and hedging strategies. Diversification of idiosyncratic risk (systematic risk) is measured by the average cross-fund correlation in idiosyncratic returns (predicted returns from the multifactor model). Using new methodology, I find evidence of cross-sectional variation in family-level diversification and examine several fund families’ characteristics as the determinants of this crosssectional variation. On average, fund families that offer more objectives are more diversified in terms of both idiosyncratic and systematic risks; however, in the subsample of larger fund families, greater number of objectives is associated with increase (decrease) in idiosyncratic (systematic) risk diversification. Families that concentrate in the retail sector are more diversified. I also find that less diversification of idiosyncratic risk on the family level is associated with better risk-adjusted performance, while greater diversification of systematic risk is associated with greater performance during an economic downturn. The second essay examines whether new measures of diversification are additional determinants of fund family flows and flow volatility. I find that fund family capital flows increase in systematic risk focus, as more of the fund family’s assets are held by institutional investors. Family flow volatility decreases in diversification of systematic risk during market downturn, increase in market uncertainty and during recession. I further find that families with greater concentration in the retail sector (institutional sector) exhibit less family capital flow volatility as the diversification of systematic risk (idiosyncratic risk) increases. Fund-level volatility of focused and concentrated funds within diversified families is greater than in less diversified families, signaling that diversification on the family level may decrease participation costs for the investors. Moreover, in support of participation cost hypothesis, I find that the performance of worst performing funds within fund families increases in the family-level diversification; thus, family-level diversification affects the convexity in the fund flowperformance relation documented in the previous studies. On the family-level, diversification is associated with convexity in flow-performance relation, while family focus with more direct flow-performance relation. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

A hypothesis for the self-organization of receptive fields throughout the hierarchy of biological vision is empirically tested using simulations of deep artificial neural networks. Results from many fields for topographic organization of receptive fields throughout the visual hierarchy remain disconnected. Although extensive simulation research has been done to model topographic organization in early visual areas, little to no research has investigated such organization in higher visual areas. We propose that parsimonious structured sparsity principles, that permit the learning of topographic receptive fields in simulated visual areas, are sufficient for the emergence of a semantic topology in object-level representations of a deep neural network. These findings suggest wide-reaching implications for the functional organization of the biological visual system and we conjecture that such observed results in nature could serve as the foundation for unsupervised learning of taxonomic and semantic relations between entities in the world. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Lower costs of clean energy generation, the need for a more secure grid, and environmental concerns are leading to create more opportunities for integration of renewable energy resources utilization in the power systems. The recent concept of Microgrid (MG), as a part of the development of smart grid, is required in order to integrate the renewable sources in the utility grid. An MG is described as a small-scale distribution grid that consists of diversified Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs), and local flexible loads that typically can either be operated in islanded or grid-connected modes. The optimal utilization control of such an MG system is a challenging task due to the complexity of coordination among the DERs, BESSs and load management possibilities. Therefore, in this dissertation, optimal component sizing and operation of MGs under different operational strategies is proposed. MGs typically consist of Photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind turbines as well as microgas turbines, fuel cells, batteries and other dispatchable generating units. Firstly, a methodology to perform the optimal component sizing for DERs in islanded/grid-tied modes is developed. The proposed optimal algorithm aims to determine the appropriate configuration among a set of components by taking into consideration the system’s constraints. An Iterative optimization technique is proposed in order to minimize the annual cost of energy and cost of emissions including CO2, SO2, and NOx. A case study from South Florida area, given the local weather data and load demand is investigated for the modeling verification. Using the results from optimal component sizes, a day-ahead optimization problem for the operation of an MG under different scenarios is introduced. Also, the objective function is formulated as a constrained non-linear problem. The uncertainties of stochastic variables (solar radiation, wind speed, and load) are modeled and renewable generations and load demand are forecasted. An advanced dynamic programing procedure is proposed to assess various operational policies. The simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed method. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Individual neurons in the primary visual cortex respond selectively to different features of visual stimuli, such as spatial orientation or direction of motion. A longstanding goal in systems neuroscience has been to understand the transformations single cells perform as they integrate synaptic inputs to generate spiking output. Recent technological developments have facilitated these lines of investigation by enabling direct measurement of the functional properties of single synaptic inputs to neurons in the neocortex. It remains an outstanding question as to whether the tuning of single neocortical neurons can be predicted by their excitatory synaptic inputs. Here, I show that excitatory synaptic inputs exhibit significant functional diversity with respect to orientation and direction selectivity. I show that cells can use at least two strategies to overcome this functional diversity to achieve selective responses in the face of broadly tuned excitatory input: enhancing responses to the preferred stimuli and suppressing responses to the non-preferred stimuli. In the case of orientation selectivity, synaptic inputs cluster according to orientation preference and evoke local dendritic nonlinearities, thereby enhancing somatic responses to the preferred direction. For direction selectivity, cells receive excitatory synaptic inputs tuned to the preferred and null directions, but selectively suppress inputs tuned for the null direction to enhance direction selectivity. This suppression comes from direction-tuned GABAergic interneurons that make longrange, intercolumnar projections to enhance direction selectivity. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

In this thesis, I examine the structure of developmental or remedial English education at U. S. two-year community colleges, specifically focusing on the disparities between Florida’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP), an English as a Second Language (ESL) program, and Developmental English (Dev English), a Basic Writing program. Both programs supposedly prepare disadvantaged and/or immigrant students for freshman composition, but they employ very different pedagogies. Drawing on existing research and my own experience as a student and a teacher, I present English as it is employed to assimilate and empower second-language users, investigate the role of Florida’s institution in promoting EAP over Dev English, and discuss issues of identity and the categorization of students. I close by recommending the teaching of English as a Second Language – reading, writing, and basic language skills – to all developmental students, immigrant or native, to equip them for higher learning and a competitive workforce. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The majority of HIV prevalence is found in Sub-Saharan Africa with 36.9 mil- lion living with HIV/AIDS. The cultural implications such as patient non-compliance or denial of available routine medical care can potentially cause limitations on the ef- fectiveness of detecting such virulent pathogens and manage chronic disease. The lack of access to healthcare and further socioeconomic impacts hinder the ability to ade- quately diagnose and treat infection in resource-limited settings. Intervention through diagnosis and treatment helps prevent the spread of transmission, where pre-exposure prophylaxis or active disease prevention measures are not readily available. The cur- rent gold standard for HIV detection is by molecular detection; Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction is widely used that employs cycles of temperature condi- tions that require a thermal cycling platform and typically laboratory space for RNA extraction separate from RT-PCR space required. Serological detection can be ad- vantageous for surveillance and screening, Lateral Flow Assays and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) can detect a viral protein (antigen) or antibodies. The ELISA can require at least 12 hours of assay preparation and takes a diagnostic laboratory many resources to run. There is need to develop Point-of-Care (POC) testing that can potentially be used for decentralized testing that can leverage ex- isting technologies such as smart phone capability and routine medical or diagnostic tests with cutting edge applications leveraging micro uidics, nanotechnology and in- tegrated circuit design. Such technologies allow for automated, rapid turnaround and cost-e ective diagnosis of HIV, where these assays could potentially be read- ily deployed. It is such technology that can potentially change the way diagnostics are performed, as POC technology can be rapidly disseminated, enable decentralized testing and, is user-friendly. A novel smart phone-enabled automated magnetic bead- based platform was developed for a micro uidic ELISA for HIV-1 detection at the POC to meet this demand. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The Arbëresh of Italy founded their communities in the 1400s when they were forced to flee their homeland, Albania, as the country was conquered and ruled by the Ottoman Empire. For centuries, they kept a close community in the Italian villages preserving their language, culture, rituals and traditions. These elements have defined them as “others” in the Italian community over the centuries, but today, they are better described as Italians who also embrace the Arbëresh culture. This dissertation explores the narratives of Arbëresh authors such as Carmine Abate, Anna Stratigò, and Pino Cacozza, who have preserved glimpses of their culture in their writings, thus creating an oasis that I call “the Arbëresh Utopia.” I situate them in the larger context of Arbëresh history, and in the environment where their stories are located. A recent research conducted through interviews in the Arbëresh towns of Calabria, will add an important “lived” tassel of information, by exploring the Arbëresh culture today in a state of what Michel Foucault calls heterotopia. After many years of living in a closed community, the Arbëresh have learned to live by addition. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Lolita fashion is a small youth fashion that originated in Japan but is inspired by historical western clothing. The clothing is not sexual in nature. Most studies look at the style in Japan, but the fashion has also found popularity overseas. This paper takes an ethnographic approach to studying the Lolita community in the United States by comparing two regional communities, Houston and South Florida. The research found that the largest difference between the two groups was size and community involvement, with Houston as the larger group and the smaller South Florida group being more concerned with group activity. The study found that compared to the strong subversive element of the wearers in Japan, the United States community at large appears to be motivated by Lolita as a creative outlet. There was no support of the idea that aging played a role in what kind of Lolita fashion was worn. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The study was born out of a deep concern that there have been missed opportunities to apply cultural intelligence to enrich leadership, instruction, and learning. In particular, direct interaction and observation of students from multicultural backgrounds have revealed the value in adjusting one’s mindset to creating a more inclusive learning environment. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of cultural intelligence on faculty leadership. The problem addressed was the growing need for faculty to expand their cultural intelligence to enable them to demonstrate exemplary leadership in 21st century classrooms. The study measured the cultural intelligence of faculty using the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS). Faculty members’ leadership was measured using the Leadership Practices Inventory Self (LPI-Self). This quantitative study used associational and survey methods to predict scores and explain associations among variables. Overall, behavioral CQ and cognitive CQ had a greater influence on the following leadership practices: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, and Challenge the Process. For the private university, behavioral CQ had a greater influence on the following leadership practices: Model the Way and Inspiring a Shared Vision. The public university did not show preference for any of the five leadership practices. For the state college, cognitive CQ had a greater influence on all leadership practices, except for Model the Way. The results of this study confirmed that cultural intelligence significantly influenced leadership practices of faculty members. These findings provide important information for faculty development programs, curriculum development, and hiring practices. An urgent requirement for advancing teaching and learning in today’s higher education classrooms is a keen understanding of the underlying values, beliefs, and perceptions of students. These qualities affect students’ understanding and how they express themselves in the classroom. The decision to give instructional leaders leadership training in cultural intelligence is highly recommended. While faculty members showed preference for certain leadership practices, their preferences might be incorporated to develop a blended leadership style that may be more suitable for today’s diverse academic community. The association found between cultural intelligence and leadership practices confirms the value of faculty development in cultural intelligence. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection