Phospholipid, ester-linked fatty acids (PLFA) can be used as measures of the viable microbial biomass and community structure in complex environments. Methodology is described, reviewed and tested for the specific analysis of PLFA with minimal artifacts or contamination. In addition, a hexane/isopropanol extraction system is shown to be equivalent to the standard chloroform/methanol system allowing lipid analyses to be done off Nuclepore filters and other materials that will dissolve in chloroform. The reproducibility of PLFA profiles for prokaryotic communities was also examined. A homogeneous, estuarine benthic microbial community was sub-divided randomly to give identical microcosms. These microcosms were nutrient supplemented and incubated either aerobically or anaerobically. The PLFA profiles of independent microcosms treated identically had less variance than those treated differently such that statistically significant differences for treatment effect could be described. The PLFA changes during long-term starvation in Vibrio cholerae were also examined. A progressive, reproducible, and significant increase in the PLFA trans/cis ratio was seen as well as an increase in the cyclopropyl PLFA. These changes may be an adaptation to starvation-survival. There is, however, no known de novo biosynthetic pathway for trans-monounsaturated PLFA. To prove that one exists, Pseudomonas atlantica, which has three cis/trans PLFA pairs, was incubated with ('14)C-acetate. The PLFA isomers were physically separated, the trans content was directly verified by FT-IR, and the specific activity of the trans PLFA was shown to be equivalent to the saturated PLFA verifying de novo synthesis of trans-monounsaturated PLFA from acetate. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-07, Section: B, page: 2723. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.

Multiple regression analysis was applied to a new cross section data set for the Kanawha Valley, West Virginia single family residential housing market to test the hypotheses that (1) individuals are willing to pay for freedom from exposure to hazardous materials released in an acute pollution event at a chemical plant and (2) there is an announcement effect on local property values following an actual catastrophic hazardous materials incident elsewhere. / Since reductions in the risk of exposure to hazardous materials are provided by distance from potentially hazardous facilities, economic theory predicts that if individuals are willing to pay for reductions in their risk of exposure, then property values will increase with distance from potentially hazardous facilities. Economic theory also predicts that as people have more experience with and thus become more cognizant of the consequences of a leak, spill or explosion of toxic chemicals, they increase their willingness to pay for the safety that is provided by distance from potentially hazardous areas. / Property value models were constructed to test the first hypothesis. Each model is a hedonic equation that relates residential property values (measured by sale prices) to a measure of the risk of exposure to hazardous materials as well as other factors that influence the value of housing. The results of OLS estimation of the models provided support for the hypothesis that individuals are willing to pay for reductions in their exposure to hazardous materials and that the market capitalizes this value into residential property values. These findings suggest that individuals have to be compensated in the form of lower housing expenditures to purchase property in areas with an elevated risk of exposure to toxic materials. / In tests of the second hypothesis property value models were estimated to determine if Kanawha Valley property values fell following the announcement of the December 3, 1984 catastrophic leak of methyl isocyanate from a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India. Results of these tests provide empirical evidence that the announcement of this event did have a depressing effect on area property values. This finding implies that the compensation necessary to induce people to purchase property in risky areas increases as they become more aware of the potential for and the consequences of a catastrophic hazardous materials incident. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-12, Section: A, page: 4452. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.

The present study examined the relationship among intelligence, selected metacognitions, and career decision making. Intelligence was measured by the Test of Cognitive Skills (TCS)(1983). Selected metacognitions were measured by the Problem Solving Inventory (Heppner, 1982) and the Questionnaire to Assess Beliefs about Career Decision Making (Mitchell, 1981). Career decision making was measured by the Vocational Exploratory Behavior Inventory (Jones & Krumboltz, 1970) and by the Career Decision Making test of the Career Skills Assessment Program (CEEB, 1978). / The present study proposed to establish the relationship between career decision making skills and metacognitive skills. In this study eighty-three eleventh graders at Developmental Research School (DRS) were given the above measures. It was hypothesized that the degree to which individuals possessed career decision making skills would vary directly with the degree to which they possessed self management skills and mental abilities, while it would vary inversely with the degree to which they possessed irrational beliefs. Data was analyzed using bivariate correlation and canonical correlation analysis techniques. / Results indicated that problem solving appraisal was not related to career decision making or vocational exploration. Career beliefs were not related to career decision making or vocational exploration. There was no relationship between general vocational exploration and general intelligence. A significant positive relationship between general intelligence and career decision making skills was found. / Failure to demonstrate a relationship between metacognitive skills and career decision making skills may be due to the instruments used to assess metacognitive skills. Both instruments were self report measures and subject to the weaknesses of that type of instrument. Common methods variance may be a factor. On the other hand, the relationship between general intelligence and career decision making can be used by career counselors to enhance the skills of their clients, to identify populations that will require counselor intervention, and to plan the content of the counseling intervention. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.) / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 48-02, Section: B, page: 0556. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1986.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 31-10, Section: B, page: 6248. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1970.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 31-11, Section: A, page: 5660. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1970.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 32-04, Section: B, page: 2042. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1971.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 32-06, Section: A, page: 3260. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1971.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 30-02, Section: A, page: 0683. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1968.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 30-02, Section: A, page: 0611. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1968.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 30-02, Section: A, page: 0683. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1968.