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University of Central Florida

Theses/Dissertations

2011

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Labeled Sampling Consensus A Novel Algorithm For Robustly Fitting Multiple Structures Using Compressed Sampling, Carl J. Messina Jan 2011

Labeled Sampling Consensus A Novel Algorithm For Robustly Fitting Multiple Structures Using Compressed Sampling, Carl J. Messina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ability to robustly fit structures in datasets that contain outliers is a very important task in Image Processing, Pattern Recognition and Computer Vision. Random Sampling Consensus or RANSAC is a very popular method for this task, due to its ability to handle over 50% outliers. The problem with RANSAC is that it is only capable of finding a single structure. Therefore, if a dataset contains multiple structures, they must be found sequentially by finding the best fit, removing the points, and repeating the process. However, removing incorrect points from the dataset could prove disastrous. This thesis offers a novel …


Evolution Of Microstructure And Residual Stress In Disc-Shape Eb-Pvd Thermal Barrier Coatings And Temperature Profile Of High Pressure Turbine Blade, Sriparna Mukherjee Jan 2011

Evolution Of Microstructure And Residual Stress In Disc-Shape Eb-Pvd Thermal Barrier Coatings And Temperature Profile Of High Pressure Turbine Blade, Sriparna Mukherjee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A detailed understanding of failure mechanisms in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) can help develop reliable and durable TBCs for advanced gas turbine engines. One of the characteristics of failure in electron beam physical vapor deposited (EB-PVD) TBCs is the development of instability, named rumpling, at the interface between (Ni, Pt)Al bond coat and thermally grown oxide (TGO). In this study, thermal cycling at 1100°C with 1 hr dwell time was carried out on 25.4mm disc specimens of TBCs that consisted of EB-PVD coated ZrO2-7wt. %Y2O3, (Pt,Ni)Al bond coat, and CMSX-4 Ni-based superalloy. At specific fraction of lifetime, TBCs were examined …


Human Trafficking For Labor Purposes An Analysis Of Immigration Policy And Economic Forces Within The United States, Candace G. Owen Jan 2011

Human Trafficking For Labor Purposes An Analysis Of Immigration Policy And Economic Forces Within The United States, Candace G. Owen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human trafficking is an international crisis which has emerged as a human rights issue of the highest priority for many nations. This is not a new occurrence, although the onset of globalization has provoked increased intensity in this international crime. Recent studies, including the U.S. State Department’s 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report have predicted that the recent global economic crisis will inflate these numbers to an even larger number of victims. This thesis will investigate these phenomena ultimately asking: Do immigration policies and economic conditions contribute to the recent proliferation in cases of human trafficking for labor purposes? Moreover with …


A Comparison Of College Students' Perceptions Of Older Tattooed Women And Younger Tattooed Women, Laura Raymond Jan 2011

A Comparison Of College Students' Perceptions Of Older Tattooed Women And Younger Tattooed Women, Laura Raymond

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study examined how college students perceive older versus younger women based on their tattoo status (i.e., no tattoo, feminine tattoo, or masculine tattoo). A randomly assigned sample of 376 responded to a survey involving a 2 X 3 experiment designed to assess the impact of age (older versus younger) and tattoo status on four dependent measures: credibility, promiscuity, and attractiveness. Results indicate that older and younger women are perceived differently depending on their tattoo status. Not wearing a tattoo may lead to a more favorable perception of older women than wearing one, but wearing a feminine tattoo may engender …


Technique Arms The Imagination Developing An Acting Theory Best Suited For Motion Capture Performance And The Creation Of A Virtual Character, Brendan Rogers Jan 2011

Technique Arms The Imagination Developing An Acting Theory Best Suited For Motion Capture Performance And The Creation Of A Virtual Character, Brendan Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

“The untrained body, like the sculptor's marble, can express nothing but its own limitations” (Lust 70). As acting styles have changed through the years, corresponding schools of thought have arisen to prepare performers for their unique challenges. Perhaps the goal of producing a “gripping performance,” one in which the audience is truly invested, has remained the same since the time of Thespis. How one arrives at this desired result, however, has varied greatly through the ages. Techniques, not surprisingly, tend to build on previous theories, beliefs and practices. Étienne Decroux’s corporeal mime technique builds on the teachings of Jacques Copeau, …


Middle School Literacy Coaches In Florida A Study Of The Relationships Among Experience, Coaching Activities, And Other Factors Related To Reading Achievement, Patricia A. Bowman Jan 2011

Middle School Literacy Coaches In Florida A Study Of The Relationships Among Experience, Coaching Activities, And Other Factors Related To Reading Achievement, Patricia A. Bowman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research was to investigate and clarify the work lives of middle school literacy coaches in central Florida by studying their backgrounds and experiences before assuming the role of literacy coach. Additionally, the beliefs of literacy coaches on what factors influence reading achievement were examined. The responses of 44 participating middle school literacy coaches were used to investigate (a) the academic and professional experiences of each coach, (b) the percentage of time spent in 13 literacy coaching activities, and (c) the working factors related to student reading achievement as evidenced on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Data …


A Multiscale Model Of The Neonatal Circulatory System Following Hybrid Norwood Palliation, Andres Ceballos Jan 2011

A Multiscale Model Of The Neonatal Circulatory System Following Hybrid Norwood Palliation, Andres Ceballos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hypoplastic left heat syndrome (HLHS) is a complex cardiac malformation in neonates suffering from congenital heart disease and occurs in nearly 1 per 5000 births. HLHS is uniformly fatal within the first hours or days after birth as the severly malformed anatomies of the left ventricle, mitral, and aortic valves, and ascending aorta are not compatable with life. The regularly implemented treatment, the Norwood operation, is a complex open heart procedure that attempts to establish univenticular circulation by removing the atrial septum ( communicating the right and left ventricle), reconstructing the malformed aortic arch, and connecting the main pulmonary artery …


Innovation On A Budget The Development Of Military Technology During The Interwar Period, 1919-1939, William Erik Deupree Jan 2011

Innovation On A Budget The Development Of Military Technology During The Interwar Period, 1919-1939, William Erik Deupree

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the progress of technological development during the interwar period of 1919 to 1939. The interwar period was a time of slashed military budgets and isolationist policies. However, despite political, financial, and organizational handicaps, each branch of the military made significant progress in the development of military technology, and the air corps and navy achieved significantly better results. The reason these two branches were able succeed was through a combination of organizational policy and the development of an overarching goal for their respective branch. Within this thesis, I investigated each of the major military branches during the interwar …


Stress Shielding Minimized In Femoral Hip Implants A Finite Element Model Optimized By Virtual Compatibility, Christian E. Feldt Jan 2011

Stress Shielding Minimized In Femoral Hip Implants A Finite Element Model Optimized By Virtual Compatibility, Christian E. Feldt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bone mechanics and traditional implant materials produce a recurring problem for patients of total hip arthroplasty (THA): the bone is “shielded” from the loading it has become accustomed to over many years of development. Bone adheres to what is called “Wolff’s Law”, meaning it is an adaptive structure which adjusts its geometry based on the loads experienced over its life (Pearson; Goldstein). As the new femoral hip implant transmits reduced stresses to the remaining bone, bone tissue atrophies at the interface, permitting loosening of the implant, pain, and thereby obliging additional surgery to correct the issue (Meade). In the present …


An Investigation Of The Effects Of Using Digital Flash Cards To Increase Biology Vocabulary Knowledge In High School Students With Learning Disabilities, Kelly J. Grillo Jan 2011

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Using Digital Flash Cards To Increase Biology Vocabulary Knowledge In High School Students With Learning Disabilities, Kelly J. Grillo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The field of science education, specifically biology, is becoming more challenging due to richer and more rigorous content demands. Along with new demands is the emergence of National Common Core Standards and End of Course Exams. Despite these changes, one factor remains consistent: As content knowledge increases, language demands also increase. For students with learning disabilities (LD), specifically those with language-based disabilities, the increasing vocabulary demand can lead to failure due not to a lack of understanding biology but the vocabulary associated with the content. In an attempt to impact high school students with learning disabilities‘ success in biology, a …


Healthy Aging And Self-Objectification The Impact Of Empowerment And Feminist Attitudes On Body Image, Eating Behavior, And Aging Satisfaction, Karen P. Grippo Jan 2011

Healthy Aging And Self-Objectification The Impact Of Empowerment And Feminist Attitudes On Body Image, Eating Behavior, And Aging Satisfaction, Karen P. Grippo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to contribute to women’s healthy aging across the adult lifespan by empirically examining potential protective factors (e.g., empowerment and feminist attitudes) in maintaining positive body image, healthy eating behavior, and aging satisfaction. Objectification Theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) provided a theoretical framework for understanding the connections between sexual-objectification experiences, media influences, and self-objectification, and the resulting negative psychological consequences for women in Western society. This study was the first to examine empowerment in relation to Objectification Theory. Additionally, a developmental perspective was gained by using a diverse sample of young, middle-aged, and older women …


The Effects Of A Ratio-Based Teaching Sequence On Performance In Fraction Equivalency For Students With Mathematics Disabilities, Jessica H. Hunt Jan 2011

The Effects Of A Ratio-Based Teaching Sequence On Performance In Fraction Equivalency For Students With Mathematics Disabilities, Jessica H. Hunt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of a ratio-based supplemental teaching sequence on third grade students‘ equivalent fraction performance as measured by a curriculum-based measure and a standardized test. Participants included students identified as being learning disabled in mathematics (MLD), struggling (SS), or typically achieving (TA). Nineteen students were assigned to the experimental group and 19 additional students formed the control group. The difference between the two groups was that the experimental group received the ratio-based teaching sequence. Both groups continued to receive textbook based instruction in fraction equivalency concepts in their regular mathematics classroom. Qualitative interviews were employed to further …


Program Completers' Perceptions Of Teacher Preparedness In Planning, Instruction, And Professionalism In Florida A Comparison Of District Alternative Programs, Traditional Programs, And Educator Preparatory Institutes, Lucile Heald Oldham Jan 2011

Program Completers' Perceptions Of Teacher Preparedness In Planning, Instruction, And Professionalism In Florida A Comparison Of District Alternative Programs, Traditional Programs, And Educator Preparatory Institutes, Lucile Heald Oldham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this research, data collected by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 program completers of the following three Florida teacher preparation programs were compared: the Initial Teacher Preparation Programs (ITP) of approved colleges and universities, District Alternative Certification Programs (DACP), the Educator Preparatory Institutes (EPI). A factor analysis was performed to identify factors perceived by program completers as important to their preparedness to teach. The factors that most closely supported completers’ perceptions of Florida teacher preparation programs regarding successful preparation for the classroom were: Planning and Instruction; Assessment, Communication and Research; Professional Responsibility and Ethical Conduct; …


Interdiffusion Behavior Of U-Mo Alloys In Contact With Al And Al-Si Alloys, Emmanuel Perez Jan 2011

Interdiffusion Behavior Of U-Mo Alloys In Contact With Al And Al-Si Alloys, Emmanuel Perez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0003747


Hotel Manager Attitudes Toward Environmental Sustainability Practices Empirical Findings From Hotels In Phuket, Thailand, Sivika Saenyanupap Jan 2011

Hotel Manager Attitudes Toward Environmental Sustainability Practices Empirical Findings From Hotels In Phuket, Thailand, Sivika Saenyanupap

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the attitudes of hotel managers in Phuket, Thailand, in an attempt to identify whether their attitudes influence their utilization of environmental sustainability practices. Due to the increasing number of visitors to Phuket, Thailand, the consumption of natural resources has increased in the region, causing serious environmental problems. A sustainable way forward is needed for the tourism industry in the region in order to maintain quality of service while reducing environmental damage. The data analyzed in this study came from self-administered questionnaires that surveyed hotel managers in Phuket, Thailand, with a sample of 243 respondents. Research results revealed …


Modeling Carbon Allocation, Growth And Recovery In Scrub Oaks Experiencing Aboveground Disturbance, Troy J. Seiler Jan 2011

Modeling Carbon Allocation, Growth And Recovery In Scrub Oaks Experiencing Aboveground Disturbance, Troy J. Seiler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Allocation of assimilated carbon amongst plant metabolic processes and tissues is important to understanding ecosystem carbon cycles. Due to the range of spatio-temporal scales and complex process interactions involved, direct measurements of allocation in natural environments are logistically difficult. Modeling approaches provide tools to examine these patterns by integrating finer scale process measurements. One such method is root:shoot balance, where plant growth is limited by either shoot activity (i.e. photosynthesis) or root activity (i.e. water and nutrient uptake). This method shows promise for application on frequently disturbed systems which perturb aboveground biomass and thus create imbalances in root and shoot …


Spirituality And Expectations Of Care Providers Of Older Patients With Chronic Illnes In North Central Florida, Myra Sherman Jan 2011

Spirituality And Expectations Of Care Providers Of Older Patients With Chronic Illnes In North Central Florida, Myra Sherman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative design was used to explore the use of spirituality and prayer by older adults who have chronic illness and reside in a rural community. Thirteen individuals responded to a flyer soliciting participation in a study of the use of spirituality as part of health care. Participants were at least 60 years of age, had at least one chronic illness and resided in North Central Florida. Twelve participants then responded to six open-ended questions based on an adaption of an instrument used by Dr. Shevon Harvey in her doctoral dissertation. The data was analyzed to identify themes and answer …


Yogic Diffusion The Effects Of Yogic Practice And Philosophy On Beliefs About Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Jacqueline Marie Siven Jan 2011

Yogic Diffusion The Effects Of Yogic Practice And Philosophy On Beliefs About Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Jacqueline Marie Siven

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research is a qualitative study that aimed to anthropologically explore the effects of consistent long-term yogic practice on the acceptance and practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among yoga practitioners at a South Florida yoga center. I wished to determine, through in-depth interviews, whether or not yogic practice affects acceptance of CAM. The main objective was to interview individuals from a single yoga center that have practiced yoga at least once per week for at least one year concerning their beliefs about CAM, yoga, and health. This project will begin to fill the gap in social science, in …


An Analysis Of Factors That Influenced Brevard Students To Drop Out And Why They Returned To Earn Their General Education Development (Ged) Diploma, B L. Spadaccini Jan 2011

An Analysis Of Factors That Influenced Brevard Students To Drop Out And Why They Returned To Earn Their General Education Development (Ged) Diploma, B L. Spadaccini

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dropping out of high school almost guarantees a life of hardship. The absence of a diploma contributes to poverty, increased crime rates and weakens the economy. To that end, school districts have a moral and ethical responsibility to bring an end to the dropout epidemic. This study was based on an analysis of more than 26,000 Brevard public school students. The researcher used 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 student data to determine the relationship between race, grade level, ESE status, ELL status, SES, type of promotion and dropping out of school. In addition, the researcher reviewed Student Exit Survey data and …


Testing The Impact Of Training With Simulated Scenarios For Information Security Awareness On Virtual Community Of Practice Members, Craig Leonard Tidwell Jan 2011

Testing The Impact Of Training With Simulated Scenarios For Information Security Awareness On Virtual Community Of Practice Members, Craig Leonard Tidwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Information security has become a major challenge for all private and public organizations. The protection of proprietary and secret data and the proper awareness of what is entailed in protecting this data are necessary in all organizations. This treatise examines how simulation and training would influence information security awareness over time in virtual communities of practice under a variety of security threats. The hypothesis of the study was that security-trained members of a virtual community of practice would respond significantly better to routine security processes and attempts to breach security or to violate the security policy of their organization or …


A Comparison Of Routes To Certification Instructional Decisions And Teacher Preparation, Amy Lynn Trogan Jan 2011

A Comparison Of Routes To Certification Instructional Decisions And Teacher Preparation, Amy Lynn Trogan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study examined whether there is a relationship between teacher preparation and instructional practice. The dataset for this study was the1999-2000 Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS). Specifically, variables created in SASS from the information provided by the Public School Teacher Questionnaire were utilized. The teacher population sample for this research study was derived from these data and then separated into two groups (alternatively and traditionally-certified teachers) based on certification variables within the dataset. The study conducted was a correlational study with instructional practices variables extracted from the dataset. Using Chi Square Goodness of Fit statistical tests, the data were …


Investigating The Optimal Presentation Of Feedback In Simulation-Based Training An Application Of The Cognitive Theory Of Multimedia Learning, Wendi Van Buskirk Jan 2011

Investigating The Optimal Presentation Of Feedback In Simulation-Based Training An Application Of The Cognitive Theory Of Multimedia Learning, Wendi Van Buskirk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There are many different training interventions that can be used in simulation based training systems (e.g., cueing, hinting, highlighting, deliberate practice, etc.). However, the most widely used training intervention in the military is feedback, most often presented in the form of a debrief. With advances in technology, it is possible to measure and diagnose performance in real-time. Thus it is possible to provide immediate feedback during scenarios. However, training systems designers should not consider the timing of feedback in isolation. There are other parameters of feedback that must also be considered which may have an impact on performance. Specifically, feedback …


High Linearity 5.8 Ghz Power Amplifier With An Internal Linearizer, Yiheng Wang Jan 2011

High Linearity 5.8 Ghz Power Amplifier With An Internal Linearizer, Yiheng Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A 5.8 GHz RF Power Amplifier (PA) is designed and fabricated in this work, which has very high linearity through a built-in linearizer. The PA is designed, post-layout simulated by Agilent Advanced Design System (ADS) software and fabricated by Win-Semiconductors 0.15µm pHEMT process technology. The post-layout simulation results illustrate the power amplifier can obtained an output power of 23.98 dBm, a power gain of 32.28 dB and a power added efficiency (PAE) of 29% at saturation region, the 3rd intermodulation distortion (IMD3) of -37.7 dBc at 0 dBm input power is attained when operation frequency is 5.8 GHz. We finally …


Factors Related To Birth Transition Success Of Late-Preterm Infants, Karen L. Wright Jan 2011

Factors Related To Birth Transition Success Of Late-Preterm Infants, Karen L. Wright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Problem: Identifying the factors effecting birth transition success of late preterm infants may improve early recognition of newborn compromise. Multiple explanatory variables may be associated with birth transition success or failure. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of, and clinical-epidemiological and demographic predictive factors for birth transition success of late preterm infants. Methods: A retrospective case-control chart review was used to compare the characteristics of successful and unsuccessful birth transition of 35 and 36 week gestational age late-preterm infants delivered in a large tertiary-care center during calendar year 2007. A mixture of categorical and numeric variables …


Clopidogrel Provision For Indigent Patients With St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Sita S. Price Jan 2011

Clopidogrel Provision For Indigent Patients With St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Sita S. Price

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Joint Commission in a joint effort with the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has established certain "core measures" by which hospital performance is measured. One of these is the measure for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) recommending percutaneous coronary intervention within 90 minutes of presentation to the Emergency Department in institutions that are able to provide this service. This recommendation does not take into account the long-term use of clopidogrel that is recommended by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association for patients that are treated with coronary stents. The purpose of this study …


Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete In Bridge Deck Applications, Jun Xia Jan 2011

Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete In Bridge Deck Applications, Jun Xia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research presented in this dissertation focuses on the material characterization of ultrahigh performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHP-FRC) at both the microscopic and macroscopic scales. The macroscopic mechanical properties of this material are highly related to the orientation of the steel fibers distributed within the matrix. However, the fiber orientation distribution has been confirmed to be anisotropic based on the flow-casting process. The orientation factor and probability density function (PDF) of the crossing fiber (fibers crossing a cutting plane) orientation was obtained based on theoretical derivations and numerical simulations with respect to different levels of anisotropy and cut planes oriented …


Electimize A New Evolutionary Algorithm For Optimization With Applications In Construction Engineering, Raheem, Mohamed Abdel Jan 2011

Electimize A New Evolutionary Algorithm For Optimization With Applications In Construction Engineering, Raheem, Mohamed Abdel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Optimization is considered an essential step in reinforcing the efficiency of performance and economic feasibility of construction projects. In the past few decades, evolutionary algorithms (EAs) have been widely utilized to solve various types of construction-related optimization problems due to their efficiency in finding good solutions in relatively short time periods. However, in many cases, these existing evolutionary algorithms failed to identify the optimal solution to several optimization problems. As such, it is deemed necessary to develop new approaches in order to help identify better-quality solutions. This doctoral research presents the development of a new evolutionary algorithm, named “Electimize,” that …


A Phenomenological Investigation Of Counseling Students' And Practicum Supervisors' Experiences With The Counselor Competencies Scale, David L. Ascher Jan 2011

A Phenomenological Investigation Of Counseling Students' And Practicum Supervisors' Experiences With The Counselor Competencies Scale, David L. Ascher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Counselor educators are charged with facilitating the development of counseling students towards becoming ethical and competent counselors (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2005; Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs [CACREP], 2009). In addition, counselor educators serve as gatekeepers for the profession and deny entry to counseling students who demonstrate deficiency of necessary competencies (ACA, 2005; Association for Counselor Education and Supervision [ACES], 1993; CACREP, 2009). Numerous assessment tools utilized for the evaluation of counseling competencies have been developed, yet none has gained universal acceptance in the field of counselor education. The Counseling Competencies Scale© (CCS, UCF Counselor Education …


Florida School Indicator Report Data As Predictors Of High School Adequate Yearly Progress (Ayp), John D. Carr Jan 2011

Florida School Indicator Report Data As Predictors Of High School Adequate Yearly Progress (Ayp), John D. Carr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research was to identify variables reported in the 2008-2009 Florida School Indicator Report (FSIR) that had a statistical impact, positive or negative, on the likelihood that a school would achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in reading or mathematics using the logistic regression technique. This study analyzed four broad categories reported by the FSIR to include academic, school, student, and teacher characteristics. FSIR and AYP data was collected for 468 Florida high schools that were categorized by the Florida Department of Education as presenting a comprehensive curriculum to grades 9-12 or grades 10-12. It was determined in …


Effects On Teachers' Mathematics Content Knowledge Of A Professional Learning Community, Beverley Christmas Price Jan 2011

Effects On Teachers' Mathematics Content Knowledge Of A Professional Learning Community, Beverley Christmas Price

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to study the implementation of a professional learning community comprised of one group of third-grade teachers in a Florida elementary school where the emphasis was on research-based practices in the teaching of mathematics. Investigated were the growth of teachers‟ content knowledge in mathematics, specifically in the areas of multiplication and division, and the effects of their professional learning within their classrooms. Specifically this study looked at whether or not the participation of a group of third grade teachers in a professional learning community PLC improved the mathematical content knowledge of the participants of the …