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Measuring And Modeling Active And Passive Devices And Rf Amplifier Design, Lisa Jordan Jan 2006

Measuring And Modeling Active And Passive Devices And Rf Amplifier Design, Lisa Jordan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.


The Use Of Quantum Dots In The Detection And Measurement Of Supercoiled Dna Using Capillary Electrophoresis, Justin B. Clisby Jan 2006

The Use Of Quantum Dots In The Detection And Measurement Of Supercoiled Dna Using Capillary Electrophoresis, Justin B. Clisby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Five Stories / By Jonathan Tucker, Jonathan Tucker Jan 2006

Five Stories / By Jonathan Tucker, Jonathan Tucker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Rf Low Pass Filter Design And Fabrication Using Integrated Passive Device Technology, Heli Li Jan 2006

Rf Low Pass Filter Design And Fabrication Using Integrated Passive Device Technology, Heli Li

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, the whole process of design a low pass filter (LPF) for the wireless communication application has been presented. Integrated passive device technology based on GaAs substrate has been utilized to make the LPF. Schematic simulation and electromagnetic simulations are extensively used in the design process. EM simulation is used in the selection of layout design and processing parameters for design optimization of both the inductors and IPD harmonic filters. The effective use of EM simulation enables us to realize the successful development of high performance harmonic filters. To make the optimization be more flexible and also for …


Rapid Prototyping Of Microfluidic Packages, Michael Pepper Jan 2006

Rapid Prototyping Of Microfluidic Packages, Michael Pepper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the area of MEMS there exists a tremendous need for communication between the micro-device and the macro world. A standard protocol or at least multiple standards would be of great use. Electrical connections have been standardized for many uses and configurations by the integrated circuit industry. Standardization in the IC industry has created a marketplace for digital devices unprecedented. In addition to the number of "off the shelf" products available, there exists the possibility for consumers to mix and match many devices from many different manufacturers. This research proposes some similar solutions as those for integrated circuits for fluid …


Through The Eyes Of A Renaissance Prophet: Fra Girolamo Savonaorla And The Compendium Of Revelation, David Fear Jan 2006

Through The Eyes Of A Renaissance Prophet: Fra Girolamo Savonaorla And The Compendium Of Revelation, David Fear

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides the historiographical background and historical context necessary to undertake an examination of Savonarola's Compendium of Revelations and evaluate it as a work of the Italian Renaissance. It conducts such an examination and reaches the conclusion that Savonarola should be used as an example of a figure who, like the age of the Renaissance itself, represented a significant break with the medieval world while still being influenced by it. His political, social, and religious views all show both the influence of the medieval world and the underpinnings of the modern. The analysis is influenced by intellectual, religious, and …


Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition Through Synthetic Learning Experiences: Implementing Virtual Field Trips Into Classrooms, Alicia Sanchez Jan 2006

Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition Through Synthetic Learning Experiences: Implementing Virtual Field Trips Into Classrooms, Alicia Sanchez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A Synthetic Learning Environment (SLE) the Virtual Field Trip (VFT) was designed to increase vocabulary acquisition and knowledge by utilizing simulation based technologies and leveraging sound educational findings. Vocabulary acquisition is considered a prerequisite to becoming a good reader and therefore a critical predictor of academic and lifelong success for early learners, however, teachers report that students lack the real world knowledge required for vocabulary knowledge. The VFT provides a meaningful context for anchored and situated instruction. Second grade students were assigned to either use the VFT or to listen to stories read aloud by a researcher on a video …


The 1980'S And Today; An Analysis Of Women's Subjective Well-Being, Michelle Coleman Jan 2006

The 1980'S And Today; An Analysis Of Women's Subjective Well-Being, Michelle Coleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to augment the existing literature concerning the relationship between marital status, gender, social networks, and cohort effect on dimensions of subjective well-being for women. Multiple dimensions of subjective well-being are examined. Multiple regression and logistic regression are employed to examine the effects of marital status, social networks, and cohort effects on the dependent variables that tap the dimensions of subjective well-being. The analysis controls for age, race, education, income, religious attendance and region of residence. The findings report some inconsistency in regards to the current literature. Social networks and support are found to be …


Experimental Techniques For Nonlinear Material Characterization: A Nonlinear Spectrometer Using A White-Light Continuum Z-Scan, Mihaela Balu Jan 2006

Experimental Techniques For Nonlinear Material Characterization: A Nonlinear Spectrometer Using A White-Light Continuum Z-Scan, Mihaela Balu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The main goal of this dissertation is to introduce and demonstrate a new method for the rapid determination of the nonlinear absorption spectra and the dispersion of the nonlinear refraction of optical materials in the visible and near IR spectral regions. However, conventional methods like, white-light continuum pump-probe and Z-scan techniques were used to measure the peak 2PA cross-sections for a number of commercially available photoinitiators. In the new method mentioned above, a high energy, broadband femtosecond white-light continuum is used to replace the single wavelength source conventionally used in a Z-scan experiment. In a Z-scan experiment, the transmittance of …


Alternative Teacher Certification: An Investigation To Determine The Effectiveness Of Alternative Teacher Certification In The State Of Florida According To Principals' Perspective, Nelson Torres Jan 2006

Alternative Teacher Certification: An Investigation To Determine The Effectiveness Of Alternative Teacher Certification In The State Of Florida According To Principals' Perspective, Nelson Torres

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alternative Certification Programs (ACPs) have been established in 47 states across the country, including Florida, to help alleviate the teacher shortage many public school districts have been experiencing during the last two decades. This teacher shortage has been reported to be more prevalent in areas where fully qualified and committed teachers are most needed. Current literature has identified areas such as inner-city schools, at-risk and minority students, bilingual education, math and physical sciences, and the special education field as the educational areas where the shortage is most significant. Faced with this dilemma, states have instituted ACPs as unconventional ways to …


The Role Of Expectancies In Binge Eating Behavior, Jessica Larose Jan 2006

The Role Of Expectancies In Binge Eating Behavior, Jessica Larose

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The central aim of the present study was to examine the role of expectancies in binge eating behavior. Two distinct statistical techniques were used to accomplish this goal. First, regression analyses were conducted using variables previously identified in the literature, as well as eating expectancies as measured by the Eating Expectancy Inventory (EEI). For both females and males, regression equations including expectancies accounted for a substantial portion of the variance in binge eating behavior. Second, memory modeling techniques were used to model the probable organization of eating expectancies. Memory modeling of hypothetical expectancy networks has lead to successful interventions in …


The Effect Of School Culture On Science Education At An Elementary School: An Ethnographic Case Study, Lori Meier Jan 2006

The Effect Of School Culture On Science Education At An Elementary School: An Ethnographic Case Study, Lori Meier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This ethnographic case study investigated one elementary school to understand how the school's culture influenced its science curriculum design and instruction. The main data was formal and informal semi-structured interviews with key teachers to understand their values, beliefs, practices, materials, and problems with science instruction. To triangulate these data, the researcher observed classroom practice, school-wide activities, and collected artifacts and documents. Data were analyzed using a theoretical framework that emphasizes that culture cannot be reduced to beliefs, values, practices, materials or problems, but rather each aspect of culture is interdependent and mutually reinforcing. The main finding suggests that the school's …


Hispanics' Attitudes Toward Seeking Counselingas A Function Of Psychosocial And Demographic Variables, Angela Rojas-Vilches Jan 2006

Hispanics' Attitudes Toward Seeking Counselingas A Function Of Psychosocial And Demographic Variables, Angela Rojas-Vilches

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using variables identified in the social science literature believed to influence attitudes toward seeking professional counseling, an attempt was made to develop a model for predicting Hispanics' willingness to obtain professional help. A second purpose of this study was to compare college students (n = 158) with their parents on their attitudes toward mental illness and toward seeking counseling. Among predictor variables, social stigma and the belief that mental illnesses are untreatable were the primary variables predicting attitudes toward seeking counseling. The more college students and their parents perceived there to be social stigma attached to those seeking therapy, and …


An Examinition Of Competencies, Roles, And Professional Development Needs Of Community College Distance Educators Who Teach Mathematics, Falecia Williams Jan 2006

An Examinition Of Competencies, Roles, And Professional Development Needs Of Community College Distance Educators Who Teach Mathematics, Falecia Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study describes the perceptions of both distance education administrators and faculty who teach mathematics online in a Florida community college setting with regard to the relative importance of core competencies and roles in teaching online courses and the need for professional development that is supportive of these competencies and roles. The perceptions of administrators and online faculty for level of importance indicated for core competencies and skill area needs for faculty development when teaching an online course were examined. Results of these perceptions by group were re-examined in relation to gender, age, ethnicity, years of community college teaching experience, …


Identification Of System Design Features That Affect Sickness In Virtual Environments, Julie Drexler Jan 2006

Identification Of System Design Features That Affect Sickness In Virtual Environments, Julie Drexler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The terms "simulator" and "VR" are typically used to refer to specific types of virtual environments (VEs) which differ in the technology used to display the simulated environment. While simulators and VR devices may offer advantages such as low cost training, numerous studies on the effects to humans of exposure to different VEs indicate that motion sickness-like symptoms are often produced during or after exposure to the simulated environment. These deleterious side effects have the potential to limit the utilization of VE systems if they jeopardize the health and/or safety of the user and create liability issues for the manufacturer. …


A Case Study: Alternative Certification, Neleffra Marshall Jan 2006

A Case Study: Alternative Certification, Neleffra Marshall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was a heuristic, descriptive case study of the Alternative Certification Program in 4 central Florida counties. The purpose of this study was to: (a) identify the awareness of the existence of the reported alternative certification components implemented by 4 counties in Florida, and identify any additional components; (b) determine the importance of the targeted teaching criteria needed for successful teaching as identified in the literature to the ACP teacher, principal and coordinator; (c) determine the advantages/disadvantages of the program as viewed by the ACP participants, principals, and coordinators; (d) identify how many of the 4 counties kept data …


Opinions On Government Spending On Social Security: A Year And Cohort Analysis, Melissa Castora Jan 2006

Opinions On Government Spending On Social Security: A Year And Cohort Analysis, Melissa Castora

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper is an analysis of American's opinions on government spending on Social Security. The main objectives were to analyze the effect of year and cohort membership on the likelihood for American's to say that they think the government is spending too little on Social Security. The data was obtained from the General Social Survey. Results of the analysis conclude that year is statistically significant in predicting the likelihood of those who say the government is spending too little on Social Security. When comparing every year to 1994, 1996 is the only year that year that respondents were less likely …


The Evolution Of French Identity: A Study Of The Huguenots In Colonial South Carolina, 1680-1740, Nancy Maurer Jan 2006

The Evolution Of French Identity: A Study Of The Huguenots In Colonial South Carolina, 1680-1740, Nancy Maurer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the changes that occurred in the French identity of Huguenot immigrants to colonial Carolina. In their pursuit of prosperity and religious toleration, the Huguenots' identity evolved from one of French religious refugees to that of white South Carolinians. How and why this evolution occurred is the focus of this study. Upon arriving in the colony in the 1680s and 1690s, the Huguenots' identity was based on several common factors: their French language, their Calvinist religion, and their French heritage. As the immigrant group began to build their new lives in Carolina, these identifying factors began to disappear. …


Analysis Of Aircraft Arrival Delay And Airport On-Time Performance, Yuqiong Bai Jan 2006

Analysis Of Aircraft Arrival Delay And Airport On-Time Performance, Yuqiong Bai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While existing grid environments cater to specific needs of a particular user community, we need to go beyond them and consider general-purpose large-scale distributed systems consisting of large collections of heterogeneous computers and communication systems shared by a large user population with very diverse requirements. Coordination, matchmaking, and resource allocation are among the essential functions of large-scale distributed systems. Although deterministic approaches for coordination, matchmaking, and resource allocation have been well studied, they are not suitable for large-scale distributed systems due to the large-scale, the autonomy, and the dynamics of the systems. We have to seek for nondeterministic solutions for …


Essays On Mutual Fund Governance And The Advisory Fee Contracts, Yaman Erzurum Jan 2006

Essays On Mutual Fund Governance And The Advisory Fee Contracts, Yaman Erzurum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three studies related to corporate governance of equity mutual funds in a framework of relations between the three closely interrelated actors of mutual fund industry. The mutual fund advisers, the shareholders and the mutual fund board being the advocate of shareholders rights. The first study analyzes the advisory fee, using a survivorship bias free data set of 176 equity funds managed by 125 different advisers. The price of professional portfolio management provided by the mutual fund adviser depends not only on the fund characteristics but also on the fund objective, the adviser's portfolio related and management …


Hurricane Wind Speed And Rain Rate Retrieval Algorithm For The Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer, Ruba Amarin Jan 2006

Hurricane Wind Speed And Rain Rate Retrieval Algorithm For The Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer, Ruba Amarin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the development and validation of the Hurricane Imaging Retrieval Algorithm (HIRA) for the measurement of oceanic surface wind speed and rain rate in hurricanes. The HIRA is designed to process airborne microwave brightness temperatures from the NOAA, Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR), which routinely collects data during NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft flights. SFMR measures wind speeds and rain rates at nadir only, but HIRA will soon be integrated with an improved surface wind speed model for expanded utilization with next generation microwave hurricane imagers, such as the Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRad). HIRad will expand the nadir only …


Classroom Mathematical Practices In A Preservice Elementary Mathematics Education Course Using An Instructional Sequence Related, Janet Andreasen Jan 2006

Classroom Mathematical Practices In A Preservice Elementary Mathematics Education Course Using An Instructional Sequence Related, Janet Andreasen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study documents a classroom teaching experiment in a semester-long undergraduate mathematics education course for 16 prospective elementary school teachers. The purpose of this study was to investigate how social aspects of the classroom environment facilitated the collective mathematical learning of place value and whole number operations by preservice elementary school teachers. Design-based research methodology was used for formulating the study. A hypothetical learning trajectory and instructional sequence related to place value and operations were created and refined in the two semesters prior to this study. The instructional sequence was in its third iteration for this study. The developmental …


Rapitalism, Martin Smith Jan 2006

Rapitalism, Martin Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

My paper questions the degree to which the hip hop subculture is oppositional to mainstream American society and its ideals. Toward that end, I examine the structure of the hip hop industry and its subculture. While the hip hop subculture in America consistently has projected images of rebellion and resistance to many of the mores, constraints and values of dominant society, the actual structure and organization of the hip hop subculture have mirrored, supported and promoted the values of the dominant culture in the United States. I begin by examining the structure of the main elements of the hip hop …


The Impact Of Online Education On Academic Performance For Ladies Professional Golf Association Teaching And Club Professionals, Jill Fjelstul Jan 2006

The Impact Of Online Education On Academic Performance For Ladies Professional Golf Association Teaching And Club Professionals, Jill Fjelstul

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ladies Professional Golf Association Teaching Professionals are scattered throughout the country, many of whom are self-employed. There was not a review session for Class A written test preparation prior to this study. The focus of this research, thus, was to assist first time test takers in their preparation of the LPGA Class A written evaluation through an online medium. The study was conducted between July and November, 2005, and was offered to LPGA T & CP Class B first-time test takers. Components of the online review session included self-evaluations, discussion postings involving test-related content, and practice quizzes. The study compared …


Radiation Studies Of The Tin-Doped Microscopic Droplet Laser Plasma Light Source Specific To Euv Lithography, Chiew-Seng Koay Jan 2006

Radiation Studies Of The Tin-Doped Microscopic Droplet Laser Plasma Light Source Specific To Euv Lithography, Chiew-Seng Koay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Extreme ultraviolet lithography(EUVL) is being developed worldwide as the next generation technology to be inserted in ~ 2009 for the mass production of IC chips with feature sizes <35 nm. One major challenge to its implementation is the development of a 13.5 nm EUV source of radiation that meets the requirements of current roadmap designs of the source of illumination in commercial EUVL scanners. The light source must be debris-free, in a free-space environment with the imaging EUV optics that must provide sufficient, narrow spectral band EUV power to print 100 wafers/hr. To meet this need, extensive studies on emission from a laser plasma source utilizing tin-doped droplet target was conducted. Presented in this work, are the many optical techniques such as spectroscopy, radiometry, and imaging, that were employed to characterize and optimize emission from the laser plasma source State of the art EUV spectrographs were employed to observe the source's spectrum under various laser irradiation conditions. Comparing the experimental spectra to those from theory, has allowed the determination of the Sn ion stages responsible for emitting into the useful EUV bandwidth. Experimental results were compared to spectral simulations obtained using Collisional-Radiative Equilibrium (CRE) model, as well. Moreover, extensive measurements surveying source emission from 2 nm to 30 nm, which is the region of the electromagnetic spectrum defined as EUV, was accomplished. Absolutely calibrated metrology was employed with the Flying Circus instrument from which the source's conversion efficiency (CE)--from laser to the useful EUV energy--was characterized under various laser irradiation conditions. Hydrodynamic simulations of the plasma expansion together with the CRE model predicted the condition at which optimum conversion could be attained. The condition was demonstrated experimentally, with the highest CE to be slightly above 2%, which is the highest value among all EUV source contenders. In addition to laser intensity, the CE was found to depend on the laser wavelength. For better understanding, this observation is compared to results from simulations. Through a novel approach in imaging, the size of the plasma was characterized by recording images of the plasma within a narrow band, around 13.5 nm. The size, approximately 100 ìm, is safely within the etendue limit set by the optical elements in the EUV scanner. Finally, the notion of irradiating the target with multiple laser beams was explored for the possibility of improving the source's conversion efficiency.


Challenging A Traditional Social Norm In A Second Grade Mathematics Classroom, Lisa Egendoerfer Jan 2006

Challenging A Traditional Social Norm In A Second Grade Mathematics Classroom, Lisa Egendoerfer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In an attempt to examine classroom dialogue within a second grade classroom, I encouraged students to participate in mathematics discussions without needing to raise their hands before speaking. I challenged this traditional social norm and established sociomathematical norms as the study progressed. My study showed the effects of this change on the dialogue of students in my classroom. Focus was placed on the participation in classroom discussions when traditional social and sociomathematical norms were in place as well as when new norms were established. The study helped determine the effects of student-centered dialogue on conceptual understanding as demonstrated in the …


Metacognitive Self-Regulation, Self-Efficacy For Learning And Performance, And Critical Thinking As Predictors Of Academic Succe, Edie Gaythwaite Jan 2006

Metacognitive Self-Regulation, Self-Efficacy For Learning And Performance, And Critical Thinking As Predictors Of Academic Succe, Edie Gaythwaite

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether metacognitive self-regulation, self-efficacy for learning and performance, and critical thinking could be identified as predictors of student academic success and course retention among community college students enrolled in online, telecourses, and traditional Fundamentals of Speech (public speaking) courses. The study was conducted during the Fall 2005 semester at Valencia Community College (VCC). Data for this study were collected from participating students enrolled in either one of the two online, two telecourse, and two traditional face-to-face public speaking courses chosen for analysis. Fifty-seven participants answered Pintrich, Smith, Garcia, and McKeachie (1991) Motivated …


An Investigation Of Principals' Attitudes Toward The Knowledge And Use Of Learning Styles In Therapeutic Settings, Renee Pancoast Jan 2006

An Investigation Of Principals' Attitudes Toward The Knowledge And Use Of Learning Styles In Therapeutic Settings, Renee Pancoast

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In March, 2006 the Principal's Attitudes Toward the Knowledge, Value, and Application of Learning Styles with Students in Therapeutic Settings survey developed by the author was distributed to 120 principals belonging to the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. Two mailings yielded a return of 68 (56.6%) usable survey instruments from which principals' self-reporting on knowledge, value and application of learning styles was examined. Focus for this study was provided through three research questions: (a) to determine to what extent principals in therapeutic settings self-reported general knowledge of learning style applications, (b) to determine to what extent principals exhibit …


Variation Of Geotechnical Strength Properties With Age Of Landfills Accepting Biosolids, Kishore Pinapati Jan 2006

Variation Of Geotechnical Strength Properties With Age Of Landfills Accepting Biosolids, Kishore Pinapati

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The solid portion of waste disposal, known as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) can be landfilled. Landfilling has proved to be a safe, sanitary and economical method of disposal. A by-product from wastewater treatment plants called biosolids is sometimes co-disposed along with MSW in landfills. Recent work at the University of Central Florida has focused on the behavior of the mixture of MSW and biosolids. As an increased amount of waste accumulates in these landfills, it creates a new problem – the geotechnical stability of landfills. In current literature, classical geotechnical testing methods have been followed to find the strength properties …


Study Of Heat Transfer Characteristics Of Impinging Air Jet Using Pressure Andn Temperature Sensitive Luminescent Paint, Quan Liu Jan 2006

Study Of Heat Transfer Characteristics Of Impinging Air Jet Using Pressure Andn Temperature Sensitive Luminescent Paint, Quan Liu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Luminescent coating measurement system is a relatively new technology for quantitative pressure and temperature measurement. Usually referred to as Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) and Temperature Sensitive Paint (TSP), luminescent coatings contain sensor molecules, which undergoes a luminescent transition when excited with light of proper wavelength. The reaction is pressure and/or temperature sensitive. The image of TSP or PSP coated model surface can be captured with a scientific grade camera and then processed to obtain full field temperature and pressure distribution with very high fidelity. The preparation time of the technique is short. The measurement system offers an economic alternative to …