Digital Commons Network^™

Organizational Office Space In The Virtual Age: The Role Of Shared Space In Communication, Sheila Gobes-Ryan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis takes a phenomenological approach to the examination of the organizational need for shared office space. Questions are developed in a reflexive narrative that introduces challenges to the assumption that space is a given in organizations. The narrative also uses the process of questioning this basis assumption to develop a new understanding of the role of space in organizations in supporting the development of common language needed for the creation of organizational knowledge. Key ideas from systems theory, autopoiesis, organizational theory, semiotics, and psychology are utilized as resources developing the ideas.

Falun Gong In The United States: An Ethnographic Study, Noah Porter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, has been described in many ways. It has been called qigong, one of many schools of physical exercises that aim at improving health and developing "supernatural abilities". Scholars and mainstream media have referred it to as a "spiritual movement" or religion, although practitioners claim it is not a religion. It has been called a cult, in the pejorative sense rather than in a sociological context, by the Chinese government and by some Western critics. In the writings of Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, it is referred to in different ways, …

Criteria To Evaluate The Quality Of Pavement Camera Systems In Automated Evaluation Vehicles, Iván Sokolic

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The use of high technology in common daily tasks is boarding all areas of civil engineering; pavement evaluation is not the exception. Accordingly, current pavement imaging systems have been able to collect images at highway speeds and with the use of proper software, this digital information can be translated into pavement distress reports in which all distresses are classified and presented by their type, extent, severity, and location. However, a number of issues regarding the quality of pavement images and the appropriate conditions to acquire them, remain to be addressed. These issues surfaced during the development of a pavement evaluation …

Embedded Cryptography: An Analysis And Evaluation Of Performance And Code Optimization Techniques For Encryption And Decryption In Embedded Systems, Jayavardhan R. Kandi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

It is clear that Cryptography is computationally intensive. It is also known that embedded systems have slow clock rates and less memory. The idea for this thesis was to study the possibilities for analysis of cryptography on embedded systems. The basic approach was the implementation of cryptographic algorithms on high-end, state-of-the-art, DSP chips in order to study the various parameters that optimize the performance of the chip while keeping the overhead of encryption and decryption to a minimum.

Embedded systems are very resource sensitive. An embedded system is composed of different components, which are implemented in both hardware and software. …

Brand Loyalty In The Automotive Community: A Case Study On The Chevrolet Corvette, Michele Ann Motichka

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This is a qualitative case study conducted to investigate the relationship between consumers who are brand loyal to a certain product and the groups that are formed to bring these enthusiasts together, using the Chevrolet Corvette and its community as a model. Qualitative research lends itself to studying relationships and social situations, in being able to observe and participate in a social context, rather than analyzing it from the outside looking in. By approaching this subject as a case study, an element of flexibility was allowed. This study primarily focuses on one main phenomena, the social groups formed by loyal …

Deployment And Strategies For Application Of Intelligent Transportation System Elements For Contra Flow Hurricane Evacuation And Emergency Response, Ingrid Leuchtenmueller Birenbaum

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Deployment and Strategies for Application of Intelligent Transportation System Elements for Contra Flow Hurricane Evacuation and Emergency Response Ingrid Leuchtenmueller Birenbaum ABSTRACT This thesis is focused upon the deployment and strategies for the application of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) elements for contra flow hurricane evacuation and emergency response. A 99-mile segment of the Mainline of Florida's Turnpike, State Road 91, comprises the research corridor. This segment stands as the potential one way evacuation route for major hurricane evacuations and other types of natural and man-made disasters for the Turnpike System. Plans have been developed and modified over time to address …

Effect Of Cdcl2 Treatment On Cdte And Cds Solar Cell Characteristics After Exposure To Light For 1000 Hours, Ashok Rangaswamy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The CdTe solar cell is a leading candidate for cost-effective thin-film solar cells having demonstrated small area cell effciencies of 16.4%. A Key issue associated with CdTe thin film photovoltaic modules is the analysis of degradation behavior of the device. The analysis is complicated as changes due to degradation may be reversible. Solar cell measurement techniques were used to understand the changes in device parameters after light soaking for 1000 hours. An automated measurement setup was implemented as part of this thesis work. The main objective of this thesis was to study the effect of CdCl₂ heat treatment on …

Software Testing Testbed For Mpeg-4 Video Traffic Over Ieee 802.11b Wireless Lans, Praveen Chiranjeevi Ikkurthy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Several traffic characterization studies have been performed on wireless LANs with the main objective of realizing good and accurate models of the errors in the wireless channel. These models have been extended to model the effect of errors on higher layer protocols, mainly at the data link layer. However, no prior work has been done to study the application level characteristics of MPEG-4 video traffic over 802.11b wireless networks. In this thesis a traffic characterization study of MPEG-4 video traffic over IEEE 802.11b wireless LANs with the main goal of building a tool for software testing is performed.

Using two …

An Algorithm For Image Quality Assessment, Goran Ivkovic

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Image quality measures are used to optimize image processing algorithms and evaluate their performances. The only reliable way to assess image quality is subjective evaluation by human observers, where the mean value of their scores is used as the quality measure. This is known as mean opinion score (MOS). In addition to this measure there are various objective (quantitative) measures. Most widely used quantitative measures are: mean squared error (MSE), peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and signal to noise ratio (SNR). Since these simple measures do not always produce results that are in agreement with subjective evaluation, many other …

Computer Aided Diagnosis In Digital Mammography: Classification Of Mass And Normal Tissue, Monika Shinde

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The work presented here is an important component of an on going project of developing an automated mass classification system for breast cancer screening and diagnosis for Digital Mammogram applications. Specifically, in this work the task of automatically separating mass tissue from normal breast tissue given a region of interest in a digitized mammogram is investigated. This is the crucial stage in developing a robust automated classification system because the classification depends on the accurate assessment of the tumor-normal tissue border as well as information gathered from the tumor area. In this work the Expectation Maximization (EM) method is developed …

Reproductive Characteristics, Multiple Paternity And Mating System In A Central Florida Population Of The Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus Polyphemus, Jamie Colleen Colson-Moon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

I studied the reproductive characteristics and mating systems of a central Florida population of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Using x-radiography, females were monitored for stage in egg-shelling and clutch size. Eggs began to appear on x-ray photographs in the first week of May in both 2001 and 2002; however, fully shelled eggs were not found before the end of May. In total 55% of the females x-rayed were gravid. Clutch sizes ranged from 4-12 with a mean of 7.29, with a mean clutch mass of 40.9 g. Clutch size increased with an increase in mean carapace length and …

Representation And Interpretation Of Manual And Non-Manual Information For Automated American Sign Language Recognition, Ayush S. Parashar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Continuous recognition of sign language has many practical applications and it can help to improve the quality of life of deaf persons by facilitating their interaction with hearing populace in public situations. This has led to some research in automated continuous American Sign Language recognition. But most work in continuous ASL recognition has only used top-down Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based approaches for recognition. There is no work on using facial information, which is considered to be fairly important. In this thesis, we explore bottom-up approach based on the use of Relational Distributions and Space of Probability Functions (SoPF) for …

Chess: A Tool For Cdfg Extraction And High-Level Synthesis Of Vlsi Systems, Ravi K. Namballa

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, a new tool, named CHESS, is designed and developed for control and data-flow graph (CDFG) extraction and the high-level synthesis of VLSI systems. The tool consists of three individual modules for:(i) CDFG extraction, (ii) scheduling and allocation of the CDFG, and (iii) binding, which are integrated to form a comprehensive high-level synthesis system. The first module for CDFG extraction includes a new algorithm in which certain compiler-level transformations are applied first, followed by a series of behavioral-preserving transformations on the given VHDL description. Experimental results indicate that the proposed conversion tool is quite accurate and fast. The …

A Study Of The Critical Condition Of A Battened Column And A Frame By Classical Methods, Jamal A.H Bekdache

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge of structural stability theory is of paramount importance to the practicing structural engineer. In many instances, buckling is the primary consideration in the design of various structural configurations. The first chapter introduces a simplified treatment of the elastic stability of a battened column using classical methods without getting involved with lengthy and complicated mathematical operations. In chapter two, a treatment of the elastic stability of a frame is presented, including effects of elastic restraints. In this study, a theoretical treatment is given which although approximate, is believed to constitute a satisfactory solution of the structure.

Design And Characterization Of Multi-Layer Coplanar Waveguid Baluns And Inductors, Khaled Obeidat

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This work examined the design and characterization of multilayer coplanar waveguide baluns and inductors. This work derives a design procedure that helps RF engineers design cost effective multilayer coplanar waveguide (CPW) spiral balun that works in the frequency range 1-8 GHz. The accuracy of the developed procedure has been proven by designing two balun circuits of different dimensions and simulating them using available commercial software, Momentum (MoM) and Empire (FDTD). The simulation results have shown good balun performance over the desired frequency range. Furthermore some of the designed balun circuits have been fabricated and measured and the results agree with …

Direct 3d Interaction Using A 2d Locator Device, Anees Ansari

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Traditionally direct 3D interaction has always been limited to true 3D devices whereas 2D devices have always been used to achieve indirect 3D interaction. Till date no proper research has been done to try and extend the use of mouse to direct 3D interaction. In this research we explore the issues involved with using the mouse to accommodate the additional degrees of freedom required for 3D interaction. We put forth a unique and innovative design to achieve this objective and show that even a device as simple as the mouse can be highly effective for 3D interaction when supported by …

Bioterrorism Syndromic Surveillance: A Dual-Use Approach With Direct Application To The Detection Of Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Kristin Broome Uhde

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The threat of bioterrorism forces the public health infrastructure to focus attention on overall issues related to challenges posed by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. There is a crucial need to strengthen existing surveillance systems and to validate real-time approaches to surveillance that can provide timely alerts of epidemics whether they occur naturally or through a bioterrorism attack. The purpose of this study is to implement and evaluate a bioterrorism syndromic surveillance system called BioDefend™, to determine if the system could detect a potential epidemic/bioterrorism attack within 24-36 hours, more rapidly than it would be identified by routine health surveillance. …

An Indepth Analysis Of Face Recognition Algorithms Using Affine Approximations, Lakshmi Reguna

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In order to foster the maturity of face recognition analysis as a science, a well implemented baseline algorithm and good performance metrics are highly essential to benchmark progress. In the past, face recognition algorithms based on Principal Components Analysis(PCA) have often been used as a baseline algorithm. The objective of this thesis is to develop a strategy to estimate the best affine transformation, which when applied to the eigen space of the PCA face recognition algorithm can approximate the results of any given face recognition algorithm. The affine approximation strategy outputs an optimal affine transform that approximates the similarity matrix …

Integrated Reliability And Availability Aanalysis Of Networks With Software Failures And Hardware Failures, Wei Hou

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation research attempts to explore efficient algorithms and engineering methodologies of analyzing the overall reliability and availability of networks integrated with software failures and hardware failures. Node failures, link failures, and software failures are concurrently and dynamically considered in networks with complex topologies. MORIN (MOdeling Reliability for Integrated Networks) method is proposed and discussed as an approach for analyzing reliability of integrated networks. A Simplified Availability Modeling Tool (SAMOT) is developed and introduced to evaluate and analyze the availability of networks consisting of software and hardware component systems with architectural redundancy. In this dissertation, relevant research efforts in analyzing …

An Analysis Of Workplace Amputation Injuries In Florida, Eve N. Hanna M.D.

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nationally, 10,852 workplace amputation injuries in the US were reported in 1997. This number has been gradually decreasing over time to 9,658 amputations in 2000. In Florida, the amputation injuries have been increasing from 272 in 1997 to 417 in 2000. The reason for this increase is unclear and deserves further study. The purpose of a portion of this study was to examine the Federal and Florida BLS data to determine the characteristics of the typical worker with an amputation injury. A worker with an amputation injury was most likely to be a white male between the ages of 35 …

Catalytic Oxidation Of Methane Using Single Crystal Silicon Carbide, Akshoy Gopalkrishna

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

SiC is a hard man-made material and has emerged as an excellent material for a wide range of applications which are exposed to extreme conditions such as high temperatures and harsh chemical environments. These applications range from SiC being used as an abrasive, to a refractory material, to a semiconductor material for high power and high frequency electronic devices. The properties of the material for each application is different, with the semiconductor grade material for electronic devices being the most refined. SiC, with its excellent thermal properties and high resistance to harsh chemical environments, lends itself to being an ideal …

Modeling Dynamic Interactions In A Software Development Project, Chetan D. Vajre

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Software industry is getting very competitive in the wake of recession. In most cases, an organization that quotes a lower price and promises to deliver the product at the earliest walks away with the project. But the factor of quality of the product delivered is also very important because that in turn determines the reputation of an organization, which also plays an important role in getting the next project.

Interactions in a software development are dynamic in nature and involve human factors. Models are built taking into account all possible factors so as to present a realistic picture of the …

The Effect Of Digital Technology On Late 20th Century And Early 21st Century Culture, Jennifer Clarke

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recently, artists have begun using digital technology to create new cultural forms in the fields of art, literature, and music, and a new cultural form known as interactive digital multimedia has emerged, which combines elements from the new artistic, literary, and musical forms. Many of these artists have produced works that explore the interactive capabilities of digital technology. These interactive digital cultural forms have encouraged collaborative efforts that would have otherwise been difficult or even impossible to achieve before the advent of digital technology. In addition, this element of interactivity has redefined the traditional relationship between artist and audience. As …

Alexander Pope's Opus Magnum As Palladian Monument, Cassandra C. Pauley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The overarching goal of this study is to suggest that Alexander Pope did not abandon his project for a "system of ethics in the Horatian way," but rather that in his final days he did find a way to unite the parts at hand into a viable whole. Constructing such an argument, however, requires a similar building up from the parts, and so the core focus becomes a study on the way the image of an arch can serve as a metaphor for Pope's reconciliation scheme in his Moral Essays as he "steers betwixt" seeming opposites.

To justify this approach, …

Placement Of Utilities In Right Of Way Model Using Fuzzy And Probabilistic Objective Coefficients, Vijayakumar S. Shanmugam

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on a decision-making model for finding the locations for placement of utilities in roadway corridors. In recent years, there has been a rapid growth in the volume of traffic on roadways and in the number of utilities placed in Right of Ways. The increase in the demand for utilities is making it more difficult to place all the utilities within the Right of Way and also provide safe roads and highways with good carrying capacity. The public agencies approving the location for utilities are now using a first come first served method, which provide neither an efficient …

"Intelligent" Design Of Molecular Materials: Understanding The Concepts Of Design In Supramolecular Synthesis Of Network Solids, Brian D. Moulton

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This work endeavors to delineate modern paradigms for crystal engineering, i.e. the design and supramolecular synthesis of functional molecular materials. Paradigms predicated on an understanding of the geometry of polygons and polyhedra are developed. The primary focus is on structural determination by single crystal x-ray crystallography, structural interpretation using a suite of graphical visualization and molecular modeling software, and on the importance of proper graphical representation in the presentation and explanation of crystal structures.

A detailed analysis of a selected series of crystal structures is presented. The reduction of these molecular networks to schematic representations that illustrate their fundamental connectivity …

A Distributed Routing Algorithm For Er-Lsp Setup In Mlps Networks, Naga Siddhardha Garige

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The rapid growth of the Internet, in the last few years, has generated a need to enhance the existing IP networks in the areas of availability, dependability and scalability in order to provide a mission critical networking environment. In contemporary IP networks, data packets are routed as a function of the destination address and a single metric such as hop-count or delay. This approach tends to cause message traffic to converge onto the same link, which significantly increases congestion and leads to unbalanced network resource utilization. One solution to this problem is provided by Traffic Engineering (TE), which uses, bandwidth …

Copper Gallium Diselenide Solar Cells: Processing, Characterization And Simulation Studies, Pushkaraj Panse

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research project was to contribute to the understanding of CuGaSe₂/CdS photovoltaic devices, and to improve the performance of these devices.

The initial part of the research dealt with the optimization of a Sequential Deposition process for CuIn(Ga)Se₂ absorber formation. As an extension of this, a recipe (Type I Process) for CuGaSe₂ absorber layer fabrication was developed, and the deposition parameters were optimized. Electrical characterization of the thin films and completed devices was carried out using techniques such as Two-Probe and Three-Probe Current-Voltage, Capacitance-Frequency, Capacitance-Voltage, and Spectral Response measurements. Structural/chemical characterization was done …

Modeling And Characterization Of Polycrystalline Mercuric Iodide Radiation Detectors, Unmesh Khadilkar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The ability of Mercuric Iodide (HgI₂) to function as a highly efficient radiation detector at room temperature has generated great interest and has triggered further studies on this difficult material. This property is expected to enable significant enhancements to a far-ranging variety of applications and systems. HgI₂ devices have shown superior performance at room temperature compared to elemental Si or Ge devices, which require to be cooled down to liquid nitrogen temperature when used as nuclear radiation detectors. While substantial studies have been conducted on single crystal HgI^₂, polycrystalline HgI₂ remains a comparatively less …

An Investigation Of Bga Electronic Packaging Moiré Interferometry, Norman Rivers

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As technology progresses towards smaller electronic packages, thermo-mechanical considerations pose a challenge to package designers. One area of difficulty is the ability to predict the fatigue life of the solder connections. To do this one must be able to accurately model the thermo-mechanical performance of the electronic package. As the solder ball size decreases, it becomes difficult to determine the performance of the package with traditional methods such as the use of strain gages. This is due to the fact that strain gages become limited in size and resolution and lack the ability to measure discreet strain fields as the …