View All Items

Title: Writing as a public relations task: how much do public relations practitioners write?.
Creator: Stansberry, Frank R., Taylor, K. Phillip, Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; The purpose of this study was to investigate how much public relations people write in the course of their work; to determine if the amount and type of writing varies with experience, job type or employer; and to investigate what other tasks besides writing public relations professionals do. The sample was 198 members of the Public Relations Society of America who responded to a nation-wide mailing of 500 people selected from...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; The purpose of this study was to investigate how much public relations people write in the course of their work; to determine if the amount and type of writing varies with experience, job type or employer; and to investigate what other tasks besides writing public relations professionals do. The sample was 198 members of the Public Relations Society of America who responded to a nation-wide mailing of 500 people selected from the Society's membership directory. Results showed that public relations practitioners spent 36.5 percent of their time writing. Overall, public relations people spend more time on publicity, media relations, and business administration than on any other function, but counseling management and research--two emerging area--are rating in the top 50 percent. Thus, while this study does not provide any startling new information on the public relations industry, it does provide, for the first time, empirical evidence of what an average or typical public relations practitioner does. That was the primary goal of the study.
Show less
Date Issued: 1989
Identifier: CFR0008148, ucf:52953
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0008148

Title: Development and saw device implementation of a new weighted stepped chirp code signal for direct sequence spread spectrum communications systems.
Creator: Carter, Scott Edward, Malocha, Donald C., Engineering
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; This work introduces the new weighted stepped chirp code signal for direct sequence spread spectrum (DS/SS) communications systems. This code signal uses the truncated cosine series functions as the chip functions. This code signal is the result of discretizing a continuous wave (CW) chirp which results in enhanced performance versus a pseudonoise (PN) cose and equivalent performance and easier implementation than a CW chirp. This...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; This work introduces the new weighted stepped chirp code signal for direct sequence spread spectrum (DS/SS) communications systems. This code signal uses the truncated cosine series functions as the chip functions. This code signal is the result of discretizing a continuous wave (CW) chirp which results in enhanced performance versus a pseudonoise (PN) cose and equivalent performance and easier implementation than a CW chirp. This code signal will be shown to possess improved compression ratio (CR), peak sidelobe level (PSL), integrated sidelobe level (ISL), and bit error rate (BER) when compared to a PN code of identical code length and chip length. It also will be shown to have a similar CR, PSL, ISL, and loss in processing gain (LPG) when compared to a CW chirp with identical pulse length and frequency deviation. The code signal is implemented on surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices which can be used as the code signal generator at the transmitter and the correlator at the receiver in a DS/SS communication system. SAW design considerations for the weighted stepped chirp signal are discussed. Experimental data is presented and compared to the predicted CR, PSL, ISL, LPG, and BER.
Show less
Date Issued: 1998
Identifier: CFR0008153, ucf:52944
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0008153

Title: Inoculation theory: motivation mechanism vs. attack credibility as mediators of resistance to persuasion.
Creator: Cranis, Peter F., Pryor, Albert, Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis
Date Issued: 1988
Identifier: CFR0008149, ucf:52947
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0008149

Title: High frequency communication system modeling and performance enhancement, employing novel adaptive DSP techniques.
Creator: Qahwash, Murad M., Mikhael, Wasfy, Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; High Frequency (HF) communication has been shown to be a useful communication technique from the very beginning of World War I and it accelerated during World War II. This is attributed to its simplicity, ability to provide near globe connectivity at low power without repeaters, moderate cost, and ease of proliferation [I]. In fact, the HF communication system utilizes the ionosphere [2][3][4] to refract the skywave signals to a...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; High Frequency (HF) communication has been shown to be a useful communication technique from the very beginning of World War I and it accelerated during World War II. This is attributed to its simplicity, ability to provide near globe connectivity at low power without repeaters, moderate cost, and ease of proliferation [I]. In fact, the HF communication system utilizes the ionosphere [2][3][4] to refract the skywave signals to a distant receiver. This ionospheric channel has some disadvantages. First, it is a non-stationary channel as the HF frequency propagation is a function of the sun spot activities, solar winds, and diurnal variations of the ionization level [5]. Second, the channel produces distortion in both signal amplitude and phase. As the different ionospheric layers move up or down, independent Doppler shifts on each propagation mode are introduced. Multipath fading [6] caused by multiple refractions of the signal fiom the ionosphere with or without ground reflection causes performance degradation in the HF system. Some techniques have been developed to improve HF performance [I]. One example is Space-Diversity [7], which uses more than one antenna at distant spaces to combine the received signal. Angle-of-Arrival Diversity that takes advantage of the fact that different modes have different arrival angles at the receiver, and so, highly directional antenna for example, can be used to improve the system performance. Another method of improving HF performance is to use different frequencies to transmit and receive messages. This method is known as Frequency diversity. Using timediversity, one can add a degree of redundancy to the transmitted message through the use of different types of coding, interleaving, etc. In the military standard, MIL-STD- 1 88- 1 1 OA [8], a convolutional encoder [9][10] followed by interleaver [Ill-[14] was used to scramble and transmit the data in different bit rates. In the presence of multipath fading [ 1 51, a training sequence is transmitted in an interleaved fashion with the data symbols with a 50% duty cycle. This has the disadvantage of losing half the bandwidth. At present, the recent advances of the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) [16][17] make it possible to reduce the bit-error-rate BEY and increase the transmission bit rate [18] through the usage of adaptive equalization [ 191-[2 11 which will be the focus of this dissertation. Equalizers such as, Transversal Equalizer [ 1 61, Blind Equalizer [22], Training waveform Equalizer [23], and Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) [20] Adaptive Equalizer have been applied into various communication systems. This proposal work will be to initially apply some of the previous developed equalizer to the HF channel specifically. Thereafter, new adaptive channel equalization [24],[25] will be developed to compensate for transmission channel impairments due to bandwidth limitations, multipath propagation, and rayleigh fading [2 11 conditions in mobile environments. A new technique for frequency offset prediction has been developed and finally, a new approach for MIL-STD- 1 88- 1 1 0A high frequency single-tone modem employing orthogonal Walsh-PN codes has been implemented.
Show less
Date Issued: 2002
Identifier: CFR0000759, ucf:52934
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0000759

Title: Low voltage regulator modules and single stage front-end converters.
Creator: Gu, Wei, Batarseh, Issa, Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; Evolution in microprocessor technology poses new challenges for supplying power to these devices. To meet demands for faster and more efficient data processing, modem microprocessors are being designed with lower voltage implementations. More devices will be packed on a single processor chip and the processors will operate at higher frequencies, exceeding IGHz. New high performance microprocessors may require from 40 to 80 watts of...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; Evolution in microprocessor technology poses new challenges for supplying power to these devices. To meet demands for faster and more efficient data processing, modem microprocessors are being designed with lower voltage implementations. More devices will be packed on a single processor chip and the processors will operate at higher frequencies, exceeding IGHz. New high performance microprocessors may require from 40 to 80 watts of power for the CPU alone. Load current must be supplied with up to 30A/us slew rate while keeping the output voltage within tight regulation and response time tolerances. Therefore, special power supplies and Voltage Regulator Modules (VRMs) are needed to provide lower voltage with higher current and fast response.
Show less
Date Issued: 2001
Identifier: CFR0000194, ucf:52938
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0000194

Title: Antenna-coupled infrared focal plane array.
Creator: Gonzalez, Francisco Javier, Boreman, Glenn D., Engineering and Computer Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; In this dissertation a new type of infared focal plan array (IR FPA) was investigated, consisting of antenna-coupled microbolometer fabricated using electron-beam lithography. Four different antenna designs were experimentally demonstrated at 10-micron wavelength: dipole, bowtie, square-spiral, and log-periodic. The main differences between these antenna types were their bandwidth, collection area, angular reception pattern, and...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; In this dissertation a new type of infared focal plan array (IR FPA) was investigated, consisting of antenna-coupled microbolometer fabricated using electron-beam lithography. Four different antenna designs were experimentally demonstrated at 10-micron wavelength: dipole, bowtie, square-spiral, and log-periodic. The main differences between these antenna types were their bandwidth, collection area, angular reception pattern, and polarization. To provide pixel collection areas commensurate with typical IR FPA requirements, two configuration were investigated: a two-dimensional serpentine interconnection of individual IR antennas, and a Fresnel-zone-plate (FZP) coupled to a single-element antenna. Optimum spacing conditions for the two-dimensional interconnect were developed. Increased sensitivity was demonstrated using a FZP-coupled design. In general, it was found that the configuration of the antenna substrate material was critical for optimization of sensitivity. The best results were obtained using this membranes of silicon nitride to enhance the thermal isolation of the antenna-coupled bolometers. In addition, choice of the bolometer material was also important, with the best results obtained using vanadium oxide. Using optimum choices for all parameters, normalized sensitivity (D*) values in the range of mid 10^8 [cmâˆšHz/W] were demonstrated for antenna-coupled IR sensors, and directions for further improvements were identified. Successful integration of antenna-coupled pixels with commercial readout integrated circuits was also demonstrated.
Show less
Date Issued: 2003
Identifier: CFR0011595, ucf:53049
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011595

Title: We can't be the women we were before: Mary Livermore and Chicago women in the American Civil War.
Creator: Engle, Nancy Arlene Driscol, Crepeau, Richard C., Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; This study examines the impact of the American Civil War on Union women by focusing on Mary Ashton Rice Livermore and her associates in wartime aid societies in Chicago, Illinois. It argues that Livermore's postwar lecture career epitomizes the new confidence that many benevolent women possessed after the Civil War. From contemporary newspaper accounts and letters it demonstrates that the conflagration broadened the scope of...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; This study examines the impact of the American Civil War on Union women by focusing on Mary Ashton Rice Livermore and her associates in wartime aid societies in Chicago, Illinois. It argues that Livermore's postwar lecture career epitomizes the new confidence that many benevolent women possessed after the Civil War. From contemporary newspaper accounts and letters it demonstrates that the conflagration broadened the scope of their activity, allowing many to hone their skills and expand their influence while remaining safely inside society's accepted gender standards. concluding that the war changed moderate white middle-class women's lives, it then illustrates that some modifications proved permanent for many throughout the ensuing decade. This work draws from published sources, including Livermore's autobiography and her account of th war, and manuscript collections containing correspondence, dated between 1850 and 1905, among advocates of women's rights and their acquaintances.
Show less
Date Issued: 1996
Identifier: CFR0010869, ucf:53057
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0010869

Title: Prediction of simulator sickness in a virtual environment.
Creator: Kolasinski, Eugenia M., Gilson, Richard D., Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Sickness induced by Virtual Reality (VR) devices poses a genuine threat to the viability of this new technology and its potential products. If the occurrence or severity of sickness could be successfully predicted based on characteristics of an individual, at-risk users could be identified, properly warned, and, perhaps, trained in some way to reduce their risk. A Personal Computer-based VR system was used to address the...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Sickness induced by Virtual Reality (VR) devices poses a genuine threat to the viability of this new technology and its potential products. If the occurrence or severity of sickness could be successfully predicted based on characteristics of an individual, at-risk users could be identified, properly warned, and, perhaps, trained in some way to reduce their risk. A Personal Computer-based VR system was used to address the prediction of simulator sickness. Phase I investigated four characteristics of an individual - age, gender, mental rotation ability, and pre-exposure postural stability - which were hypothesized to be predictive of sickness. Sickness measured as a function of the Total Severity score from the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) was successfully modeled on these characteristics using linear regression techniques, leading to three major findings. First, sickness - as measured by the SSQ - did, in fact, occur in association with exposure to VR. for 35% of the participants, this sickness involved lingering effects and/or possible delayed after-effects. Second, sickness was successfully modeled on characteristics of the individual. The developed model indicated a complicated relationship between predicted sickness and gender, age, mental rotation ability, and pre-exposure postural stability. Third, based on the model developed, sickness is not predicted to differ for gender directly but, rather, gender interacts with mental rotation ability in its effects on sickness. Phase II investigated the occurrence of ataxic decrements in postural stability. No such decrements were found to be associated with the 20-minute exposure. Thus, ataxic decrements do not appear to be associated with short exposures to low-end VR. This finding, however, may be limited to VR tasks of the type used in this study. Practical implications and areas for future research are discussed.
Show less
Date Issued: 1996
Identifier: CFR0010868, ucf:53058
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0010868

Title: Shape reconstruction from shading using linear approximation.
Creator: Tsai, Ping Sing, Shah, Mubarak, Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Shape from shading (SFS) deals with the recovery of 3D shape from a single monocular image. This problem was formally introduced by Horn in the early 1970s. Since then it has received considerable attention, and several efforts have been made to improve the shape recovery. In this thesis, we present a fast SFS algorithm, which is a purely local method and is highly parallelizable. In our approach, we first use the discrete...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Shape from shading (SFS) deals with the recovery of 3D shape from a single monocular image. This problem was formally introduced by Horn in the early 1970s. Since then it has received considerable attention, and several efforts have been made to improve the shape recovery. In this thesis, we present a fast SFS algorithm, which is a purely local method and is highly parallelizable. In our approach, we first use the discrete approximations for surface gradients, p and q, using finite differences, then linearize the reflectance function in depth, Z ( x , y), instead of p and q. This method is simple and efficient, and yields better results for images with central illumination or low-angle illumination. Furthermore, our method is more general, and can be applied to either Lambertian surfaces or specular surfaces. The algorithm has been tested on several synthetic and real images of both Lambertian and specular surfaces, and good results have been obtained. However, our method assumes that the input image contains only single object with uniform albedo values, which is commonly assumed in most SFS methods. Our algorithm performs poorly on images with nonuniform albedo values and produces incorrect shape for images containing objects with scale ambiguity, because those images violate the basic assumptions made by our SFS method. Therefore, we extended our method for images with nonuniform albedo values. We first estimate the albedo values for each pixel, and segment the scene into regions with uniform albedo values. Then we adjust the intensity value for each pixel by dividing the corresponding albedo value before applying our linear shape from shading method. This way our modified method is able to deal with nonuniform albedo values. When multiple objects differing only in scale are present in a scene, there may be points with the same surface orientation but different depth values. No existing SFS methods can solve this kind of ambiguity directly. We also present a new approach to deal with images containing multiple objects with scale ambiguity. A depth estimate is derived from patches using a minimum downhill approach and re-aligned based on the background information to get the correct depth map. Experimental results are presented for several synthetic and real images. Finally, this thesis also investigates the problem of the discrete approximation under perspective projection. The straightforward finite difference approximation for surface gradients used under orthographic projection is no longer applicable here. because the image position components are in fact functions of the depth. In this thesis, we provide a direct solution for the discrete approximation under perspective projection. The surface gradient is derived mathematically by relating the depth value of the surface point with the depth value of the corresponding image point. We also demonstrate how we can apply the new discrete approximation to a more complicated and realistic reflectance model for SFS problem.
Show less
Date Issued: 1995
Identifier: CFR0000191, ucf:53139
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0000191

Title: Effects of avian breeding colonies on a man-made freshwater marsh in East Central Florida.
Creator: Burney, James L., Stout, I.J., Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; The effects of nutrient loading from avian breeding colonies into aquatic/marine ecosystems have been well documented. Documented influences include increased productivity of aquatic/marine macrophytes, elevated sediment nutrient concentrations, and increased densities of zooplankton and planktivorus fishes. The primary pathway of nutrient export from the rookery is through excreta from adult birds and their offspring. This...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; The effects of nutrient loading from avian breeding colonies into aquatic/marine ecosystems have been well documented. Documented influences include increased productivity of aquatic/marine macrophytes, elevated sediment nutrient concentrations, and increased densities of zooplankton and planktivorus fishes. The primary pathway of nutrient export from the rookery is through excreta from adult birds and their offspring. This study examined the influences of a 400-nesting pair rookery of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) in 1990 and a 75-nesting pair rookery of cattle egret in 1991 on a man-made freshwater treatment marsh in east central Florida. Because the fundamental intent of the created marsh (study site) was the removal of nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, from advanced treated wastewater prior to discharge into public surface waters, the main objective of this study was to document the effects of the avian breeding colonies on water quality within the system. Secondary objectives of the study were to document influences on phytoplankton density and aquatic faunal community structure, as well as to estimate spatial and temporal limits of rookery influences. The results indicated significant water quality differences between rookery and reference sites during 1990 and 1991. The results also indicated significant differences between phytoplankton productivity and aquatic macroinvertebrate community structure between rookery and reference sites during 1990 and 1991. The effects of nutrient loading from the rookeries were confined to within 150 m and background water quality conditions were regained within one month of rookery abandonment. In effect, the 1990 and 1991 rookery sites were characterized as limited, transient "islands" of increased eutrophication within the marsh.
Show less
Date Issued: 1995
Identifier: CFR0011941, ucf:53110
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011941

Title: Analysis of the operation and plasma dynamics of extreme-ultraviolet and soft x-ray lasers.
Creator: Bender, Howard A., Silfvast, William T., Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Extending lasing action into the extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum has been a natural progression in the continuing development of short wavelength radiation sources. However fundamental difficulties with the media used to produce short wavelength lasers has in general hindered the widespread development and use of such lasers in applications. Up to now all EUV and soft x-ray lasers...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Extending lasing action into the extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray regions of the electromagnetic spectrum has been a natural progression in the continuing development of short wavelength radiation sources. However fundamental difficulties with the media used to produce short wavelength lasers has in general hindered the widespread development and use of such lasers in applications. Up to now all EUV and soft x-ray lasers have operated with plasmas as the gain medium to support lasing. This is a general requirement imposed by 1) the characteristics of short wavelength radiation as it originates from highly energetic atomic transitions and 2) the fundamental aspects of lasing at these wavelengths. Thus the plasma environment has been the defining characteristic in achieving lasing in the EUV and soft x-ray spectral regions. This thesis presents investigations into two types of EUV/Soft x-ray lasers that describe the operation and associated plasma dynamics of these devices. The first is a numerical investigation into a recombination pumped x-ray laser at 13.5 nm operating in a Li plasma. Using a collisional-radiative model of the atomic system, simulations were performed to determine the plasma conditions necessary to produce gain that were observed in reported experiments. The second investigation is the experimental development and operation of a capillary discharge driven laser operating at 46.9 nm in Ar. This device is a new generation of EUV/Soft X-ray laser based on a small scale driver system. The first interferometric probing experiments of this device will be discussed and related to the plasma dynamics of the capillary discharge.
Show less
Date Issued: 1998
Identifier: CFR0011593, ucf:53045
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011593

Title: Experimenting with the finite element method in the calculation of radiosity form factors.
Creator: Chesteen, Donna Marie, Guha, Ratan, Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Radiosity has been used to create some of the most photorealistic computer-generated images to date. The problem, however, is that radiosity algorithms are so computationally and memory expensive that few applications can employ them successfully. Form factor calculation is the most costly part of the process. This report describes an algorithm for using the finite element method to reduce the amount of time that is used in...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Radiosity has been used to create some of the most photorealistic computer-generated images to date. The problem, however, is that radiosity algorithms are so computationally and memory expensive that few applications can employ them successfully. Form factor calculation is the most costly part of the process. This report describes an algorithm for using the finite element method to reduce the amount of time that is used in the form factor calculation portion of the radiosity algorithm. This technique for form factor calculation significantly reduces the number of projections done at each iteration by using shape functions to determine the distribution of a form factor across the surface of a patch and thus greatly reduces total run time.
Show less
Date Issued: 1995
Identifier: CFR0011926, ucf:53043
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011926

Title: Re-examining subfamily classifications for the alu family of repeated dna sequences.
Creator: York, William A., Sweet, Haven C., Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; The primate Alu family of repetitive elements has been widely characterized. This ubiquitous class of retroposons has been found to occupy some 5% of the human genome. This hetergenous group of Short Interspersed Nucleic acid Elements (SINEs) has been theorized to possess an identifiable subfamily structure between and within various taxonomic levels in primates. It has been postulated that humans possess up to 6 Alu sequences...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; The primate Alu family of repetitive elements has been widely characterized. This ubiquitous class of retroposons has been found to occupy some 5% of the human genome. This hetergenous group of Short Interspersed Nucleic acid Elements (SINEs) has been theorized to possess an identifiable subfamily structure between and within various taxonomic levels in primates. It has been postulated that humans possess up to 6 Alu sequences and found evidence supporting the amplification/fixation theory in 5 subfamilies. The research presented in this thesis posits that Quentin's method of alignment used in the correspondence analysis is questionable. A reexamination using an alternative, perhaps more tenable, alignment of the Alu sequences may allow for a more lucid and accurate identification of Alu subfamily structure in the human genome.
Show less
Date Issued: 1994
Identifier: CFR0011936, ucf:53117
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011936

Title: Path to chaos : excess, absence and anarchy in Tennyson's Idylls of the King.
Creator: Howerton, Peggie A., Adicks, Richard R., Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis
Date Issued: 1993
Identifier: CFR0011933, ucf:53118
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011933

Title: The effect of a pet's presence upon anxiety during a simulated clinical interview.
Creator: Weigand, Kenneth G., Blau, Burt, Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Recognizing the importance of evolutionary parallels between humans and other animals, researchers make use of animals to better the understanding of people in various fields of study, such as history, ecology, medicine, psychology, and sociology (Levinson, 1978). Boris Levinson (1962) was an early advocate for the inclusion of pets in psychotherapeutic intervention. His theories have been frequently cited in research that has...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Recognizing the importance of evolutionary parallels between humans and other animals, researchers make use of animals to better the understanding of people in various fields of study, such as history, ecology, medicine, psychology, and sociology (Levinson, 1978). Boris Levinson (1962) was an early advocate for the inclusion of pets in psychotherapeutic intervention. His theories have been frequently cited in research that has attempted to define the possible benefits associated with utilizing pets as an adjunct in the treatment of disturbed populations. The results of studies with varied populations indicate that a pet's presences can lower a person's anxiety level, positively increase self-concept, stimulate social interaction, provide a source of non-threatening acceptance, improve the prognosis for cardiac patients, and encourage goal-oriented behavior. However, few empirical studies have been conducted to explain the mechanisms responsible for the healthy benefits that have been associated with pet facilitated therapy. The goal of this study was to further identify the variables present in person-pet interactions that are desirable in therapeutic precesses. Thirty undergraduate students were recruited to participate in a 30 minutes simulated clinical interview. It was hypothesized that the 15 subjects in the dog-present experimental group would show significantly lower situational anxiety compared to the 15 subjects experiencing a dog-absent interview. It was also hypothesized that there would be temporal decreases in anxiety for the experimental group, and a greater degree of favorableness felt towards pets. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, et al. 1983), The Pet Attitude Scale (Templer, 1981) and behavioral measures were used to test the hypotheses. Results indicated that the dog's presence had no significant effect upon anxiety, and there were no significant changes in pet attitude. Both groups showed a consistent and significant decrease between pre- and post-interview scores measuring State and Trait Anxiety. the results of this study suggest that pet facilitated therapy has limited applicability with a college population that is typically well adjusted and high functioning. It was suggested that the subjects recruited for this study may not have had a need to utilize the dog's presence for anxiety reduction as might a clinical population.
Show less
Date Issued: 1999
Identifier: CFR0011928, ucf:53119
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011928

Title: College students' perceptions of parental sexuality.
Creator: Janisz, Nancy L., Houston, Sandra, Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Pocs and Godow (1977) published research results indicating that college students experienced difficulty in considering their parents as sexual beings. The results of the present study were based on responses of 330 college students to a questionnaire authored by the examiner. Results were compared to Pocs and Godow's results, and research data from Kinsey (1948, 1953) and Hunt (1972), which presented the reported frequencies...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis; Pocs and Godow (1977) published research results indicating that college students experienced difficulty in considering their parents as sexual beings. The results of the present study were based on responses of 330 college students to a questionnaire authored by the examiner. Results were compared to Pocs and Godow's results, and research data from Kinsey (1948, 1953) and Hunt (1972), which presented the reported frequencies of sexual activities of the parent-aged population. The comparisons suggest that although estimates of the subjects in the current study were higher in all areas than in the Pocs and Godow data, today's college students still underestimate their parents' sexual activity as compared to Kinsey and Hunt, with few exceptions. Results found significant correlations of estimations with marital status of parents, amount of and comfort with parent-child sexual discussion, subjects' religious attendance and importance, and negative emotions when considering their parents as sexual beings. Suggestions were made to conduct a future replication this research, and for parents to increase open discussion of sexual issues, to inform their children that sexuality if not just for the young.
Show less
Date Issued: 1991
Identifier: CFR0011929, ucf:53120
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011929

Title: Close to home.
Creator: Gagnon, Donald P., Rushin, Pat, Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis
Date Issued: 1994
Identifier: CFR0011938, ucf:53112
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011938

Title: Expression patterns of developmental genes in drosophila melanogaster larval genital discs.
Creator: Freeland, Denise E., Kuhn, David T., Arts and Sciences
Abstract / Description: University of Central Florida College of Arts and Sciences Thesis
Date Issued: 1995
Identifier: CFR0011939, ucf:53113
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011939

Title: Finite impulse response filter design using cosine series functions.
Creator: Bishop, Carlton Delos, Malocha, Donald C., Engineering
Abstract / Description: Window functions have been extensively used for the design of SAW filters. The classical truncated cosine series functions, such as the Hamming and Blackmann functions, are only a few of an infinite set of such functions. The derivation of this set of functions from orthonormal basis sets and the criteria for obtaining the constant coefficients of the functions are presented. These functions are very useful because of the closed-form expressions and their easily recognizable Fourier transform...
Show moreWindow functions have been extensively used for the design of SAW filters. The classical truncated cosine series functions, such as the Hamming and Blackmann functions, are only a few of an infinite set of such functions. The derivation of this set of functions from orthonormal basis sets and the criteria for obtaining the constant coefficients of the functions are presented. These functions are very useful because of the closed-form expressions and their easily recognizable Fourier transform. Another approach to the design of Gaussian shaped filters having a desired sidelobe level using a 40 term cosine series will be presented as well. This approach is again non-iterative and a near equi-ripple sidelobe level filter could be achieved. A deconvolution technique will also be presented. this has the advantage of being non-iterative, simple and fast. This design method produces results comparable to the Dolph-Chebyshev technique.
Show less
Date Issued: 1988
Identifier: CFR0013088, ucf:53133
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0013088

Title: Cognitive Dissonance in the Classroom: The Effects of Hypocrisy on Academic Dishonesty.
Creator: Goldonowicz, Joanna, Miller, Ann, Neuberger, Lindsay, Katt, James, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Academic dishonesty and academic entitlement plague many college campuses. This research applies the theory of cognitive dissonance to the classroom in an attempt to curb academic dishonesty. Hypocrisy, a branch of the theory of cognitive dissonance, has been induced with regards to health and pro-social causes, but has not been applied to the field of higher education. In order to apply the concept of hypocrisy to academic dishonesty, a two-part experiment was conducted. The first portion of...
Show moreAcademic dishonesty and academic entitlement plague many college campuses. This research applies the theory of cognitive dissonance to the classroom in an attempt to curb academic dishonesty. Hypocrisy, a branch of the theory of cognitive dissonance, has been induced with regards to health and pro-social causes, but has not been applied to the field of higher education. In order to apply the concept of hypocrisy to academic dishonesty, a two-part experiment was conducted. The first portion of the experiment was an in-class manipulation and the second portion was an online survey conducted one month after the manipulation. Two hundred two students participated in both portions of the experiment. The participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions (e.g., hypocrisy, commitment only, mindfulness only, control) and participated in two activities. One month after the manipulation took place, students were sent a link to the online survey with a cover story indicating that the survey was part of a research study. After the survey was closed, participants were debriefed and the data was cleaned. Upon analyzing the data, no significant results were detected. The lack of statistical significance was likely due to the month time lapse and the single dose of the manipulation treatment. Overall, this study pioneers the application of hypocrisy in the field of education and provides guidance for future hypocrisy induction studies.
Show less
Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005338, ucf:50483
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005338

Academic (76)	+ -
Dissertations (76)	+ -
Engineering -- Dissertations (40)	+ -
Academic -- Engineering (38)	+ -
Academic -- Arts and Sciences (22)	+ -

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations (22)	+ -
academic achievement (15)	+ -
Academic -- Education (14)	+ -
Education -- Dissertations (14)	+ -
academic performance (7)	+ -
Academic Achievement (6)	+ -
international students (4)	+ -
Academic Advising (3)	+ -
Community Colleges (3)	+ -
FCAT (3)	+ -
TESOL (3)	+ -
academic writing (3)	+ -
community college (3)	+ -
higher education (3)	+ -
reading (3)	+ -
student (3)	+ -
Academic Performance (2)	+ -
Academic Success (2)	+ -
Assessment (2)	+ -
ESL (2)	+ -
English as a Second Language (2)	+ -
STEM (2)	+ -
Student Athletes (2)	+ -
Title I (2)	+ -
academic advising (2)	+ -

ETD Collection (164)	+ -
Honors Collection (10)	+ -

University of Central Florida (97)	+ -
Engineering (28)	+ -
Arts and Sciences (22)	+ -
Education (14)	+ -
Engineering and Computer Science (11)	+ -

Taylor, Rosemarye (9)	+ -
Baldwin, Lee (8)	+ -
Cintron Delgado, Rosa (8)	+ -
Doherty, Walter (8)	+ -
Murray, Barbara (6)	+ -
Cox, Thomas (5)	+ -
Folse, Keith (5)	+ -
Murray, Kenneth (5)	+ -
Owens, J. Thomas (5)	+ -
Vitale, Thomas (5)	+ -
Boote, David (4)	+ -
Cox, Dr. Thomas (4)	+ -
King, Kathy (Kathleen) (4)	+ -
Little, Mary (4)	+ -
Batarseh, Issa (3)	+ -
Bozeman, William (3)	+ -
Hopp, Carolyn (3)	+ -
Lue, Martha (3)	+ -
Malocha, Donald C. (3)	+ -
Nutta, Joyce (3)	+ -
Owens, James (3)	+ -
Pawlas, George (3)	+ -
Penfold Navarro, Catherine (3)	+ -
Van Horn, Stacy (3)	+ -
Young, Beth (3)	+ -

Search In

Pages

Pages

Sort Results By:

Narrow results by:

Topical Subject

Collection

Type of Resource

Language

Creator

Format

Owner