View All Items
(1 - 20 of 80)
Pages
- Title
- DEFINING RISK ASSESSMENT CONFIDENCE LEVELS FOR USE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATIONS.
- Creator
-
Johnson, Gary, Pet-Armacost, Julia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
A review of the literature regarding risk management and effective risk communications identified that very few researchers have addressed risk assessment confidence levels when using risk scoring methods. The focus of this research is to develop a definition of risk assessment confidence levels for use in internal project management communications and to evaluate its usefulness. This research defines risk assessment confidence level as "The degree of certainty that the likelihood or...
Show moreA review of the literature regarding risk management and effective risk communications identified that very few researchers have addressed risk assessment confidence levels when using risk scoring methods. The focus of this research is to develop a definition of risk assessment confidence levels for use in internal project management communications and to evaluate its usefulness. This research defines risk assessment confidence level as "The degree of certainty that the likelihood or consequence score (assigned by the risk assessor) reflects reality." A specific level of confidence is defined based on the types of analyses that were conducted to determine the risk score. A survey method was used to obtain data from a representative sample of risk assessment professionals from industry and academia to measure their opinion on the usefulness of the defined risk assessment confidence levels. The survey consisted of seven questions related to usefulness--four questions addressed the importance of stating confidence levels in risk assessments and three addressed the usableness of the proposed confidence level. Data were collected on the role and experience level of each of the respondents and the survey also included a comment section to obtain additional feedback. The survey generated 364 respondents representing a broad variety of roles associated with decision making and risk management with experience levels from fairly new to experienced risk assessors. The survey data were analyzed by calculating the proportion of respondents who gave negative, neutral and positive responses to the survey questions. An examination of the roles of the survey respondents indicated that no single group was dominant. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test generally failed to reject the hypothesis that the means of the survey response distributions were identical. There was one exception which indicated that there are differences based on role and by inspection of the responses, it appears that decision makers, academics, and others more strongly support the need for confidence level information to reduce the difficulty in making risk based decisions in projects. The survey responses at a confidence level of 95% have a range of errors from 3.84 to 4.97%. Based on the results of the survey, 77 – 83% of those surveyed indicated agreement that knowing the confidence the assessors have in their assessment is important and would improve a management decision. The survey showed that 60 – 86% of the respondents agreed that the confidence levels and their definitions as presented in the survey were usable. The question with the lowest agreement (60%) was related to the way in which the individual levels were defined. The ad-hoc comments provided in the survey were divided into eleven groups based on similarity of the subject of the comment and then examined for common themes. These added additional insight into the results and useful information for future research efforts. This research validates that the use of risk assessment confidence levels is considered to be useful in project risk management. The research also identified several potential areas for future work, including determining the appropriate number of confidence levels that should be defined, refining the definition of the individual confidence level definitions, examining historical perspectives of whether the risk assessments were accurate, examining the concept of shiftability of risk assessments, further research on communication of variability of risk assessments, and research into the usefulness of risk matrices.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002352, ucf:47791
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002352
- Title
- Predicting Risk to Reoffend: Establishing the Validity of the Postive Achievement Change Tool.
- Creator
-
Martin, Julie, Wan, Thomas, Winton, Mark, Martin, Lawrence, Chen, Hsueh-Fen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In recent years, there has been increased reliance on the use of risk assessment in the juvenile justice system to predict and classify offenders based on their risk to reoffend. Over the years, the predictive validity of risk assessments has improved through the inclusion of actuarial assessment and dynamic risk factors. The predictive validity of certain assessments, such as the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI), has been well established through numerous...
Show moreIn recent years, there has been increased reliance on the use of risk assessment in the juvenile justice system to predict and classify offenders based on their risk to reoffend. Over the years, the predictive validity of risk assessments has improved through the inclusion of actuarial assessment and dynamic risk factors. The predictive validity of certain assessments, such as the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI), has been well established through numerous replication studies on different subgroups of the population. The validity of other instruments, such as the Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT), is in its infancy having only been validated on the sample of the population for which it was created. The PACT, a relatively new juvenile risk assessment tool, was adapted from the Washington State Juvenile Court Assessment and validated on the Florida juvenile population. This study sought to demonstrate the predictive validity of the PACT risk assessment, analyze gender differences in juvenile recidivism, and determine the relative importance of individual-level, social-level, and community-level variables in the prediction of recidivism for a sample of juveniles in Tarrant County, Texas. The results of this research confirmed the predictive validity of the PACT for juveniles served by Tarrant County Juvenile Services (TCJS). Despite possessing adequate predictive validity for the entire population, gender-specific analyses revealed differences in the ability of the PACT to accurately classify female delinquents based on risk to reoffend. Not only did gender differences emerge in the predictive validity of the PACT, but males and female recidivism was also predicted by different social-level indicators. The results of this research provided further evidence for social-causation theories of crime and delinquency, with social-level indicators exerting the strongest relationship with recidivism when compared to individual-level and community-level predictors. The inability of community-level predictors to enhance the predictive accuracy of the assessment suggest broad application of the PACT across jurisdictions. TCJS has invested a considerable amount of time, resources, and funding in the implementation and maintenance of the PACT. The results of this study provided support and direction for the continued use of the PACT at TCJS. In addition, establishing the predictive validity of the PACT on the Tarrant County juvenile population satisfied the legislative requirement for a population specific validation of the risk assessment implemented in each county.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004221, ucf:48992
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004221
- Title
- A COMPARATIVE STATIC ANALYSIS FOR INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT UNDER RISK NEUTRAL PREFERENCES.
- Creator
-
Safford, Pamela, Finnoff, David, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis investigates the optimal ex-ante mix of self-protection and self-insurance technologies employed to reduce the risk of biological invaders in the presence of exogenous variables within the probability and damage functions. This is accomplished by using a theoretical endogenous risk model that extends previously developed frameworks. This thesis contributes to the previous work in two ways. (1) employing a general framework with simultaneous decision making over self-protection and...
Show moreThis thesis investigates the optimal ex-ante mix of self-protection and self-insurance technologies employed to reduce the risk of biological invaders in the presence of exogenous variables within the probability and damage functions. This is accomplished by using a theoretical endogenous risk model that extends previously developed frameworks. This thesis contributes to the previous work in two ways. (1) employing a general framework with simultaneous decision making over self-protection and self-insurance, this thesis analyzes how each parameter including income, the costs of each activity, an exogenous factor that affects only the probability of an invasion, and a separate exogenous factor that affects only the damages influence the level of self-protection and self-insurance. (2) the comparative static results are derived in the benchmark case of risk neutral preferences and qualitatively compared to an extended case of risk averse preferences. The results of the analysis indicate that under risk neutral preferences the signs of the comparative statics are unambiguous while under risk aversion the results are not clearly defined. Thus, the ambiguity of signs in the latter case can be attributed to the unobservable utility terms present under risk averse preferences. Therefore, it can be concluded that the model is not capable of yielding a decision criteria that will hold universally because the results are dependent on the nature of the risk averse curve
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- Identifier
- CFE0000156, ucf:46172
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000156
- Title
- BREAKING DOWN THE WALLS: THE WEST'S CHALLENGES OPERATING IN EURO-ASIA.
- Creator
-
Marchenko, Ekaterina, Cleavenger, Dean, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Russia today presents potentially lucrative business opportunities and markets for any company interested in expanding internationally. Together with the opportunities and potential profits, however, Russia also presents formidable challenges and risks to any Western or American company considering doing business there. The purposes of this thesis are: to explain how Russia's unique and tortured history has impacted the business culture of modern Russia; to describe the primary business risks...
Show moreRussia today presents potentially lucrative business opportunities and markets for any company interested in expanding internationally. Together with the opportunities and potential profits, however, Russia also presents formidable challenges and risks to any Western or American company considering doing business there. The purposes of this thesis are: to explain how Russia's unique and tortured history has impacted the business culture of modern Russia; to describe the primary business risks that any Western company entering Russia will face; and to offer recommendations to any Western company considering doing business there.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004841, ucf:45453
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004841
- Title
- CUTURAL VALUES IMPACT ON RISK PERCEPTIONS:A COMPARISON OF CULTURAL INDEXES AND RISK PREMIUM.
- Creator
-
Constantino, Anna, Sweo, Robert, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This paper examines how cultural values influence risk premium across the world. Cultural values are measured by four cultural indexes, power distance, uncertainty avoidance index, masculinity index, and individualism index, established by Geert Hofstede. Our methodology determines the risk premium by using the Dividend Discount Model, and then computes the regression analysis of each index's impact on average risk premiums. After analyzing 31 countries, results show the only statistically...
Show moreThis paper examines how cultural values influence risk premium across the world. Cultural values are measured by four cultural indexes, power distance, uncertainty avoidance index, masculinity index, and individualism index, established by Geert Hofstede. Our methodology determines the risk premium by using the Dividend Discount Model, and then computes the regression analysis of each index's impact on average risk premiums. After analyzing 31 countries, results show the only statistically significant correlation found was between the individualism index and risk premium. The higher the individualistic nature of the culture was the higher the risk premium. This is attributed to the overconfidence and self-attribution biases found in investors with high individualism index.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004198, ucf:44830
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004198
- Title
- BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE TO ENDOGENOUS RISK IN THE LABORATORY.
- Creator
-
Sen, Shabori, Harrison, Glenn, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Risk is endogenous when an individual is able to undertake mitigation or self protection actions that reduce the risk that he faces. Most risky environments studied in economics involve endogenous risk. This dissertation studies the conceptual and behavioral implications of introducing endogeneity in the controlled environment of the laboratory. The dissertation consists of three different experiments designed to examine how endogeneity affects risk attitudes and risk perceptions in simple...
Show moreRisk is endogenous when an individual is able to undertake mitigation or self protection actions that reduce the risk that he faces. Most risky environments studied in economics involve endogenous risk. This dissertation studies the conceptual and behavioral implications of introducing endogeneity in the controlled environment of the laboratory. The dissertation consists of three different experiments designed to examine how endogeneity affects risk attitudes and risk perceptions in simple experimental set ups. All three experiments employ a virtual reality scenario where the subject is able to form his own beliefs, based on naturalistic cues provided by the virtual reality experience. In the first experiment, a ÂÂ"short runÂÂ" individual experiment, subjects experience several forest fires that allow them to form beliefs about the probability of a house in the simulated forest being destroyed by fire. The evidence suggests that endogenous risk settings do cause subjects to employ different subjective beliefs than they use in an exogenous risk setting, although risk attitudes appear stable across these settings. Typically, the risk of natural disaster in any area is very small, and an adverse event like a forest fire occurs only once in a couple of decades. This has implications for self-protection expenditure where risk is endogenous. A ÂÂ"long runÂÂ" individual experiment with several rounds of decision making allows the estimation of subjective beliefs about the risk of the property burning when a fire may occur. This design allows for the study of the effect of an actual experience of forest fire on a subjectÂÂ's beliefs. Several mitigation options are collective in nature and require group contributions for the self-protection action to be provided. In an extension of the long run design, we study the effect of an actual experience of fire on beliefs when the risk is faced by a group rather than an individual. This framework also allows us to compare behavior in a public goods game involving risk, with the standard public goods game.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003315, ucf:48485
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003315
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF A STRUCTURED LIFESTYLE INTERVENTION PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION ON WEIGHT LOSS AND RISK FACTORS FOR THE METABOLIC SYNDROME.
- Creator
-
Zukley, Linda, Angelopoulos, Theodore, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a structured weight loss program that included hypocaloric diet, exercise and dietary supplementation, on weight loss, metabolic syndrome risk factors and antioxidant levels in healthy overweight and obese females. Thirty-seven healthy overweight and obese women (BMI 29.5 ± 2.3 kg/m2, 41.1 ± 7.1 yrs) participated in this study. The subjects were randomized into one of two groups: an exercise, hypocaloric diet and antioxidant...
Show moreThe objective of this study was to determine the effects of a structured weight loss program that included hypocaloric diet, exercise and dietary supplementation, on weight loss, metabolic syndrome risk factors and antioxidant levels in healthy overweight and obese females. Thirty-seven healthy overweight and obese women (BMI 29.5 ± 2.3 kg/m2, 41.1 ± 7.1 yrs) participated in this study. The subjects were randomized into one of two groups: an exercise, hypocaloric diet and antioxidant supplement (LifePak®; LSANT group, n=20) or an exercise, hypocaloric diet and appetite suppression supplement (HTP Complex® and TēGreen®; LSAS group, n=17). A significant weight loss occurred in both groups after 12 weeks (LSANT: -2.8 ± 2.8 kg and LSAS: -4.3 ± 2.7 kg, p<0.001). Body fat mass, percent body fat, and waist circumference significantly improved in both groups (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between the groups for weight loss (p>0.05). However, a significant difference was found between the groups for body fat mass (LSANT: -1.8 ± 2.6 kg; LSAS: -3.4 ± 2.4 kg, p ≤ 0.05). Glucose, insulin and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly decreased in the LSAS group (glucose: -5.0 ± 6.8 mg/dl, p=0.008; insulin: -2.6 ± 3.8 uIU/dl, p=0.013; and HOMA-IR: -0.7 ± 1.0, p=0.012) but not in the LSANT group (p>0.05). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) observed within or between the groups for cholesterol, triglycerides or LDL-c. HDL-c decreased significantly in the LSANT group (-2.9 ± 5.3 mg/dl, p=0.024) but not in the LSAS group (p>0.05). Skin carotenoid scores (SCS) increased significantly within the LSANT group (LSANT: 10950 ± 8395 SCS, p<0.001) but not the LSAS group (p>0.05). Lifestyle intervention that involves a structured hypocaloric diet and increased physical activity results in weight loss and improvements in body composition. However, supplementation with an appetite suppressant (HTP Complex®) did not enhance weight loss beyond what was achieved with a structured lifestyle intervention. Antioxidant supplementation may be of benefit during a weight loss program that incorporates physical activity and a low energy diet.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001815, ucf:47348
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001815
- Title
- FALL RISK ASSESSMENT IN COMMUNITY- DWELLING OLDER ADULTS: AN EXPLANATORY SEQUENTIAL MIXED METHODS STUDY.
- Creator
-
Dool, MaryAnn, Thiamwong, Ladda, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Abstract Aims: 1) To determine fall risk assessment using subjective and objective measures; 2) To understand older adults' perception on fall risk assessment. Methodology: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used and consisted of two phases. Phase 1, the quantitative data was collected from nineteen older adults at an independent living facility in Orlando, Florida. Phase 2, the qualitative data was collected from three participants of Phase 1. After obtaining Institutional...
Show moreAbstract Aims: 1) To determine fall risk assessment using subjective and objective measures; 2) To understand older adults' perception on fall risk assessment. Methodology: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used and consisted of two phases. Phase 1, the quantitative data was collected from nineteen older adults at an independent living facility in Orlando, Florida. Phase 2, the qualitative data was collected from three participants of Phase 1. After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval, the study was conducted at Lutheran Towers an independent living facility located in the downtown area of Orlando, Florida. Three measurement tools were used: demographic data sheet, an objective tool: BTrackS Balance Test (BBT), and Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Results: In phase 1, 37% of participants had a high risk for falls assessed by the objective measure (BBT), and about 11% had high concern of fall risk assessed by the subjective measure (Short FES-I). Approximately 32% had congruent results between subjective and objective measures and 68 % presented incongruent results between subjective and objective measures. In phase 2, three themes were generated from the qualitative data :1) Perception and experience on fall risk assessment; 2) Perception of the subjective measure (Short FES-I) and 3) Perception of the objective measure (BBT). Conclusion: Those who have incongruent perceptions of their fall risk and physical abilities are most at risk. Performing fall risk assessment using both subjective and objective measures is critical for developing fall prevention plans, to identify those most at risk.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000571, ucf:45616
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000571
- Title
- IDENTIFYING POPULATIONS AT RISK FOR INFECTION AFTER KNEE ARTHROPLASTY: AN INTEGRATED LITERATURE REVIEW.
- Creator
-
Coker, Christian, Bushy, Angeline, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this integrated review of the literature was to explore the postsurgical infection complications commonly occurring in individuals undergoing total knee replacement surgery, and the relationship of co-morbidities, lifestyle choices, and genetics on the risk for complication. A comprehensive search of the literature focusing on the patient surgical site infection and total knee replacement surgery using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and...
Show moreThe purpose of this integrated review of the literature was to explore the postsurgical infection complications commonly occurring in individuals undergoing total knee replacement surgery, and the relationship of co-morbidities, lifestyle choices, and genetics on the risk for complication. A comprehensive search of the literature focusing on the patient surgical site infection and total knee replacement surgery using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Medical Literature On-line (MEDLINE). Initial searches revealed 80 results. Upon closer scrutiny, duplicates were removed, as well as those not relevant to infection in total knee arthroplasty. This resulted in a review of 6 articles that fit the inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were articles written in the English language and published in scholarly, peer-reviewed, journals from 2009 to present. In addition to published articles, pertinent material from current nursing textbooks was evaluated and chosen to further substantiate the literature results. In cases of knee arthroplasty, diagnoses of obesity and diabetes were discovered to be risk factors for postsurgical infection. The findings of this thesis offer interpretation for nursing practice, research, education, and policy. Implications for nursing research, policy, education and practice are highlighted along with limitations of this integrative review.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004668, ucf:45302
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004668
- Title
- RISK FACTORS IN WOMEN FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION VERSUS POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW.
- Creator
-
Jamieson, Briana, Bushy, Angeline, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this literature review was to identify differentiating risk factors in women for postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. By understanding differentiating risk factors health care professionals, and nurses in particular, can be alert to women who are at higher risk for postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis. This information allows for early nursing intervention and the development of appropriate treatment plans. Fifteen peer-reviewed, English language research...
Show moreThe purpose of this literature review was to identify differentiating risk factors in women for postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. By understanding differentiating risk factors health care professionals, and nurses in particular, can be alert to women who are at higher risk for postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis. This information allows for early nursing intervention and the development of appropriate treatment plans. Fifteen peer-reviewed, English language research articles published between 2000 and 2015 were analyzed for the purpose of this literature review. Study results were inconclusive for the intention of this review, but do provide valuable information on independent risk factors for both disorders. A history of depression and significant life stressors are strong predictors for postpartum depression. Whereas a history of bipolar disorder is strongly associated with the development of postpartum psychosis. Further research is needed to examine the role of genetics in both postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis and to further evaluate risk factors for postpartum psychosis, specifically in women with no history of bipolar disorder. Moreover, additional research needs to be conducted within the United States due to a lack of generalizability of studies conducted in other nations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000083, ucf:45562
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000083
- Title
- THE RISK OF SECONDARY LYMPHEDEMA DUE TO PROCEDURES IN THE AFFECTED ARM POST-MASTECTOMY: A LITERATURE REVIEW.
- Creator
-
Perna, Lindsay, D'Amato-Kubiet, Leslee, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The risk for upper extremity lymphedema post-mastectomy in women surgically treated for breast cancer is a concern since it is often painful, aesthetically displeasing, and can increase the risk of infection. However, there is a paucity of data examining if diagnostic procedures performed in the ipsilateral arm post-mastectomy increases the risk of lymphedema. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between diagnostic procedures performed in the ipsilateral arm post...
Show moreThe risk for upper extremity lymphedema post-mastectomy in women surgically treated for breast cancer is a concern since it is often painful, aesthetically displeasing, and can increase the risk of infection. However, there is a paucity of data examining if diagnostic procedures performed in the ipsilateral arm post-mastectomy increases the risk of lymphedema. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between diagnostic procedures performed in the ipsilateral arm post-mastectomy and the occurrence of lymphedema with or without related complications. A systematic review of the literature was conducted from multiple, online databases available from 1992 through 2014, and included CINAHL, MedLine, PsychInfo, and ERIC. Search terms included lymphedema, breast cancer, mastectomy, blood pressure, and infection. Exclusion criteria comprised articles focused on male gender, primary lymphedema, metastases, survival, quality of life studies, reoccurrence breast cancer, breast conservation, lymphedema management, lymphedema, and lymphoma. The results of this study were inconclusive concerning a relationship between upper extremity lymphedema and procedures performed in the ipsilateral arm after mastectomy. This literature review outlines gaps in the data showing a need for more focused research on the causes of secondary lymphedema after breast cancer surgery with lymph node removal. Further research on the impact of diagnostic and other invasive procedures on the ispilateral arm after mastectomy should be considered.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004857, ucf:45480
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004857
- Title
- THE USE OF HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS ON MINIMIZING THE CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.
- Creator
-
Donohue, Delayna L, D'Amato-Kubiet, Leslee, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects over 5 million individuals in the United States annually. By the year 2050, the number of individuals living with AD is projected to triple (Latest Alzheimer's Facts and Figures, 2016). Although there is no cure for AD, there are many prescriptive pharmacologic agents used to help manage the clinical manifestations of the disease. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and herbal supplements are also used in the treatment of AD, however indications for...
Show moreAlzheimer's disease (AD) affects over 5 million individuals in the United States annually. By the year 2050, the number of individuals living with AD is projected to triple (Latest Alzheimer's Facts and Figures, 2016). Although there is no cure for AD, there are many prescriptive pharmacologic agents used to help manage the clinical manifestations of the disease. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and herbal supplements are also used in the treatment of AD, however indications for their use and effectiveness during the progression of AD have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of herbal supplements in managing the clinical manifestations of AD. The secondary purpose was to compare a variety of herbal supplements used to treat the clinical manifestations of AD and to evaluate the most widely used and most beneficial for clinical practice. A literature review examining herbal supplements and their risks, benefits, and uses in AD was conducted from multiple online databases. Peer reviewed articles published in the English language from 1998-2016 that focused on herbal supplements used to control the clinical manifestations of mild to severe AD were included for synthesis. Results from 14 studies that used herbal supplements as a treatment for the clinical manifestations of AD were compared for effectiveness in the management of symptoms. The findings suggest Ginkgo Biloba is the most effective and widely used herbal supplement in the treatment for cognitive decline in AD. Other supplements including Saffron, Curcumin, Cistanches Herba, and Sage were found to improve memory function and activities of daily living in individuals with AD. Herbal supplements can be cost effective and easier to retrieve for many individuals in comparison with prescriptive drug therapy. Although the research demonstrated beneficial results with the use of herbal supplements, the limitations of these studies make the application of the results problematic. Therefore, further research in this area is required.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH0000237, ucf:44670
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0000237
- Title
- PERCEPTIONS OF RISK AND NEED IN THE CLASSIFICATION AND SUPERVISION OF OFFENDERS IN THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SETTING: THE ROLE OF GENDER.
- Creator
-
Gould, Laurie, Paoline, Eugene, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Risk has emerged as a defining feature of punishment in the United States. Feeley and Simon (1992) note that contemporary punishment is increasingly moving away from rehabilitation (the old penology) and moving toward the management and control of offenders (the new penology), often though actuarial techniques. While the profusion of risk assessment instruments, now entering their fourth generation, provides some support for the assertion that risk is indeed an important element in...
Show moreRisk has emerged as a defining feature of punishment in the United States. Feeley and Simon (1992) note that contemporary punishment is increasingly moving away from rehabilitation (the old penology) and moving toward the management and control of offenders (the new penology), often though actuarial techniques. While the profusion of risk assessment instruments, now entering their fourth generation, provides some support for the assertion that risk is indeed an important element in corrections, it was previously unknown if the risk model applied to all offenders, particularly female offenders. This dissertation addressed that gap by examining whether the risk model applied to female offenders in the community corrections setting. This dissertation surveyed 93 community corrections officers employed by the Orange County Community Corrections Department. The findings suggest that the department has incorporated many elements of the new penology into the classification and supervision of offenders in each of its units, though several gender differences were noted. Classification overrides, the perceived level of risk to the community, supervision decisions, and the perceived importance of risk and need factors were all examined in this study. The results indicate that some elements of classification and supervision function uniformly for offenders and operate irrespective of gender, but some areas, such as the perceived level of risk to the community and the perceived importance of risk factors, are influenced by gender.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002008, ucf:47623
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002008
- Title
- AWARENESS OF INCREASED RISK FOR HEART DISEASE AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS IN WOMEN WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS.
- Creator
-
Weinstein, Patricia, Dennis, Karen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) earlier and at a more accelerated rate compared to women without SLE. Many women with SLE are unaware of their increased risk despite years spent in the health care system, thus giving the atherogenic process time to accrue damage. Research has not explained fully why women with SLE are unaware of their increased risk for CVD or why awareness does not correspond to risk-educing behaviors. Stage theories of...
Show moreWomen with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) earlier and at a more accelerated rate compared to women without SLE. Many women with SLE are unaware of their increased risk despite years spent in the health care system, thus giving the atherogenic process time to accrue damage. Research has not explained fully why women with SLE are unaware of their increased risk for CVD or why awareness does not correspond to risk-educing behaviors. Stage theories of behavior like the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) propose that health behavior change proceeds through qualitatively different stages, and people at one stage face similar barriers before they can progress to the next. The Common Sense Model (CSM), a self-regulatory model of health behavior, explains the emotional and cognitive processes involved in progression from one stage to the next and the formation of a personal risk/illness representation. Combining the PAPM and CSM helps understand the relationship between risk perception and adoption of risk reducing behaviors. The specific aims of this study were to assess in women with SLE: (1) general knowledge of heart disease compared to women without SLE; (2) awareness of increased CVD risk and CVD risk factors; and (3) personal and healthcare system factors that influence awareness of increased CVD risk and adoption of risk reducing behaviors. Sixty women with SLE, 18 years of age or older, were recruited to participate in this descriptive study. Data included demographic information, self-report questionnaires (perceived CVD risk, CVD risk factors, depression, physical activity), body measures (height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure), and blood samples for physiologic markers of traditional and novel CVD risk factors (glucose, insulin, lipoprotein lipids, creatinine, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, antiphospholipid antibodies). The Beck Depression Inventory-Primary Care and the Physical Activity Disability Survey were used to determine depression and activity level respectively. General knowledge of heart disease was assessed using the American Heart Association (AHA) National Survey on women's awareness of heart disease. Logistic regression was used to categorize participants into subgroups according to perceived risk and identify important factors that influenced their PAPM stage categorization. Women with SLE in this study were more aware of women's leading cause of death than United States women who responded to the 2006 AHA survey (73% v 57%), but fewer than 25% perceived themselves at increased CVD risk. Age was a significant predictor (p=0.05) for awareness of increased risk; younger age correlated with increased awareness. Most women received information about heart disease from public media. On average, women had 4 CVD risk factors, but they perceived they had only 2. The number of perceived risk factors predicted adoption of risk reducing behaviors (p=0.03). Women in this study with SLE underestimated their CVD risk factors and did not personalize their increased CVD risk. Healthcare providers' identification and discussion of CVD risk factors in women with SLE may enhance their risk awareness and the adoption of risk reducing behaviors. This information may contribute to the development of stage-matched interventions, a potentially more effective and efficient approach than a generic program of risk-reduction, especially in individuals with SLE who face the additional burden of a chronic illness.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002755, ucf:48138
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002755
- Title
- HURRICANE KATRINA AND THE PERCEPTION OF RISK: INCORPORATING THE LOCAL CONTEXT.
- Creator
-
Campbell, Nnenia, Canan, Penelope, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This paper identifies social conditions that shape perceptions of risk to environmental toxins among residents in the Gulf Coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. Demographic information from a randomly selected sample of 2,548 residents was used to explore the concept of the "White male effect" as discussed in previous literature, which has found that white males are particularly risk accepting compared to all other race and gender groups. This analysis also...
Show moreThis paper identifies social conditions that shape perceptions of risk to environmental toxins among residents in the Gulf Coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. Demographic information from a randomly selected sample of 2,548 residents was used to explore the concept of the "White male effect" as discussed in previous literature, which has found that white males are particularly risk accepting compared to all other race and gender groups. This analysis also evaluated the influence of trust in government and beliefs about environmental justice on perceived exposure and compared responses from residents within and outside the City of New Orleans to determine whether there is evidence of location-specific differences. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed strong support for the combined race and gender effects proposed by previous literature. Additionally, hypotheses regarding the influence of trust in government and belief in environmental injustice were supported. Suggestions for future research and policy implications are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002712, ucf:48170
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002712
- Title
- Analysis of taxi drivers' driving behavior based on a driving simulator experiment.
- Creator
-
Wu, Jiawei, Radwan, Essam, Abdel-Aty, Mohamed, Abou-Senna, Hatem, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Due to comfort, convenience, and flexibility, taxis become more and more prevalent in China, especially in large cities. According to a survey reported by Beijing Traffic Development Research Center, there were 696 million taxi person-rides in Beijing in 2011. However, many violations and road crashes that were related to taxi drivers occurred more frequently. The survey showed that there were a total of 17,242 taxi violations happened in Beijing in only one month in 2003, which accounted for...
Show moreDue to comfort, convenience, and flexibility, taxis become more and more prevalent in China, especially in large cities. According to a survey reported by Beijing Traffic Development Research Center, there were 696 million taxi person-rides in Beijing in 2011. However, many violations and road crashes that were related to taxi drivers occurred more frequently. The survey showed that there were a total of 17,242 taxi violations happened in Beijing in only one month in 2003, which accounted for 56% of all drivers' violations. Besides, taxi drivers also had a larger accident rate than other drivers, which showed that nearly 20% of taxi drivers had accidents each year. This study mainly focuses on investigating differences in driving behavior between taxi drivers and non-professional drivers.To examine the overall characteristics of taxi drivers and non-professional drivers, this study applied a hierarchical driving behavior assessment method to evaluate driving behaviors. This method is divided into three levels, including low-risk level, medium-risk level, and high-risk level. Low-risk level means the basic vehicle control. Medium-risk level refers to the vehicle dynamic decision. High-risk level represents the driver avoidance behavior when facing a potential crash.The Beijing Jiatong University (BJTU) driving simulator was applied to test different risk level scenarios which purpose is to find out the differences between taxi drivers and non-professional drivers on driving behaviors. Nearly 60 subjects, which include taxi drivers and non-professional drivers, were recruited in this experiment. Some statistical methods were applied to analyze the data and a logistic regression model was used to perform the high-risk level.The results showed that taxi drivers have more driving experience and their driving style is more conservative in the basic vehicle control level. For the car following behavior, taxi drivers have smaller following speed and larger gap compared to other drivers. For the yellow indication judgment behavior, although taxi drivers are slower than non-professional drivers when getting into the intersection, taxi drivers are more likely to run red light. For the lane changing behavior, taxi drivers' lane changing time is longer than others and lane changing average speed of taxi drivers is lower than other drivers.Another different behavior in high-risk level is that taxi drivers are more inclined to turn the steering wheel when facing a potential crash compared to non-professional drivers. However, non-professional drivers have more abrupt deceleration behaviors if they have the same situation.According to the experiment results, taxi drivers have a smaller crash rate compared to non-professional drivers. Taxi drivers spend a large amount of time on the road so that their driving experience must exceed that of non-professional drivers, which may bring them more skills. It is also speculated that because taxi drivers spend long hours on the job they probably have developed a more relaxed attitude about congestion and they are less likely to be candidates for road rage and over aggressive driving habits.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005561, ucf:50277
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005561
- Title
- OCCUPATIONAL LOWER EXTREMITY RISK ASSESSMENT MODELING.
- Creator
-
Reid, Christopher, McCauley-Bush, Pamela, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Introduction: Lower extremity (LE) work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are known to occur with cumulative exposure to occupational and personal risks. The objective of this dissertation study was to find if creating a quantifiable risk detection model for the LE was feasible. The primary product of the literature review conducted for this study resulted in focusing the attention of the model development process onto creating the initial model of the LE for assessing knee disorder...
Show moreIntroduction: Lower extremity (LE) work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are known to occur with cumulative exposure to occupational and personal risks. The objective of this dissertation study was to find if creating a quantifiable risk detection model for the LE was feasible. The primary product of the literature review conducted for this study resulted in focusing the attention of the model development process onto creating the initial model of the LE for assessing knee disorder risk factors. Literature Review: LE occupational disorders affect numerous industries and thousands of people each year by affecting any one of the musculoskeletal systems deemed susceptible by the occupational and personal risk factors involved. Industries known to be affected tend to have labor intensive job descriptions. Some of the numerous industry examples include mining, manufacturing, firefighting, and carpet laying. Types of WMSDs noticed by the literature include bursitis, osteoarthritis, stress fractures, tissue inflammation, and nerve entrapment. In addition to the occupationally related disorders that may develop, occupationally related discomforts were also taken into consideration by this study. Generally, both the disorders and the discomforts can be traced to either a personal or occupational risk factor or both. Personal risk factors noted by the literature include a person's physical fitness and health history (such as past injuries). Meanwhile, occupational risks can be generalized to physical postures, activities, and even joint angles. Prevalence data over a three year interval (2003-2005) has found that LE WMSDs make up on average approximately 7.5% of all the WMSD cases reported to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). When the literature is refined to the information pertaining to occupational knee disorders, the mean prevalence percentage of the same three year range is about 5%. Mean cost for knee injuries were found to be $18,495 (for the year between 2003 and 2004). Methodology: Developing a risk model for the knee meant using groups of subject matter experts for model development and task hazard analysis. Sample occupational risk data also needed to be gathered for each of a series of tasks so that the model could be validated. These sample data were collected from a sample aircraft assembly plant of a US aerospace manufacturer. Results: Based on the disorder and risk data found in the literature, a knee risk assessment model was developed to utilize observational, questionnaire, and direct measure data collection methods. The final version of this study's knee model has an inventory of 11 risk factors (8 occupational and 3 personal) each with varying degrees of risk exposure thresholds (e.g., high risk, moderate risk, or minimal risk). For the occupational risk assessment portion of the model, the results of task evaluations include both an occupational risk resultant score (risk score) and a task risk level (safe or hazardous). This set of results is also available for a cumulative (whole day) assessment. The personal risk assessment portion only produces a risk resultant score. Validation of the knee risk model reveals statistically (t (34) = 1.512, p = 0.156), that it is functioning as it should and can decide between hazardous and safe tasks. Additionally, the model is also capable of analyzing tasks as a series of cumulative daily events and providing an occupational and personal risk overview for individuals. Conclusion: While the model proved to be functional to the given sample site and hypothetical situations, further studies are needed outside of the aerospace manufacturing environment to continue testing both the model's validity and applicability to other industrial environments. The iterative adjustments generated for the occupational risk portion of the model (to reduce false positives and negatives) will need additional studies that will further evaluate professional human judgment of knee risk against this model's results. Future investigations must also make subject matter experts aware of the minimal risk levels of this knee risk assessment model so that task observational results are equally comparable. Additional studies are moreover needed to assess the intimate nature between variable interactions; especially multiple model defined minimal risks within a single task.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002612, ucf:48289
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002612
- Title
- Coupling Infrastructure Resilience and Flood Risk Assessment for a Coastal Urban Watershed.
- Creator
-
Joyce, Justin, Chang, Ni-bin, Mayo, Talea, Wanielista, Martin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis sheds light on coupling potential flood risk and drainage infrastructure resilience of low-lying areas of a coastal urban watershed to flood hazards and subsequent multi-scale impacts of those hazards via detailed modeling frameworks. Physically based models along with statistical models are employed to highlight the complexity for characterizing flood risk while evaluating such risk under various levels of adaptive capacity from traditional flood management techniques to low...
Show moreThis thesis sheds light on coupling potential flood risk and drainage infrastructure resilience of low-lying areas of a coastal urban watershed to flood hazards and subsequent multi-scale impacts of those hazards via detailed modeling frameworks. Physically based models along with statistical models are employed to highlight the complexity for characterizing flood risk while evaluating such risk under various levels of adaptive capacity from traditional flood management techniques to low impact development (LID), as a first step to conduct resilience assessment. Findings indicate that the coupling flood risk and infrastructure resilience is achievable by the careful formulation of flood risk associated with a resilience metric, which is a function of the hazard(s) considered, vulnerability and adaptive capacity. The results also give insights into improving existing methodologies for municipalities in flood management practices such as incorporating multi-criteria flood risk evaluation that includes resilience.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006748, ucf:51844
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006748
- Title
- A multimedia pedestrian safety program and school infrastructure: Finding the connection to pedestrian risk-taking attitudes and perceptions of pedestrian behavior.
- Creator
-
Scott, Diana, Hoffman, Bobby, Sivo, Stephen, Porter, Robert, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Approximately 47,700 pedestrians were killed between the years of 2000 - 2009. School buses are one of the safest modes of transportation (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2004). However, the Central Florida school district eliminated bus transportation within the 2-mile radius from schools just last year. Children must prepare for an alternative mode of transportation; walking and biking. The purpose of this research was two-fold. First to develop an online safety training...
Show moreApproximately 47,700 pedestrians were killed between the years of 2000 - 2009. School buses are one of the safest modes of transportation (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2004). However, the Central Florida school district eliminated bus transportation within the 2-mile radius from schools just last year. Children must prepare for an alternative mode of transportation; walking and biking. The purpose of this research was two-fold. First to develop an online safety training program for elementary school children; and second, a self-report questionnaire was constructed and piloted to measure how safety training and school infrastructure affects students' pedestrian risk-taking attitudes and risk perceptions to avoid the dangers of walking and biking to and from school. A 2x2 Factorial Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to test two categorical independent variables (safety awareness training, school infrastructure) for each of the two continuous dependent variables (pedestrian risk-taking attitudes and risk perceptions of pedestrian behavior). Using data from the pilot study, the researcher developed, self-reported questionnaires demonstrated that there was a significant difference between schools. Those receiving the training had lower mean scores in risk-taking attitudes than those who did not receive the training. Regardless of intervention, School 2 (complete infrastructure) takes fewer risks than School 1(incomplete infrastructure). The mean difference between groups was not statistically significant.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005248, ucf:50590
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005248
- Title
- DIALOGIC READING WITH ADOLESCENT MOTHERS.
- Creator
-
Abarca, Diana L, Towson, Jacqueline, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching dialogic reading (DR) strategies to adolescent mothers as measured by DR strategy use during shared book reading with their children. The secondary purpose was to determine the impact of adolescent mothers' implementation of DR strategies on their preschool children's single word vocabulary. A single subject multiple baseline across behaviors research design was implemented with one adolescent mother and her twin boys....
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching dialogic reading (DR) strategies to adolescent mothers as measured by DR strategy use during shared book reading with their children. The secondary purpose was to determine the impact of adolescent mothers' implementation of DR strategies on their preschool children's single word vocabulary. A single subject multiple baseline across behaviors research design was implemented with one adolescent mother and her twin boys. Based on visual analysis of graphical representation of the data, it was determined there was a moderate to strong functional relation between educating an adolescent mother on DR and her implementation of DR strategies during shared book reading, depending on the DR strategy. Receptive and expressive scores on the individual book assessments decreased from baseline to intervention. These results provide preliminary evidence that adolescent mothers have the potential to implement new strategies during shared book reading when provided with direct support. Future research with this population should strive towards developing an intervention for adolescent mothers and their children to enhance children's language and literacy development.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000277, ucf:45821
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000277
