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Title: A correlation study on the chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
Creator: Capraun, Lynn Walter, Washington, David W., Natural Sciences
Abstract / Description: Florida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Data were extracted from medical records of 202 former patients of a well established central Florida general hospital. Records were selected so as to include an equal number of disease catagories dispersed equally over the two years. One hundred records were dated 1973 and 102 were dated 1976. Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma had been diagnosed in 67, 67, and 68 of the cases respectively. The age, sex, race,...
Show moreFlorida Technological University College of Natural Sciences Thesis; Data were extracted from medical records of 202 former patients of a well established central Florida general hospital. Records were selected so as to include an equal number of disease catagories dispersed equally over the two years. One hundred records were dated 1973 and 102 were dated 1976. Emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma had been diagnosed in 67, 67, and 68 of the cases respectively. The age, sex, race, smoking habits, and occupations of the patients were recorded and crosstabulated with the diagnostic tests and subsequent treatment ordered by the various physicians. Most of the emphysematous patients were males over 50, the asthmatics were females under 30, and the bronchitics were older than 50 with an even sex distribution. Most of the emphysematous and bronchitic patients had smoked over 25 years, while only 13% of the asthmatics smoked. A majority of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients complained of shortness of breath, were hospitalized ten days or less, treated four times a day with intermittent positive pressure breathing had little or no pulmonary rehabilitation, and survived. Respiratory care appeared to improve over the three-year period as judged by an increase in the frequency of blood gas monitoring and a reduction in the required ventilator times with improved techniques.
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Date Issued: 1978
Identifier: CFR0003461, ucf:53025
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003461

Title: A CORRELATIONAL STUDY ABOUT COACHING AND TEACHERS' ATTITUDES, PERCEPTIONS, AND PRACTICES IN READING INSTRUCTION.
Creator: Conway, Joan, Zygouris-Coe, Vicky, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this study was to explore elementary teachers' self-reporting of: a) work with a reading coach and b) attitudes, perceptions, and practices in teaching reading. The five point ratings and open-ended responses on the survey were the sources of data. Surveys were returned by 85% of teachers in five elementary schools in Collier County, Florida. Correlations of survey items were analyzed on the basis of the aggregated data and the following subgroups: certification, years of...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to explore elementary teachers' self-reporting of: a) work with a reading coach and b) attitudes, perceptions, and practices in teaching reading. The five point ratings and open-ended responses on the survey were the sources of data. Surveys were returned by 85% of teachers in five elementary schools in Collier County, Florida. Correlations of survey items were analyzed on the basis of the aggregated data and the following subgroups: certification, years of experience, school demographics, and grade levels. The survey in this study was excerpted and adapted from a survey, which was tested for validity and reliability, used with teachers in a research study, and published by the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) in Evaluating professional development: An approach to verifying program impact on teachers and students (Shaha, Lewis, O'Donnell, & Brown, 2004). Permission to use the survey was granted by Performance Learning Systems, Inc. and the National Staff Development Council (see Acknowledgements). The primary question for this study was: Are teachers' self-reports of their attitudes, perceptions, and instructional practices on the Reading Instruction Survey correlated with the amount of coaching they indicated they had received? Secondary questions pertained to how the results changed for the subgroups. The literature review contained information about resources and research in reading that led to the provision of reading coaches. High-stakes for the improvement of reading instruction from federal, state, and local levels provided a rationale for the study. The results of this study indicated that coaching made a difference for these teachers. The aggregated and disaggregated data revealed small to large, significant correlations to coaching. The items with the greatest number and magnitude of correlations to coaching were isolated skills instruction and intervention plans. The evidence of positive relationships of attitudes, perceptions, and practices to work with a coach is an important finding. The limited correlations of skilled, balanced, and integrated strategies led to questions about the content of the coaching. Further research is needed to determine whether the content of the professional development offered by coaches is comprehensive enough to impact reading proficiency levels of all students.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0001357, ucf:46970
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001357

Title: A CORRELATIONAL STUDY BETWEEN THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY WEALTH BEHIND EACH STUDENT ATTENDING FLORIDA DISTRICT SCHOOLS AND THE ACADEMIC PROFICIENCY AMONG 5TH GRADE WHITE, BLACK, AND HISPANIC STUDENTS IN READING WITHIN THE 67 COUNTIES OF FLORIDA.
Creator: Saenz, Willie, Doherty, Walter, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: As the concern for standardized testing continues to rise, so to does the concern for providing students with an appropriate and equal educational opportunity. The goal of this research was to investigate relevant data to determine if there is a relationship between the wealth behind each student and the academic proficiency amongst 5th grade white, black, and Hispanic students within the 67 counties of Florida. The desired outcome of this study was to produce information relevant to...
Show moreAs the concern for standardized testing continues to rise, so to does the concern for providing students with an appropriate and equal educational opportunity. The goal of this research was to investigate relevant data to determine if there is a relationship between the wealth behind each student and the academic proficiency amongst 5th grade white, black, and Hispanic students within the 67 counties of Florida. The desired outcome of this study was to produce information relevant to political leaders, educational leaders, and teachers in Florida public school districts with influential strategies necessary to increase the proportion of 5th grade students achieving academic proficiency. The review of literature and analysis of the data gathered from the Florida Department of Education for the school year 2006-2007 and the Florida Department of Revenue, 2007 revealed the following findings: (1) there is a statistically significant correlation between reading scores among white and black students in grade 5 as measured by the FCAT and the wealth behind each student within the state of Florida; (2) there is no statistically significant correlation between reading scores among Hispanic students in grade 5 as measured by the FCAT and the wealth behind each student within the state of Florida. In other words, as school districts are deemed more wealthy, white and black students in grade 5 tend to do better in reading than their white and black counterparts in poorer districts. In contrast, Hispanic students in wealthy school districts do not do better in reading than their Hispanic counterparts in poor districts.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0002980, ucf:47982
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002980

Title: A Correlational Study of Emerging Modalities of Developmental Education and Learning Styles in a Florida State College.
Creator: Britt, John, Cox, Dr. Thomas, King, Kathy (Kathleen), Vitale, Thomas, Penfold Navarro, Catherine, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Developmental education course modalities in Florida were drastically changed in 2013 with the passage of Senate Bill 1720. These courses can no longer be offered in a traditional 16-week format as other postsecondary courses are offered. Developmental education courses must now be offered in a compressed, contextualized, or corequisite instruction modality; or direct enrollment into a gateway course (1720-Education, 2013). This changes the student's experience in the courses. This research...
Show moreDevelopmental education course modalities in Florida were drastically changed in 2013 with the passage of Senate Bill 1720. These courses can no longer be offered in a traditional 16-week format as other postsecondary courses are offered. Developmental education courses must now be offered in a compressed, contextualized, or corequisite instruction modality; or direct enrollment into a gateway course (1720-Education, 2013). This changes the student's experience in the courses. This research was framed by Kolb's experiential learning theory, which states that people learn through their experiences (Kolb, 1984). Chi-Square correlational tests were conducted to examine the relationship between students' learning types and their final grades in an accelerated developmental math course and in a combined developmental math course. The results indicate no statistically significant relationships between the variables in both modalities of developmental math. Furthermore, students were surveyed on their preferences of the developmental math modalities. The results showed positive preferences toward both modalities of developmental math. With the limited amount of research in the area of developmental math modalities, this research helps to further understand the area and provides a basis for future research.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006445, ucf:51473
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006445

Title: A COSTUME DESIGN FOR RICHARD O'BRIEN'S THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.
Creator: McChesney, Harmony, Tollefson, Kristina, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This thesis documents my process as the Costume Designer for the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre's production of Richard O'Brien's musical, The Rocky Horror Show. The production opened on March 29, 2007 and ran for fifteen performances in the University of Central Florid's Mainstage Theatre before closing on April 15, 2007. This document presents the analysis, research, and design process that I used to create the costume design for the performance. In this...
Show moreThis thesis documents my process as the Costume Designer for the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre's production of Richard O'Brien's musical, The Rocky Horror Show. The production opened on March 29, 2007 and ran for fifteen performances in the University of Central Florid's Mainstage Theatre before closing on April 15, 2007. This document presents the analysis, research, and design process that I used to create the costume design for the performance. In this thesis, I document how I combined my own analysis and research with that of the director and design team to take the design from concept, through construction, to completion. This thesis will contain specific information on my design process including an analysis of the script, research, preliminary sketches, final designs, photographs of the production, and all paperwork I generated for the show. A journal of the challenges and solutions that I encountered during the design and construction process are included, along with a self evaluation and reflection on the finished production.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003524, ucf:48947
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003524

Title: A COUPLED CFD-LUMPED PARAMETER MODEL OF THE HUMAN CIRCULATION: ELUCIDATING THE HEMODYNAMICS OF THE HYBRID NORWOOD PALLIATIVE TREATMENT AND EFFECTS OF THE REVERSE BLALOCK-TAUSSIG SHUNT PLACEMENT AND DIAMETER.
Creator: Ceballos, Andres, Kassab, Alain, Bai, Yuanli, Deng, Weiwei, DeCampli, William, Divo, Eduardo, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The Hybrid Norwood (HN) is a relatively new first stage procedure for neonates with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), in which a sustainable univentricular circulation is established in a less invasive manner than with the standard procedure. A computational multiscale model of such HLHS circulation following the HN procedure was used to obtain detailed hemodynamics. Implementation of a reverse-BT shunt (RBTS), a synthetic bypass from the main pulmonary to the innominate artery placed...
Show moreThe Hybrid Norwood (HN) is a relatively new first stage procedure for neonates with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), in which a sustainable univentricular circulation is established in a less invasive manner than with the standard procedure. A computational multiscale model of such HLHS circulation following the HN procedure was used to obtain detailed hemodynamics. Implementation of a reverse-BT shunt (RBTS), a synthetic bypass from the main pulmonary to the innominate artery placed to counteract aortic arch stenosis, and its effects on local and global hemodynamics were studied.A synthetic and a 3D reconstructed, patient derived anatomy after the HN procedure were utilized, with varying degrees of distal arch obstruction, or stenosis, (nominal and 90% reduction in lumen) and varying RBTS diameters (3.0, 3.5, 4.0 mm). A closed lumped parameter model (LPM) for the peripheral or distal circulation coupled to a 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model that allows detailed description of the local hemodynamics was created for each anatomy. The implementation of the RBTS in any of the chosen diameters under severe stenosis resulted in a restoration of arterial perfusion to near-nominal levels. Shunt flow velocity, vorticity, and overall wall shear stress levels are inverse functions of shunt diameter, while shunt perfusion and systemic oxygen delivery correlates positively with diameter. No correlation of shunt diameter with helicity was recorded.In the setting of the hybrid Norwood circulation, our results suggest: (1) the 4.0mm RBTS may be more thrombogenic when implemented in the absence of severe arch stenosis and (2) the 3.0mm and 3.5mm RBTS may be a more suitable alternative, with preference to the latter since it provides similar hemodynamics at lower levels of wall shear stress.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005772, ucf:50068
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005772

Title: A Crack in Everything.
Creator: Hoffman, Jeffrey, Isenhour, David, Poindexter, Carla, Kim, Joo, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Contained herein is a close examination of self-awareness and self-portraiture as it applies to the works of artist Jeffrey Hoffman. Water, frozen into various forms and combined with natural elements of wood, slowly melt over an indeterminable amount of time, each droplet documented as the process transforms the elements. Through this process, we see change. We see time. We see truth. This documentation of change and time through natural elements is where the artwork comes full circle....
Show moreContained herein is a close examination of self-awareness and self-portraiture as it applies to the works of artist Jeffrey Hoffman. Water, frozen into various forms and combined with natural elements of wood, slowly melt over an indeterminable amount of time, each droplet documented as the process transforms the elements. Through this process, we see change. We see time. We see truth. This documentation of change and time through natural elements is where the artwork comes full circle. Working with new media to explore man's interconnectivity to life, energy, and the cosmos, he produces time based installations, photographs, videos, and sculptures that serve as both existential metaphors and Tantric symbols. With the use of digital cameras and video, a record is created by which the disintegration which occurs from the unseen forces of gravity, heat and time upon sculptures made from natural elements and ice is examined. In its sculptural form, his work can be categorized as Installation art and Performance art due to its evolving nature. Each piece is intended to either change over time or to have that change halted by another temporal force like that of flowing electricity. The possibility of allowing varying levels of self-awareness to emerge through self portraiture is also examined. The existential, as well as the metaphysical, can be present in a physical form when the form is imbued with evidence of an evolutionary process. In many ways, the work serves as a self portrait. It is a means for Hoffman to examine his own existentialism as a student of the modern western world and life.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004242, ucf:49518
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004242

Title: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF PROBLEM SOLVING PERCEPTIONS AS REPORTED BY SPECIAL EVENT MANAGERS: A SYSTEMS BASED APPROACH TO TRAINING SPECIAL EVENT MANAGERS IN TEMPORAL BASED SITUATIONS.
Creator: Ross, Mary Jo, Kaplan, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this research was to examine special event management as a temporary business model and how it is impacted by problem solving capabilities in its utilization of temporary systems. The phenomenon of special events management and how event leaders must continuously make decisions based upon knowledge, skill, and intuition are the constructs of why events operations are as unique as the events themselves. A paradigm of temporary operational organizations that depend on...
Show moreThe purpose of this research was to examine special event management as a temporary business model and how it is impacted by problem solving capabilities in its utilization of temporary systems. The phenomenon of special events management and how event leaders must continuously make decisions based upon knowledge, skill, and intuition are the constructs of why events operations are as unique as the events themselves. A paradigm of temporary operational organizations that depend on communication, information, and implementation of operational strategies within unusual and unique environments and on a continuous basis must rely on appropriate instructional systems. The instructional methods that are selected should support event leadership's problem solving methods in accomplishing the goals and mission of the special event.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0001330, ucf:47011
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001330

Title: A CULTURAL CONTINGENCY LEADERSHIP MODEL FOR A MULTINATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION JOINT VENTURE.
Creator: Albritton, Frankie, House, Jess, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation addressed the need for empirical research on the leadership of multinational virtual teams (Davis & Bryant, 2003; Early & Gibson, 2002; Ilgen, Lepine, and Hollenbeck, 1997; Prieto & Arias, 1997), particularly in the field of educational leadership (Cheng, 1995). This was accomplished through the development of a model based upon the cultural values discovered through the use of Hofstede's (1980, 2001) Values Survey Module 94 (VSM 94). As workers will bring values from...
Show moreThis dissertation addressed the need for empirical research on the leadership of multinational virtual teams (Davis & Bryant, 2003; Early & Gibson, 2002; Ilgen, Lepine, and Hollenbeck, 1997; Prieto & Arias, 1997), particularly in the field of educational leadership (Cheng, 1995). This was accomplished through the development of a model based upon the cultural values discovered through the use of Hofstede's (1980, 2001) Values Survey Module 94 (VSM 94). As workers will bring values from their own cultures to the multinational workplace (Bochner & Hesketh, 1994), research was conducted to determine the cultural values of economics professors in the United States and Germany in order to formulate a cultural contingent leadership model based on Triandis' (1993) adaptation of Fiedler's (1967) contingency theory. Given a total response from 194 U.S. and German economics professors, it was discovered that faculty in both the United States and Germany had values that differed significantly from those that Hofstede discovered for his IBM employee samples in four out of five dimensions. However, it was found that the values for the U.S. and German faculties were a close replication of Hoppe's (1990) findings which were based on a sample that was similar to the economics faculties in both occupation and education. These findings add a cautionary note to the recommendation by Hofstede and Peterson (2000) that existing cultural values can be used by cultural researchers: Previous cultural value data can be used if the samples are closely matched to the previous samples in both nationality as well as educational and occupational background. The research thus indicated that differences in national culture, as measured by Hofstede's (1980, 2001) cultural dimensions, still exist. In addition, a direct comparison of the cultural values between the two faculties indicated that the U.S. and German economics faculties differed significantly in two of Hofstede's cultural dimensions, individualism and collectivism and masculinity and femininity. The two samples were not significantly different in the cultural dimensions of power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and long term orientation. Using the Triandis (1993) approach, application of the research results to Fiedler's (1967) LPC model indicated that a relationship oriented leader would be an in-match leader for a group of U.S. and German higher education economics faculty. This result was contingent upon the cultural values discovered for the U.S. and German faculties who would be involved in an endeavor with situational variables similar to that which would be found in an international joint venture to offer online distance economics education to students in a developing country.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: CFE0001547, ucf:47143
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001547

Title: A CULTURAL-HISTORICAL ACTIVITY THEORY ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION BY HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM FACULTY.
Creator: Marquez, Rolando, Gunter, Glenda, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Background: Researchers have revealed that among the reasons provided as barriers to the adoption of technology are: lack of technology resources, time, professional development and support (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, 1997; Parker, 1996; Sheldon & Jones, 1996; Sheldon & Jones, 1996; NCATE, 1997; Shelly, Gunter & Gunter, 2010, U.S. Congress, 1995). Several models used to explain the usage of technology within education such as the Technology Acceptance Model ...
Show moreBackground: Researchers have revealed that among the reasons provided as barriers to the adoption of technology are: lack of technology resources, time, professional development and support (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, 1997; Parker, 1996; Sheldon & Jones, 1996; Sheldon & Jones, 1996; NCATE, 1997; Shelly, Gunter & Gunter, 2010, U.S. Congress, 1995). Several models used to explain the usage of technology within education such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) have been somewhat ineffective in explaining or providing a holistic view of the factors that come into play when examining technology infusion and diffusion as they account for a limited percentage of variance (Legris, Ingham & Collerete, 2003; Pan, Gunter, Sivo & Cornell, 2005). Purpose: To better understand the choices that faculty members make in their use of educational technologies and media and to determine why some technologies such as blackboard have been widely adopted, but others have not. The following research question was formulated to guide the study: "Why do faculty members in higher education make the instructional choices they do with respect to educational technologies and media? Also, how can the use of Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT), as a more robust framework, offer an increase in explanatory power to better enable the understanding of a multitude of factors that impact the adoption and use of certain media technologies? Setting: A technology rich department at a college of a large urban university in the Southeastern United States. Participants: Three faculty members who taught in the department. Research Design: Qualitative multi-site case study informed by Engeström's CHAT(Engeström, 1987). Data Collection and Analysis: Document analysis, individual interviews, and laboratory and classroom observations provided data. Qualitative data analysis that employed qualitative inquiry research was informed by Creswell's "data analysis spiral" and Engeström's CHAT. Findings: Visits at the institution presented several of the key ideas in the CHAT framework including contradictions within the media selection activity and tensions at the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary levels. Additional themes included group work, autonomy, media as a tool to achieve learning goals, caring for students, early adopters, and relevance with current trends.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0003665, ucf:48833
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003665

Title: A curricula assessment and improvement quantitative model for higher education: a design for six sigma methodology.
Creator: Halawany, Abdullah, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Lee, Gene, Rabelo, Luis, Rahal, Ahmad, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Curricula assessment is an integrated process to assist higher education institutions in addressing the challenges in adesignated field of study and in exploring the opportunities to better educate and prepare their students for an increasinglycomplex world.Although assessment as a topic has been researched extensively, there has been a lack of quantitative tools that addressthe requirements of many of the stakeholders that may be critical to the curriculum design and assessment processes...
Show moreCurricula assessment is an integrated process to assist higher education institutions in addressing the challenges in adesignated field of study and in exploring the opportunities to better educate and prepare their students for an increasinglycomplex world.Although assessment as a topic has been researched extensively, there has been a lack of quantitative tools that addressthe requirements of many of the stakeholders that may be critical to the curriculum design and assessment processes.This research proposes the utilization of Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) to develop a quantitative model for curriculumassessment and improvement for higher education institutions. A review of the literature indicates that there is a lack ofquantitative tools that enhance the reliability and efficiency of gathering customer requirements for curriculum in highereducation environment. In addition, there is a lack of tools to translate these requirements into actual characteristics that canbe used for curriculum design and assessment purposes. The literature also indicates that curriculum assessment is one ofseveral educational processes that affect the quality of education.This research proposes a quantitative model for curriculum assessment and improvement in higher education institutions,utilizing design for six sigma methodology. The proposed model explores the use of the Kano model concept to translateneeded requirements into desirable curriculum attributes and the general concept of establishing transfer function todetermine the level at which those requirements have been satisfied. The use of the developed model can help improvestudent learning and provide curriculum stakeholders with timely feedback about the curriculum and identify areas in need ofimprovement.To validate the capability of the proposed model, an ABET accredited department of Industrial Engineering in a USuniversity was used a case study.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005344, ucf:50497
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005344

Title: A CUSTOMER PROGRAMMABLE MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEM.
Creator: Liu, Miao, Chen, Quanfang, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Microfluidics is both a science and a technology offering great and perhaps even revolutionary capabilities to impact the society in the future. However, due to the scaling effects there are unknown phenomena and technology barriers about fluidics in microchannel, material properties in microscale and interactions with fluids are still missing. A systematic investigation has been performed aiming to develop "A Customer Programmable Microfluidic System". This innovative Polydimethylsiloxane ...
Show moreMicrofluidics is both a science and a technology offering great and perhaps even revolutionary capabilities to impact the society in the future. However, due to the scaling effects there are unknown phenomena and technology barriers about fluidics in microchannel, material properties in microscale and interactions with fluids are still missing. A systematic investigation has been performed aiming to develop "A Customer Programmable Microfluidic System". This innovative Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic system provides a bio-compatible platform for bio-analysis systems such as Lab-on-a-chip, micro-total-analysis system and biosensors as well as the applications such as micromirrors. The system consists of an array of microfluidic devices and each device containing a multilayer microvalve. The microvalve uses a thermal pneumatic actuation method to switch and/or control the fluid flow in the integrated microchannels. It provides a means to isolate samples of interest and channel them from one location of the system to another based on needs of realizing the customers' desired functions. Along with the fluid flow control properties, the system was developed and tested as an array of micromirrors. An aluminum layer is embedded into the PDMS membrane. The metal was patterned as a network to increase the reflectivity of the membrane, which inherits the deformation of the membrane as a mirror. The deformable mirror is a key element in the adaptive optics. The proposed system utilizes the extraordinary flexibility of PDMS and the addressable control to manipulate the phase of a propagating optical wave front, which in turn can increase the performance of the adaptive optics. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been widely used in microfabrication for microfluidic systems. However, few attentions were paid in the past to mechanical properties of PDMS. Importantly there is no report on influences of microfabrication processes which normally involve chemical reactors and biologically reaction processes. A comprehensive study was made in this work to study fundamental issues such as scaling law effects on PDMS properties, chemical emersion and temperature effects on mechanical properties of PDMS, PDMS compositions and resultant properties, as well as bonding strength, etc. Results achieved from this work will provide foundation of future developments of microfluidics utilizing PDMS.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002372, ucf:47798
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002372

Title: A Cytoplasmic-Replicating RNA Virus Sensitizes Cancer Cells to DNA Modifying Agents.
Creator: Fox, Candace, Parks, Griffith, Copik, Alicja, Khaled, Annette, Zervos, Antonis, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) mutant P/V-CPI- is restricted for spread in normal cells but not in cancer cells in vitro and is effective at reducing tumor burden in mouse model systems. Here we show that P/V-CPI- infection of human laryngeal cancer HEp-2 cells resulted in the majority of the cells dying, but unexpectedly, a population of cells emerged as P/V-CPI- persistently infected (PI) cells. P/V-CPI- PI cells had elevated levels of basal caspase activation, and viability was highly...
Show moreThe Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) mutant P/V-CPI- is restricted for spread in normal cells but not in cancer cells in vitro and is effective at reducing tumor burden in mouse model systems. Here we show that P/V-CPI- infection of human laryngeal cancer HEp-2 cells resulted in the majority of the cells dying, but unexpectedly, a population of cells emerged as P/V-CPI- persistently infected (PI) cells. P/V-CPI- PI cells had elevated levels of basal caspase activation, and viability was highly dependent on activity of cellular inhibitors of apoptosis, such as Survivin. In challenge experiments with external inducers of apoptosis, the PI cells were highly sensitive to cisplatin-induced DNA damage and cell death. This increased cisplatin sensitivity correlated with defects in the phosphorylation cascade controlling DNA damage signaling pathways, as well as translocation of damage-specific DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1) to the nucleus. Similar sensitivity to cisplatin was seen with cells during acute infection with P/V-CPI-, as well as acute infections with WT PIV5. Based on this finding, we tested the hypothesis that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors would also act with P/V-CPI- infection to enhance cancer cell killing. Using human lung and laryngeal cancer cell lines, 10 HDAC inhibitors were tested for their effect on viability of P/V-CPI- infected cells. HDAC inhibitors such as scriptaid enhanced caspase-3/7, -8 and -9 activity induced by P/V-CPI- and overall cell toxicity. Scriptaid treatment also enhanced the spread of P/V-CPI- through a population of cancer cells and suppressed interferon-beta induction through blocking phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 (IRF-3). These results support a therapeutic approach of combining parainfluenza infection and chemotherapy, but also raise questions on the mechanism by which a cytoplasmic-replicating RNA virus can alter cellular DNA damage responses.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007803, ucf:52355
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007803

Title: A Decision Support Model for Autonomous Trucks Strategies.
Creator: Mohamed, Ahmad Saeid Ammar, Yun, Hae-Bum, Chopra, Manoj, Sallam, Amr, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: We examined the potential to improve the movement of freight using Truck PlatooningLane strategies on limited access highways in the State of Florida. In the First part of thisresearch, we investigated the potential benefits from dedicating one lane from existinglanes for autonomous trucks only. In this regard, a general framework tool was developedto evaluate and compare different measurements (e.g., travel tim and emissions) to betterassist decision makers to determine the most effective...
Show moreWe examined the potential to improve the movement of freight using Truck PlatooningLane strategies on limited access highways in the State of Florida. In the First part of thisresearch, we investigated the potential benefits from dedicating one lane from existinglanes for autonomous trucks only. In this regard, a general framework tool was developedto evaluate and compare different measurements (e.g., travel tim and emissions) to betterassist decision makers to determine the most effective freight transportation strategy.Additionally, the travel time, level of service and emissions on Florida Strategic IntermodalSystem (SIS) were systematically analyzed using a VISSIM and MOVES simulation todetermine if it can be improved. For the scenarios simulated in this investigation, the inputincluded different patterns with a variety of peak hour volumes, truck percentages, speeds,and number of lanes. Additionally, the various total values of the resultant travel time,emissions and level of service for each SIS corridor were determined and calculated usinga General Linear Model and then tabulated to reveal input patterns. The results showed thata truck platooning lane can significantly reduce the travel time and emissions of trucks. Inthe second part, we proposed using a The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method toevaluate the potential benefits of building a new lane for autonomous trucks. The AHPmethod was developed to include all possible measurements that can assist decision makersto select the best autonomous truck policy. The results of the AHP model showed that thesafety criterion was significantly the most influential perspective per experts' opinions. Theresults showed that experts were more concerned about safety and environmentalconsiderations than the initial cost associated with building a new lane.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007056, ucf:51983
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007056

Title: A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM METHODOLOGY FOR THE SELECTION OF RAPID PROTOTYPING TECHNOLOGIES FOR INVESTMENT-CAST GAS TURBINE PARTS.
Creator: Gallagher, Angela, Geiger, Christopher, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In the power generation sector, more specifically, the gas turbine industry, competition has forced the lead time-to-market for product advancements to be more important than ever. For design engineers, this means that product design iterations and final product development must be completed within both critical time windows and budgetary constraints. Therefore, two areas that have received significant attention in the research and in practice are: (1) rapid prototyping technology development...
Show moreIn the power generation sector, more specifically, the gas turbine industry, competition has forced the lead time-to-market for product advancements to be more important than ever. For design engineers, this means that product design iterations and final product development must be completed within both critical time windows and budgetary constraints. Therefore, two areas that have received significant attention in the research and in practice are: (1) rapid prototyping technology development, and (2) rapid prototyping technology selection. Rapid prototyping technology selection is the focus of this research. In practice, selecting the rapid prototyping method that is acceptable for a specific design application is a daunting task. With technological advancements in both rapid prototyping and conventional machining methods, it is difficult for both a novice design engineer as well as an experienced design engineer to decide not only what rapid prototyping method could be applicable, but also if a rapid prototyping method would even be advantageous over a more conventional machining method and where in the manufacturing process any of these processes would be utilized. This research proposes an expert system that assists a design engineer through the decision process relating to the investment casting of a superalloy gas turbine engine component. Investment casting is a well-known technique for the production of many superalloy gas turbine parts such as gas turbine blades and vanes. In fact, investment-cast turbine blades remain the state of the art in gas turbine blade design. The proposed automated expert system allows the engineer to effectively assess rapid prototyping opportunities for desired gas turbine blade application. The system serves as a starting point in presenting an engineer with commercially-available state-of-the-art rapid prototyping options, brief explanations of each option and the advantages and disadvantages of each option. It is not intended to suggest an optimal solution as there is not only one unique answer. For instance, cost and time factors vary depending upon the individual needs of a company at any particular time as well as existing strategic partnerships with particular foundries and vendors. The performance of the proposed expert system is assessed using two real-world case studies. The first case study shows how the expert system can advise the design engineer when suggesting rapid manufacturing in place of investment casting. The second case study shows how rapid prototyping can be used for creating part patterns for use within the investment casting process. The results from these case studies are telling in that their implementations potentially result in an 82 to 94% reduction in design decision lead time and a 92 to 97% cost savings.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003338, ucf:48469
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003338

Title: A Decision Support Tool for Video Retinal Angiography.
Creator: Laha, Sumit, Bagci, Ulas, Foroosh, Hassan, Song, Sam, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Fluorescein angiogram (FA) is a medical procedure that helps the ophthalmologists to monitor the status of the retinal blood vessels and to diagnose proper treatment. This research is motivated by the necessity of blood vessel segmentation of the retina. Retinal vessel segmentation has been a major challenge and has long drawn the attention of researchers for decades due to the presence of complex blood vessels with varying size, shape, angles and branching pattern of vessels, and non-uniform...
Show moreFluorescein angiogram (FA) is a medical procedure that helps the ophthalmologists to monitor the status of the retinal blood vessels and to diagnose proper treatment. This research is motivated by the necessity of blood vessel segmentation of the retina. Retinal vessel segmentation has been a major challenge and has long drawn the attention of researchers for decades due to the presence of complex blood vessels with varying size, shape, angles and branching pattern of vessels, and non-uniform illumination and huge anatomical variability between subjects. In this thesis, we introduce a new computational tool that combines deep learning based machine learning algorithm and a signal processing based video magnification method to support physicians in analyzing and diagnosing retinal angiogram videos for the first time in the literature.The proposed approach has a pipeline-based architecture containing three phases - image registration for large motion removal from video angiogram, retinal vessel segmentation and video magnification based on the segmented vessels. In image registration phase, we align distorted frames in the FA video using rigid registration approaches. In the next phase, we use baseline capsule based neural networks for retinal vessel segmentation in comparison with the state-of-the-art methods. We move away from traditional convolutional network approaches to capsule networks in this work. This is because, despite being widely used in different computer vision applications, convolutional neural networks suffer from learning ability to understand the object-part relationships, have high computational times due to additive nature of neurons and, loose information in the pooling layer. Although having these drawbacks, we use deep learning methods like U-Net and Tiramisu to measure the performance and accuracy of SegCaps. Lastly, we apply Eulerian video magnification to magnify the subtle changes in the retinal video. In this phase, magnification is applied to segmented videos to visualize the flow of blood in the retinal vessels.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007342, ucf:52125
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007342

Title: A deep learning approach to diagnosing schizophrenia.
Creator: Barry, Justin, Valliyil Thankachan, Sharma, Gurupur, Varadraj, Jha, Sumit Kumar, Ewetz, Rickard, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In this article, the investigators present a new method using a deep learning approach to diagnose schizophrenia. In the experiment presented, the investigators have used a secondary dataset provided by National Institutes of Health. The aforementioned experimentation involves analyzing this dataset for existence of schizophrenia using traditional machine learning approaches such as logistic regression, support vector machine, and random forest. This is followed by application of deep...
Show moreIn this article, the investigators present a new method using a deep learning approach to diagnose schizophrenia. In the experiment presented, the investigators have used a secondary dataset provided by National Institutes of Health. The aforementioned experimentation involves analyzing this dataset for existence of schizophrenia using traditional machine learning approaches such as logistic regression, support vector machine, and random forest. This is followed by application of deep learning techniques using three hidden layers in the model. The results obtained indicate that deep learning provides state-of-the-art accuracy in diagnosing schizophrenia. Based on these observations, there is a possibility that deep learning may provide a paradigm shift in diagnosing schizophrenia.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007429, ucf:52737
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007429

Title: A Delphi Study to Construct a Script Concordance Test for Spiritual and Religious Competence in Counseling.
Creator: Christmas, Christopher, Young, Mark, Hagedorn, William, Bai, Haiyan, Carson, David, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The need to address spiritual and religious issues is well established in the counseling literature and in accreditation standards, however, many graduates counseling students do not feel prepared to address these issues. In the United States, the vast majority of clients consider themselves to be spiritual or religious, so counselors who lack competence in addressing spiritual and religious issues in counseling are likely to offer ineffective or perhaps unethical care to clients. Counselor...
Show moreThe need to address spiritual and religious issues is well established in the counseling literature and in accreditation standards, however, many graduates counseling students do not feel prepared to address these issues. In the United States, the vast majority of clients consider themselves to be spiritual or religious, so counselors who lack competence in addressing spiritual and religious issues in counseling are likely to offer ineffective or perhaps unethical care to clients. Counselor educators must improve education and assessment in this critical specialty area of counseling. Of primary concern is a student's ability to demonstrate spiritual competence in counseling. The 2009 ASERVIC Spiritual Competencies offer the most comprehensive standard of spiritual competence in counseling in any mental health profession, however there is no reliable and standardized assessment that measures demonstrated spiritual competency. Competency can best be measured when the examinee makes choices in a context that is similar or the same as that in which he or she will practice, therefore an effective competency measurement must include client cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a case based assessment for measuring clinical judgment in situations of uncertainty, called a Script Concordance Test, could be constructed by experts using the Delphi Method. This instrument was based on the 2009 ASERVIC Spiritual Competencies as the standard for demonstrated competence. The results of this study indicated that expert practitioners and educators could come to consensus on appropriate cases, appropriate competencies to measure in each case, items to assess competency in each case, and an instrument that included items assessing all 14 of the 2009 Spiritual Competencies. Additionally, the constructed instrument demonstrated excellent test retest reliability and adequate internal reliability.There are several implications for counselor education. First, this study provides evidence that expert practitioners and educators can come to consensus to construct a highly contextual instrument to measures clinical decision making about spiritual competence in counseling. Second, a promising new type of instrument with excellent reliability and strong content validity has been introduced to the field of counselor education. Third, with appropriate assessment, counselor education programs can begin to measure student competence, in terms of clinical judgment, on addressing spiritual and religions issues in counseling over time because this instrument is appropriate for use at different intervals throughout professional development. Fourth, the format of this instrument is also useful for educational purposes and reflective practice. Finally, the theoretical foundations of the Delphi Method and script concordance tests are compatible with one another and with instrument development. The researcher recommends that future studies to construct script concordance tests for other specialty areas of competence employ and refine this method.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005149, ucf:50695
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005149

Title: A deoxyribozyme sensor and isothermal amplification for human sex determination.
Creator: Smith, Alexandra, Kolpashchikov, Dmitry, Campiglia, Andres, Harper, James, Beazley, Melanie, Tetard, Laurene, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Ribozymes are known to catalyze biochemical reactions and behave like enzymes. They are naturally occurring and have very diverse functions within a cell. After investigating ribozymes that next step was to find if DNA can exhibit the same characteristics since RNA and DNA only differ by a ribose 2'-hydroxyl group. This evolution in curiosity gave rise to artificial DNA enzymes that can catalyze certain reactions and have been created by in vitro selection methods. Due to the ability to...
Show moreRibozymes are known to catalyze biochemical reactions and behave like enzymes. They are naturally occurring and have very diverse functions within a cell. After investigating ribozymes that next step was to find if DNA can exhibit the same characteristics since RNA and DNA only differ by a ribose 2'-hydroxyl group. This evolution in curiosity gave rise to artificial DNA enzymes that can catalyze certain reactions and have been created by in vitro selection methods. Due to the ability to manipulate and control DNA hybridization, the deoxyribozyme is advantageous to the field of molecular diagnostics. Other hybridization probes like Taqman for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or a molecular beacon are more conventional methods for molecular diagnostics, but deoxyribozyme-based nucleic acid sensors are overall more sensitive due to their catalytic enhancement of a signal and more selective due to structural design. When the deoxyribozyme is split into two probes, it is very efficient in identifying a minute difference in sequence compared to the monolith structure. This binary deoxyribozyme sensor (BiDz) has two probes, each containing an analyte binding arm, substrate binding arm, and half of the catalytic core. The monolith structure, known as a catalytic molecular beacon (CMB), contains a hairpin that contains the analyte binding arm in the loop and the substrate binding arms in the stem. The catalytic core is fully intact but deemed inactive due to the substrate binding arms being complimentary to an inhibitory sequence forming the stem. Once the sensor binds the analyte, catalytic core is formed/activated and cleaves a substrate containing a fluorophore and quencher. When the substrate is cleaved a fluorescent signal is given off denoting the detection of the target DNA. Deoxyribozyme sensors can be applied to the field of human sex determination by detecting the Amelogenin gene. Found on both sex chromosomes, the Amelogenin gene is the most common marker used for sex determination because it exhibits dimorphism in length and sequence. Sex identification from ancient skeletal remains is crucial to understanding the social structure of our history. When conventional methods, such as metric analysis, are not an option due to the fragmented or prepubescent remains, molecular diagnostics are needed. Amplification of DNA is required to be able to detect the target sequence in human samples. Isothermal loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) is a fast and simple technique that provides ample amounts of amplicon. It is advantageous over PCR because it amplifies at one temperature and no thermal cycler is needed. Two different sensors have been designed to detect the X and Y specific sequences with high selectivity. From a direct comparison between the CMB and BiDZ, the binary structure has shown to be simpler and less expensive to design, and highly selective toward single base substitutions (SNS). While both sensors contain detection limits in the picomolar range, which is consistent with data published by other research groups, the CMB sensors failed to function at higher temperatures (55oC). BiDz sensors are shown to be superior to the CMB design, particularly when selectivity based analysis is desired. For human sex determination, the binary sensor detected sex specific sequences with great selectivity. The sensor then detected LAMP amplified DNA from male and female teeth after 30 minutes of amplification. Combining a binary deoxyribozyme sensor and isothermal amplification can provide a new and valuable method for human sex determination.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0007133, ucf:52306
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007133

Title: A DERIVATION OF AN EMPIRICAL EQUATION FOR ESTIMATING THE ACOUSTICAL SHADOW ZONE LENGTH OF ROADWAY NOISE BARRIERS.
Creator: Arner, Wayne, Wayson, Roger, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The objective of this research was to derive an empirical equation that estimates the acoustical shadow zone length (SZL) of roadway noise barriers. The acoustical shadow zone is the area behind a noise barrier of reduced sound levels, generally to some stated level at or near background. The ability to predict the SZL can be used as a method to evaluate the performance, and possibly the design, of roadway noise barriers. The current federally required roadway noise model is the Federal...
Show moreThe objective of this research was to derive an empirical equation that estimates the acoustical shadow zone length (SZL) of roadway noise barriers. The acoustical shadow zone is the area behind a noise barrier of reduced sound levels, generally to some stated level at or near background. The ability to predict the SZL can be used as a method to evaluate the performance, and possibly the design, of roadway noise barriers. The current federally required roadway noise model is the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Traffic Noise Model (TNM). TNM uses insertion loss (IL) to evaluate the effectiveness of a barrier. Insertion loss is the difference in sound level between the "no barrier" and the "with barrier" case. One major limitation with TNM is that the reported IL does not take into account how background noise levels influence the mitigated sound levels. Background noise can be defined as the noise present at a barrier location in the absence of roadway noise. The shadow zone represents a region behind the noise barrier where the barrier is effective at reducing noise levels and takes into account how background noise affects the IL and thus the SZL. The inclusion of background noise becomes significant in evaluating barrier effectiveness because as the distance from the barrier increases, background noise begins to overtake roadway noise as the dominate noise source. The derivation of the empirical equation began by collecting in-situ noise measurements at 18 noise barrier locations across Florida. The measured noise data was supplemented by noise data obtained from computer modeling. After a sufficient quantity of measured and modeled IL data was obtained, a contour of equal IL (IL = 5 dB) was plotted for each barrier location. The area defined by the contour is called the shadow zone. All the SZLs were statistically compared to several variables that were expected to influence it. Regression modeling showed that the background noise level, noise barrier height, the distance from the roadway to the noise barrier, and percent of heavy truck traffic volume were statistically significant as useful predictors of SZL. Two empirical equations were derived, one from linear regression and one from polynomial regression, and are referred to as the Shadow Zone Equations.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0001464, ucf:47096
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001464

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