Current Search: Ahmad, Ali (x)
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- Title
- A framework to generate a smart manufacturing system configurations using agents and optimization.
- Creator
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Nagadi, Khalid, Rabelo, Luis, Lee, Gene, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Ahmad, Ali, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Manufacturing is a crucial element in the global economy. During the last decade, the national manufacturing sector loses nearly 30% of its workforce and investments. Consequently, the quality of the domestic goods, global share, and manufacturing capabilities has been declined. Therefore, innovative ways to optimize the usage of the Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS) are required to form a new manufacturing era. This research is presenting a framework to optimize the design of SMS. This...
Show moreManufacturing is a crucial element in the global economy. During the last decade, the national manufacturing sector loses nearly 30% of its workforce and investments. Consequently, the quality of the domestic goods, global share, and manufacturing capabilities has been declined. Therefore, innovative ways to optimize the usage of the Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS) are required to form a new manufacturing era. This research is presenting a framework to optimize the design of SMS. This includes the determination of the suitable machines that can perform the job efficiently, the quantity of those machines, and the potential messaging system required for sharing information.Multiple reviews are used to form the framework. Expert machine selection matrix identifies the required machines and machine parameter matrix defines the specifications of those machines. While business process modeling and notation (BPMN) captures the process plan in object-oriented fashion. In addition, to agent unified modeling language (AUML) that guides the application of message sequence diagram and statecharts. Finally, the configuration is obtained from a hybrid simulation model. Agent based-modeling is used to capture the behavior of the machines where discrete event simulation mimics the process flow. A case study of a manufacturing system is used to verify the study. As a result, the framework shows positive outcomes in supporting upper management in the planning phase of establishing a SMS or evaluating an existing one.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006540, ucf:51311
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006540
- Title
- A Predictive Model To Identify Caregivers At Risk Of Musculoskeletal Disorders.
- Creator
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Ali, Abdulelah, Lee, Gene, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Rabelo, Luis, Rahal, Ahmad, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Healthcare systems face several challenges due to the aging workforce, recruitment shortages, increasing patient acuteness, and increasing patient size and weight. The most costly, leading, and prevalent problem in the healthcare industry and nursing professions is work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). MSDs are common among caregivers because of the nature of their work, which requires repetitive heavy physical activity. The development of MSDs among caregivers negatively impacts the...
Show moreHealthcare systems face several challenges due to the aging workforce, recruitment shortages, increasing patient acuteness, and increasing patient size and weight. The most costly, leading, and prevalent problem in the healthcare industry and nursing professions is work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). MSDs are common among caregivers because of the nature of their work, which requires repetitive heavy physical activity. The development of MSDs among caregivers negatively impacts the quality of care, and incurs high costs such as worker compensation, days away from work, turnover, rehabilitation, and lower productivity. Therefore, it is essential to determine the factors that contribute to musculoskeletal disorder injuries among caregivers, in order to reduce or eliminate risks within healthcare environments which might cause such ramifications. This dissertation develops a framework to identify risk factors for MSDs and to determine which ones show significant contribution to be included in a developed predictive model. The data was obtained from caregivers who work in Saudi Arabian healthcare institutions, with 104 participating nurses to determine which risk factors would be included in the predictive model. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of the identified work related and non-work related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in healthcare organizations among caregivers. The development of the predictive model provides insights into risk factors which can guide the development of policies and recommendations to reduce and eliminate the development of MSDs among caregivers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006065, ucf:50967
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006065
- Title
- A Methodology on Weapon Combat Effectiveness Analytics using Big Data and Live, Virtual, or/and Constructive Simulations.
- Creator
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Jung, Won Il, Lee, Gene, Rabelo, Luis, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Ahmad, Ali, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The Weapon Combat Effectiveness (WCE) analytics is very expensive, time-consuming, and dangerous in the real world because we have to create data from the real operations with a lot of people and weapons in the actual environment. The Modeling and Simulation (M(&)S) of many techniques is used for overcoming these limitations. Although the era of big data has emerged and achieved a great deal of success in a variety of fields, most WCE research using the Defense Modeling and Simulation (DM(&)S...
Show moreThe Weapon Combat Effectiveness (WCE) analytics is very expensive, time-consuming, and dangerous in the real world because we have to create data from the real operations with a lot of people and weapons in the actual environment. The Modeling and Simulation (M(&)S) of many techniques is used for overcoming these limitations. Although the era of big data has emerged and achieved a great deal of success in a variety of fields, most WCE research using the Defense Modeling and Simulation (DM(&)S) techniques were studied without the help of big data technologies and techniques. The existing research has not considered various factors affecting WCE. This is because current research has been restricted by only using constructive simulation, a single weapon system, and limited scenarios. Therefore, the WCE analytics using existing methodologies have also incorporated the same limitations, and therefore, cannot help but get biased results.To solve the above problem, this dissertation is to initially review and compose the basic knowledge for the new WCE analytics methodology using big data and DM(&)S to further serve as the stepping-stone of the future research for the interested researchers. Also, this dissertation presents the new methodology on WCE analytics using big data generated by Live, Virtual, or/and Constructive (LVC) simulations. This methodology can increase the fidelity of WCE analytics results by considering various factors. It can give opportunities for application of weapon acquisition, operations analytics and plan, and objective level development on each training factor for the weapon operators according to the selection of Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs) and Measures of Performance (MOPs), or impact factors, based on the analytics goal.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007025, ucf:52870
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007025
- Title
- An Integrated Design for Six Sigma-Based Framework To Align Strategy, New Process Development, and Customer Requirements In The Airlines Industry.
- Creator
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Alghamdi, Mohammed, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Rabelo, Luis, Lee, Gene, Ahmad, Ali, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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When organizations create new strategy maps, key new processes are often identified. This is important for organizations to stay competitive in the global marketplace. This document describes the development, implementation, and validation of a framework that properly aligns and links an organization's strategy and new process development. The proposed framework integrates the Balanced Scorecard management system (BSC) and the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology, leveraging their...
Show moreWhen organizations create new strategy maps, key new processes are often identified. This is important for organizations to stay competitive in the global marketplace. This document describes the development, implementation, and validation of a framework that properly aligns and links an organization's strategy and new process development. The proposed framework integrates the Balanced Scorecard management system (BSC) and the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology, leveraging their strengths, overcoming weaknesses, and identifying lessons learned to help bridge the gap between strategy development and execution. The critical-to-quality conceptual model is used as an integrative component for the framework. Literature search has resulted in little or no research into the development of similar frameworks. To demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of the framework in a real-world environment, a case study is carried out and implemented successfully. As the case study progressed, cycle time as a performance indicator was estimated and showed progression towards the targeted strategic objective. The developed framework helps decision-makers seamlessly transit from a strategic position to process development linking strategic objectives to the critical-to-quality features. This comprehensive framework can help move organizations from where they currently are to where they want to be, laying the background needed for customer satisfaction and breakthrough performance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006246, ucf:51079
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006246
- Title
- DESIGN FOR AUDITORY DISPLAYS: IDENTIFYING TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL INFORMATION CONVEYANCE PRINCIPLES.
- Creator
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Ahmad, Ali, Stanney, Kay, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Designing auditory interfaces is a challenge for current human-systems developers. This is largely due to a lack of theoretical guidance for directing how best to use sounds in today's visually-rich graphical user interfaces. This dissertation provided a framework for guiding the design of audio interfaces to enhance human-systems performance. This doctoral research involved reviewing the literature on conveying temporal and spatial information using audio, using this knowledge to build...
Show moreDesigning auditory interfaces is a challenge for current human-systems developers. This is largely due to a lack of theoretical guidance for directing how best to use sounds in today's visually-rich graphical user interfaces. This dissertation provided a framework for guiding the design of audio interfaces to enhance human-systems performance. This doctoral research involved reviewing the literature on conveying temporal and spatial information using audio, using this knowledge to build three theoretical models to aid the design of auditory interfaces, and empirically validating select components of the models. The three models included an audio integration model that outlines an end-to-end process for adding sounds to interactive interfaces, a temporal audio model that provides a framework for guiding the timing for integration of these sounds to meet human performance objectives, and a spatial audio model that provides a framework for adding spatialization cues to interface sounds. Each model is coupled with a set of design guidelines theorized from the literature, thus combined, the developed models put forward a structured process for integrating sounds in interactive interfaces. The developed models were subjected to a three phase validation process that included review by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assess the face validity of the developed models and two empirical studies. For the SME review, which assessed the utility of the developed models and identified opportunities for improvement, a panel of three audio experts was selected to respond to a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) validation questionnaire. Based on the SWOT analysis, the main strengths of the models included that they provide a systematic approach to auditory display design and that they integrate a wide variety of knowledge sources in a concise manner. The main weaknesses of the models included the lack of a structured process for amending the models with new principles, some branches were not considered parallel or completely distinct, and lack of guidance on selecting interface sounds. The main opportunity identified by the experts was the ability of the models to provide a seminal body of knowledge that can be used for building and validating auditory display designs. The main threats identified by the experts were that users may not know where to start and end with each model, the models may not provide comprehensive coverage of all uses of auditory displays, and the models may act as a restrictive influence on designers or they may be used inappropriately. Based on the SWOT analysis results, several changes were made to the models prior to the empirical studies. Two empirical evaluation studies were conducted to test the theorized design principles derived from the revised models. The first study focused on assessing the utility of audio cues to train a temporal pacing task and the second study combined both temporal (i.e., pace) and spatial audio information, with a focus on examining integration issues. In the pace study, there were four different auditory conditions used for training pace: 1) a metronome, 2) non-spatial auditory earcons, 3) a spatialized auditory earcon, and 4) no audio cues for pace training. Sixty-eight people participated in the study. A pre- post between subjects experimental design was used, with eight training trials. The measure used for assessing pace performance was the average deviation from a predetermined desired pace. The results demonstrated that a metronome was not effective in training participants to maintain a desired pace, while, spatial and non-spatial earcons were effective strategies for pace training. Moreover, an examination of post-training performance as compared to pre-training suggested some transfer of learning. Design guidelines were extracted for integrating auditory cues for pace training tasks in virtual environments. In the second empirical study, combined temporal (pacing) and spatial (location of entities within the environment) information were presented. There were three different spatialization conditions used: 1) high fidelity using subjective selection of a "best-fit" head related transfer function, 2) low fidelity using a generalized head-related transfer function, and 3) no spatialization. A pre- post between subjects experimental design was used, with eight training trials. The performance measures were average deviation from desired pace and time and accuracy to complete the task. The results of the second study demonstrated that temporal, non-spatial auditory cues were effective in influencing pace while other cues were present. On the other hand, spatialized auditory cues did not result in significantly faster task completion. Based on these results, a set of design guidelines was proposed that can be used to direct the integration of spatial and temporal auditory cues for supporting training tasks in virtual environments. Taken together, the developed models and the associated guidelines provided a theoretical foundation from which to direct user-centered design of auditory interfaces.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001719, ucf:47317
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001719
- Title
- Fire safety and emergency evacuation training for occupants of building using 3D virtual simulation.
- Creator
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Bhide, Sayli, Rabelo, Luis, Lee, Gene, McCauley, Pamela, Ahmad, Ali, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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With advancement in technology, building structures are becoming bigger and more complex. Incidences of horrifying fires that occur in such complex structures resulting in loss of property as well as lives are recorded worldwide. Emergency evacuation training can play a crucial role in mitigating damage not only in cases of fire, explosion or chemical spill but also in cases of natural calamities like floods and hurricanes. Conventional safety training provided in industries mostly comprises...
Show moreWith advancement in technology, building structures are becoming bigger and more complex. Incidences of horrifying fires that occur in such complex structures resulting in loss of property as well as lives are recorded worldwide. Emergency evacuation training can play a crucial role in mitigating damage not only in cases of fire, explosion or chemical spill but also in cases of natural calamities like floods and hurricanes. Conventional safety training provided in industries mostly comprises of unidirectional flow of information. Due to this passive learning style, response of employees in real life emergency situations is known to be ineffective. The proposed research focuses on the development of virtual emergency evacuation safety training for residents, workers and employees. This research developed a 3 dimensional (3D) virtual fire safety and emergency evacuation training for building occupants. A 3D model of a real engineering college building in the University of Central Florida (UCF) was developed in a virtual world and participants could interact with various objects and scenarios in this virtual building on a standard desktop computer using keyboard and mouse. Expert interviews and literature review were utilized to develop contents of fire safety and emergency evacuation training. Also, a slide based fire safety and emergency evacuation training was developed based on same contents and made available through a website. An effort was made to develop both trainings- virtual and slide based to be comparable in terms of contents. A case study with two sets of experiments comprising of 143 participants from UCF community was conducted to understand factors such as fidelity, simulation sickness, engagement and effectiveness of 3D virtual and slide based fire safety and emergency evacuation training. Results of fidelity and simulation sickness validated use of 3D virtual training for training building residents on fire safety and emergency evacuation. Data analysis of knowledge tests allowed to compare short terms and long term effectiveness of 3D virtual training and slide based training. To further understand engagement, physiological measure- electroencephalograph (EEG) of 40 healthy participants was recorded in second set of experiments. Ratio of Beta and Alpha frequency bands was studied to understand attention paid by trainees in 3D virtual and slide based training.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006935, ucf:51647
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006935