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- Title
- Social Media Responsiveness in the Public Sector: A Study of Social Media Adoption in Three Functional Departments of U.S. Cities.
- Creator
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Seigler, Daniel, Bryer, Thomas, Hu, Qian, Norris Tirrell, Dorothy, Fine, Terri, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Public administration research strongly supports the argument for administrator-citizen collaborations and shows that Web 2.0 social media tools have the potential to increase these collaborations. Some public managers have fully embraced the adoption of social media tools to their fullest collaborative potential while other managers have chosen to limit their full collaborative potential. This study examines four environmental influences to determine if they are the cause of the diverse...
Show morePublic administration research strongly supports the argument for administrator-citizen collaborations and shows that Web 2.0 social media tools have the potential to increase these collaborations. Some public managers have fully embraced the adoption of social media tools to their fullest collaborative potential while other managers have chosen to limit their full collaborative potential. This study examines four environmental influences to determine if they are the cause of the diverse levels of social media adoption among public administrators. A survey of 157 department managers from 261 large cities across the U.S. shows that 82% of the respondents are currently using some form of social media tools to engage citizens. The results show that perceived organizational influences and perceived administrator preconceptions of social media tools are having the greatest impact on the respondents' decision to adopt social media. Provided that response rate bias is not occurring in this study, there are two possible explanations for the results. One possible explanation is that Web 2.0 social media adoption may be following a similar path as the adoption of earlier forms of Web 1.0 e-government tools. The other possible explanation is that managers may be operating within a rational environment when deciding whether or not to adopt Web 2.0 social media tools.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005709, ucf:50115
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005709
- Title
- Government Responsiveness in Matters of Racial Sensitivity.
- Creator
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Carnegie, Vickie, Bryer, Thomas, Knox, Claire, Kapucu, Naim, Burg, Mary Ann, Fine, Terri, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study assesses factors influencing the responsiveness of government officials in Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina regarding the public display of the Confederate Flag on state grounds in the aftermath of the Charleston, South Carolina shooting. The purpose of this dissertation research is to understand the factors influencing how government officials make decisions during racially/culturally sensitive events. Two research questions frame this study: 1) What factors are relevant...
Show moreThis study assesses factors influencing the responsiveness of government officials in Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina regarding the public display of the Confederate Flag on state grounds in the aftermath of the Charleston, South Carolina shooting. The purpose of this dissertation research is to understand the factors influencing how government officials make decisions during racially/culturally sensitive events. Two research questions frame this study: 1) What factors are relevant to understanding state government officials' decision- making regarding the display of the Confederate Flag on public grounds? 2) Under what conditions of public decision making regarding the Confederate flag is executive authority, vote/referendum, or legislative processes used? Employing grounded theory across newspaper content in Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi, 117 articles were examined to provide insight into the research questions. The themes which emerged from this analysis are: 1)Key factors in the decision-making regarding the display of the Confederate Flag on state grounds are: a.The response to a triggering crisis event b.A desire for inclusiveness c.A perception of outside attention or scrutiny d.A concern for the economic well-being of the State e.The political agency of the decision maker 2)Economics, standing law, and political expediency influence decisions of whether executive authority, vote/referendum, or legislative processes are used in decision-making regarding the display of the Confederate Flag on public grounds. This study introduces a detailed model of decision-making for public officials in racially/culturally sensitive matters to navigate the handling of issues with similar schema-forming symbols which can call forth dynamic and polarizing responses. The findings from this research study can be used to foster improved government efforts at responding to matters of a highly charged emotional nature.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007439, ucf:52734
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007439
- Title
- High performance liquid crystal devices for augmented reality and virtual reality.
- Creator
-
Talukder, Md Javed Rouf, Wu, Shintson, Moharam, Jim, Amezcua Correa, Rodrigo, Dong, Yajie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
See-through augmented reality and virtual reality displays are emerging due to their widespread applications in education, engineering design, medical, retail, transportation, automotive, aerospace, gaming, and entertainment. For augmented reality and virtual reality displays, high-resolution density, high luminance, fast response time and high ambient contrast ratio are critically needed. High-resolution density helps eliminate the screen-door effect, high luminance and fast response time...
Show moreSee-through augmented reality and virtual reality displays are emerging due to their widespread applications in education, engineering design, medical, retail, transportation, automotive, aerospace, gaming, and entertainment. For augmented reality and virtual reality displays, high-resolution density, high luminance, fast response time and high ambient contrast ratio are critically needed. High-resolution density helps eliminate the screen-door effect, high luminance and fast response time enable low duty ratio operation, which plays a key role for suppressing image blurs. A dimmer placed in front of AR display helps to control the incident background light, which in turn improves the image contrast. In this dissertation, we have focused three crucial display metrics: high luminance, fast motion picture response time (MPRT) and high ambient contrast ratio.We report a fringe-field switching liquid crystal display, abbreviated as d-FFS LCD, by using a low viscosity material and new diamond-shape electrode configuration. Our proposed device shows high transmittance, fast motion picture response time, low operation voltage, wide viewing angle, and indistinguishable color shift and gamma shift. We also investigate the rubbing angle effects on transmittance and response time. When rubbing angle is 0 degree, the virtual wall effect is strong, resulting in fast response time but compromised transmittance. When rubbing angle is greater than 1.2 degree, the virtual walls disappear, as a result, the transmittance increases dramatically, but the tradeoff is in slower response time. We also demonstrate a photo-responsive guest-host liquid crystal (LC) dimmer to enhance the ambient contrast ratio in augmented reality displays. The LC composition consists of photo-stable chiral agent, photosensitive azobenzene, and dichroic dye in a nematic host with negative dielectric anisotropy. In this device, transmittance changes from bright state to dark state by exposing a low intensity UV or blue light. Reversal process can be carried out by red light or thermal effect. Such a polarizer-free photo-activated dimmer can also be used for wide range of applications, such as diffractive photonic devices, portable information system, vehicular head-up displays, and smart window for energy saving purpose. A dual-stimuli polarizer-free dye-doped liquid crystal (LC) device is demonstrated as a dimmer. Upon UV/blue light exposure, the LC directors and dye molecules turn from initially vertical alignment (high transmittance state) to twisted fingerprint structure (low transmittance state). The reversal process is accelerated by combining a longitudinal electric field to unwind the LC directors from twisted fingerprint to homeotropic state, and a red light to transform the cis azobenzene back to trans. Such an electric-field-assisted reversal time can be reduced from ~10s to a few milliseconds, depending on the applied voltage. Considering power consumption, low manufacturing cost, and large fabrication tolerance, this device can be used as a smart dimmer to enhance the ambient contrast ratio for augmented reality displays.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007731, ucf:52425
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007731
- Title
- DECISION-MAKER TRADE-OFFS IN MULTIPLE RESPONSE SURFACE OPTIMIZATION.
- Creator
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Hawkins, Alicia, Armacost, Robert, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The focus of this dissertation is on improving decision-maker trade-offs and the development of a new constrained methodology for multiple response surface optimization. There are three key components of the research: development of the necessary conditions and assumptions associated with constrained multiple response surface optimization methodologies; development of a new constrained multiple response surface methodology; and demonstration of the new method. The necessary conditions for and...
Show moreThe focus of this dissertation is on improving decision-maker trade-offs and the development of a new constrained methodology for multiple response surface optimization. There are three key components of the research: development of the necessary conditions and assumptions associated with constrained multiple response surface optimization methodologies; development of a new constrained multiple response surface methodology; and demonstration of the new method. The necessary conditions for and assumptions associated with constrained multiple response surface optimization methods were identified and found to be less restrictive than requirements previously described in the literature. The conditions and assumptions required for a constrained method to find the most preferred non-dominated solution are to generate non-dominated solutions and to generate solutions consistent with decision-maker preferences among the response objectives. Additionally, if a Lagrangian constrained method is used, the preservation of convexity is required in order to be able to generate all non-dominated solutions. The conditions required for constrained methods are significantly fewer than those required for combined methods. Most of the existing constrained methodologies do not incorporate any provision for a decision-maker to explicitly determine the relative importance of the multiple objectives. Research into the larger area of multi-criteria decision-making identified the interactive surrogate worth trade-off algorithm as a potential methodology that would provide that capability in multiple response surface optimization problems. The ISWT algorithm uses an ε-constraint formulation to guarantee a non-dominated solution, and then interacts with the decision-maker after each iteration to determine the preference of the decision-maker in trading-off the value of the primary response for an increase in value of a secondary response. The current research modified the ISWT algorithm to develop a new constrained multiple response surface methodology that explicitly accounts for decision-maker preferences. The new Modified ISWT (MISWT) method maintains the essence of the original method while taking advantage of the specific properties of multiple response surface problems to simplify the application of the method. The MISWT is an accessible computer-based implementation of the ISWT. Five test problems from the multiple response surface optimization literature were used to demonstrate the new methodology. It was shown that this methodology can handle a variety of types and numbers of responses and independent variables. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the methodology can be successful using a priori information from the decision-maker about bounds or targets or can use the extreme values obtained from the region of operability. In all cases, the methodology explicitly considered decision-maker preferences and provided non-dominated solutions. The contribution of this method is the removal of implicit assumptions and includes the decision-maker in explicit trade-offs among multiple objectives or responses.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001765, ucf:47272
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001765
- Title
- APPRECIATING THE GOLDEN HOUR: A COMPARATIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDY.
- Creator
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Tachon, Taylor, Heglund, Stephen, Covelli, Maureen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Within the health care, many medical professionals know about the critical time restraints for provisions of care within their discipline, but do not know the term "The Golden Hour". The Golden Hour is a term indicating the universal time restraint found within every area of health care and more specifically, every area of nursing. The term and concept represented by it should be recognized to better the outcomes of our patients. Although the Golden Hour typically indicates a 60-minute period...
Show moreWithin the health care, many medical professionals know about the critical time restraints for provisions of care within their discipline, but do not know the term "The Golden Hour". The Golden Hour is a term indicating the universal time restraint found within every area of health care and more specifically, every area of nursing. The term and concept represented by it should be recognized to better the outcomes of our patients. Although the Golden Hour typically indicates a 60-minute period of time, various settings recognize shorter and longer periods during which specific actions must be taken to assure positive patient outcomes. To meet this aim, this thesis will review studies related to outcomes as associated with time critical interventions that could be categorized by "The Golden Hour". To meet the goal, a search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and ScienceDirect databases was conducted. Findings of the search revealed that while the term is not widely used, the concept of time sensitive care is found in many areas of Health Care and, specifically, within multiple sub-disciplines of nursing.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000314, ucf:45846
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000314
- Title
- DEVELOPING A SPATIAL INTERFACE FOR INFORMATION VISUALIZATION AND MANAGEMENT IN A CRISIS RESPONSE SCENARIO.
- Creator
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Costello, Anthony, Tang, Arthur, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The focus of this study was to investigate how a spatial interface can be effectively utilized to support information presentation and information integration via human-centric data visualization, leading to decreased cognitive load, more accurate situation awareness, and subsequently, improved task performance. In high tempo, information intensive environments like those managed by an emergency operations center (EOC), information organization tools are essential. Though users can be trained...
Show moreThe focus of this study was to investigate how a spatial interface can be effectively utilized to support information presentation and information integration via human-centric data visualization, leading to decreased cognitive load, more accurate situation awareness, and subsequently, improved task performance. In high tempo, information intensive environments like those managed by an emergency operations center (EOC), information organization tools are essential. Though users can be trained to use conventional email software applications efficiently, the constraints of the information management paradigms inherent to conventional systems may limit a user's ability to gather context and create an accurate picture of the situation. It is possible that new data visualization techniques and information management paradigms may improve a user's performance far beyond these limits. To address these issues, theories regarding information management, cognitive workload and data visualization paradigms were explored and applied to create a software prototype spatial interface. This study focused on how an individual member of an EOC would need to collect and organize incoming incident reports (e.g., emails) for the purpose of quick analysis and integration. The operator then used this information to build a picture of the event or events taking place in their sphere of influence. Performance metrics were applied to determine whether or not an individual could perform faster and more accurately with the Incident Report Visual Organizer (IRVO) prototype software interface as opposed to a conventional interface (Microsoft Outlook). The findings from this exploratory evaluation are discussed, as well as the potential implications of utilizing spatial interfaces to manage information in dynamic environments.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001770, ucf:47264
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001770
- Title
- TUNABLE LIQUID CRYSTAL PHOTONIC DEVICES.
- Creator
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Fan, Yun-Hsing, Wu, Shin-Tson, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Liquid crystal (LC)-based adaptive optics are important for information processing, optical interconnections, photonics, integrated optics, and optical communications due to their tunable optical properties. In this dissertation, we describe novel liquid crystal photonic devices and their fabrication methods. The devices presented include inhomogeneous polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), polymer network liquid crystals (PNLC) and phase-separated composite film (PSCOF). Liquid crystal...
Show moreLiquid crystal (LC)-based adaptive optics are important for information processing, optical interconnections, photonics, integrated optics, and optical communications due to their tunable optical properties. In this dissertation, we describe novel liquid crystal photonic devices and their fabrication methods. The devices presented include inhomogeneous polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), polymer network liquid crystals (PNLC) and phase-separated composite film (PSCOF). Liquid crystal/polymer composites could exist in different forms depending on the fabrication conditions. In Chap. 3, we demonstrate a novel nanoscale PDLC device that has inhomogeneous droplet size distribution. In such a PDLC, the inhomogeneous droplet size distribution is obtained by exposing the LC/monomer with a non-uniform ultraviolet (UV) light. An electrically tunable-efficiency Fresnel lens is devised for the first time using nanoscale PDLC. The tunable Fresnel lens is very desirable to eliminate the need of external spatial light modulator. Different gradient profiles are obtained by using different photomasks. The nanoscale LC droplets are randomly distributed within the polymer matrix, so that the devices are polarization independent and exhibit a fast response time. Because of the small droplet sizes, the operating voltage is higher than 100 Vrms. To lower the driving voltage, in Chap. 2 and Chap. 3, we have investigated a polymer-network liquid crystal (PNLC) using a rod-like monomer structure. Since the monomer concentration is only about 5%, the operating voltage is below 10 Vrms. The PNLC devices are polarization dependent. To overcome this shortcoming, stacking two cells with orthogonal alignment directions is a possibility. In Chap. 3, another approach to lower the operating voltage is to use phase-separated composite film (PSCOF) where the LC and polymer are separated completely to form two layers. Without multi-domain formed in the LC cell, PSCOF is free from light scattering. Using PNLC and PSCOF, we also demonstrated LC blazed grating and Fresnel lens. The diffraction efficiency of these devices is continuously controlled by the electric field. Besides Fresnel lens, another critical need for imaging and display is to develop a system with continuously tunable focal length. A conventional zooming system controls the lens distance by mechanical motion along the optical axis. This mechanical zooming system is bulky and power hungry. To overcome the bulkiness, in Chap. 4 we developed an electrically tunable-focus flat LC spherical lens which consists of a spherical electrode imbedded in the top flat substrates while a planar electrode on the bottom substrate. The electric field from the spherical and planar electrodes induces a centrosymmetric gradient refractive index distribution within the LC layer which, in turn, causes the focusing effect. The focal length is tunable by the applied voltage. A tunable range from 0.6 m to infinity is achieved. Microlens array is an attractive device for optical communications and projection displays. In Chap. 5, we describe a LC microlens array whose focal length can be switched from positive to negative or vise versa by the applied voltage. The top spherical electrode glass substrate is flattened with a polymer layer. The top convex substrate and LC layer work together like a zoom lens. By tuning the refractive index profile of the LC layer, the focal length of the microlens array can be switched from positive to negative or vise versa. The tunable LC microlens array would be a great replacement of a conventional microlens array which can be moved by mechanical elements. The fast response time feature of our LC microlens array will be very helpful in developing 3-D animated images. A special feature for LC/polymer composites is light scattering. The concept is analogous to the light scattering of clouds which consist of water droplets. In Chap. 6, we demonstrate polymer network liquid crystals for switchable polarizers and optical shutters. The PNLC can present anisotropic or isotropic light scattering behavior depending on the fabrication methods. The use of dual-frequency liquid crystal and special driving scheme leads to a sub-millisecond response time. The applications for display, light shutters, and switchable windows are emphasized. Although polymer networks help to reduce liquid crystal response time, they tend to scatter light. In Chap. 7, for the first time, we demonstrate a fast-response and scattering-free homogeneously-aligned PNLC light modulator. Light scattering in the near-infrared region is suppressed by optimizing the polymer concentration such that the network domain sizes are smaller than the wavelength. As a result, the PNLC response time is ~300X faster than that of a pure LC mixture except that the threshold voltage is increased by ~25X. The PNLC cell also holds promise for mid and long infrared applications where response time is a critical issue.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000545, ucf:46439
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000545
- Title
- THE USE OF THE UCF DRIVING SIMIULATOR TO TEST THE CONTRIBUTION OF LARGER SIZE VEHICLES (LSVS) IN REAR-END COLLISIONS AND RED LIGHT RUNNING ON INTERSECTIONS.
- Creator
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Harb, Rami, Radwan, Essam, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Driving safety has been an issue of great concern in the United States throughout the years. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), in 2003 alone, there were 6,267,000 crashes in the U.S. from which 1,915,000 were injury crashes, including 38,764 fatal crashes and 43,220 human casualties. The U.S. Department of Transportation spends millions of dollars every year on research that aims to improve roadway safety and decrease the number of traffic collisions. In...
Show moreDriving safety has been an issue of great concern in the United States throughout the years. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), in 2003 alone, there were 6,267,000 crashes in the U.S. from which 1,915,000 were injury crashes, including 38,764 fatal crashes and 43,220 human casualties. The U.S. Department of Transportation spends millions of dollars every year on research that aims to improve roadway safety and decrease the number of traffic collisions. In spring 2002, the Center for Advanced Traffic System Simulation (CATSS), at the University of Central Florida, acquired a sophisticated reconfigurable driving simulator. This simulator, which consists of a late model truck cab, or passenger vehicle cab, mounted on a motion base capable of operation with six degrees of freedom, is a great tool for traffic studies. Two applications of the simulator are to study the contribution of Light Truck Vehicles (LTVs) to potential rear-end collisions, the most common type of crashes, which account for about a third of the U.S. traffic crashes, and the involvement of Larger Size Vehicles (LSVs) in red light running. LTVs can obstruct horizontal visibility for the following car driver and has been a major issue, especially at unsignalized intersections. The sudden stop of an LTV, in the shadow of the blindness of the succeeding car driver, may deprive the following vehicle of a sufficient response time, leading to high probability of a rear-end collision. As for LSVs, they can obstruct the vertical visibility of the traffic light for the succeeding car driver on signalized intersection producing a potential red light running for the latter. Two sub-scenarios were developed in the UCF driving simulator for each the vertical and horizontal visibility blockage scenarios. The first sub-scenario is the base sub-scenario for both scenarios, where the simulator car follows a passenger car, and the second sub-scenario is the test sub-scenario, where the simulator car follows an LTV for the horizontal visibility blockage scenario and an LSV for the vertical visibility blockage scenario. A suggested solution for the vertical visibility blockage of the traffic light problem that consisted of adding a traffic signal pole on the right side of the road was also designed in the driving simulator. The results showed that LTVs produce more rear-end collisions at unsignalized intersections due to the horizontal visibility blockage and following car drivers' behavior. The results also showed that LSVs contribute significantly to red light running on signalized intersections and that the addition of a traffic signal pole on the right side of the road reduces the red light running probability.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000626, ucf:46513
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000626
- Title
- HIGH SLEW RATE HIGH-EFFICIENCY DC-DC CONVERTER.
- Creator
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Wang, Xiangcheng, Issa, Batarseh, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Active transient voltage compensator (ATVC) has been proposed to improve VR transient response at high slew rate load, which engages in transient periods operating in MHZ to inject high slew rate current in step up load and recovers energy in step down load. Main VR operates in low switching frequency mainly providing DC current. Parallel ATVC has largely reduced conduction and switching losses. Parallel ATVC also reduces the number of VR bulk capacitors. Combined linear and adaptive...
Show moreActive transient voltage compensator (ATVC) has been proposed to improve VR transient response at high slew rate load, which engages in transient periods operating in MHZ to inject high slew rate current in step up load and recovers energy in step down load. Main VR operates in low switching frequency mainly providing DC current. Parallel ATVC has largely reduced conduction and switching losses. Parallel ATVC also reduces the number of VR bulk capacitors. Combined linear and adaptive nonlinear control has been proposed to reduce delay times in the actual controller, which injects one nonlinear signal in transient periods and simplifies the linear controller design. Switching mode current compensator with nonlinear control in secondary side is proposed to eliminate the effect of opotocoupler, which reduces response times and simplifies the linear controller design in isolated DC-DC converters. A novel control method has been carried out in two-stage isolated DC-DC converter to simplify the control scheme and improve the transient response, allowing for high duty cycle operation and large step-down voltage ratio with high efficiency. A balancing winding network composed of small power rating components is used to mitigate the double pole-zero effect in complementary-controlled isolated DC-DC converter, which simplifies the linear control design and improves the transient response without delay time. A parallel post regulator (PPR) is proposed for wide range input isolated DC-DC converter with secondary side control, which provides small part of output power and most of them are handled by unregulated rectifier with high efficiency. PPR is easy to achieve ZVS in primary side both in wide range input and full load range due to 0.5 duty cycle. PPR has reduced conduction loss and reduced voltage rating in the secondary side due to high turn ratio transformer, resulting in up to 8 percent efficiency improvement in the prototype compared to conventional methods.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001123, ucf:46877
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001123
- Title
- SUPERVISOR EXPECTATIONS, EVENT REPORTING, AND PATIENT SAFETY PERCEPTIONS: EXPLORING POTENTIAL MODERATORS AND MEDIATORS.
- Creator
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Hernandez, Claudia, Burke, Shawn, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Given the high number of errors and negative events committed within medical settings, the emphasis on patient safety culture is becoming more prevalent. Despite this effort, underreporting has been and continues to be an issue in this area. Some research has shown a link between underreporting and lack of management responsiveness, but more work is necessary to identify reasons for underreporting and potential mitigating solutions. The objective of the present research is to answer questions...
Show moreGiven the high number of errors and negative events committed within medical settings, the emphasis on patient safety culture is becoming more prevalent. Despite this effort, underreporting has been and continues to be an issue in this area. Some research has shown a link between underreporting and lack of management responsiveness, but more work is necessary to identify reasons for underreporting and potential mitigating solutions. The objective of the present research is to answer questions regarding the impact supervisors have on staff's patient safety perceptions and event reporting, through the use of archival survey data collected with the AHRQ Hospital Safety Culture Survey (2004). Probable moderators and mediators of key relationships were explored as well. Results are presented and their implications are discussed herein.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000084, ucf:45551
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000084
- Title
- Community Responses to Mass Casualty Events: A Mixed Method Approach.
- Creator
-
Payne, Jeffrey, Handberg, Roger, Dolan, Thomas, Kang, Kyungkook, Knox, Claire, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This dissertation explores how traits of a mass casualty event and community institutionalization affect how a community demonstrates solidarity after a mass casualty event. A systematic examination of mass casualty events along these lines has not been conducted before. Theoretically, individual helping behaviors like altruism help explain individual involvement in demonstrations of solidarity while solidarity and resilience help in explaining group behaviors. A typology is proposed that...
Show moreThis dissertation explores how traits of a mass casualty event and community institutionalization affect how a community demonstrates solidarity after a mass casualty event. A systematic examination of mass casualty events along these lines has not been conducted before. Theoretically, individual helping behaviors like altruism help explain individual involvement in demonstrations of solidarity while solidarity and resilience help in explaining group behaviors. A typology is proposed that breaks up mass casualty events into four different types: terrorism, criminal, weather and accidents. These types of events make up the majority of non-war mass casualty events. Experimentally a sample of students is used to assess how individuals are likely to respond to mass casualty events by gauging how they would respond using five different types of demonstrations of solidarity. Findings suggest that victim type positively influences demonstrations of solidarity while casualty number and event type are only selectively influential. Two cases (Orlando, FL 2016 and San Bernardino, CA 2015) are used to test three hypotheses that are related to how a community demonstrates solidarity after a mass casualty event. Results indicate that victim type positively influences demonstrations of solidarity, particularly through the specific institutions within vulnerable communities that increased access to demonstrations. Additionally, increased institutionalization within the victim community also positively influences demonstrations of solidarity. Furthermore, results suggest that event specific traits do influence demonstrations of solidarity under certain circumstances. However, more empirical research is needed to examine how individuals respond and the exact processes available to communities that would aid in their recovery from such an event.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007850, ucf:52778
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007850
- Title
- Implementation of roles and responsibilities of speech-language pathologists working in schools.
- Creator
-
Nir, Tamar, Ehren, Barbara, Sims, Valerie, Towson, Jacqueline, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine how the roles and responsibilities of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in schools are being implemented, whether speech-language pathologists in schools feel comfortable with their roles, and whether they are willing to engage in professional learning activities to hone knowledge and skills in role areas in order to inform pre-service and in-service learning This study utilized an online survey to collect responses. The survey included questions...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine how the roles and responsibilities of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in schools are being implemented, whether speech-language pathologists in schools feel comfortable with their roles, and whether they are willing to engage in professional learning activities to hone knowledge and skills in role areas in order to inform pre-service and in-service learning This study utilized an online survey to collect responses. The survey included questions related to the rate of implementation, comfort level, and desire for further professional learning with regards to the roles and responsibilities prescribed by American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) for the SLP in the school. Additionally, this survey examined whether SLPs in schools felt that their scope of practice has shifted focus from traditional speech-sound disorders to one of language/literacy disorders, whether they received adequate support from the schools and/or districts, and whether their university programs prepared them for clinical practice. A total of 609 SLPs participated in this study, with 98% being female. Most participants were between the ages of 45-64 years (45%).The results of this study indicated that with regards to rate of implementation and comfort level, participant responses varied depending on the role and responsibility. Sixty-one percent of participants were confident with critical roles, or roles/responsibilities that are typically considered cornerstones of the practice of speech-language pathology. Participants tended to be less confident with roles related to collaboration and leadership. With regards to the additional questions addressed by this study, over 50% of participants agreed that their career has shifted in focus from traditional speech-sound disorders to one of language/literacy disorders, and that they received adequate support from their school and/or district. Participants also tended to agree that their university program prepared them well for clinical practice and that they desired more professional learning for the delineated roles/responsibilities that they did not feel confident implementing. The implications of this study are that despite overall ratings of frequent implementation and comfort with certain roles/responsibilities, there are still areas that SLPs require further education in order to hone their skills within the context of the expanding landscape of speech-language pathology. An in-depth summary of the data, limitations of the study, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007509, ucf:52656
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007509
- Title
- Cultural Responsiveness and K-12 English Learners: Exploring Policy and Implementation Fidelity.
- Creator
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Raubaugh, Lauren, Purmensky, Kerry, Grissom, Donita, Nutta, Joyce, Johnson, Jerry, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This critical policy analysis and collective case study, informed by ethnographic techniques, involved reviews of twelve Florida school district ESOL policies (included within the 2016-2019 District English Language Learner Plans, required of all Florida districts to complete) whose English learner (EL) populations met or exceeded ten percent (10%) of their total enrollment. A priori coding of these policy documents was conducted using nine criteria pulled from the literature on culturally...
Show moreThis critical policy analysis and collective case study, informed by ethnographic techniques, involved reviews of twelve Florida school district ESOL policies (included within the 2016-2019 District English Language Learner Plans, required of all Florida districts to complete) whose English learner (EL) populations met or exceeded ten percent (10%) of their total enrollment. A priori coding of these policy documents was conducted using nine criteria pulled from the literature on culturally responsive practice (CRP), which served as the theoretical framework for the study. Subsequent observations and practitioner interviews within two schools from the same district were conducted in order to ascertain how practice seemed to align with policy, how these practices differed from site to site despite their location within the same district, and ultimately to assess the efficacy of observed pedagogical and administrative practices within the theoretical framework of CRP. Results were mixed and indicated a lack of consistency across the board in terms of policy, implementation, and culturally responsive practice.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007711, ucf:52443
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007711
- Title
- GOOD GUYS DON'T ALWAYS FINISH LAST: THE MODERATING ROLE OF BRAND EXTENSION FIT ON PRODUCT EVALUATIONS BASED ON CORPORATE ABILITY (CA) AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) ASSOCIATIONS.
- Creator
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Johnson, Zachary, Mao, Huifang, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Termed corporate associations, consumer corporate brand perceptions influence evaluations of new products made by consumers. Corporate associations are conceptualized as falling within two categories (Brown and Dacin 1997): a corporation may develop a reputation for Corporate Ability (CA) by developing quality products or for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through its corporate commitment to societal obligations. Past research suggests that product-related CA associations lead to more...
Show moreTermed corporate associations, consumer corporate brand perceptions influence evaluations of new products made by consumers. Corporate associations are conceptualized as falling within two categories (Brown and Dacin 1997): a corporation may develop a reputation for Corporate Ability (CA) by developing quality products or for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through its corporate commitment to societal obligations. Past research suggests that product-related CA associations lead to more favorable product evaluations than CSR, which is a contextual association that is less product-related. However, past research has been limited to line extensions, which are evaluated in a piecemeal cognitive process. Unlike line extensions, evaluations of brand extensions include an intervening categorization process that determines consumers' evaluative strategies. This research merges the corporate association and brand extension literature streams and, in four studies, contributes to the literature by establishing that brand extension fit moderates the influence of corporate associations on product evaluations. This finding is developed further by demonstrating that both individual differences (self-construal) and brand-related attributes moderate this interaction.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004015, ucf:49164
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004015
- Title
- FATHERS' LANGUAGE INFLUENCE ON THEIR SIX-MONTH-OLD INFANTS' VOCALIZATION DURING FREE-PLAY.
- Creator
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Xia, Lu, Culp, Rex, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Data for this study were derived from videotapes of 26 father-infant dyads, specifically from a five minute period of free-play. The first step was the creation of a literal transcription of the father-infant dyads interaction. Subsequently, nine variables of fathers' language characteristics and one infant characteristic were coded employing the literal transcriptions and observing the videotapes. The fathers' language variables were number of : (1) father utterances, (2) father...
Show moreData for this study were derived from videotapes of 26 father-infant dyads, specifically from a five minute period of free-play. The first step was the creation of a literal transcription of the father-infant dyads interaction. Subsequently, nine variables of fathers' language characteristics and one infant characteristic were coded employing the literal transcriptions and observing the videotapes. The fathers' language variables were number of : (1) father utterances, (2) father words, (3) father contingent responses, (4) father teaching utterances, (5) father descriptive teaching utterances, (6) father directive teaching utterances - making commands, (7) father directive teaching utterance – asking questions, (8) percentage of father teaching utterances, and (9) mean length of father utterances (MLU). The infant variable was number of vocalizations. Eight out of the nine variables were positively correlated to infant vocalizations, indicating the importance of fathers input in child language development. The only negative correlation in the present study was between Mean Length of Utterance (MLU) and infant vocalizations and the possible reasons are discussed. The findings support the idea that there are positive relationships between fathers' language characteristics and infant vocalizations. Recommendations are made that fathers should be involved in early intervention programs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003229, ucf:48553
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003229
- Title
- More Than Money: Corporate Social Performance and Reporting and the Effect on Economic Performance.
- Creator
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Zahller, Kimberly, Roberts, Robin, Arnold, Vicky, Trompeter, Gregory, Folger, Robert, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The three studies in this dissertation explore the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Financial Performance (CFP). CSR consists of social, ethical, and environmental performance dimensions that have not traditionally appeared in mandated financial reports and largely reflect societal expectations for corporate behavior beyond legal and regulatory constraints. CSR is reflected in both corporate actions (performance outcomes) and voluntary reporting ...
Show moreThe three studies in this dissertation explore the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Financial Performance (CFP). CSR consists of social, ethical, and environmental performance dimensions that have not traditionally appeared in mandated financial reports and largely reflect societal expectations for corporate behavior beyond legal and regulatory constraints. CSR is reflected in both corporate actions (performance outcomes) and voluntary reporting (disclosure), and the two are not necessarily equivalent due to managerial discretion in disclosure. Although the mechanisms remain unclear, the general consensus is that there is a positive relationship between CSR and CFP. In considering the drivers and goals of CSR, two themes emerge and are used to inform these papers: a stakeholder view of organizational relationships and the need to signal legitimacy in the face of changing social norms. A stakeholder view asserts that a wide range of groups across society are important to the long-term success and health of the organization. Legitimacy theory provides the explanation of why the stakeholder view is important to organizational success and can produce significant strategic advantages. The first study utilizes archival data in an exploration of how to model the relationship between Corporate Social Performance (CSP) and CFP. Using independent evaluations of organizational CSP from KLD STATS, I explore the CSP-CFP relationship at four different levels (overall CSP, component CSP, directional component CSP, and issue-based component CSP). I consider the effect of CSP on a range of outcome measures of CFP performance, at different levels of aggregated performance measures and linkage to stakeholder groups. Finally, I explore the pattern of significant CSP components on individual CFP outcome measures to determine if there is evidence for changing associations based on relevant stakeholder groups, in answer to concerns raised by prior research (Wood and Jones 1995; Orlitzky, Schmidt, and Rynes 2003). I find that (a) stock market measures are extremely insensitive to CSP; (b) the appropriate measurement level of CSP varies with the degree to which the CFP measure is aggregated and attributable to a more focused group of stakeholders; and (c) significant CSP aspects and associated CFP outcomes do vary in patterns and sensitivity. The second study examines the role voluntary social disclosure plays in economic performance through an attribute I term resilience. Resilience influences stakeholder resource allocation decisions in the face of unexpected poor performance attributable to an exogenous shock and is associated with perceived organizational legitimacy. To test this model, an experiment is conducted in which participants are asked to assess the perceived legitimacy of an organization based on information characteristics of voluntary CSR disclosure and then to make reallocation decisions in the face of poor performance caused by an industry crisis not involving the underlying organization. I find that high quality disclosure (driven by reporting accuracy) is significantly associated with greater perceived legitimacy. In turn, the legitimacy construct is significantly associated with resilience following an exogenous shock. The final study considers organizational choices in CSR disclosure to preserve credibility in the face of a crisis threatening the legitimacy of the institutional framework. Using qualitative data surrounding the turbulent 2001 (-) 2002 period encompassing the Enron and WorldCom scandals and the fall of Andersen, I examine organizational voluntary disclosure decisions to ascertain how they sought to preserve their own informational credibility and legitimacy in the face of a threat that did not directly involve their actions. I find that organizations responded throughout this period by increasing signals of both transparency (greater CSR disclosure) and credibility (greater use of external sources of assurance of that disclosure). I also find that third-party assurance was not widely used, and remained at a steady, minimal percentage over time. Overwhelmingly, organizations turned to the implementation of an independent, external reporting framework (e.g., the Global Reporting Initiative's widespread guidelines) that provided consistency and comparability in their reporting, made use of standardized measurements and definitions, and required specific items and measures.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004465, ucf:49328
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004465
- Title
- Formative Assessment: Benefit For All.
- Creator
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Wallace, William, Dixon, Juli, Dieker, Lisa, Andreasen, Janet, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study investigated how formative assessment implemented in a fifth grade mathematics classroom with a student response system and a student self-evaluative tool affected student self-assessment. Data were collected through individual student and focus group interviews, self-assessment sheets, and teacher reflections.Formative assessment is a low stakes classroom assessment that is an assessment for learning. This study used a student response system to convey feedback from the formative...
Show moreThis study investigated how formative assessment implemented in a fifth grade mathematics classroom with a student response system and a student self-evaluative tool affected student self-assessment. Data were collected through individual student and focus group interviews, self-assessment sheets, and teacher reflections.Formative assessment is a low stakes classroom assessment that is an assessment for learning. This study used a student response system to convey feedback from the formative assessment to both students and teacher during instruction. The student self-assessment sheet was implemented to provide a more dynamic level of feedback for students than what could be provided through the student response system alone.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004955, ucf:49584
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004955
- Title
- The Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility on Service Recovery Evaluations in Casual Dining Restaurants.
- Creator
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Albus, Heidi, Ro, Hee Jung, Parsa, Haragopal, Kwun, David, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study examined the effects of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on service recovery in terms of customer satisfaction, repeat patronage, word of mouth, and consumer trust in casual dining restaurants. More specifically, this study proposed that CSR will have a halo effect on negative service recovery incidents and mitigate the adverse effects of the poor recovery. An experimental study consisting of a 3x2 between subjects factorial design was used. Three CSR conditions (positive,...
Show moreThis study examined the effects of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on service recovery in terms of customer satisfaction, repeat patronage, word of mouth, and consumer trust in casual dining restaurants. More specifically, this study proposed that CSR will have a halo effect on negative service recovery incidents and mitigate the adverse effects of the poor recovery. An experimental study consisting of a 3x2 between subjects factorial design was used. Three CSR conditions (positive, negative, and no CSR) were matched with two service recovery conditions (positive or negative). Four hundred and eighteen subjects were recruited by a reputed marketing research firm. Results of this study showed that CSR and service recovery have a significant effect on customer satisfaction, repeat patronage, word of mouth, and consumer trust in casual dining restaurants. Furthermore, the results showed that CSR enhances the positive effects of good service recovery.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004348, ucf:49418
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004348
- Title
- Cholera toxin activates the unfolded protein response through an adenylate cyclase-independent mechanism.
- Creator
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Vanbennekom, Neyda, Teter, Kenneth, Tatulian, Suren, Jewett, Mollie, Zervos, Antonis, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Cholera toxin (CT) is a bacterial protein toxin responsible for the gastrointestinal disease known as cholera. CT stimulates its own entry into intestinal cells after binding to cell surface receptors. Once internalized, CT is delivered via vesicle-mediated transport to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where the CTA1 subunit dissociates from the rest of the toxin and is exported (or translocated) into the cytosol. CTA1 translocates from the ER lumen into the host cytosol by exploiting a host...
Show moreCholera toxin (CT) is a bacterial protein toxin responsible for the gastrointestinal disease known as cholera. CT stimulates its own entry into intestinal cells after binding to cell surface receptors. Once internalized, CT is delivered via vesicle-mediated transport to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where the CTA1 subunit dissociates from the rest of the toxin and is exported (or translocated) into the cytosol. CTA1 translocates from the ER lumen into the host cytosol by exploiting a host quality control mechanism called ER-associated degradation (ERAD) that facilitates the translocation of misfolded proteins into the cytosol for degradation. Cytosolic CTA1, however, escapes this fate and is then free to activate its target, heterotrimeric G-protein subunit alpha (Gs?), leading to adenlyate cyclase (AC) hyperactivation and increased cAMP concentrations. This causes the secretion of chloride ions and water into the intestinal lumen. The result is severe diarrhea and dehydration which are the major symptoms of cholera. CTA1's ability to exploit vesicle-mediated transport and ERAD for cytosolic entry demonstrates a potential link between cholera intoxication and a separate quality control mechanism called the unfolded protein response (UPR), which up-regulates vesicle-mediated transport and ERAD during ER stress. Other toxins in the same family such as ricin and Shiga toxin were shown to regulate the UPR, resulting in enhanced intoxication.Here, we show UPR activation by CT, which coincides with a marked increase in cytosolic CTA1 after 4 hours of toxin exposure. Drug induced-UPR activation also increases CTA1 delivery to the cytosol and increases cAMP concentrations during intoxication. We investigated whether CT stimulated UPR activation through Gs? or AC. Chemical activation of Gs? induced the UPR and increased CTA1 delivery to the cytosol. However, AC activation did not increase cytosolic CTA1 nor did it activate the UPR. These data provide further insight into the molecular mechanisms that cause cholera intoxication and suggest a novel role for Gs? during intoxication, which is UPR activation via an AC-independent mechanism.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004951, ucf:49560
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004951
- Title
- A PERSONAL EXPLORATION INTO THE ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A THEATRE TEACHING ARTIST.
- Creator
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Dunn , Amie, Weaver , Earl, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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As an artist in the field of theatre for young audiences, I encounter many definitions of ÂÂ'teaching artist,ÂÂ' and within each definition lies a new set of physical, educational, and psychological responsibilities. While the term ÂÂ'teaching artistÂÂ' continues to evolve and grow, I am interested in exploring a common struggle among teaching artists: What does it mean to be an ethical and responsible...
Show moreAs an artist in the field of theatre for young audiences, I encounter many definitions of ÂÂ'teaching artist,ÂÂ' and within each definition lies a new set of physical, educational, and psychological responsibilities. While the term ÂÂ'teaching artistÂÂ' continues to evolve and grow, I am interested in exploring a common struggle among teaching artists: What does it mean to be an ethical and responsible teaching artist? This thesis allows me to create a personal definition of ÂÂ'teaching artistÂÂ' while exploring the relationship between responsibility, ethics, and community-based teaching. I begin by formulating my current understanding and beliefs about what it means to be a responsible teaching artist. I research how others in the TYA field, specifically Michael Rohd, Stephani Etheridge Woodson and Barbara McKean have dealt with issues of ethics and responsibility through four specific questions: How does my personal culture, race, gender, sexual orientation, and beliefs positively or negatively affect the work I do with young people? How does a teaching artist manage an environment in which there are inherently therapeutic qualities, without stepping into the role of therapist, and maintain a healthy relationship with the young people and the work? How do teaching artists maneuver through a structure where the ideologies of the teacher are guiding the project on a macro level but not a micro level? Is it possible or necessary to share responsibility with young people? As a reflective artist I canÂÂ't help but question, challenge, and rethink choices I make in facilitation. I would venture to say it would be irresponsible not to do so. I am hopeful this exploration will not only improve my personal teaching but also allow and inspire others to take a look at their practice in terms of ethics and responsibility.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003012, ucf:48339
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003012
