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Title: Synchronous Communication System for SAW Sensors Interrogation.
Creator: Troshin, Maxim, Malocha, Donald, Jones, W, Gong, Xun, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: During past two decades a variety of SAW based wireless sensors were invented and research is still in progress. As different frequencies, varied bandwidths, coding techniques and constantly changing post processing algorithms are being implemented, there is a constant need for a universal and adjustable synchronous communication system able to interrogate new generations of SAW sensors. This thesis presents the design of a multiple FPGA based communication system with an operational...
Show moreDuring past two decades a variety of SAW based wireless sensors were invented and research is still in progress. As different frequencies, varied bandwidths, coding techniques and constantly changing post processing algorithms are being implemented, there is a constant need for a universal and adjustable synchronous communication system able to interrogate new generations of SAW sensors. This thesis presents the design of a multiple FPGA based communication system with an operational frequency range of 450MHz-2.2GHz capable of producing user programmed modulated signal. The synchronous receiver is designed to have interchangeable chip, replacement of which would allow adjustment of the receiver's bandwidth. Within this paper the performance of the system is only evaluated at 915MHz centered 20MHz bandwidth region. An OFC temperature sensor was interrogated. Post-processing algorithms, measurement results, and proposals for the future use of the system are presented. Detailed overview of the structure and performance of every functional block along with design considerations are analyzed. Previously designed Matlab based software was adapted for post processing of the received signal. New software with simplified GUI was designed for programming of the desired signal.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004270, ucf:49543
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004270

Title: NUTRIENT AND PATHOGEN REMOVAL IN A SUBSURFACE UPFLOW WETLAND SYSTEM USING GREEN SORPTION MEDIA.
Creator: Xuan, Zhemin, Chang, Ni-Bin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Due to environmental health and nutrient impact concerns, the conventional on-site sewage collection, treatment, and disposal systems are no longer able to meet the nutrient reduction requirements for wastewater effluent and may represent a large fraction of pollutant loads. The loads include not only nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), but also pathogens such as fecal coliform and E. coli which indicate the presence of other disease-causing bacteria flowing into aquatic system that adversely...
Show moreDue to environmental health and nutrient impact concerns, the conventional on-site sewage collection, treatment, and disposal systems are no longer able to meet the nutrient reduction requirements for wastewater effluent and may represent a large fraction of pollutant loads. The loads include not only nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), but also pathogens such as fecal coliform and E. coli which indicate the presence of other disease-causing bacteria flowing into aquatic system that adversely affect public health. A subsurface upflow wetland, which is an effective small-scale wastewater treatment system with low energy and maintenance requirements and operational costs, fits the current nutrient and pathogen removal situation having received wide attention throughout the world. Within this research study, a subsurface upflow wetland system (SUW), including four parallel SUW (three planted versus one unplanted), were constructed as a key component of the septic tank system receiving 454 liters per day (120 GPD) influent using the green sorption media along with selected plant species. It was proved effective in removing both nutrients and pathogens. During a one month test run, the planted wetlands achieved a removal efficiency of 84.2%, 97.3 %, 98.93 % and 99.92%, compared to the control wetland, 10.5%, 85.7 %, 99.74 % and 100.0 %, in total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), fecal coli and E.Coli, respectively. Denitrification was proved to be the dominant pathway for removing N as evidenced by the mass balance and real-time PCR analyses. A simplified compartmental dynamics simulation model of constructed subsurface upflow wetlands was also developed to provide a dependable reference and tool for design of constructed subsurface upflow wetland.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002967, ucf:47964
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002967

Title: DEFENDED NEIGHBORHOODS AND ORGANIZED CRIME: DOES ORGANIZED CRIME LOWER STREET CRIME?.
Creator: Marshall, Hollianne, Corzine, Jay, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The literature suggests that neighborhoods with organized criminal networks would have lower crime rates than other neighborhoods or communities, because of the social control their organization exerts on residents and visitors. The strictly organized Italian-American Mafia seems to have characteristics that would translate throughout the neighborhood: People will not participate in overt illegal behaviors because they do not know who is watching, and the fear of what the Mafia might do keeps...
Show moreThe literature suggests that neighborhoods with organized criminal networks would have lower crime rates than other neighborhoods or communities, because of the social control their organization exerts on residents and visitors. The strictly organized Italian-American Mafia seems to have characteristics that would translate throughout the neighborhood: People will not participate in overt illegal behaviors because they do not know who is watching, and the fear of what the Mafia might do keeps residents and visitors to the neighborhood relatively well-behaved. Using crime statistics from the NYPD and census data for neighborhood characteristics, four linear regressions were calculated. The results indicate that low socioeconomic status is the main factor explaining neighborhood crime rate variations in New York City. The percent of the population under 18 and density were also listed as influential factors for some variables. The percent of foreign-born Italians was noted as significant in the correlation models, though it is not yet clear what this might truly indicate. The proxy variable for Mafia presence was not significant, and this can either be due to inaccuracies of the measurement of the variable or a true decrease in the influence of Mafia presence after the string of RICO arrests in the 1980s and 1990s. The results imply that Mafia presence does not influence neighborhood social control, but they do reinforce social disorganization theory. The foundation of this theory is neighborhood stability; the more unstable a neighborhood is, the more susceptible the neighborhood is to crime and dysfunction. Factors like low socioeconomic status and density influence neighborhood stability. Future research should attempt to have more accurate representations of Mafia presence and neighborhood characteristics.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002751, ucf:48112
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002751

Title: DIGITAL PULSE WIDTH MODULATOR TECHNIQUES FOR DC - DC CONVERTERS.
Creator: Batarseh, Majd, Batarseh, Issa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Recent research activities focused on improving the steady-state as well as the dynamic behavior of DC - DC converters for proper system performance, by proposing different design methods and control approaches with growing tendency to using digital implementation over analog practices. Because of the rapid advancement in semiconductors and microprocessor industry, digital control grew in popularity among PWM converters and is taking over analog techniques due to availability of fast speed...
Show moreRecent research activities focused on improving the steady-state as well as the dynamic behavior of DC - DC converters for proper system performance, by proposing different design methods and control approaches with growing tendency to using digital implementation over analog practices. Because of the rapid advancement in semiconductors and microprocessor industry, digital control grew in popularity among PWM converters and is taking over analog techniques due to availability of fast speed microprocessors, flexibility and immunity to noise and environmental variations. Furthermore, increased interest in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) makes it a convenient design platform for digitally controlled converters. The objective of this research is to propose new digital control schemes, aiming to improve the steady-state and transient responses of a high switching frequency FPGA-based digitally controlled DC-DC converters. The target is to achieve enhanced performance in terms of tight regulation with minimum power consumption and high efficiency at steady-state, as well as shorter settling time with optimal over- and undershoots during transients. The main task is to develop new and innovative digital PWM techniques in order to achieve: 1. Tight regulation at steady-state: by proposing high resolution DPWM architecture,based on Digital Clock Management (DCM) resources available on FPGA boards. The proposed architecture Window-Masked Segmented Digital Clock Manager-FPGA based Digital Pulse Width Modulator Technique, is designed to achieve high resolution operating at high switching frequencies with minimum power consumption. 2. Enhanced dynamic response: by applying a shift to the basic saw-tooth DPWM signal, in order to benefit from the best linearity and simplest architecture offered by the conventional counter-comparator DPWM. This proposed control scheme will help the compensator reach the steady-state value faster. Dynamically Shifted Ramp Digital Control Technique for Improved Transient Response in DC-DC Converters, is projected to enhance the transient response by dynamically controlling the ramp signal of the DPWM unit.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003055, ucf:48314
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003055

Title: THREE STUDIES INVESTIGATING THE LEGAL LIABILITY IMPLICATIONS OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002.
Creator: Phillips, Jillian, Arnold, Vicky, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation examines the litigation and legal liability exposure of auditors related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). Three separate studies were conducted to examine how auditorÃ‚Â's litigation exposure is evaluated by potential litigants (lawyers), and how auditor liability is evaluated by jurors, following the bankruptcy of a client. The first study examines whether the auditorÃ‚Â's SOX Section 404 reporting decisions influence...
Show moreThis dissertation examines the litigation and legal liability exposure of auditors related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). Three separate studies were conducted to examine how auditorÃ‚Â's litigation exposure is evaluated by potential litigants (lawyers), and how auditor liability is evaluated by jurors, following the bankruptcy of a client. The first study examines whether the auditorÃ‚Â's SOX Section 404 reporting decisions influence lawyersÃ‚Â' assessments of their litigation exposure. The second study investigates whether voluntary disclosures of significant deficiencies in internal controls within the SOX Section 404 report, and the subjectivity of the internal control judgments made by the auditor, influence jurorsÃ‚Â' perceptions of auditor liability for negligence. The third study examines how the requirements of SOX Section 302 related to audit committee independence and audit committee expertise influence jurorsÃ‚Â' perceptions of auditor independence and auditor liability for negligence. Overall, these three studies provide insights on how different provisions of SOX, specifically the Section 404 report and audit committee requirements, influence the likelihood that auditors will be sued and the likelihood that they will be held liable by a jury.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003340, ucf:48480
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003340

Title: Coordinated Optimal Power Planning of Wind Turbines in an Offshore Wind Farm.
Creator: Vishwakarma, Puneet, Xu, Yunjun, Kapat, Jayanta, Kauffman, Jeffrey, Behal, Aman, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Wind energy is on an upswing due to climate concerns and increasing energy demands on conventional sources. Wind energy is attractive and has the potential to dramatically reduce the dependency on non-renewable energy resources. With the increase in wind farms there is a need to improve the efficiency in power allocation and power generation among wind turbines. Wake interferences among wind turbines can lower the overall efficiency considerably, while offshore conditions pose increased...
Show moreWind energy is on an upswing due to climate concerns and increasing energy demands on conventional sources. Wind energy is attractive and has the potential to dramatically reduce the dependency on non-renewable energy resources. With the increase in wind farms there is a need to improve the efficiency in power allocation and power generation among wind turbines. Wake interferences among wind turbines can lower the overall efficiency considerably, while offshore conditions pose increased loading on wind turbines. In wind farms, wind turbines' wake affects each other depending on their positions and operation modes. Therefore it becomes essential to optimize the wind farm power production as a whole than to just focus on individual wind turbines. The work presented here develops a hierarchical power optimization algorithm for wind farms. The algorithm includes a cooperative level (or higher level) and an individual level (or lower level) for power coordination and planning in a wind farm. The higher level scheme formulates and solves a quadratic constrained programming problem to allocate power to wind turbines in the farm while considering the aerodynamic effect of the wake interaction among the turbines and the power generation capabilities of the wind turbines. In the lower level, optimization algorithm is based on a leader-follower structure driven by the local pursuit strategy. The local pursuit strategy connects the cooperative level power allocation and the individual level power generation in a leader-follower arrangement. The leader, could be a virtual entity and dictates the overall objective, while the followers are real wind turbines considering realistic constraints, such as tower deflection limits. A nonlinear wind turbine dynamics model is adopted for the low level study with loading and other constraints considered in the optimization. The stability of the algorithm in the low level is analyzed for the wind turbine angular velocity. Simulations are used to show the advantages of the method such as the ability to handle non-square input matrix, non-homogenous dynamics, and scalability in computational cost with rise in the number of wind turbines in the wind farm.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005899, ucf:50896
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005899

Title: Performance Evaluation of Two Silt Fence Geosynthetic Fabrics During and After Rainfall Event.
Creator: Dubinsky, Gregg, Chopra, Manoj, Randall, Andrew, Wang, Dingbao, Gogo-Abite, Ikiensinma, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Silt fence is one of the most widely used perimeter control devices and is considered an industry standard for use in the control of sediment transport from construction sites. Numerous research studies have been conducted on the use of silt fence as a perimeter control, including a number of studies involving controlled laboratory flume tests and outdoor tests performed in the field on construction sites with actual monitored storm events. In field tests, due to the random and uncontrollable...
Show moreSilt fence is one of the most widely used perimeter control devices and is considered an industry standard for use in the control of sediment transport from construction sites. Numerous research studies have been conducted on the use of silt fence as a perimeter control, including a number of studies involving controlled laboratory flume tests and outdoor tests performed in the field on construction sites with actual monitored storm events. In field tests, due to the random and uncontrollable nature of real storm events and field conditions, studies have shown difficulty in evaluating silt fence performance. These field studies have shown the need for performance testing of silt fence in a more controlled environment, which can also simulate the actual use and performance in the field. This research, which is a continuation of ongoing research on silt fence fabrics at UCF Stormwater and Management Academy, was conducted in order to evaluate silt fence performance under simulated field conditions. Presented in this thesis are evaluation of two silt fence fabrics, a woven (ASR 1400) fabric and nonwoven (BSRF) fabric. Both fabrics were installed separately on a tilted test bed filled with a silty-sand soil and subjected to simulated rainfall.Previous field studies on the performance of silt fence fabrics have evaluated the turbidity and sediment removal efficiencies only after the rain event, with the assumption that the efficiency values represent the true overall performance of silt fence. The results of this study revealed that the turbidity and suspended sediment performance efficiencies of silt fence were significantly affected by the time of sampling. The performance efficiencies during rainfall remained less than 55 percent, however, after the rainfall event ended, the performance efficiencies increased over time, reaching performance efficiency upwards of 90 percent. The increase in efficiency after rainfall was due to the constant or decreasing ponding depth behind the silt fence, increased filtration due to fabric clogging, and sedimentation of suspended particles.The nonwoven fabric was found to achieve higher removal efficiencies and flow-through rates both during and after the rain event when compared with the woven fabric. However, over the entire test duration (during and after rainfall combined), the projected overall efficiencies of both fabrics were similar. The projected overall average turbidity performance efficiencies of the woven and nonwoven silt fence fabrics was 80 and 78 percent, respectively. Both fabric types also achieved comparable overall average suspended sediment concentration efficiencies of 79 percent. This result leads to the conclusion that silt fence performance in the field is dependent on three main processes: filtration efficiency occurring during the rain event, filtration and sedimentation efficiency occurring after the rainfall event, and flow-through rate of the silt fence fabrics. Decreases in the flow-through rate lead to increases in the overall efficiency. This thesis quantifies the different mechanisms by which these processes contribute to the overall efficiency of the silt fence system and shows how these processes are affected by different conditions such as the degree of embankment slope and rainfall intensity.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005158, ucf:50688
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005158

Title: An Unsupervised Consensus Control Chart Pattern Recognition Framework.
Creator: Haghtalab, Siavash, Xanthopoulos, Petros, Pazour, Jennifer, Rabelo, Luis, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Early identification and detection of abnormal time series patterns is vital for a number of manufacturing.Slide shifts and alterations of time series patterns might be indicative of some anomalyin the production process, such as machinery malfunction. Usually due to the continuous flow of data monitoring of manufacturing processes requires automated Control Chart Pattern Recognition(CCPR) algorithms. The majority of CCPR literature consists of supervised classification algorithms. Less...
Show moreEarly identification and detection of abnormal time series patterns is vital for a number of manufacturing.Slide shifts and alterations of time series patterns might be indicative of some anomalyin the production process, such as machinery malfunction. Usually due to the continuous flow of data monitoring of manufacturing processes requires automated Control Chart Pattern Recognition(CCPR) algorithms. The majority of CCPR literature consists of supervised classification algorithms. Less studies consider unsupervised versions of the problem. Despite the profound advantageof unsupervised methodology for less manual data labeling their use is limited due to thefact that their performance is not robust enough for practical purposes. In this study we propose the use of a consensus clustering framework. Computational results show robust behavior compared to individual clustering algorithms.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005178, ucf:50670
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005178

Title: Data-driven Predictive Analytics For Distributed Smart Grid Control: Optimization of Energy Storage, Voltage and Demand Response.
Creator: Valizadehhaghi, Hamed, Qu, Zhihua, Behal, Aman, Atia, George, Turgut, Damla, Pensky, Marianna, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The smart grid is expected to support an interconnected network of self-contained microgrids. Nonetheless, the distributed integration of renewable generation and demand response adds complexity to the control and optimization of smart grid. Forecasts are essential due to the existence of stochastic variations and uncertainty. Forecasting data are spatio-temporal which means that the data correspond to regular intervals, say every hour, and the analysis has to take account of spatial...
Show moreThe smart grid is expected to support an interconnected network of self-contained microgrids. Nonetheless, the distributed integration of renewable generation and demand response adds complexity to the control and optimization of smart grid. Forecasts are essential due to the existence of stochastic variations and uncertainty. Forecasting data are spatio-temporal which means that the data correspond to regular intervals, say every hour, and the analysis has to take account of spatial dependence among the distributed generators or locations. Hence, smart grid operations must take account of, and in fact benefit from the temporal dependence as well as the spatial dependence. This is particularly important considering the buffering effect of energy storage devices such as batteries, heating/cooling systems and electric vehicles. The data infrastructure of smart grid is the key to address these challenges, however, how to utilize stochastic modeling and forecasting tools for optimal and reliable planning, operation and control of smart grid remains an open issue.Utilities are seeking to become more proactive in decision-making, adjusting their strategies based on realistic predictive views into the future, thus allowing them to side-step problems and capitalize on the smart grid technologies, such as energy storage, that are now being deployed atscale. Predictive analytics, capable of managing intermittent loads, renewables, rapidly changing weather patterns and other grid conditions, represent the ultimate goal for smart grid capabilities.Within this framework, this dissertation develops high-performance analytics, such as predictive analytics, and ways of employing analytics to improve distributed and cooperative optimization software which proves to be the most significant value-add in the smart grid age, as new network management technologies prove reliable and fundamental. Proposed optimization and control approaches for active and reactive power control are robust to variations and offer a certain level of optimality by combining real-time control with hours-ahead network operation schemes. The main objective is managing spatial and temporal availability of the energy resources in different look-ahead time horizons. Stochastic distributed optimization is realized by integrating a distributed sub-gradient method with conditional ensemble predictions of the energy storage capacity and distributed generation. Hence, the obtained solutions can reflect on the system requirements for the upcoming times along with the instantaneous cooperation between distributed resources. As an important issue for smart grid, the conditional ensembles are studied for capturing wind, photovoltaic, and vehicle-to-grid availability variations. The following objectives are pursued:- Spatio-temporal adaptive modeling of data including electricity demand, electric vehicles and renewable energy (wind and solar power)- Predictive data analytics and forecasting- Distributed control- Integration of energy storage systemsFull distributional characterization and spatio-temporal modeling of data ensembles are utilized in order to retain the conditional and temporal interdependence between projection data and available capacity. Then, by imposing measures of the most likely ensembles, the distributed control method is carried out for cooperative optimization of the renewable generation and energy storage within the smart grid.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006408, ucf:51481
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006408

Title: Three Studies Examining The Effects of Informal Management Control Systems and Incentive Compensation Schemes on Employees' Performance.
Creator: Akinyele, Kazeem, Arnold, Vicky, Sutton, Steven, Tian, Yu, Libby, Theresa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation is comprised of three studies investigating the effects of informal management control systems (MCS) and different types of incentive compensation schemes on employees' performance. Prior research describes informal MCS as implicit sets of structures that management adopts to encourage employees to act in a way that aligns with overall organizational goals (Berry et al. 2009). Management usually puts informal MCS in place to inspire self-regulation behaviors among employees;...
Show moreThis dissertation is comprised of three studies investigating the effects of informal management control systems (MCS) and different types of incentive compensation schemes on employees' performance. Prior research describes informal MCS as implicit sets of structures that management adopts to encourage employees to act in a way that aligns with overall organizational goals (Berry et al. 2009). Management usually puts informal MCS in place to inspire self-regulation behaviors among employees; hence, management may not reward or penalize employee behavior that is consistent or inconsistent with this informal MCS (Berry et al. 2009; Christ et al. 2008). Informal controls are implied by social pressures, such as employees' feedback, and management communication, such as a value statement or the organizational culture, where no explicit enforcement measures exist (Berry et al. 2009; Kachelmeier, Thornock and Williamson 2015). The first study examines whether the presence of a value statement (an informal MCS) can be used to motivate employees to perform important, but uncompensated subsequent tasks. The second study extends the first study by examining whether the interactive method of delivery of a value statement (informal MCS) can be used in conjunction with an incentive scheme to improve employees' performance. Lastly, the third study investigates the impact of an important aspect of organizational context, specifically organizational culture (informal MCS), and different types of incentive compensation schemes on strategy surrogation. The first study investigates whether the presence of a value statement (an informal MCS) can be used to motivate employees to perform important, but uncompensated tasks. Additionally, this study seeks to examine the type of incentive scheme that will result in the highest subsequent uncompensated task performance in the presence of an organizational value statement. Considering that incentive contracts cannot completely govern all the employees' responsibilities (Christ, Emett, Summers and Wood 2012), this study investigates how employees will perform their important but uncompensated tasks. The study shows that under fixed pay compensation, the presence of a value statement improves the performance of employees compared to the absence of a value statement. Conversely, under a piece rate incentive compensation, the presence of a value statement negatively influences the performance of employees in the important but uncompensated task. The study also shows that the intrinsic motivation of employees operating under piece rate compensation is more likely to be crowded out by their incentive pay relative to employees operating under a fixed wage. The second study examines whether the interactive method of delivery of a value statement (informal MCS) through electronic integration can be used in conjunction with an incentive scheme to improve employees' performance. Prior research shows that effectiveness of incentive systems is influenced by the presence or absence of a nonbinding value statement in the organization. A value statement is a declaration that communicates an organization's priorities and core beliefs to its customers and employees. Drawing upon the mere-exposure effect, the results of the study show that the employees who experience the interactive delivery of a value statement do not perform significantly better than employees who experience the passive delivery of a value statement. However, employees who receive a piece-rate incentive perform significantly better than employees who receive a fixed pay incentive. As predicted, the method of delivery of an organizational value statement moderates the effectiveness of a fixed pay incentive scheme.The third study draws upon the theory of inattentional blindness to investigate whether different types of organizational culture, control dominant or flexibility dominant, impacts strategy surrogation. Strategy surrogation occurs when managers focus on the measures in the SPMS on which they are compensated and completely or partially lose focus on the overall strategic objectives of the organization (Choi et al. 2012, 2013). Organizational culture is defined as a set of dominant values, beliefs, and assumptions that governs how people behave in organizations (Henri 2006). The results of the study show that there is no significant difference between employees operating under a control-dominant culture and employees operating under a flexibility-dominant culture. Similarly, the type of organizational culture does not moderate the relationship between incentive systems and strategy surrogation. However, employees operating under a pay-for-performance compensation scheme significantly surrogate more than employees operating under a fixed pay compensation scheme.Collectively these studies contribute to management accounting research by examining how different types of informal MCS such as organizational value statement and organizational culture interact with incentive compensation scheme. Specifically, these three studies highlight how and when we can use informal MCS to improve employees' performance as well as their decision making in the organization. Study one contributes to research and practice by highlighting situations where a pay-for-performance incentive scheme may result in unintended consequences. Study two contributes to the management control literature by demonstrating how utilizing technology can enhance the delivery of an organization's value statement and ultimately improve employees' performance. Study three contributes to the incentives and organizational culture literature as well as strategy surrogation research by examining institutional factors that may inhibit or exacerbate surrogation.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0006850, ucf:51783
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006850

Title: Investigating the Impact of Levels of Experience on Workload During Nuclear Power Plant Operations.
Creator: Harris, Jonathan, Reinerman, Lauren, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hancock, Peter, Barber, Daniel, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The human-machine interface (HMI) of a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Main Control Room (MCR) is complex. Understanding HMI factors that influence Reactor Operator (RO) performance and workload when controlling an NPP is important. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) began a program of research known as the Human Performance Test Facility (HPTF) with the goal of collecting human performance data to better understand cognitive and physical elements that support safe control room operation. The...
Show moreThe human-machine interface (HMI) of a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Main Control Room (MCR) is complex. Understanding HMI factors that influence Reactor Operator (RO) performance and workload when controlling an NPP is important. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) began a program of research known as the Human Performance Test Facility (HPTF) with the goal of collecting human performance data to better understand cognitive and physical elements that support safe control room operation. The HPTF team developed an experimental methodology to evaluate workload using perceived ratings, performance measures, and physiological correlates. This methodology focuses on tasks commonly performed during operations in an NPP. These tasks include monitoring plant parameters, following defined procedures, and manipulating controls to change the state of the NPP. O'Hara and colleagues developed a framework for task classification. Reinerman-Jones and colleagues modified this framework such that monitoring and detection are separate task types. The task types (i.e., checking, detection, and response implementation) selected for experimentation are composed of steps within defined operating procedures that are rule-based. Testing workload using sufficient numbers of ROs is impractical due to limited availability. The HPTF has developed the (")equal but different(") principle. This principle attempts to simplify complex tasks, such that novices can perform them and experience equivalent workload trends as an expert would when performing the original task. The validity of using the (")equal but different(") principle with novices in place of experts is uncertain. This research addresses this uncertainty by comparing novices and experts using the (")equal but different(") principle. Novices performed four tasks within each of the three task types using a simplified Instrument and Control (I(&)C) panel and a reduced 3-way communication instruction set. Experts performed the same four tasks within each task type with a fully configured I(&)C panel and a complete 3-way instruction set. Overall, the experts across the three task types tended to rate level of perceived workload lower than novices. However, experts also rated themselves as performing worse for the three task types than novices. Experts performed better than novices when it came to identifying correct I(&)C; however, their 3-way communication performance was worse. Physiological measures from EEG between the two groups were not statistically different. ECG findings did show a slight difference.The methodology and associated findings has applicability for MCR designs and regulation recommendations. Novice populations are easier to access than experts and the present research shows that when properly designed, novices can serve in complex operator positions.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0006946, ucf:51634
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006946

Title: Extracurricular Activities and Substance Use Among Adolescents: A Test of Social Control and Social Learning Theory.
Creator: Coto, Lynnette, Ford, Jason, Corzine, Harold, Reckdenwald, Amy, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The current research examines correlates of adolescent substance use with a focus on extracurricular activities. Given that marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug, and binge drinking can have an early onset the examinations of these two substances were important. Many studies have researched the correlation between substance use and sports, but have not included other extracurricular activities such as academic and fine art clubs. The current research fills this gap in the literature...
Show moreThe current research examines correlates of adolescent substance use with a focus on extracurricular activities. Given that marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug, and binge drinking can have an early onset the examinations of these two substances were important. Many studies have researched the correlation between substance use and sports, but have not included other extracurricular activities such as academic and fine art clubs. The current research fills this gap in the literature by using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) and by testing Hirschi's (1969) Social Control Theory and Aker's (1985) Social Learning Theory. The current research identified fine art and academic clubs as protective factors for adolescent substance use. There is limited research on the link between adolescent substance use and extracurricular activities and based on my findings that academic and fine arts clubs can decrease the likelihood of substance use, continued research is needed to better identify users, causes for risk and preventative factors, short and long term ramifications, and the theoretical correlations of use.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006287, ucf:51607
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006287

Title: Chasing "Plan A": Identity Development of First-Generation College Student-Athletes.
Creator: Warner, Alexandra, Anthony, Amanda, Grauerholz, Liz, Gay, David, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Student-athletes competing at the university level face a unique set of stressors, pressures, and experiences. While all students will inevitably face difficulties transitioning from high school to post-secondary education, collegiate athletes bear the burden of balancing at least two demanding public roles, student and athlete, along with other interpersonal relationships, such as friendships, familial ties, and connections with teammates and coaches. The current study examines the identity...
Show moreStudent-athletes competing at the university level face a unique set of stressors, pressures, and experiences. While all students will inevitably face difficulties transitioning from high school to post-secondary education, collegiate athletes bear the burden of balancing at least two demanding public roles, student and athlete, along with other interpersonal relationships, such as friendships, familial ties, and connections with teammates and coaches. The current study examines the identity development of college student-athletes and the challenges they face as they transition into and through their involvement in higher education and intercollegiate sports. This project in particular focuses on how the gendered experiences of student-athletes affects their identity development through the lens of Identity Control Theory. The data, drawn from in-depth interviews with 19 Division 1 first-generation student-athletes, explore how student-athletes balance their multiple roles, and thus negotiate their athletic performance, academic concerns, autonomy, and potential stereotypes. It is vital to determine the best practices for first-generation student-athlete success in order to promote positive socialization and encourage college completion through an understanding of what programs can better support student-athletes as students, athletes, and individuals.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006194, ucf:51088
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006194

Title: Trace Contaminant Control: An In-Depth Study of a Silica-Titania Composite for Photocatalytic Remediation of Closed-Environment Habitat Air.
Creator: Coutts, Janelle, Yestrebsky, Cherie, Clausen, Christian, Sigman, Michael, Elsheimer, Seth, Wheeler, Raymond, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This collection of studies focuses on a photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) system for the oxidation of a model compound, ethanol (EtOH), using an adsorption-enhanced silica-titania composite (STC) as the photocatalyst. Studies are aimed at addressing the optimization of various parameters including light source, humidity, temperature, and possible poisoning events for use as part of a system for gaseous trace contaminant control in closed-environment habitats.The first goal was to distinguish the...
Show moreThis collection of studies focuses on a photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) system for the oxidation of a model compound, ethanol (EtOH), using an adsorption-enhanced silica-titania composite (STC) as the photocatalyst. Studies are aimed at addressing the optimization of various parameters including light source, humidity, temperature, and possible poisoning events for use as part of a system for gaseous trace contaminant control in closed-environment habitats.The first goal was to distinguish the effect of photon flux (i.e., photons per unit time reaching a surface) from that of photon energy (i.e., wavelength) of a photon source on the PCO of ethanol. Experiments were conducted in a bench-scale annular reactor packed with STC pellets and irradiated with either a UV-A fluorescent black light blue lamp (?peak = 365 nm) at its maximum light intensity or a UV-C germicidal lamp (?peak = 254 nm) at three levels of light intensity. The STC-catalyzed oxidation of ethanol was found to follow zero-order kinetics with respect to CO2 production, regardless of the photon source. Increased photon flux led to increased EtOH removal, mineralization, and oxidation rate accompanied by lower intermediate concentration in the effluent. The oxidation rate was higher in the reactor irradiated by UV-C than by UV-A (38.4 vs. 31.9 nM s-1) at the same photon flux, with similar trends for mineralization (53.9 vs. 43.4%) and photonic efficiency (63.3 vs. 50.1 nmol CO2 (&)#181;mol photons-1). UV-C irradiation also led to decreased intermediate concentration in the effluent compared to UV-A irradiation. These results demonstrated that STC-catalyzed oxidation is enhanced by both increased photon flux and photon energy.The effect of temperature and relative humidity on the STC-catalyzed degradation of ethanol was also determined using the UV-A light source at its maximum intensity. Increasing temperature from 25(&)deg;C to 65(&)deg;C caused a significant decrease in ethanol adsorption (47.1% loss in adsorption capacity); minimal changes in EtOH removal; and a dramatic increase in mineralization (37.3 vs. 74.8%), PCO rate (25.8 vs. 53.2 nM s-1), and photonic efficiency (42.7 vs. 82.5 nmol CO2 (&)#181;mol photons-1); as well as a decrease in intermediate acetaldehyde (ACD) evolution in the effluent. By elevating the reactor temperature to 45(&)deg;C, an ~32% increase in photonic efficiency was obtained over the use of UV-C irradiation at room temperature. Increasing the reactor temperature also allowed for increased energy usage efficiency by utilizing both the light and heat energy of the UV-A light source. Higher relative humidity (RH) also caused a significant decrease (16.8 vs. 6.0 mg EtOH g STC-1) in ethanol adsorption and dark adsorption 95% breakthrough times (48.5 vs.16.8 hours). Trends developed for ethanol adsorption correlated well with studies using methanol as the target VOC on a molar basis. At higher RH, ethanol removal and ACD evolution were increased while mineralization, PCO rate, and photonic efficiency were decreased. These studies allowed for the development of empirical formulas to approximate EtOH removal, PCO rate, mineralization, and ACD evolution based on the parameters (light intensity, temperature, and RH) assessed.Poisoning events included long-term exposure to low-VOC laboratory air and episodic spikes of either Freon 218 or hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane. To date, all poisoning studies have shown minimal (0-6%) decreases in PCO rates, mineralization, and minimal increases in ACD evolution, with little change in EtOH removal. These results show great promise for this technology as part of a trace contaminant control system for niche applications such as air processing onboard the ISS or other new spacecrafts.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005092, ucf:50741
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005092

Title: Control of Metal-Release and Tuberculation in a Silica-Laden Groundwater Distribution System on the Volcanic Island of Lana'i.
Creator: Myers, Samantha, Duranceau, Steven, Sadmani, A H M Anwar, Lee, Woo Hyoung, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: A corrosion control study for two distinct water distribution systems (WDS) has been completed for the Pulama Lana'i Water Company (Pulama). This project evaluated the use of chemical inhibitors to control corrosion and tuberculation within the Manele Bay WDS and the Lana'i City WDS. Pulama provides water to a population of 3,100 residents and is considering incorporating alternative water supplies in the future. Hence, knowing baseline corrosion rates within the WDS was desired.Several...
Show moreA corrosion control study for two distinct water distribution systems (WDS) has been completed for the Pulama Lana'i Water Company (Pulama). This project evaluated the use of chemical inhibitors to control corrosion and tuberculation within the Manele Bay WDS and the Lana'i City WDS. Pulama provides water to a population of 3,100 residents and is considering incorporating alternative water supplies in the future. Hence, knowing baseline corrosion rates within the WDS was desired.Several groundwater wells feed each of the WDS's; however, water quality between wells varies. Well water supplied to the WDS's is generally of high quality, therefore, the historical treatment method has been limited to disinfection prior to distribution. The distribution system consists of several materials of construction, which includes galvanized iron. Valves and pipes within the WDS were experiencing visible corrosion and tuberculation believed to be responsible for variable pressure drop throughout portions of the system.In this work, two corrosion racks, each consisting of two parallel loops, were designed, constructed, and installed at each site. One loop was maintained as a control while the other loop was used for testing alternative corrosion inhibitors. The racks utilized metal sample coupons and linear polarization resistance probes to provide data on corrosion rates of selected metals of interest.Results indicated that the water in Manele Bay experienced no noticeable change between the test loop and control loop when a corrosion inhibitor was added. A first experiment found the corrosion rates reached baseline steady(-)state at 4,000 operational hours. A second experiment found that the corrosion rates reached baseline steady(-)state at 2,200 operational hours. During these two experiments, the addition of a phosphate or silica(-)based inhibitor neither reduced nor increased the corrosion rates of mild steel, lead, and copper.Results from Lana'i City indicated that inhibitors offered little to no positive effect between the control condition and the test condition. During the first experiment, baseline corrosion was reached after 2,400 hours. The addition of a phosphate inhibitor did not reduce nor increase the corrosion rates of mild steel and lead. However, the corrosion rate of copper increased to 1.0mpy from 0.22mpy. The corrosion rate remained elevated after inhibitor feed was terminated. The second experiment reached baseline corrosion rates at 1,400 operational hours. The use of silica inhibitor neither reduced nor increased the corrosion rate of mil steel, lead, and copper.Since corrosion inhibitors were found to be ineffective, a valve exercise and replacement program for Pulama's assets was recommended. This program included: (1) developing a detailed asset inventory, (2) implementing operation and maintenance tasks, (3) forming a valve replacement plan, and (4) establishing long range financial planning. An opinion of probable replacement cost for 200 new valves was conceptually estimated to approximate 3.3 million dollars expended over a 20 year time frame.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006152, ucf:51152
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006152

Title: Planning and Control of Swarm Motion as Continua.
Creator: Rastgoftar, Hossein, Jayasuriya, Suhada, Das, Tuhin, Xu, Chengying, Qu, Zhihua, Simaan, Marwan, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In this thesis, new algorithms for formation control of multi agent systems (MAS) based on continuum mechanics principles will be investigated. For this purpose agents of the MAS are treated as particles in a continuum, evolving in an n-D space, whose desired configuration is required to satisfy an admissible deformation function. Considered is a specific class of mappings that is called homogenous where the Jacobian of the mapping is only a function of time and is not spatially varying. The...
Show moreIn this thesis, new algorithms for formation control of multi agent systems (MAS) based on continuum mechanics principles will be investigated. For this purpose agents of the MAS are treated as particles in a continuum, evolving in an n-D space, whose desired configuration is required to satisfy an admissible deformation function. Considered is a specific class of mappings that is called homogenous where the Jacobian of the mapping is only a function of time and is not spatially varying. The primary objectives of this thesis are to develop the necessary theory and its validation via simulation on a mobile-agent based swarm test bed that includes two primary tasks: 1) homogenous transformation of MAS and 2) deployment of a random distribution of agents on to a desired configuration. Developed will be a framework based on homogenous transformations for the evolution of a MAS in an n-D space (n=1, 2, and 3), under two scenarios: 1) no inter-agent communication (predefined motion plan); and 2) local inter-agent communication. Additionally, homogenous transformations based on communication protocols will be used to deploy an arbitrary distribution of a MAS on to a desired curve. Homogenous transformation with no communication: A homogenous transformation of a MAS, evolving in an R^n space, under zero inter agent communication is first considered. Here the homogenous mapping, is characterized by an n x n Jacobian matrix Q(t) and an n x 1 rigid body displacement vector D(t), that are based on positions of n+1 agents of the MAS, called leader agents. The designed Jacobian Q(t) and rigid body displacement vector D(t) are passed onto rest of the agents of the MAS, called followers, who will then use that information to update their positions under a pre-defined motion plan. Consequently, the motion of MAS will evolve as a homogenous transformation of the initial configuration without explicit communication among agents. Homogenous Transformation under Local Communication: We develop a framework for homogenous transformation of MAS, evolving in R^n, under a local inter agent communication topology. Here we assume that some agents are the leaders, that are transformed homogenously in an n-D space. In addition, every follower agent of the MAS communicates with some local agents to update its position, in order to grasp the homogenous mapping that is prescribed by the leader agents. We show that some distance ratios that are assigned based on initial formation, if preserved, lead to asymptotic convergence of the initial formation to a final formation under a homogenous mapping.Deployment of a Random Distribution on a Desired Manifold: Deployment of agents of a MAS, moving in a plane, on to a desired curve, is a task that is considered as an application of the proposed approach. In particular, a 2-D MAS evolution problem is considered as two 1-D MAS evolution problems, where x or y coordinates of the position of all agents are modeled as points confined to move on a straight line. Then, for every coordinate of MAS evolution, bulk motion is controlled by two agents considered leaders that move independently, with rest of the follower agents motions evolving through each follower agent communicating with two adjacent agents.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004915, ucf:49640
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004915

Title: Treatment-Specific Approaches for Analysis and Control of Left Ventricular Assist Devices.
Creator: Farag Allah, George, Simaan, Marwan, Qu, Zhihua, Haralambous, Michael, Kassab, Alain, Divo, Eduardo, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: A Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a mechanical pump that helps patients with heart failure conditions. This rotary pump works in parallel to the ailing heart and provides an alternative path for blood flow from the weak left ventricle to the aorta. The LVAD is controlled by the power supplied to the pump motor. An increase in the pump motor power increases the pump speed and the pump flow. The LVAD is typically controlled at a fixed setting of pump power. This basically means that...
Show moreA Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a mechanical pump that helps patients with heart failure conditions. This rotary pump works in parallel to the ailing heart and provides an alternative path for blood flow from the weak left ventricle to the aorta. The LVAD is controlled by the power supplied to the pump motor. An increase in the pump motor power increases the pump speed and the pump flow. The LVAD is typically controlled at a fixed setting of pump power. This basically means that the controller does not react to any change in the activity level of the patient. An important engineering challenge is to develop an LVAD feedback controller that can automatically adjusts its pump motor power so that the resulting pump flow matches the physiological demand of the patient. To this end, the development of a mathematical model that can be used to accurately simulate the interaction between the cardiovascular system of the patient and the LVAD is essential for the controller design. The use of such a dynamic model helps engineers and physicians in testing their theories, assessing the effectiveness of prescribed treatments, and understanding in depth the characteristics of this coupled bio-mechanical system.The first contribution of this dissertation is the development of a pump power-based model for the cardiovascular-LVAD system. Previously, the mathematical models in the literature assume availability of the pump speed as an independent control variable. In reality, however, the device is controlled by pump motor power which, in turn, produces the rotational pump speed. The nonlinear relationship between the supplied power and the speed is derived, and interesting observations about the pump speed signal are documented.The second contribution is the development of a feedback controller for patients using an LVAD as either a destination therapy or a bridge to transplant device. The main objective of designing this controller is to provide a physiological demand of the patient equivalent of that of a healthy individual. Since the device is implanted for a long period of time, this objective is chosen to allow the patient to live a life as close to normal as possible.The third contribution is an analysis of the aortic valve dynamics under the support of an LVAD. The aortic valve may experiences a permanent closure when the LVAD pump power is increased too much. The permanent closure of the aortic valve can be very harmful to the patients using the device as a bridge to recovery treatments. The analysis illustrates the various changes in the hemodynamic variables of the patient as a result of aortic valve closing. The results establish the relationship between the activity level and the heart failure severity with respect to the duration of the aortic valve opening.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005491, ucf:50354
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005491

Title: An Analysis of the Protected-Permitted Left Turn at Intersections with a Varying Number of Opposing Through Lanes.
Creator: Navarro, Alexander, Radwan, Essam, Abou-Senna, Hatem, Abdel-Aty, Mohamed, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The Flashing Yellow Arrow Left Turn signal is quickly becoming prominent in Central Florida as a new method of handling left turns at traffic signals. While the concept of a protected-permitted left turn is not groundbreaking, the departure from the typical display of a five-section signal head is, for this type of operation. The signal head introduced is a four-section head with a flashing yellow arrow between the yellow and green arrows. With this signal head quickly becoming the standard,...
Show moreThe Flashing Yellow Arrow Left Turn signal is quickly becoming prominent in Central Florida as a new method of handling left turns at traffic signals. While the concept of a protected-permitted left turn is not groundbreaking, the departure from the typical display of a five-section signal head is, for this type of operation. The signal head introduced is a four-section head with a flashing yellow arrow between the yellow and green arrows. With this signal head quickly becoming the standard, there is a need to re-evaluate the operational characteristics of the left turning vehicle and advance the knowledge of the significant parameters that may affect the ability for a driver to make a left turn at a signalized intersection. With previous research into the behavioral and operational characteristics of the flashing yellow arrow conducted, there is more information becoming available about the differences between this signal and the previously accepted method of allowing left turns at an intersection. The protected-permitted signal is typically displayed at an intersection with up to two through lanes and generally a protected signal is installed when the number of through lanes increases above two unless specific criteria is met. With the advent of larger arterials and more traffic on the highway networks, the push to operate these intersections at their maximum efficiency has resulted in more of these protected-permitted signals being present at these larger intersections, including the flashing yellow arrow.The core of the research that follows is a comparative analysis of the operation and parameters that affect the left turn movement of the intersection with larger geometry to that of the smaller geometry. The significant parameters of the left turn movement were examined through means of collecting, organizing and analyzing just over 68 hours of field data. This research details the determining of the significant parameters based on the generation of a simulation model of the protected left turn using Synchro, a traffic simulation package, and regression models using field driven data to determine the significant parameters for predicting the number of left turns that can be made in the permitted phase under specific operating conditions. Intuitively, there is an expectation that a larger intersection will not allow for as many permitted lefts as a smaller intersection with all conditions remaining the same. The conclusions drawn from this analysis provide the framework to understanding the similarities and the differences that are encountered when the intersection geometry differs and help to more efficiently manage traffic at signalized intersections.The work of this field promises to enhance the operations of the left turning movement for traffic control devices. With an understanding of the statistical models generated, a broader base of knowledge is gained as to the significant parameters that affect a driver's ability to make the left turn. A discussion of the statistical differences and between the models generated from the small and large geometry intersections is critical to drive further research into standards being developed for the highway transportation network and the treatment of these large signalized intersections. The exploration of specific parameters to predict the number of permitted left turns will yield results as to if there is more to be considered with larger intersections moving forward as they become a standard sight on the roadway network.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005387, ucf:50440
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005387

Title: Exploring the Hows and the Whos: The Effects of Self-Regulation Prompting and Goal Orientation on the e-Learning Process.
Creator: Benishek, Lauren, Salas, Eduardo, Joseph, Dana, Jentsch, Florian, Burke, Shawn, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study investigated the effects that self-regulation prompts and goal orientation may exhibit on self-regulatory processes and subsequent learning. Specifically, a moderated mediation model was developed to explain how self-regulation prompts interact with prove performance goal orientation to affect two mediational processes, time on task and self-regulatory activity, and ultimately impact learning within a learner-controlled e-learning environment. To assess these hypotheses, an online...
Show moreThis study investigated the effects that self-regulation prompts and goal orientation may exhibit on self-regulatory processes and subsequent learning. Specifically, a moderated mediation model was developed to explain how self-regulation prompts interact with prove performance goal orientation to affect two mediational processes, time on task and self-regulatory activity, and ultimately impact learning within a learner-controlled e-learning environment. To assess these hypotheses, an online Microsoft Excel instructional program was developed wherein 197 participants had control over when and where they completed training, the content they reviewed, the delivery medium (text-based or video-based), and the sequencing and pace at which they progressed through training. Participants in the experimental condition were periodically asked questions (i.e., self-regulation prompts) designed to encourage self-assessment of learning progress and strategies. All participants completed questionnaires before and after training. Findings did not support the hypothesized model. Implications and limitations as well as recommendations for future research will be discussed.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005463, ucf:50382
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005463

Title: Advertising Risk: A Comparative Content Analysis of Contraceptive Advertisements Targeting Black and White Women.
Creator: Rogers, Tiffany, Carter, Shannon, Grauerholz, Liz, Broome, Amy, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This research compared contraceptive advertisements in two top-circulated publications for white and African American female subscribers, Cosmopolitan and Essence. Data consisted of a sample of 172 contraceptive advertisements from the two magazines published between 1992 and 2012. Quantitative analysis focused on the model(s)' race, age, marital status, and socioeconomic status; the type of contraceptive being advertised; and the reason stated in the ad for using the product. This analysis...
Show moreThis research compared contraceptive advertisements in two top-circulated publications for white and African American female subscribers, Cosmopolitan and Essence. Data consisted of a sample of 172 contraceptive advertisements from the two magazines published between 1992 and 2012. Quantitative analysis focused on the model(s)' race, age, marital status, and socioeconomic status; the type of contraceptive being advertised; and the reason stated in the ad for using the product. This analysis determined a disparity in the rate of advertisement of doctor-administered contraceptives for the publications of 25.4 percent in Essence magazine and 9.5 percent in Cosmopolitan magazine. Black women were targeted with long-term, doctor-administered birth control ads more frequently than white women over a twenty-year period, which correlates with findings of previous studies suggesting minority women receive these types of birth control more often than their white counterparts. Qualitative analysis focused on the written messages in the advertisements. This analysis identified the theme of risk as a prominent message of advertisements, appealing to concerns surrounding health, desirability, freedom and pregnancy.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFE0005406, ucf:50408
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005406

Control (7)	+ -
control (7)	+ -
Digital Control (6)	+ -
simulation (5)	+ -
Adaptive Control (4)	+ -

Robotics (4)	+ -
cooperative control (4)	+ -
digital control (4)	+ -
locus of control (4)	+ -
Control Systems (3)	+ -
Motor Control (3)	+ -
Noise control (3)	+ -
corrosion control (3)	+ -
corrosion inhibitor (3)	+ -
gender (3)	+ -
gun control (3)	+ -
intimate partner violence (3)	+ -
modeling (3)	+ -
nonholonomic (3)	+ -
optimal control (3)	+ -
robust control (3)	+ -
social control (3)	+ -
soft switching (3)	+ -
workload (3)	+ -
Adolescents (2)	+ -
Bandwidth (2)	+ -
Cerebellum (2)	+ -
Compatibilism (2)	+ -
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ETD Collection (183)	+ -
Honors Collection (18)	+ -
PRISM: Political & Rights Issues & Social Movements (2)	+ -

University of Central Florida (195)	+ -
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Qu, Zhihua (16)	+ -
Xu, Yunjun (15)	+ -
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