Current Search: Quality (x)
Pages
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Title
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An Analysis of 8th Grade Student Achievement of Private and Public Schools in the Dominican Republic in Rural and Urban Settings.
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Creator
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Boyd, Daniel, Taylor, Rosemarye, Baldwin, Lee, Doherty, Walter, Flanigan, Jacquelyn, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in student academic achievement in private and public schools in the Dominican Republic in rural and urban settings. The 2016 8th Grade National Exams school mean scale scores were analyzed to determine if statistically significant differences existed among the different school types and school settings. There was a lack of literature on student academic achievement in the Dominican Republic, in particular on private and public school...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine the difference in student academic achievement in private and public schools in the Dominican Republic in rural and urban settings. The 2016 8th Grade National Exams school mean scale scores were analyzed to determine if statistically significant differences existed among the different school types and school settings. There was a lack of literature on student academic achievement in the Dominican Republic, in particular on private and public school and rural and urban school students. The extant literature indicated that in the Dominican Republic, private school students historically had higher academic achievement on standardized exams than public school students. The higher student academic achievement of private school students followed the trend of student academic achievement in Latin America and the Caribbean. This study found statistically significant differences between private and public schools, rural private and rural public schools, and between urban private and urban public schools, in favor of private schools. These results provide evidence for school district leaders and school administrators to use in decision making about how to raise student academic achievement in rural and urban areas. The findings also contribute to the gap in literature on private and public school student academic achievement in the Dominican Republic and Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Date Issued
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2018
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Identifier
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CFE0007561, ucf:52613
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007561
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Title
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THE EFFECTS OF PHOSPHATE AND SILICATE INHIBITORS ON SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND COPPER RELEASE IN WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS.
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Creator
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MacNevin, David, Taylor, James, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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The effects of corrosion inhibitors on water quality and the distribution system were studied. This dissertation investigates the effect of inhibitors on iron surface roughness, copper surface roughness, and copper release. Corrosion inhibitors included blended poly/ortho phosphate, sodium orthophosphate, zinc orthophosphate, and sodium silicate. These inhibitors were added to a blend of surface water, groundwater, and desalinated brackish water. Surface roughness of galvanized iron, unlined...
Show moreThe effects of corrosion inhibitors on water quality and the distribution system were studied. This dissertation investigates the effect of inhibitors on iron surface roughness, copper surface roughness, and copper release. Corrosion inhibitors included blended poly/ortho phosphate, sodium orthophosphate, zinc orthophosphate, and sodium silicate. These inhibitors were added to a blend of surface water, groundwater, and desalinated brackish water. Surface roughness of galvanized iron, unlined cast iron, lined cast iron, and polyvinyl chloride was measured using pipe coupons exposed for three months. Roughness of each pipe coupon was measured with an optical surface profiler before and after exposure to inhibitors. For most materials, inhibitor did not have a significant effect on surface roughness; instead, the most significant factor determining the final surface roughness was the initial surface roughness. Coupons with low initial surface roughness tended to have an increase in surface roughness during exposure, and vice versa, implying that surface roughness tended to regress towards an average or equilibrium value. For unlined cast iron, increased alkalinity and increased temperature tended to correspond with increases in surface roughness. Unlined cast iron coupons receiving phosphate inhibitors were more likely to have a significant change in surface roughness, suggesting that phosphate inhibitors affect stability of iron pipe scales. Similar roughness data collected with new copper coupons showed that elevated orthophosphate, alkalinity, and temperature were all factors associated with increased copper surface roughness. The greatest increases in surface roughness were observed with copper coupons receiving phosphate inhibitors. Smaller increases were observed with copper coupons receiving silicate inhibitor or no inhibitor. With phosphate inhibitors, elevated temperature and alkalinity were associated with larger increases in surface roughness and blue-green copper (II) scales.. Otherwise a compact, dull red copper (I) scale was observed. These data suggest that phosphate inhibitor addition corresponds with changes in surface morphology, and surface composition, including the oxidation state of copper solids. The effects of corrosion inhibitors on copper surface chemistry and cuprosolvency were investigated. Most copper scales had X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy binding energies consistent with a mixture of Cu2O, CuO, Cu(OH)2, and other copper (II) salts. Orthophosphate and silica were detected on copper surfaces exposed to each inhibitor. All phosphate and silicate inhibitors reduced copper release relative to the no inhibitor treatments, keeping total copper below the 1.3 mg/L MCLG for all water quality blends. All three kinds of phosphate inhibitors, when added at 1 mg/L as P, corresponded with a 60% reduction in copper release relative to the no inhibitor control. On average, this percent reduction was consistent across varying water quality conditions in all four phases. Similarly when silicate inhibitor was added at 6 mg/L as SiO2, this corresponded with a 25-40% reduction in copper release relative to the no inhibitor control. Hence, on average, for the given inhibitors and doses, phosphate inhibitors provided more predictable control of copper release across changing water quality conditions. A plot of cupric ion concentration versus orthophosphate concentration showed a decrease in copper release consistent with mechanistic control by either cupric phosphate solubility or a diffusion limiting phosphate film. Thermodynamic models were developed to identify feasible controlling solids. For the no inhibitor treatment, Cu(OH)2 provided the closest prediction of copper release. With phosphate inhibitors both Cu(OH)2 and Cu(PO4)·2H2O models provided plausible predictions. Similarly, with silicate inhibitor, the Cu(OH)2 and CuSiO3·H2O models provided plausible predictions.
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Date Issued
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2008
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Identifier
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CFE0002001, ucf:47621
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002001
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Title
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ARE APPROACHES TO TEACHING AND/OR STUDENT EVALUATION OF INSTRUCTION SCORES RELATED TO THE AMOUNT OF FACULTY FORMAL EDUATIONAL COURSEWORK?.
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Creator
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Schellhase, Kristen, Boote, David, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to investigate if there are correlations among an instructor's approach to teaching, student evaluation of instruction outcomes, and the amount of formal coursework in education a teacher has completed. Three research questions provided the focus for the study: (1) to determine if there is a correlation between the number of formal educational courses taken by athletic training educational program (ATEP) faculty and their approach to teaching; (2) to...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate if there are correlations among an instructor's approach to teaching, student evaluation of instruction outcomes, and the amount of formal coursework in education a teacher has completed. Three research questions provided the focus for the study: (1) to determine if there is a correlation between the number of formal educational courses taken by athletic training educational program (ATEP) faculty and their approach to teaching; (2) to determine if there is a correlation between the amount of formal educational courses taken by ATEP faculty and their students' evaluations of instruction; and (3) to determine if there is a relationship between faculty's approach to teaching and students' evaluations of instruction. The population for the study was certified athletic trainers working as full-time faculty in ATEPs in the State of Florida. Data were generated using all eligible faculty from 10 of the 13 universities in Florida that offer Athletic Training Educational Programs. The study included faculty who teach in large and small ATEPs. Faculty from public and private, large and small universities were also represented. The faculty completed questionnaires that included demographic information, the Approaches to Teaching Inventory (ATI-R) and the Students' Evaluation of Educational Quality (SEEQ) questionnaire. Based on the research findings, there is clear evidence that there is a lack of uniformity among ATEP faculty in the area of formal exposure to pedagogy and curriculum. 17.6% (n = 3) of respondents earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and 18.8% (n = 3) of respondents earned a master's degree in education, health education, or physical education. Of the 77.8% (n = 14) of respondents who completed or were in progress with a doctoral degree, 42.9% (n = 6) degrees were related to education. Faculty reported completing a mean of 9.25 courses related to education (SD = 7.39). The number of educational courses taken ranged from 0 to 25 courses. The study demonstrates that there is a correlation of large effect size between the amount of formal educational coursework and the SEEQ subscale value of "Assignments/Readings." In addition, the "Assignments/Readings" and "Learning/Academic Value" subscale scores on the SEEQ were significantly higher when instructors had completed more than 10 educational courses. The study found moderate and large correlations and medium and large effect sizes between the scores of 7 of the 8 remaining SEEQ subscales and the number of education courses taken by faculty. In addition, there was a moderate correlation and medium effect size between the total score of the SEEQ and the number of education courses taken by faculty. Though statistically non-significant, each of these correlations were positive and may demonstrate a need for the study to be replicated using greater statistical power.
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Date Issued
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2009
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Identifier
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CFE0002767, ucf:48128
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002767
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Title
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Mahalanobis kernel-based support vector data description for detection of large shifts in mean vector.
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Creator
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Nguyen, Vu, Maboudou, Edgard, Nickerson, David, Schott, James, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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Statistical process control (SPC) applies the science of statistics to various process control in order to provide higher-quality products and better services. The K chart is one among the many important tools that SPC offers. Creation of the K chart is based on Support Vector Data Description (SVDD), a popular data classifier method inspired by Support Vector Machine (SVM). As any methods associated with SVM, SVDD benefits from a wide variety of choices of kernel, which determines the...
Show moreStatistical process control (SPC) applies the science of statistics to various process control in order to provide higher-quality products and better services. The K chart is one among the many important tools that SPC offers. Creation of the K chart is based on Support Vector Data Description (SVDD), a popular data classifier method inspired by Support Vector Machine (SVM). As any methods associated with SVM, SVDD benefits from a wide variety of choices of kernel, which determines the effectiveness of the whole model. Among the most popular choices is the Euclidean distance-based Gaussian kernel, which enables SVDD to obtain a flexible data description, thus enhances its overall predictive capability. This thesis explores an even more robust approach by incorporating the Mahalanobis distance-based kernel (hereinafter referred to as Mahalanobis kernel) to SVDD and compare it with SVDD using the traditional Gaussian kernel. Method's sensitivity is benchmarked by Average Run Lengths obtained from multiple Monte Carlo simulations. Data of such simulations are generated from multivariate normal, multivariate Student's (t), and multivariate gamma populations using R, a popular software environment for statistical computing. One case study is also discussed using a real data set received from Halberg Chronobiology Center. Compared to Gaussian kernel, Mahalanobis kernel makes SVDD and thus the K chart significantly more sensitive to shifts in mean vector, and also in covariance matrix.
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Date Issued
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2015
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Identifier
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CFE0005676, ucf:50170
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005676
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Title
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A formative evaluation of a technology-mediated alternative to traditional study abroad.
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Creator
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Howard, Wendy, Gunter, Glenda, Ramirez, Bernardo, Vitale, Thomas, Moskal, Patsy, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if a proposed technology-mediated intervention is a viable alternative to traditional study abroad for those who are unable to travel. While technology cannot reproduce the same experience of traveling abroad, the primary objective of this study was to determine if there is value in using Web conferencing technology to provide students with access to the same opportunity to interact with international experts in the field as their...
Show morePurpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if a proposed technology-mediated intervention is a viable alternative to traditional study abroad for those who are unable to travel. While technology cannot reproduce the same experience of traveling abroad, the primary objective of this study was to determine if there is value in using Web conferencing technology to provide students with access to the same opportunity to interact with international experts in the field as their counterparts who were able to travel. This formative evaluation is the first in a series of iterative studies aimed at developing a viable, sustainable, technology-based solution through design-based research (Reeves, 2006).Methodology/Design: Two guiding questions drove the focus of this formative evaluation: Did the program accomplish what was intended and was it implemented effectively? These generated a set of evaluation questions using the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Quality Framework, which were used to evaluate the quality of a joint study abroad program in Brazil with students and instructors from the University of Central Florida and the University of Scranton. While studying global health management in Brazil, the group in the field broadcasted their site visits live to online participants back in the United States. Web conferencing tools allowed the online attendees to see and hear the group in Brazil and interact in real time through the audio or text chat. Evaluation data was compiled from multiple sources including an anonymous student survey, instructor interviews, session recordings, financial budgets, and online facilitator observations in order to triangulate and evaluate the effectiveness of this Web-based intervention.Findings: Web conferencing technology appears to be a viable alternative that is not necessarily as immersive as traveling abroad, but it does provide its own set of benefits to higher education students. This formative evaluation revealed clear areas for improvement, including technical and procedural elements, but instructors and online participants did find value in the experience. Was it perfect? No. Was it successful? Yes. Was it encouraging? Definitely. Exploration of the evaluation questions under each of the five pillars of the OLC Quality Framework revealed both success factors and areas for improvement in each of the following categories: learning effectiveness, scale (commitment (&) cost), access, faculty satisfaction, and student satisfaction.Implications: Overall, this was a successful proof of concept that justifies future improvements and subsequent further evaluation in an iterative design-based research program. In addition to repeating this study with the joint global health management course in Brazil, this intervention could also be implemented and evaluated in other contexts, disciplines, and countries around the world. This formative evaluation produced a set of recommendations for the next study based on the success factors as well as the areas for improvement identified in this initial implementation in addition to a list of suggestions for future research.
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Date Issued
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2015
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Identifier
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CFE0005808, ucf:50041
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005808
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Title
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A THREE-DIMENSIONAL BAY/ESTUARY MODEL TO SIMULATE WATER QUALITY TRANSPORT.
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Creator
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Yu, Jing, Yeh, Gour-Tsyh, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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This thesis presents the development of a numerical water quality model using a general paradigm of reaction-based approaches. In a reaction-based approach, all conceptualized biogeochemical processes are transformed into a reaction network. Through the decomposition of species governing equations via Gauss-Jordan column reduction of the reaction network, (1) redundant fast reactions and irrelevant kinetic reactions are removed from the system, which alleviates the problem of unnecessary and...
Show moreThis thesis presents the development of a numerical water quality model using a general paradigm of reaction-based approaches. In a reaction-based approach, all conceptualized biogeochemical processes are transformed into a reaction network. Through the decomposition of species governing equations via Gauss-Jordan column reduction of the reaction network, (1) redundant fast reactions and irrelevant kinetic reactions are removed from the system, which alleviates the problem of unnecessary and erroneous formulation and parameterization of these reactions, and (2) fast reactions and slow reactions are decoupled, which enables robust numerical integrations. The system of species transport equations is transformed to reaction-extent transport equations, which is then approximated with two subsets: algebraic equations and kinetic-variables transport equations. As a result, the model alleviates the needs of using simple partitions for fast reactions. With the diagonalization strategy, it makes the inclusion of arbitrary number of fast and kinetic reactions relatively easy, and, more importantly, it enables the formulation and parameterization of kinetic reactions one by one. To demonstrate the general paradigm, QAUL2E was recasted in the mode of a reaction network. The model then was applied to the Loxahatchee estuary to study its response to a hypothetical biogeochemical loading from its surrounding drainage. Preliminary results indicated that the model can simulate four interacting biogeochemical processes: algae kinetics, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, and dissolved oxygen balance.
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Date Issued
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2006
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Identifier
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CFE0001372, ucf:46991
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001372
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Title
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UTILIZING EDGE IN IOT AND VIDEO STREAMING APPLICATIONS TO REDUCE BOTTLENECKS IN INTERNET TRAFFIC.
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Creator
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Akpinar, Kutalmis, Hua, Kien, Zou, Changchun, Turgut, Damla, Wang, Jun, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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There is a large increase in the surge of data over Internet due to the increasing demand on multimedia content. It is estimated that 80% of Internet traffic will be video by 2022, according to a recent study. At the same time, IoT devices on Internet will double the human population. While infrastructure standards on IoT are still nonexistent, enterprise solutions tend to encourage cloud-based solutions, causing an additional surge of data over the Internet. This study proposes solutions to...
Show moreThere is a large increase in the surge of data over Internet due to the increasing demand on multimedia content. It is estimated that 80% of Internet traffic will be video by 2022, according to a recent study. At the same time, IoT devices on Internet will double the human population. While infrastructure standards on IoT are still nonexistent, enterprise solutions tend to encourage cloud-based solutions, causing an additional surge of data over the Internet. This study proposes solutions to bring video traffic and IoT computation back to the edges of the network, so that costly Internet infrastructure upgrades are not necessary. An efficient way to prevent the Internet surge over the network for IoT is to push the application specific computation to the edge of the network, close to where the data is generated, so that large data can be eliminated before being delivered to the cloud. In this study, an event query language and processing environment is provided to process events from various devices. The query processing environment brings the application developers, sensor infrastructure providers and end users together. It uses boolean events as the streaming and processing units. This addresses the device heterogeneity and pushes the data-intense tasks to the edge of network.The second focus of the study is Video-on-Demand applications. A characteristic of VoD traffic is its high redundancy. Due to the demand on popular content, the same video traffic flows through Internet Service Provider's network as overlapping but separate streams. In previous studies on redundancy elimination, overlapping streams are merged into each other in link-level by receiving the packet only for the first stream, and re-using it for the subsequent duplicated streams. In this study, we significantly improve these techniques by introducing a merger-aware routing method.Our final focus is increasing utilization of Content Delivery Network (CDN) servers on the edge of network to reduce the long-distance traffic. The proposed system uses Software Defined Networks (SDN) to route adaptive video streaming clients to the best available CDN servers in terms of network availability. While performing the network assistance, the system does not reveal the video request information to the network provider, thus enabling privacy protection for encrypted streams. The request routing is performed in segment level for adaptive streaming. This enables to re-route the client to the best available CDN without an interruption if network conditions change during the stream.
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Date Issued
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2019
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Identifier
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CFE0007882, ucf:52774
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007882
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Title
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A Psychophysical Approach to Standardizing Texture Compression for Virtual Environments.
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Creator
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Flynn, Jeremy, Szalma, James, Fidopiastis, Cali, Jentsch, Florian, Shah, Mubarak, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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Image compression is a technique to reduce overall data size, but its effects on human perception have not been clearly established. The purpose of this effort was to determine the most effective psychophysical method for subjective image quality assessment, and to apply those findings to an objective algorithm. This algorithm was used to identify the minimum level of texture compression noticeable to the human, in order to determine whether compression-induced texture distortion impacted...
Show moreImage compression is a technique to reduce overall data size, but its effects on human perception have not been clearly established. The purpose of this effort was to determine the most effective psychophysical method for subjective image quality assessment, and to apply those findings to an objective algorithm. This algorithm was used to identify the minimum level of texture compression noticeable to the human, in order to determine whether compression-induced texture distortion impacted game-play outcomes. Four experiments tested several hypotheses. The first hypothesis evaluated which of three magnitude estimation (ME) methods (absolute ME, absolute ME plus, or ME with a standard) for image quality assessment was the most reliable. The just noticeable difference (JND) point for textures compression against the Feature Similarity Index for color was determined The second hypothesis tested whether human participants perceived the same amount of distortion differently when textures were presented in three ways: when textures were displayed as flat images; when textures were wrapped around a model; and when textures were wrapped around models and in a virtual environment. The last set of hypotheses examined whether compression affected both subjective (immersion, technology acceptance, usability) and objective (performance) gameplay outcomes. The results were: the absolute magnitude estimation method was the most reliable; no difference was observed in the JND threshold between flat textures and textures placed on models, but textured embedded within the virtual environment were more noticeable than in the other two presentation formats. There were no differences in subjective gameplay outcomes when textures were compressed to below the JND thresholds; and those who played a game with uncompressed textures performed better on in-game tasks than those with the textures compressed, but only on the first in-game day. Practitioners and researchers can use these findings to guide their approaches to texture compression and experimental design.
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Date Issued
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2018
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Identifier
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CFE0007178, ucf:52250
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007178
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Title
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The Collector as Arbiter of Art: A Phenomenological Investigation of Collectors' Critical Judgment Development and Their Understanding of Art Toward a Theoretical Model for Appreciation and Criticism in Art Education.
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Creator
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Grey, Anne, Brewer, Thomas, Sivo, Stephen, Kaplan, Jeffrey, Price, Mark, Roberts, Sherron, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to investigate art collectors' specific method of developing and making critical judgments in the context of their understanding of art. Phenomenological research methods were employed to obtain data through interviews with collectors of Contemporary African American art, Latin American art, and Minimalist and Conceptual art. Based on the findings, collectors' approaches to critical judgment can be categorized into three areas. First, critical skills are both...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate art collectors' specific method of developing and making critical judgments in the context of their understanding of art. Phenomenological research methods were employed to obtain data through interviews with collectors of Contemporary African American art, Latin American art, and Minimalist and Conceptual art. Based on the findings, collectors' approaches to critical judgment can be categorized into three areas. First, critical skills are both intuitive and developed over time, through a holistic and aesthetic process set in the art world. Collectors' edification requires commitment, and intense looking enabling them to see how works of art communicate. Second, key events that marked collectors' methodological approaches were connections with artists and art, notable purchases, and exhibitions of their collection. These events resulted from an integration of the collectors' identification with the art work, manifested over time in various forms. Finally, those objects that best reflected collectors' specific development of critical judgment and understanding of art were noted either by specific artists in their collection or the collection as a whole, functioning as vital aspects of the collectors' life and at the same time contributing to culture and society in its capacity to cause conversations. There is an opportunity to apply the information from collectors' processes as an educational model for teaching and learning about appreciation and criticism in art education by thinking about art collections more broadly, as another way to look at life and the art in life.
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Date Issued
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2011
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Identifier
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CFE0004115, ucf:49103
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004115
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Title
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PERCEIVED SERVICE QUALITY'S IMPACT ON BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS IN THE TIMESHARE INDUSTRY.
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Creator
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Pollard, Leonard, Malone, Linda, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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This study created a model using factor analysis and structural equation modeling to investigate the relationship of service quality, word-of-mouth recommendation and price sensitivity of individuals who experienced a timeshare mini vacation at a branded timeshare resort. The constructs of service quality were developed by creating a survey tool. A total of 4,797 surveys were electronically sent resulting in a total of 1,275 of the individuals surveyed who met the criteria of staying at a...
Show moreThis study created a model using factor analysis and structural equation modeling to investigate the relationship of service quality, word-of-mouth recommendation and price sensitivity of individuals who experienced a timeshare mini vacation at a branded timeshare resort. The constructs of service quality were developed by creating a survey tool. A total of 4,797 surveys were electronically sent resulting in a total of 1,275 of the individuals surveyed who met the criteria of staying at a branded hotel or resort during their mini vacation. Six different variables were created from the ordinal level questions on the survey: Resort Accommodations, Sales Gallery, Sales Presentation, Resort Activities, Resort Staff and Brand Value. These were then used in an exploratory factor analysis to identify latent factors after which structural equation modeling was used to define the relationship between the factors and the independent variables. A total of 44 models were explored and evaluated based on goodness-of-fit metrics. The model that had the best level of fit was a first-order two-factor model. This model was created with an 80% subset and confirmed with a 20% subset of the sample. The factors found represent the Vacation Experience Promise (VEP) and the Vacation Experience Delivery (VED). There was a positive correlation for both VEP and VED with word-of-mouth recommendation and price sensitivity. The research also posited 24 hypotheses of the relationship between the service quality constructs, word-of-mouth recommendation and price sensitivity with the demographic characteristics of guest type, gender, stay type, age, marital status, gross income, timeshare ownership and the number of presentations attended. There was not enough information to support a relationship between the service quality constructs, word-of-mouth recommendation and price sensitivity with regards to gender, gross income and marital status. There was a difference in the scores for the service quality constructs and the varying categories within the age, stay type, and timeshare ownership demographic variables. There was a difference only in the VED scores and the varying categories within the guest type and presentations attended demographic variables. There was also a difference in the scores for the word-of-mouth recommendation construct and the varying categories within the age, guest type, timeshare ownership and number of presentations attended demographic variables. Lastly, there was also a difference in the scores for the price sensitivity construct and the varying categories within the guest type, timeshare ownership and presentation attended demographic variables. The research discusses the business implications associated with these findings and proposes next steps for future research.
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Date Issued
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2010
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Identifier
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CFE0003475, ucf:48942
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003475
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Title
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Hidden in Plain Sight: Development and Testing of a Model to Evaluate Political Leadership Tactics.
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Creator
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Citron, Albert, Hamann, Kerstin, Handberg, Roger, Houghton, David, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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This thesis analyzes the kinds of verbal and nonverbal signals elites manifest to show leadership qualities. Launching from Max Weber's conceptual framework of charisma as a power term and Harold Lasswell's study of propaganda, this study takes a multidisciplinary approach to studying political leadership with elements of communication methodology and an ontological basis in evolutionary psychology. The study's goal is to offer a framework for defining and evaluating the diverse signal...
Show moreThis thesis analyzes the kinds of verbal and nonverbal signals elites manifest to show leadership qualities. Launching from Max Weber's conceptual framework of charisma as a power term and Harold Lasswell's study of propaganda, this study takes a multidisciplinary approach to studying political leadership with elements of communication methodology and an ontological basis in evolutionary psychology. The study's goal is to offer a framework for defining and evaluating the diverse signal patterns employed by political elites in three real-life situations. These are the Malta Summit, the 1992 Virginia Presidential Debate, and the 2012 South Carolina Republican Presidential Primary. The cases were chosen because they display a diverse set of signal variations during different types of interactions.The three case studies are evaluated by measuring frequency and patterns of occurrence of the five different interaction constructs (indicator of interest, indicator of disinterest, demonstration of high value, demonstration of low value, and compliance testing) to explain different interaction patterns. A simple frequency distribution of the different signals during a given interaction is used to display the empirical findings and to compare patterns across the case studies. This study reveals that the presence of DLV (demonstration of low value) signals weaken an elite's position in relation to other elites and the public while the presence of DHV (demonstration of high value) signals strengthen an elite's position. It is largely the presence, absence, and frequency of these two signals that determines who conveys leadership qualities effectively regardless of leadership style. Studying the signaling patterns of political elites would allow scholars to understand better the kinds of signal patterns and signal frequencies that are used in different types of leadership styles and norm ranges for signals including for political elites belonging to different cultures and subcultures.
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Date Issued
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2013
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Identifier
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CFE0004984, ucf:49563
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004984
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Title
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An Integrated Design for Six Sigma-Based Framework To Align Strategy, New Process Development, and Customer Requirements In The Airlines Industry.
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Creator
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Alghamdi, Mohammed, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Rabelo, Luis, Lee, Gene, Ahmad, Ali, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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When organizations create new strategy maps, key new processes are often identified. This is important for organizations to stay competitive in the global marketplace. This document describes the development, implementation, and validation of a framework that properly aligns and links an organization's strategy and new process development. The proposed framework integrates the Balanced Scorecard management system (BSC) and the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology, leveraging their...
Show moreWhen organizations create new strategy maps, key new processes are often identified. This is important for organizations to stay competitive in the global marketplace. This document describes the development, implementation, and validation of a framework that properly aligns and links an organization's strategy and new process development. The proposed framework integrates the Balanced Scorecard management system (BSC) and the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodology, leveraging their strengths, overcoming weaknesses, and identifying lessons learned to help bridge the gap between strategy development and execution. The critical-to-quality conceptual model is used as an integrative component for the framework. Literature search has resulted in little or no research into the development of similar frameworks. To demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of the framework in a real-world environment, a case study is carried out and implemented successfully. As the case study progressed, cycle time as a performance indicator was estimated and showed progression towards the targeted strategic objective. The developed framework helps decision-makers seamlessly transit from a strategic position to process development linking strategic objectives to the critical-to-quality features. This comprehensive framework can help move organizations from where they currently are to where they want to be, laying the background needed for customer satisfaction and breakthrough performance.
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Date Issued
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2016
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Identifier
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CFE0006246, ucf:51079
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006246
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Title
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Identification of Areas of Patient Need Using the Cancer Support Source Program.
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Creator
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Ross, Emily, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Jensen, Bernard, Robinson, Diane, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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Understanding, screening, and providing resources for quality of life factors and psychosocial distress have become an important area of focus in cancer care. Negative consequences of poor quality of life and psychosocial distress have been widely studied in oncological research. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, or NCCN, defines (")psychosocial distress(") as extending on a continuum, (")ranging from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness, and fears to problems that can...
Show moreUnderstanding, screening, and providing resources for quality of life factors and psychosocial distress have become an important area of focus in cancer care. Negative consequences of poor quality of life and psychosocial distress have been widely studied in oncological research. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, or NCCN, defines (")psychosocial distress(") as extending on a continuum, (")ranging from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness, and fears to problems that can become disabling, such as depression, anxiety, panic, social isolation, and existential and spiritual crisis(") ((")National Comprehensive Cancer Network,(") n.d.). Findings have indicated the significant impact of poor quality of life and psychosocial distress in the cancer patient population. Elevated levels of psychosocial distress increases the risk of developing depression, anxiety, immune suppression, and may lead to high levels of stress. Studies have also revealed associations between increased psychosocial distress levels, relapse, treatment and healing outcomes, and survival rates (Anderson, Kiecolt-Glaser, (&) Glaser, 1994; Spiegel (&) Nemeroff, 1997). Evidence also shows that heightened psychosocial distress negatively influences a patient's capability to adhere to their medical plan and treatment (Allison et al., 1995; Pirl et al., 2007; Zabora, Brintzenhofeszoc, Curbow, Hooker, (&) Piantadosi, 2001). Attending to these negative outcomes of psychosocial distress and providing supportive care is a crucial action of oncology practice today. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer responded to the imperative of addressing psychosocial needs in cancer care by mandating national cancer centers for accreditation purposes to screen for psychosocial distress and provide appropriate referral and resources (Standard 3.2). UF Health Cancer Center (-) Orlando Health began psychosocial distress screening on January 1st, 2015 with the utilization of the Web-based, HIPPA compliant, and action based Cancer Support Source Program. Patient data responses collected with the Cancer Support Source Program over the first calendar year of the implementation of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer standards were analyzed for this research study. A sample of 317 patient data responses was included to conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on the Cancer Support Source Program test items. Specifically, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with an oblique rotational procedure (Promax) was conducted on the resulting data set for interpretation. Factorial interpretation was made to ascertain latent dimensions in the Cancer Support Source Program. A five factor structure model was found with adequate discriminant and face validity. Factors were grouped by conceptual basis and item-loading composition: Distress, Treatment Management and Decisions, Lifestyle, Relationship, and Substance Use. These factors were collectively termed the Concern Subscales. The Distress, Treatment Management and Decisions, and Lifestyle Factors were found to present the most psychometrically sound and internally consistent model. Further analysis was conducted to examine the resulting factorial structure model on four cancer location groups: breast, head and neck, lung, and gynecological cancer. Results displayed that no significant differences were found between cancer location groups and the five extracted factors. However, an ad hoc test (Tukey's HSD) revealed two significant differences between the Lifestyle Factor and cancer location groups at the p (<) 0.05 level. The Breast Cancer group's Lifestyle scores were higher than the Gynecologic Cancer group, and the Breast Cancer group scores were lower than the Lung Cancer group. Additionally, the action scores were summed to examine correlation between the five extracted Concern Subscales. A high correlation was found, indicating that the action items in the Cancer Support Source questionnaire correspond with the extracted Concern Subscales and do not need to undergo dimension reduction. Furthermore, a high correlation was also found with the extracted Distress Concern Subscale and the existing depression subscale in the Cancer Support Source Program.Results indicated that the Cancer Support Source Program could indeed benefit from dimension reduction to ascertain more parsimonious areas of need presented by the cancer patient population. The 25 single-items in the Cancer Support Source questionnaire may inhibit the ability to indicate other concerns that may be expressed by the patient. By identifying the latent dimensions in this exploratory endeavor, we were able to demonstrate how the Cancer Support Source questionnaire could be refined to include easily scored Concern subscales to better identify areas of need for each individual patient that is screened for psychosocial distress. These findings provide an opportunity to impact patient care, opportunities for referral, and resources for cancer care in a hospital setting using this psychosocial distress screening instrument.
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Date Issued
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2017
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Identifier
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CFE0006650, ucf:51254
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006650
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Title
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Habitat selection in transformed landscapes and the role of novel ecosystems for native species persistence.
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Creator
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Sanchez Clavijo, Lina, Quintana-Ascencio, Pedro, Noss, Reed, Weishampel, John, Rodewald, Amanda, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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To understand native species persistence in transformed landscapes we must evaluate how individual behaviors interact with landscape structure through ecological processes such as habitat selection. Rapid, widespread landscape transformation may lead to a mismatch between habitat preference and quality, a phenomenon known as ecological traps that can have negative outcomes for populations. I applied this framework to the study of birds inhabiting landscapes dominated by forest remnants and...
Show moreTo understand native species persistence in transformed landscapes we must evaluate how individual behaviors interact with landscape structure through ecological processes such as habitat selection. Rapid, widespread landscape transformation may lead to a mismatch between habitat preference and quality, a phenomenon known as ecological traps that can have negative outcomes for populations. I applied this framework to the study of birds inhabiting landscapes dominated by forest remnants and shade coffee plantations, a tropical agroforestry system that retains important portions of native biodiversity. I used two different approaches to answer the question: What is the role of habitat selection in the adaptation of native species to transformed landscapes? First, I present the results of a simulation model used to evaluate the effects of landscape structure on population dynamics of a hypothetical species under two mechanisms of habitat selection. Then I present the analyses of seven years of capture-mark-recapture and resight data collected to compare habitat preference and quality between shade coffee and forest for twelve resident bird species in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia). I provide evidence for the importance of including the landscape context in the evaluation of ecological traps and for using long-term demographic data when evaluating the potential of novel ecosystems and intermediately-modified habitats for biodiversity conservation. Beyond suggestions to improve bird conservation in shade coffee, my findings contribute to theory about ecological traps and can be applied to understand population processes in a wide variety of heterogeneous landscapes.
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Date Issued
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2016
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Identifier
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CFE0006494, ucf:51392
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006494
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Title
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Improving fairness, throughput and blocking performance for long haul and short reach optical networks.
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Creator
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Tariq, Sana, Bassiouni, Mostafa, Zou, Changchun, Turgut, Damla, Li, Guifang, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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Innovations in optical communication are expected to transform the landscape of global communications, internet and datacenter networks. This dissertation investigates several important issues in optical communication such as fairness, throughput, blocking probability and differentiated quality of service (QoS). Novel algorithms and new approaches have been presented to improve the performance of optical circuit switching (OCS) and optical burst switching (OBS) for long haul, and datacenter...
Show moreInnovations in optical communication are expected to transform the landscape of global communications, internet and datacenter networks. This dissertation investigates several important issues in optical communication such as fairness, throughput, blocking probability and differentiated quality of service (QoS). Novel algorithms and new approaches have been presented to improve the performance of optical circuit switching (OCS) and optical burst switching (OBS) for long haul, and datacenter networks. Extensive simulations tests have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. These simulation tests were performed over a number of network topologies such as ring, mesh and U.S. Long-Haul, some high processing computing (HPC) topologies such as 2D and 6D mesh torus topologies and modern datacenter topologies such as FatTree and BCube.Two new schemes are proposed for long haul networks to improve throughput and hop count fairness in OBS networks. The idea is motivated by the observation that providing a slightly more priority to longer bursts over short bursts can significantly improve the throughput of the OBS networks without adversely affecting hop-count fairness. The results of extensive performance tests have shown that proposed schemes improve the throughput of optical OBS networks and enhance the hop-count fairness. Another contribution of this dissertation is the research work on developing routing and wavelength assignment schemes in multimode fiber networks. Two additional schemes for long haul networks are presented and evaluated over multimode fiber networks. First for alleviating the fairness problem in OBS networks using wavelength-division multiplexing as well as mode-division multiplexing while the second scheme for achieving higher throughput without sacrificing hop count fairness.We have also shown the significant benefits of using both mode division multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing in real-life short-distance optical networks such as the optical circuit switching networks used in the hybrid electronic-optical switching architectures for datacenters. We evaluated four mode and wavelength assignment heuristics and compared their throughput performance. We also included preliminary results of impact of the cascaded mode conversion constraint on network throughput. Datacenter and high performance computing networks share a number of common performance goals. Another highly efficient adaptive mode wavelength- routing algorithm is presented over OBS networks to improve throughput of these networks. The effectiveness of the proposed model has been validated by extensive simulation results.In order to optimize bandwidth and maximize throughput of datacenters, an extension of TCP called multipath-TCP (MPTCP) has been evaluated over an OBS network using dense interconnect datacenter topologies. We have proposed a service differentiation scheme using MPTCP over OBS for datacenter traffic. The scheme is evaluated over mixed workload traffic model of datacenters and is shown to provide tangible service differentiation between flows of different priority levels. An adaptive QoS differentiation architecture is proposed for software defined optical datacenter networks using MPTCP over OBS. This scheme prioritizes flows based on current network state.
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Date Issued
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2015
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Identifier
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CFE0005721, ucf:50146
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005721
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Title
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INVESTING IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORKFORCE:GLOBAL EDUCATION REFORM.
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Creator
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Klug, Amelia, Bryer, Thomas, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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Regardless of culture, socio-economic background, and quality of life, all students deserve the highest quality of education. But the reality is, many education systems around the world do not offer it. Investing in structural reforms in education has the potential to boost economic growth in countries around the world. By learning from different education systems strengths and weaknesses, policy decisions can be made that ensure students are given the opportunity for higher educational...
Show moreRegardless of culture, socio-economic background, and quality of life, all students deserve the highest quality of education. But the reality is, many education systems around the world do not offer it. Investing in structural reforms in education has the potential to boost economic growth in countries around the world. By learning from different education systems strengths and weaknesses, policy decisions can be made that ensure students are given the opportunity for higher educational outcomes. This study analyzes high, middle, and low quality education systems around the world and the infrastructures that lead to educational success or failure. Fifteen education systems are chosen for this study which includes Shanghai-China, Singapore, Japan, Finland, Canada, Portugal, United States, Luxembourg, Spain, Hungary, Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, Qatar, and Peru. Each system is analyzed in terms of its teacher quality, curriculum, school system structure, and educational equity. From this study, it appears that there is a high-correlation between four indicators and top-educational success. These four indicators include having a highly selective model for hiring teachers, recruiting teachers from a top-pool of graduates, having a high-level of prestige held for teachers in society, and insuring students of low socio-economic status are given equal educational opportunities for success. Recommendations for a new teacher training and selection model are discussed based on the top four indicators. These recommendations could cause educational gains for both the United States and other systems around the world.
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Date Issued
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2014
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Identifier
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CFH0004691, ucf:45247
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004691
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Title
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Microscopic Assessment of Transportation Emissions on Limited Access Highways.
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Creator
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Abou-Senna, Hatem, Radwan, Ahmed, Abdel-Aty, Mohamed, Al-Deek, Haitham, Cooper, Charles, Johnson, Mark, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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On-road vehicles are a major source of transportation carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gas emissions in all the developed countries, and in many of the developing countries in the world. Similarly, several criteria air pollutants are associated with transportation, e.g., carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). The need to accurately quantify transportation-related emissions from vehicles is essential. Transportation agencies and researchers in the past have...
Show moreOn-road vehicles are a major source of transportation carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gas emissions in all the developed countries, and in many of the developing countries in the world. Similarly, several criteria air pollutants are associated with transportation, e.g., carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). The need to accurately quantify transportation-related emissions from vehicles is essential. Transportation agencies and researchers in the past have estimated emissions using one average speed and volume on a long stretch of roadway. With MOVES, there is an opportunity for higher precision and accuracy. Integrating a microscopic traffic simulation model (such as VISSIM) with MOVES allows one to obtain precise and accurate emissions estimates. The new United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) mobile source emissions model, MOVES2010a (MOVES) can estimate vehicle emissions on a second-by-second basis creating the opportunity to develop new software (")VIMIS 1.0(") (VISSIM/MOVES Integration Software) to facilitate the integration process. This research presents a microscopic examination of five key transportation parameters (traffic volume, speed, truck percentage, road grade and temperature) on a 10-mile stretch of Interstate 4 (I-4) test bed prototype; an urban limited access highway corridor in Orlando, Florida. The analysis was conducted utilizing VIMIS 1.0 and using an advanced custom design technique; D-Optimality and I-Optimality criteria, to identify active factors and to ensure precision in estimating the regression coefficients as well as the response variable.The analysis of the experiment identified the optimal settings of the key factors and resulted in the development of Micro-TEM (Microscopic Transportation Emissions Meta-Model). The main purpose of Micro-TEM is to serve as a substitute model for predicting transportation emissions on limited access highways to an acceptable degree of accuracy in lieu of running simulations using a traffic model and integrating the results in an emissions model. Furthermore, significant emission rate reductions were observed from the experiment on the modeled corridor especially for speeds between 55 and 60 mph while maintaining up to 80% and 90% of the freeway's capacity. However, vehicle activity characterization in terms of speed was shown to have a significant impact on the emission estimation approach.Four different approaches were further examined to capture the environmental impacts of vehicular operations on the modeled test bed prototype. First, (at the most basic level), emissions were estimated for the entire 10-mile section (")by hand(") using one average traffic volume and average speed. Then, three advanced levels of detail were studied using VISSIM/MOVES to analyze smaller links: average speeds and volumes (AVG), second-by-second link driving schedules (LDS), and second-by-second operating mode distributions (OPMODE). This research analyzed how the various approaches affect predicted emissions of CO, NOx, PM and CO2. The results demonstrated that obtaining accurate and comprehensive operating mode distributions on a second-by-second basis improves emission estimates. Specifically, emission rates were found to be highly sensitive to stop-and-go traffic and the associated driving cycles of acceleration, deceleration, frequent braking/coasting and idling. Using the AVG or LDS approach may overestimate or underestimate emissions, respectively, compared to an operating mode distribution approach.Additionally, model applications and mitigation scenarios were examined on the modeled corridor to evaluate the environmental impacts in terms of vehicular emissions and at the same time validate the developed model (")Micro-TEM("). Mitigation scenarios included the future implementation of managed lanes (ML) along with the general use lanes (GUL) on the I-4 corridor, the currently implemented variable speed limits (VSL) scenario as well as a hypothetical restricted truck lane (RTL) scenario. Results of the mitigation scenarios showed an overall speed improvement on the corridor which resulted in overall reduction in emissions and emission rates when compared to the existing condition (EX) scenario and specifically on link by link basis for the RTL scenario.The proposed emission rate estimation process also can be extended to gridded emissions for ozone modeling, or to localized air quality dispersion modeling, where temporal and spatial resolution of emissions is essential to predict the concentration of pollutants near roadways.
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Date Issued
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2012
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Identifier
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CFE0004777, ucf:49788
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004777
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Title
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Theoretical Study of Laser Beam Quality and Pulse Shaping by Volume Bragg Gratings.
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Creator
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Kaim, Sergiy, Zeldovich, Boris, Flitsiyan, Elena, Leuenberger, Michael, Likamwa, Patrick, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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The theory of stretching and compressing of short light pulses by the chirped volume Bragg gratings (CBG) is reviewed based on spectral decomposition of short pulses and on the wavelength-dependent coupled wave equations. The analytic theory of diffraction efficiency of a CBG with constant chirp and approximate theory of time delay dispersion are presented. Based on those, we performed comparison of the approximate analytic results with the exact numeric coupled-wave modeling. We also study...
Show moreThe theory of stretching and compressing of short light pulses by the chirped volume Bragg gratings (CBG) is reviewed based on spectral decomposition of short pulses and on the wavelength-dependent coupled wave equations. The analytic theory of diffraction efficiency of a CBG with constant chirp and approximate theory of time delay dispersion are presented. Based on those, we performed comparison of the approximate analytic results with the exact numeric coupled-wave modeling. We also study theoretically various definitions of laser beam width in a given cross-section. Quality of the beam is characterized by the dimensionless beam propagation products (?x???_x)?? , which are different for each of the 21 definitions. We study six particular beams and introduce an axially-symmetric self-MFT (mathematical Fourier transform) function, which may be useful for the description of diffraction-quality beams. Furthermore, we discuss various saturation curves and their influence on the amplitudes of recorded gratings. Special attention is given to multiplexed volume Bragg gratings (VBG) aimed at recording of several gratings in the same volume. The best shape of a saturation curve for production of the strongest gratings is found to be the threshold-type curve. Both one-photon and two-photon absorption mechanism of recording are investigated. Finally, by means of the simulation software we investigate forced airflow cooling of a VBG heated by a laser beam. Two combinations of a setup are considered, and a number of temperature distributions and thermal deformations are obtained for different rates of airflows. Simulation results are compared to the experimental data, and show good mutual agreement.
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Date Issued
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2015
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Identifier
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CFE0005638, ucf:50210
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005638
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Title
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Transient and Distributed Algorithms to Improve Islanding Detection Capability of Inverter Based Distributed Generation.
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Creator
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Alhosani, Mohamed, Qu, Zhihua, Mikhael, Wasfy, Haralambous, Michael, Behal, Aman, Xu, Chengying, University of Central Florida
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Abstract / Description
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Recently, a lot of research work has been dedicated toward enhancing performance, reliability and integrity of distributed energy resources that are integrated into distribution networks. The problem of islanding detection and islanding prevention (i.e. anti-islanding) has stimulated a lot of research due to its role in severely compromising the safety of working personnel and resulting in equipment damages. Various Islanding Detection Methods (IDMs) have been developed within the last ten...
Show moreRecently, a lot of research work has been dedicated toward enhancing performance, reliability and integrity of distributed energy resources that are integrated into distribution networks. The problem of islanding detection and islanding prevention (i.e. anti-islanding) has stimulated a lot of research due to its role in severely compromising the safety of working personnel and resulting in equipment damages. Various Islanding Detection Methods (IDMs) have been developed within the last ten years in anticipation of the tremendous increase in the penetration of Distributed Generation (DG) in distribution system. This work proposes new IDMs that rely on transient and distributed behaviors to improve integrity and performance of DGs while maintaining multi-DG islanding detection capability.In this thesis, the following questions have been addressed: How to utilize the transient behavior arising from an islanding condition to improve detectability and robust performance of IDMs in a distributive manner? How to reduce the negative stability impact of the well-known Sandia Frequency Shift (SFS) IDM while maintaining its islanding detection capability? How to incorporate the perturbations provided by each of DGs in such a way that the negative interference of different IDMs is minimized without the need of any type of communication among the different DGs?It is shown that the proposed techniques are local, scalable and robust against different loading conditions and topology changes. Also, the proposed techniques can successfully distinguish an islanding condition from other disturbances that may occur in power system networks. This work improves the efficiency, reliability and safety of integrated DGs, which presents a necessary advance toward making electric power grids a smart grid.
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Date Issued
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2013
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Identifier
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CFE0005295, ucf:50567
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Format
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Document (PDF)
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PURL
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http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005295
Pages