View All Items

Title: QOS IN COGNITIVE PACKET NETWORKS: ADAPTIVE ROUTING, FLOW AND CONGESTION CONTROL.
Creator: Su, Pu, Gelenbe, Erol, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: With the emergence of various applications that have different Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, the capability of a network to support QoS becomes more and more important and necessary. This dissertation explores QoS in Cognitive Packet Networks (CPN) by using adaptive routing, flow and congestion control. We present a detailed description and analysis of our proposed routing algorithms based on single and multiple QoS constraints. An online estimation of packet loss rate over a path is...
Show moreWith the emergence of various applications that have different Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, the capability of a network to support QoS becomes more and more important and necessary. This dissertation explores QoS in Cognitive Packet Networks (CPN) by using adaptive routing, flow and congestion control. We present a detailed description and analysis of our proposed routing algorithms based on single and multiple QoS constraints. An online estimation of packet loss rate over a path is introduced. We implement and evaluate the adaptive routing scheme in an experimental CPN test-bed. Our experiments support our claims that the users can achieve their desired best-effort QoS through this routing scheme. We also propose a QoS-based flow and congestion control scheme that is built in the transport layer and specially designed to work with CPN to support users' QoS while remaining friendly to TCP. Theoretical models and experimental analysis are presented. Finally we experimentally demonstrate that the proposed flow and congestion control scheme can effectively control the input flows, react to the congestion and work with our proposed adaptive routing scheme to achieve users' QoS.
Show less
Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000813, ucf:46685
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000813

Title: PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF A WORKING MEMORY SPAN TASK.
Creator: Alzate Vanegas, Juan M, Mouloua, Mustapha, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The intent of this thesis is to examine the psychometric properties of a complex span task (CST) developed to measure working memory capacity (WMC) using measurements obtained from a sample of 68 undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida. The Grocery List Task (GLT) promises several design improvements over traditional CSTs in a prior study about individual differences in WMC and distraction effects on driving performance, and it offers potential benefits for studying WMC as...
Show moreThe intent of this thesis is to examine the psychometric properties of a complex span task (CST) developed to measure working memory capacity (WMC) using measurements obtained from a sample of 68 undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida. The Grocery List Task (GLT) promises several design improvements over traditional CSTs in a prior study about individual differences in WMC and distraction effects on driving performance, and it offers potential benefits for studying WMC as well as the serial-position effect. Currently, the working memory system is composed of domain-general memorial storage processes and information-processing, which involves the use of executive functions. Prior research has found WMC to be associated with attentional measures (i.e., executive attention) and the updating function, and unrelated to the shifting function. The present study replicates these relationships to other latent variables in measures obtained from the GLT as convergent and discriminant evidence of validity. In addition, GLT measures correlate strongly with established measures of WMC. Task reliability is assessed by estimates of internal consistency, pairwise comparisons with a cross-validation sample, and an analysis of demographic effects on task measurements.
Show less
Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFH2000358, ucf:45857
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000358

Title: PERCEPTION OF FACIAL EXPRESSIONS IN SOCIAL ANXIETY AND GAZE ANXIETY.
Creator: Necaise, Aaron, Neer, Sandra, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study explored the relationship between gaze anxiety and the perception of facial expressions. The literature suggests that individuals experiencing Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) might have a fear of making direct eye contact, and that these individuals also demonstrate a hypervigilance towards the eye region. It was thought that this increased anxiety concerning eye contact might be related to the tendency of socially anxious individuals to mislabel emotion in the faces of onlookers. A...
Show moreThis study explored the relationship between gaze anxiety and the perception of facial expressions. The literature suggests that individuals experiencing Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) might have a fear of making direct eye contact, and that these individuals also demonstrate a hypervigilance towards the eye region. It was thought that this increased anxiety concerning eye contact might be related to the tendency of socially anxious individuals to mislabel emotion in the faces of onlookers. A better understanding of the cognitive biases common to SAD could lead to more efficient intervention and assessment methods. In the present study, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory-23 (SPAI-23) were used to measure social anxiety, depression, and overall distress. These forms allowed us to separate participants who reported high socially anxious and depressive traits from those in the normal range. We then compared anxiety concerning mutual eye contact as measured by the Gaze Anxiety Rating Scale (GARS) to performance on a facial recognition task. Performance was measured as recognition accuracy and average perceived intensity of onlooker expression on a scale of 1-5. A linear regression analysis revealed that higher GARS scores were related to higher perceived intensity of emotion by socially anxious individuals. An exploratory correlation analysis also revealed that higher gaze anxiety was related to lower accuracy at identifying neutral emotions and higher accuracy at identifying angry emotions. While past research has demonstrated these same biases by socially anxious individuals, gaze anxiety had not been explored extensively. Future research should investigate gaze anxiety�s role as a moderating variable.
Show less
Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFH2000039, ucf:45554
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000039

Title: A SYSTEMIC LITERATURE REVIEW EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY REHABILITATION AND MOTIVATION ON GERIATRIC PATIENTS.
Creator: Buckman, Melissa A, Biddle, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this thesis was to examine the effects of occupational therapy rehabilitation on geriatric patients by reviewing studies conducted on motivation in occupational therapy. In occupational therapy it is important that you set goals for your patients (Creek & Lougher, 2008). It is also important to understand what motivates a patient to achieve those goals because goals and valued activities are intimately connected to motivation. Motivation deals with why we perform certain...
Show moreThe purpose of this thesis was to examine the effects of occupational therapy rehabilitation on geriatric patients by reviewing studies conducted on motivation in occupational therapy. In occupational therapy it is important that you set goals for your patients (Creek & Lougher, 2008). It is also important to understand what motivates a patient to achieve those goals because goals and valued activities are intimately connected to motivation. Motivation deals with why we perform certain behaviors. It can predict physical performance and how well a person might recover from an illness and has been suggested to be predictive for rehabilitation success (Carlson, 1997). Because the geriatric population has more longevity, it is important to ensure that they receive the appropriate care necessary to improve and maintain their quality of life (Mason, 1994). After reviewing multiple studies the results reinforced the importance of motivation in occupational therapy treatment. Self-efficacy was found to highly influence a person�s motivation and was a recurring theme throughout this review (Peralta-Catipon & Hwang, 2011). One key to understanding and studying motivation in older adults was to identify what occupations matter to them (Teitelman, Raber, & Watts, 2010). It is important that occupational therapists understand how occupations become meaningful for the geriatric population as participation in those occupations plays an important role in promoting productive aging. When the occupational therapist was able to understand how occupations became meaningful to the patient, they were more equipped to help motivate the patient to participate in their rehabilitation (Janssen & Stube, 2013).
Show less
Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFH2000007, ucf:45575
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000007

Title: THE ROLE OF CUES AND KINEMATICS ON SOCIAL EVENT PERCEPTION.
Creator: Berrios, Estefania, McConnell, Daniel S., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The belief that intentions are hidden away in the minds of individuals has been circulating for many years. Theories of indirect perception, such as the Theory of Mind, have since been developed to help explain this phenomenon. Conversely, research in the field of human kinematics and event perception have also given rise to theories of direct perception. The purpose of the study was to determine if intentionality can be directly perceived rather than requiring inferential processes. Prior...
Show moreThe belief that intentions are hidden away in the minds of individuals has been circulating for many years. Theories of indirect perception, such as the Theory of Mind, have since been developed to help explain this phenomenon. Conversely, research in the field of human kinematics and event perception have also given rise to theories of direct perception. The purpose of the study was to determine if intentionality can be directly perceived rather than requiring inferential processes. Prior research regarding kinematics of cooperative and competitive movements have pointed toward direct perception, demonstrating participants can accurately judge a movement as cooperative or competitive by simply observing point-light displays of the isolated arm movements. Considering competitive movements are often performed faster than cooperative movements, speed was perturbed for the purpose of this study to determine if participants are relying on cues or if they can indeed perceive a unique kinematic pattern that corresponds to intentionality. Judging the clips correctly despite perturbation would suggest perception is direct. Additionally, we hypothesized judgments accuracy would be higher in the presence of two actors pointing to the use of interpersonal affordances. Twenty-eight participants from the University of Central Florida were asked to judge 40 clips presented in random order including: normal or perturbed competitive actions with one or two actors; normal or perturbed cooperative actions with one or two actors. Percent correct and reaction time data were analyzed on SPSS using a repeated measures ANOVA. Results rejected the hypothesis that social perception is direct and supported indirect perception, indicating participants relied on cues to make judgments, and provided potential support for the interpersonal affordance hypothesis.
Show less
Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFH2000514, ucf:45681
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000514

Title: IDENTIFICATION OF THE EFFECTS OF DIABETES MELLITUS ON THE BRAIN.
Creator: Mikhail, Tryphina A, Samsam, Mohtashem, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: As more studies accumulate on the impact of diabetes mellitus on the central nervous system, they resound with the same conclusion - diabetes has a detrimental effect on cognition regardless of the presence of comorbidities. Less consistent however, are the specific mental processes wherein these declines are noticeable, and the structural changes that accompany these reductions in mental capacity. From global atrophy to changes in the volume of gray and white matter, to conflicting results...
Show moreAs more studies accumulate on the impact of diabetes mellitus on the central nervous system, they resound with the same conclusion - diabetes has a detrimental effect on cognition regardless of the presence of comorbidities. Less consistent however, are the specific mental processes wherein these declines are noticeable, and the structural changes that accompany these reductions in mental capacity. From global atrophy to changes in the volume of gray and white matter, to conflicting results regarding the effects of hypo- and hyperglycemic states on the development of the hippocampus, the studies display a variety of results. The goal of this research is to link the structural and compositional changes occurring in the diabetic brain with the clinical and behavioral findings highlighted in the literature, as well as to explore the potential mechanisms behind the pathologic brain state of diabetic encephalopathy. Using diabetic (OVE26) and non-diabetic wild type (FVB) mice as models, differences in the number of hippocampal neurons in the dentate gyrus, and cornu ammonis areas 1,2, and 3 were investigated through Nissl staining. Neurodegeneration was confirmed in those cells determined to be hyperchromatic in the diabetic model through staining with Fluoro-Jade C. Finally, the presence of progenitor cells in the hippocampus was compared in the diabetic and non-diabetic models using Musashi-1 antibodies, to determine whether neurogenesis in these areas is affected by diabetes. These experiments were performed to better understand the effect of DM on learning and memory, and could potentially explain the linkage between diabetes mellitus and the increased prevalence of Alzheimer�s disease, vascular dementia, and depression in this subset of the population.
Show less
Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFH2000021, ucf:45601
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000021

Title: RISK FACTORS IDENTIFIED IN COLLEGE STUDENTS EXHIBITING SOCIAL PHOBIA.
Creator: Wallace, Kasie, McConnell, Daniel, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: College life is a unique experience in the life of many young adults that presents many challenges for which they might not be prepared, including living away from home and adapting to a new social and academic environment. In particular, these experiences may be particularly adverse for students with social phobia and may be predictors of academic and social problems, and may even predict dropout. The purpose of the present research is to identify possible connections between socially phobic...
Show moreCollege life is a unique experience in the life of many young adults that presents many challenges for which they might not be prepared, including living away from home and adapting to a new social and academic environment. In particular, these experiences may be particularly adverse for students with social phobia and may be predictors of academic and social problems, and may even predict dropout. The purpose of the present research is to identify possible connections between socially phobic tendencies and the social, emotional, and overall well-being of college students. Social phobia itself is an unnecessary and overwhelming fear of being scrutinized by others (National Institute of Mental Health 2009). By implementing the use of four psychological tests: the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, College Affiliation Questionnaire, and Life Orientation Test, this research sought to investigate the correlations existing between college students' self-reports on these measures through the use of the UCF Sona system. Students' personal characteristics and demographics were also examined correlationally along with their self-reports on all four measures. A total of 165 participants were used in this study. After gathering descriptive statistics from each test and their demographics, correlations were run between the four tests and then between demographic information and tests. The results showed social phobia having a positive correlation with negative affect and a negative relationship with positive affect. In turn, negative emotion was correlated with a lowered overall life orientation and a more pessimistic mindset. No strong correlations were identified between psychological tests and student characteristics as was previously thought. Overall, there are definite indicators that social anxiety has a negative impact on one's quality of life and emotions, however, more research needs to be done with more diverse sampling and different methodology to see if there is a link between particular student characteristics and prevalence rates of social anxiety within those characteristic subsets.
Show less
Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFH0004562, ucf:45165
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004562

Title: AN INVESTIGATION OF LINGUISTIC, COGNITIVE, AND AFFECTIVE FACTORS THAT IMPACT ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS' PERFORMANCE ON A STATE STANDARDIZED READING ACHIEVEMENT TEST.
Creator: Strebel Halpern, Carine, Nutta, Joyce, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The explicit teaching of reading comprehension strategies has been proposed as a means to better prepare secondary school-aged students for today's information-dense, fast-paced, fast-changing global society, and to improve the academic performance of struggling adolescent readers. This proposition of a direct and positive impact of reading comprehension strategies on reading achievement for all students has not been investigated with English language learners (ELLs) who, by definition,...
Show moreThe explicit teaching of reading comprehension strategies has been proposed as a means to better prepare secondary school-aged students for today's information-dense, fast-paced, fast-changing global society, and to improve the academic performance of struggling adolescent readers. This proposition of a direct and positive impact of reading comprehension strategies on reading achievement for all students has not been investigated with English language learners (ELLs) who, by definition, do not possess the same level of English language skills as their native-English speaking peers. This mixed-method study investigated linguistic, cognitive, as well as affective factors that impact adolescent ELLs' performance on a standardized state reading achievement test. The quantitative portion examined the relative contributions of second language proficiency and reading comprehension strategies to a prediction model of reading achievement in 110 ninth and tenth grade ELLs. The qualitative portion of the study involved individual interviews and was aimed at deepening the understanding of ELLs' use of strategies during the standardized reading test, while also investigating affective factors that may impact their performance on this measure of academic achievement. Quantitative findings include two statistically significant prediction models of reading achievement with reading comprehension strategies and English language proficiency as predictor variables. However, only language proficiency made a significant unique contribution to the prediction variable. Qualitative findings suggest that the participants had relatively little metacognitive awareness of their comprehension during the standardized test, had overestimated their use of reading strategies as reported on a 30-item strategy survey instrument, had concentrated on sentence-level comprehension due to unknown vocabulary, and may have been hindered by testing anxiety in being able to wholly concentrate on the task. Recommendations made for the instruction of comprehension strategies consist of the raising of metacognitive awareness through the explicit modeling of the thought processes involved in reading comprehension, including determining the meaning of unknown words.
Show less
Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002931, ucf:47989
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002931

Title: LEVELS OF LINE GRAPH QUESTION INTERPRETATION WITH INTERMEDIATE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS OF VARYING SCIENTIFIC AND MATHEMATICAL KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY: A THINK ALOUD STUDY.
Creator: Keller, Stacy, Biraimah, Karen, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study examined how intermediate elementary students' mathematics and science background knowledge affected their interpretation of line graphs and how their interpretations were affected by graph question levels. A purposive sample of 14 6th-grade students engaged in think aloud interviews (Ericsson & Simon, 1993) while completing an excerpted Test of Graphing in Science (TOGS) (McKenzie & Padilla, 1986). Hand gestures were video recorded. Student performance on the TOGS was assessed...
Show moreThis study examined how intermediate elementary students' mathematics and science background knowledge affected their interpretation of line graphs and how their interpretations were affected by graph question levels. A purposive sample of 14 6th-grade students engaged in think aloud interviews (Ericsson & Simon, 1993) while completing an excerpted Test of Graphing in Science (TOGS) (McKenzie & Padilla, 1986). Hand gestures were video recorded. Student performance on the TOGS was assessed using an assessment rubric created from previously cited factors affecting students' graphing ability. Factors were categorized using Bertin's (1983) three graph question levels. The assessment rubric was validated by Padilla and a veteran mathematics and science teacher. Observational notes were also collected. Data were analyzed using Roth and Bowen's semiotic process of reading graphs (2001). Key findings from this analysis included differences in the use of heuristics, self-generated questions, science knowledge, and self-motivation. Students with higher prior achievement used a greater number and variety of heuristics and more often chose appropriate heuristics. They also monitored their understanding of the question and the adequacy of their strategy and answer by asking themselves questions. Most used their science knowledge spontaneously to check their understanding of the question and the adequacy of their answers. Students with lower and moderate prior achievement favored one heuristic even when it was not useful for answering the question and rarely asked their own questions. In some cases, if students with lower prior achievement had thought about their answers in the context of their science knowledge, they would have been able to recognize their errors. One student with lower prior achievement motivated herself when she thought the questions were too difficult. In addition, students answered the TOGS in one of three ways: as if they were mathematics word problems, science data to be analyzed, or they were confused and had to guess. A second set of findings corroborated how science background knowledge affected graph interpretation: correct science knowledge supported students' reasoning, but it was not necessary to answer any question correctly; correct science knowledge could not compensate for incomplete mathematics knowledge; and incorrect science knowledge often distracted students when they tried to use it while answering a question. Finally, using Roth and Bowen's (2001) two-stage semiotic model of reading graphs, representative vignettes showed emerging patterns from the study. This study added to our understanding of the role of science content knowledge during line graph interpretation, highlighted the importance of heuristics and mathematics procedural knowledge, and documented the importance of perception attentions, motivation, and students' self-generated questions. Recommendations were made for future research in line graph interpretation in mathematics and science education and for improving instruction in this area.
Show less
Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002356, ucf:47810
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002356

Title: TRAIT AROUSABILITYAND ITS IMPACT ON ADAPTIVE MULTIMEDIA TRAINING.
Creator: Schatz, Sae, Bowers, Clint, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Today's best intelligent, adaptive, multimedia trainers have shown excellent performance; however, their results still fall far-short of what good human tutors can achieve. The overarching thesis of this paper is that future intelligent, adaptive systems will be improved by taking into account relevant, consistent, and meaningful individual differences. Specifically, responding to individual differences among trainees will (a) form more accurate individual baselines within a training...
Show moreToday's best intelligent, adaptive, multimedia trainers have shown excellent performance; however, their results still fall far-short of what good human tutors can achieve. The overarching thesis of this paper is that future intelligent, adaptive systems will be improved by taking into account relevant, consistent, and meaningful individual differences. Specifically, responding to individual differences among trainees will (a) form more accurate individual baselines within a training system, and (b) better inform system responses (so that they interpret and respond to observable data more appropriately). One variable to consider is trait arousability, which describes individual differences in sensitivity to stimuli. Individuals' arousability interacts with the arousal inherent to a task/environment to create a person's arousal state. An individual's arousal state affects his/her attentional capacity, working memory function, and depth of processing. In this paper, two studies are presented. The purpose of the first study was to evaluate existing subjective measures of trait arousability and then develop a new measure by factor analyzing existing apparatus. From this well-populated (N = 622) study, a new reliable (α = .91) 35-item scale was developed. This scale includes two factors, negative emotionality and orienting sensitivity, which have been previously theorized but not yet so reliably measured. The purposes of the second study were to (a) validate the measure developed in the first investigation and (b) demonstrate the applied value of the arousability construct in the context of training. Results from the second study (N=45) demonstrated significant main effects, but the interaction effects were inconclusive. They neither clearly confirm nor invalidate the hypotheses, but they do raise further questions.
Show less
Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002351, ucf:47815
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002351

Title: Investigating Instructional Designers' Decisions Regarding The Use Of Multimedia Learning Principles in E-learning Course Design.
Creator: Arguelles, Victor, Hartshorne, Richard, Gill, Michele, Vitale, Thomas, Swan, Bonnie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study employed a qualitative research design using the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB) to investigate instructional designers' use of multimedia learning principles (MLPs) in e-learning course design. While MLPs have been extensively studied in educational research and are largely associated with positive results, evidence suggests that instructional designers are not uniformly implementing these strategies when designing e-learning environments. The purpose of this study...
Show moreThis study employed a qualitative research design using the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (DTPB) to investigate instructional designers' use of multimedia learning principles (MLPs) in e-learning course design. While MLPs have been extensively studied in educational research and are largely associated with positive results, evidence suggests that instructional designers are not uniformly implementing these strategies when designing e-learning environments. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to understand better the alignment between instructional designers' knowledge and demonstrated implementation of MLPs; and (b) to understand the factors that influence instructional designers' intent and actual implementation of MLPs in their e-learning course design. Based on two interviews conducted with seven instructional designers and an analysis of representative work samples, this study produced seven findings. Participants were recruited using homogenous purposive sampling method from two small corporate organizations whose primary business is the development of e-learning environments. Overall, these findings suggest that, despite being exposed to MLPs and holding positive behavioral beliefs regarding the usefulness of them, instructional designers may hold negative beliefs and face constraining conditions that pose significant barriers to the utilization of MLPs in e-learning course design. Other findings regarding MLP use in design are discussed and future directions for practice, policy, and research are offered.
Show less
Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0006716, ucf:51898
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006716

Title: Do multiple conditions elicit the visual redundant signals effect in simple response times?.
Creator: Mishler, Ada, Neider, Mark, Lighthall, Nichole, Szalma, James, Joseph, Dana, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The redundant signals effect, or redundancy gain, is an increase in human processing efficiency when target redundancy is introduced into a display. An advantage for two visual signals over one has been found in a wide variety of speeded response time tasks, but does not always occur and may be weakened by some task parameters. These disparate results suggest that visual redundancy gain is not a unitary effect, but is instead based on different underlying mechanisms in different tasks. The...
Show moreThe redundant signals effect, or redundancy gain, is an increase in human processing efficiency when target redundancy is introduced into a display. An advantage for two visual signals over one has been found in a wide variety of speeded response time tasks, but does not always occur and may be weakened by some task parameters. These disparate results suggest that visual redundancy gain is not a unitary effect, but is instead based on different underlying mechanisms in different tasks. The current study synthesizes previous theories applied to redundancy gain into the three-conditions hypothesis, which states that visual redundancy gain depends on the presence of at least one of three factors: visual identicalness between multiple targets, familiarity with multiple similar targets, or prepotentiation for multiple different targets. In a series of four simple response time experiments, participants responded to single targets presented to one side of the visual field, or to bilateral targets presented to both sides of the visual field. The first three experiments each explored one condition, the first experiment by comparing identical to non-identical random shapes to examine visual identicalness, the second by comparing familiar to unfamiliar letters to examine familiarity, and the third by comparing previewed with non-previewed random shapes to examine prepotentiation. Finally, the fourth experiment employed letters that varied in familiarity, identicalness, and preview, to examine whether or not the three hypothesized causes have multiplicative effects on redundancy. Results indicated that participants were able to benefit equally from redundancy regardless of identicalness, familiarity, or prepotentiation, but that they did so by ignoring one target in the redundant-target trials. These results suggest that redundancy gain may need to be even further divided into more than three underlying mechanisms, with a serial processing mechanism that can be used for stimuli that are not familiar, prepotentiated, or identical.
Show less
Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0006899, ucf:52890
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006899

Title: Examining the use of Background Music to Facilitate Learning.
Creator: De La Mora Velasco, Efren, Hirumi, Atsusi, Bai, Haiyan, Boote, David, Sung, Stella, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The present work examines the use of background music (BM) to facilitate learning. This dissertation includes three independent, yet interrelated studies that synthesized scholarship to characterize the methods, and BM characteristics that have been manipulated in primary research, to identify trends, patterns and gaps. Then, it integrates findings of experimental studies that reported influences of music on cognitive performance to inform future research and theory. Lastly, this dissertation...
Show moreThe present work examines the use of background music (BM) to facilitate learning. This dissertation includes three independent, yet interrelated studies that synthesized scholarship to characterize the methods, and BM characteristics that have been manipulated in primary research, to identify trends, patterns and gaps. Then, it integrates findings of experimental studies that reported influences of music on cognitive performance to inform future research and theory. Lastly, this dissertation reports a design-based research study aimed at improving an online learning environment with the use of BM to enhance students' motivation, engagement and knowledge retention.
Show less
Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007622, ucf:52536
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007622

Title: The Effects of Presence and Cognitive Load on Episodic Memory in Virtual Environments.
Creator: Barclay, Paul, Sims, Valerie, Bowers, Clint, Jentsch, Florian, Fiore, Stephen, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Episodic memory refers to an individual's memory for events that they have experienced in the past along with the associated contextual details. In order to more closely reflect the way that episodic memory functions in the real world, researchers and clinicians test episodic memory using virtual environments. However, these virtual environments introduce new interfaces and task demands that are not present in traditional methodologies. This dissertation investigates these environments...
Show moreEpisodic memory refers to an individual's memory for events that they have experienced in the past along with the associated contextual details. In order to more closely reflect the way that episodic memory functions in the real world, researchers and clinicians test episodic memory using virtual environments. However, these virtual environments introduce new interfaces and task demands that are not present in traditional methodologies. This dissertation investigates these environments through the lenses of Presence and Cognitive Load theories in order to unravel the ways that basic technological and task differences may affect memory performance. Participants completed a virtual task under High and Low Immersion conditions intended to manipulate Presence and Single-Task, Ecological Dual-Task and Non-Ecological Dual-Task conditions intended to manipulate cognitive load. Afterward they completed a battery of memory tasks assessing spatial, object, and feature binding aspects of episodic memory. Analysis through 2x3 ANOVA showed that performance for spatial memory is greatly improved by manipulation of Presence, where performance for object memory is improved by germane cognitive load. Exploratory analyses also revealed significant gender differences in spatial memory performance, indicating that improving Presence may offset the higher levels in male performance traditionally seen on spatial tasks. These results have practical implications for clinical memory assessment, as well as training paradigms and may serve to highlight the differences in the ways that memory is studied in the laboratory versus the way that it is employed in day-to-day life. Future studies based on this research should focus on linking these differences in memory performance to visuospatial and verbal strategies of memorization and determining whether the effects observed in this study replicate using other manipulations of presence and cognitive load.
Show less
Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007601, ucf:52521
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007601

Title: The efficacy and feasibility of neuropsychological services in a primary care setting.
Creator: Herring, Danielle, Paulson, Daniel, Sherod, Megan, Blaney, Cerissa, Cannarozzi, Maria, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Integrated primary care assimilates psychologists into the primary care setting, thus improving health outcomes and physician satisfaction. Neuropsychology has also begun to assimilate into primary care, as neurocognitive impairment is a correlate of many medical disorders. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a common complaint among older adults, is an increasingly recognized warning sign of non-normative cognitive aging. These patients typically present first to their primary care providers...
Show moreIntegrated primary care assimilates psychologists into the primary care setting, thus improving health outcomes and physician satisfaction. Neuropsychology has also begun to assimilate into primary care, as neurocognitive impairment is a correlate of many medical disorders. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a common complaint among older adults, is an increasingly recognized warning sign of non-normative cognitive aging. These patients typically present first to their primary care providers who may play a critical role in the early detection of cognitive impairment. Given the growing awareness about cognitive health and disability, the importance of neuropsychological assessment as a standard component of integrated care has been recognized by providers. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy and feasibility of neuropsychological services, for memory concerns, in a community primary care setting. The study also explored the relationship between SCD and performance on neurocognitive measures and satisfaction levels for both patient participants and medical providers. A total of 16 patient participants completed the study. On average, patients were in their late-60's and mostly female and Caucasian. Participants completed a brief interview, neurocognitive evaluation, self-report measures of SCD and mood, and satisfaction survey. Results did not reveal significant correlations between SCD and neurocognitive performance. Significantly more referrals were made to the onsite neurocognitive clinic, than were made for outside services in a nine-month period preceding the described program. Patients referred to the onsite clinic were also significantly more likely to have an accessible report located in their EMR than those referred offsite. Both participants and medical providers were reportedly satisfied with clinic services. Results suggest that a clinic of this nature has promising benefits and is well-liked by both patients and providers, though barriers related to full utilization of services remain a challenge. Further research with a larger, more diverse sample is recommended. ?
Show less
Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007653, ucf:52508
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007653

Title: The Visual Divide: Islam vs. The West, Image Peception in Cross-Cultural Contexts.
Creator: Akil, Hatem, Mauer, Barry, Scott, John, Gleyzon, Francois-Xavier, Janz, Bruce, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Do two people, coming from different cultural backgrounds, see the same image the same way? Do we employ technologies of seeing that embed visuality within relentless cultural and ideological frames? And, if so, when does visual difference become a tool for inclusion and exclusion? When does it become an instrument of war? I argue that we're always implicated in visuality as a form of confirmation bias, and that what we see is shaped by preexisting socio-ideological frames that can only be...
Show moreDo two people, coming from different cultural backgrounds, see the same image the same way? Do we employ technologies of seeing that embed visuality within relentless cultural and ideological frames? And, if so, when does visual difference become a tool for inclusion and exclusion? When does it become an instrument of war? I argue that we're always implicated in visuality as a form of confirmation bias, and that what we see is shaped by preexisting socio-ideological frames that can only be liberated through an active and critical relationship with the image. The image itself, albeit ubiquitous, is never unimplicated - at once violated and violating; with both its creator and its perceiver self-positioned as its ultimate subject.I follow a trace of the image within the context of a supposed Islam versus the West dichotomy; its construction, instrumentalization, betrayals, and incriminations. This trace sometimes forks into multiple paths, and at times loops unto itself, but eventually moves towards a traversal of a visual divide. I apply the trace as my methodology in the sense suggested by Derrida, but also as a technology for finding my way into and out of an epistemological labyrinth.The Visual Divide comprises five chapters: Chapter One presents some of the major themes of this work while attempting a theoretical account of image perception within philosophical and cross-cultural settings. I use this account to understand and undermine contemporary rhetoric (as in the works of Samuel Huntington and Bernard Lewis) that seems intent on theorizing a supposed cultural and historical dichotomies between Islam and the West.In Chapter Two, I account for slogan chants heard at Tahrir Square during the January 25 Egyptian revolution as tools to discovering a mix of technology, language and revolution that could be characterized as hybrid, plural and present at the center of which lies the human body as subject to public peril. Chapter Three analyzes a state of visual divide where photographic evidence is posited against ethnographic reality as found in postcards of nude and semi-nude Algerian Muslim women in the 19th century. I connect this state to a chain of visual oppositions that place Western superiority as its subject and which continues to our present day with the Abu Ghraib photographs and the Mohammed cartoons, etc. Chapter Four deploys the image of Mohamed al-Durra, a 3rd grader who was shot dead, on video, at a crossroads in Gaza, and the ensuing attempts to reinterpret, recreate, falsify and litigate the meaning of the video images of his death in order to propagate certain political doxa. I relate the violence against the image, by the image, and despite the image, to a state of pure war that is steeped in visuality, and which transforms the act of seeing into an act of targeting.In Chapter Five, I integrate the concept of visuality with that of the human body under peril in order to identify conditions that lead to comparative suffering or a division that views humanity as something other than unitary and of equal value. I connect the figures of der Muselmann, Shylock, Othello, the suicide bomber, and others to subvert a narrative that claims that one's suffering is deeper than another's, or that life could be valued differently depending on the place of your birth, the color of your skin, or the thickness of your accent.Finally, in the Epilogue: Tabbouleh Deterritorialized, I look at the interconnected states of perception and remembering within diasporic contexts. Cultural identity (invoked by an encounter with tabbouleh on a restaurant menu in Orlando) is both questioned and transformed and becomes the subject of perception and negotiation.
Show less
Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0004084, ucf:49144
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004084

Title: SPECTRUM SHARING AND SERVICE PRICING IN DYNAMIC SPECTRUM ACCESS NETWORKS.
Creator: Brahma, Swastik, Chatterjee, Mainak, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Traditionally, radio spectrum has been statically allocated to wireless service providers (WSPs). Regulators, like FCC, give wireless service providers exclusive long term licenses for using specific range of frequencies in particular geographic areas. Moreover, restrictions are imposed on the technologies to be used and the services to be provided. The lack of flexibility in static spectrum allocation constrains the ability to make use of new technologies and the ability to redeploy the...
Show moreTraditionally, radio spectrum has been statically allocated to wireless service providers (WSPs). Regulators, like FCC, give wireless service providers exclusive long term licenses for using specific range of frequencies in particular geographic areas. Moreover, restrictions are imposed on the technologies to be used and the services to be provided. The lack of flexibility in static spectrum allocation constrains the ability to make use of new technologies and the ability to redeploy the spectrum to higher valued uses, thereby resulting in inefficient spectrum utilization [23, 38, 42, 62, 67]. These limitations have motivated a paradigm shift from static spectrum allocation towards a more 'liberalized' notion of spectrum management in which secondary users can borrow idle spectrum from primary spectrum licensees, without causing harmful interference to the latter- a notion commonly referred to as dynamic spectrum access (DSA) or open spectrum access ,. Cognitive radio [30, 47], empowered by Software Defined Radio (SDR), is poised to promote the efficient use of spectrum by adopting this open spectrum approach. In this dissertation, we first address the problem of dynamic channel (spectrum) access by a set of cognitive radio enabled nodes, where each node acting in a selfish manner tries to access and use as many channels as possible, subject to the interference constraints. We model the dynamic channel access problem as a modified Rubinstein-Stahl bargaining game. In our model, each node negotiates with the other nodes to obtain an agreeable sharing rule of the available channels, such that, no two interfering nodes use the same channel. We solve the bargaining game by finding Subgame Perfect Nash Equilibrium (SPNE) strategies of the nodes. First, we consider finite horizon version of the bargaining game and investigate its SPNE strategies that allow each node to maximize its utility against the other nodes (opponents). We then extend these results to the infinite horizon bargaining game. Furthermore, we identify Pareto optimal equilibria of the game for improving spectrum utilization. The bargaining solution ensures that no node is starved of channels. The spectrum that a secondary node acquires comes to it at a cost. Thus it becomes important to study the 'end system' perspective of such a cost, by focusing on its implications. Specifically, we consider the problem of incentivizing nodes to provide the service of routing using the acquired spectrum. In this problem, each secondary node having a certain capacity incurs a cost for routing traffic through it. Secondary nodes will not have an incentive to relay traffic unless they are compensated for the costs they incur in forwarding traffic. We propose a path auction scheme in which each secondary node announces its cost and capacity to the routing mechanism, both of which are considered as private information known only to the node. We design a route selection mechanism and a pricing function that can induce nodes to reveal their cost and capacity honestly (making our auction truthful), while minimizing the payment that needs to be given to the nodes (making our auction optimal). By considering capacity constraint of the nodes, we explicitly support multiple path routing. For deploying our path auction based routing mechanism in DSA networks, we provide polynomial time algorithms to find the optimal route over which traffic should be routed and to compute the payment that each node should receive. All our proposed algorithms have been evaluated via extensive simulation experiments. These results help to validate our design philosophy and also illustrate the effectiveness of our solution approach.
Show less
Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0004049, ucf:49125
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004049

Title: An investigation of the relationship between visual effects and object identification using eye-tracking.
Creator: Rosch, Jonathan, Schoenfeld, Winston, Likamwa, Patrick, Wu, Shintson, Vogel-Walcutt, Jennifer, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The visual content represented on information displays used in training environments prescribe display attributes as brightness, color, contrast, and motion blur, but considerations regarding cognitive processes corresponding to these visual features require further attention in order to optimize the display for training applications. This dissertation describes an empirical study with which information display features, specifically color and motion blur reduction, were investigated to...
Show moreThe visual content represented on information displays used in training environments prescribe display attributes as brightness, color, contrast, and motion blur, but considerations regarding cognitive processes corresponding to these visual features require further attention in order to optimize the display for training applications. This dissertation describes an empirical study with which information display features, specifically color and motion blur reduction, were investigated to assess their impact in a training scenario involving visual search and threat detection. Presented in this document is a review of the theory and literature describing display technology, its applications to training, and how eye-tracking systems can be used to objectively measure cognitive activity. The experiment required participants to complete a threat identification task, while altering the displays settings beforehand, to assess the utility of the display capabilities. The data obtained led to the conclusion that motion blur had a stronger impact on perceptual load than the addition of color. The increased perceptual load resulted in approximately 8-10% longer fixation durations for all display conditions and a similar decrease in the number of saccades, but only when motion blur reduction was used. No differences were found in terms of threat location or threat identification accuracy, so it was concluded that the effects of perceptual load were independent of germane cognitive load.
Show less
Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004591, ucf:49219
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004591

Title: ESSAYS ON CONSUMER CHARITY.
Creator: Paniculangara, Joseph, He, Xin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Two essays comprise this doctoral dissertation on consumers and their charitable donations. The overall objective is to investigate the role of psychological distance in charitable donations, with each essay dealing with a different moderator of this relationship. In the first essay, I study the interactive effect of social distance and processing mode (affect vs. cognition). Specifically, people tend to donate more if they use their emotions rather than cognition as diagnostic inputs for...
Show moreTwo essays comprise this doctoral dissertation on consumers and their charitable donations. The overall objective is to investigate the role of psychological distance in charitable donations, with each essay dealing with a different moderator of this relationship. In the first essay, I study the interactive effect of social distance and processing mode (affect vs. cognition). Specifically, people tend to donate more if they use their emotions rather than cognition as diagnostic inputs for decision making, especially when donor and recipient are separated by greater social distance. This may be because affect-driven and cognition-driven donors are influenced by different goals. Affect-driven donors are mainly motivated by a consummatory goal of increasing their "warm glow" utility whereas cognition-driven donors are mainly motivated by an instrumental goal of increasing "public goods" utility (i.e., making a contribution that may benefit the donor as well). While both consummatory and instrumental goals are relevant at closer social distance, only the consummatory goal is at work at greater social distance, which leads to a social distance by processing mode interaction. The hypothesized effect is tested in a series of three experiments that use different contexts and dependent measures (e.g., donation of money vs. time). In the second essay, I turn to the joint effect of psychological distance and dispositional empathy on charitable donation. Empathy or "Einf[umlaut]hlung" is defined as feeling one's way into the situation of another. While the literature suggests that empathy generally increases various forms of prosocial behavior including donations, I argue that this effect is contingent upon the psychological distance between donor and recipient. The role of empathy is especially pronounced when the recipient is perceived to be psychologically closer to the donor. This is because closer psychological distance leads to greater identification by the donor with the recipient, which in turn leads to greater donation. I demonstrated support for the hypothesized interaction between dispositional empathy and psychological distance in three experiments, each addressing a different type of psychological distance. I conclude this dissertation with a discussion of the theoretical contribution and managerial importance of the findings. Managers of not-for-profits are confronted with a multitude of challenges in increasing donations while optimizing their resources. By pointing out the processes that underlie individual donors' decisions on charitable donations, this dissertation addresses a long-felt but rarely addressed lacuna in the literature.
Show less
Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0004041, ucf:49163
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004041

Title: MODELING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACUTE STRESS UNDER DYNAMIC TASK CONDITIONS.
Creator: Millan, Angel, Crumpton-Young, Lesia, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Stress can be defined as the mental, physical, and emotional response of humans to stressors encountered in their personal or professional environment. Stressors are introduced in various activities, especially those found in dynamic task conditions when multiple task requirements must be performed. Stress and stressors have been described as activators and inhibitors of human performance. The ability to manage high levels of acute stress is an important determinant of successful performance...
Show moreStress can be defined as the mental, physical, and emotional response of humans to stressors encountered in their personal or professional environment. Stressors are introduced in various activities, especially those found in dynamic task conditions when multiple task requirements must be performed. Stress and stressors have been described as activators and inhibitors of human performance. The ability to manage high levels of acute stress is an important determinant of successful performance in any occupation. In situations where performance is critical, personnel must be prepared to operate successfully under hostile or extreme stress conditions; therefore training programs and engineered systems must be tailored to assist humans in fulfilling these demands. To effectively design appropriate training programs for these conditions, it is necessary to quantitatively describe stress. A series of theoretical stress models have been developed in previous research studies; however, these do not provide quantification of stress levels nor the impact on human performance. By modeling acute stress under dynamic task conditions, quantitative values for stress and its impact on performance can be assessed. Thus, this research was designed to develop a predictive model for acute stress as a function of human performance and task demand. Initially, a four factor two level experimental design [2 (Noise) x 2 (Temperature) x 2 (Time Awareness) x 2 (Workload)] was performed to identify reliable physiological, cognitive and behavioral responses to stress. Next, multivariate analysis of variance (n=108) tests were performed, which showed statistically significant differences for physiological, cognitive and behavioral responses. Finally, fuzzy set theory techniques were used to develop a comprehensive stress index model. Thus, the resulting stress index model was constructed using input on physiological, cognitive and behavioral responses to stressors as well as characteristics inherent to the type of task performed and personal factors that interact as mediators (competitiveness, motivation, coping technique and proneness to boredom). Through using this stress index model to quantify and characterize the affects of acute stress on human performance, these research findings can inform proper training protocols and help to redesign tasks and working conditions that are prone to create levels of acute stress that adversely affect human performance.
Show less
Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0004056, ucf:49151
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004056

cognition (13)	+ -
Cognition (11)	+ -
cognitive load (7)	+ -
Cognitive Load Theory (6)	+ -
Embodied Cognition (6)	+ -

learning (5)	+ -
social cognition (5)	+ -
social cognitive theory (5)	+ -
Cognitive Load (4)	+ -
Cognitive Radio (4)	+ -
Training (4)	+ -
sex (4)	+ -
Education (3)	+ -
Learning (3)	+ -
Memory (3)	+ -
Narrative (3)	+ -
cognitive dissonance (3)	+ -
cognitive science (3)	+ -
education (3)	+ -
embodied cognition (3)	+ -
empathy (3)	+ -
gender (3)	+ -
meta-analysis (3)	+ -
multimedia (3)	+ -
psychology (3)	+ -
schizophrenia (3)	+ -
social anxiety (3)	+ -
training (3)	+ -
working memory (3)	+ -
21st century skills (2)	+ -

ETD Collection (117)	+ -
Honors Collection (33)	+ -

English (149)	+ -
Engilsh (1)	+ -

University of Central Florida (149)	+ -
Sims, Valerie (21)	+ -
Bowers, Clint (10)	+ -
Jentsch, Florian (8)	+ -
Bedwell, Jeffrey (6)	+ -

Search In

Pages

Pages

Sort Results By:

Narrow results by:

Topical Subject

Collection

Type of Resource

Language

Creator

Format

Owner