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Title: DEATH AND DISENGAGEMENT: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITYÃ‚Â'S INTERVENTION EFFORT IN DARFUR.
Creator: Hodges, Victor, Ezekiel, Walker, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This thesis seeks to analyze the international community's conflict management capabilities through its response to the Darfur crisis. Primarily, it aims to show through the lens of the Darfur crisis, which is widely accepted as the first genocide of the twenty-first century, that the international community has yet to develop a framework to collectively intervene in and resolve crimes against humanity. Additionally, this thesis will show the international community's recognition of...
Show moreThis thesis seeks to analyze the international community's conflict management capabilities through its response to the Darfur crisis. Primarily, it aims to show through the lens of the Darfur crisis, which is widely accepted as the first genocide of the twenty-first century, that the international community has yet to develop a framework to collectively intervene in and resolve crimes against humanity. Additionally, this thesis will show the international community's recognition of their shortcomings through the gradual transformation of policies undertaken by several of its leading entities in response to the crisis. The research will pinpoint several major factors behind the lack of a unified global community acting in Darfur, such as geopolitical fragility between major international organizations, fragmentation caused by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the global War on Terror which occurred concurrently with the genocide in Darfur, and the underlying political and economic alliances that many major countries including the United States and China, enjoy with the Government of Sudan. The work will focus specifically on the United States, the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union, analyzing the actions of each respective group in facilitating an end to the Darfur conflict. Ultimately, this thesis will use the research to conclude that the international community was willing to accept the Darfur genocide, with its death toll nearing four-hundred thousand and well over two million internally displaced peoples, in order to advance their respective global interests and preserve the status quo of global affairs in the early twenty-first century.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003385, ucf:48442
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003385

Title: Heat Transfer and Friction Augmentation in a Narrow Rectangular Duct with Symmetrical and Non-Symmetrical Wedge-Shaped Turbulators.
Creator: Valentino, Michelle, Kapat, Jayanta, Deng, Weiwei, Kassab, Alain, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The need for cleaner and more fuel efficient means to produce electricity is growing steadily. Advancements in cooling technologies contribute to the improvements in turbine efficiency and are used for gas turbines and for power generation in automotive, aviation, as well as in naval applications, and many more. Studies introducing turbulators on walls of internal cooling channels, which can be applied to hot gas components and in recuperative heat exchangers, have been reviewed for their...
Show moreThe need for cleaner and more fuel efficient means to produce electricity is growing steadily. Advancements in cooling technologies contribute to the improvements in turbine efficiency and are used for gas turbines and for power generation in automotive, aviation, as well as in naval applications, and many more. Studies introducing turbulators on walls of internal cooling channels, which can be applied to hot gas components and in recuperative heat exchangers, have been reviewed for their ability to promote heat transfer in the channel while observing pressure loss caused by adding the features. Several types of turbulators have been studied; ribs, pin fins, dimples, wedges, and scales are some examples of features that have been added to walls of internal cooling channels or heat exchangers to increase heat transfer. This study focuses on two types of wedge turbulator designs, a full symmetrical wedge and a half, or non-symmetrical right-triangular wedge for the purpose of disrupting the thermal boundary layer close to hot walls without causing large-scale mixing and pressure drops. There are two sizes of the wedges, the first set of full and half wedges have an e/Dh=0.10 with the second at e/Dh=0.40, a feature that fills the height of the boundary layer. There are six cases studied, two one-wall and four two-wall cases in a 2:1 aspect ratio channel at Reynolds numbers of 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, and 40,000. Two experimental setups are utilized: a segmented copper block and transient TLC, along with numerical simulation for computational flow visualization. Wall temperature data is collected from all four walls for the copper experimental setup and three walls on the transient TLC setup. The fourth wall of the acrylic test section for the transient TLC tests is utilized for pressure testing, where static pressure ports are placed along the side wall. Although the small features did not show large influence in heat transfer on the side walls as much as the larger features or as high of heat transfer on the featured walls, the minimal pressure loss in the channel kept overall thermal performance of the small two wall full wedge features very high. The case of the large half wedge on two walls also showed very high thermal performance, having pressure loss values nearly half of the same sized (length and height) full wedge feature while having the ability to incorporate side walls into the overall heat transfer enhancement. The results found in the experimental setups are supported by the visualization of flow characteristics from the numerical testing. Comparing the initial wedge study to recent full rib studies show the wedges have similar improvements in heat transfer to the full rib cases with friction augmentations 5 to 10 times lower than the full rib cases. Further improvements to wedge heat transfer and pressure drop can be done by determining optimal wedge size and orientation.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0004489, ucf:49299
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004489

Title: AN ACCOUNT OF HOW CHINESE GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES VIEW THE FULL SPAN OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES: A GROUNDED THEORY INVESTIGATION.
Creator: Tsai, Ming-Che, Sivo, Stephen, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Many teachers of international students in the United States are challenged to address cultural differences in a classroom. International students often experience psychological, physical and cultural stress when they study abroad, due mainly to unfamiliar environments and a diverse culture. The question this study asks is: Are there any strategies that can be used to benefit these students? This grounded theory study will examine a purposefully-selected group of subjects from China and...
Show moreMany teachers of international students in the United States are challenged to address cultural differences in a classroom. International students often experience psychological, physical and cultural stress when they study abroad, due mainly to unfamiliar environments and a diverse culture. The question this study asks is: Are there any strategies that can be used to benefit these students? This grounded theory study will examine a purposefully-selected group of subjects from China and Taiwan who are currently studying at a large metropolitan university in the Southeastern United States. After data collection and analysis procedure, I hoped there are some things valued for international student who just arrived at the new environment and provides the reference to those students and college with the similar situation as UCF all over the world.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002680, ucf:48239
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002680

Title: Despotism on the march.
Creator: Petersen, Arnold
Date Issued: 1951
Identifier: 2660279, CFDT2660279, ucf:4982
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2660279

Title: Stalinism and bolshevism: Concerning the historical and theoretical roots of the Fourth International.
Creator: Trotsky, Leon
Date Issued: 1937
Identifier: 2176773, CFDT2176773, ucf:4926
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2176773

Title: DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF SOLID ROCKET MOTOR GRAINS FOR INTERNAL BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE.
Creator: Hainline, Roger, Nayfeh, Jamal, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The work presented in this thesis deals with the application of optimization tools to the design of solid rocket motor grains per internal ballistic requirements. Research concentrated on the development of an optimization strategy capable of efficiently and consistently optimizing virtually an unlimited range of radial burning solid rocket motor grain geometries. Optimization tools were applied to the design process of solid rocket motor grains through an optimization framework developed to...
Show moreThe work presented in this thesis deals with the application of optimization tools to the design of solid rocket motor grains per internal ballistic requirements. Research concentrated on the development of an optimization strategy capable of efficiently and consistently optimizing virtually an unlimited range of radial burning solid rocket motor grain geometries. Optimization tools were applied to the design process of solid rocket motor grains through an optimization framework developed to interface optimization tools with the solid rocket motor design system. This was done within a programming architecture common to the grain design system, AML. This commonality in conjunction with the object-oriented dependency-tracking features of this programming architecture were used to reduce the computational time of the design optimization process. The optimization strategy developed for optimizing solid rocket motor grain geometries was called the internal ballistic optimization strategy. This strategy consists of a three stage optimization process; approximation, global optimization, and highfidelity optimization, and optimization methodologies employed include DOE, genetic algorithms, and the BFGS first-order gradient-based algorithm. This strategy was successfully applied to the design of three solid rocket motor grains of varying complexity. The contributions of this work was the development and application of an optimization strategy to the design process of solid rocket motor grains per internal ballistic requirements.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0001236, ucf:46929
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001236

Title: Not-So Splendid Isolation: an IPE Study of Iranian Sanction Busting.
Creator: Rilea, Ryan, Sadri, Houman, Morales, Waltraud, Bledsoe, Robert, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study analyzes the US sanction regime imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran. This single case study assesses its weaknesses and shortcomings in order to present a preliminary conclusion of the character of Iranian policies to bust the US sanctions regime. In charting the evolution of the US sanction regime through three distinct (")waves(") of sanctions the study highlighted the general shortcomings of the regime. First, the US sanction regime has failed to impose significant costs on...
Show moreThis study analyzes the US sanction regime imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran. This single case study assesses its weaknesses and shortcomings in order to present a preliminary conclusion of the character of Iranian policies to bust the US sanctions regime. In charting the evolution of the US sanction regime through three distinct (")waves(") of sanctions the study highlighted the general shortcomings of the regime. First, the US sanction regime has failed to impose significant costs on Iran. Second, the slow pace of unveiling each new wave of sanctions failed to bring the necessary immediate pressure on Iran. Third, the inability of the US to gain sufficient multilateral support has limited the scope of the sanctions. These failures has allowed the Iranian leadership to construct a viable counterstrategy to bust US sanctions and continue the stalemate over the conflict of an Iranian foreign policy based on supporting Hamas and Hezbollah and the continued secrecy of its nuclear program. The Iranian counterstrategy has been centered on a domestic economic policy of autonomy, the courting of states outside the US sanction regime through the use of its valuable energy resources and the procurement of sanctioned goods through regional third party states.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004288, ucf:49468
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004288

Title: The Relationship of English Language Scores on International Students' Academic Success.
Creator: Shbeeb, Rebekah, Biraimah, Karen, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Bai, Haiyan, Wolford, Anna, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: International graduate students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) are not completing graduate programs at the same rate as domestic graduate students. One of the main differences in the admissions process for international graduate students compared to domestic students is the English language test requirement. The purpose of this study was twofold: to test if the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the (International English Language Testing System) IELTS scores have...
Show moreInternational graduate students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) are not completing graduate programs at the same rate as domestic graduate students. One of the main differences in the admissions process for international graduate students compared to domestic students is the English language test requirement. The purpose of this study was twofold: to test if the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the (International English Language Testing System) IELTS scores have any statistically significant linear relationships to international graduate students' academic success as defined by their cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Secondly, this study sought to understand how international graduate students feel about the TOEFL and/or IELTS, and whether or not they feel prepared for study with regards to their English language ability. Using mixed-methods research, data were retrieved from international graduate students who graduated from UCF during the 2012 (-) 2016 academic school years. Information from a total of 583 international graduate students was included in the retrieved data collection and data analyses. A survey was also utilized to assess current international graduate students' perceptions of the English language test and requirements. A total of 235 students completed the survey. The study demonstrated that TOEFL and IELTS scores do not have any statistically significant linear relationship to international graduate students' CGPA. Therefore, results from this research study did not indicate that the English language test scores have an impact on academic success for international graduate students who met the UCF admission requirements. The findings also demonstrate that international graduate students generally feel the scores are an accurate assessment of their English language abilities. However, many international graduate students expressed a desire for additional English language resources.The findings are beneficial in able to better understand whether or not English language test scores have any impact on international graduate students' success, and to more accurately comprehend the international graduate students' perspective regarding the language requirement.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007725, ucf:52421
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007725

Title: SUPERVISION EXPERIENCE AND EGO DEVELOPMENT OF COUNSELING INTERNS' SITE SUPERVISORS AND SUPERVISEES' LEVEL OF EGO DEVELOPMENT AND OCCUPATIONAL STRESS.
Creator: Walter, Sara, Lambie, Glenn, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The primary purposes of this study were (a) to investigate the relationship between counseling interns' site supervisors' experience and training in supervision and their own levels of ego development and (b) to investigate the relationship between supervisors' levels of ego development and the ego functioning and occupational stress of their intern-supervisees. The theoretical framework for this investigation included cognitive developmental models of supervision (e.g., Blocher,...
Show moreThe primary purposes of this study were (a) to investigate the relationship between counseling interns' site supervisors' experience and training in supervision and their own levels of ego development and (b) to investigate the relationship between supervisors' levels of ego development and the ego functioning and occupational stress of their intern-supervisees. The theoretical framework for this investigation included cognitive developmental models of supervision (e.g., Blocher, 1983; Stoltenberg, 1981), ego development (Loevinger, 1976, 1997) and the Person-Environment Fit theory of occupational stress (French, Rogers, & Cobb, 1974). The findings of this study contribute to an understanding of (a) the levels of ego development and post-degree clinical supervision experiences of internship site supervisors in different areas of counseling specialty; (b) the relationship between social-cognitive developmental levels and levels of perceived occupational stress in counseling interns; and (c) cognitive development theory and counseling supervision. Ninety-six counseling internship students in three master's level counseling programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in Central Florida as well as 58 (73% response rate) of their internship site supervisors participated in the study. The site supervisors completed the Supervisors Experience Questionnaire (Walter, 2008) and the Washington University Sentence Completion Test--Form 81 (WUSCT; Hy & Loevinger, 1996). The participating counseling internship students completed a demographics questionnaire, the WUSCT--Form 81, and the Occupational Stress Inventory – Revised (OSI-R; Osipow, 1998). The statistical procedures used to analyze the data included chi-square, ANOVA, simultaneous multiple regression, and MANOVA procedures. The primary research hypotheses for the study were (1) that formal training in supervision and participation in post-graduate clinical supervision would predict supervisor ego development and (2) that supervisor ego development would predict supervisee ego development and occupational stress levels; these were not supported for these data. However, the results identified statistically significant relationships between supervisor participation in post-graduate clinical supervision and area of counseling specialty, with school counselor supervisors less likely to have participated in supervision than other supervisors. Additionally, the findings identified a negative correlation between interns' levels of perceived occupational stress and their ego development levels (14.6% of the variance explained), as well as a negative correlation between interns' levels of satisfaction with their internship site supervision and their levels of occupational stress (40% of the variance explained). The data from this investigation suggested that school counseling interns experienced higher levels of occupational stress due to occupational roles and lower levels of personal resources than interns in other counseling tracks, with the track accounting for 25.6% of the variance in the occupational stress levels. Implications for counseling supervisors and counselor educators are presented, along with areas for future investigation.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002540, ucf:47664
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002540

Title: DEVELOPMENT OF A KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT MODEL IN LARGE-SCALE INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCE PROJECTS.
Creator: Nunez, Jose, Kotnour, Timothy, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Large-scale international science projects (LISPs) are those projects where two or more countries formally agree to cooperate toward the achievement of a scientific, research and development, or engineering goal. In general, only projects exceeding $1 billion U.S. are considered LISPs, so sheer size commands attention, and because they are so costly and visible, failure can lead to significant scientific, financial and political consequences. This researched focused on how 7 different...
Show moreLarge-scale international science projects (LISPs) are those projects where two or more countries formally agree to cooperate toward the achievement of a scientific, research and development, or engineering goal. In general, only projects exceeding $1 billion U.S. are considered LISPs, so sheer size commands attention, and because they are so costly and visible, failure can lead to significant scientific, financial and political consequences. This researched focused on how 7 different critical success factors impacted the level of technical interface knowledge shared among international partners involved in a large-scale international space science project (LISSP) – the International Space Station (ISS), which is currently under assembly and testing at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The research methodology employed documentation review, individual interviews and surveys of experienced engineers and managers from three different countries associated with the ISS. The research methodology was applied to three different cases (retrospectively) involving the processing of flight hardware from the three different international partners. The analysis showed that only 5 out of the 7-factor model played a significant role in the level of knowledge sharing between partners. The developed model provides future international partnerships with critical success factors that they can apply to their specific project / mission teams in order to improve the level of knowledge shared between them.
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Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000656, ucf:46501
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000656

Title: INTERNAL CAPITAL MARKETS AND BANK RELATIONSHIP - EVIDENCE FROM JAPANESE CORPORATE SPIN-OFFS.INTERNAL CAPITAL MARKETS, INVESTMENT, AND BANK RELATIONSHIP - EVIDENCE FROM JAPANESE CORPORATE SPIN-OFFS.
Creator: Han, Seung, Choi, Yoon, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation consists of two studies related to internal capital markets and bank relationship using Japanese corporate spin-offs. The first study analyzes the relation between internal capital markets and banks by examining 137 Japanese corporate spin-offs created between the years 2001 and 2003 (since the establishment of new spin-offs law in 2001). In a univariate analysis, we find significant positive average cumulative abnormal returns around the announcements, market-adjusted...
Show moreThis dissertation consists of two studies related to internal capital markets and bank relationship using Japanese corporate spin-offs. The first study analyzes the relation between internal capital markets and banks by examining 137 Japanese corporate spin-offs created between the years 2001 and 2003 (since the establishment of new spin-offs law in 2001). In a univariate analysis, we find significant positive average cumulative abnormal returns around the announcements, market-adjusted excess returns after the spin-offs, an increase of the Herfindahl index, and a reduction in the diversification discount after the spin-offs. In a cross-sectional analysis, we find that bank-related governance variables such as the keiretsu-affiliation indicator, bank loan to total asset ratio, main bank ownership, and indicator variable of the existence of a bank-appointed director on the board indicator variables are significantly positively related to cumulative average abnormal returns around the announcements, market-adjusted excess returns after the spin-offs, an increase in focus of firms in terms of the Herfindahl index, and a reduction in the diversification discount. Therefore, we conclude that there is a significant relationship between internal capital markets and banks in Japan; after the internal capital market reorganization through spin-offs the closer relationship with banks creates shareholder wealth and increases the focus of firms. This paper is now co-authored with Professor Yoon K. Choi. The second study analyzes the investment policy changes in internal capital markets and the effect of banks' monitoring on the investment changes using Japanese corporate spin-offs, including merger-facilitated spin-offs within conglomerates. We find that investment sensitivity increases significantly after internal restructuring through spin-offs, consistent with Gertner et al. (2002). Furthermore, our results show that bank-related spin-offs' investments are more sensitive to investment opportunities, Tobin's Q, after being spun off. This suggests that the efficiency of Japanese internal capital markets has increased through spin-offs after the financial deregulation in 2001. We conclude that banks seem to play significant monitoring roles in internal capital markets to increase the investment efficiency after spin-offs. This paper is now co-authored with Professor Yoon K. Choi.
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Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000849, ucf:46644
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000849

Title: CUBA'S DEEPWATER DRILLING OPERATIONS: UNITED STATES RELATIONS, LEGALITIES, AND FUTURE.
Creator: Walker, Olivia, Naccarato-Fromang, Gina, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: After the calamitous and environmentally devastating occurrence of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, the sobering realities of the United States' failure to successfully protect its ocean waters have caused several modifications in policy, legislation, and overall direction ofthe entire nation. Although there has been a general shift towards ecological safety and away from the pursuit to drill, oil-drilling explorations have continued to take place in...
Show moreAfter the calamitous and environmentally devastating occurrence of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, the sobering realities of the United States' failure to successfully protect its ocean waters have caused several modifications in policy, legislation, and overall direction ofthe entire nation. Although there has been a general shift towards ecological safety and away from the pursuit to drill, oil-drilling explorations have continued to take place in international waters. This research will focus on the future operations of Repsol YPF, S.A., a Spanish oil company stationed in Cuba, whose drilling ambitions have caused a myriad of problems for the United States. The intent of this paper is to investigate the legalities surrounding Cuba's forthcoming deepwater oil drilling plan within the Florida Straights and how the existing relations between Cuba and the United States will shape the outcome. The majority of United States officials, senators, and policymakers are experiencing a great deal of anxiety and apprehension as Cuba's oil drilling plan continues to solidify. Recent changes in legislation and congressional opinion display the United States' overall objective to shape the manner in which the drilling operations will be carried out. This thesis will ultimately explore what progress the United States has made thus far in the sector of dialogue with Cuban officials, the various options the United States could seek in regards to taking part in the drilling operations that will soon commence in Cuba, and the current risks involved with the entirety of the drilling endeavor.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFH0004232, ucf:44956
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004232

Title: Investigation of Heat Transfer Enhancement Within a Concentric Annulus.
Creator: Hanhold, Alexander, Kapat, Jayanta, Ahmed, Kareem, Vasu Sumathi, Subith, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Effective heat exchange is key for many energy applications including heat exchangers, heat extraction from heat source, and heat rejection to ambient thermal sink. This study focuses on the investigation for a specific heat exchange configuration, namely heat removal within a concentric annular passage using helical turbulators and jet impingement. Numerical testing was used to see how the different geometric parameters affect the heat transfer and pressure drop within the annulus by using...
Show moreEffective heat exchange is key for many energy applications including heat exchangers, heat extraction from heat source, and heat rejection to ambient thermal sink. This study focuses on the investigation for a specific heat exchange configuration, namely heat removal within a concentric annular passage using helical turbulators and jet impingement. Numerical testing was used to see how the different geometric parameters affect the heat transfer and pressure drop within the annulus by using helicoil turbulators. A vast range of designs were studied by changing the turbulator shape, pitch, and blockage ratio while maintaining a constant Reynolds number of 25,000. CFD was performed in STARCCM+ using the realizable ?-? turbulence model. Results show that turbulence and heat transfer increase with a higher blockage ratio and smaller pitch but the pressure drop is subsequently increased as well. The square turbulator promoted higher heat transfer compared to the circle turbulator but the pressure drop was significantly increased when the helix angle was greater than 20(&)deg; and blockage ratio greater than 0.48.Experimental and numerical efforts were used to find the heat transfer due to impingement jets on the target surface. Multiple flows as a function of jet Reynolds number ranging from 16,000-33,000 were tested for two geometries. Temperature Sensitive Paint (TSP) was utilized to observe local heat transfer. It was observed that jet degradation occurs after the 6th row of stream-wise impingement jets for both cases experimentally and it was difficult to numerically capture the effect of the cross flow from previous jets but managed to follow the same trend. The numerical results showed that they can be used with good agreement to predict the surface averaged Nusselt number to be within the 12% uncertainty found from experimental efforts. Geometry B was determined to perform better in terms of heat transfer as opposed to Geometry A with the same pressure loss.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0007286, ucf:52155
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007286

Title: International Saudi Female Students' Experiences of Acculturation During Their Study at an American Public University in The South (APUS).
Creator: Alzahrani, Hnan, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Mendez, Jesse, Owens, J. Thomas, Preston, Michael, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: According to my literature review and my reflection of its meaning, few studies have been conducted that explore the adjustment and acculturation experiences of female international students in US colleges and universities specifically on Saudi female students. Therefore, this study explored the academic and socio-cultural experiences of Saudi female students before and after arriving in the US. Furthermore, this study identified the sources of acculturative stress and Saudi female students'...
Show moreAccording to my literature review and my reflection of its meaning, few studies have been conducted that explore the adjustment and acculturation experiences of female international students in US colleges and universities specifically on Saudi female students. Therefore, this study explored the academic and socio-cultural experiences of Saudi female students before and after arriving in the US. Furthermore, this study identified the sources of acculturative stress and Saudi female students' successful strategies for coping with these stressors. Eight Saudi female students participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews and Moustakas' (1994) transcendental phenomenology was utilized in analyzing students' voices. During the data analysis process, there were five themes that emerged from the data, including sociocultural expectations and issues, motivation for studying abroad, challenges, coping strategies, and adaptation. The results of this study provided recommendations for American and Saudi higher education administrators and faculty concerning how to help Saudi female students adjust to American culture and campus life and provide appropriate academic environments for this growing population.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007149, ucf:52329
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007149

Title: ESSAYS ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Creator: Tan, Tih Koon, Frye, Melissa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation is composed by two essays that explore corporate governance issues in S&P firms. The first essay examines changes in corporate governance after a firm gets added to the S&P 500 index? Using firms added from 1994 to 2007, this paper examines how governance mechanisms change for these firms. Specifically, I look at both the overall governance and details on how each mechanism changes. I find that governance improves after being added to the index. Controlling for firm size,...
Show moreThis dissertation is composed by two essays that explore corporate governance issues in S&P firms. The first essay examines changes in corporate governance after a firm gets added to the S&P 500 index? Using firms added from 1994 to 2007, this paper examines how governance mechanisms change for these firms. Specifically, I look at both the overall governance and details on how each mechanism changes. I find that governance improves after being added to the index. Controlling for firm size, leverage, prior firm performance, and growth opportunities, the market reacts positively to governance improvements as a whole. In addition, changes in governance are positively associated with changes in operating performance. In the second essay, the departure of a CEO often raises questions about who will replace him/her. This study examines the homogeneity/heterogeneity nature of the internal labor market using a novel measure, a heterogeneity index, which captures the concentration of executive compensation levels. I find that a more homogeneous internal labor market is associated with (1) a greater likelihood of an internal replacement, (2) a higher probability of a CEO turnover, and (3) a bigger tournament prize. In addition, the negative performance-turnover relationship is strengthened by a more homogeneous internal labor market. The heterogeneity index seems to proxy for internal labor market competition.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003258, ucf:48549
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003258

Title: THE COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS AND RELATED EXPERIENCES ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSRACIALLY ADOPTING A CHILD FROM VIETNAM.
Creator: Malin, Lan-Marie, Musambira, George, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study investigated the communication experiences of adoptive parents of children transracially adopted from Vietnam. Though adoption has been extensively studied in communication research, transracial adoptions involving children from Vietnam has not. Thus, this study examined adoptive parent communication experiences using dialectic theory and relational dialectics. By examining adoptive parentsÃ‚Â' communication with their adopted child and others, we can...
Show moreThis study investigated the communication experiences of adoptive parents of children transracially adopted from Vietnam. Though adoption has been extensively studied in communication research, transracial adoptions involving children from Vietnam has not. Thus, this study examined adoptive parent communication experiences using dialectic theory and relational dialectics. By examining adoptive parentsÃ‚Â' communication with their adopted child and others, we can determine tensions that occur in different communication experiences. Data were collected through eight qualitative in-depth interviews conducted with adoptive parents of children from Vietnam. Openness with both strangers and the adopted child(ren) and preservation of key aspects of the adopted childrenÃ‚Â's original culture emerged as themes in adoptive parent communication. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003535, ucf:48967
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003535

Title: Development During Middle School: An Ecological-Transactional, Cross-Section Examination of Early Adjustment.
Creator: White, Rachel, Renk, Kimberly, Bedwell, Jeffrey, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study utilized an ecological framework to investigate the types of variables that influence adolescent adjustment during middle school and how influences change or stay the same depending on grade level. A cross-sectional approach was taken in which students entering the beginning of their Sixth Grade year and students nearing the end of their Eighth Grade year were administered a comprehensive questionnaire including items about psychological adjustment, parenting characteristics,...
Show moreThis study utilized an ecological framework to investigate the types of variables that influence adolescent adjustment during middle school and how influences change or stay the same depending on grade level. A cross-sectional approach was taken in which students entering the beginning of their Sixth Grade year and students nearing the end of their Eighth Grade year were administered a comprehensive questionnaire including items about psychological adjustment, parenting characteristics, community support characteristics, ethnic identity, acculturation status, and socio-economic status. Findings suggest that Sixth and Eighth Graders' experience of emotional and behavioral problems is influenced differently. This is particularly salient as it pertains to parenting support and acculturation variables. Findings support the notion that individualized, multi-systemic style interventions are valuable even within the developmental period of adolescence as important changes in risk and protective factors are taking place as one moves from early- to mid-adolescence.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004459, ucf:49347
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004459

Title: HEAT TRANSFER AUGMENTATION IN A NARROW RECTANGULAR DUCT WITH DIMPLES APPLIED TO A SINGLE WALL.
Creator: Slabaugh, Carson, Kapat, Jayanta, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Establishing a clean and renewable energy supply is the preeminent engineering challenge of our time. Turbines, in some form, are responsible for more than 98 percent of all electricity generated in the United State and 100 percent of commercial and military air transport. The operation of these engines is clearly responsible for significant consumption of hydrocarbon fuels and, in turn, emission of green house gases into the atmosphere. With such wide-scale implementation, it is understood...
Show moreEstablishing a clean and renewable energy supply is the preeminent engineering challenge of our time. Turbines, in some form, are responsible for more than 98 percent of all electricity generated in the United State and 100 percent of commercial and military air transport. The operation of these engines is clearly responsible for significant consumption of hydrocarbon fuels and, in turn, emission of green house gases into the atmosphere. With such wide-scale implementation, it is understood that even the smallest increase in the operating efficiency of these machines can lead to enormous improvements over the current energy situation. These effects can extend from a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases to lessening the nationÃ‚Â's dependence of foreign energy sources to lower energy prices for the consumer. The prominent means of increasing engine efficiency is by raising the Ã‚Â'Turbine Inlet TemperatureÃ‚Â' Ã‚Â– the temperature of the mainstream flow after combustion, entering the first stage of the turbine section. The challenge is presented when these temperatures are forced beyond the allowable limits of the materials inside the machine. In order to protect these components, active cooling and protection methods are employed. The focus of this work is the development of more efficient means of cooling Ã‚Â'hotÃ‚Â' turbine components. In doing so, the goal is to maximize the amount of heat removed by the coolant while minimizing the coolant mass flow rate: by removing a greater amount of heat with a lower coolant mass flow rate, more compressed air is left in the mainstream gas flow for combustion and power generation. This study is an investigation of the heat transfer augmentation through the fully-developed portion of a narrow rectangular duct (AR=2) characterized by the application of dimples to the bottom wall of the channel. Experimental testing and numerical modeling is performed for full support and validation of presented findings. The geometries are studied at channel Reynolds numbers of 20000, 30000, and 40000. The purpose is to understand the contribution of dimple geometries in the formation of flow structures that improve the advection of heat away from the channel walls. Experimental data reported includes the local and Nusselt number augmentation of the channel walls and the overall friction augmentation throughout the length of the duct. Computational results validate local Nusselt number results from experiments, in addition to providing further insight to local flow physics causing the observed surface phenomena. By contributing to a clearer understanding of the effects produced by these geometries, the development of more effective channel-cooling designs can be achieved.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003223, ucf:48511
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003223

Title: An Investigation of Information Literacy of International Graduate Students: Skills, Challenges, and Needs.
Creator: Ayoub, Yousef, Cox, Dr. Thomas, Vitale, Thomas, Boote, David, Beile, Penny, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Information literacy at higher education institutions is an important issue at the local and national levels. In 2000, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) created a set of information literacy standards and asked academic institutions to incorporate them into their college curricula (ACRL, 2000). The ACRL states that, to be considered information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and be able to locate, evaluate, and use effectively...
Show moreInformation literacy at higher education institutions is an important issue at the local and national levels. In 2000, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) created a set of information literacy standards and asked academic institutions to incorporate them into their college curricula (ACRL, 2000). The ACRL states that, to be considered information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and be able to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information (ACRL, 2000). Academic institutions follow these standards to teach their students information literacy skills and assist them to become lifelong learners. Library literature indicates that international students face some linguistic, cultural, and technological challenges in using the library and learning information literacy skills. The purpose of this study was to examine the information literacy of international graduate students. It assessed their current skills and investigated their challenges and needs. Understanding the challenges international students face and exploring the factors associated with these challenges can be helpful to understand the academic needs of this group of students. The study was conducted on international graduate students at the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) at University of Central Florida (UCF). The study used a mixed methods design. Quantitative data were collected through an online survey that was sent to all U.S. and international graduate students at CECS. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with a selected number of international graduate students at CECS. The findings of the study indicated clearly that international graduate students have a relatively low level of information literacy skills. The study also showed that U.S. graduate students have a better information literacy level than the information literacy level of international graduate students. The study presented some implications and provided recommendations for future planning and programming of outreach programs and library services for international students on campus.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006257, ucf:51039
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006257

Title: The relationship among post-traumatic growth, religious commitment, and optimism in adult Liberian former refugees and internally displaced persons traumatized by war-related events.
Creator: Acquaye, Hannah, Jones, Dayle, Robinson, Edward, Van Horn, Stacy, Sivo, Stephen, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: One of the myriad consequences of war is displacement and refugee-ism. People become refugees when they no longer feel safe in their country of origin. Before, during, and after the journey towards safety, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) endure several challenging circumstances which stretch their normal abilities to cope. In their efforts to cope, these people report several mental health challenges like sleeplessness, hypervigilance, anxiety, and depression. The reported...
Show moreOne of the myriad consequences of war is displacement and refugee-ism. People become refugees when they no longer feel safe in their country of origin. Before, during, and after the journey towards safety, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) endure several challenging circumstances which stretch their normal abilities to cope. In their efforts to cope, these people report several mental health challenges like sleeplessness, hypervigilance, anxiety, and depression. The reported mental health challenges are normal in this population; however, when they persist, they result in posttraumatic stress disorder. Surprisingly, some also report obtaining psychological growth due to their challenging circumstances. To examine the interplay of posttraumatic stress disorder and psychological growth in this population, the study was grounded on the cognitive theory of trauma and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Thus, the relationship among posttraumatic growth, religious commitment, and optimism within adult Liberian former refugees and IDPs traumatized by war-related events became the focus of the investigation. The grounding theories provided four hypotheses that explored the relationship among the constructs, as well as seven exploratory research questions that identified differences among participants. Through purposeful and snowball sampling methods, five hundred participants were selected as the sample; 444 returned the study package. Participants were adult Liberian former refugees and IDPs who could read and understand English at the 8th grade level, and who lived in Monrovia. Participants completed six instruments (-) the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Religious Commitment Inventory, the Revised Life Orientation Test, the War Trauma Screening Index, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, and demographic questionnaire. Results of the study indicated that there was a statistically significant correlation between impact of war-related events and posttraumatic stress disorder, with alterations in arousal and reactivity obtaining the strongest correlation. However, the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder for the Liberian sample could be attributed to the recent reaction to the Ebola virus which re-traumatized adult Liberian former refugees and IDPs. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant relationship between all factors of posttraumatic stress disorder and all factors of posttraumatic growth. The relationship between factors of religious commitment and factors of posttraumatic stress disorder was statistically significant for some posttraumatic stress disorder factors and not significant for others. Similarly, relationship between optimism and posttraumatic stress disorder was statistically significant for some and not significant for others. Finally, a structural equation model was conducted to identify latent variables affecting the relationship. Results indicated, as per the hypothesized model, that war events predicted trauma, which in turn predicted posttraumatic growth. However, even though religiousness and optimism could each predict posttraumatic growth, optimism, more than religiousness provided errors that co-varied with errors of trauma, indicating that with the presence of optimism, a person could move from trauma towards growth. Review of related literature situated the current study in the mental health discourse, especially in providing a voice for mental health on the African continent. Detailed methodology was provided, as were results of findings. Finally, summary, conclusions, and recommendations were provided for both mental health workers, counselor educators, and researchers.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006241, ucf:51077
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006241

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