View All Items

Title: HAS THE PENDULUM SWUNG TOO FAR?: A LEGAL EVALUATION OF FLORIDA'S CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REGISTRY.
Creator: Debler, Julianna, Naccarato-Fromang, Gina, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Over the past several years, increasing public emphasis on preventing child maltreatment has resulted in substantial changes to Florida's child abuse and neglect central registry. Many of these recent changes, aimed at preventing child maltreatment, have resulted in over one million false, unsubstantiated, and inconclusive reports of child abuse and neglect within the last decade. While the information held in reports may be useful for identifying and preventing potential child abuse or...
Show moreOver the past several years, increasing public emphasis on preventing child maltreatment has resulted in substantial changes to Florida's child abuse and neglect central registry. Many of these recent changes, aimed at preventing child maltreatment, have resulted in over one million false, unsubstantiated, and inconclusive reports of child abuse and neglect within the last decade. While the information held in reports may be useful for identifying and preventing potential child abuse or neglect, due process concerns have been raised with regards to the process of placing a person's name in a report without providing a hearing for challenging or removing inaccurate information. Focusing on Florida law, this research concentrates on: 1) the child maltreatment reporting process, 2) the procedures for maintaining reports, and 3) the accessibility of these reports in order to determine whether due process constitutional rights are protected under Florida's child abuse and neglect reporting laws. The intent of this thesis is to analyze the occurrence of unsubstantiated cases of child maltreatment, incidences of false reporting, and legal remedies available for those wrongfully accused of abusing or neglecting a child. Through the analysis of case law, federal and state statutes, available statistics, child abuse resources, and personal interviews with members of the Florida Legislature, evidence shows that due process constitutional rights are not protected under Florida's child abuse and neglect reporting laws. By raising awareness of the areas of child protection that require legal re-evaluation, this thesis aims to discover the balance between protecting children from harm and protecting adults from the severe ramifications resulting from false and improper allegations of child abuse and neglect.
Show less
Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFH0004267, ucf:44944
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004267

Title: SAVAGE IN LIMBO: A STUDY IN LIGHTING DESIGN.
Creator: Haines, Kenneth, Perry, Charles, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Designing the elements of a theatrical production is a unique and often experimental process. This process changes from show to show, and it can be difficult for a viewer to differentiate mistakes from design choices without a background in lighting. That is why it is important to take a look at the design process step by step. Two goals I strove for when designing Savage In Limbo were, how the director's concept blended with a design and if the integrity of the designer's vision was evident...
Show moreDesigning the elements of a theatrical production is a unique and often experimental process. This process changes from show to show, and it can be difficult for a viewer to differentiate mistakes from design choices without a background in lighting. That is why it is important to take a look at the design process step by step. Two goals I strove for when designing Savage In Limbo were, how the director's concept blended with a design and if the integrity of the designer's vision was evident on stage. To explore these goals, script analysis and consideration of the director's vision are two very important processes. Additionally, an exploration of the design process will better describe the growth and personal achievements of the design. This thesis will show the process of the lighting design for The University of Central Florida's 2011 production of John Patrick Shanley's Savage In Limbo. The project will highlight the design achievements and the goals explained previously, and create a formal dialogue on this specific design in order to provide insight into the process. When analyzing the design it was important that I assessed the process as well as the product by looking at whether the design met the expectations of the script and audience. This thesis will also explore how my past experiences, education and current skill level have prepared me for this design process in order to create a guideline for others interested in the development of knowledge needed for design.
Show less
Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFH0004206, ucf:44969
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004206

Title: CENTRAL AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDER: A LITERATURE REVIEW ON INTER-DISCIPLINARY MANAGEMENT, INTERVENTION, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATORS.
Creator: Patrusky, Lauren, Wenzel, Dr. Taylar, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Clinical Questions: What top-down and bottom-up interventions across the psychology, audiology, educational, and speech language pathology domains are most effective for children and adolescents with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)? What considerations for planning research and intervention might be offered to a classroom teacher to further support students diagnosed with CAPD, especially in relation to the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), formerly known as Response to...
Show moreClinical Questions: What top-down and bottom-up interventions across the psychology, audiology, educational, and speech language pathology domains are most effective for children and adolescents with Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)? What considerations for planning research and intervention might be offered to a classroom teacher to further support students diagnosed with CAPD, especially in relation to the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), formerly known as Response to Intervention (RTI)? Method: Inter-Disciplinary Literature Review Study Sources: PsycInfo, Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts, ProQuest, International Journal of Audiology, American-Speech-Language Hearing Association, Journal of Neurotherapy, Medline-Esbcohost, ERIC Ebscohost, Professional Development Collection Education, and What Works Clearinghouse Number of Included Studies: 16 Age Range: 2-13 years Primary Results: 1) Phonological awareness training was the primary reading educational construct found among the included interventions in this literature review. 2) Most CAPD studies employed a combination of both bottom-up and top-down treatments in intervention. This finding may possibly indicate that in order for a CAPD intervention to be even more beneficial to the student, both bottom-up and top-down treatments should be considered and incorporated in relation to the student's individualized needs. Conclusions: Results confirmed very little research and few intervention implications on CAPD students within the educational research discipline, including special education. Search results primarily included methods to improve listening in the classroom environment, but did not specifically mention intervention in relation to CAPD and its implications. Results also confirmed that a multi-disciplinary effort is needed to provide clinical decision and effective intervention for the CAPD population.
Show less
Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFH0004389, ucf:45014
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004389

Title: AN ART TEACHER'S GUIDE TO A COGNITIVE TEACHING PROCESS: PROMPTING STUDENT'S CREATIVE THOUGHT.
Creator: Warskow, Kristen, Brewer, Thomas, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This paper seeks to further explore stages an artist moves through that can be applied to teaching art, and helping students understand how to access their creativity. This project involved observation and an auto-ethnographic approach in order to best determine stages artists naturally move through when creating art. In order to most effectively suggest a teachable creative process for secondary art students, this paper will further explore cognitive and disciplinary categories in art...
Show moreThis paper seeks to further explore stages an artist moves through that can be applied to teaching art, and helping students understand how to access their creativity. This project involved observation and an auto-ethnographic approach in order to best determine stages artists naturally move through when creating art. In order to most effectively suggest a teachable creative process for secondary art students, this paper will further explore cognitive and disciplinary categories in art education by applying principles and stages to a curricular guide (or lesson plans) for secondary art educators. Topics and studies of design thinking, creative inquiry, studio habits, creative processes, the National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP, 2008), and National Core Art Standards will be reviewed and expanded upon in this paper. Using these inputs, a series of 4 recursive, creative stages were observed and applied to teaching art at the secondary (6th-12th grade) levels.
Show less
Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFH0004692, ucf:45238
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004692

Title: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT.
Creator: Smith, Stefen, Naccarato-Fromang, Gina, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Same-sex marriage is a subject that has been heavily discussed and argued since the concept of marriage came into existence. Marriage is a relationship that most American citizens are entitled to although it is not yet a fundamental right. As of a very recent court decision, Strawser v. Strange, Civil Action No. 14-0424-CG-C finalized on February 9, 2015, Alabama has legalized same-sex marriage; furthermore, thirty-seven states now recognize the legality of same-sex marriage. Marriage,...
Show moreSame-sex marriage is a subject that has been heavily discussed and argued since the concept of marriage came into existence. Marriage is a relationship that most American citizens are entitled to although it is not yet a fundamental right. As of a very recent court decision, Strawser v. Strange, Civil Action No. 14-0424-CG-C finalized on February 9, 2015, Alabama has legalized same-sex marriage; furthermore, thirty-seven states now recognize the legality of same-sex marriage. Marriage, whether it is between a heterosexual or a homosexual couple, should be a fundamental right enjoyed by all. This thesis will explain why same-sex marriage should be a fundamental right. The research presented in this thesis will be scrutinized and thoroughly examined showing the obstacles that same-sex couples face when wanting to legally marry. The United States Constitution, the Due Process Clause, and the Equal Protection Clause will be analyzed and discussed to prove that all fifty states should allow same-sex couples to wed. Citizens view what constitutes a marriage differently depending on their upbringing and residence. This thesis will illustrate why same-sex marriage has been such a widely discussed topic, and it will investigate the influence of religion and the church. Historically, the tradition of marriage has always been between one man and one woman. By examining how the tradition of marriage is changing and using case law decisions, an argument can be formed that marriage should be a fundamental right for all people.
Show less
Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFH0004779, ucf:45391
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004779

Title: PROCESS AND MIND: EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROCESS PHILOSOPHY AND THE NONLINEAR DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS SCIENCE OF COGNITION.
Creator: Moralez, Larry A, Favela, Luis H., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This work examines the relationship between Alfred North Whitehead's process philosophy and the nonlinear dynamical systems framework for studying cognition. I argue that the nonlinear dynamical systems approach to cognitive science presupposes many key elements of his process philosophy. The process philosophical interpretation of nature posits events and the dynamic relations between events as the fundamental substrate of reality, as opposed to static physical substances. I present a brief...
Show moreThis work examines the relationship between Alfred North Whitehead's process philosophy and the nonlinear dynamical systems framework for studying cognition. I argue that the nonlinear dynamical systems approach to cognitive science presupposes many key elements of his process philosophy. The process philosophical interpretation of nature posits events and the dynamic relations between events as the fundamental substrate of reality, as opposed to static physical substances. I present a brief history of the development of substance thought before describing Whitehead's characterization of nature as a process. In following, I will examine the both the computational and nonlinear dynamical systems frameworks for investigating cognition. I will show that the computational paradigm is subject to many of the same criticisms as substance. Conversely, I will show that nonlinear dynamical cognitive science avoids these criticisms and is congenial to Whitehead's philosophy insofar as it is suitable for describing emergent processes. To conclude, I suggest that the nonlinear dynamical cognitive science confirms and validates Whitehead's philosophy. Furthermore, I argue that process philosophy is an appropriate characterization of nature for guiding inquiry in cognitive science.
Show less
Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFH2000091, ucf:45553
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000091

Title: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BASIS OF THREAT PERCEPTION AND ITS EFFECT ON THE USE OF FORCE BY US PRESIDENTS.
Creator: Kazazis, Collin J., Schafer, Mark, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This thesis creates a new variable for threat perception built upon psychological concepts and then applies this new variable to the question of why leaders use military force in certain situations. The concept of threat perception has a long history in the field in terms of its effect on leaders choosing to use military force. However, while the concept of threat perception is inherently psychological, previous proxies for the variable have included only situational factors, which is highly...
Show moreThis thesis creates a new variable for threat perception built upon psychological concepts and then applies this new variable to the question of why leaders use military force in certain situations. The concept of threat perception has a long history in the field in terms of its effect on leaders choosing to use military force. However, while the concept of threat perception is inherently psychological, previous proxies for the variable have included only situational factors, which is highly problematic. By utilizing the Operational Code, this study creates a new threat-perception variable based on cognitive constructs. Using a sample of US presidents, this new variable is tested in two different ways. The first examines three psychological characteristics (need for power, in-group bias, and distrust) from Leadership Trait Analysis that are thought to influence the level of threat perception in a leader. The second examines threat perception as an explanatory variable for the use of force alongside three other important control variables (economic violence, presidential popularity, and US power). The use of force variable is derived from Meernik's Use of Force dataset with each case in the dataset representing an opportunity to use force. The psychological data are derived from the verbal material of US presidents using at-a-distance methods found in the literature. OLS regression and probit are used to model the research questions. The project finds that levels of threat perception are indeed affected by a leader's level of distrust, in-group bias, and need for power. In addition, the new psychologically-derived threat-perception variable is a very good predictor of a president's use of force: presidents with higher levels of threat perception have a much higher probability of using force when the situation presents an opportunity.
Show less
Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFH2000559, ucf:45649
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000559

Title: SEMANTIC BIAS AS AN APPLICATION OF THE UNIVERSAL GRAMMAR MODEL IN THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE.
Creator: Gural, Iryna, Modianos, Doan T., Villegas, Alvaro, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The theory of the Universal Grammar developed by Chomsky has been known for many years. The main idea behind the theory was that the processing of the language does not depend on the culture but it universal among all the languages. Further psycholinguistic studies developed the ideas about schematic comprehension of the language, giving rise to the idea of the "garden path effect". Research focused on the processing of the ambiguous sentences and found the tendency for readers to prefer...
Show moreThe theory of the Universal Grammar developed by Chomsky has been known for many years. The main idea behind the theory was that the processing of the language does not depend on the culture but it universal among all the languages. Further psycholinguistic studies developed the ideas about schematic comprehension of the language, giving rise to the idea of the "garden path effect". Research focused on the processing of the ambiguous sentences and found the tendency for readers to prefer interpretations of specific sentence areas as objects. The current study summarizes the ideas of psycholinguistic study and incorporates a novel language structure to study readers' syntactic preferences. In addition, conducting the study in Russian language accompanies previous research in other languages, also arguing in favor of the Universal Grammar model given the hypothesis was supported. It was hypothesized that readers would prefer the comparison of the two direct objects over the subjects, which would be reflected by faster reading times. Self-paced reading ask was administered to the participants in order to measure their reading times. The analysis found no significant differences in the reading times of the critical area, thus hypothesis was not supported. Possible explanations, limitations, and further directions are discussed.
Show less
Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFH2000513, ucf:45697
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000513

Title: AN EXPLORATION OF SONG AS A STRATEGY TO ENGAGE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS DURING SOCIAL STUDIES LESSONS.
Creator: Rome, Morgan, Jennings-Towle, Kelly, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this thesis is to explore how curriculum-related songs provide an engaging atmosphere for elementary students learning social studies concepts. The investigation done for this thesis examines the resources available to teachers in terms of songs to be used for pedagogical engagement of social studies lessons. Through research and video analyzations it can be concluded that students are overall intrigued by the usage of songs in their social studies lessons. During the social...
Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to explore how curriculum-related songs provide an engaging atmosphere for elementary students learning social studies concepts. The investigation done for this thesis examines the resources available to teachers in terms of songs to be used for pedagogical engagement of social studies lessons. Through research and video analyzations it can be concluded that students are overall intrigued by the usage of songs in their social studies lessons. During the social studies lessons observed in the video analyzations, the elementary students are focused, exhibit positive body language, participate, and have fun. Since engagement is documented within the analyzed videos and supported through others' research to be beneficial for students, this thesis researched and found a place for songs in elementary social studies lessons. Since there are a lack of current social studies resources that contain a musical element, eight social studies lesson plans were produced specifically for this thesis to demonstrate how songs can be implemented into the elementary curriculum to engage students.
Show less
Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFH2000302, ucf:45792
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000302

Title: A STUDY OF SEMANTIC PROCESSING PERFORMANCE.
Creator: Dever, Daryn A, Szalma, James, Neigel, Alexis, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Examining the role of individual differences, especially variations in human motivation, in vigilance tasks will result in a better understanding of sustained semantic attention and processing, which has, to date, received limited study in the literature (see Fraulini, Hancock, Neigel, Claypoole, & Szalma, 2017; Epling, Russell, & Helton, 2016; Thomson et al., 2016). This present study seeks to understand how individual differences in intrinsic motivation affect performance in a short...
Show moreExamining the role of individual differences, especially variations in human motivation, in vigilance tasks will result in a better understanding of sustained semantic attention and processing, which has, to date, received limited study in the literature (see Fraulini, Hancock, Neigel, Claypoole, & Szalma, 2017; Epling, Russell, & Helton, 2016; Thomson et al., 2016). This present study seeks to understand how individual differences in intrinsic motivation affect performance in a short semantic vigilance task. Performance across two conditions (lure vs. standard condition) were compared in the present study of 79 undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida. The results indicated significant main effects of intrinsic motivation on pre- and post-task stress factors, workload, and performance measures, which included correct detections, false alarms, and response time. Sensitivity and response bias, which are indices of signal detection theory, were also examined in the present study. Intrinsic motivation influenced sensitivity, but not response bias, which was affected by period on watch. The theoretical and practical implications of this research are also discussed.
Show less
Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFH2000245, ucf:45984
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000245

Title: A FRAMEWORK ROADMAP FOR IMPLEMENTING LEAN SIX SIGMA IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.
Creator: Furterer, Sandra L., Elshennawy, Ahmad K., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Lean Six Sigma is an approach focused on improving quality, reducing variation and eliminating waste in an organization. The concept of combining the principles and tools of Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma has occurred in the literature over the last several years. The majority of Lean Six Sigma applications have been in private industry, focusing mostly on manufacturing applications. The literature has not provided a framework for implementing Lean Six Sigma programs applied to local...
Show moreLean Six Sigma is an approach focused on improving quality, reducing variation and eliminating waste in an organization. The concept of combining the principles and tools of Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma has occurred in the literature over the last several years. The majority of Lean Six Sigma applications have been in private industry, focusing mostly on manufacturing applications. The literature has not provided a framework for implementing Lean Six Sigma programs applied to local government. This research provides a framework roadmap for implementing Lean Six Sigma in local government. The Service Improvement for Transaction-based Entities Lean Six Sigma Framework Roadmap (SITE MAP) identifies the activities, principles, tools, and important component factors to implement Lean Six Sigma. The framework provides a synergistic approach to integrating the concepts and tools of Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma using the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) problem solving approach. A case study was used to validate the framework. Lean Six Sigma was successfully applied in a 7,000-citizen municipality to reduce the cycle time of the financial administrative processes in the Finance Department of the city government.
Show less
Date Issued: 2004
Identifier: CFE0000021, ucf:46067
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000021

Title: THE INFLUENCE OF STUDENTS'COGNITIVE STYLE ON A STANDARDIZED READING TEST ADMINISTERED IN THREE DIFFERENT FORMATS.
Creator: Blanton, Elizabeth Lynn, Kysilka, Marcella L., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine the means of scores on three forms of a standardized reading comprehension test taken by community college students in developmental reading classes. The three forms of the test were administered as a timed multiple-choice test, a constructed response test, and an un-timed multiple-choice test. Scores on the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) were used to classify the students who participated in the study as having field dependent (LOW GEFT),...
Show moreABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine the means of scores on three forms of a standardized reading comprehension test taken by community college students in developmental reading classes. The three forms of the test were administered as a timed multiple-choice test, a constructed response test, and an un-timed multiple-choice test. Scores on the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) were used to classify the students who participated in the study as having field dependent (LOW GEFT), mid-field dependent/independent (MID GEFT), or field independent (HIGH GEFT) tendencies. The paired samples test was used to analyze the scores among the students classified as LOW GEFT, MID GEFT, and HIGH GEFT for mean differences in scores on the three test formats. The data revealed that for LOW GEFT students, the format of the test impacted their scores, with the mean of the scores of the un-timed multiple-choice test being significantly higher than the timed multiple-choice test and the constructed response format. The data also showed that for the MID GEFT students the mean of the scores for the un-timed multiple-choice test was significantly higher than the means for the timed multiple-choice test scores and the constructed response test scores. However, no significant mean difference was found between the timed multiple-choice test scores and the constructed response test scores. For the HIGH GEFT students, significant mean difference existed only between the un-timed multiple-choice and the timed multiple- choice scores. The means of reading comprehension test scores on the three formats between the LOW GEFT, MID GEFT, and HIGH GEFT students indicated significant mean difference between the timed multiple choice test scores but not between the means of the scores for the constructed response and the un-timed multiple-choice test scores.Demographically, when the means of the reading test scores were analyzed with ethnicity as the controlling variable, the Hispanic students had a significantly higher mean on the scores for the constructed response test format. No other significant mean differences were found between the scores of the African American, Caucasian, Hispanic, or Native American students. When the means of the reading test scores were analyzed with gender as the controlling variable, no significant mean difference was found between the reading comprehension scores of the men and women. This study indicated that cognitive style had more impact on students' performance on a standardized test of reading comprehension than did ethnicity or gender. The un-timed multiple-choice format also had an equalizing effect on the means of the scores for these students.
Show less
Date Issued: 2004
Identifier: CFE0000055, ucf:46085
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000055

Title: MODIFICATIONS TO THE FUZZY-ARTMAP ALGORITHM FOR DISTRIBUTED LEARNING IN LARGE DATA SETS.
Creator: Castro, Jose R, Georgiopoulos, Michael, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The Fuzzy-ARTMAP (FAM) algorithm is one of the premier neural network architectures for classification problems. FAM can learn on line and is usually faster than other neural network approaches. Nevertheless the learning time of FAM can slow down considerably when the size of the training set increases into the hundreds of thousands. We apply data partitioning and networkpartitioning to the FAM algorithm in a sequential and parallel settingto achieve better convergence time and to efficiently...
Show moreThe Fuzzy-ARTMAP (FAM) algorithm is one of the premier neural network architectures for classification problems. FAM can learn on line and is usually faster than other neural network approaches. Nevertheless the learning time of FAM can slow down considerably when the size of the training set increases into the hundreds of thousands. We apply data partitioning and networkpartitioning to the FAM algorithm in a sequential and parallel settingto achieve better convergence time and to efficiently train withlarge databases (hundreds of thousands of patterns).Our parallelization is implemented on a Beowulf clusters of workstations. Two data partitioning approaches and two networkpartitioning approaches are developed. Extensive testing of all the approaches is done on three large datasets (half a milliondata points). One of them is the Forest Covertype database from Blackard and the other two are artificially generated Gaussian data with different percentages of overlap between classes.Speedups in the data partitioning approach reached the order of the hundreds without having to invest in parallel computation. Speedups onthe network partitioning approach are close to linear on a cluster of workstations. Both methods allowed us to reduce the computation time of training the neural network in large databases from days to minutes. We prove formally that the workload balance of our network partitioning approaches will never be worse than an acceptable bound, and also demonstrate the correctness of these parallelization variants of FAM.
Show less
Date Issued: 2004
Identifier: CFE0000065, ucf:46092
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000065

Title: AUTONOMOUS ROBOTIC AUTOMATION SYSTEMWITH VISION FEEDBACK.
Creator: Rosino, Jeffery, Qu, Zhihua, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In this thesis, a full design, development and application of an autonomous robotic automation system using vision feedback is performed. To realize this system, a cylindrical manipulator configuration is implemented, using a personal computer (PC) based PID controller from National Instruments. Full autonomous control will be achieved via a programmable human machine interface (HMI) developed on a PC using Borland C++ Builder. The vision feedback position control is accomplished using an...
Show moreIn this thesis, a full design, development and application of an autonomous robotic automation system using vision feedback is performed. To realize this system, a cylindrical manipulator configuration is implemented, using a personal computer (PC) based PID controller from National Instruments. Full autonomous control will be achieved via a programmable human machine interface (HMI) developed on a PC using Borland C++ Builder. The vision feedback position control is accomplished using an ordinary "off-the-shelf" web camera. The manuscript is organized as follows; After Chapter 1, an introduction to automation history and its role in the manufacturing industry, Chapter 2 discusses and outlines the development of the robotic kinematics and dynamics of the system. A control strategy is also developed and simulated in this chapter. Chapter 3 discusses color image processing and shows the development of the algorithm used for the vision feedback position control. Chapter 4 outlines the system development, which includes the hardware and software. Chapter 5 concludes with a summary, and improvement section. The process used as a basis for the design and development of this thesis of this thesis topic was constructed from a manual capacitor orientation check test station. A more detailed definition and objective is presented in the introduction.
Show less
Date Issued: 2004
Identifier: CFE0000277, ucf:46220
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000277

Title: COMMISSIONING OF AN ARC-MELTING / VACUUM QUENCH FURNACE FACILITY FOR FABRICATION OF NI-TI-FE SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS, AND THEIR CHARACTERIZATION.
Creator: Singh, Jagat, Vaidyanathan, Raj, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Shape memory alloys when deformed can produce strains as high as 8%. Heating results in a phase transformation and associated recovery of all the accumulated strain, a phenomenon known as shape memory. This strain recovery can occur against large forces, resulting in their use as actuators. The goal of this project is to lower the operating temperature range of shape memory alloys in order for them to be used in cryogenic switches, seals, valves, fluid-line repair and self-healing gaskets for...
Show moreShape memory alloys when deformed can produce strains as high as 8%. Heating results in a phase transformation and associated recovery of all the accumulated strain, a phenomenon known as shape memory. This strain recovery can occur against large forces, resulting in their use as actuators. The goal of this project is to lower the operating temperature range of shape memory alloys in order for them to be used in cryogenic switches, seals, valves, fluid-line repair and self-healing gaskets for space related technologies. The Ni-Ti-Fe alloy system, previously used in Grumman F-14 aircrafts and activated at 120 K, is further developed through arc-melting a range of compositions and subsequent thermo-mechanical processing. A controlled atmosphere arc-melting facility and vertical vacuum quench furnace facility was commissioned to fabricate these alloys. The facility can create a vacuum of 10-7 Torr and heat treat samples up to 977 °C. High purity powders of Ni, Ti and Fe in varying ratios were mixed and arc-melted into small buttons weighing 0.010 kg to 0.025 kg. The alloys were subjected to solutionizing and aging treatments. A combination of rolling, electro-discharge machining and low-speed cutting techniques were used to produce strips. Successful rolling experiments highlighted the workability of these alloys. The shape memory effect was successfully demonstrated at liquid nitrogen temperatures through a constrained recovery experiment that generated stresses of over 40 MPa. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and a dilatometry setup was used to characterize the fabricated materials and determine relationships between composition, thermo-mechanical processing parameters and transformation temperatures.
Show less
Date Issued: 2004
Identifier: CFE0000308, ucf:46320
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000308

Title: INTERFEROMETRY-BASED FREE SPACE COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION PROCESSING.
Creator: Arain, Muzamil, Riza, Nabeel, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation studies, analyzes, and experimentally demonstrates the innovative use of interference phenomenon in the field of opto-electronic information processing and optical communications. A number of optical systems using interferometric techniques both in the optical and the electronic domains has been demonstrated in the filed of signal transmission and processing, optical metrology, defense, and physical sensors. Specifically it has been shown that the interference of waves in...
Show moreThis dissertation studies, analyzes, and experimentally demonstrates the innovative use of interference phenomenon in the field of opto-electronic information processing and optical communications. A number of optical systems using interferometric techniques both in the optical and the electronic domains has been demonstrated in the filed of signal transmission and processing, optical metrology, defense, and physical sensors. Specifically it has been shown that the interference of waves in the form of holography can be exploited to realize a novel optical scanner called Code Multiplexed Optical Scanner (C-MOS). The C-MOS features large aperture, wide scan angles, 3-D beam control, no moving parts, and high beam scanning resolution. A C-MOS based free space optical transceiver for bi-directional communication has also been experimentally demonstrated. For high speed, large bandwidth, and high frequency operation, an optically implemented reconfigurable RF transversal filter design is presented that implements wide range of filtering algorithms. A number of techniques using heterodyne interferometry via acousto-optic device for optical path length measurements have been described. Finally, a whole new class of interferometric sensors for optical metrology and sensing applications is presented. A non-traditional interferometric output signal processing scheme has been developed. Applications include, for example, temperature sensors for harsh environments for a wide temperature range from room temperature to 1000 degree C.
Show less
Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000598, ucf:46478
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000598

Title: GREEN BUILDING: PUBLIC OPINION, SEMANTICS, AND HEURISTIC PROCESSING.
Creator: Webb, Christina, Schraufnagel, Scot, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Research on public support for green building has, to date, been incomplete. Understanding the demographics of individuals that support green building has remained secondary to merely determining real opinions on the topic. The identity of supporters and the motivation behind their support is the focus of this research. Specifically, is support for green building dependent on the way in which the issue is framed? This research aims to focus on those that are spreading the message about green...
Show moreResearch on public support for green building has, to date, been incomplete. Understanding the demographics of individuals that support green building has remained secondary to merely determining real opinions on the topic. The identity of supporters and the motivation behind their support is the focus of this research. Specifically, is support for green building dependent on the way in which the issue is framed? This research aims to focus on those that are spreading the message about green building, industry experts, and the mass public. By exposing how green building experts talk about the issue, we may begin to understand why public support for green building has yet to reach the kind of mainstream acceptance other planning and design techniques have,such as New Urbanism. I predict that green building experts perceived low levels of public awareness, with the exception of those within the Northwest region, which I believ will perceive higher levels of awareness. In addition, I assume that industry experts will be most focused on energy efficiency as a primary concept of green building. As for the public, I hypothesize that those aware of green building and individuals age 50 and older will be more likely to support green building. With the introduction of source cues, I expect that support for green building will decrease when respondents received either an environmentalism cue or a government program cue. Using survey instruments, I was able to determine that all green building experts perceive public awareness as low and do, in fact, focus their efforts on energy efficiency. With regards to the public, support was highest among those that are aware, as well as those age 50 and older. In addition, insertion of source cues decreased support for green building, with the government program source cue providing the lowest levels of support for green building.
Show less
Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000600, ucf:46525
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000600

Title: OFF-CHIP COMMUNICATIONS ARCHITECTURES FOR HIGH THROUGHPUT NETWORK PROCESSORS.
Creator: Engel, Jacob, Kocak, Taskin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In this work, we present off-chip communications architectures for line cards to increase the throughput of the currently used memory system. In recent years there is a significant increase in memory bandwidth demand on line cards as a result of higher line rates, an increase in deep packet inspection operations and an unstoppable expansion in lookup tables. As line-rate data and NPU processing power increase, memory access time becomes the main system bottleneck during data store/retrieve...
Show moreIn this work, we present off-chip communications architectures for line cards to increase the throughput of the currently used memory system. In recent years there is a significant increase in memory bandwidth demand on line cards as a result of higher line rates, an increase in deep packet inspection operations and an unstoppable expansion in lookup tables. As line-rate data and NPU processing power increase, memory access time becomes the main system bottleneck during data store/retrieve operations. The growing demand for memory bandwidth contrasts the notion of indirect interconnect methodologies. Moreover, solutions to the memory bandwidth bottleneck are limited by physical constraints such as area and NPU I/O pins. Therefore, indirect interconnects are replaced with direct, packet-based networks such as mesh, torus or k-ary n-cubes. We investigate multiple k-ary n-cube based interconnects and propose two variations of 2-ary 3-cube interconnect called the 3D-bus and 3D-mesh. All of the k-ary n-cube interconnects include multiple, highly efficient techniques to route, switch, and control packet flows in order to minimize congestion spots and packet loss. We explore the tradeoffs between implementation constraints and performance. We also developed an event-driven, interconnect simulation framework to evaluate the performance of packet-based off-chip k-ary n-cube interconnect architectures for line cards. The simulator uses the state-of-the-art software design techniques to provide the user with a flexible yet robust tool, that can emulate multiple interconnect architectures under non-uniform traffic patterns. Moreover, the simulator offers the user with full control over network parameters, performance enhancing features and simulation time frames that make the platform as identical as possible to the real line card physical and functional properties. By using our network simulator, we reveal the best processor-memory configuration, out of multiple configurations, that achieves optimal performance. Moreover, we explore how network enhancement techniques such as virtual channels and sub-channeling improve network latency and throughput. Our performance results show that k-ary n-cube topologies, and especially our modified version of 2-ary 3-cube interconnect - the 3D-mesh, significantly outperform existing line card interconnects and are able to sustain higher traffic loads. The flow control mechanism proved to extensively reduce hot-spots, load-balance areas of high traffic rate and achieve low transmission failure rate. Moreover, it can scale to adopt more memories and/or processors and as a result to increase the line card's processing power.
Show less
Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000734, ucf:46581
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000734

Title: LIQUID CRYSTAL OPTICS FOR COMMUNICATIONS, SIGNAL PROCESSING AND 3-D MICROSCOPIC IMAGING.
Creator: Khan, Sajjad, Riza, Nabeel, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This dissertation proposes, studies and experimentally demonstrates novel liquid crystal (LC) optics to solve challenging problems in RF and photonic signal processing, freespace and fiber optic communications and microscopic imaging. These include free-space optical scanners for military and optical wireless applications, variable fiber-optic attenuators for optical communications, photonic control techniques for phased array antennas and radar, and 3-D microscopic imaging. At the heart of...
Show moreThis dissertation proposes, studies and experimentally demonstrates novel liquid crystal (LC) optics to solve challenging problems in RF and photonic signal processing, freespace and fiber optic communications and microscopic imaging. These include free-space optical scanners for military and optical wireless applications, variable fiber-optic attenuators for optical communications, photonic control techniques for phased array antennas and radar, and 3-D microscopic imaging. At the heart of the applications demonstrated in this thesis are LC devices that are non-pixelated and can be controlled either electrically or optically. Instead of the typical pixel-by-pixel control as is custom in LC devices, the phase profile across the aperture of these novel LC devices is varied through the use of high impedance layers. Due to the presence of the high impedance layer, there forms a voltage gradient across the aperture of such a device which results in a phase gradient across the LC layer which in turn is accumulated by the optical beam traversing through this LC device. The geometry of the electrical contacts that are used to apply the external voltage will define the nature of the phase gradient present across the optical beam. In order to steer a laser beam in one angular dimension, straight line electrical contacts are used to form a one dimensional phase gradient while an annular electrical contact results in a circularly symmetric phase profile across the optical beam making it suitable for focusing the optical beam. The geometry of the electrical contacts alone is not sufficient to form the linear and the quadratic phase profiles that are required to either deflect or focus an optical beam. Clever use of the phase response of a typical nematic liquid crystal (NLC) is made such that the linear response region is used for the angular beam deflection while the high voltage quadratic response region is used for focusing the beam. Employing an NLC deflector, a device that uses the linear angular deflection, laser beam steering is demonstrated in two orthogonal dimensions whereas an NLC lens is used to address the third dimension to complete a three dimensional (3-D) scanner. Such an NLC deflector was then used in a variable optical attenuator (VOA), whereby a laser beam coupled between two identical single mode fibers (SMF) was mis-aligned away from the output fiber causing the intensity of the output coupled light to decrease as a function of the angular deflection. Since the angular deflection is electrically controlled, hence the VOA operation is fairly simple and repeatable. An extension of this VOA for wavelength tunable operation is also shown in this dissertation. A LC spatial light modulator (SLM) that uses a photo-sensitive high impedance electrode whose impedance can be varied by controlling the light intensity incident on it, is used in a control system for a phased array antenna. Phase is controlled on the Write side of the SLM by controlling the intensity of the Write laser beam which then is accessed by the Read beam from the opposite side of this reflective SLM. Thus the phase of the Read beam is varied by controlling the intensity of the Write beam. A variable fiber-optic delay line is demonstrated in the thesis which uses wavelength sensitive and wavelength insensitive optics to get both analog as well as digital delays. It uses a chirped fiber Bragg grating (FBG), and a 1xN optical switch to achieve multiple time delays. The switch can be implemented using the 3-D optical scanner mentioned earlier. A technique is presented for ultra-low loss laser communication that uses a combination of strong and weak thin lens optics. As opposed to conventional laser communication systems, the Gaussian laser beam is prevented from diverging at the receiving station by using a weak thin lens that places the transmitted beam waist mid-way between a symmetrical transmitter-receiver link design thus saving prime optical power. LC device technology forms an excellent basis to realize such a large aperture weak lens. Using a 1-D array of LC deflectors, a broadband optical add-drop filter (OADF) is proposed for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) applications. By binary control of the drive signal to the individual LC deflectors in the array, any optical channel can be selectively dropped and added. For demonstration purposes, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) digital micromirrors have been used to implement the OADF. Several key systems issues such as insertion loss, polarization dependent loss, wavelength resolution and response time are analyzed in detail for comparison with the LC deflector approach. A no-moving-parts axial scanning confocal microscope (ASCM) system is designed and demonstrated using a combination of a large diameter LC lens and a classical microscope objective lens. By electrically controlling the 5 mm diameter LC lens, the 633 nm wavelength focal spot is moved continuously over a 48 ƒÝm range with measured 3-dB axial resolution of 3.1 ƒÝm using a 0.65 numerical aperture (NA) micro-objective lens. The ASCM is successfully used to image an Indium Phosphide twin square optical waveguide sample with a 10.2 ƒÝm waveguide pitch and 2.3 ƒÝm height and width. Using fine analog electrical control of the LC lens, a super-fine sub-wavelength axial resolution of 270 nm is demonstrated. The proposed ASCM can be useful in various precision three dimensional imaging and profiling applications.
Show less
Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000750, ucf:46596
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000750

Title: PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CIGSS SOLAR CELLS AND PV MODULE DATA ANALYSIS.
Creator: Shirolikar, Jyoti, Dhere, Neelkanth, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In this thesis, multiple activities have been carried out in order to improve the process of CIGSS solar cell fabrication on a 4" x 4" substrate. The process of CIGSS solar cell fabrication at FSEC's PV Materials Lab involves a series of steps that were all carried out manually in the past. A LABVIEW program has been written to carry out automated sputter deposition of Mo back contact, CuGa, In metallic precursors on a soda lime glass substrate using a stepper motor control for better...
Show moreIn this thesis, multiple activities have been carried out in order to improve the process of CIGSS solar cell fabrication on a 4" x 4" substrate. The process of CIGSS solar cell fabrication at FSEC's PV Materials Lab involves a series of steps that were all carried out manually in the past. A LABVIEW program has been written to carry out automated sputter deposition of Mo back contact, CuGa, In metallic precursors on a soda lime glass substrate using a stepper motor control for better uniformity. Further, selenization/ sulfurization of these precursors was carried out using rapid thermal processing (RTP). CIGS films were sulfurized using chemical bath deposition (CBD). ZnO:Al was deposited on the CIGSS films using RF sputtering. A separate LABVIEW program was written to automate the process of ZnO:Al deposition. Ni/Al contact fingers were deposited on the ZnO:Al layer using the e-beam evaporation technique. Further, in order to test these solar cells in-house, a simple current-voltage (IV) tracer was fabricated using LABVIEW. A quantum efficiency (QE) measurement setup was built with guidance from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Lastly, analysis of data from photovoltaic (PV) modules installed on the FSEC test site has been carried out using a LABVIEW program in order to find out their rate of degradation as time progresses. A 'C' program has also been written as an aid for keeping a daily log of errors in data and for troubleshooting of the same.
Show less
Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000859, ucf:46645
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000859

natural language processing (5)	+ -
Image Processing (4)	+ -
process (4)	+ -
processing (4)	+ -
Image processing (3)	+ -

Musical Theatre (3)	+ -
Optical data processing (3)	+ -
Performance (3)	+ -
Signal Processing (3)	+ -
information processing (3)	+ -
Academic (2)	+ -
Academic -- Engineering (2)	+ -
Actor's Process (2)	+ -
Big Data (2)	+ -
Coherence (2)	+ -
Digital Signal Processing (2)	+ -
Discrete Event Simulation (2)	+ -
Dissertations (2)	+ -
ECG (2)	+ -
Engineering -- Dissertations (2)	+ -
Entanglement (2)	+ -
Image processing -- Digital techniques (2)	+ -
Imaging systems in meteorology (2)	+ -
Information Processing (2)	+ -
Lapine (2)	+ -
Machine Learning (2)	+ -
Military art and science -- Data processing (2)	+ -
Modeling (2)	+ -
NASA (2)	+ -
Optical Fiber Communication (2)	+ -

ETD Collection (167)	+ -
Honors Collection (10)	+ -

English (176)	+ -
Engilsh (1)	+ -

University of Central Florida (159)	+ -
Engineering (15)	+ -
Turgut, Damla (6)	+ -
Atia, George (5)	+ -
Bowers, Clint (5)	+ -

Search In

Pages

Pages

Sort Results By:

Narrow results by:

Topical Subject

Collection

Type of Resource

Language

Creator

Format

Owner