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A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RETURN MIGRATION POLICY: GERMANY, RUSSIA, AND KAZAKHSTAN
Title
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RETURN MIGRATION POLICY: GERMANY, RUSSIA, AND KAZAKHSTAN.
Creator
Boyd, Elizabeth, Sadri, Houman, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The intent of this thesis is to analyze and compare the return migration policies in Germany, Russia, and Kazakhstan. It is a relatively new category of migration policy, having only been identified in the 1970s. There is no uniform policy for return migration and consequently, each country has its own unique policy. Ethnicity plays a major role in all three countries' policies. However, some policies of return migration are more successful than others.
Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFH0004849, ucf:45449
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004849
EFFECTS OF REDUCED RAS AND VOLUME ON ANAEROBIC ZONE PERFORMANCE FOR A SEPTIC WASTEWATER BIOLOGICAL PHOSPHOROUS REMOVAL SYSTEM
Title
EFFECTS OF REDUCED RAS AND VOLUME ON ANAEROBIC ZONE PERFORMANCE FOR A SEPTIC WASTEWATER BIOLOGICAL PHOSPHOROUS REMOVAL SYSTEM.
Creator
Magro, Daniel, Randall, Andrew, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Enhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal (EBPR) performance was found to be adequate with reduced Return Activated Sludge (RAS) flows (50% of available RAS) to the anaerobic tank and smaller than typical anaerobic zone volume (1.08 hours hydraulic retention time or HRT). Three identical parallel biological nutrient removal (BNR) pilot plants were fed with strong, highly fermented (160 mg/L VFAs), domestic/industrial wastewater from a full scale wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). The pilot...
Show moreEnhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal (EBPR) performance was found to be adequate with reduced Return Activated Sludge (RAS) flows (50% of available RAS) to the anaerobic tank and smaller than typical anaerobic zone volume (1.08 hours hydraulic retention time or HRT). Three identical parallel biological nutrient removal (BNR) pilot plants were fed with strong, highly fermented (160 mg/L VFAs), domestic/industrial wastewater from a full scale wastewater treatment facility (WWTF). The pilot plants were operated at 100%, 50%, 40% and 25% RAS (percent of available RAS) flows to the anaerobic tank with the remaining RAS to the anoxic tank. In addition, varying anaerobic HRT (1.08 and 1.5 hours), and increased hydraulic loading (35% increase) was examined. The study was divided in four Phases, and the effect of these process variations on EBPR were studied by having one different variable between two identical systems. The most significant conclusions were that only bringing part of the RAS to the anaerobic zone did not decrease EBPR performance, instead changing the location of P release and uptake. Bringing less RAS to the anaerobic and more to the anoxic tank decreased anaerobic P release and increased anoxic P release (or decreased anoxic P uptake). Equally important is that with VFA rich influent wastewater, excessive anaerobic volume was shown to hurt overall P removal even when it resulted in increased anaerobic P release. Computer modeling with BioWin and UCTPHO was found to predict similar results to the pilot test results. Modeling was done with reduced RAS flows to the anaerobic zone (100%, 50%, and 25% RAS), increased anaerobic volume, and increased hydraulic loading. The most significant conclusions were that both models predicted EBPR did not deteriorate with less RAS to the anaerobic zone, in fact, improvements in EBPR were observed. Additional scenarios were also consistent with pilot test data in that increased anaerobic volume did not improve EBPR and increased hydraulic loading did not adversely affect EBPR.
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Date Issued
2005
Identifier
CFE0000329, ucf:46285
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000329
TWO ESSAYS ON INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS
Title
TWO ESSAYS ON INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS.
Creator
Nguyen, Hoang, Chen, Honghui, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This dissertation consists of two essays investigating the trading by institutions and its impact on the stock market. In the first essay, I investigate why changes in institutional breadth predict return. I first show that changes in breadth are positively associated with abnormal returns over the following four quarters. I then demonstrate that this return predictability can be attributed to the information about the firms' future operating performance. When I examine different types of...
Show moreThis dissertation consists of two essays investigating the trading by institutions and its impact on the stock market. In the first essay, I investigate why changes in institutional breadth predict return. I first show that changes in breadth are positively associated with abnormal returns over the following four quarters. I then demonstrate that this return predictability can be attributed to the information about the firms' future operating performance. When I examine different types of institutions independently, I find that the predictive power varies across the population of institutions. More specifically, institutions that follow active management style are better able to predict future returns than the passive institutions, and their predictive power appears to be associated with information about future earnings growth. These findings are consistent with the information hypothesis that changes in breadth of institutional ownership can predict return because they contain information about the fundamental value of firms. In the second essay, I examine institutional herding behavior and its impact on stock prices. I document that herds by institutions usually last for more than one quarter and that herds occur more frequently for small and medium size stocks. I find that after herds end, there are reversals in stocks returns for up to four quarters. The magnitude of reversals is positively related to the duration of herding, and negatively related to the price impact of current herding activity. This pattern in returns prevails for all sub-periods examined and is concentrated in small and medium size stocks. My findings suggest that institutional herding may destabilize stock prices.
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Date Issued
2007
Identifier
CFE0001731, ucf:47304
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001731
THE EFFECTS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Title
THE EFFECTS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE.
Creator
Mentor, Marly, Roberts, Robin, Gatchev, Vladimir, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Companies have taken the initiative to be socially responsible over the years. In the past, the focus for companies has been on maximizing wealth. With the growth of corporate social responsibility (CSR), there has been many debates regarding its benefits. More companies are beginning to realize the value of being socially responsible and how critical it is to business function. This paper researches past studies on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial...
Show moreCompanies have taken the initiative to be socially responsible over the years. In the past, the focus for companies has been on maximizing wealth. With the growth of corporate social responsibility (CSR), there has been many debates regarding its benefits. More companies are beginning to realize the value of being socially responsible and how critical it is to business function. This paper researches past studies on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance. This relationship is then tested using a reliable source of data on corporate social responsibility performance. This study uniquely looks at the accounting and market-based measurements of financial performance. The dataset includes most of the S&P 500 firms and covers years 2005-2014. An empirical model is constructed which includes factors that were found significant in the works of Capon, Farley, and Hoenig (1990). The relationships are tested using cross-sector/panel data time-series regressions. Results indicate that CSR and the accounting measurements of financial performance are positively related. CSR and the market-based measurements of financial performance are negatively related. This suggests that CSR positively affects a company�s profits and negatively affects future stock returns. One interpretation of this result is that socially responsible stocks have a lower required rates of return. The results indicate that since investors are more willing to invest in CSR stocks, these firms end up experiencing lower future stock returns. The results are consistent with past studies and support the hypotheses.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFH2000047, ucf:45506
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000047
IMPACT OF RETURNS POLICIES AND GROUP-BUYING ON CHANNEL COORDINATION
Title
IMPACT OF RETURNS POLICIES AND GROUP-BUYING ON CHANNEL COORDINATION.
Creator
Tran, Thanh, Desiraju, Ramarao, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
This dissertation investigates the role of two marketing practices---returns policies and group-buying services---in improving channel coordination. The first study (presented in Chapter Two) focuses on the interaction between two types of returns policies---returns of unwanted products from consumers to retailers and returns of unsold inventory from retailers to manufacturers. Even without the right to return unsold inventory to the manufacturer, the retailers may accept returns from...
Show moreThis dissertation investigates the role of two marketing practices---returns policies and group-buying services---in improving channel coordination. The first study (presented in Chapter Two) focuses on the interaction between two types of returns policies---returns of unwanted products from consumers to retailers and returns of unsold inventory from retailers to manufacturers. Even without the right to return unsold inventory to the manufacturer, the retailers may accept returns from consumers; by doing so, they benefit from a less price-sensitive market demand, an ability to screen for high-valuation consumers, and a competitive advantage (offering a returns policy makes a retailer more attractive to consumers). From the manufacturer's perspective, accepting returns may induce the retailers to order more stock, set lower prices, generate more sales, and therefore, improves the performance of the channel. However, under some conditions (e.g., when the marginal cost of stock-outs is relatively high), this study shows that this effect disappears and the manufacturer does not accept returns from the retailer in equilibrium. The second study (presented in Chapter Three) investigates the rationale for using group-buying services vis-a-vis the traditional posted-pricing mechanism. It focuses on the behavior of consumers and explores the role of heterogeneity in their valuation for the product and cost of purchasing via group-buying in the functioning of group-buying services as a price-discrimination device. Finally, the role of group-buying services in improving channel coordination under asymmetric information is studied in Chapter Four. This analysis shows that the availability of group-buying services provides an opportunity for the manufacturer to reduce the informational rents of the retailer arising from its private information about the market condition. Interestingly, the manufacturer can avoid paying these rents and regains the first-best profitability when asymmetry in information exists regarding the relative sizes of consumer segments. In other settings (e.g., when asymmetric information exists regarding consumers' price sensitivity), leveraging the group-buying mechanism nevertheless allows the manufacturer to design a contract that requires lower rents and improves channel coordination to some extent.
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Date Issued
2009
Identifier
CFE0002747, ucf:48182
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002747
MARKET-BASED ASSET MANAGEMENT AND SHAREHOLDER VALUE: INVESTIGATING THE ROLES OF HUMAN CAPITAL AND FACTOR MARKETS IN MAXIMIZING RETURNS ON CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Title
MARKET-BASED ASSET MANAGEMENT AND SHAREHOLDER VALUE: INVESTIGATING THE ROLES OF HUMAN CAPITAL AND FACTOR MARKETS IN MAXIMIZING RETURNS ON CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS.
Creator
Milewicz, Chad, Echambadi, Raj, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The accountability of marketing investments continues to be a key area of concern for researchers and practitioners (MSI Research Priorities, 2008). In particular, market-based assets, specifically customer relationships, and their potential impact on firm performance are a significant source of interest. Though research in this area continues to grow, little is understood about how investments in human capital and the acquisition of alliance partners through factor markets relate to customer...
Show moreThe accountability of marketing investments continues to be a key area of concern for researchers and practitioners (MSI Research Priorities, 2008). In particular, market-based assets, specifically customer relationships, and their potential impact on firm performance are a significant source of interest. Though research in this area continues to grow, little is understood about how investments in human capital and the acquisition of alliance partners through factor markets relate to customer relationship management and the impact of customer relationships on performance. This dissertation presents two studies which, together, investigate how investments in market-based assets influence on abnormal stock returns. In the first study, the resource-based view of the firm (Barney 1991) is used to posit several hypotheses related to investments in human capital. The hypotheses are tested using ten years of data from the U.S. airline industry and analyzed using a mixed-effects methodology. Results indicate that investments in customer service personnel impact abnormal stock returns through their impact on customer relationships. Moreover, these investments tend to have decreasing returns in terms of their impact on customer relationships, and the relative strength of this relationship is shown to be contingent upon a firm's service delivery capabilities, advertising expenditures, and operating focus. This study helps clarify how market-based assets are managed, how investments in specific resources used to manage them relate to stock returns, and why the same dollar invested in human capital by different firms can lead to different levels of returns. The second study also takes a resource-based view of the firm and the management of market-based assets. From this perspective, alliances are considered as external resources acquired in strategic factor markets (Barney 1986) for the purpose of complimenting a focal firm's strategy and performance. This study investigates the long-term impact of alternative types of alliances and the potential impact of alliance partners' customer relationship management capabilities on a focal firms' performance. Just as in study one, ten years of U.S. airline data are used, and a mixed-effects methodology is implemented to test hypotheses. Results indicate that the direct benefits of horizontal marketing alliances tend to be positive, but dependent upon the extensiveness of the alliance. Furthermore, it is revealed that the impact of a partner's customer relationship management capabilities on a focal firm's performance is contingent upon whether the partner's capabilities are similar or dissimilar relative to the focal firm. In short, results indicate that when differences exist, the positive impact of a focal firm's customer relationship management capabilities can be reduced to almost zero if that firm allies with a less competent partner. Taken together, these studies tend to suggest that firms which learn to successfully manage investments in customer relationships may risk nullifying expected positive returns if they simultaneously select alliance partners which are less successful at managing such investments. Similarly, firms which are not able to improve their own management of customer relationships can potentially limit the potential negative consequences by allying with more able firms. In all, this dissertation helps address the accountability issue for marketers.
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Date Issued
2009
Identifier
CFE0002769, ucf:48119
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002769
The Mechanical Response and Parametric Optimization of Ankle-Foot Devices
Title
The Mechanical Response and Parametric Optimization of Ankle-Foot Devices.
Creator
Smith, Kevin, Gordon, Ali, Kassab, Alain, Bai, Yuanli, Pabian, Patrick, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
To improve the mobility of lower limb amputees, many modern prosthetic ankle-foot devices utilize a so called energy storing and return (ESAR) design. This allows for elastically stored energy to be returned to the gait cycle as forward propulsion. While ESAR type feet have been well accepted by the prosthetic community, the design and selection of a prosthetic device for a specific individual is often based on clinical feedback rather than engineering design. This is due to an incomplete...
Show moreTo improve the mobility of lower limb amputees, many modern prosthetic ankle-foot devices utilize a so called energy storing and return (ESAR) design. This allows for elastically stored energy to be returned to the gait cycle as forward propulsion. While ESAR type feet have been well accepted by the prosthetic community, the design and selection of a prosthetic device for a specific individual is often based on clinical feedback rather than engineering design. This is due to an incomplete understanding of the role of prosthetic design characteristics (e.g. stiffness, roll-over shape, etc.) have on the gait pattern of an individual. Therefore, the focus of this work has been to establish a better understanding of the design characteristics of existing prosthetic devices through mechanical testing and the development of a prototype prosthetic foot that has been numerically optimized for a specific gait pattern. The component stiffness, viscous properties, and energy return of commonly prescribed carbon fiber ESAR type feet were evaluated through compression testing with digital image correlation at select loading angles following the idealized gait from the ISO 22675 standard for fatigue testing. A representative model was developed to predict the stress within each of the tested components during loading and to optimize the design for a target loading response through parametric finite element analysis. This design optimization approach, along with rapid prototyping technologies, will allow clinicians to better identify the role the design characteristics of the foot have on an amputee's biomechanics during future gait analysis.
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Date Issued
2016
Identifier
CFE0006397, ucf:51502
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006397
A Framework for Measuring Return on Investment for Healthcare Simulation-Based Training
Title
A Framework for Measuring Return on Investment for Healthcare Simulation-Based Training.
Creator
Bukhari, Hatim, Rabelo, Luis, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Goldiez, Brian, Andreatta, Pamela, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
In the healthcare sector, providing high-quality service in a safe environment for both patient and staff is an obvious and ultimate major objective. Training is an essential component for achieving this important objective. Most organizations acknowledge that employee simulation-based training programs are an important part of the human capital strategy, yet few have effectively succeeded in quantifying the real and precise ROI of this type of investment. Therefore, if the training is...
Show moreIn the healthcare sector, providing high-quality service in a safe environment for both patient and staff is an obvious and ultimate major objective. Training is an essential component for achieving this important objective. Most organizations acknowledge that employee simulation-based training programs are an important part of the human capital strategy, yet few have effectively succeeded in quantifying the real and precise ROI of this type of investment. Therefore, if the training is perceived as a waste of resources and its ROI is not clearly recognized, it will be the first option to cut when the budget cut is needed.The various intangible benefits of healthcare simulation-based training are very difficult to quantify. In addition, there was not a unified way to count for the different cost and benefits to provide a justifiable ROI. Quantifying the qualitative and intangible benefits of medical training simulator needed a framework that helps to identify and convert qualitative and intangible benefits into monetary value so it can be considered in the ROI evaluation.This research is a response to the highlighted importance of developing a comprehensive framework that has the capability to take into consideration the wide range of benefits that simulation-based training can bring to the healthcare system taking into consideration the characteristics of this specific field of investment. The major characteristics of investment in this field include the uncertainty, the qualitative nature of the major benefits, and the diversity and the wide range of applications.This comprehensive framework is an integration of several methodologies and tools. It consists of three parts. The first part of the framework is the benefits and cost structure, which pays special attention to the qualitative and intangible benefits by considering the Value Measurement methodology (VMM) and other previously existing models. The second part of the framework is important to deal with the uncertainty associated with this type of investment. Monte Carlo simulation is a tool that considered multiple scenarios of input sets instead of a single set of inputs. The third part of the framework considers an advanced value analysis of the investment. It goes beyond the discounted cash flow (DCF) methodologies like net present value (NPV) that consider a single scenario for the cash flow to Real Options Analysis that consider the flexibility over the lifetime of the investment when evaluating the value of the investment. This framework has been validated through case studies.
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Date Issued
2017
Identifier
CFE0006859, ucf:51750
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006859
A Hybrid Constitutive Model For Creep, Fatigue, And Creep-Fatigue Damage
Title
A Hybrid Constitutive Model For Creep, Fatigue, And Creep-Fatigue Damage.
Creator
Stewart, Calvin, Gordon, Ali, Nicholson, David, Moslehy, Faissal, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
In the combustion zone of industrial- and aero- gas turbines, thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) is the dominant damage mechanism. Thermomechanical fatigue is a coupling of independent creep, fatigue, and oxidation damage mechanisms that interact and accelerate microstructural degradation. A mixture of intergranular cracking due to creep, transgranular cracking due to fatigue, and surface embrittlement due to oxidation is often observed in gas turbine components removed from service. The current...
Show moreIn the combustion zone of industrial- and aero- gas turbines, thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) is the dominant damage mechanism. Thermomechanical fatigue is a coupling of independent creep, fatigue, and oxidation damage mechanisms that interact and accelerate microstructural degradation. A mixture of intergranular cracking due to creep, transgranular cracking due to fatigue, and surface embrittlement due to oxidation is often observed in gas turbine components removed from service. The current maintenance scheme for gas turbines is to remove components from service when any criteria (elongation, stress-rupture, crack length, etc.) exceed the designed maximum allowable. Experimental, theoretical, and numerical analyses are performed to determine the state of the component as it relates to each criterion (a time consuming process). While calculating these metrics individually has been successful in the past, a better approach would be to develop a unified mechanical modeling that incorporates the constitutive response, microstructural degradation, and rupture of the subject material via a damage variable used to predict the cumulative (")damage state(") within a component. This would allow for a priori predictions of microstructural degradation, crack propagation/arrest, and component-level lifing. In this study, a unified mechanical model for creep-fatigue (deformation, cracking, and rupture) is proposed. It is hypothesized that damage quantification techniques can be used to develop accurate creep, fatigue, and plastic/ductile cumulative- nonlinear- damage laws within the continuum damage mechanics principle. These damage laws when coupled with appropriate constitutive equations and a degrading stiffness tensor can be used to predict the mechanical state of a component. A series of monotonic, creep, fatigue, and tensile-hold creep-fatigue tests are obtained from literature for 304 stainless steel at 600(&)deg;C (1112(&)deg;F) in an air. Cumulative- nonlinear- creep, fatigue, and a coupled creep-fatigue damage laws are developed. The individual damage variables are incorporated as an internal state variable within a novel unified viscoplasticity constitutive model (zero yield surface) and degrading stiffness tensor. These equations are implemented as a custom material model within a custom FORTRAN one-dimensional finite element code. The radial return mapping technique is used with the updated stress vector solved by Newton-Raphson iteration. A consistent tangent stiffness matrix is derived based on the inelastic strain increment. All available experimental data is compared to finite element results to determine the ability of the unified mechanical model to predict deformation, damage evolution, crack growth, and rupture under a creep-fatigue environment.
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Date Issued
2013
Identifier
CFE0005061, ucf:49985
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005061
APPLICATIONS OF AIRBORNE AND PORTABLE LIDAR IN THE STRUCTURAL DETERMINATION, MANAGEMENT, AND CONSERVATION OF SOUTHEASTERN U.S. PINE FORESTS.
Title
APPLICATIONS OF AIRBORNE AND PORTABLE LIDAR IN THE STRUCTURAL DETERMINATION, MANAGEMENT, AND CONSERVATION OF SOUTHEASTERN U.S. PINE FORESTS.
Creator
Listopad, Claudia, Weishampel, John, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Active remote sensing techniques, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), have transformed the field of forestry and natural resource management in the last decade. Intensive assessments of forest resources and detailed structural assessments can now be accomplished faster and at multiple landscape scales. The ecological applications of having this valuable information at-hand are still only being developed. This work explores the use of two active remote sensing techniques, airborne and...
Show moreActive remote sensing techniques, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), have transformed the field of forestry and natural resource management in the last decade. Intensive assessments of forest resources and detailed structural assessments can now be accomplished faster and at multiple landscape scales. The ecological applications of having this valuable information at-hand are still only being developed. This work explores the use of two active remote sensing techniques, airborne and portable LiDAR for forestry applications in a rapidly changing landscape, Southeastern Coastal Pine woodlands. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of airborne and portable LiDAR, the tools used to extract structural information, and how to apply these to managing fire regimes are key to conserving unique upland pine ecosystems. Measuring habitat structure remotely and predicting habitat suitability through modeling will allow for the management of specific species of interest, such as threatened and endangered species. Chapter one focuses on the estimation of canopy cover and height measures across a variety of conditions of secondary upland pine and hardwood forests at Tall Timbers Research Station, FL. This study is unique since it uses two independent high resolution small-footprint LiDAR datasets (years 2002 and 2008) and extensive field plot and transect sampling for validation. Chapter One explores different tools available for metric derivation and tree extraction from discrete return airborne LiDAR data, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of each. Field and LiDAR datasets yielded better correlations for stand level comparisons, especially in canopy cover and mean height data extracted. Individual tree crown extraction from airborne LiDAR data significantly under-reported the total number of trees reported in the field datasets using either Fusion/LVD and LiDAR Analyst (Overwatch). Chapter two evaluates stand structure at the site of one of the longest running fire ecology studies in the US, located at Tall Timbers Research Station (TTRS) in the southeastern U.S. Small footprint high resolution discrete return LiDAR was used to provide an understanding of the impact of multiple disturbance regimes on forest structure, especially on the 3-dimensional spatial arrangement of multiple structural elements and structural diversity indices. LiDAR data provided sensitive detection of structural metrics, diversity, and fine-scale vertical changes in the understory and mid-canopy structure. Canopy cover and diversity indices were shown to be statistically higher in fire suppressed and less frequently burned plots than in 1- and 2-year fire interval treated plots, which is in general agreement with the increase from 2- to 3-year fire return interval being considered an "ecological threshold" for these systems (Masters et al. 2005). The results from this study highlight the value of the use of LiDAR in evaluating disturbance impacts on the three-dimensional structure of pine forest systems, particularly over large landscapes. Chapter three uses an affordable portable LiDAR system, first presented by Parker et al. (2004) and further modified for extra portability, to provide an understanding of structural differences between old-growth and secondary-growth forests in the Red Hills area of southwestern Georgia and North Florida. It also provides insight into the strengths and weaknesses in structural determination of ground-based portable systems in contrast to airborne LiDAR systems. Structural plot metrics obtained from airborne and portable LiDAR systems presented some similarities (i.e. canopy cover), but distinct differences appeared when measuring canopy heights (maximum and mean heights) using these different methods. Both the airborne and portable systems were able to provide gap detection and canopy cover estimation at the plot level. The portable system, when compared to the airborne LiDAR sensor, provides an underestimation of canopy cover in open forest systems (<50% canopy cover), but is more sensitive in detection of cover in hardwood woodland plots (>60% canopy cover). The strength of the portable LiDAR system lies in the detection of 3-dimensional fine structural changes (i.e. recruitment, encroachment) and with higher sensitivity in detecting lower canopy levels, often missed by airborne systems. Chapter four addresses a very promising application for fine-scale airborne LiDAR data, the creation of habitat suitability models for species of management and conservation concerns. This Chapter uses fine scale LiDAR metrics, such as canopy cover at various height strata, canopy height information, and a measure of horizontal vegetation distribution (clumped versus dispersed) to model the preferences of 10 songbirds of interest in southeast US woodlands. The results from this study highlight the rapidly changing nature of habitat conditions and how these impact songbird occurrence. Furthermore, Chapter four provides insight into the use of airborne LiDAR to provide specific management guidance to enhance the suitable habitat for 10 songbird species. The collection of studies presented here provides applied tools for the use of airborne and portable LiDAR for rapid assessment and responsive management in southeastern pine woodlands. The advantages of detecting small changes in three-dimensional vegetation structure and how these can impact habitat functionality and suitability for species of interest are explored throughout the next four chapters. The research presented here provides an original and important contribution in the application of airborne and portable LiDAR datasets in forest management and ecological studies.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0003697, ucf:48831
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003697
AN ANALYSIS OF FACTORS THAT INFLUENCED BREVARD STUDENTS TO DROP OUT AND WHY THEY RETURNED TO EARN THEIR GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED) DIPLOMA
Title
AN ANALYSIS OF FACTORS THAT INFLUENCED BREVARD STUDENTS TO DROP OUT AND WHY THEY RETURNED TO EARN THEIR GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED) DIPLOMA.
Creator
Spadaccini, Becky, Murray, Barbara, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Dropping out of high school almost guarantees a life of hardship. The absence of a diploma contributes to poverty, increased crime rates and weakens the economy. To that end, school districts have a moral and ethical responsibility to bring an end to the dropout epidemic. This study was based on an analysis of more than 26,000 Brevard public school students. The researcher used 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 student data to determine the relationship between race, grade level, ESE status,...
Show moreDropping out of high school almost guarantees a life of hardship. The absence of a diploma contributes to poverty, increased crime rates and weakens the economy. To that end, school districts have a moral and ethical responsibility to bring an end to the dropout epidemic. This study was based on an analysis of more than 26,000 Brevard public school students. The researcher used 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 student data to determine the relationship between race, grade level, ESE status, ELL status, SES, type of promotion and dropping out of school. In addition, the researcher reviewed Student Exit Survey data and face-to-face interview data to determine why students dropped out and identified strategies students felt would have kept them in school. Finally, individual interview data were analyzed to understand the circumstances that encouraged participants to return to earn their diplomas. The researcher recommended use of data management and tracking systems for early identification of potential dropouts so intervention could be delivered at the onset of failure, assignment of trained adult leaders to monitor and intervene for students; enforcement of compulsory school attendance; creation of mechanisms to reduce absenteeism that do not lead to school failure; required intervention for students who are truant; identification and assignment of highly effective teachers to at-risk youth; intervention in classrooms that have high rates of student failure; use of relevant curriculum and employment of instructional practices proven to increase engagement; alignment of intervention strategies with researched practices; gathering of input and feedback from students to determine program effectiveness; creation of meaningful exit interview processes; utilization of survey data to identify and remove school-related barriers and collaboration with community agencies to find meaningful and genuine solutions for students in crisis.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
CFE0003578, ucf:48898
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003578