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Title: Systems Geometry: A Methodology for Analyzing Emergent System of Systems Behaviors.
Creator: Bouwens, Christina, Sepulveda, Jose, Karwowski, Waldemar, Xanthopoulos, Petros, Kapucu, Naim, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Recent advancements in technology have led to the increased use of integrated 'systems of systems' (SoS) which link together independently developed and usable capabilities into an integrated system that exhibits new, emergent capabilities. However, the resulting SoS is often not well understood, where secondary and tertiary effects of tying systems together are often unpredictable and present severe consequences. The complexities of the composed system stem not only from system integration,...
Show moreRecent advancements in technology have led to the increased use of integrated 'systems of systems' (SoS) which link together independently developed and usable capabilities into an integrated system that exhibits new, emergent capabilities. However, the resulting SoS is often not well understood, where secondary and tertiary effects of tying systems together are often unpredictable and present severe consequences. The complexities of the composed system stem not only from system integration, but from a broad range of areas such as the competing objectives of different constituent system stakeholders, mismatched requirements from multiple process models, and architectures and interface approaches that are incompatible on multiple levels. While successful SoS development has proven to be a valuable tool for a wide range of applications, there are significant problems that remain with the development of such systems that need to be addressed during the early stages of engineering development within such environments. The purpose of this research is to define and demonstrate a methodology called Systems Geometry (SG) for analyzing SoS in the early stages of development to identify areas of potential unintended emergent behaviors as candidates for the employment of risk management strategies. SG focuses on three dimensions of interest when planning the development of a SoS: operational, functional, and technical. For Department of Defense (DoD) SoS, the operational dimension addresses the warfighter environment and includes characteristics such as mission threads and related command and control or simulation activities required to support the mission. The functional dimension highlights different roles associated with the development and use of the SoS, which could include a participant warfighter using the system, an analyst collecting data for system evaluation, or an infrastructure engineer working to keep the SoS infrastructure operational to support the users. Each dimension can be analyzed to understand roles, interfaces and activities. Cross-dimensional effects are of particular interest since such effects are less detectable and generally not addressed with conventional systems engineering (SE) methods. The literature review and the results of this study have identified key characteristics or dimensions that should be examined during SoS analysis and design. Although many methods exist for exploring system dimensions, there is a gap in techniques to explore cross-dimensional interactions and their effect on emergent SoS behaviors. The study has resulted in a methodology for capturing dimensional information and recommended analytical methods for intra-dimensional as well as cross-dimensional analysis. A problem-based approach to the system analysis is recommended combined with the application of matrix methods, network analysis and modeling techniques to provide intra- and cross-dimensional insight. The results of this research are applicable to a variety of socio-technical SoS analyses with applications in analysis, experimentation, test and evaluation and training.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005135, ucf:50696
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005135

Title: An SoS Conceptual Model, LVC Simulation Framework, and a Prototypical Implementation of Unmanned System Interventions for Nuclear Power Plant Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Mitigation.
Creator: Davis, Matthew, Proctor, Michael, O'Neal, Thomas, Reilly, Charles, Sulfredge, C., Smith, Roger, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Nuclear power plant disasters can have severe and far-reaching consequences, thus emergency managers and first responders from utility owners to the DoD must be prepared to respond to and mitigate effects protecting the public and environment from further damage. Rapidly emerging unmanned systems promise significant improvement in response and mitigation of nuclear disasters. Models and simulations (M(&)S) may play a significant role in improving readiness and reducing risks through its use...
Show moreNuclear power plant disasters can have severe and far-reaching consequences, thus emergency managers and first responders from utility owners to the DoD must be prepared to respond to and mitigate effects protecting the public and environment from further damage. Rapidly emerging unmanned systems promise significant improvement in response and mitigation of nuclear disasters. Models and simulations (M(&)S) may play a significant role in improving readiness and reducing risks through its use in planning, analysis, preparation training, and mitigation rehearsal for a wide spectrum of derivate scenarios. Legacy nuclear reactor M(&)S lack interoperability between themselves and avatar or agent-based simulations of emergent unmanned systems. Bridging the gap between past and the evolving future, we propose a conceptual model (CM) using a System of System (SoS) approach, a simulation federation framework capable of supporting concurrent and interoperating live, virtual and constructive simulation (LVC), and demonstrate a prototypical implementation of an unmanned system intervention for nuclear power plant disaster using the constructive simulation component. The SoS CM, LVC simulation framework, and prototypical implementation are generalizable to other preparedness, response, and mitigation scenarios. The SoS CM broadens the current stovepipe reactor-based simulations to a system-of-system perspective. The framework enables distributed interoperating simulations with a network of legacy and emergent avatar and agent simulations. The unmanned system implementation demonstrates feasibility of the SoS CM and LVC framework through replication of selective Fukushima events. Further, the system-of-systems approach advances life cycle stages including concept exploration, system design, engineering, training, and mission rehearsal. Live, virtual, and constructive component subsystems of the CM are described along with an explanation of input/output requirements. Finally, applications to analysis and training, an evaluation of the SoS CM based on recently proposed criteria found in the literature, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0006732, ucf:51879
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006732

Title: EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEMS: AN EVALUATIVE REVIEW OF THEIR HISTORY AND USE.
Creator: Ceriale, Matthew A., Paoline, Eugene, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: It is the intention of this thesis to effectively describe what is known about EI systems to date. Many sources of information are used, beginning with peer reviewed journals such as Justice Quarterly, Police Quarterly, Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, Police and Society and The American Journal of Criminal Justice. Also reports from criminal justice research affiliates will be used like the National Institute of Justice and the National Criminal Justice...
Show moreIt is the intention of this thesis to effectively describe what is known about EI systems to date. Many sources of information are used, beginning with peer reviewed journals such as Justice Quarterly, Police Quarterly, Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, Police and Society and The American Journal of Criminal Justice. Also reports from criminal justice research affiliates will be used like the National Institute of Justice and the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. This thesis will work towards creating a comprehensive outline of the history of EI and future possibilities. With the aid of extant research, inquiries into the effectiveness of various EI systems, their shortcomings, or even best practices will be addressed. The aim is to review the existing discussion essentially paving the way for future researchers to conduct primary research studies on EI effectiveness. By accumulating, and subsequently compiling available research, the hope is to identify key arguments and perspectives on these systems and their implementation.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFH2000032, ucf:45605
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000032

Title: MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORTS IN FLORIDA: EXPLORING THE KNOWLEDGE OF PARENTS WITHIN THE MTSS PROCESS.
Creator: Troisi, Stephanie, Little, Mary, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: In the American public school system, as of 2011, over 8% of students are placed in special education programs. To provide early intervention for struggling students before placement into special education services, three-tier model called Response to Intervention (RtI) was put into effect (FDOE, 2009). RtI (currently known as, Multi-Tiered System of Support-MTSS) is a multi-tiered system for struggling learners that provides increasingly intense levels of academic interventions and...
Show moreIn the American public school system, as of 2011, over 8% of students are placed in special education programs. To provide early intervention for struggling students before placement into special education services, three-tier model called Response to Intervention (RtI) was put into effect (FDOE, 2009). RtI (currently known as, Multi-Tiered System of Support-MTSS) is a multi-tiered system for struggling learners that provides increasingly intense levels of academic interventions and assessment (Bryd, 2011). Early intervention is a set of services for students who are at risk of, or who currently have, developmental delays or social emotional problems (Guralnick 2005). MTSS focuses on six core components: (1) evidence-based curriculum, instruction, intervention, and extension; (2) assessment and progress monitoring; (3) data-based decision making; (4) leadership; (5) family, school and community partnerships; and (6) cultural responsivity (Kashima, Schleich, & Spradlin, 2009). The goal of this research is to gain a clearer understanding of parents' perception of the MTSS process, their knowledge of the MTSS process, and their involvement in school-based reading interventions for their children who are receiving intensive interventions at the UCF Reading Clinic. I discovered that overall there was a dissatisfaction with both the communication between the parents and school, and the support that is provided for students. The majority of the parents surveyed recognized the term MTSS but they lacked a deep understanding of the process. Overall, there seemed to be a lack of understanding about how MTSS related to their student and what it meant for their child's education.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFH0004699, ucf:45251
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004699

Title: MEASURING AND IMPROVING INTERNET VIDEO QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE.
Creator: Iyengar, Mukundan, Chatterjee, Mainak, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Streaming multimedia content over the IP-network is poised to be the dominant Internet traffic for the coming decade, predicted to account for more than 91% of all consumer traffic in the coming years. Streaming multimedia content ranges from Internet television (IPTV), video on demand (VoD), peer-to-peer streaming, and 3D television over IP to name a few. Widespread acceptance, growth, and subscriber retention are contingent upon network providers assuring superior Quality of Experience (QoE...
Show moreStreaming multimedia content over the IP-network is poised to be the dominant Internet traffic for the coming decade, predicted to account for more than 91% of all consumer traffic in the coming years. Streaming multimedia content ranges from Internet television (IPTV), video on demand (VoD), peer-to-peer streaming, and 3D television over IP to name a few. Widespread acceptance, growth, and subscriber retention are contingent upon network providers assuring superior Quality of Experience (QoE) on top of todays Internet. This work presents the first empirical understanding of Internet's video-QoE capabilities, and tools and protocols to efficiently infer and improve them. To infer video-QoE at arbitrary nodes in the Internet, we design and implement MintMOS: a lightweight, real-time, no-reference framework for capturing perceptual quality. We demonstrate that MintMOS's projections closely match with subjective surveys in accessing perceptual quality. We use MintMOS to characterize Internet video-QoE both at the link level and end-to-end path level. As an input to our study, we use extensive measurements from a large number of Internet paths obtained from various measurement overlays deployed using PlanetLab. Link level degradations of intra-- and inter--ISP Internet links are studied to create an empirical understanding of their shortcomings and ways to overcome them. Our studies show that intra--ISP links are often poorly engineered compared to peering links, and that degradations are induced due to transient network load imbalance within an ISP. Initial results also indicate that overlay networks could be a promising way to avoid such ISPs in times of degradations. A large number of end-to-end Internet paths are probed and we measure delay, jitter, and loss rates. The measurement data is analyzed offline to identify ways to enable a source to select alternate paths in an overlay network to improve video-QoE, without the need for background monitoring or apriori knowledge of path characteristics. We establish that for any unstructured overlay of N nodes, it is sufficient to reroute key frames using a random subset of k nodes in the overlay, where k is bounded by O(lnN). We analyze various properties of such random subsets to derive simple, scalable, and an efficient path selection strategy that results in a k-fold increase in path options for any source-destination pair; options that consistently outperform Internet path selection. Finally, we design a prototype called source initiated frame restoration (SIFR) that employs random subsets to derive alternate paths and demonstrate its effectiveness in improving Internet video-QoE.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0004012, ucf:49168
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004012

Title: KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT DETERMINANTS OF CONTINUANCE BEHAVIOR: EVALUATING THE AIR FORCE KNOWLEDGE NOW KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
Creator: Tucker, Eric, Kotnour, Timothy, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Knowledge management (KM) encompasses the set of capabilities, processes, tools, and techniques for the most effective use of knowledge by an organization. The goal of KM is to improve the organizationÃ‚Â's ability to create, transfer, retain, and apply knowledge. Knowledge management is a goal that many organizations seek to achieve. Organizations apply their strategies, plans, and implementation to achieve KM. Organizations use technology to implement their KM strategy...
Show moreKnowledge management (KM) encompasses the set of capabilities, processes, tools, and techniques for the most effective use of knowledge by an organization. The goal of KM is to improve the organizationÃ‚Â's ability to create, transfer, retain, and apply knowledge. Knowledge management is a goal that many organizations seek to achieve. Organizations apply their strategies, plans, and implementation to achieve KM. Organizations use technology to implement their KM strategy. For some, this approach has worked well; however, for others, the results have fallen short. KM shortcomings revolve around employeesÃ‚Â' infrequent use of the technology. This research seeks to understand what influences a userÃ‚Â's behavior to use a KM system and why a user becomes a routine user. This research provides a model of KM continuance behavior and post-acceptance usage behavior. Post-acceptance usage behavior is how an individual decides to use a system after its initial acceptance. The KM continuance model incorporates technology, community, individual, and organizational elements that influence a userÃ‚Â's intentions and actual use of a KM system. The specific context of this research is a KM system known as the Air Force Knowledge Now (AFKN) system. AFKN emphasizes KM through expertise-sharing activities in Communities of Practice (CoPs). The AFKN KM system facilitates and enhances the relationships in the community. The data for this study were obtained by using an online questionnaire. The results are analyzed using Partial Least Squares structural equation modeling with a two-step data analysis approach. The first step assessed the properties of the measurement model. The second step assessed the path model. Path coefficients and t-values are generated to evaluate the 14 proposed hypotheses. The results of the investigation show that community and technology KM both positively influence a userÃ‚Â's evaluation of the KM environment. The results produced a coefficient of determination of 60% for KM continued-use intention and 31% for KM continued-use behavior. The outcome of this research is a model that allows organizations to tailor their KM systems efforts to the organizational environment in order to maximize their resources. This investigation serves as a foundation for further research and development in areas of KM, KM systems, and post-acceptance usage.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003328, ucf:48484
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003328

Title: A framework to generate a smart manufacturing system configurations using agents and optimization.
Creator: Nagadi, Khalid, Rabelo, Luis, Lee, Gene, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Ahmad, Ali, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Manufacturing is a crucial element in the global economy. During the last decade, the national manufacturing sector loses nearly 30% of its workforce and investments. Consequently, the quality of the domestic goods, global share, and manufacturing capabilities has been declined. Therefore, innovative ways to optimize the usage of the Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS) are required to form a new manufacturing era. This research is presenting a framework to optimize the design of SMS. This...
Show moreManufacturing is a crucial element in the global economy. During the last decade, the national manufacturing sector loses nearly 30% of its workforce and investments. Consequently, the quality of the domestic goods, global share, and manufacturing capabilities has been declined. Therefore, innovative ways to optimize the usage of the Smart Manufacturing Systems (SMS) are required to form a new manufacturing era. This research is presenting a framework to optimize the design of SMS. This includes the determination of the suitable machines that can perform the job efficiently, the quantity of those machines, and the potential messaging system required for sharing information.Multiple reviews are used to form the framework. Expert machine selection matrix identifies the required machines and machine parameter matrix defines the specifications of those machines. While business process modeling and notation (BPMN) captures the process plan in object-oriented fashion. In addition, to agent unified modeling language (AUML) that guides the application of message sequence diagram and statecharts. Finally, the configuration is obtained from a hybrid simulation model. Agent based-modeling is used to capture the behavior of the machines where discrete event simulation mimics the process flow. A case study of a manufacturing system is used to verify the study. As a result, the framework shows positive outcomes in supporting upper management in the planning phase of establishing a SMS or evaluating an existing one.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006540, ucf:51311
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006540

Title: Factors Affecting Systems Engineering Rigor in Launch Vehicle Organizations.
Creator: Gibson, Denton, Karwowski, Waldemar, Rabelo, Luis, Kotnour, Timothy, Kern, David, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Systems engineering is a methodical multi-disciplinary approach to design, build, and operate complex systems. Launch vehicles are considered by many extremely complex systems that have greatly impacted where the systems engineering industry is today. Launch vehicles are used to transport payloads from the ground to a location in space. Satellites launched by launch vehicles can range from commercial communications to national security payloads. Satellite costs can range from a few million...
Show moreSystems engineering is a methodical multi-disciplinary approach to design, build, and operate complex systems. Launch vehicles are considered by many extremely complex systems that have greatly impacted where the systems engineering industry is today. Launch vehicles are used to transport payloads from the ground to a location in space. Satellites launched by launch vehicles can range from commercial communications to national security payloads. Satellite costs can range from a few million dollars to billions of dollars. Prior research suggests that lack of systems engineering rigor as one of the leading contributors to launch vehicle failures. A launch vehicle failure could have economic, societal, scientific, and national security impacts. This is why it is critical to understand the factors that affect systems engineering rigor in U.S. launch vehicle organizations.The current research examined organizational factors that influence systems engineering rigor in launch vehicle organizations. This study examined the effects of the factors of systems engineering culture and systems engineering support on systems engineering rigor. Particularly, the effects of top management support, organizational commitment, systems engineering support, and value of systems engineering were examined. This research study also analyzed the mediating role of systems engineering support between top management support and systems engineering rigor, as well as between organizational commitment and systems engineering rigor. A quantitative approach was used for this. Data for the study was collected via survey instrument. A total of 203 people in various systems engineering roles in launch vehicle organizations throughout the United States voluntarily participated. Each latent construct of the study was validated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships between the variables of the study. The IBM SPSS Amos 25 software was used to analyze the CFA and SEM.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007806, ucf:52348
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007806

Title: A FRAMEWORK FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF MULTI-HAZARDSINDUCED RISK RESULTING FROM SPACE VEHICLES OPERATIONS.
Creator: Sala-Diakanda, Serge, Rabelo, Luis, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: With the foreseeable increase in traffic frequency to and from orbit, the safe operation of current and future space vehicles at designated spaceports has become a serious concern. Due to their high explosive energy potential, operating those launch vehicles presents a real risk to: (1) the spaceport infrastructure and personnel, (2) the communities surrounding the spaceport and (3) the flying aircrafts whose routes could be relatively close to spaceport launch and reentry routes. Several...
Show moreWith the foreseeable increase in traffic frequency to and from orbit, the safe operation of current and future space vehicles at designated spaceports has become a serious concern. Due to their high explosive energy potential, operating those launch vehicles presents a real risk to: (1) the spaceport infrastructure and personnel, (2) the communities surrounding the spaceport and (3) the flying aircrafts whose routes could be relatively close to spaceport launch and reentry routes. Several computer models aimed at modeling the effects of the different hazards generated by the breakup of such vehicles (e.g., fragmentation of debris, release of toxic gases, propagation of blast waves, etc.) have been developed, and are used to assist in Go-No Go launch decisions. They can simulate a total failure scenario of the vehicle and, estimate a number of casualties to be expected as a result of such failure. However, as all of these models – which can be very elaborate and complex – consider only one specific explosion hazard in their simulations, the decision of whether or not a launch should occur is currently based on the evaluation of several estimates of an expected number of casualties. As such, current practices ignore the complex, nonlinear interactions between the different hazards as well as the interdependencies between the estimates. In this study, we developed a new framework which makes use of information fusion theory, hazards' dispersion modeling and, geographical statistical analysis and visualization capabilities of geographical information systems to assess the risk generated by the operation of space launch vehicles. A new risk metric, which effectively addresses the lack of a common risk metric with current methods, is also proposed. A case study, based on a proposed spaceport in the state of Oklahoma showed that the estimates we generate through our framework consistently outperform estimates provided by any individual hazard, or by the independent combination of those hazards. Furthermore, the study revealed that using anything else than fusion could provide seriously misleading results, with potentially catastrophic consequences.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: CFE0001606, ucf:47178
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001606

Title: EMERGING AND DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR EDUCATION: AN ANALYSIS OF PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION, AND DIFFUSION IN FLORIDAÃ‚Â'S ELEVEN STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS.
Creator: Bradford, Deborah, Cintron, Rosa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The purpose of the study was to understand and appreciate the methodologies and procedures used in determining the extent to which an information technology (IT) organization within the eleven member State University Systems (SUS) of Florida planned, implemented, and diffused emerging educational technologies. Key findings found how critical it was that flexibility be given during the planning stages and not rely on standardized models which may or may not be of use any longer. Research also...
Show moreThe purpose of the study was to understand and appreciate the methodologies and procedures used in determining the extent to which an information technology (IT) organization within the eleven member State University Systems (SUS) of Florida planned, implemented, and diffused emerging educational technologies. Key findings found how critical it was that flexibility be given during the planning stages and not rely on standardized models which may or may not be of use any longer. Research also found that the SUS institutions have to be prepared to organize and preserve the deluge of digital data if they intended to remain relevant as a Ã‚Â"towerÃ‚Â" of knowledge transmissions. The literature found that institutions of higher education needed to keep abreast of the new technologies, new pedagogies, and never before open-access concepts because authors found these ideas were converging and producing an unprecedented period of innovation in learning. Furthermore, the implications of perpetual connectivity to information, peers, and teachers garnered a great deal of attention among educational technologists. However, those implications had not been gauged, especially in FloridaÃ‚Â's SUS institutions. A survey of those institutions regarding how technologies were planned for, implemented logically, and thoroughly diffused, along with lessons learned could potentially save resources and ensure FloridaÃ‚Â's institutions continue to be on higher learningÃ‚Â's forefront.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0002989, ucf:47932
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002989

Title: Teaching Online and Cyberbullying: Examining Higher Education Cyberbullying Policies In The Florida State University System.
Creator: Raditch, Joseph, Cox, Thomas, Marshall, Nancy, Preston, Michael, Brown, Tim, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The cyberbullying phenomena has been recorded as affecting students and faculty alike in the K-12 and higher education systems. Cyberbullying in higher education has negative effects to the institution and its stakeholders, including faculty turn over and student suicide. While these responses are highly publicized, the effects of cyberbullying on the online classroom remain relatively untouched by researchers. There are very few resources available to faculty who teach online courses for...
Show moreThe cyberbullying phenomena has been recorded as affecting students and faculty alike in the K-12 and higher education systems. Cyberbullying in higher education has negative effects to the institution and its stakeholders, including faculty turn over and student suicide. While these responses are highly publicized, the effects of cyberbullying on the online classroom remain relatively untouched by researchers. There are very few resources available to faculty who teach online courses for creating strategies to combat cyberbullying in that context. Furthermore, many states, including Florida, defer conduct policies and their enforcement to the individual institution. While there are many aspects of cyberbullying within the online course in higher education that remain unexplored by research, this study seeks to breach the subject by analyzing the policies at Florida public universities. Using document analysis, this study analyzed policies from the 12 state universities capturing the definition of cyberbullying and recommended reporting practices for faculty on cyberbullying from each institution. By framing the results of the analysis through the community of inquiry, this study provides value to faculty seeking to strengthen their online teaching presence through providing clear guidelines established by each Florida institution. It will also provide value to administrators at institutions within the United States who are reviewing their policies addressing online abuse and cyberbullying by identifying to common definitions currently used within public institutions.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007853, ucf:52798
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007853

Title: A Framework for Measuring the Value-Added of Knowledge Processes with Analysis of Process Interactions and Dynamics.
Creator: Cintron, Jose, Rabelo, Luis, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Thompson, William, Ajayi, Richard, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The most known and widely used methods use cash flows and tangible assets to measure the impact of investments in the organization's outputs. But in the last decade many newer organizations whose outputs are heavily dependent on information technology utilize knowledge as their main asset. These organizations' market values lie on the knowledge of its employees and their technological capabilities. In the current technology-based business landscape the value added by assets utilized for...
Show moreThe most known and widely used methods use cash flows and tangible assets to measure the impact of investments in the organization's outputs. But in the last decade many newer organizations whose outputs are heavily dependent on information technology utilize knowledge as their main asset. These organizations' market values lie on the knowledge of its employees and their technological capabilities. In the current technology-based business landscape the value added by assets utilized for generation of outputs cannot be appropriately measured and managed without considering the role that intangible assets and knowledge play in executing processes. The analysis of processes for comparison and decision making based on intangible value added can be accomplished using the knowledge required to execute processes. The measurement of value added by knowledge can provide a more realistic framework for analysis of processes where traditional cost methods are not appropriate, enabling managers to better allocate and control knowledge-based processes. Further consideration of interactions and complexity between proposed process alternatives can yield answers about where and when investments can improve value-added while dynamically providing higher returns on investment.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004983, ucf:49585
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004983

Title: The Measurement of Motivation: Examining the Measurement Properties of the Motivation Assessment System.
Creator: Schmerling, Daniel, Fritzsche, Barbara, Joseph, Dana, Jentsch, Florian, Roth, Colin, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The current study investigated the Pritchard-Ashwood (P-A) Theory of Motivation (Pritchard (&) Ashwood, 2008) by examining a measure of P-A Theory labeled the Motivation Assessment System (MAS). P-A Theory combines prior motivation theories such as expectancy theory, goal setting theory, justice theory, and needs theory and consolidates them into one integrated theory of motivation. In essence, P-A theory posits that one's motivation is determined by four perceptions, including the extent to...
Show moreThe current study investigated the Pritchard-Ashwood (P-A) Theory of Motivation (Pritchard (&) Ashwood, 2008) by examining a measure of P-A Theory labeled the Motivation Assessment System (MAS). P-A Theory combines prior motivation theories such as expectancy theory, goal setting theory, justice theory, and needs theory and consolidates them into one integrated theory of motivation. In essence, P-A theory posits that one's motivation is determined by four perceptions, including the extent to which one believes: (a) his/her actions will lead to results, (b) his/her results will lead to positive evaluations, (c) his/her evaluations will lead to positive outcomes, and (d) his/her outcomes will satisfy his/her needs. The MAS is designed to capture P-A Theory by assessing these four perceptions, and this dissertation examined tenets of P-A Theory by investigating the measurement properties of the MAS via confirmatory factor analysis. Findings showed that the model set forth by P-A Theory had the best fit compared to the other competing models when analyzing MAS data, suggesting the MAS is an appropriate measure of P-A Theory. This research should help to bridge the gap between motivation theory and practice by providing initial evidence of support for a practical measure that captures the full spectrum of employee motivation as set forth in P-A Theory. Recommendations for future research using the MAS to study motivation are suggested.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004749, ucf:49801
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004749

Title: The Efficacy of an Early Warning System and a Response to Intervention Decision-Making Model for Students Transitioning in Secondary Education.
Creator: Walsh, Andrea, Taylor, Rosemarye, Doherty, Walter, Baldwin, Lee, Little, Mary, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The primary goal of this study was to examine the use of an early warning system to aide in recognizing early school disengagement. Additionally, a goal of this study was to examine an intensive response to intervention decision-making process and the difference in student outcomes for those who were selected for the (RtI process. By combining the examination of an early warning system and an RtI decision-making process, this research furthered recommendations for more effective methods of...
Show moreThe primary goal of this study was to examine the use of an early warning system to aide in recognizing early school disengagement. Additionally, a goal of this study was to examine an intensive response to intervention decision-making process and the difference in student outcomes for those who were selected for the (RtI process. By combining the examination of an early warning system and an RtI decision-making process, this research furthered recommendations for more effective methods of identifying students who are academically disengaged, and gain insight on intervention processes in secondary schools. Therefore the research questions tested the validity of an early warning system as a means for identifying students at-risk of academic disengagement and student outcome gains when participating in a Response to Intervention (RtI) decision-making process compared to those who did not participate. Populations of concern included students in transitional periods, moving from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school.The study identified several statistically significant and educationally meaningful difference between the use of a risk score indicator and academic achievement. Findings were consistent with other research that have shown statistically significant relationships between student achievement outcomes and early warning systems. While additional research is needed to develop specific recommendations to educational leaders, researchers, and policy makers, this study validates the notion that an early warning identification risk score can be used to predict academic achievement. An early warning system can aid in student identification, but as noted in the last research question of this study, there is still a great need to reach the ultimate goal: mitigating risk factors for students who are academically disengaged. Specifically, as students transition to larger schools, achievement gaps are susceptible to expanding for students; therefore, there is a great need to ensure intervention processes that address the needs of students who are prone to disengagement.Implications of these findings will apply to educational leaders, researchers, and policy-makers with interest in identification of students who are academically disengaged and in need of intervention supports.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006703, ucf:51918
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006703

Title: MYSPACE OR OURSPACE: A MEDIA SYSTEM DEPENDENCY VIEW OF MYSPACE.
Creator: Schrock, Andrew, Brown, Timothy, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: MySpace is a type of "social networking" website where people meet, socialize, and create friendships. The way MySpace members, particularly younger individuals, interact online underscores the changing nature of mass media. Media system dependency states that individuals become reliant on media in their daily life because of fundamental human goals. This reliance, termed a dependency, leads to repeated use. Media system dependency was applied in the current study to explain how and why...
Show moreMySpace is a type of "social networking" website where people meet, socialize, and create friendships. The way MySpace members, particularly younger individuals, interact online underscores the changing nature of mass media. Media system dependency states that individuals become reliant on media in their daily life because of fundamental human goals. This reliance, termed a dependency, leads to repeated use. Media system dependency was applied in the current study to explain how and why individuals became habitual MySpace users. To attain results a survey was administered to a convenience sampling of 401 adult undergraduates at the University of Central Florida. Members reported MySpace dependency had a moderate correlation to MySpace use, and they actively used the website an average of 1.3 hours of use per day. Results indicated members use MySpace to primarily satisfy play and interaction orientation dependencies. MySpace use was found to have a correlation with number of MySpace friends. "Number of friends created" in turn had a correlation with MySpace dependency, as people returned to interact with their friends. Individual factors were also found to be a source of influence in MySpace dependency. These individual factors were demographics, psychological factors related to use of the Internet, and psychological factors related to use of MySpace. Factors related to MySpace, extroversion and self-disclosure, were positively correlated with intensity of dependency. The influence of factors related to the Internet was partly supported; computer self-efficacy was not significantly related to MySpace dependency, while computer anxiety was significantly related to MySpace dependency. Speed of connection to the Internet and available time to use the Internet were not related to MySpace dependency. Additionally, significant differences were found between genders in overall dependency, extroversion, self-disclosure, computer anxiety, and computer self-efficacy. These findings provide evidence that MySpace members were little, if at all, constrained by factors related to use of the Internet, but were attracted to the websites for similar reasons as real-life relationships. Finally, MySpace is just one of the large number of online resources that are predominantly social, such as email, message boards, and online chat. This study found that through a "technology cluster" MySpace members use these other social innovations more frequently than non-members. However, members also used significantly more non-social innovations, which may indicate that MySpace members are part of a larger technology cluster than anticipated or perhaps are in the same category of innovation adopter.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0001451, ucf:47057
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001451

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.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFH0004389, ucf:45014
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004389

Title: OPTIMIZING THE LEVEL OF CUSTOMIZATION FOR PRODUCTS IN MASS CUSTOMIZATION SYSTEMS.
Creator: Spahi, Sami, Hosni, Yasser, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Mass customization (MC) was developed to capitalize on the combined benefits of economies of scale and economies of scope. Balancing the tradeoffs involved in an MC system warrants the determination of the degree or the extent of customization. Most of the literature views the degree of customization as how early or how far the customer is integrated in the production cycle, which is defined as the order decoupling point. In this study we are addressing the degree of customization from a...
Show moreMass customization (MC) was developed to capitalize on the combined benefits of economies of scale and economies of scope. Balancing the tradeoffs involved in an MC system warrants the determination of the degree or the extent of customization. Most of the literature views the degree of customization as how early or how far the customer is integrated in the production cycle, which is defined as the order decoupling point. In this study we are addressing the degree of customization from a product structural perspective. There are two objectives in this research. The first is to develop a unit of measurement for the degree of customization of a product in an MC system. The second is to construct an optimization model to determine the level of customization that would best satisfy the organizational goals. The term "Magnitude of Customization" (MOC) has been introduced as a measuring unit for the degree of customization on a customization scale (CS). The MOC is based on the number of module options or the extent of customizable features per component in a product. To satisfy the second objective, an analytical model based on preemptive goal programming was developed. The model optimizes the solution as to how far an organization should customize a product to best satisfy its strategic goals. The model considers goals such as increasing the market share, and attaining a higher level of customer satisfaction, while keeping the risk or budget below a certain amount. A step-by-step algorithm is developed for the model application. A case study of an aluminum windows and doors company is used to verify and validate the model. A double panel sliding window is selected as the subject of our study. Information related to company goals and objectives vis-à-vis customization is gathered, through interviews and questionnaires, from the upper management including Operations, Marketing, and Finance Departments. The Window design and technical information are collected from the Manufacturing Department. The model and its solution provided specific recommendations on what to customize and to what degree to best satisfy primary strategic goals for the organization. Results from the model application shows that the company is able to meet the five goals that they had identified with two goals having a deviation of 4.7% and 6.6% from the targets. To achieve the stated goals, the model recommends an overall degree of customization of approximately 32.23% and delineates that to the component and feature levels. For validation, the model results are compared to the actual status of the company and the manufacturer's recommendation without prior information about the model outcome. The average difference, for attaining the same goals, is found to be 6.05%, at a standard deviation of 6.02% and variance of 36.29%, which is considered adequately close. The proposed model presents a framework that combines various research efforts into a flexible but encompassing method that can provide decision-makers with essential production planning guidelines in an MC setup. Finally, suggestions are provided as to how the model can be expanded and refined to include goal formulations that accommodate potential MC systems and technology advances. To the best of our knowledge, this research is a pioneer in quantifying customization in an MC environment and relating it to the organizational goals through modeling and optimization.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002197, ucf:47902
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002197

Title: Report of the Board of Control: 1948-1950.
Creator: Florida, PALMM (Project)
Abstract / Description: Report of the Board of Control 1948-1950 volume. The serial report gives financial reports, including budgetary requests and recommendations for the state institutions under the management of the Board, beginning with University of Florida, Florida State College for Women, Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negros. Includes independent reports from the presidents of each institution. In 1946, the Ringling Museum of Art came under Board...
Show moreReport of the Board of Control 1948-1950 volume. The serial report gives financial reports, including budgetary requests and recommendations for the state institutions under the management of the Board, beginning with University of Florida, Florida State College for Women, Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negros. Includes independent reports from the presidents of each institution. In 1946, the Ringling Museum of Art came under Board control, continuing up to 1959 when a separate board was established for its administration. In 1948, the Florida State College for Women became Florida State University. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negros became Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1953. A report from the newly established University of South Florida appears in the 1956/1958 volume. Planning for Florida Atlantic University is reflected in the 1960/1962 volume followed by a report from its president in the 1962/1964 volume.
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Date Issued: 1950
Identifier: AAA7017QF00007/21/200306/22/200417528SfasIa D0QF, ONICF134- 3, FHP C CF 2003-07-21, FCLA url 20040401xOCLC, 55693843, SN0AAA7017_0017_000, 2435021, ucf:22908
Format: E-book
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/tc/fhp/SN0AAA7017

Title: Report of the Board of Control: 1950-1952.
Creator: Florida. Board of Control, PALMM (Project)
Abstract / Description: Report of the Board of Control 1950/1952 issue. The report serial gives financial reports, including budgetary requests and recommendations for the state institutions under the management of the Board, beginning with University of Florida, Florida State College for Women, Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negros. Includes independent reports from the presidents of each institution. In 1946, the Ringling Museum of Art came under Board...
Show moreReport of the Board of Control 1950/1952 issue. The report serial gives financial reports, including budgetary requests and recommendations for the state institutions under the management of the Board, beginning with University of Florida, Florida State College for Women, Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negros. Includes independent reports from the presidents of each institution. In 1946, the Ringling Museum of Art came under Board control, continuing up to 1959 when a separate board was established for its administration. In 1948, the Florida State College for Women became Florida State University. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negros became Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1953. A report from the newly established University of South Florida appears in the 1956/1958 volume. Planning for Florida Atlantic University is reflected in the 1960/1962 volume followed by a report from its president in the 1962/1964 volume.
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Date Issued: 1952
Identifier: AAA7017QF00007/21/200306/22/200417528SfasIa D0QF, ONICF134- 3, FHP C CF 2003-07-21, FCLA url 20040401xOCLC, 55693843, SN0AAA7017_0018_000, 2436178, ucf:23477
Format: E-book
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/tc/fhp/SN0AAA7017_0018

Title: DESIGN AND OPERATION OF STATIONARY DISTRIBUTED BATTERY MICRO-STORAGE SYSTEMS.
Creator: Al-Haj Hussein, Ala, Batarseh, Issa, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Due to some technical and environmental constraints, expanding the current electric power generation and transmission system is being challenged by even increasing the deployment of distributed renewable generation and storage systems. Energy storage can be used to store energy from utility during low-demand (off-peak) hours and deliver this energy back to the utility during high-demand (on-peak) hours. Furthermore, energy storage can be used with renewable sources to overcome some of their...
Show moreDue to some technical and environmental constraints, expanding the current electric power generation and transmission system is being challenged by even increasing the deployment of distributed renewable generation and storage systems. Energy storage can be used to store energy from utility during low-demand (off-peak) hours and deliver this energy back to the utility during high-demand (on-peak) hours. Furthermore, energy storage can be used with renewable sources to overcome some of their limitations such as their strong dependence on the weather conditions, which cannot be perfectly predicted, and their unmatched or out-of-synchronization generation peaks with the demand peaks. Generally, energy storage enhances the performance of distributed renewable sources and increases the efficiency of the entire power system. Moreover, energy storage allows for leveling the load, shaving peak demands, and furthermore, transacting power with the utility grid. This research proposes an energy management system (EMS) to manage the operation of distributed grid-tied battery micro-storage systems for stationary applications when operated with and without renewable sources. The term "micro" refers to the capacity of the energy storage compared to the grid capacity. The proposed management system employs four dynamic models; economic model, battery model, and load and weather forecasting models. These models, which are the main contribution of this research, are used in order to optimally control the operation of the micro-storage system (MSS) to maximize the economic return for the end-user when operated in an electricity spot market system.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0003964, ucf:48712
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003964

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