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Pages
- Title
- A METHOD FOR DETERMINING DAMAGE WITHIN HISTORIC CEMETERIES: A FIRST STEP FOR DIGITAL HERITAGE.
- Creator
-
Malcolm, Justin E, Branting, Scott, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
While it is true that historic cemeteries are places that contain a wealth of knowledge about the history of a community they are sometimes not well maintained. The information within can be lost as grave-markers are damaged either by natural causes or human interaction. In larger cemeteries preserving these significant places can sometimes be difficult due to a number of different factors. Therefore focusing preservation efforts on specific locations where damage is more likely to occur is...
Show moreWhile it is true that historic cemeteries are places that contain a wealth of knowledge about the history of a community they are sometimes not well maintained. The information within can be lost as grave-markers are damaged either by natural causes or human interaction. In larger cemeteries preserving these significant places can sometimes be difficult due to a number of different factors. Therefore focusing preservation efforts on specific locations where damage is more likely to occur is crucial to ensure that the monuments that are the most at risk are preserved. One possible way of accomplishing this is through the utilization of a geographic information system (GIS) to determine the shortest distance path an individual may take to reach a specific grave-marker. This can be accomplished by conducting a near analysis between an origin point and every grave-marker. These paths would also show each grave-marker that an individual passes indicating the potential for purposeful or accidental interaction. With this information efforts such as photogrammetry can be applied effectively for digital heritage preservation. Such methods would permit individuals to manipulate three-dimensional representations of grave-markers in order to preserve a large portion of the information it contains.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000428, ucf:45784
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000428
- Title
- A MICROETHNOGRAPHY ON THE ROLE OF PLAY IN AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM.
- Creator
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Kolacia, Amanda, Puig, Enrique, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study explores parents' views on the importance of free play when it pertains to what their children do after school. By studying this information, teachers, childcare providers, and administrators can use these perceptions in an attempt to discover why children are no longer engaging in unstructured play as frequently as they once were. Through the responses of 59 parents who participate in a large afterschool program, this study revealed that although 81% of parents ranked free play as...
Show moreThis study explores parents' views on the importance of free play when it pertains to what their children do after school. By studying this information, teachers, childcare providers, and administrators can use these perceptions in an attempt to discover why children are no longer engaging in unstructured play as frequently as they once were. Through the responses of 59 parents who participate in a large afterschool program, this study revealed that although 81% of parents ranked free play as valued in their own childhoods, free play ranked low in terms of parents' acknowledgement of play in after school programs of their own children. Future research might focus on how best to inform parents of the benefits of unstructured play and how to effectively incorporate unstructured or free play into the daily schedule of after school programs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004447, ucf:45097
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004447
- Title
- A MODEL OF HIP DYSPLASIA REDUCTIONS IN INFANTS USING THE PAVLIK HARNESS.
- Creator
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Hadri, Wissam, Samsam, Mohtashem, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Hip dysplasia, also known as congenital dysplasia of the hip (CDH) or Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), is a mal-alignment of the hip joint. Left untreated within the first nine months, DDH could lead to permanent disability. Luckily however, this condition is diagnosed at an early age and is usually treated without surgery through the use of the Pavlik harness. In this thesis, a 3D computational model and dynamic finite element analysis of the muscles and tissues involved in hip...
Show moreHip dysplasia, also known as congenital dysplasia of the hip (CDH) or Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), is a mal-alignment of the hip joint. Left untreated within the first nine months, DDH could lead to permanent disability. Luckily however, this condition is diagnosed at an early age and is usually treated without surgery through the use of the Pavlik harness. In this thesis, a 3D computational model and dynamic finite element analysis of the muscles and tissues involved in hip dysplasia and the mechanics of the Pavlik harness, as rendered by Dr. Alain J. Kassab's research group in the College of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in the University of Central Florida over the past 3 years, were reviewed and discussed to evaluate the accuracy of the hip reduction mechanism. I examine the group's usage of CT-based images to create accurate models of the bony structures, muscle tensions and roles that were generated using biomechanical analyses of maximal and passive strain, and the usage of adult and infant hips. Results, as produced by the group indicated that the effects and force contribution of the muscles studied are functions of severity of hip dislocation. Therefore, I discussed complications with real world-to-computational modeling with regards to structural systems and data interpretations. Although this design could be applied to more anatomical models and mechanistic analyses, more research would have to be completed to create more accurate models and results.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004641, ucf:45317
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004641
- Title
- A MODEL OF LOW-RISK PIRACY.
- Creator
-
Camilo, Amil, Burguet, Roberto, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Heterogeneous consumers make the decision to buy a durable good or to download a replica, and a monopolist chooses to price and protect their intellectual property in the form of an authentication cost. An optimal price and authentication cost is derived, and shown to be higher than the efficient outcome for a uniform distribution of consumers. The optimal selection of price and protection are shown to be commensurate with his authenticating technology, and the searching ability of consumers....
Show moreHeterogeneous consumers make the decision to buy a durable good or to download a replica, and a monopolist chooses to price and protect their intellectual property in the form of an authentication cost. An optimal price and authentication cost is derived, and shown to be higher than the efficient outcome for a uniform distribution of consumers. The optimal selection of price and protection are shown to be commensurate with his authenticating technology, and the searching ability of consumers. As an extension, a layout for a monopolist problem where consumers have different searching abilities is shown to be indistinct from a homogeneous case when consumers are uniformly distributed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000495, ucf:45647
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000495
- Title
- A NEW CRASH TEST: THE RISE AND FALL OF FLORIDA MOTOR VEHICLE NO-FAULT LAW.
- Creator
-
Colquitt, James, Cook, Kathy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida is one of 12 states that have a no-fault law. The first party benefit coverage is known as personal injury protection (PIP). Every policy sold in the state must include at least $10,000 in personal injury protection. This law went into effect in 1971 and is now being challenged. Changes in consumer, lawyer, and doctor behavior as well as changes in the legal and economic environment have diminished the positive impact of the no-fault law. This thesis will focus on the diminished...
Show moreFlorida is one of 12 states that have a no-fault law. The first party benefit coverage is known as personal injury protection (PIP). Every policy sold in the state must include at least $10,000 in personal injury protection. This law went into effect in 1971 and is now being challenged. Changes in consumer, lawyer, and doctor behavior as well as changes in the legal and economic environment have diminished the positive impact of the no-fault law. This thesis will focus on the diminished effectiveness of the no-fault law in Florida. It will be based on research from primary sources. Other legal resources including law review articles and journal publications were consulted for persuasive scholarly views. Published work from insurance institutes and journals were included since they guide practitioners on the application of the law. Insurers, insureds and policymakers face serious challenges regarding Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law. The purpose of this thesis is (1) to review the legislative history of Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, (2) to assess how well the current system is working (3) examine solutions to compensation from other states and provide relevant data and (4) make recommendations for future legislation. This thesis will recommend proposed changes with guidelines for future legislation to effect the changes necessary to balance the needs of the insurance companies, plaintiffs and defendants.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004558, ucf:45154
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004558
- Title
- A PARAMETRIC STUDY OF MESO-SCALE PATTERNS FOR AUXETIC MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OPTIMIZATION.
- Creator
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Schuler, Matthew C, Gordon, Ali P., University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This thesis focuses on the development, parameterization and optimization of a novel meso-scale pattern used to induce auxetic behavior, i.e., negative Poisson�s ratio, at the bulk scale. Currently, the majority of auxetic structures are too porous to be utilized in conventional load-bearing applications. For others, manufacturing methods have yet to realize the meso-scale pattern. Consequently, new auxetic structures must be developed in order to confer superior thermo-mechanical responses...
Show moreThis thesis focuses on the development, parameterization and optimization of a novel meso-scale pattern used to induce auxetic behavior, i.e., negative Poisson�s ratio, at the bulk scale. Currently, the majority of auxetic structures are too porous to be utilized in conventional load-bearing applications. For others, manufacturing methods have yet to realize the meso-scale pattern. Consequently, new auxetic structures must be developed in order to confer superior thermo-mechanical responses to structures at high temperature. Additionally, patterns that take into account manufacturing limitations, while maintaining the properties characteristically attached to negative Poisson�s Ratio materials, are ideal in order to utilize the potential of auxetic structures. A novel auxetic pattern is developed, numerically analyzed, and optimized via design of experiments. The parameters of the meso-structure are varied, and the bulk response is studied using finite element analysis (FEA). Various attributes of the elasto-plastic responses of the bulk structure are used as objectives to guide the optimization process
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000001, ucf:45595
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000001
- Title
- A PRELIMINARY STUDY FOR ESTIMATING POSTMORTEM INTERVAL OF FABRIC DEGRADATION IN CENTRAL FLORIDA.
- Creator
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Humbert, Lorraine, Schultz, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Forensic anthropologists rely on forensic evidence to estimate the postmortem interval of a decedent. This may include the study of the degree of deterioration of the human body, the life stage of insects, and the degradation of associated material evidence. Material evidence comes in many forms, and certain taphonomic processes will affect the material and must be considered when making inferences about a PMI. These include variables such as the characteristics of the soil, microorganisms,...
Show moreForensic anthropologists rely on forensic evidence to estimate the postmortem interval of a decedent. This may include the study of the degree of deterioration of the human body, the life stage of insects, and the degradation of associated material evidence. Material evidence comes in many forms, and certain taphonomic processes will affect the material and must be considered when making inferences about a PMI. These include variables such as the characteristics of the soil, microorganisms, and the presence of a decaying organic material. Previous research has undertaken studies in how fabric degrades over time; however, there is no standard methodology in use. The purpose of this research project is to establish a comprehensive scoring system and description standard after analyzing the degradation of four different fabric types. This will be useful for future studies in need of a standard methodology. In addition, the methods used in this project can be applied to actual forensic cases. After retrieval, the fabric type with the highest degradation was the cotton with about 1/3 of all cotton fabric swatches demonstrating more than 50% total degradation. For all fabric types, swatches that were positioned flat tended to degrade more than those that were positioned crumpled. Cotton fabric swatches degraded more in Trench 1 and Trench 2 than the Ground Surface, however, all other fabric types demonstrated slightly more degradation on the Ground Surface than the other two Areas. Soil moisture fluctuated the most on the Ground Surface while Trench 1 and Trench 2 were able to retain more water in the soil. Overall, cotton was the only fabric type to degrade significantly enough to show how it degrades over time, while the other fabric types have longer degradation intervals that must be studied further.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004515, ucf:45220
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004515
- Title
- A PRICE-VOLUME MODEL FOR A SINGLE-PERIOD STOCK MARKET.
- Creator
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Chen-Shue, Yun, Yong, Jiongmin, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The intention of this thesis is to provide a primitive mathematical model for a financial market in which tradings affect the asset prices. Currently, the idea of a price-volume relationship is typically used in the form of empirical models for specific cases. Among the theoretical models that have been used in stock markets, few included the volume parameter. The thesis provides a general theoretical model with the volume parameter for the intention of a broader use. The core of the model is...
Show moreThe intention of this thesis is to provide a primitive mathematical model for a financial market in which tradings affect the asset prices. Currently, the idea of a price-volume relationship is typically used in the form of empirical models for specific cases. Among the theoretical models that have been used in stock markets, few included the volume parameter. The thesis provides a general theoretical model with the volume parameter for the intention of a broader use. The core of the model is the correlation between trading volume and stock price, indicating that volume should be a function of the stock price and time. This function between price and time was made visible by the use of the trading volume process, also known as the Limit Order book. The development of this model may be of some use to investors, who could build their wealth process based on the dynamics of the process found through a Limit Order Book. This wealth process can help them build an optimal trading strategy design.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004689, ucf:45245
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004689
- Title
- A PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE PROPOSED PARADOXICAL EFFECTS OF VALUING HAPPINESS.
- Creator
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Coles, Nicholas, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Several researchers in happiness studies have called for an increased sociopolitical interest in indicators of societal happiness. However, recent evidence for the proposed paradoxical effects of valuing happiness suggest that an increase in society's perceived value of happiness may exert a detrimental, inverse influence on well-being. This notion is based on previous research demonstrating that manipulating participants to value happiness causes them to experience less positive emotions,...
Show moreSeveral researchers in happiness studies have called for an increased sociopolitical interest in indicators of societal happiness. However, recent evidence for the proposed paradoxical effects of valuing happiness suggest that an increase in society's perceived value of happiness may exert a detrimental, inverse influence on well-being. This notion is based on previous research demonstrating that manipulating participants to value happiness causes them to experience less positive emotions, compared to controls, when viewing positive film clips. Following the humanistic notion that the maximization of societal happiness is an advantageous sociopolitical endeavor, the proposed paradoxical effects of valuing happiness present a psychological barrier that researchers must strive to understand and, ideally, overcome. Previous experimental research on the paradoxical effects of valuing happiness has focused on participants' emotionality as an operational definition of happiness. However, drawing from the Subjective Well-Being construct, emotionality is only one of several components of happiness. Building from this Subjective-Well Being framework, this study expands upon previous research by investigating whether a valuing happiness manipulation influences participants' emotionality while they contemplate their own happiness. To examine this, nineteen participants were divided into two groups, one which received a valuing happiness manipulation (n=9) and the others served as a control group (n=10), and instructed to contemplate their personal happiness for 45 seconds. To measure participants' emotions during this task, facial electromyography data were collected from the corrugator supercilii and the zygomaticus major facial muscles, a measure that previous research suggests is sensitive to the emotional value of thought. Results indicated that participants manipulated to value happiness did not experience significant differences in facial electromyography activation compared to controls. However, although non-significant, the correlation between facial electromyography activation and participants' rating of happiness differed substantially for participants manipulated to value happiness (average r=.41 for corrugator, average r=-.09 for zygomaticus) and controls (average r=.-.29 for corrugator, average r=.14 for zygomaticus). The counterintuitive correlations for participants led to value happiness, despite not experiencing significant difference in the emotional value of the happiness contemplation task, provide preliminary evidence that these participants utilize the information retrieved from the contemplative stage in a qualitatively different way than controls when judging their own happiness. More specifically, the correlations for participants led to value happiness trend in the opposite direction of controls, demonstrating that increases in positive emotion during happiness contemplation actually are associated with lower scores on a self-report of happiness. This study suggests that the paradoxical effects of valuing happiness does not influence the retrieval of information when contemplating ones' happiness, but may influence (in an apparently detrimental fashion) how this information is utilized when judging one's happiness. Although the between-condition differences in correlations failed to reach statistical significance (more specifically, p=.09 for corrugator), this study provides preliminary evidence for the existence of a new dynamic of the proposed paradoxical effects of valuing happiness that is novel to the happiness studies discourse. Limitations, implications, and future directions are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004766, ucf:45360
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004766
- Title
- A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PERSPECTIVES: EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS IN THE SPANISH BILINGUAL PROGRAMS IN PRIMARY EDUCATION IN THE CENTRAL FLORIDA REGION.
- Creator
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Araldi, Caitlin, Garcia, Martha, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The proposed goal of this research was to take the data gathered and implement it in analyzing the potential reformation of programs in need of evaluation, assessing the potential benefits of further development in the field of bilingual education in the United States as a nation. Using data collected in the Central Florida region as a microcosmic example of how existing programs function in the modern elementary educational system, the purpose of this study was to demonstrate through the...
Show moreThe proposed goal of this research was to take the data gathered and implement it in analyzing the potential reformation of programs in need of evaluation, assessing the potential benefits of further development in the field of bilingual education in the United States as a nation. Using data collected in the Central Florida region as a microcosmic example of how existing programs function in the modern elementary educational system, the purpose of this study was to demonstrate through the conduction of interviews with local teachers and currently available research that a more suitable standard for bilingual education is both necessary and valuable for our school systems and for the future of our students as productive and capable adults. As a survey of the current state of bilingual education in Central Florida elementary schools, this research sought to establish a clearer panoramic view of the ways in which our system is perceived as observed directly through those participating and facilitating it firsthand in local classrooms. Classroom observations and data gathered from educational professionals within the participating elementary school system, inclusive solely of those implementing a bilingual program as a method of assimilation for a high population of Spanish-speaking students transitioning to a targeted language of English, were the primary basis of this research, supplemented by existing psychological and educational research in the field of language acquisition and development in young children. Results have suggested that current methods of bilingual instruction are based upon the integrated standards of three existing models: transitional bilingual education, immersion, and English as a Second Language. The three appeared to be functioning in such a way that does not fully allow for a wide range of learning needs to be met, and that furthermore does not fully support a directed initiative toward a future in consistently dynamic and progressive research in the bilingual field, such that a standardized system flexible enough to encourage the needs of a diverse population might be realized. With further standardization and research, bilingual education might itself become a standard of American education for all students, native and non-native.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFH0004112, ucf:44891
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004112
- Title
- A QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF PRESERVICE TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE AT-RISK STUDENT.
- Creator
-
Quintero, Andrea M, Gresham, Regina Harwood, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to identify preservice teachers' perceptions of the at-risk student and their perceptions toward their educational preparation to effectively teach the at-risk student. A ten-question survey was conducted to gain insight on 15 preservice teachers' perceptions of the at-risk student. The results showed that 100% of the preservice teachers believe at-risk students could learn, but then were dissatisfied with the training that the teacher preparation program at the...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to identify preservice teachers' perceptions of the at-risk student and their perceptions toward their educational preparation to effectively teach the at-risk student. A ten-question survey was conducted to gain insight on 15 preservice teachers' perceptions of the at-risk student. The results showed that 100% of the preservice teachers believe at-risk students could learn, but then were dissatisfied with the training that the teacher preparation program at the university has provided them. These findings suggest the importance of conducting further research on preservice teachers' preparation programs. Preservice teachers' ability to effectively teach the at-risk student can have a lasting impact on these students and their success in the future.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000142, ucf:45981
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000142
- Title
- A SIMPLIFIED APPROACH TO THERMOMECHANICAL FATIGUE AND APPLICATION TO V-SHAPED NOTCHES.
- Creator
-
Bouchenot, Thomas, Gordon, Ali, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
A vast array of high value parts in land- and air-based turbomachinery are subjected to non-isothermal cycling in the presence of mechanical loading. Crack initiation, growth and eventual failure more significantly reduce life in these components compared to isothermal conditions. More accurate simulation of the stress and strain evolution at critical locations of components, as well as test specimens, can lead to a more accurate prediction of remaining life to a structural integrity...
Show moreA vast array of high value parts in land- and air-based turbomachinery are subjected to non-isothermal cycling in the presence of mechanical loading. Crack initiation, growth and eventual failure more significantly reduce life in these components compared to isothermal conditions. More accurate simulation of the stress and strain evolution at critical locations of components, as well as test specimens, can lead to a more accurate prediction of remaining life to a structural integrity specialists. The focus of this thesis is to characterize the effects of thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) on generic turbomachinery alloy. An expression that can be used to estimate the maximum and minimum stress under a variety of loading conditions is formulated. Analytical expressions developed here are modifications of classic mechanics of materials methods (e.g. Neuber's Rule and Ramberg-Osgood). The novel models are developed from a collection of data based on parametric finite element analysis to encompass the complex load history present in turbine service conditions. Relevance of the observations and formulated solutions are also explored for the case of a tensile specimen containing a v-shaped notch. Accurate estimations of non-isothermal fatigue presented here endeavor to improve component lifing and decrease maintenance costs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004480, ucf:45073
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004480
- Title
- A SOLOMON LIKE DECISION: FACTORS IN DETERMINING CHILD CUSTODY FOR SAME SEX COUPLES IN FLORIDA AFTER DISSOLUTION OF A RELATIONSHIP OR MARRIAGE.
- Creator
-
Alexander, Sydney, Cook, Kathy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Same sex couples around the nation have continually fought for their right to marry and in thirty-six states they have been given that right. What same-sex couples did not think to fight for was the right to divorce. There has been a considerable lack of focus on one such issue often left out of the public discourse over marriage equality: determining parental rights for the purposes of child custody/visitation in the context of a homosexual relationship that has broken down. The choice to...
Show moreSame sex couples around the nation have continually fought for their right to marry and in thirty-six states they have been given that right. What same-sex couples did not think to fight for was the right to divorce. There has been a considerable lack of focus on one such issue often left out of the public discourse over marriage equality: determining parental rights for the purposes of child custody/visitation in the context of a homosexual relationship that has broken down. The choice to have a child in a same-sex couple, with the exception of adoption, usually only allows for one parent to serve as the biological parent to the child. These options include: surrogacy, in vitro fertilization, and artificial insemination. What that means is that it leaves the other parent as the nonlegal and nonbiological parent in which they would be given no rights to the child if the relationship were to dissolve. After looking at many cases in Florida, the courts place a significant emphasis on biology in determining child custody in dissolution of marriage or relationship proceedings. In this thesis, we offer solutions in order to allow same-sex couples the equal parental rights they deserve even when they are not the biological parent of the child. Florida statutes have not been updated to reflect the changes in the law such as the recognition of same-sex marriage and the right for same-sex couples to adopt. Although restrictions on adoption and same sex marriages have been found unconstitutional, the implications of these changes in the law regarding custody and parental rights have not changed. Once the proposed solutions have been adopted, same-sex couples will be able to dissolve their relationships and marriages without fear of losing the custody and/or visitation rights to their child while still applying the best interest of the child standard used in heterosexual dissolution of marriage cases.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFH0004768, ucf:45380
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004768
- Title
- A STINGING EFFECT: THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS BITING INTO THE EFFECTS OF THE ZIKA VIRUS.
- Creator
-
Bader, Keanu, Cook, Kathy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
People are afraid of contagious diseases. The thought that disease can spread throughout an entire population tends to make people wary of their interactions with their surrounding environment. Hearing about, or even seeing pictures of mosquitoes can make people squeamish or even stimulate an itch. Throughout the ages, the reaction to contagious diseases has been to quarantine and isolate. From the bubonic plague to the 1918 "Spanish" flu, the protocol was to quarantine those infected and...
Show morePeople are afraid of contagious diseases. The thought that disease can spread throughout an entire population tends to make people wary of their interactions with their surrounding environment. Hearing about, or even seeing pictures of mosquitoes can make people squeamish or even stimulate an itch. Throughout the ages, the reaction to contagious diseases has been to quarantine and isolate. From the bubonic plague to the 1918 "Spanish" flu, the protocol was to quarantine those infected and isolate the rest. It may be this practice that inspired such precautions be taken by the public. Often these precautions are not warrantless and come to be second nature: Don't get too close to sick people who appear to sneeze or cough often; cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing; wash your hands frequently. In recent years, the world has encountered new outbreaks from not so new diseases: 2002 SARS. 2009 "Swine" Flu. 2014 both Measles and Ebola. 2016 Zika. To the public, it seems that the next disease may strike at any moment. It is often the government's duty to intervene and alleviate the damages. This thesis examines the legal aspects of the Zika virus and how past regulations have affected the spread of contagious diseases. In addition, it will examine past outbreaks of different diseases: how the country reacted, what policies were enacted, and how they relate to the current case of the Zika Virus.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH2000182, ucf:45943
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000182
- Title
- A STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF HUMAN BRAIN MRI WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER.
- Creator
-
Watane, Arjun A, Bagci, Ulas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 5-10% of children worldwide. Its effects are mainly behavioral, manifesting in symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. If not monitored and treated, ADHD may adversely affect a child's health, education, and social life. Furthermore, the neurological disorder is currently diagnosed through interviews and opinions of teachers, parents, and physicians. Because this is a subjective method of identifying ADHD, it is...
Show moreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 5-10% of children worldwide. Its effects are mainly behavioral, manifesting in symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. If not monitored and treated, ADHD may adversely affect a child's health, education, and social life. Furthermore, the neurological disorder is currently diagnosed through interviews and opinions of teachers, parents, and physicians. Because this is a subjective method of identifying ADHD, it is easily prone to error and misdiagnosis. Therefore, there is a clear need to develop an objective diagnostic method for ADHD. The focus of this study is to explore the use of machine language classifiers on information from the brain MRI and fMRI of both ADHD and non-ADHD subjects. The imaging data are preprocessed to remove any intra-subject and inter-subject variation. For both MRI and fMRI, similar preprocessing stages are performed, including normalization, skull stripping, realignment, smoothing, and co-registration. The next step is to extract features from the data. For MRI, anatomical features such as cortical thickness, surface area, volume, and intensity are obtained. For fMRI, region of interest (ROI) correlation coefficients between 116 cortical structures are determined. A large number of image features are collected, yet many of them may include redundant and useless information. Therefore, the features used for training and testing the classifiers are selected in two separate ways, feature ranking and stability selection, and their results are compared. Once the best features from MRI and fMRI are determined, the following classifiers are trained and tested through leave-one-out cross validation, experimenting with varying feature numbers, for each imaging modality and feature selection method: support vector machine, support vector regression, random forest, and elastic net. Thus, there are four experiments (MRI-rank, MRI-stability, fMRI-rank, fMRI-stability) with four classifiers in each for a total of 16 classifiers trained per each feature count attempted. The results of each classifier are the decisions of each subject, ADHD or non-ADHD. Finally, a classifier decision ensemble is created through the combination of the outputs of the best classifiers in a majority voting method that includes results of both the MRI and fMRI classifiers and keeps both feature selection results independent. The results suggest that ADHD is more easily identified through fMRI because the classification accuracies are a lot higher using fMRI data rather than MRI data. Furthermore, significant activity correlation differences exist between the brain's frontal lobe and cerebellum and also the left and right hemispheres among ADHD and non-ADHD subjects. When including MRI decisions with fMRI in the classifier ensemble, performance is boosted to a high ADHD detection accuracy of 96.2%, suggesting that MRI information assists in validating fMRI classification decisions. This study is an important step towards the development of an automatic and objective method for ADHD diagnosis. While more work is needed to externally validate and improve the classification accuracy, new applications of current methods with promising results are introduced here.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH2000203, ucf:45978
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000203
- Title
- A STUDY OF SEMANTIC PROCESSING PERFORMANCE.
- Creator
-
Dever, Daryn A, Szalma, James, Neigel, Alexis, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Examining the role of individual differences, especially variations in human motivation, in vigilance tasks will result in a better understanding of sustained semantic attention and processing, which has, to date, received limited study in the literature (see Fraulini, Hancock, Neigel, Claypoole, & Szalma, 2017; Epling, Russell, & Helton, 2016; Thomson et al., 2016). This present study seeks to understand how individual differences in intrinsic motivation affect performance in a short...
Show moreExamining the role of individual differences, especially variations in human motivation, in vigilance tasks will result in a better understanding of sustained semantic attention and processing, which has, to date, received limited study in the literature (see Fraulini, Hancock, Neigel, Claypoole, & Szalma, 2017; Epling, Russell, & Helton, 2016; Thomson et al., 2016). This present study seeks to understand how individual differences in intrinsic motivation affect performance in a short semantic vigilance task. Performance across two conditions (lure vs. standard condition) were compared in the present study of 79 undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida. The results indicated significant main effects of intrinsic motivation on pre- and post-task stress factors, workload, and performance measures, which included correct detections, false alarms, and response time. Sensitivity and response bias, which are indices of signal detection theory, were also examined in the present study. Intrinsic motivation influenced sensitivity, but not response bias, which was affected by period on watch. The theoretical and practical implications of this research are also discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH2000245, ucf:45984
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000245
- Title
- A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT ON COMMUNITY BANK PERFORMANCE.
- Creator
-
Ong, Andre, Kullu, A. Melih, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study investigates the impact of technological advancement in community bank lending, more specifically, how online financial product and service offerings affect community banks' performance. Community banks, institutions with assets under $1 billion are praised as relationship banking specialists, are important source of credit to individuals and businesses. Their productive performance is highly beneficial for the economic development of the communities and customers that they serve,...
Show moreThis study investigates the impact of technological advancement in community bank lending, more specifically, how online financial product and service offerings affect community banks' performance. Community banks, institutions with assets under $1 billion are praised as relationship banking specialists, are important source of credit to individuals and businesses. Their productive performance is highly beneficial for the economic development of the communities and customers that they serve, yet community banks' competitive power against large banks has become increasingly more challenging. Technological advancements radically shift all production and service based industries, including the banking industry and its institutions' offerings. The increasing use of online products and services provides convenience for bank customers, and eventually creates more demand, and boosts up the industry competition. Regarding the impact of technological advancements in the banking industry and the specific position that community banks carries, the question arises of "How does a changing technological landscape affect community banks' performance?". This study aims to contribute to the understanding of how these institutions can better utilize their limited resources to improve their performances.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000348, ucf:45788
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000348
- Title
- A STUDY ON THE PERCEPTION OF BRAIN GAMES AND THEIR EFFECT ON MEMORY AND COGNITIVE SKILLS.
- Creator
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Heiman, Sheila, Smither, Janan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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In this thesis, a literature review was conducted in order to analyze the numerous sources that investigated the effects memory games may have on participants. Each study covered different scopes and methods in the field of cognitive improvement, which gave way to a variety of results used to create a comprehensive literature review. The experiments included in the literature review gathered evidence to find the effect that "brain" games had on memory and cognitive skills. An explanation and...
Show moreIn this thesis, a literature review was conducted in order to analyze the numerous sources that investigated the effects memory games may have on participants. Each study covered different scopes and methods in the field of cognitive improvement, which gave way to a variety of results used to create a comprehensive literature review. The experiments included in the literature review gathered evidence to find the effect that "brain" games had on memory and cognitive skills. An explanation and analysis were made on the brain's deterioration as it ages and the varying amounts of plasticity it contains. The overall perspective gained from the literature review allowed for a better understanding of the results of the surveys conducted for this thesis. The distinctive ways to encourage and improve brain health were researched, and a particular focus was placed on memory games regarding brain health factors. Overall, the benefits identified covered an increase in working memory, skills, and processing speed. However, there was an indication that the improvements were only for the tasks at hand. When research was conducted on transferable activities, there was little to no proof of the transferability of measured improvements. During the research portion of the thesis, a survey was conducted that involved 90 participants from the age of 60 and older on their perception of brain games. The results of the 9-question survey showed statistically significant correlations between the amount of times individuals had played memory games and their perception of both the simplicity and effectiveness of these games. Participants who had played games more frequently viewed the games as both more effective and simpler. Similarly, participants with more education perceived the games as being simpler. The male participants in this study were found to play memory games more frequently than the women. Overall, the correlations drawn from the results of the survey promote the enriched discussion on the subject of memory games and cognitive improvement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004607, ucf:45261
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004607
- Title
- A SURVEY OF PRESERVICE TEACHERS IN REGARDS TO THEIR ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS OF SCIENCE FICTION AND ITS USE IN THE CLASSROOM.
- Creator
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Kosky, Amy, Hoffman, Elizabeth, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In 1957 at the University of Chicago, Robert Heinlein asserted that through science fiction humanity can wonder upon important questions without causing harm to the real world. "Through such speculative experiments science fiction can warn against dangerous solutions, urge toward better solutions. Science fiction joyously tackles the real and pressing problems of our race, wrestles with them, never ignores them—problems which other forms of fiction cannot challenge. For this reason I assert...
Show moreIn 1957 at the University of Chicago, Robert Heinlein asserted that through science fiction humanity can wonder upon important questions without causing harm to the real world. "Through such speculative experiments science fiction can warn against dangerous solutions, urge toward better solutions. Science fiction joyously tackles the real and pressing problems of our race, wrestles with them, never ignores them—problems which other forms of fiction cannot challenge. For this reason I assert that science fiction is the most realistic, the most serious, the most significant, the most sane and healthy and human fiction being published today" (Davenport, 1959). Preservice teachers enrolled in the education program at a large metropolitan university were surveyed to determine if they had preconceived notions about science fiction, if they would use science fiction within their classrooms and if science fiction would be available to the students in their classrooms. Also explored was if these future educators believed science fiction was too complex for English language learners and students with exceptionalities. Analysis of this survey revealed that although most preservice teachers believe science fiction literature has value within the classroom and they planned to use it at least part of the time, about one in five believed the concepts and themes were too complex for English language learners and students with exceptionalities. The researcher of this study hopes the information contained in this study can help educators encourage students to read science fiction as well as provide the educators with a resource of science fiction literature book titles which are grade level and ability level appropriate for their students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004633, ucf:45313
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004633
- Title
- A SURVEY OF PRESERVICE TEACHERS' ATTITUDES ON INTEGRATING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION CLASSROOMS.
- Creator
-
McNamee, Kelsey K, Marrett, Caroline Pratt, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
There are more than 2.4 million American public school students identified with learning disabilities who are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). General education preservice teachers are expected to effectively teach all students, including those with disabilities. However, most teacher preparation programs only require a single course in teaching students with disabilities. Research shows that that teachers� attitudes regarding inclusion are the greatest...
Show moreThere are more than 2.4 million American public school students identified with learning disabilities who are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). General education preservice teachers are expected to effectively teach all students, including those with disabilities. However, most teacher preparation programs only require a single course in teaching students with disabilities. Research shows that that teachers� attitudes regarding inclusion are the greatest predictor of a successful inclusion classroom. This study explored the attitudes of preservice elementary and preservice secondary teachers regarding integrating students with disabilities into general education classrooms. A quantitative research design with a survey method was used in this study. The survey method included a questionnaire via Qualtrics, an online survey system used at the University of Central Florida. Findings of this study revealed that 40% of preservice teachers indicated that integrating students with disabilities in the general education class was a burden. However, due to information limitations the results for preservice elementary and preservice secondary teachers� attitudes regarding the integration of students with disabilities in the general education classroom and the number of hours of service learning completed was inconclusive.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000072, ucf:45507
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000072
