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- Title
- Effects of Adaptive Antenna Array Beamforming and Power Management with Antenna Element Selection.
- Creator
- Abazari Aghdam, Sajjad, Bagby, Jonathan S., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
This research is the array processing help wireless communication techniques to increase the signal accuracy. This technique has an important part of prevalent applications. The wireless communication system, radar, and sonar. Beamforming is one of methods in array processing that filters signals based on their capture time at each element in an array of antennas spatially. Numerous studies in adaptive array processing have been proposed in the last several decades, which are divided in two...
Show moreThis research is the array processing help wireless communication techniques to increase the signal accuracy. This technique has an important part of prevalent applications. The wireless communication system, radar, and sonar. Beamforming is one of methods in array processing that filters signals based on their capture time at each element in an array of antennas spatially. Numerous studies in adaptive array processing have been proposed in the last several decades, which are divided in two parts. The first one related to non-adaptive beamforming techniques and the next one related to digitally adaptive Beamforming methods. The trade-off between computational complexity and performance make them different. In this thesis, we concentrate on the expansion of array processing algorithms in both non-adaptive and adaptive ones with application of beamforming in 4G mobile antenna and radar systems. The conventional and generalized side-lobe canceller (GSC) structures beamforming algorithms were employed with a phase array antenna that changed the phase of arrivals in array antenna with common phased array structure antennas. An eight-element uniform linear array (ULA), consisting of di-pole antennas, represented as the antenna array. An anechoic chamber measures the operation of beamforming algorithms performance. An extended modified Kaiser weighting function is proposed to make a semi-adaptive structure in phased array beamforming. This technique is extended to low complexity functions like hyperbolic cosine and exponential functions. Furthermore, these algorithms are used in GSC beamforming. The side-lobe levels were so lower than other algorithms in conventional beamforming around -10 dB. On the other hand, a uniform linear arrays for smart antenna purposes designed to utilize in implementing and testing the proposed algorithms. In this thesis, performance of smart antenna with rectangular aperture coupled microstrip linear array which experimental investigations carried out for obtaining X-band operation of rectangular microstrip antenna by using aperture coupled feeding technique. Frequency range set at approximately 8.6 to 10.9 GHz, by incorporating frequency range of the antenna resonates for single wideband with an impedance bandwidth of 23%. The enhancement of impedance bandwidth and gain does not affect the nature of broadside radiation characteristics. This thesis describes the design, operation, and realization of the beamforming such as Sidelobe level (SLL) control and null forming array antenna are examined with the prototype. An antenna radiation pattern beam maximum can be simultaneously placed towards the intended user or Signal of interest (SOl), and, ideally nulls can be positioned towards directions of interfering signals or signals not of interest (SNOIs). Finally, we focused on the adaptive digitally algorithms in compact antenna that faces with mutual coupling. The variable step-size normalized lease mean square (VS-NLMS) algorithm is implemented in beamforming. This algorithm utilizes continuous adaptation. The weights are attuned that the final weight vector to the most satisfied result. The gradient vector can be achieved by iterative beamforming algorithm from the available data. This algorithm is compared with LMS, NLMS, VSS-NLMS algorithms, it is determined that the VSS-NLMS algorithm is better performance to other algorithms. Finally, we introduced novel adaptive IP-NNLMS beamformer. This beamformer reaches to faster convergence and lower error floor than the previous adaptive beamformers even at low SNRs in presence of mutual coupling. The experimental results verified the simulation results that the proposed technique has better performance than other algorithms in various situations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004789, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004789
- Subject Headings
- Global system for mobile communications., Long-Term Evolution (Telecommunications), Wireless communication systems., Antennas (Electronics), Antenna arrays., Array processors., Time-domain analysis.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The effect of sea level rise on Juncus Roemerianus in a high nutrient environment.
- Creator
- Abbott, Cara J., Berry, Leonard, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
- Abstract/Description
-
As sea levels continue to rise, the projected damage that will ensue presents a great challenge for conservation and management of coastal ecosystems in Florida. Since Juncus roemerianus is a common marsh plant throughout Florida with unique growing characteristics that make it a popular restoration plant, this study implemented a 20 week greenhouse split plot experiment to examine the effects of sea level rise on J. roemerianus and ultimately determine its tolerance ranges to salinity and...
Show moreAs sea levels continue to rise, the projected damage that will ensue presents a great challenge for conservation and management of coastal ecosystems in Florida. Since Juncus roemerianus is a common marsh plant throughout Florida with unique growing characteristics that make it a popular restoration plant, this study implemented a 20 week greenhouse split plot experiment to examine the effects of sea level rise on J. roemerianus and ultimately determine its tolerance ranges to salinity and inundation in a high nutrient environment. Overall, salinity level and the interaction effect of salinity level and water level had the greatest effects on measured growth parameters including average mature height, maximum height, density, basal area, root length, and biomass. An inverse relationship between increasing salinity and the measured growth variables was observed with the greatest growth and survivability in 0 ppt water, survivability and reduced growth in 20 ppt water, survivability and little growth in 30 ppt water, and nearly complete senesce in 40 ppt water. This was the first laboratory study to determine the effect of 40 ppt water on J. roemerianus. Elevated water levels resulted in higher growth variables in the 20 ppt, 30 ppt, and 40 ppt treatments while inundated water levels produced higher growth variables in the 0 ppt treatment despite previous research finding inundation to have completely adverse effects on J. roemerianus. It is likely that the high nutrient environment provided for this study is the cause for this anomaly. The results of this study have major implications for the future of coastal ecosystems that are dominated by stands of J. roemerianus in South Florida and can be used in conjunction with studies on bordering marsh plants to predict shifts in the ecosystems of Florida that are responding to sea level rise scenarios.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004426
- Subject Headings
- Coastal ecology, Coastal zone management, Jucus roemerianus, Plant ecophysiology, Salt marsh ecology, Sea level
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Effect of a Culturally Relevant Cardiovascular Health Promotion Program on Rural African Americans.
- Creator
- Abbott, Laurie S., Williams, Christine L., Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
- Abstract/Description
-
Health disparities among rural African Americans include disproportionately higher morbidity and mortality rates associated with cardiovascular disease. Interventions designed to decrease cardiovascular risk can potentially improve health outcomes among rural, underserved communities. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of a cardiovascular health promotion intervention among rural African Americans. An experimental study randomized by church clusters was done in two rural...
Show moreHealth disparities among rural African Americans include disproportionately higher morbidity and mortality rates associated with cardiovascular disease. Interventions designed to decrease cardiovascular risk can potentially improve health outcomes among rural, underserved communities. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of a cardiovascular health promotion intervention among rural African Americans. An experimental study randomized by church clusters was done in two rural counties in northern Florida. A total of 229 participants, 114 in the intervention group and 115 in the control group, were recruited from twelve rural African American churches. The pretest-posttest design included instruments chosen to measure cardiovascular health habits and knowledge as well as changes in produce consumption, dietary fat intake, and exercise using the major components of the Integrated Model of Behavioral Prediction: intentions, norms, attitudes, and self-efficacy. Linear mixed model was the statistical test used to detect the program effects. Participants who received the intervention had significant increases in scores for the cardiovascular health habits (p < .01) and health knowledge (p < .01) variables compared with the control group. There were also significant group differences regarding intentions to increase produce consumption (p < .01) and reduce dietary fat intake (p < .01). The cardiovascular health program was associated with other statistically significant results including produce consumption attitudes (p = .01) and norms (p < .01), dietary fat attitudes (p = .04) and norms (p < .01), and exercise attitudes (p < .01). There were also significant results found for perceived behavioral control/self-efficacy regarding increasing produce consumption (p < .01), reducing dietary fat intake (p = .03), and increasing exercise (p = .01). Compared to the control group, the cardiovascular health promotion intervention was effective in fostering positive health effects for most of the variables measured. The findings supported the theoretical framework used for guiding the study, the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction Nurse-led health promotion interventions within church settings can be effective means for reducing overall cardiovascular risk and health disparities among rural African American populations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004475
- Subject Headings
- African Americans -- Health and hygiene, African Americans -- Health services accessibility, African Americans -- Health services accessibility, Cultural awareness -- United States, Discrimination in medical care, Health status indicators -- United States
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Analysis of blast/explosion resistant reinforced concrete solid slab and T-Beam bridges.
- Creator
- Abdelahad, Firas A., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
This study presents and illustrates a methodology to calculate the capacity of an existing reinforced concrete bridge under a non-conventional blast load due to low and intermediate pressures. ATBlast program is used to calculate the blast loads for known values of charge weight and stand off distance. An excel spreadsheet is generated to calculate ultimate resistance, equivalent elastic stiffness, equivalent elastic deflection, natural period of the beam, the maximum deflection, and the...
Show moreThis study presents and illustrates a methodology to calculate the capacity of an existing reinforced concrete bridge under a non-conventional blast load due to low and intermediate pressures. ATBlast program is used to calculate the blast loads for known values of charge weight and stand off distance. An excel spreadsheet is generated to calculate ultimate resistance, equivalent elastic stiffness, equivalent elastic deflection, natural period of the beam, the maximum deflection, and the maximum rotation in the support for a simple span solid slab and T-Beam bridges. The allowable rotation could be taken as to two degrees. Naval Facility Engineering Command (NAVFAC) approach was adopted, where the inputs were material properties, span length, and area of reinforcement. The use of the Fiber Reinforced Polymer for increasing the capacity of an existing bridge is also presented in this study. Parametric studies were carried out to evaluate the performance of the solid slab and T-Beam bridges under the assumed blast load.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/flaent/EN00154040/68_1/98p0132d.pdf, http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/58001
- Subject Headings
- Concrete beams, Vibration, Bridges, Concrete, Fatigue, Reinforced concrete construction, Bridges, Concrete, Design and construction
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Influence of Voids on Water Uptake in Polymer Panels.
- Creator
- Abdelmola, Fatmaelzahraa, Carlsson, Leif A., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
The influence of voids on the moisture uptake of epoxy has been studied. Specimens with void contents from 0 to about 50% were prepared. Void geometry and content were analyzed using microscopy and density methods. Void containing dry samples were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Dynamic-Mechanical Analysis which verified consistency of chemistry of the epoxy network. The moisture uptake of specimens immersed in distilled water at 40 °C was monitored. The rate of...
Show moreThe influence of voids on the moisture uptake of epoxy has been studied. Specimens with void contents from 0 to about 50% were prepared. Void geometry and content were analyzed using microscopy and density methods. Void containing dry samples were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Dynamic-Mechanical Analysis which verified consistency of chemistry of the epoxy network. The moisture uptake of specimens immersed in distilled water at 40 °C was monitored. The rate of absorption and saturation moisture content increased with increasing void content. The moisture uptake of void-free and void containing specimens was non-Fickian. The Langmuir model provided good fits to the experimental results for specimens with low to medium void content, although the moisture uptake of the high void content specimens showed substantial deviations from the Langmuir diffusion model. The moisture diffusivity agreed reasonably with predications from the Maxwell inclusion model over a range of void contents from 0 to 50%. The state of sorbed water was examined using mass balance calculations and DSC analysis. Only 6-8% of the void volume is occupied by water at saturation. Absorbed water may be classified as free and bound water. For void-free specimens, only bound water was found. The medium and high void content specimens contained water in three states: free water, freezable bound water, and non-freezable bound water. The DSC results show that the proportions of free water and freezable bound water increase with increasing void content, while the content of non-freezable bound water decreased. Moisture induced swelling decreased with increasing void content. The swelling is attributed to the content of non-freezable bound water.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013137
- Subject Headings
- Polymers--Absorption and adsorption, Epoxy resins, Water
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The role of identity in posttraumatic growth and psychological adjustment for adults with cancer.
- Creator
- Abernathy, Barbara E., College of Education, Department of Counselor Education
- Abstract/Description
-
This mixed methods sequential research study was performed to explore the role of identity in posttraumatic growth and psychological adjustment for adults with cancer. One hundred nineteen individuals participated in an online survey which included items from Brief COPE, Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Sense of Coherence Scale - 3 items (SOC-3), Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale (IIRS), and...
Show moreThis mixed methods sequential research study was performed to explore the role of identity in posttraumatic growth and psychological adjustment for adults with cancer. One hundred nineteen individuals participated in an online survey which included items from Brief COPE, Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Sense of Coherence Scale - 3 items (SOC-3), Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale (IIRS), and Centrality of Event Scale (CES). A two-step cluster analysis divided the sample into two clusters based on the integration of cancer into identity: High Cancer Identity Cluster (cancer identity scores above M) with strong cancer identity and Low Cancer Identity Cluster (scores below the M) with a weak or absent cancer identity. HCIC yielded positive and negative subgroups. A discriminant analysis revealed which variables are significant predictors of group membership: PTG factor New Possibilities (Wilks'l = .781, F (1, 119) = 32.834, p = .000), Psychological Adjustment factor Anxious Preoccupation (Wilks' l= .863, F (1, 119) = 18.612, p = .000), Illness Intrusiveness factor Intimate Relationships (Wilks' l= .794, F (1, 119) = 30.348, p = .000), and Illness Perception factor Perceived Life Impact of Cancer (Wilks' l= .783, F (1, 119) = 32.412, p = .000). From the sample, 17 individuals and spouses/partners were interviewed to obtain a deeper understanding of the lived experience of cancer. Qualitative themes of suffering, woundedness, and uncertainty were found. Narrative data corroborated the quantitative data and contributed depth to the analysis. A new Cancer Identity Process Model was offered in which assimilative and accommodative efforts are informed by identity structures., Performing Normalcy is an assimilative process in which stressful life events such as cancer activate automatic behaviors guided by existing identity structures with the goal of reg As dissonance grows over the inability to re-establish valued former identities, negative affect and intrusive rumination prevails. Individuals then utilize accommodative strategies in a process of Constructing Survivorship to either regain valuable aspect of former identities or to create equally valued new ones.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/187204
- Subject Headings
- Adjustment (Psychology), Cancer, Psychological aspects, Stress management, Identity (Psychology), Mind and body
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Differences in Nurses’ Perceptions of Safety Culture, Nurse-Physician Collaboration, and Level of Job Satisfaction Related to the Type of Obstetrical Physician Service Delivery Model Utilized.
- Creator
- Abiri, Olga, Sherman, Rose O., Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
- Abstract/Description
-
Creating a safety culture is the focus in the current healthcare environment. An inhouse, around-the-clock laborist service delivery model has been associated with positive outcomes, but little is known about the laborist structure’s contribution to the labor-anddelivery working environment. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to explore the effects of physician service delivery model on safety culture, nurse-physician collaboration, and nurses’ job satisfaction. An...
Show moreCreating a safety culture is the focus in the current healthcare environment. An inhouse, around-the-clock laborist service delivery model has been associated with positive outcomes, but little is known about the laborist structure’s contribution to the labor-anddelivery working environment. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to explore the effects of physician service delivery model on safety culture, nurse-physician collaboration, and nurses’ job satisfaction. An additional purpose was to examine associations between nurses’ perceptions of safety culture, nurse-physician collaboration, and job satisfaction. Ray’s (1981, 1989) Theory of Bureaucratic Caring and Homan’s (1974) Social Exchange Theory guided this study. A survey consisting of demographic questions, the Collaborative Practice Scale (Weiss & Davis, 1985), the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2015; HSOPSC), and the McCloskey and Mueller Satisfaction Scale (McCloskey & Mueller, 1990) was distributed to registered nurses (RNs) nationwide. The results indicated that nurses in facilities using the around-the-clock model had higher perceptions of nursephysician collaboration, but not of safety culture or job satisfaction in relation to the physician service-delivery model. Significant moderate-to-strong correlations between nurses’ perceptions of patient safety and job satisfaction, and a weak correlation between bedside nurses’ perceptions of nurse-physician collaboration and job satisfaction were demonstrated. Additional significant correlations were found between the instrument subscales. Control/responsibility in the MMSS scale was positively associated with both management support for patient safety, supervisors’ and managers’ expectations and actions promoting patient safety, and overall perceptions of safety in the HSOPSC scale. Praise and recognition in the MMSS scale were positively associated with supervisor/manager expectations and actions promoting patient safety in the HSOPSC scale. Further appraisal is needed to understand the mechanism by which the laborist model affects patient care and work environment. Recommendations for future research include replicating the study with a larger sample sizes in specific groups based on the role and scheduled shift, conducting the study in a single system or location to mitigate the effects of other variables; and exploring physicians’ perspectives on the variables being studied.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004969, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004959
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Obstetrics--Practice., Medical care--Safety measures., Nurse-physician collaboration., Nurses--Job satisfaction., Labor and delivery.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Bayesian approach to an exponential hazard regression model with a change point.
- Creator
- Abraha, Yonas Kidane, Qian, Lianfen, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
This thesis contains two parts. The first part derives the Bayesian estimator of the parameters in a piecewise exponential Cox proportional hazard regression model, with one unknown change point for a right censored survival data. The second part surveys the applications of change point problems to various types of data, such as long-term survival data, longitudinal data and time series data. Furthermore, the proposed method is then used to analyse a real survival data.
- Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004013
- Subject Headings
- Bayesian statistical decision theory, Mathematical statistics, Multivariate analysis -- Data processing
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Out with the “I” and In with the “Kin”: Environmental Activism Through Speculative Fiction.
- Creator
- Abreu Toribio, Mailyn, MacDonald, Ian P., Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of English
- Abstract/Description
-
Non-Anglophone voices in literature can lead to a better understanding of the intricate relationships shown by Ashley Dawson tying capitalism, slow violence, and uneven development to climate change. There is skepticism that science fiction (sf) in particular can properly present climate issues in the anthropocentric era that we live in today, but scholars such as Shelley Streeby argue against such perceptions. Science fiction writers that use magical realism, such as Ngugi wa Thiong’o and...
Show moreNon-Anglophone voices in literature can lead to a better understanding of the intricate relationships shown by Ashley Dawson tying capitalism, slow violence, and uneven development to climate change. There is skepticism that science fiction (sf) in particular can properly present climate issues in the anthropocentric era that we live in today, but scholars such as Shelley Streeby argue against such perceptions. Science fiction writers that use magical realism, such as Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Nalo Hopkinson, as ecological sf have already accomplished the task of creating speculative works that fit in perfectly under the umbrella of “serious fictions.” These writers work from a non-Anglophone perspective or from a minority group within a Western society, allowing for different modes of thinking to play a part in these bigger discourses. Writers, educators, and other scholars need to reestablish humanity’s kinship with nature.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013178
- Subject Headings
- Speculative fiction, Dawson, Ashley, 1965-, Activists, Anthropogenic effects on nature
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- On the spectrum of positive operators.
- Creator
- Acharya, Cheban P., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Spectral theory, mathematical system theory, evolution equations, differential and difference equations [electronic resource] : 21st International Workshop on Operator Theory and Applications, Berlin, July 2010.It is known that lattice homomorphisms and G-solvable positive operators on Banach lattices have cyclic peripheral spectrum (See [17]). In my thesis I prove that positive contractions whose spectral radius is 1 on Banach lattices with increasing norm have cyclic peripheral point...
Show moreSpectral theory, mathematical system theory, evolution equations, differential and difference equations [electronic resource] : 21st International Workshop on Operator Theory and Applications, Berlin, July 2010.It is known that lattice homomorphisms and G-solvable positive operators on Banach lattices have cyclic peripheral spectrum (See [17]). In my thesis I prove that positive contractions whose spectral radius is 1 on Banach lattices with increasing norm have cyclic peripheral point spectrum. I also prove that if the Banach lattice is a K B space satisfying the growth conditon and º is an eigenvalue of a positive contraction T such that [º] = 1, then 1 is also an eigenvalue of T as well as an eigenvalue of T¨, the dual of T. I also investigate the conditions on contraction operators on Hilbert lattices and AL-spaces which guanantee that 1 is an eigenvalue. As we know from [17], if T : E-E is a positive ideal irreducible operator on E such the r (T) = 1 is a pole of the resolvent R(º, T), then r (T) is simple pole with dimN (T -r(T)I) and ºper(T) is cyclic. Also all points of ºper(T) are simple poles of the resolvent R(º,T). SInce band irreducibility and º-order continuity do not imply ideal irreducibility [2], we prove the analogous results for band irreducible, º-order continuous operators.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359288
- Subject Headings
- Operator theory, Evolution equations, Banach spaces, Linear topological spaces, Functional analysis
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Charge Regulation of a Surface Immersed in an Electrolyte Solution.
- Creator
- Acharya, Pramod, Lau, Andy W. C., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Physics
- Abstract/Description
-
In this thesis, we investigate theoretically a new model of charge regulation of a single charged planar surface immersed in an aqueous electrolyte solution. Assuming that the adsorbed ions are mobile in the charged plane, we formulate a field theory of charge regulation where the numbers of adsorbed ions can be determined consistently by equating the chemical potentials of the adsorbed ions to that of the ions in the bulk. We analyze the mean-field treatment of the model for electrolyte of...
Show moreIn this thesis, we investigate theoretically a new model of charge regulation of a single charged planar surface immersed in an aqueous electrolyte solution. Assuming that the adsorbed ions are mobile in the charged plane, we formulate a field theory of charge regulation where the numbers of adsorbed ions can be determined consistently by equating the chemical potentials of the adsorbed ions to that of the ions in the bulk. We analyze the mean-field treatment of the model for electrolyte of arbitrary valences, and then beyond, where correlation effects are systematically taken into account in a loop expansion. In particular, we compute exactly various one-loop quantities, including electrostatic potentials, ion distributions, and chemical potentials, not only for symmetric (1, 1) electrolyte but also for asymmetric (2, 1) electrolyte, and make use of these quantities to address charge regulation at the one-loop level. We find that correlation effects give rise to various phase transitions in the adsorption of ions, and present phase diagrams for (1, 1) and (2, 1) electrolytes, whose distinct behaviors suggest that charge regulation, at the one-loop level, is no longer universal but depends crucially on the valency of the ions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004560, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004560
- Subject Headings
- Surface chemistry., Intermolecular forces., Electrodynamics., Quantum field theory.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Critical Sexual Theory and Postcolonial Studies: Assessing Disability Policies and Narratives of Women with Disabilities in Nepal.
- Creator
- Acharya, Tulasi, Sementelli, Arthur, Florida Atlantic University, College for Design and Social Inquiry, School of Public Administration
- Abstract/Description
-
This dissertation explored the lives of women with disabilities who have to suffer more than men with disabilities despite prevailing disability policies in Nepal that emphasize nondiscrimination against people with disabilities. The study explored the idea that there are policy gaps between disability policies and the narratives of women with disabilities. This dissertation used critical sexual theory and postcolonialism as critical frameworks and narrative analysis as a method to analyze...
Show moreThis dissertation explored the lives of women with disabilities who have to suffer more than men with disabilities despite prevailing disability policies in Nepal that emphasize nondiscrimination against people with disabilities. The study explored the idea that there are policy gaps between disability policies and the narratives of women with disabilities. This dissertation used critical sexual theory and postcolonialism as critical frameworks and narrative analysis as a method to analyze the disability policies and narratives of women with disabilities to explore policy gaps and the need for supportive gender policies. The researcher analyzed the literary works of five female Nepali authors with disabilities: Radhika Dahal, Jhamak Ghimire, Sabitri Karki, Parijaat, and Mira Sahi, in Nepal. With the support of NVivo qualitative research software, and the use of the frameworks and methodology, the researcher discovered the policy gaps and underscored the need for supportive gender policies to address the emotional and psychological needs of women with disabilities.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013179
- Subject Headings
- Nepal, Women with disabilities, Disabilities--Government policy, Narratives
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Gender, disability, and literature in the Global South: Nepali writers Jhamak Ghimire and Bishnu Kumari Waiwa (Parijat).
- Creator
- Acharya, Tulasi., Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Abstract/Description
-
This thesis explores gender, disability and literature in the Global South through an examination of the writings of two physically disabled contemporary women writers from Nepal, BIshnu Kumari Waiwa and Jhamak Ghimire. I show how these renowned contemporary writers challenge stigmas of the disabled body by deconstructiong the "ideology of ability" through their poetry, fiction, and autobiographical narratives. Religious and cultural values disable women's autonomy in general, and create even...
Show moreThis thesis explores gender, disability and literature in the Global South through an examination of the writings of two physically disabled contemporary women writers from Nepal, BIshnu Kumari Waiwa and Jhamak Ghimire. I show how these renowned contemporary writers challenge stigmas of the disabled body by deconstructiong the "ideology of ability" through their poetry, fiction, and autobiographical narratives. Religious and cultural values disable women's autonomy in general, and create even greater disadvantages for women who are physically disabled. Challenging these cultural stigmas, Waiwa and Ghimire celebrate sexuality and disability as sources of creativity, agency, and identity in narratives that deconstruct cultural or social models of sexuality, motherhood, and beauty. In this thesis feminist disability and feminist theory guide an analysis of Waiwa and Ghimire's writing to advance our understanding of gender, culture, disability and literature in the Global South.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3356903
- Subject Headings
- Criticism and interpretation, Criticism and interpretation, Prejudices in literature, Discrimination against people with disabilities, Stigma (Social psychology), Women in literature, Social conditions
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The call of public service: motivation and professional commitment in education.
- Creator
- Ackerina, Jacqueline., College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine if individuals who are professionally committed to careers in public education possess public service motivation. The participants in this study were a sample of convenience selected through their enrollment in graduate education programs within three East Coast universities. The sample was stratified into three groups based on their education roles as teachers, aspiring leaders, and school district administrators. Based on the 258 education sector...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine if individuals who are professionally committed to careers in public education possess public service motivation. The participants in this study were a sample of convenience selected through their enrollment in graduate education programs within three East Coast universities. The sample was stratified into three groups based on their education roles as teachers, aspiring leaders, and school district administrators. Based on the 258 education sector participants, the majority were Caucasian, female, and under the age of 30. All respondents held at least a bachelor's degree and the majority held up to ten years tenure in education. Utilizing an abridged version of Perry's (1996) multi-dimensional scale that was modified for the education sector, the public service motivation (PSM) construct was measured using an Internet survey approach. Three of the public service motivation dimensions and two commitment items were used to operationalize the PSM and professional commitment of education professionals within their current roles. Correlation, regression, ANOVA, and t-test analyses were conducted to examine the data collected. Study findings concluded that education professionals possess public service motivation and are professionally committed to their careers. In addition, results indicated that school district administrators possessed higher levels of public service motivation than teachers. Furthermore, demographic characteristics indicated that educators who are older, more experienced, and highly educated possess higher levels of PSM. Perhaps the most critical discovery was that when comparing education professionals to their public administration counterparts, educators possessed higher levels of public service motivation. These findings have several important implications for education institutions, academic scholars, human resource managers, and leadership preparation programs that would all benefit from all
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3342031
- Subject Headings
- Motivation (Psychology), Educational leadership, Public administration, Education, Aims and objectives, Education, Social aspects
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The perpetual motion machine.
- Creator
- Ackerman, Brittany, McKay, Becka, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of English
- Abstract/Description
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The Perpetual Motion Machine is a collection of creative nonfiction essays about the author and her brother as they have experienced growing up both together and then apart throughout the years of their lives. The essays deal with the pair’s childhood, adolescence and adulthood as well as the issues of depression, anxiety and drug addiction. Some pieces are flash-style and others are longer works of lyric essay or general narrative. The pieces can both stand alone and work to create a larger,...
Show moreThe Perpetual Motion Machine is a collection of creative nonfiction essays about the author and her brother as they have experienced growing up both together and then apart throughout the years of their lives. The essays deal with the pair’s childhood, adolescence and adulthood as well as the issues of depression, anxiety and drug addiction. Some pieces are flash-style and others are longer works of lyric essay or general narrative. The pieces can both stand alone and work to create a larger, substantial narrative on how drug addiction affects an entire family, one’s whole world, thus telling a story about how the author must find herself through investigating her brother’s trials and tribulations with addiction.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004340
- Subject Headings
- Addicts--Family relationships, Brothers and sisters--Family relationships, Brothers and sisters--Psychological aspects., Dysfunctional families--Psychological aspects, Substance abuse--Psychological aspects, Compulsive behavior--Social aspects
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Performance Analysis of Spectrum Sensing Schemes Based on Fractional Lower Order Moments for Cognitive Radios in Alpha- Stable Noise Environments.
- Creator
- Ackie, A-Bon Elfick, Aalo, Valentine A., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
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Natural and manmade noise signals tend to exhibit impulsive behaviors. Therefore modeling those signals as α-stable processes is better suited towards the development of a practical spectrum sensing scheme. However, the performances of detectors operating in an α-stable noise environment are difficult to evaluate. This is because an α-stable random variable can usually only be modeled by the characteristic function since closed-form expressions are usually not available except for the special...
Show moreNatural and manmade noise signals tend to exhibit impulsive behaviors. Therefore modeling those signals as α-stable processes is better suited towards the development of a practical spectrum sensing scheme. However, the performances of detectors operating in an α-stable noise environment are difficult to evaluate. This is because an α-stable random variable can usually only be modeled by the characteristic function since closed-form expressions are usually not available except for the special values of the characteristic exponent that correspond to the Cauchy and Gaussian noise distributions. In this thesis, we derive a general closed-form expression for the probability density function (PDF) of symmetric alpha stable processes having rational characteristic exponent (0<α≤2). Consequently, we obtain analytical expressions for the PDF and corresponding complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) of the proposed fractional lower order moment (FLOM) detector. Utilizing false alarm and detection probabilities, the performance analysis of the proposed spectrum sensing scheme is conducted with the assumption that the cognitive radio (CR) users are operating in non-fading channels. We validate the analytical results with Monte Carlo simulations. The effect of the distribution parameters on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves is verified.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004561, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004561
- Subject Headings
- Cognitive radio networks., Radio frequency allocation., Radio resource management (Wireless communications), Wireless communication systems.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The influence of university student leader’s cognitive and behavioral agility on organizational member commitment.
- Creator
- Adamo, Lauren, Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
- Abstract/Description
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The focus of this study was to determine if university student leaders’ cognitive and behavioral agility is related to organizational member commitment and if this relationship is moderated by alterable and non-alterable variables. The empirical results from this study are based on the responses of 37 student leaders who occupy leadership positions in organizations and clubs in their respective university. Cognitive agility was measured by the student leader’s use of systems thinking,...
Show moreThe focus of this study was to determine if university student leaders’ cognitive and behavioral agility is related to organizational member commitment and if this relationship is moderated by alterable and non-alterable variables. The empirical results from this study are based on the responses of 37 student leaders who occupy leadership positions in organizations and clubs in their respective university. Cognitive agility was measured by the student leader’s use of systems thinking, reframing, and reflection. Student leader behavioral agility was assessed by a minimum of three organizational members rating the student leader’s use of leader influence actions (transforming, managing, bonding, bridging, and bartering) in carrying out their functions. Organizational member commitment was measured by organization member’s level of commitment with the goals and values of the organization using the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004341, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004341
- Subject Headings
- Interorganizational relations, Interpersonal communication, Leadership -- Psychological aspects, Management -- Psychological aspects, Organizational behavior, School management and organization
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Curve shortening in second-order lagrangian.
- Creator
- Adams, Ronald Edward, Kalies, William D., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
- Abstract/Description
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A second-order Lagrangian system is a generalization of a classical mechanical system for which the Lagrangian action depends on the second derivative of the state variable. Recent work has shown that the dynamics of such systems c:an be substantially richer than for classical Lagrangian systems. In particular, topological properties of the planar curves obtained by projection onto the lower-order derivatives play a key role in forcing certain types of dynamics. However, the application of...
Show moreA second-order Lagrangian system is a generalization of a classical mechanical system for which the Lagrangian action depends on the second derivative of the state variable. Recent work has shown that the dynamics of such systems c:an be substantially richer than for classical Lagrangian systems. In particular, topological properties of the planar curves obtained by projection onto the lower-order derivatives play a key role in forcing certain types of dynamics. However, the application of these techniques requires an analytic restriction on the Lagrangian that it satisfy a twist property. In this dissertation we approach this problem from the point of view of curve shortening in an effort to remove the twist condition. In classical curve shortening a family of curves evolves with a velocity which is normal to the curve and proportional to its curvature. The evolution of curves with decreasing action is more general, and in the first part of this dissertation we develop some results for curve shortening flows which shorten lengths with respect to a Finsler metric rather than a Riemannian metric. The second part of this dissertation focuses on analytic methods to accommodate the fact that the Finsler metric for second-order Lagrangian system has singularities. We prove the existence of simple periodic solutions for a general class of systems without requiring the twist condition. Further; our results provide a frame work in which to try to further extend the topological forcing theorems to systems without the twist condition.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004175, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004175
- Subject Headings
- Critical point theory (Mathematical analysis), Differentiable dynamical systems, Geometry,Differential, Lagrange equations, Lagrangian functions, Mathematical optimization, Surfaces of constant curvature
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Computing automorphism groups of projective planes.
- Creator
- Adamski, Jesse Victor, Magliveras, Spyros S., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
- Abstract/Description
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The main objective of this thesis was to find the full automorphism groups of finite Desarguesian planes. A set of homologies were used to generate the automorphism group when the order of the plane was prime. When the order was a prime power Pa,a ≠ 1 the Frobenius automorphism was added to the set of homologies, and then the full automorphism group was generated. The Frobenius automorphism was found by using the planar ternary ring derived from a coordinatization of the plane.
- Date Issued
- 2013
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004000
- Subject Headings
- Combinatorial group theory, Finite geometrics, Geometry, Projective
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Cognitive Dissonance and Auditor Professional Skepticism.
- Creator
- Adikaram, Ruwan K, Higgs, Julia, Florida Atlantic University, College of Business, School of Accounting
- Abstract/Description
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I show that auditors experience cognitive dissonance when they fail to take appropriate professionally skeptical (hereafter PS) action in line with high PS judgment I specifically show that cognitive dissonance leads auditors to revise their attitudes on low ranking audit actions upward and lower their risk assessments, consequently, lower overall professional skepticism I also find that auditor cognitive dissonance leads to exaggerated ex-post auditor self-assessments professional skepticism...
Show moreI show that auditors experience cognitive dissonance when they fail to take appropriate professionally skeptical (hereafter PS) action in line with high PS judgment I specifically show that cognitive dissonance leads auditors to revise their attitudes on low ranking audit actions upward and lower their risk assessments, consequently, lower overall professional skepticism I also find that auditor cognitive dissonance leads to exaggerated ex-post auditor self-assessments professional skepticism Professional skepticism is fundamental to performing an audit according to auditing standards and critical to audit quality Extant research that investigates treatments to enhance professional skepticism predominantly treats both skeptical judgment and skeptical action as analogous outcomes of professional skepticism If, however, there is a breakdown between PS judgment and PS action, the overall benefits of these treatments will be trivial I show that cognitive dissonance due to the incongruence between PS judgments and PS actions leads to an unforeseeable corollary of lower overall professional skepticism I also demonstrate a specific mechanism of how auditor incentives lead to lower professional skepticism, hence, lower audit quality Both researchers and practitioners can benefit from this study by better understating the intricacies in the critical link between PS judgment and action Additionally, I provide an empirical investigation of the components in Nelson’s (2009) model of professional skepticism and extend the model to reflect the intricacies between PS judgment and PS action I test my hypotheses via a three-group research design with attitude change as a proxy measure of cognitive dissonance
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004772
- Subject Headings
- Cognitive dissonance, Auditing--Standards, Accounting--Standards, Accounting--Moral and ethical aspects, Accountants--Professional ethics, Auditors--Psychology, Behaviorism (Psychology)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
