Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 157 pages. / Thesis (M.A.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: This thesis describes an internship for the Department of Anthropology that was part of the Florida Health Literacy Study (FHLS) conducted at the University of South Florida College of Public Health, Department of Community and Family Health in the spring and summer of 2003. The FHLS implemented Pfizer Inc.'s For Your Health program, a type 2 diabetes and hypertension education programs, at 14 community health clinics across the state of Florida. The internship was designed to elicit the experiences of 10 bilingual health educators about their experiences and their perceptions of the experiences of their Latino patients with type 2 diabetes with the Spanish version of Pfizer'ts For Your Health or Para Su Salud type 2 diabetes education program. This internship examined the Para Su Salud program for its cultural appropriateness for the diverse Latino population in the community health clinics in Florida. / ABSTRACT: This internship combined the fields of anthropology and public health to provide a holistic analysis of the issues important to the Latino Health Educators participating in Pfizer's Para Su Salud type 2 diabetes education program. Through anthropological methods including in-depth interviews, class and clinic observations and patient satisfaction surveys, this internship found that the program was well-liked in the community health clinics and it could provide more culturally appropriate themes and food options for type 2 diabetic Latinos in Florida. This thesis makes nine specific recommendations for improving the appropriateness and ultimate success of the Para Su Salud educational program. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 117 pages. / Thesis (M.S.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Bacterial source tracking (BST) methods often involve the use of phenotypic or genotypic fingerprinting techniques to compare indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli isolated from unknown sources against a library of fingerprints from indicator bacteria found in the feces of various known source animals. The predictive capability of a library is based in part on how well the library isolates reflect the true population diversity of indicator bacteria that can potentially impact a water body. The purpose of this study was to compare the behavior of E. coli population structures in the feces of humans, beef cattle and horses across different parameters. Ribotyping and antibiotic resistance analysis were used to "fingerprint", or subtype E. coli isolates. Significantly greater diversity was observed in the E. coli population of horses compared to the human or beef cattle sampled. / ABSTRACT: Subtype sharing between individuals from all host categories was infrequent, therefore the majority of E. coli subtypes were sampled from a single individual. The dominant E. coli populations of nine individuals (three per host source category) were monitored over time, which demonstrated that E. coli subtypes within a host individual vary on a monthly time frame, and an increase in the frequency of subtype sharing was noted between individuals within the same source group over time. The E. coli population of a single human that had just finished antibiotic treatment was studied on a daily basis for one month. The loss of an E. coli subtype with high antibiotic resistance was observed over time, however there was a single dominant E. coli subtype that was present at every sampling event during the entire month. Geographic distinctiveness of E. coli populations was investigated by sampling four herds located in different geographical regions. We observed that E. / ABSTRACT: coli populations are not geographically distinct, but are somewhat individual-specific, as most E. coli isolates had a subtype that was found in a single individual. This study defines factors that should be considered when constructing a successful BST library, and suggests that E. coli may not be the appropriate indicator organism for BST. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 83 pages. / Thesis (M.S.I.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: The need for redesigning existing business processes to improve their efficiency makes it essential to adequately represent, study, and automate them. The WFMC defines "workflow" as computerized facilitation or automation of a business process in whole or part. It is actually a representation of the given process, which is made up of well-defined collection of activities called tasks. Modeling and specification of a workflow involves the following steps: 1) Provide formalism for modeling and specification of workflow 2) specify the tasks together with the associated information and 3) enter the applicable business rules in form of inter-task dependencies. Earlier attempts at modeling of workflows are based on a centralized control approach, has limited applicability for modeling and control of real life workflow due to computational complexity. In this thesis, a distributed supervisory control approach is described and shown to be computationally tractable. / ABSTRACT: The application of such an approach is demonstrated with a case study. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 161 pages. / Thesis (M.S.C.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Driving piles constitute a large portion of the high-capacity foundations used today. They transfer structural loads to deep bearing strata when adequate surficial soils are not available. The mechanisms required to install these piles generally consist of a hammer, hammer lead, a crane, and various support rigging. This study focused on lead sections, specifically, one which was manufactured by Berminghammer Foundation Equipment, Inc. The dimensions and strength of a lead section must be capable of supporting both the pile driving hammer and the longest anticipated pile for a given site. The strength of the section must be capable of withstanding hundreds of tons in compression and bending. If the lead is operated in a batter, (tilted forward, backward, or sideways) the weight of the hammer and pile causes much more bending than the vertical orientation. / ABSTRACT: The cross-section details for these long steel sections vary from design to design but usually incorporate some form of bolt group, pins, and steel alignment dowels. This thesis focuses on the design, modeling, and testing of such a connection. The motivation of the study stems from a company-wide incentive to standardize the connections used to splice the Berminghammer C15-series lead section. In an effort to verify a proposed connection design, Berminghammer Foundation Engineering solicited the University of South Florida to test a full-sized lead section to failure, while monitoring the splice-connection performance. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 75 pages. / Thesis (M.S.C.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Analytical baseflow separation techniques such as those used in the automated hydrograph separation program HYSEP rely on a single input parameter that defines the period of time after which surface runoff ceases and all streamflow is considered baseflow. In HYSEP, this input parameter is solely a function of drainage basin contributing area. This method cannot be applied universally since in most regions the time of surface runoff cessation is a function of a number of different hydrologic and hydrogeologic basin characteristics, not just contributing drainage area. This study demonstrates that streamflow conductivity can be used as a natural tracer that integrates the different hydrologic and hydrogeologic basin characteristics that influence baseflow response. Used as an indicator of baseflow as a component of total flow, streamflow conductivity allows for an empirical approach to hydrograph separation using a simple mass balance algorithm. / ABSTRACT: Although conductivity values for surface-water runoff and ground-water baseflow must be identified to apply this mass balance algorithm, field studies show that assumptions based on streamflow at low flow and high flow conditions are valid for estimating these end member conductivities. The only data required to apply the mass balance algorithm are streamflow conductivity and discharge measurements. Using minimal data requirements, empirical hydrograph separation techniques can be applied that yield reasonable estimates of baseflow. This procedure was performed on data from 10 USGS gaging stations for which reliable, real-time conductivity data are available. Comparison of empirical hydrograph separations using streamflow conductivity data with analytical hydrograph separations demonstrates that uncalibrated, graphical estimation of baseflow can lead to substantial errors in baseflow estimates. / ABSTRACT: Results from empirical separations can be used to calibrate the runoff cessation input parameter used in analytical separation for each gaging station. In general, collection of stream conductivity data at gaging stations is relatively recent, while discharge measurements may extend many decades into the past. Results demonstrate that conductivity data available for a relatively short period of record can be used to calibrate the runoff cessation input parameter used for analytical separation. The calibrated analytical method can then be applied over a much longer period record since discharge data are the only requirement. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 73 pages. / Thesis (M.S.E.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: The goals of this research project were the design and construction of a carbon nanotube (CNT) reactor based on the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) principle and the development of a method for directed assembly of CNTs by catalyst patterning. PECVD was selected as the growth method due to the requirement of a catalyst for the growth process, thereby facilitating directed assembly and controlled diameter CNT growth at well-defined locations. The reactor was built in accord with horizontal flow design using standard ultra high vacuum components. The controllable parameters of the reactor include sample temperature, DC plasma intensity, chamber pressure, gas flow ratios, and total gas flow. The most favorable parameters for growing CNTs of well defined length, diameter, and separation were obtained by initially using parameter values obtained from literature, then optimized by changing a parameter and noting the effect on CNT growth. / ABSTRACT: Catalyst patterns for the directed assembly of CNTs were prepared by electron-beam lithography (EBL). Experiments were performed that demonstrated the feasibility of using lithographic methods to achieve directed assembly of carbon nanotubes for the manufacture of CNT devices. Experiments focusing on growth interruption and regrowth of CNTs were conducted to investigate methods of introducing tailored branching points into carbon nanotubes during the growth process. These experiments clearly demonstrate that growth interruption increases the occurrence of CNT branching. An analysis of the relationships between CNT diameter, branching points, and the number of growth steps was conducted. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 80 pages. / Thesis (M.S.I.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the study of a unique but commonly occurring manufacturing problem of scheduling of customized jobs consisting of two operations on a single multi-purpose machine with the performance objective of minimizing the number of tardy jobs (jobs that are not completed by their due dates). Each customized job to be complete needs one unique operation and one common operation performed on it. We considered a static case in this work. The objective of minimizing the number of tardy jobs is considered where all jobs have equal weights and the maximum tardiness has no effect on the performance. This problem is proved in literature as NP-hard and hence practically very difficult to obtain optimal solution within reasonable computational time. Till date only a pseudo-polynomial algorithm is given to solve this problem with no concrete computational experiments designed to prove the efficiency and working of the algorithm for different problem instances. / ABSTRACT: We propose a heuristic algorithm based on the Moore-Hodgson's algorithm combining with other procedures and optimal schedule properties from the literature to solve this problem. In literature, Moore-Hodgson's algorithm is an efficient heuristic algorithm that minimizes the number of tardy jobs for the classical single machine one-operation problems. The performance of the heuristic is evaluated through extensive computational experiments for large real size data. The obtained results are compared to the solutions obtained by implementing the optimal pseudo-polynomial algorithm and the performance of the heuristic is tested on large data sets. The test data for the computational experiments are generated randomly using MATLAB 6.1. Future directions of research and development on the problem to improve the obtained solution by the heuristic algorithm are given. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 260 pages. / Thesis (M.A.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: The study of prehistoric trade and exchange networks in the Western Mediterranean is directly linked to the identification and location of commodities available to Neolithic communities in that region. One of these commodities is a volcanic glass commonly known as obsidian. This investigation focused on the procurement, processing, and distribution of obsidian from the island of Pantelleria, situated between the southwestern coast of Sicily in the Straits of Sicily and the northeastern coast of Africa near Cape Bon, Tunisia. Previous studies indicate that there are several chemically different source areas on the island. Research involved the identification of primary obsidian deposits and the collection of samples from primary and/or secondary sources. / ABSTRACT: The position of each collection point was recorded using GPS coordinates, photographs, and physical descriptions, including accessibility and geological matrix. Additional information regarding the size, frequency, and grade (i.e. quality for tool production) was also noted. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 78 pages. / Thesis (M.S.E.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: With CdTe based photovoltaics developed by close spaced sublimation reaching efficiencies of over 16%, commercialization of this technology draws serious attention. Today large area industrial modules have not been able to produce the same performance of their laboratory counterparts. This work provides a means for understanding the various technical challenges in developing an effective deposition technology for large area processing. The submodule process investigated provides a model for continuous and sequential processing of subsequent films. The system has a unique design and constructed with the provision for a moving transport module for the substrate transport. The process was developed to deposit large area CdTe (3 x 3 sq. inch) and provides valuable insights for the development of a large area deposition system. Upon optimizing the system for reproducibility, proper deposition conditions were established. / ABSTRACT: Films deposited under various conditions were studied to improve our understanding of the influence of processing conditions on device performance. The key advantage of this technique over others is its high deposition rate, simplicity of operation and high conversion efficiency. Typical deposition times were two minutes and could be reduced to as low as 45 sec with little variation in performance. The four major parameters that influence the films prepared by close spaced sublimation, namely substrate temperature, source temperature, ambient pressure, and spacing were optimized for best device performance. The influence of each parameter on deposition rate and cell efficiency was also studied. The best cells produced by this technology had an efficiency of 13% with Voc=830 mV, FF= 74% and Jsc=21.1 mA/cm2. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 70 pages. / Thesis (M.S.E.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Currently thin film solar cells have efficiencies in the range of 16-18%. Higher efficiencies of 20% or more can be achieved by two junction solar cells in which two p-n junctions are connected in series one on top of the other in a tandem structure. The ideal bandgaps for optimum efficiency in a tandem structure are about 1eV for the top cell and 1.7 eV for the bottom cell. Copper Indium Gallium di-Selenide (CIGS) with a bandgap of 1 eV is a suitable candidate for the bottom cell and Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) with a tunable bandgap of 1.44-2.26 eV is a suitable candidate for the top cell. This work involves characterization of cadmium zinc telluride films and solar cells prepared by close spaced sublimation. CZT is deposited by co-sublimation of CdTe and ZnTe. The process has been investigated on various wide bandgap semiconductor materials including cadmium sulphide, cadmium oxide and zinc selenide. / ABSTRACT: Different post deposition heat treatments were carried out to determine their effect on film and device properties. Characterization of the CZT devices was done using XRD, EDS, SIMS, J-V and spectral response measurements. CZT (Eg 1.7 eV) /CdS exhibited best performance when compared to the other window layers investigated. The best device exhibited Voc=640mV, FF=40% and Jsc=4.5 mA/cm2. The theoretical performance of CZT based solar cells were investigated using SCAPS. The effect of bulk and interface defects on the device parameters were studied. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.