Browsing by Subject "Communication"
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Item CAPTURING THE TRADEOFF BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE SHARING EFFICIENCY AND AUTONOMY IN SURGICAL TELEMENTORING(2019-01-01) Feng, Yuanyuan; Mentis, Helena M; Information Systems; Information SystemsWith great advances in telecommunication technologies in the recent 15 years, tightly coupled, synchronous collaborative work in highly technical domains, such as engineering, design, and medicine, has begun to embrace remote collaboration practices, aiming to gain greater access to expertise that is often distributed across locations. However, current teleconferencing systems provide limited support for team knowledge sharing, i.e., the process for team members to collectively contribute to developing a shared understanding of the work, through which expertise, or in-situ knowledge, is acquired. The objective of my dissertations research is to elucidate the impact of geographic distance on team knowledge sharing in instructional collaborative tasks, where a local novice is acting upon objects mentored by a remote expert. With a thorough examination of individual team members? language use in distributed training, this dissertations demonstrates that distance makes the team grounding process less efficient by increasing explicit acknowledgments from the remote trainer. These acknowledgments lead to ambiguity in the team coordination, as the trainees jump in and take control over the task process, before they gain sufficient understanding of the context. I discuss these results through the lens of Common Ground Theory and Self-determination Theory and illustrate the dilemma that instructional tasks are facing - more trainee'sautonomy is associated with less communication efficiency, yet indicating a better learning experience. In this, I propose a two-dimensional design space, considering both the trainee'sautonomy and the team'scommunication efficiency. This facilitates future work on developing technologies that support the objectives of the training, as well as understanding the interdependencies between these two theories.Item Cma Equalization Of Soqpsk For Aeronautical Telemetry(2014) Umuolo, Henry Onochie; Cole-Rhodes, Arlene; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Master of ScienceThis work aims at increasing and enhancing data transfer and communication over aeronautical telemetry between aircraft and a base station. The modulation scheme and structure of the data packets used for transmission are specified by the iNET standards. This packet structure includes known data bits in the form of the ASM and preamble bits, and we consider iNET data structure, which have been transmitted over aeronautical telemetry using shaped offset quadrature-phase shift keying (SOQPSK) modulation scheme. At the receiver in order to recover the transmitted data, we apply a block processing constant modulus algorithm (CMA) equalizer, where each update of the equalizer filter is done using an entire data packet. In addition rather than the usual method of center-tap initialization, we evaluate the performance of CMA when it is initialized by using either the minimum mean square error (MMSE) or the zero-forcing (ZF) equalizer. Two methodologies for real-time application of this block processing CMA equalizer are proposed and evaluated using bit error rates, and these are shown to provide a performance gain of 1-3 dB over the use of either the minimum mean square error (MMSE) or zero-forcing (ZF) equalizer alone.Item Communication is the Weapon, Living is the Result(2019) Marshall, Bailey; EnglishThis paper was developed from a "mystery screening", where the student had a couple of days to develop the essay after experiencing the film for the first time. The purpose of a mystery screening is to test the skills of listening to and hearing sounds of all cinema at a heightened level.Item An examination of the historical time-period and socio-cultural factors that influence use and non-use of information and communication technologies by older, working-class Black Americans(2013-02) Ingram, Maléka N.; Summers, Kathryn; University of Baltimore. School of Information Arts and Technologies; University of Baltimore. Doctor of Science in Information and Interaction DesignThe United States Administration on Aging (2011) predicts that over the next forty years the number of people 65 and older will double and the number of people 85 and older will triple. Meanwhile, technology is becoming more and more important in our everyday lives. The ubiquitous presence of technology in our lives is evidenced in daily activities such as the use of self-service kiosks in grocery stores, the act of completing and submitting forms and documentation online using the Internet, and the disappearance of public pay phones due to the mass marketing of cell phones. These digital technologies, including methods for communication and techniques for storing and processing information, are known collectively as Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). ICTs are often studied in the context of how modern communication technologies affect society. This study was designed to better understand the use and non-use of ICTs by working-class, Black American older adults. The study focused on these specific ICTs: computers, cell phones, and tablet PCs. The questions guiding the inquiry were these: *What socio-cultural factors influence use and non-use of ICTs among older, working-class Black Americans? *What are the engagement patterns, learning experiences, and behavioral transference among older Black Americans within the lower-income and working-class economic strata with ICTs? The target audience for this study was Black Americans within the working-class and lower-income social strata, ages 65 and over. The data collection consisted of a pre-screen questionnaire, individual interviews, and a brief survey about perceptions and attitudes towards ICTs. Narrative research inquiry was used to analyze the interview responses in relation to the engagement patterns, learning experiences, and behavioral transference with ICTs by the target audience. Research on the usage of ICTs has focused primarily on lower-income youth and middle- and higher-income adults with higher levels of education. This study is different in that it focuses on a population often marginalized and not considered in the analysis of patterns and trends regarding use and non-use of ICTs. This study contributes to the field by exploring the historical time-period and socio-cultural factors that influence use and non-use of ICTs by an audience that has been inadequately studied. The research conducted reveals how age, race, and class influence the access, adoption, and use or non-use of ICTs. The findings of this research reveal socio-cultural factors limit the levels of use by the target audience. The learning experiences are greatly influenced by family members and peers. The desire of the target audience to learn more about ICTs is driven both by personal interest and the idea that older adults will be left behind. Engagement patterns include the adoption, acquisition, and use of ICTs. Similar to the learning experiences, family and peers play a critical role in the engagement patterns. Although the current engagement patterns and use of ICTs by Black Americans within the working-class and lower-income social strata mirrors global trends regarding the usage of ICTs, there are psychosocial factors influencing the magnitude of usage and level of proficiency achieved by the study participants. Behavioral transference from inside the home to outside of the home in regards to using ICTs is directly related to the user type level. In conclusion, older Black Americans, ages 65 and over, within the working-class and lower-income social strata, have an interest in and a desire to adopt, learn, and use ICTs. There is a direct correlation between use and non-use of ICTs by members of this audience and the historical time-period, prior experience and exposure to ICTs, and income and education levels. Participants who were exposed to computers in the workplace during the late 1970s and early 1980s possessed higher comfort, skill, and knowledge levels regarding ICTs. Education and income levels also impacted use or non-use of ICTs. Participants with higher levels of education and income used computers and cell phones more than those with fewer years of education and lower income. The activities and tasks conducted on computers and cell phones were also more advanced.Item Factors Related To Ethnically And Culturally Diverse Students' Motivation And Perceived Cognitive Learning Outcomes In An Online Instructional Setting(2012) Rowe-Whyte, Ann-Marie Simone; McKay, Sylvester E.; Advanced Studies, Leadership, and Policy; Doctor of PhilosophyThis study examined the nature of communication experienced by ethnically diverse students who participated in an online distance education course. A quantitative survey research design was used to gather data from students enrolled in an online distance education course. The research examined whether the independent variables, (a) instructional immediacy, (b) model of distance education course, (c) student computer anxiety, (d) student computer experience and (e) student learning style were related to the dependent variables of students' motivation and perceived cognitive learning outcomes. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the quantitative data. Qualitative analysis was conducted on two open-ended questions that sought students' input on the strengths and weaknesses of the course, as well as suggestions for improving the course. The findings of the quantitative data suggested that (a) students' computer anxiety is significantly related to students' perceived cognitive learning outcomes and (b) the instructional communication variables (instructional immediacy, model of distance education course, student computer anxiety and student learning style) have a significant predictive relationship to students' motivation for taking an online course. Additionally, the qualitative analysis of responses to two open-ended questions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the program, as well as suggestions for improvement, revealed comments across four pre-defined thematic areas: (a) contextual/environmental mood, (b) channel effectiveness, (c) message quality, and (d) instructional support. These thematic areas were adopted from the transactional communication process model. The results of the study provided support for viewing the interaction in online courses through the lens of the transactional communication process model. Students' comments also revealed that there are specific areas of the communication process within the context of an online distance education course that should be enhanced to effectively meet the needs of students.Item Global brand market-entry strategy to manage corporate reputation(Emerald, 2009) Omar, Maktoba; Williams, Robert Jr.; Lingelbach, David CPurpose – This paper aims to present a case for the practical management of corporate reputation, in relation to two groups of concepts: communication, identity, and trust; and communication, identity, and image. Design/methodology/approach – A review of the current knowledge of corporate reputation, personality, identity, and image leads to development of a strategy framework to enhance/protect corporate reputation. A case study involving a corporate logo introduced into a developed market by an emerging multinational corporation (EMNC) is presented. Findings – The paper identifies that credibility and trust are significant elements which must be managed and communicated to maintain the firm's corporate image and reputation. Originality/value – A conceptual model is presented illustrating a series of internal and external factors affecting communication and trust, which influence the customer and assist in shaping corporate reputation. The case of the EMNC Chinese corporation Haier to introduce its brand into a developed market may enlighten others pursuing this path.Item Limited English Proficiency: Managing Beyond the Words in Long-Term Care SettingsMolinari, Carol; McSweeny-Field, Mary H.Many limited English proficiency (LEP) residents go without the help of interpreters or formal translation services as well as other supportive services in their healthcare interactions. While there are several reasons for this, one key factor is that many healthcare organizations do not know the scope and degree of the communication needs of the LEP consumers they serve. This case focuses on the management dilemmas of an organization serving a diverse clientele without a cultural competency policy to address needs of its LEP clients and staff.Item Principal Component Analysis Of The Worldwide Oceanic Rf Refractivity Database(2015) Phillips, Darian; Thompson, Willie L., II; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Master of ScienceRefractivity causes ducting of transmitted RF signals over the ocean. There is apparent redundancy in the RF refractivity database for oceanic environments with weather conditions that negatively impact RF systems. Principal Component Analysis is proposed as a method to reduce the redundancy in the RF refractivity database while retaining as much information as possible.Item Quantum Optical State Preparation for Quantum Communication(2022-01-01) Shringarpure, Saurabh Uday; Franson, James D; Physics; PhysicsNonclassical states of light are essential for long-distance quantum communication. In this dissertations, we theoretically analyze the state preparation of nonclassical states of light, resource-efficient quantum optical information processing, decoherence in quantum optical communications, and the use of the quantum Zeno effect to protect the phase of a quantum clock. An essential component of a quantum network is entanglement distribution. We study a method that can encode quantum information in entangled macroscopic superposition states, which typically carry a large number of photons. This is based on the generation of phase-entangled Schr�dinger cat states using linear optical elements such as beam splitters for possible application in entanglement distribution. Controlled phase shifts can be used to verify the entanglement of the Schr�dinger cat states. We then show how linear optical elements can be used to implement a controlled phase shift efficiently, with possible applications in quantum repeaters. Decoherence can arise from photon loss in quantum communication applications. Nevertheless, noiselessly attenuating single rail qubits prior to the transmission can suppress the effects of loss in the channel. A linear optical realization of noiseless attenuation is described in phase space by conditional measurements of zero photons in one of the output ports of a beam splitter. We study this approach and analyze the coherence of quantum states that have been attenuated using this operation. Finally, we explore the use of the quantum Zeno dynamics to protect multi-atom clocks from phase drift.Item Scenes From A Mental Illness(2021-01-11) Dale, Anita; MFA in Creative NonfictionThis memoir is written in a conversational style from a sister to her brother who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. The story spans forty-four years focusing on the period between formal diagnosis in 1977 and the brother's death in 1994. Depicted are the progressive nature of the illness and the sister's intrapersonal conflicts as she struggles to support her mentally ill brother and the father who loves them both in his own way. The memoir was written for those with a limited understanding of schizophrenia's effects on individuals and their families.Item Switching Dual-Band Reconfigurable Microwave Amplifiers For Flexible Communication Systems(2012) Harvey, Duane Saint Michael; White, Carl; Reece, Michel A.; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Doctor of EngineeringThe convergence of information, ideas and people in today's modern world lends itself largely to the evolution of modern communication systems. With the drive for rapid and efficient integration of competing communication standards comes the need for development of innovative circuits required to build innovative communication systems hardware; this hardware being the backbone of integrated communication systems. This dissertation involves the development of switchable dual-band reconfigurable microwave amplifiers for application to flexible communication systems. The predominant benefit of this achievement is reduction of the system cost, power consumption, size and weight of mobile, wireless, and satellite communication systems. A novel design technique for developing reconfigurable microwave power amplifiers is explored, based on developments of more traditional amplifier designs and Transmit/Receive (T/R) module switching technology. First, a monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) based dual-band reconfigurable power amplifier was developed in the Triquint 0.5-um MESFET foundry process using two independent power amplifiers operating at 5.5 GHz (C-band) and 8.5 GHz (X-band) controlled by a high performance Radio Frequency (RF) switch. The output power achieved by the C-band and X-band MMIC power amplifiers was 12-dBm and 11-dBm, respectively for approximately 0-dBm of input power. The broadband RF switch achieved an insertion loss of between 1.2- and 1.5-dB, with port-to-port isolation of better than 25dB. Next, a Microwave Integrated Circuit (MIC) reconfigurable low-noise amplifier (LNA) was developed based on the switching reconfigurable architecture of the MMIC power amplifier, though implemented as a printed circuit board (PCB) design. The MIC reconfigurable LNA utilizes two independent amplifiers operating at L-band and S-band, which are selected independently using a MIC RF switch. Both the L-band and S-band amplifiers achieved a gain of 18-dB and noise figure of 2-dB. The broadband RF switch achieved an insertion loss of 4dB and switch-to-switch isolation of 13.7dB for switch #1 operation, while switch #2 had less stellar performance of 8dB insertion loss and -21dB isolation.Item Towards Understanding Usable Privacy Concerns Among Older Adults(2022-01-01) Ray, Hirak; Kuber, Ravi; Aviv, Adam J; Information Systems; Human Centered ComputingWhile researchers have examined privacy among a wide range of users, there has been less focus on the perceptions of older adults, who may exhibit attitudes towards privacy that differ from their younger counterparts. Lower levels of awareness regarding potential online privacy violations, coupled with limited knowledge of protective measures that can be adopted to counter online attacks, are known to lead to negative outcomes for some older adults, including falling victim to scams and data breaches. The research described in this dissertation focuses on an investigation of older adults’ privacy and security perceptions regarding digital and non-digital technologies, and identifies how their usage and adoption of tools and technologies are impacted by these perceptions. To this end, three studies have been conducted exploring the (1) complex privacy behaviors of older adults and comparisons with younger age groups, (2) adoption barriers and motivators of online security tools, and (3) experiences and concerns when older adults were required to transition to online communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. An exploratory study was initially conducted, to identify older adults’ perceptions of usable privacy and general concerns about privacy threats, while drawing comparisons to findings fromyounger age groups. After identifying that perceptions of privacy impact older adults’ adoption of these tools in the second study, a third study was conducted, which investigated how these perceptions impacted older adults who were either forced to adopt or who continued using online conferencing tools due to the social distancing requirements imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative inquiry was conducted to examine usable privacy and security, and to gain a deeper understanding of older adults’ intricate mental models. Findings from the work described in this dissertation can be used to inform design guidance for interface developers and researchers aiming to support privacy among older groups of users.