Digital Commons Network^™

To Which We Return, Marianne Koleng

be Still

This work is an attempt to reconcile the vibrance of life as evidenced by the colorful collage and bismuth crystal with death, which is portrayed by a somber skull emerging from an aorta and ventricles of a human heart. Understanding the temporal nature of our existence is key to subtle references to beauty and imperfection latent in the background of this image to cue the idea of beauty in life and death to the viewer.

Going Under, Marianne Koleng

be Still

This paper is a meditation on a journey through the humanities and the pages of the works of the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, and the eventual conclusion to a pursuit of a medical career. It identifies that while not all paths to a similar endpoint are identical, but each has its own rich merits, twists, and turns.

Transcending Fear: The Power Of Mindful Affirmations And Purposeful Action, Andrew Bouras

be Still

My work explores themes of fear, an unavoidable emotion that confronts us all throughout our respective journeys. Inspired by many, my writing reflects my personal journey up until this point. I believe that we are all going to achieve that which we are meant to achieve, and I will continue to share that vision with audiences as opportunities arise.

Exploring Critical Reflection On Science Teachers’ Experiences: A Qualitative Inquiry, Kamal Prasad Acharya Dr., Pushp Raj Bhatt Mr., Milan Acharya

The Qualitative Report

In this study, we explored how university science education teachers recognize essential turning points and how teachers from Tribhuvan University-Faculty of Education (TU-FOE) reflect on their career growth. We also investigated their understanding of teaching and learning in science education programs at TU-FOE. The study builds on a qualitative inquiry into the strategies by employing critical discourse. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect the information, and the information was analyzed through a thematic-critical lens. The results indicate that critical reflection on practice can be the first step toward articulating and documenting knowledge. The study reveals that the science education teachers …

When Social Media Recruiting Goes Wrong: A Cautionary Tale Of Sample Engagement, Ezra N. S. Lockhart, Joel B. Goodin

The Qualitative Report

Doctoral candidates’ experiences with recruiting participants vary in many ways. While some execute plans with ease, others implement their strategic plan for recruitment only to find that it does not work well or does not work at all. While successful recruitment is rarely reflected upon, the candidate who experiences unexpected difficulty with recruitment has several potential negative effects including increased time to degree completion, increased program and recruitment costs, and increased potential for dropout. In this case study, we present a cautionary tale of sample engagement from the gaming community where a doctoral candidate experienced doxxing, social media banning, and …

Health Literacy Among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Disparities In Information Seeking, Educational Needs, And The Role Of Healthcare Professionals, Fitri Mailani, Rahmi Muthia, Emil Huriani, Rika Sarfika

The Qualitative Report

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex disease that poses various challenges to patients. Health Literacy (HL) is considered essential for the effective management of CKD. This phenomenological study explored health literacy in 12 patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis in Padang, Indonesia. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed and interpreted using the hermeneutical phenomenological approach of Diekelmann. We found six themes: sources of information and knowledge, differences in patient attitudes and behaviors as health information seekers, learning needs for successful treatment and care, effective learning and education methods, experiences with alternative treatments, and positive …

Virtual Cellphilming With Gbtq Pups: Towards Participant-Driven Research As Activism, Kinda Wassef, Olivia Bonardi, Olivier Ferlatte, Megan Aston, Phillip Joy

The Qualitative Report

In the present paper, we draw upon our research, entitled Puppy Philms, to guide researchers who are interested in queering cellphilming methodologies. In this context, “queering” refers to the process of challenging and disrupting heteronormative roles and perspectives within research practices. We argue that taking a queer poststructural approach to virtual cellphilming helped us shift this project away from typical academic relations of power, towards participant-driven research as activism. In emphasizing flexibility, reflexivity, a desire for partnership and community building, we found queer communication to be a mechanism through which we could shift power and drive levels of engagement. In …

Tame Your Inner Flame: A Sample Nutrition Intervention Protocol For Firefighters, Rachel Keating-Fleming

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Firefighters are an essential part of every community that perform life saving duties and critical work to sustain everyday life. These individuals perform strenuous work every shift and are under larger amounts of job stress compared to other professions. It has been found that firefighters have increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality by sudden cardiac death. Studies have found that this risk comes from factors such as shift work, increased job stress, lack of time to eat a proper diet, and lack of time to engage in physical activity. A Mediterranean diet plan shows promise as an improvement strategy …

Raising Your Voice And Making Your Mark: A Review Of Patricia Leavy's Writing And Publishing Qualitative Research, Alexandra Ch Nowakowski

The Qualitative Report

With this new primer on qualitative writing and publishing across a diverse array of outlets, Dr. Patricia Leavy prepares readers from all disciplinary backgrounds for success in disseminating research findings. This lively, engaging, and interactive book instills confidence and provides skill-building support for both novice and seasoned qualitative writers. It encourages bold thinking about how to share qualitative research with the world and intentional planning for the impact each author wants to make in bringing our work to different audiences. An invaluable support for established qualitative scholars often tasked with justifying our choices in research conduct and dissemination; likewise, a …

The Meaning Of Work For Generation Y And Baby Boomer Individuals During The Pandemic: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Tabitha Coates

The Qualitative Report

Findings on generational differences and similarities are inconclusive and inconsistent. There is a need to conduct research that focuses on a deeper understanding of generations, that can help overcome stereotypes in the workplace. The uncertainty and disruption of the pandemic generated an opportunity to understand the lived experience of constructing and reconstructing meaning in relation to work. This article presents findings from a hermeneutic phenomenological study conducted to understand the meaning of work during the pandemic among seven participants, four Generation Y individuals and three Baby Boomers, and in what ways, if any, their meaning of work changed. Five essential …

Co-Design To Evaluate The Impact Of Gender Equality Initiatives: Lessons For Practitioners, Evaluators And Researchers, Helen Taylor, Sue Williamson

The Qualitative Report

Achieving gender equality is an ongoing challenge in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) disciplines in universities globally, including in Australia, where our study was located. As institutions that deliver research and teaching in STEMM, universities have committed to a range of initiatives and programs to address this challenge. The Athena Swan Institutional Award is one such program, operating as an accreditation process that measures progress towards gender equality, and is reliant on demonstrating impact. The work required to meet accreditation standards is extensive. Very little academic literature has advanced qualitative methodology suited to delivering the evaluation of gender …

World In Crises: Towards Qualitative Interviewing Through Existential Questions, Sona Balasanyan, Hasmik Gevorgyan

The Qualitative Report

Qualitative interviewing is a widely applied method of data collection in social sciences. Over time, continual diversification of this method led to more multi-modal and participant-centered qualitative research paradigms. This methodological article examines the role of qualitative interviews within the context of the psychosocial approach and its application in understanding interview experiences in critical life situations. Accounting for research ethics and embracing existential questions, qualitative interviewing gains added value in understanding and responding to interviewees who face crises. Drawing on various methodological approaches, including oral history, biographical, feminist, phenomenological, and cross-cultural, this study explores how interviewing evolves into a complex …

Dmt: Mechanisms, Psychological And Physiological Effects, And Its Dual Role As A Drug Of Abuse And Potential Health Benefit, Kayla Yarbrough, Solymar Santiago Bonilla, Garrett Evins, Jean Colón, Brandon Kitchens

College of Pharmacy Student Research

N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a potent indolethylamine hallucinogen classified as a Schedule I substance, indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Despite this, DMT's unique pharmacological profile, characterized by its interaction with serotonin receptors, particularly 5-HT2A, and its ability to induce profound alterations in perception, emotion, and cognition, has spurred interest in its potential therapeutic applications. This paper explores DMT's mechanisms of action, its psychological and physiological effects, and the risks and side effects associated with its use. While DMT can cause vivid hallucinations, emotional responses ranging from euphoria to existential dread, and various physiological changes, …

The Current - Volume 35 Issue 1 (Including Special Section On Sports), Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Northern Fur Seal Vibrissae Polybrominateddiphenylether Concentrations, Dimitri Giarikos, Amy Hirons, Courtney White

SECLER Data

The eastern Pacific stock of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) on the Pribilof Islands has experienced population declines since 1980. The decline may be due to anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which bioaccumulate, are toxic, and persistent. This study conducted a comparison of 21 organochlorine (OC) and 39 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) analyte concentrations utilizing archived vibrissae (whiskers) from individual fur seals sampled in 1993 (n=30) and 2013 (n=41). The PBDEs had values five times greater than the legacy status OCs. There were no significant mean concentration differences between 1993 and 2013 for total organochlorines (ΣOCs), or total …

A Glance Into The Roles Of Higher-Level Academia, Camye White

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project looks at the multiple roles of a full-time faculty member in higher-level academia while looking at implications for best practices to pass the NBCOT certification exam.

Emotional Response In Working Memory Of Individuals With Latent Toxoplasmosis, Antonella Quimbayo

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Toxoplasma gondii is a prevalent parasite that infects about 30% of the world population. House cats and other felids serve as definitive hosts and acquire Toxoplasma by consuming infected prey, which are intermediate hosts. This includes rats and avians, but also large mammals such as wolves and deer. Toxoplasma gondii is known to manipulate prey behavior to enhance its transmission. For example, infected rodents demonstrates attraction to and curiosity around cat urine. Wolves infected with Toxoplasma were 11 times more likely to disperse from their pack and start a new pack. The manipulation of intermediate host behavior observed in rodents …

A Comparative Analysis Of Extant Oceanic Shark Species Using Trait-Based Ecology, Elizabeth A. Johnson

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Over the past few decades, scientists have been working together to mitigate human impacts on global shark populations, but deciding which species need the most immediate attention can be difficult. This study uses a newly emerging approach to ecology, trait-based ecology, to identify trends in trait expression with depth and determine which species have the most unique sets of traits. While trait-based ecology has already been applied to numerous fields, a trait-based approach to shark research is still in its infancy. A total of 15 traits across 337 oceanic shark species were examined to identify trends in trait expression and …

Five A Day, The Rainbow Way: A Nutrition Education Toolkit For Elementary School Aged Children, Sasha Menard

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Learning Outcome: Develop a nutrition educational toolkit based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) for obesity prevention among elementary school-aged children by improving determinants of fruit and vegetable intake.

Background: Poor consumption of fruits and vegetables is a major contributing factor to childhood obesity, increasing the risk for chronic diseases later in life. There is a need for multicomponent nutrition educational tools to influence children to improve their eating behavior by increasing their awareness and self-efficacy. The current project describes the development of a 3-component toolkit for improving participants’ knowledge and values related to fruit and vegetable intake among 6-11-year-olds.

Methods: …

The Effects Of Simulated Predation And Nursery Structure On Post-Outplant Survival And Growth Of Sexual Juveniles Of Six Caribbean Coral Species, Jarrod Little

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Over the past few decades, increasing frequency and severity of direct and indirect anthropogenic stressors have resulted in reef degradation and decreased coral cover and diversity. In South Florida, coral propagation ex situ has gained popularity as a means to restore coral cover. Outplanting sexually propagated corals on the reef is particularly important as it contributes to greater genetic diversity and potentially overall reef resilience. However, these corals typically experience high levels of predation following outplanting, significantly reducing coral survival, and thus constitute a major bottleneck to the success of restoration efforts. This study assessed if simulated predation events on …

Multidisciplinary Sensory Recommendations For Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder, Rachael Rice

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of this capstone experience was to serve the patients and therapists of the Tampa General Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation at Westshore. Due to the increasing number of referrals to the clinic for Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FNSD), there was a need for education and recommendations for the multidisciplinary team, specifically related to sensory related interventions. There was a need for informational resources for patient education, collaboration between the interdisciplinary team to encourage carryover, and sensory recommendations. FNSD patients may experience a variety of symptoms best treated through a multidisciplinary approach that addresses physical and psychological aspects. Aside from clinical …

Development Of An Intensive Outpatient Program (Iop) For Adolescents Of American Military Members Deployed Overseas To Support Mental Health, Tyler Russo, Aaron N. Brion

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

National Institutes Of Health: Clinical Research & Clinical Practice Skills In Occupational Therapy, Arianna Z. Cook

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Understanding Athletes’ Experience When Transitioning To Life Beyond Sport: A Pilot Study, Alyssa L. Moore

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Developing A Summer Enrichment Program For School-Aged Children: The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Summer Experiences, Morgann Lonczak

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Participation in summertime experience for youth have become increasingly popular in most recent years. With the growth in summer experiences including summer camp participation, there is a need to determine the role of occupational therapy in this emerging practice area to best serve the community. A 16-week capstone experience was completed under the supervision of Great Strides Rehabilitation occupational therapy staff. The capstone project aimed to fill a gap in summertime experiences by designing and implementing an occupational therapy led enrichment program to achieve the best outcomes for children and youth. A six-week enrichment program was successfully developed, and two-weeks …

Occupational Therapy's Role For Individuals With Long-Term Neurological Conditions, Courtney Ahle

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Long Covid Rehabilitation, Lisa H. Hamilton

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

This capstone project explores the integration of Occupational Therapy (OT) into primary care settings, focusing on chronic conditions such as long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). These conditions are often misunderstood by both healthcare providers and the broader community due to their complex and multifaceted symptoms, which necessitate specialized care. The project aimed to create resources and educational materials tailored to the needs of patients and rehabilitation professionals, to enhance the management of these challenging conditions. Additionally, the project placed a strong emphasis on advocacy for individuals with "invisible disabilities," aiming to raise awareness and improve accessibility to …

Remote Work Ergonomics: A Doctoral Capstone Experience, Kaynath Bhamani

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

As remote work becomes increasingly prevalent, ensuring effective ergonomic practices in home-based work environments has emerged as a critical concern. This paper attempts to explore challenges that are associated with remote work and proposes solutions for creating healthier home office environments.

Increasing Parent Participation In Nicu Care And Preparation For Discharge, Biancah A. Derival

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

My capstone project aimed to understand the current evidence that examines the benefits of NICU parental participation to increase preparedness for discharge and provide educational resources to parents and professionals. The first half of my project entailed a revision of hospital provided material to create a weekly developmental timeline that parents can understand. During the second half, educational materials were collected to address parental concerns including early intervention resources, sensory activities/strategies, and age-appropriate toys, safe sleep, and tummy time. Families can incorporate this information in the NICU and the home environment. The resources were revised into physical handouts to take …

Understanding Occupational Therapy’S Role In Injury Prevention For Pickleball Players And Communities, Kelly Lambert

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.