Digital Commons Network^™

Qualitative Research With Former International Students: Reflections On Conceptualization, Planning And Relational Engagement, Jon Woodend, Nancy Arthur

The Qualitative Report

The number of international students seeking a foreign education, particularly in Westernized countries, has grown dramatically over the past decade, and is predicted to continue to increase, despite a period of disruption due to COVID-19. Given this growth, there is a significant body of research on key insights into the initial transition experiences, both academic and personal, of international students to the host country, with a developing body of research exploring their post-study transition. Understanding these post-study transitions is important in creating policy and services that appropriately support international students. Due to the diverse and sometimes complex post-study pathways of …

Pandemic Rendering The Transgender People More Vulnerable, As If It Was Not Already Enough: A Qualitative Exploration From Odisha, India, Prachi Parimita Rout, Ajitesh Mathur, Pranaya Kumar Swain

The Qualitative Report

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted people's livelihoods worldwide to an unprecedented magnitude, the most affected being the socially and economically disadvantaged and marginalized communities, including the transgender people that constitute one of the most vulnerable sections that are often subjected to discriminated in various sectors such as education, health, housing, and livelihood opportunities. The present study attempts to offer insights into the impact of the pandemic on the livelihood of transgender people in India, given that the pandemic adversely affected their primary sources of livelihood, such as begging, sex-work, singing, and dancing, due mainly to the restrictive measures: lockdown, shutdown, social/physical …

Assessing The Learning Of Qualitative Research Through A Critical Reflective Essay, Elida Cena, Stephanie Burns

The Qualitative Report

Despite a longstanding commitment to the notion of reflection as an integral part of qualitative research, there are few explicit learning tools or published assignment guides to aid understanding of this important aspect of student learning. Reflection both as a researcher and within the context of an educational perspective can be challenging; however, creating reflective assignments can help students consolidate and assess the learning of qualitative research skills in practice. This article describes a critical reflective assignment highlighting the challenges, rewards, and reflections on designing and conducting an interview process as part of a qualitative research methods module with postgraduate …

Scalp, Oral, And Nail Pemphigus Vulgaris: Clinical Characteristics And A Review Of The Literature., Emily Eachus, Lauren E Delamielleure, Samrah Mitha, Taha F Rasul, Arfa Faiz

HPD Articles

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes, causing blistering and erosions. Identifying and effectively managing atypical presentations of pemphigus vulgaris can be challenging due to its rarity. We describe a 32-year-old male patient with a medical history including prediabetes, moderate asthma, hyperlipidemia, coccidioidomycosis, and respiratory infections. He was evaluated via telehealth in the allergy and immunology clinic for uncontrolled asthma. Initially, he complained of a whitish film in the mouth while on treatment with fluticasone and salmeterol. He also noted new vesicular lesions on his scalp and body. When evaluated later in the …

The Overlap Of Diabetes And Osteoarthritis In American Populations., Harshita Nadella, Allan W. Bloom, Michelle Demory Beckler, Marc M. Kesselman

HPD Articles

Diabetes mellitus, a condition in which the body's ability to produce insulin is impaired, and osteoarthritis (OA), a painful degeneration of joint cartilage, are both serious conditions that affect millions of people in the United States (U.S.). Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative condition of the joint cartilage, affecting mainly the older population. The purpose of this paper is to find a connection, if any, between diabetes and osteoarthritis and if either condition can predispose an individual to the other. Not only can this review help to explain the co-existence of these two diseases, but it can also be used to …

Dichorionic-Diamniotic Twin Pregnancy In A Bicornuate Uterus With Twin A Affected By Ebstein's Anomaly., Colleen N. Gorman, Spencer A. Grabois, Shreya Mathur, Evan P. Grabois, Allen Silanee

HPD Articles

Congenital Mullerian anomalies are rare developmental defects that result in malformation of the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina. The bicornuate uterus is one of the many variants of Mullerian anomalies, defined as having an external fundal indentation of greater than one centimeter. Pelvic ultrasound has a sensitivity of 99% for identifying bicornuate uteruses and is the predominant imaging device used for diagnosis. The cervical and uterine cavity anatomy in patients with a bicornuate uterus varies. The effect of maternal uterine structure on offspring development has been poorly documented. This report details a rare case of dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancy in …

Ventricular Fibrillation In An Afebrile Covid-19 Patient Presenting With Transient Type-I Brugada Pattern., Judah A. Kreinbrook, Annalia Foster, Luis Paulino, Fabio Leonelli

HPD Articles

COVID-19 has been associated with an increased risk of both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Brugada syndrome (BrS), an inherited sodium channelopathy presenting with a characteristic ECG morphology, confers a baseline risk of ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation (VF), especially during febrile illnesses. However, mimics of BrS, termed Brugada phenocopies (BrP), have been noted in association with fever, electrolyte abnormalities, and toxidromes outside of viral illness. Such presentations manifest the same ECG pattern, the type-I Brugada pattern (type-I BP). Thus, the acute stage of an illness such as COVID-19, when accompanied by a first-time presentation of type-I BP, may not …

A Forensic Assessment Of Current Water Quality Using Idexx Techniques In The Himmarshee Canal And New River In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Catherine Margaret Bilodeau

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Fecal contamination has continued to plague local communities around the United States and the world, especially in highly populated areas like Southern Florida. Newer techniques are beginning to be used to track microbes properly as they are found in waterways. Some more recent techniques in Microbial Source Tracking (MST) use IDEXX kits to detect fecal indicator bacteria (FIB). Two IDEXX kits Colilert-18^® which detects total coliforms and Escherichia coli in water or fecal coliforms in wastewater, and Enterolert^®, which targets enterococci, were used in the waterways of the Himmarshee Canal and South Fork of the New River …

Sublethal Effects Of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Exposure On Tissue Regeneration In Four Atlantic Coral Species, Dawn Bickham

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Even though coral reefs are very important ecologically and economically, these ecosystems are sensitive to changes in the environment and susceptible to damage from human activities, such as oil spills. The risk of accidents in marine environments and, consequently, on coral reefs has increased because of the widespread usage of petroleum products. Current approaches to remediate oil contamination in marine ecosystems allow the application of chemical dispersants. However, these methods may pose a greater threat to coral reefs than the oil they are intended to mitigate. This project studied the impacts of hydrocarbon exposure on wound healing rate to assess …

Recent Progress In Micro And Nano-Encapsulation Techniques For Environmental Applications: A Review, Sefeera Sadik Ayyaril, Abdallah Shanableh, Sourjya Bhattacharjee, Mutasem Rawas-Qalaji, Roberta Cagliani, Ahmad Ghassan Shabib, Muhammad Imran Khan

HPD Articles

In recent years, micro- and nano-encapsulation methods have received considerable interest in the field of environmental research. These simple coating approaches retain the active material of interest inside a semipermeable membrane or carrier matrix, which allows the transfer of materials between the matrix and the reaction medium. This enables the development of particles with a controlled or triggered-release mechanism. The use of pH, temperature and pressure-responsive agents is commonly employed to regulate the release of core material from encapsulated particles. Diverse applications, from water treatment to energy storage and agricultural practices, have seen the use of encapsulated materials especially in …

Exploring Sex As A Moderator Of Other Prognostic Variables In Whiplash Associated Disorder: An Observational Study., Bradford Callan, David M. Walton, Joshua Cleland, Morey J. Kolber, James M. Elliott

HPD Articles

BACKGROUND: Prognostic variables for assessing people with whiplash associated disorder (WAD) following a motor vehicle collision (MVC) have been evaluated in numerous studies. However, there is minimal evidence assessing how these variables may differ between males and females.

QUESTION/PURPOSE: 1) To assess if the sex of a person interacts with known prognostic variables within the development of chronic WAD. 2) To determine if commonly used outcome measures used in the assessment of chronic WAD differ between sexes.

METHODS: The study was a secondary analysis of an observational study with an inception cohort immediately following an MVC in an emergency department …

Nutrition Intervention Through A Social Media Platform On Nutrition Knowledge And Cvd Risk Factors Amongst Firefighters, Katie Emerson, Douglas Kalman, Michael Downing

HPD Articles

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of on-duty death for firefighters. Risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, and elevated cholesterol can be used as predictors in the prevention and intervention of CVD. Social media(SM)has become a popular platform for delivering health and wellness information. The aims of this study were to examine the utility of nutrition education through a dedicated social media platform (Instagram) for supporting and enhancing nutrition knowledge and in reducing CVD risk factors amongst firefighters. Methods: In a pilot study, firefighters (n=53) were exposed to a private IG account for 6 weeks. The intervention …

Exploring Host-Parasite Interactions In The Euhaplorchis Californiensis-Fundulus Parvipinnis System, Bennett J. Perry

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Parasites with complex life-cycles may alter their intermediate host’s phenotype to increase the chance of successful transmission to their next host. This parasite-induced host modification often occurs in the form of behavioral changes, such as increased frequency of irregular locomotor behaviors (e.g., conspicuous behaviors), particularly in systems where the parasite is transmitted trophically through a predation event. However, most empirical evidence of host behavioral modification by parasites comes from a few model host-parasite systems and are frequently studied following a stressor (e.g., simulated predator attack). One host species studied is the California killifish Fundulus parvipinnis, which is infected by …

An Ecological Assessment Of The Deep-Pelagic Fish Genus Cyclothone (Gonostomatidae; Stomiiformes), Possibly The World’S Most Abundant Fishes, In The Gulf Of Mexico, Olivia C. North-Menthonnex

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The fish genus Cyclothone is considered the most abundant vertebrate taxon on Earth. Despite this assertion, very few detailed ecological studies of this genus exist for any site in the World Ocean, largely due to the lack of expertise (and willingness) to identify specimens from existing sample sets. This study will provide a species-level description of the abundance, vertical distribution, and size structuring of the genus Cyclothone in the Gulf of Mexico, a hyper-diverse, deep-pelagic ecosystem that is increasingly impacted by anthropogenic disturbances. As the putative most-abundant fishes in the ecosystem, this characterization is critically needed for a holistic understanding …

Creatine Supplementation And Endurance Performance: Surges And Sprints To Win The Race., Scott C. Forbes, Darren G. Candow, Joao Henrique Falk Neto, Michael D. Kennedy, Jennifer L. Forbes, Marco Machado, Erik Bustillo, Jose Gomez-Lopez, Andres Zapata, Jose Antonio

HPD Articles

Creatine supplementation is an effective ergogenic aid to augment resistance training and improve intense, short duration, intermittent performance. The effects on endurance performance are less known. The purpose of this brief narrative review is to discuss the potential mechanisms of how creatine can affect endurance performance, defined as large muscle mass activities that are cyclical in nature and are >~3 min in duration, and to highlight specific nuances within the literature. Mechanistically, creatine supplementation elevates skeletal muscle phosphocreatine (PCr) stores facilitating a greater capacity to rapidly resynthesize ATP and buffer hydrogen ion accumulation. When co-ingested with carbohydrates, creatine enhances glycogen …

Venous, Arterial, And Neuropathic Leg Ulcers With Emphasis On The Geriatric Population., Harvey N. Mayrovitz, Summer Wong, Camilla Mancuso

HPD Articles

Leg ulcers are a common and often serious problem in older adults. Underlying conditions that increase risk include age-related increases in chronic venous insufficiency, peripheral artery disease, connective tissue and autoimmune conditions, reduced mobility, and diabetes mellitus (DM). Geriatric patients have a higher risk of multiple wound-related complications including infection, cellulitis, ischemia, and gangrene, any of which may lead to further complications including amputation. The very presence of these lower extremity ulcers in the elderly negatively impacts their quality of life and ability to function. Understanding and early identification of the underlying conditions and wound features are important for effective …

Assessing The Dynamics Of The Southeast Florida Shark Community From 2013-2019 Via Catch Per Unit Effort And Stable Isotope Analysis, Alexandra Barth

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Sharks, as well as other top predators, are in drastic decline worldwide. As apex and near-apex predators, species such as nurse, lemon, and tiger sharks maintain balanced marine ecosystems by enacting top-down trophic control. However, this cascading effect is diminished with exploitation via commercial and recreational fishing. Sharks are generally long-lived, mature late, have long reproductive cycles, and produce few offspring. Much remains to be learned about the community structure, population trends and conservation statuses of shark populations worldwide. Comprehensive studies on the composition of the shark community in Southeast Florida north of Miami have been limited. This study assessed …

Measuring Energy Expenditure And Heart Rate During Maximum Aerobic Testing With The Apple Watch Series 7, Flavia Rusterholz, Corey A. Peacock, Andrew Rodriguez, Victoria Ortiz

HPD Articles

Introduction: Wrist-worn devices such as the Apple Watch have emerged as technology for tracking physical activity. The aim of this research study is to analyze the Apple Watch Series 7 (AW7) with measurements of the maximum heart rate (MHR) and maximum energy expenditure (MEE) during a maximal aerobic capacity test on the treadmill. AW7 measurements will be compared to the Polar Heart Rate Monitor (Polar) and the PARVO Metabolic Cart (PARVO). Methods: 22 healthy and active subjects (mean ± SD: age 23.8 ± 4.0 years; BMI 23.0 ± 5.9 kg/m2 ) volunteered for the study. The subjects confirmed their activity, …

Effects Of Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms On The Microbial Community Within Lake Okeechobee, Fl, Usa, Paisley S. Samuel

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The Lake Okeechobee (Lake O) watershed is a Floridian freshwater ecosystem that has been affected by the increased frequency and intensity of harmful cyanobacterial bloom (cyanoHAB) events occurring over recent decades. Lake O has several ecological and economic purposes such as providing habitats for various organisms and providing drinking water to urban communities surrounding the lake. Toxic cyanoHAB events are posing a threat to the ecosystem and economy of the lake due to the degradation of water quality. This study investigates how the microbial community structure within Lake O is affected by annual cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms over several years …

Comparing The Experience Of Pre-Service Teachers In The First And Final Semesters In Online Learning Using A Focus Group Study, Suyatno Suyatno, Sibawaihi Sibawaihi, Wantini Wantini, Dzihan Khilmi Ayu Firdausi, Lilis Patimah

The Qualitative Report

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, online learning has become the innovation and an alternative virtual education adopted by universities, due to campus closures. The sudden adoption of the innovation without prior preparation and training causes the ineffective implementation of online learning in most institutions. Based on this description, insufficient information is available regarding the experiences of the student population, which are the most affected by online learning in higher education. Therefore, this study aims to explore the experiences of pre-service teachers regarding their numerous abilities to provide a good online learning program. Using a qualitative focus group study design, data …

Comparison Of Home-Blenderized Formula And Commercial Enteral Formulas For Gastrostomy Tube-Fed Children: A Retrospective, Prospective Cohort Study., Sebastian Shrager, Ayoola Adigun, Sonia Motolongo, Cristhiane S. Santos, Patricia Rowe-King, Debora Duro

HPD Articles

Background Blenderized gastrostomy tube feedings (BGTFs) consist of pureed table foods and liquids that are administered as enteral tube feedings. Compared to commercial enteral formulas (CEFs), BGTF has been shown to have fewer side effects. Despite these results, apprehensions have been raised about microbial contamination, nutritional deficiencies or surplus, risk of gastrostomy tube (GT) blockages, and lack of consistency in clinical outcomes. The goal of this retrospective, prospective, 18-month-long study is to report the clinical and nutritional outcomes of GT-dependent pediatric patients who attended a multidisciplinary feeding clinic. Methodology After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and consent were obtained, 25 …

Heavy Metal Content In Eggs From Wild And Managed-Care Humboldt Penguins, Mya Daniels-Abdulahad

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The Humboldt penguin, Spheniscus humboldti, has been recognized as a Vulnerable species (IUCN) for nearly two decades, with annual population declines of more than 10% largely attributed to pervasive anthropogenic activity occurring throughout the species’ range of Peru and Chile. Due to recent mining expansions near the species’ largest Peruvian rookery, located at the Punta San Juan (PSJ) reserve, the exposure of breeding individuals to elevated concentrations of trace elements (e.g., heavy metals) in the marine environment is a preeminent concern. While heavy metal toxicity is dependent on metal species, dose, route of exposure, and the physiologic parameters of …

Twenty Years Of Change In A Southeast Florida Acropora Cervicornis Thicket, Daniel Perez

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Acropora cervicornis is a species of stony coral that can exist in large thickets that provide functionally unique habitat. However, populations have declined by 98% in some areas of the Caribbean. Even in death, the structure from an A. cervicornis thicket provides surface area for the attachment of benthic organisms. Broward County Acropora (BCA) is an A. cervicornis thicket, located off Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which has been monitored since 2003. The objective of this study was to describe the temporal changes in community structure in response to 20 years of disturbances affecting BCA. Data was collected by taking images along …

Appendiceal Endometriosis Presenting As Chronic Appendicitis: A Case Report., Sarah Klein, Raeann Tourangeau-Young, Alejandro Biglione

HPD Articles

The origin of endometriosis has multiple theories, with controversy over which may demonstrate the prominent pathophysiology. The most common extra-pelvic organ system affected by endometriosis is the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal endometriosis (GE) accounts for 3 to 37% of all endometriosis cases, and appendiceal endometriosis is present in around 3% of GE cases, therefore constituting less than 1% of all endometriosis cases. In this report, we present a 24-year-old female with a past medical history significant for endometriosis status post two excisional laparoscopies who presented with eight months' duration of right lower quadrant pain, constant and stabbing, with rebound tenderness. Appendectomy …

The Potential For Top-Down Control Of The Corallivorous Gastropod Coralliophila Galea And Its Effect On Coral Reef Ecosystems, Tanya Y. Kamerman

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Corallivores are understood to be ecologically important. However, their effects on reef ecosystems are difficult to distinguish from the multiple anthropogenic stressors currently affecting reefs. The corallivorous muricid snail, Coralliophila galea, has been documented to have a strong negative impact on Caribbean coral reefs, including curtailing reef recovery following other stressors. Although the basic biology of C. galea is relatively well understood, the limited information on its predators prevents a complete understanding of predator-snail-coral relationships, which limits proper protection and conservation of coral reef ecosystems. To determine the impact predators of C. galea have on coral reef ecosystems, I assessed …

Individual Characteristics That Promote Or Prevent Psychological Safety And Error Reporting In Healthcare: A Systematic Review., Dawn M. Wawersik, Emile R. Boutin, Teresa Gore, Janice C. Palaganas

HPD Articles

BACKGROUND: Healthcare errors continue to be a safety issue and an economic burden that causes death, increased length of stays, and emotional trauma to families and the person who commits the error.  Speaking up and error reporting within a safety culture can reduce the incidence of error; however, this is complex and multifaceted.

AIM: This systematic review investigates individual characteristics that support or prevent speaking up behaviors when adverse events occur.  This study further explores how organizational interventions designed to promote error reporting correlate to individual characteristics and perceptions of psychological safety.  .

METHODS: A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles …

Syndeep: A Deep Learning Approach For The Prediction Of Cancer Drugs Synergy., Anna Torkamannia, Yadollah Omidi, Reza Ferdousi

HPD Articles

Drug combinations can be the prime strategy for increasing the initial treatment options in cancer therapy. However, identifying the combinations through experimental approaches is very laborious and costly. Notably, in vitro and/or in vivo examination of all the possible combinations might not be plausible. This study presented a novel computational approach to predicting synergistic drug combinations. Specifically, the deep neural network-based binary classification was utilized to develop the model. Various physicochemical, genomic, protein-protein interaction and protein-metabolite interaction information were used to predict the synergy effects of the combinations of different drugs. The performance of the constructed model was compared with …

Usage Of Tranexamic Acid For Treatment Of Subdural Hematomas., Michael Wu, Hassaan Wajeeh, Marissa N. Mcphail, Omar Seyam, Jamie Flora, Hoang Nguyen

HPD Articles

The collection of blood in the subdural layer within the cranium is classified as a subdural hematoma. Prevalence of subdural hematomas is most common among older populations with the current standard of treatment being invasive surgical evacuation for patients presenting with acute subdural hematomas with a midline shift greater than 5 mm on computed tomography (CT).Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been identified as an alternative, non-invasive option to treat patients presenting with subdural hematoma who are not suitable for surgical intervention. The presenting case involves a 90-year-old female who arrived with a code stroke with the chief complaint of right lower …

Reflecting On Students’ Reflections: Exploring Students’ Experiences In Order To Enhance Course Delivery, Therese Ferguson

The Qualitative Report

Learning qualitative research skills can be a daunting process for students given characteristics such as its subjective and time-consuming nature. I therefore wanted to understand in detail my students’ course experiences by exploring the (i) literal and metaphorical language that they utilized to describe their experiences with qualitative research; (ii) challenges they faced in undertaking qualitative research; and (iii) personal and course triumphs shared by students. Using a generic qualitative research design, I undertook document analysis of a sample of written coursework reflections from 17 of my master’s level students. Findings showed that students had an emotional experience of lows …

The Frequency And Relationships Of Frailty Markers In Older Populations With Low Health Literacy, Nikhil Bhave, Neil Patel, Rosemary Davenport, Michael Simonson, Raymond Ownby

InterLACE Research Showcase

No abstract provided.