Digital Commons Network^™

Mealtime Insights: A Photovoice Project With African American Mothers And Their Young Children, Paula Ann Rabaey

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Mothering is a complex and multifaceted occupation that encompasses the nurturing work that women engage in. It addition, it has been established that ethnicity, class, and gender have effects on motherhood that need to be taken into account when looking at the occupations of motherhood across cultures. One important task that occurs within a mothers’ daily routine is that of making meals for their children. This dissertation sought to gain a rich, in-depth description of the phenomenon of the mealtime experience for African American mothers of low socioeconomic status and young children living in an inner-city environment in the Midwest. …

Visionary Fall 2017, College Of Optometry

Visionary

No abstract provided.

Perspectives Volume 5: Number 1, Winter-Spring 2017, College Of Health Care Sciences

Perspectives

No abstract provided.

Intentional Grounding: How The Ncaa And Nfl Have Engaged In Practices That Unreasonably Restrain The Football Player Labor Market, Stephen O. Ayeni Jr.

Nova Law Review

Young athletes often dream of becoming the next star in their

respective sports.1 A select few go on to realize that dream and become

professional athletes.2 Within this group of superb athletes, there are a rare

few who almost seem as though they were meant for the game, showing

flashes of greatness at a young age

Introduction To Regulating Innovation In Healthcare: Protecting The Public Or Stifling Progress?, Kathy L. Cerminara, Marilyn Uzdavines

Nova Law Review

Growing up seeing flames leaping and smoke billowing out of the smokestacks of steel mills along the river, children of southwestern Pennsylvania in the 1960s tended to develop one of two attitudes toward regulation in general.

Winter 2017, Department Of Conflict Analysis And Resolution

DCRS on the Move

No abstract provided.

Automated Feature Engineering For Deep Neural Networks With Genetic Programming, Jeff T. Heaton

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Feature engineering is a process that augments the feature vector of a machine learning model with calculated values that are designed to enhance the accuracy of a model’s predictions. Research has shown that the accuracy of models such as deep neural networks, support vector machines, and tree/forest-based algorithms sometimes benefit from feature engineering. Expressions that combine one or more of the original features usually create these engineered features. The choice of the exact structure of an engineered feature is dependent on the type of machine learning model in use. Previous research demonstrated that various model families benefit from different types …

An Exploratory Study Of The Approach To Bring Your Own Device (Byod) In Assuring Information Security, Coleen D. Santee

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

The availability of smart device capabilities, easy to use apps, and collaborative capabilities has increased the expectations for the technology experience of employees. In addition, enterprises are adopting SaaS cloud-based systems that employees can access anytime, anywhere using their personal, mobile device. BYOD could drive an IT evolution for powerful device capabilities and easy to use apps, but only if the information security concerns can be addressed. This research proposed to determine the acceptance rate of BYOD in organizations, the decision making approach, and significant factors that led to the successful adoption of BYOD using the expertise of experienced internal …

Data Masking, Encryption, And Their Effect On Classification Performance: Trade-Offs Between Data Security And Utility, Juan C. Asenjo

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

As data mining increasingly shapes organizational decision-making, the quality of its results must be questioned to ensure trust in the technology. Inaccuracies can mislead decision-makers and cause costly mistakes. With more data collected for analytical purposes, privacy is also a major concern. Data security policies and regulations are increasingly put in place to manage risks, but these policies and regulations often employ technologies that substitute and/or suppress sensitive details contained in the data sets being mined. Data masking and substitution and/or data encryption and suppression of sensitive attributes from data sets can limit access to important details. It is believed …

A Study Of Human-Machine Interface (Hmi) Learnability For Unmanned Aircraft Systems Command And Control, Tom Haritos

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

The operation of sophisticated unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) involves complex interactions between human and machine. Unlike other areas of aviation where technological advancement has flourished to accommodate the modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS), the scientific paradigm of UAS and UAS user interface design has received little research attention and minimal effort has been made to aggregate accurate data to assess the effectiveness of current UAS human-machine interface (HMI) representations for command and control. UAS HMI usability is a primary human factors concern as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) moves forward with the full-scale integration of UAS in the …

The Efficacy Of Perceived Big Data Security, Trust, Perceived Leadership Competency, Information Sensitivity, Privacy Concern And Job Reward On Disclosing Personal Security Information Online, Iqbal Amiri

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Individuals’ reluctance to provide sensitive personal information online could affect the US Governments’ ability to hire and retain qualified personnel for sensitive cleared positions. The aim of this research study was to show how perceived big data security, trust, perceived leadership competency, information sensitivity, privacy concern and reward of a job play a significant role in limiting an individuals’ willingness of disclosing sensitive personal information online. While a significant volume of research has examined information disclosure in the health care field, there has not been any published studies on the willingness of online disclosure in order to attain a US …

Behavioral Intention And Use Behavior Of Social Networking Websites Among Senior Adults, Andrew M. Berry

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Use of social networking websites has rapidly increased over the last decade. Online social environments are quickly changing to meet the demands of younger users however the needs of senior adults are often ignored on most websites today and underrepresented in many Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) studies. The study sought to close the gap in research by providing greater knowledge about the behavioral intention and use behavior of social networking websites among senior adults. Senior adults from several locations and organizations were asked to complete an online self-administered survey answering questions that tie directly into …

Contextualizing Secure Information System Design: A Socio-Technical Approach, Abdul Rahim Charif

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Secure Information Systems (SIS) design paradigms have evolved in generations to adapt to IS security needs. However, modern IS are still vulnerable and are far from secure. The development of an underlying IS cannot be reduced to “technological fixes” neither is the design of SIS. Technical security cannot ensure IS security. Generations of SIS design paradigms have evolved, all with their own sets of shortcomings. A SIS design paradigm must meet well-defined requirements, yet contemporary paradigms do not meet all these requirements. Current SIS design paradigms are not easily applicable to IS. They lack a comprehensive modeling support and ignore …

Towards A Conceptual Framework For Persistent Use: A Technical Plan To Achieve Semantic Interoperability Within Electronic Health Record Systems, Shellon Blackman-Lees

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

Semantic interoperability within the health care sector requires that patient data be fully available and shared without ambiguity across participating health facilities. The need for the current research was based on federal stipulations that required health facilities provide complete and optimal care to patients by allowing full access to their health records. The ongoing discussions to achieve interoperability within the health care industry continue to emphasize the need for healthcare facilities to successfully adopt and implement Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. Reluctance by the healthcare industry to implement these EHRs for the purpose of achieving interoperability has led to the …

Integration Of Simulation Into Healthcare Education Through Applied Constructivism: A Randomized, Switching Replications Experiment, Samuel A. Yoders

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

This report describes the development, deployment, and analysis of an experimental instructional unit using applied constructivism instructional design (ID). The ID template was used to integrate a high-fidelity simulator into an undergraduate health care degree curriculum in a private, not-for-profit university. A switching-replications experimental design was used with random assignment of volunteer participants to initial treatment and control groups. Quantitative analysis of learning outcomes using standardized assessments was performed, including correlational analysis for knowledge transfer of simulator skills to clinical skills. Statistically significant positive effects were found for the educational outcomes of participants when measuring both the knowledge and application …

An Empirical Assessment Of Energy Management Information System Success Using Structural Equation Modeling, Gwendolyn D. Stripling

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

The Energy Industry utilizes Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS) smart meters to monitor utility consumers’ energy consumption, communicate energy consumption information to consumers, and to collect a plethora of energy consumption data about consumer usage. The EMIS energy consumption information is typically presented to utility consumers via a smart meter web portal. The hope is that EMIS web portal use will aid utility consumers in managing their energy consumption by helping them make effective decisions regarding their energy usage. However, little research exists that evaluates the effectiveness or success of an EMIS smart meter web portal from a utility consumer …

Performance Envelopes Of Adaptive Ensemble Data Stream Classifiers, Stefan Joe-Yen

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation documents a study of the performance characteristics of algorithms designed to mitigate the effects of concept drift on online machine learning. Several supervised binary classifiers were evaluated on their performance when applied to an input data stream with a non-stationary class distribution. The selected classifiers included ensembles that combine the contributions of their member algorithms to improve overall performance. These ensembles adapt to changing class definitions, known as “concept drift,” often present in real-world situations, by adjusting the relative contributions of their members. Three stream classification algorithms and three adaptive ensemble algorithms were compared to determine the capabilities …

A Replication Study: 20 Years Later Correctional Officers: How Do They Perceive Sexual Offenders?, Kimberlie Massnick

Theses and Dissertations

Correctional officers represent a large, influential group working within the criminal justice system; as such they have long attracted the interest of social scientists. These professionals, their attitudes towards inmates and the impact of these attitudes, have received scrutiny, especially since Zimbardo’s (1973) study of a mock prison, commonly referred to as the Stanford Prison Experiment. When compared to other professionals within the criminal justice system, correctional officers are often the least empathic, the most punitive, and the least supportive of rehabilitation. These potential attitudes this is unfortunate since correctional officers are ideally placed to improve the social atmosphere of …

Preschoolers Aggressive Behavior Toward Others Is It Child-Play? Is It Bullying?, Brenda W. Williams

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Bullying in schools is largely discussed when referring to middle and high school students. Students in preschool are often considered to be too young to carry out acts of bullying. Unfortunately, this is contrary to the truth. Bullying among children aged 2-5 is very common, although it can easily be dismissed as a normal stage in child development. Educators and observers argue that bullying in preschool occurs when a child or a group of children intimidate another child or group of children to the point that it becomes a behavioral pattern. Evidence shows that 2-5 year-olds engage in acts intended …

Graduate Catalog And Student Handbook 2017-2018, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice Graduate Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Predicting Cardiovascular Fitness In Ethnic Minority Youth: A Comparison Of Demographic, Body Composition, And Physical Activity Variables, Steven Arcidiacono

Theses and Dissertations

Prevalence of obesity, low physical activity, and poor physical fitness of youth in the United States are increasingly poor and in need of intervention to prevent later concerns like hypertension. The overall goal of this dissertation was to examine which factors weigh heaviest in predicting cardiovascular fitness in diverse youth, and how we might measure those factors by maximizing clinical utility and psychometric properties. The sample was gathered from a larger study examining physical activity in youth from Miami-Dade county enrolled in out-of-school programs. Participants (N = 58) were aged 6-17 and comprised exclusively of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Black children …

The Relationship Between Ideology And Disgust Sensitivity, Shaina C. Fieldstone

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of the current paper is to examine the association between ideology and disgust sensitivity. Studying disgust offers an to assess how judgments have evolved over time due to a “gut” sense of danger. This emotion also plays a role in moral judgment: individuals label moral wrongdoings as disgusting which elicits a specific facial expression. For this reason, disgust has recently been found to be a plausible emotion involved in political decision-making. Studies indicate that liberals and conservatives rely on respective moral foundations that influence their choices. Haidt et al. (2009) argue that liberals’ views on morality are based …

The Influence Of Trauma, Locus Of Control, And Health-Related Quality Of Life On A Child’S Self-Worth, Anita Alexander

Theses and Dissertations

Previous literature has shown that childhood trauma and adverse experiences are related to a wide range of negative outcomes that can span into adulthood (e.g., low self-worth, poor physical health, and increased likelihood of co-morbid psychological symptoms). However, a gap remains in the existing literature regarding early interventions that may target complicated outcomes (i.e., self-esteem and self-worth) while the survivor is still in childhood. This paper attempts to elucidate the impact that traumatic childhood experiences may have on self-worth, and the importance of implementing targeted intervention before the child reaches adulthood. Therefore, an extensive review was first conducted to gain …

Redefining Safety: An Analysis Of Cultural And International Safe Havens In The Context Of Genocidal Violence, Antonella Regueiro

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

The international community has shied away from instituting safe havens in conflict zones since the fall of Srebreniça in 1995. However, a look at the roles of safe havens in genocidal violence provides a deeper understanding of the need for these spaces to be established in a timely fashion. The strategic use of cultural safe havens as places for mass violence, necessitates the establishment of international safe havens for the protection of the targeted population, yet an analysis of the relationship between cultural safe havens and international safe havens has not been done before. As such, this research seeks to …

A Qualitative Media Analysis Of The Depiction Of Workplace Bullying In Hollywood Films, Maria C. Georgo

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Work is a significant part of everyday life for many, so it is not surprising that it would be included in the storylines of many Hollywood films. Movies incorporate elements from everyday life, real or imagined. There is a plethora of research making connections between film and the social world, but not regarding workplace bullying. This study takes a close and in-depth look at workplace bullying as it is depicted in scenes from a sampling of 100 Hollywood films released 1994-2016. It is interpretive in nature and guided by the theoretical underpinnings of film theory, social construction of reality theory, …

Perceptions Of Validity: How Knowledge Is Created, Transformed And Used In Bio-Agricultural Technology Safety Testing For The Development Of Government Policies And Regulations, Jennifer Josephs

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

This is a case study dissertation to research the socio-political conflict surrounding Gilles Eric Séralini’s et al (2012) research on the toxicity of Monsanto’s NK603 line of corn and the herbicide Roundup. The study analyzes this conflict as a system of interconnected and often conflicting interests, assumptions and ideologies about how knowledge is created and transformed from the research stage to the policy implementation stage. The goal of this study is to: 1.) analyze critical surface level and underlying factors that contribute to the conflict; 2.) analyze systemic processes between national and international researchers, private interests and government policymakers in …

Moving From Fear Towards Unity Among Intergroup Dialogue Participants In Israel-Palestine: Findings From A Qualitative Meta-Data-Analysis, Jesse W. Treakle

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative meta-data-analysis was designed to identify themes of experience of Israeli Jewish and Palestinian Arab intergroup dialogue participants. A review of the literature indicated a scarcity of research that describes the ‘meaning-making’ processes that these participants undergo while engaged in structured intergroup dialogue, and this study was designed to address that shortage. The analyst conducted a targeted search of academic journal articles and Ph.D. dissertations published after 1999. The result of this search was a set of 17 primary reports, and the findings of this study are based on the verbatim quotations of Israeli Jewish and Palestinian Arab intergroup …

Chief Student Affairs Officers’ Perceptions Of Institutional Crisis Management, Preparedness, And Response, Heather Studenberg

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined chief student affairs officers’ perceptions of institutional crisis management, preparedness, and response. A goal of this study was to uncover findings that can benefit crisis management protocols or best practices regarding crisis management team training, plan communications, and emergency management personnel on campus, as well as, learn if size of enrollment impacts crisis preparedness and response. Research questions assessed if a significant relationship exists between preparedness in responding to crisis with the number of training topics covered with a crisis management team, the number of modes used to communicate the crisis management plan, size of enrollment and …

Impact Of Leadership Strategies On Perceived Climate Of Safety At The Construction Job Site, Joshua M. Estrin

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Despite the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) more than 30 years ago, the construction industry is in conflict with itself. It is locked in a struggle to effectively keep its workforce protected from unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, or a combination of both. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly 6.5 million people work at approximately 252,000 construction sites across the United States every day, with the fatal injury rate for the construction industry higher than the national average when compared to all industries. There have been many studies documenting these conditions, but no study …

Nsu Sharks Rx-Winter, 2017, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Sharks Rx

No abstract provided.