Digital Commons Network^™

Feminine Construction And The Alien Series, Gianni Consiglio

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The main objective of this essay is to demonstrate the regressive construction of female characters in mainstream cinema through the use of psychoanalysis. According to Laura Mulvey, mainstream cinema constructs female characters to please the male gaze. "Woman" in film is shaped and molded in such a way that her castration threat to the male viewer is diminished. In both the film diegesis as well as the discourse, the female image is contained and reduced within the symbolic system of patriarchy. Her ideas can be applied to the blockbuster Alien Series. The main protagonist of all three films, Ripley, played …

A Life-Altering Moment, Earl Tinsley

Undergraduate Student Symposium

This creative piece is about two college students, Ally and Cody. Ally is president of SGA and all-around good girl, who holds a major disfavor towards Weston College’ all-star athlete and resident playboy, Cody Dallas. Cody has been around with the ladies of Weston College, many of the infamous flings making the cover of theSpectator (the official newspaper for the college). However, Cody is getting bored with chasing after cheerleaders and sorority girls, and decides to set his aims a little higher, setting his eyes on Ally. His friends, Nick and Jesse, don’t believe he will be as successful with …

The Role Of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 (Cdk5) In Neurodegeneration, Ivan Jozic

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this literature research project is to investigate the role of Cyclin- dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in neurodegenerative diseases by summarizing its function in brain development, learning and memory. Cdk5 is a proline directed protein kinase that phosphorylates serine and threonine residues. Additionally the role of Cdk5 in the regulation of NMDA receptor, N-cadherin-mediated adhesion as well as the drugs that inhibit their normal functions will be examined. Recent studies regarding neurodegenerative pathology of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis reveled a crucial role of this kinase in central nervous system development, particularly in the …

Telomerase Inhibitors As A Developing Therapeutic Drug For Cancer Cells, Viviana Sumi Lee

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The objective of this literature review project is to investigate current therapeutics involved in the treatment of cancer, particularly telomerase inhibitors. One current hypothesis regarding cancer growth is that it requires activation of telomerase to replicate. One way that cancer cell growth may be controlled is by inhibiting telomerase, an enzyme involved in shortening the DNA telomeres. This project reviews several clinical trials which show a promising telomerase inhibitor that is specific to cancer cells:2’-O-methoxyethyl oligonucletide (MOE), which binds to the telomerase RNA template, hTR. Certain telomerase inhibitors are more specific towards the telomerases that extend the telomere …

Social Security And Social Contract, Lauren Adamcyzk, Jessica Alabastro, Gisella Garcia, Stephanie Rapaci, Jahmila Williams

Undergraduate Student Symposium

During the Great Depression President Franklin Roosevelt forged a Social Contract between the U.S. Government and the American people with his New Deal legislation. Social Security legislation was the cornerstone of the emerging social contract which also included unemployment insurance and work place safety laws. Over the next 40 years this concept of social contract was strengthened, particularly in the area of civil rights and with efforts to reduce income inequality.

During the past 35 years, however, there have been consistent efforts to erode the concept of social contract as we know it. Today the final vestige of social contract, …

The Five Pillars Of Islam, Marissa S. Dass

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The five pillars of Islam are perhaps the most fundamental characteristics of Islam which frames every Muslim’s life. Approximately 1.2 billion people in the world are Muslim, which is 22 percent of the world’s population. The five pillars of Islam is the foundation that upholds all Muslims. The pillars are woven with faith, prayer, fasting, charity and a pilgrimage. These five, of perhaps the most fundamental characteristics of this dynamic religion is, Shahada or the Declaration of Faith, Salat or Prayer, Saum or Fasting, Zakat or Charity and finally Hajj or the Pilgrimage to Mecca. These five pillars provide not …

Critique Of President Bush’S 2004 Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, Marissa S. Dass

Undergraduate Student Symposium

After having done extensive and comprehensive research into a variety of President George W. Bush speeches, I was intrigued by Bush’s Presidential Nomination Acceptance speech that he gave during the Republican National Convention in New York City. The speech marked Bush’s acceptance as the 2004 Republican Party’s presidential candidate. Bush gave his speech on Thursday September 2^nd 2004 to an immediate audience of well over twelve thousand people in Madison Square Garden. However, other audiences were targeted, including all of the American public, more specifically the undecided American voters, and the rest of the world.

My research included first …

Gleevec And The New Generation Of Molecular-Targeting Therapy, Nancy Philippe

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this literature research project is to investigate the therapeutic roles of Gleevec applied to the treatment of various cancers as a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor. In the 1970s it was shown that Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), a blood cancer, was the byproduct of translocation of the chromosome 9 q-arm (abl gene) with the chromosome 22 q-arm (bcr gene). The new gene that formed, brc-abl, was referred to as the Philadelphia gene (Ph). The abnormal protein that forms from Ph gene, BCR-ABL, is what causes CML. BRC-ABL was shown to be a tyrosine kinase. With this knowledge, …

Taking It Back, Jason Peebles

Undergraduate Student Symposium

You always thought you were right. You always thought you had the answer.

Well, here are some of the things you thought, that are wrong.

You thought that I went to the Police to spite you. Wrong.

You thought that I had you admitted to the Psych Ward, to make you sorry. Wrong again.

You thought that I left you to make you hurt. Absolutely wrong.

All About Obesity: A Cost/Benefit Analysis Of The Growth, Causes, And Effects Of Obesity, Stephanie Repaci

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The topic of this paper is obesity and the numerous surgeries used to “cure” it. Because obesity is an ever-increasing problem in the United States, physicians have developed many different ways for people to lose excess weight. As cases of obesity escalate annually, surgery is becoming the number one way to correct it. Since weight-loss surgery is increasing just as much as obesity is, problems associated with obesity continually skyrocket.

The purpose of this paper is to explain how obesity is affecting the economy of the United States. By looking into the past and present of obesity, it is easy …

Nova Southeastern’S Rowing Team, Danielle Garcia

Undergraduate Student Symposium

A newspaper article promoting the Spring season for Nova Southeastern University's amazing rowing team. The piece discusses the dedication of the team, the rigorous practice, and the numerous accomplishments the team achieved in a year of existence. Included is a detailed description of practices and director quotes from Coach John Gartin who is confident in the future success of his remarkable team. The team was named Breakout team of 2004 by a top rowing magazine and that is evident once the readers see the determination of the rowers' faces in the included photographs.

Relieved, Angela Cuyugan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Emotionally drained, feeling insincere...

Crying tears in vain, wishing you were here.

Just not feelin’ the vibe of today, my head’s poundin’

Getting’ sick of givin’ sides in this game, I dread countin’

...The time tickin’ away, in my insomniac world.

Ego Tripping (There May Be A Reason Why) By Nikki Giovanni, T-Neisha Tate

Undergraduate Student Symposium

EgoTripping was written by Nikki Giovanni in 1973. The poem will be performed as a monolog.

God, Angela Cuyugan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Sunshine, how you dance upon my face, when you sneak

     between the shadows of the tree leaves.

Breeze, enlighten me; when the ocean’s still becomes a ripple,

     walk upon the shore and rush up to my ear and whisper.

Earth, feel so healthy beneath my soles and lively in the

      atmosphere, rise up, and rise up to the universal limit.

Different Approaches To A Moral Dilemma, Nancy Philippe

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The purpose of this philosophical analysis was to demonstrate some of the different viewpoints that can be used to evaluate a moral dilemma. The moral dilemma discussed in this paper involves keeping a promise. Jeffrey, best friend and cousin of Elijah, made a promise to Elijah to keep to a certain piece of information confidential, which went against his beliefs and values. Jeffrey was faced with a problem that seems to have only two options: breaking the promise and doing what was right, or keeping the promise and ultimately his cousin’s friendship. In discussing these two options that Jeffrey had, …

Crisis In Haiti, Rafia Chodhry

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Hurricane Jeanne impacted Haiti in the most devastating way. This journalistic piece of writing is the author’s opinion about what our society is not doing to help aid Haiti in its crisis against poverty. The article also discusses Haiti’s cry for help especially during the hurricane season where hurricane Jeanne caused much devastation to the already poverty stricken Haiti.

The Alumni Network, Spring 2005 (Vol. Xix No. 1), Nova Southeastern University

Alumni Network Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Student Satisfaction In The Virtual Classroom, James Johnston, Jeff Killion, Jody Oomen

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

This article is a literature review that identifies contributors to student satisfaction with online instruction. Key among these contributors is flexibility within the course and contact with the instructor. Suggestions and steps are offered for the design and implementation of online courses.

The Knight Volume 15: Issue 22, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Conducting Qualitative Research On Desertification In Western Lesvos, Greece, Theodoros Iosifides, Theodoros Politidis

The Qualitative Report

The main aim of this article is to present some critical methodological strategies employed in a qualitative research study on local socioeconomic development and desertification in western Lesvos, Greece. Through in-depth qualitative interviews with local producers in western Lesvos, Greece, an effort was made to identify and analyze the links between the local socioeconomic trajectory and environmental marginality. The article concerns the justification of the choice of qualitative investigation on the matter, the main methodological strategies employed in the field, and the basic data analysis processes. In particular, we discuss the gradual development of a coding framework and a conceptual …

Teacher Perceptions Of Multicultural Issues In School Settings, Danielle Martines

The Qualitative Report

This study employed qualitative methods to analyze teacher's level of multicultural understanding and perceptions of cultural issues when discussing their culturally diverse students in the context of the consultation process. Three school psychologists in urban city high schools, engaged in audio-recorded consultation sessions with consultee-teachers who voluntarily sought services. Audio-recorded tapes of consultation sessions were transcribed and coded by two trained raters and qualitatively analyzed by co-researchers who recorded multicultural thematic issues as categories. Cultural themes and categories indicated that teachers demonstrated cultural awareness and sensitivity regarding their culturally diverse students, yet showed less developed cultural knowledge-base and skill levels. …

Maternal Postpartum Role Collapse As A Theory Of Postpartum Depression, Linda Clark Amankwaa

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the development of a theory of maternal postpartum role collapse. The influences of traditional role theory and symbolic interactionism are presented. The development of the maternal postpartum role collapse theory emerged from the study of postpartum depression among African-American women (Amankwaa, 2000). Major components of the theory of postpartum maternal role collapse consist of role stress, role strain, and finally role collapse. A discussion of the extension of role theory to role collapse as it is related to the postpartum mother is offered as an explanation of postpartum depression.

My Body, My Stigma: Body Interpretations In A Sample Of People Living With Hiv/Aids In Puerto Rico, Nelson Varas-Díaz, José Toro-Alfonso, Irma Serrano-García

The Qualitative Report

AIDS related stigma continues to impact the lives of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) negatively. Although the consequences of stigmatization have been widely documented, certain areas of study need to be further addressed in order to better understand their implications for PLWHA; such is the case of the perceptions of the bodys role in AIDS stigma. A qualitative study was implemented including 30 in-depth interviews of PLWHA in Puerto Rico in order to explore their perceptions of the bodys role in the process of stigmatization. Results include: participants perceptions on how their bodies evidence their serostatus, description of past body …

The Examination Of Change Management Using Qualitative Methods: A Case Industry Approach, Aaron C.T. Smith, Daniel M. Evans, Hans M. Westerbeek

The Qualitative Report

Despite the number of theories explaining the nature and antecedents of change, there is no consensus on a universally applicable model. Competing theories have been tested using deductive methods focusing on hypothesis testing. This study has utilized qualitative methods for collecting data within the sport industry to provide an initial understanding of change within that case industry Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 sport managers across Australian National and State Sporting Organizations and clubs participating in national league competitions. Interviews were transcribed and coded in a grounded interpretation culminating in a typology of change types. Results highlighted that Australian sport …

Beyond High Stakes Testing: Rural High School Students And Their Yearbooks, Lynn M. Hoffman

The Qualitative Report

I conducted surveys, focus group interviews, and analyzed the yearbooks of fifty four yearbook students from five rural high schools to investigate students process of yearbook construction and to determine what was meaningful and memorable to them throughout their high school experience. Changs (1992) construct of an adolescent ethos, including the elements of getting along with everyone, being involved, and being independent, provided a conceptual framework, and was affirmed by students responses. References to rites of passage and intensification embedded in the high school program as described by Burnett (1969) confirmed these students perceptions of high school as a four …

Databases Don’T Measure Motivation, Joseph Yeager

The Qualitative Report

Automated persuasion is the Holy Grail of quantitatively biased data base designers. However, data base histories are, at best, probabilistic estimates of customer behavior and do not make use of more sophisticated qualitative motivational profiling tools. While usually absent from web designer thinking, qualitative motivational profiling can be integrated into data base designs. However, qualitative profiling would require that designers add to their repertoire a set of qualitative motivational profiling tools. Clearly the quantitative or qualitative tool must fit the task. This contemporary confusion is corrected by separating the marketing and market research tools into quantitative or qualitative applications according …

Using The Afrocentric Method In Researching Indigenous African Culture, Queeneth Mkabela

The Qualitative Report

The article highlights the realities and dynamics facing researchers researching indigenous African culture. The cultural aspirations, understandings and practices of African indigenous people should position researchers to implement and organise the research process. Suggestions are also made for implementing the Afrocentric method and how to use African indigenous culture as a foundation for the Afrocentric method. The intent of this article is to stimulate enlightened discussion about the definition, mechanisms, and purpose of the Afrocentric method as an appropriate research method for indigenous African culture and how it can be used as a complement to qualitative research methods.

The Rise And Fall Of A Songwriting Partnership, Peter Devries

The Qualitative Report

The working relationship of two novice songwriters is examined in this ethnographic study, which highlights the importance of common goals and values in a songwriting collaboration. Stemming from this core there are a number of sub-themes: the pair saw a popular song as consisting of melody, harmony, and lyrics; they played on the strengths and offset the weaknesses of each others songwriting skills; both writers valued originality; and they believed songwriting had a mystical element to it. Finally, it will be shown how conflict in their status as writing partners resulted in the demise of the collaboration. The difficulty of …

Doing Gender In Research: Reflection On Experience In Field, Larisa V. Kosygina

The Qualitative Report

The article shows how doing gender (mutual gender categorization of interacting people and construction of their behavior according to this categorization) can influence research method and research hypothesis. Communication between respondent and researcher during semi-structural interview is in focus.

Critique, Culture And Commitment: The Dangerous And Counterproductive Paths Of International Legal Discourse, Geoffrey A. Hoffman

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.