Digital Commons Network^™

Great Plains Prehistoric Megadrought Findings As Potential Indicators For Impending Climate Change-Related Catastrophes, Melanie Vasquez, Madelyn Rinka, Emma Hoffstein, Drew Tozer, Elena Kampian

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Determining details of extreme climate events on the environment is necessary to predict the future effects of global climate change. Researchers studying the northern Great Plains dune systems have found evidence of prolonged prehistoric droughts (megadroughts) that occurred due to climate anomalies. However, the timing, severity, and regional extent of these megadroughts remain controversial. Our previous work supports the interpretation that the White River Badlands (WRB) and the Nebraska Sand Hills (NSH) dune systems reactivated three times in the past 10,000 years in response to global climate change. This study investigates the hypothesis that these dune systems are linked, that …

Healthy Happens Here- A Wellness Program To Support Oral Health, Nutrition And Physical Activity, In An Elementary School, Matthew Calaigian

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Dental caries and childhood obesity remain a national public health concern in the United States. Poor dietary practices, including low consumption of fruits and vegetables and high consumption of sugary drinks increase the risk of dental caries and obesity in children. Healthy Happens Here is a cultural competence wellness program to support oral health, nutrition and physical activity, in an elementary school in Miami, FL. The three-month educational program was a collaboration between Nova Southeastern University, and the Horeb Christian School. Parents/Guardians were notified of the study via flyers posted at the school and with an informational letter sent via …

How Maternal Education Impacts Child Health In Food-Insecure Households In Peru, Sydney Sansone

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Children living in food-insecure homes in poor areas of Peru experience poor health outcomes at greater rates than their counterparts with higher socioeconomic status. The factors that contribute to poor health outcomes can be viewed through the levels of the Socioecological Model. At the interpersonal level, mothers play a unique role in determining the health outcomes of their child(ren). This systematic review aims to synthesize findings from mixed methods studies conducted in poor areas of Peru to determine how maternal education impacts child health. Using data from ten exemplar studies, the level of education of mothers, child health, resources readily …

Improving Health Communication About Recognizing Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea Associated With Down Syndrome, Mahima Dave

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Down syndrome (DS) is the most prevalent chromosomal disorder in which an extra copy of chromosome 21 disrupts the development of intellectual abilities. Every year, 6,000 babies in the United States are born with DS, which is approximately 1 in every 700 babies (Aagarwal et al., 2019). Their unique physical manifestations place them at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which repeated blockage of the upper airway causes difficulty breathing during sleep (Olson et al., 2011). Nearly 80% of children with DS are afflicted with OSA compared to only 2-5% of the general pediatric population (Chamseddin …

Online Social Environment Impacts Feelings Of Social Connection In Older Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jade Kushner, Brittany Derynda, Mary Goodyear

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Evidence suggests that nearly one-third of older adults’ experience loneliness and/or social isolation; an increase in these rates during the current pandemic is anticipated. The Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in South Florida has worked to engage seniors in fun learning activities and social opportunities since 1977. When “stay at home” orders went into effect in March 2020 the LLI moved to online program delivery via Zoom. To understand the implementation of zoom among LLI members, NSU students, researchers and LLI member advisory committee developed a cross-sectional research study using an online survey that was administered …

Survival And Development Of Zebra Longwing, Heliconius Charithonia, On Native And Non-Native Passion Vines, Passiflora Sp., In South Florida, Madelyn Rinka, Cassidy Loucks, Celina Nelson-Jordan

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Zebra longwing butterflies (Heliconius charithonia) are distributed throughout the southernmost regions of the United States to South America and are abundant across Florida. These heliconian butterflies not only consume nectar, but are also known to feed on pollen, resulting in a longer lifespan than most butterflies. In their larval stage, H. charithonia feed exclusively on Passiflora sp., however larval performance and survival across the diversity of Passion vine species is not well documented. We examined these criteria of zebra longwings from egg to adulthood on two passion vines native to Florida, corky stem (Passiflora suberosa) and …

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Healthcare Utilization Of Diverse, Low-Income Populations, Isha Pasumarthi, Neha Alety

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing barriers to care for diverse, low-income individuals; however, there has been little research done to assess the scope of this issue. This study aims to 1) determine if there has been a shift in the healthcare utilization of low-income, diverse populations and 2) identify potential barriers that could impede access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 154 respondents residing in Broward County Housing Authority homes were asked whether they were more or less likely to see their doctor, if they were afraid of getting COVID-19 at the doctor’s office should they have gone …

A Meta-Analytic Review: The Implications Of Virtual Reality With Immersion On Secondary Language Acquistion, Dylan A. Darling, Greter Camacho Melian

Undergraduate Student Symposium

How can a curriculum be built to fully utilize the capabilities of Immersion in virtual reality (VR) and make it applicable to a classroom learning and individual learning environment? The generalized goal and outcome intended following this research is discovering how to build a sample curriculum for English language learners to help foster memorable and applicable secondary language acquisition. Research linked to both virtual reality and augmented reality has proved the capability for building immersion and engagement in a virtual space where learning processes are presentable and educational output is maximized. The immersion and engagement offered throughout VR is demonstrated …

A Statistical Comparison Of Democratic Liberties, Socioeconomic Development, And Effectiveness Of Covid-19 Pandemic Response In Countries Around The World, Angel Vasquez

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown in full display that state capacity to respond to crises is variable among countries. In this study, the relative performance of 165 countries in containing the pandemic within their borders is assessed and compared with their individual scores on the Freedom Index (FI) and the Human Development Index (HDI) to understand whether the indicators that these indices represent (political freedoms and socioeconomic development) explain the effectiveness of each country’s response to the pandemic. A pandemic performance coefficient (PPPC) was created to quantify their individual performance and treated as the independent variable. Bivariate correlation analyses and …

Angel, Siena Berardi, Julian Glasthal, Jada Johnson, Samantha Langmaack

Undergraduate Student Symposium

In order to cope with the death of her boyfriend, a young girl seeks comfort in a pet that she believes to be her deceased counterpart. Her reality soon becomes distorted and she finds herself coping in an unconventional way, that is, of course, until it catches up to her. Directed by Siena Berardi, Jada Johnson, and Samantha Langmaack and produced by Julian Glasthal. Inspired by Wes Anderson, Greta Gerwig, Bong Joon-ho and Spike Lee.

Assessment Of Student Mastery Of Anticipated Learning Outcomes During A Blendflex Stem Cure Using A Combination Of Self-Reported And Empirical Analysis, Niraj Pathak, Ambika Kapil

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, institutions across the world have had to make modifications to existing curricula throughout the university. Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) are emerging as an effective way to offer research opportunities for students traditionally underrepresented in STEM. These types of courses face the unique task of adapting scientific conceptual and research process concepts to the distance learning format. Biochemistry Authentic Student Inquiry Lab (BASIL) is a freely available, modular CURE. This project showcases a two-pronged approach which combines student self-reported mastery and objective evaluation of lab report responses, both aligned with established Anticipated Learning Outcomes …

Effect Of Hdac Inhibitor On Mesenchymal To Epithelial Transition (Met) In Non-Small Lung Cancer Cells (Nsclc), Sanjana Mody, Grace Waldron

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a highly dynamic process. It is also involved in enhancing the tumor invasiveness and metastasis of the cancer cells. Therefore, the generation of tumor cells with stem cell properties plays a significant role in developing resistance to cancer treatment. The reversal of EMT to MET (mesenchymal to epithelial transition) is poorly understood at the present time. Increased mesenchymal marker levels have been associated with increased lung cancer risk. We hypothesized that suberoyl-anilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, also known as Vorinostat) might promote MET through epigenetic modification such as acetylation and methylation. We analyzed both …

Diet Analysis Of Offshore Istiophorid Billfishes In The Western Atlantic, Emily Salonia

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Istiophorid billfishes are apex predators found in epipelagic tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Managed internationally following population declines due to overfishing, these fishes continue to be targeted by recreational anglers and are caught as bycatch by offshore commercial fisheries targeting tunas, resulting in a slow population recovery. Despite their ecological importance, knowledge of Western Atlantic billfish diets is lacking; no information exists regarding roundscale spearfish (Tetrapturus georgii), for white marlin (Kajikia albida) information is extremely limited, and the last Western Atlantic sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) diet study was in 1977. To address this knowledge gap, Istiophorid diets …

Differences In Frontonasal Anomalies In Children With And Without An Autism, Matthew Arcona

Undergraduate Student Symposium

Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders can vary by case; however, the core features consist of social and communication deficits, and restrictive or repetitive behaviors. Most research on the etiology of ASD focus on genetic factors and how chromosomal copy number variants (CNVs) affect neurocognitive development. There is much less research on how developmental disturbances could play a role in neurocognitive disorders, such as ASD. Research suggests that due to the synchronous and adjacent development of the frontonasal features and anterior brain, disturbances in one of these pathways affect the other. Frontonasal anomalies such as ear formation, forehead prominence, and eye …

Prisoners’ Perspectives On Limited Rehabilitative Program Opportunities, Kerry Edwards Phd

The Qualitative Report

Approximately 1.5 million persons are incarcerated in American prisons (Carson, 2020), and the rate at which persons who have been incarcerated reoffend (recidivism) is high (Alper et al., 2018, p. 1). This has propelled the effort to help offenders change their trajectory. Rehabilitative programs are used to help prisoners gain skills and strengths necessary to succeed in the community after their release. Yet, these high recidivism rates persist. Why do some prisoners not benefit from these programs? Although many researchers have studied the efficacy of programs over the past six decades, less attention has been directed towards access to prison …

A Study Investigating Depictions Of Workplace Bullying In Hollywood Films, Alexia Georgakopoulos, Maria Georgo

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

The presentation will focus on the investigative portrayal and depiction of workplace bullying from a sample of 100 popular Hollywood films over the past two decades. It will highlight the theoretical underpinnings of film theory, social construction theory, and symbolic interaction theory. The Hymes’ SPEAKING Model, a well-established ethnographic communication method (Hymes, 1974), will also be discussed because of its rich interpretive and descriptive nature and its focus on analyzing communication and interaction in terms of both verbal and nonverbal exchanges. The findings shed new light on understanding the portrayals of workplace bullying in contemporary films and how this impacts …

Wellbeing And Resilience: A Grounded Theory Using A Trauma-Informed Lens For A Healing-Centered Peacebuilding, Angi D. Yoder-Maina

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

In many parts of the world, entire generations and nations live in chronic violence and have existed in survival mode for decades. The exposure to violence has long-lasting effects that are not well accounted for in conflict analysis, stabilization efforts, peacebuilding, and governance initiatives. Extreme exposure to violence, abuse, neglect, and marginalization negatively affects levels of resilience and the ability of affected nations to transition from war to peace. Symptoms associated with trauma in individuals influence all levels of society and aspects of governance and security when large segments of a population are affected. There are three mainstream responses: the …

Experiences Of Incarcerated Young Men In Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Cynthia Vanessa Penalva

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

In 2018, 14,000 young people between the ages of 11 and 18 were incarcerated in the United States (Fosler, 2018). Incarcerated are more likely than non-incarcerated youth to experience anxiety, depression, violence, and behavior issues. While mental health treatment facilities often provide resources such as continuing education, General Education Development, vocational training, and talk therapy services (Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, 2019), Equine-FacilitatedPsychotherapy (EFP) is a relatively unexplored intervention for this population. The increasing need for innovative mental health services tailored to specific client populations has inspired collaborations among community professionals seeking to deliver high-impact interventions. One such community effort …

A Proposed Solution To Limit The Collateral Consequences Of Arrests Without Conviction In The United States, Annie O'Leary

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Admissions View Book 2021, Nova Southeastern University

Shepard Broad College of Law Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Nova Law Review Full Issue Volume 46, Issue 1

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Research Brief Fiscal Year 2021, Nova Southeastern University

Research Briefs

No abstract provided.

Florida's Marsy's Law And Use Of Lethal Force Cases By Law Enforcement: Who Needs A Shield When You Can Have A Sword?, Marc Consalo Esq.

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

2021 Nsu Fact Book, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Fact Book

The 29th edition of the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Fact Book provides perspective on the university’s character, growth, and accomplishments. The 2021 Fact Book includes narrative, numeric, and graphic representation of the university, including history, characteristics, and development of the institution. Data are presented in both tabular and graphic formats to provide pertinent detail, and general trends are highlighted.

Like all previous editions of the Fact Book, this edition is a snapshot of the university during the academic year that concludes in the year of its publication. Therefore, the 2021 Fact Book represents NSU from fall 2020 through spring …

Ilsa Journal Of International And Comparative Law

ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Mediation On Employee Efficiency In Human Services Centers And In Other Organizations That Serve Vulnerable Populations, Mariya Mironova

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Social workers and other professionals who offer caring services to vulnerable populations are oftentimes exposed to stressful environments. Employee burnout, vicarious traumas, and other stressors jeopardize worker’s efficiency. According to previously conducted research studies, organizational and interpersonal conflicts may be effectively addressed through mediation. However, the studies do not address the use of mediation for the resolution of workplace disputes in centers of human services. This study explores effects of mediation on worker’s efficiency in such centers, and this study proposes that mediation positively affects worker’s efficiency. The proposed methodology for testing this proposition involves a single case study with …

Eliminating Silos: Developing System Design For Information Sharing In Violence Prevention, Jacqueline Kulaga

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

The 21st century has brought about changing social perspectives on victimization and offender accountability related to sexual violence. States across the United States have established, and continue to develop, legislation and protocols to address such violence. While there has been a great shift in combating this form of violence, it is essential to create structures to enhance services for victims as well as create recommendations for those who work to hold offenders of these violent crimes accountable. This dissertation was conducted using a qualitative content analysis (QCA) of documents from the Palm Beach County Sexual Assault Response Team (PBC SART), …

Restorative Justice And The Impact Of Community Engagement, Tanya Moss

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Restorative justice provides an innovative approach for addressing misdemeanor juvenile offenses. Diversion programs such as the Ribault Neighborhood Accountability Board utilizes community volunteers to guide juvenile offenders through the restorative justice process. There is however a lack of current research on the engagement of youth offenders and community volunteers that elucidates the relational dynamics between these two groups. This qualitative study uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to address this research deficit by exploring the lived experiences of 12 youth offenders and their engagement with community volunteers, focusing on the following research questions: 1) how do youth offenders make meaning of their …

2021-2022 Nsu Undergraduate Student Catalog, Nova Southeastern University

Undergraduate Programs Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

An Assessment Of The Impacts Of Social Media Inputs And Court Case Information On Mitigating Insider Threats, Robert Jones

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

The insider threat is a global problem that impacts organizations and produces a gamut of undesired outcomes. Businesses often experience lost revenue and stolen trade secrets, which can leave a tarnished reputation. Insider threats can also cause harm to individuals and national security. Past efforts have not mitigated the problem in its entirety. Documented instances of insider threats are as recent as March 2020. Many researchers have focused on monitoring technologies and relying on human monitoring in a reactive posture. An ideal solution would scrutinize an individual’s character and ascertain whether unique traits associated with actors of insider threats are …