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Nova Law Review Full Issue Volume 50, Issue 1

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of Ethics When Using Chatgpt, Blake V. Ailes

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

With the general population’s recent and dramatic increase in the frequency of ChatGPT and other similar Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) usage throughout various industries, gray areas are becoming more prominent regarding whether ChatGPT is considered to be ethical or unethical in certain situations. Examples of unethical use of ChatGPT include plagiarism, the use of inaccurate information in drawing conclusions, and the creation of malicious code that negatively impacts various companies. Not all of these ethical concerns are necessarily the fault of the user or the AIGC. To date, peer-reviewed research on the ethical usage of ChatGPT is limited, primarily …

The Dna Control Panel: Identifying Conserved Regulatory Elements In Differentially Expressed Genes, Mahalaxmi Some, Eimaan Ahmad, Navi Gill Dhillon

Bioinformatics

Plant responses to heat stress involve changes in gene expression, and identifying conserved domains in promoters of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) is essential for understanding regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we analyzed 149 DEGs previously identified from transcriptomic analyses of two rice varieties, Cypress (heat-tolerant) and LaGrue (heat-sensitive), exposed to high night temperature ((HNT; 82.4 ± 1°F or 28 ± 1°C) (Kumar et al. 2022.Nature Scientific Reports DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs1832853/v1). Promoter sequences were analyzed using ElemeNT and MEME to identify core promoter motifs, their positions relative to the transcription start site (TSS), and statistical significance. Functional annotation revealed motif enrichment differences …

Microbial Signatures Of Breast Carcinogenesis: Synthesizing Evidence From Breast Tissue Microbiome Studies, Caroline Rodriguez, Revanth Madamsetty, Krishna Dasyam, Navi Gill Dhillon

Bioinformatics

Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, affecting approximately one in eight women in the United States1. Recent advances in microbiome research have highlighted the microbiome’s essential role in maintaining health and influencing disease progression. Increasing attention has been directed toward understanding how microbial communities contribute to cancer development, particularly through effects on immune function, metabolism, and cellular signaling pathways. While most existing research has examined the gut microbiome and its relationship to breast cancer focusing on the gut–breast axis, microbial translocation, and their contributions to tumor progression, there is a growing need to characterize the breast …

Comparative Genomics Across Ganoderma Species To Identify Secondary Metabolite Clusters With Cytotoxic Properties, Fatima Muhammad, Maya Pasapuleti, Navya Mysore, Emily Abraham, Rajendra P. Pangeni, Braham Dhillon, Navi Gill Dhillon

Bioinformatics

Fungi in the genus Ganoderma have been widely studied in Chinese culture for their medicinal properties and promoting overall health and longevity. Our prior work on eight Ganoderma species showed that they contain Secondary Metabolite Clusters (SMCs) that code for multiple terpenes, betalactones, and ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). These compounds are well known for their cytotoxic and anticancer potential. Using the bioinformatics platform antiSMASH1, we previously identified and annotated the specific SMCs within these genomes that are predicted to produce such bioactive metabolites. To test the results obtained from the bioinformatics analysis, fungal extracts were prepared from …

Integrating Domain Knowledge And Machine Learning In Rice Cultivation: A Case Study Of Algeria, Sara Faruqui, Jenna M. Handal, Navi Gill Dhillon

Bioinformatics

Research has highlighted Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a promising solution to mitigate the threat of food insecurity. Rice, a staple in the global diet, is particularly vulnerable to heat stress caused by climate change. The challenges of climate change, population growth, and increased famine risk may be alleviated through the implementation of AI models in rice cultivation. For decades, agricultural workers have faced the dilemma of needing to increase crop yields while dealing with dwindling resources and the need for more efficient practices. AI models, however, are limited by the quality and scope of the data they receive. Integrating domain …

Nova Law Review Full Issue Volume 50, Issue 3

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Are You Your Expert's Keeper? Assessing The Impact Of Generative Ai And Expert Testimony, Hon. John G. Browning

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

It's In The Name—Examining The Obligations Sureties Should Possess Under Performance Bonds In The Construction Industry, Dylan C. Shaffer Esq.

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Mandating Professionalism In Florida: Continued Attempts To Sanction Lawyers Into Being Nice, Debra Moss Vollweiler

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

Nova Law Review Full Issue Volume 50, Issue 2

Nova Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Divide Of Women’S Health: Systematic Thinking Of Women, Tasfia T. Howlader

Honors Theses

Women’s health has constantly been changing- from public health infrastructure to health policies, and even medical advancements. Yet, the struggles are persistent within the gaps present in women’s health. The Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) explains interactions between different levels of relationships, which result in health outcomes that vary from individual factors to environmental factors. Applying the SEM to describe health disparities can help explain how the relationships an individual has influenced their health. This project serves to exemplify these different levels while discussing the tailoring of services to the needs and the importance of populations based on their experiences. Specifically, adhering …

The Effects Of Vestibular Dysfunction On Cognition, Sai Puneeth Kothuru

Honors Theses

Virtual Reality (VR) systems are being used more in education, entertainment, and research, but can produce motion sickness that could temporarily disrupt cognitive functioning. This study examined whether exposure to a VR roller coaster experience leads to short-term changes in cognitive flexibility, attention, spatial orientation awareness, and anxiety compared to a control condition. Participants were randomly assigned to a VR condition or a computer-based 2D viewing condition with identical roller coaster visual content. Participants completed three testing blocks: baseline, after exposure, and after a 10-minute recovery period. Cognitive flexibility and attention were assessed using the Trail Making Test (TMT), and …

We Mourn, We Stir, We Pick Up The Pieces., Sara Menco Arenas

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Contributor Biographies

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Metacognition On College Readiness And Persistence, Michael L. Fitzgerald

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation examined the influence that metacognition has on college readiness and its most traditionally used metrics: performance-based outcomes and persistence. Specifically, this study addressed to what degree underlying metacognitive structures differ between college students’ successful metrics of performance and persistence compared to a more general sample of college students.

The research characterized metacognition along three domains of analysis: (a) selfefficacy/ motivation, (b) soft skills/psychological capital (Psycap), and (c) expected value of control (EVC). The quantitative study included 54 college students and a crosssectional design. Participants completed a four-part Likert-style survey, where their responses were measured along the three …

The Implementation Of Small Group Direct Instruction For Reading Domains Of Second- Grade Students, Tarmeka Smith-Bennett

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation explored how implementing small-group direct instruction in an elementary school setting affected the reading performance of second-grade students. The study examined how organized small-group direct instruction can elevate students’ reading achievement in phonics, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Over a six week instructional period, a mixed-methods research design was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data.

Pretest and posttest students’ reading assessments were collected using quantitative data, while teachers' weekly reflections and surveys were collected using qualitative data. A total of 30 students identified as struggling readers, and three second-grade teachers who implemented small-group direct instruction participated in …

Why Educators In South Florida Are Leaving The Profession, Keyona Burnes

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to provide better access to current information for the students and staff in a middle school. The printed materials located in the school’s media center were outdated, scarce, or inadequate. Electronic databases were available in the media center for online searching and information retrieval. However, the students did not know how to use databases as a source for completing class assignments or how to browse within these online services to find additional information. Teachers also did not know how to use electronic information to enrich their lessons.

The researcher developed lesson plans and strategies to …

A Case Study Of Employees’ Perception Of Leadership Styles In Law Firms, Naylet M. Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation explored employees' perceptions of their supervisors’ leadership styles and how those perceptions shape their job performance and satisfaction within a mid-sized personal injury law firm operating across multiple offices in the Southeastern United States. The effectiveness of leadership styles in law firms significantly influences employee performance, productivity, and organizational success, yet the unique contextual factors of legal practice environments have remained substantially underexplored in the leadership literature. Much of the existing research has focused on general organizational settings rather than the knowledge-intensive, hierarchical, and high-pressure dynamics that characterize law firms. This applied dissertation was designed to address …

The Effectiveness Of Behavioral Skills Training In Enhancing Teachers’ Ability To Write Specific, Measurable, And Individualized Iep Goals Targeting Quality-Of-Life Skills, Emilia Endean

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation sought to assess the effectiveness of a behavior skills training (BST) protocol in improving teacher behaviors for writing high-quality individualized education plan (IEP) goals that target quality-of-life (QoL) domains. High-quality IEP goals that target both academic and functional repertoires are required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004) and are essential for students with disabilities to achieve meaningful outcomes. BST is an effective intervention for teaching a variety of skills. No prior research has explicitly examined the application of BST for teacher professional development in writing IEP goals.

This single-subject study used a time-lagged multiple probe …

General And Special Education Teachers’ Collaboration And Co-Teaching Experience In Inclusive High School Classrooms, Pascale Atouriste

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative descriptive study explored the collaboration and co-teaching experiences of general and special education high school teachers in inclusive high school classrooms in Florida. Guided by Pratt's achieving symbiosis theory, the study addressed three re-search questions concerning teachers' perceptions of (a) the benefits of co-teaching and collaboration, (b) the challenges they encounter, and (c) the strategies they find most helpful. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 general and special education teachers at a public high school in Florida and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step reflexive thematic analysis procedure.

Six themes emerged from the data. For RQ1, …

Does Integrating Parental Involvement In Therapy Improve Behavior In Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?, Pamela Lassiter

Theses and Dissertations

The research problem was the lower success rate of interventions for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because of the exclusion of parents in the counseling process. The purpose of the research was to explore if integrating parent involvement in therapy improved the behaviors in children with ADHD. The study occurred at a private mental health facility that used cognitive behavior therapy and behavior interventions with the children.

The study was guided by the phenomenological qualitative research design. Ten single parents of male children, ages 4 to 10 with ADHD, participated in this study. Parents were selected using a …

Crisis In Care: A Qualitative Study To Understand The Factors That Influence High Turnover Among Florida’S Child Welfare Case Managers, Latasha R. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation explores the factors influencing child welfare case manager turnover in Florida and how child welfare case managers are addressing those factors. National data has underscored the severity of this issue highlighting high turnover and low staff retention are attributed to work demand instability, chronic stressors and undermine the effectiveness of child welfare services.

This qualitative study investigates child welfare case managers’ perspectives on key influencing factors that determine child welfare case manager retention or influence their decision to leave. Guided by Motivation and Resiliency Theories, this qualitative descriptive study investigates child welfare case manager perspectives of why …

A Few Words From Our Staff

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Higher-Level Questioning In Elementary English Language Arts, Charity Zawatski

Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory case study addressed the difficulty with higher-level metacognition and questioning in a primary level elementary English Language Arts. This case study was determined as a need based on underperforming scores from the state assessment in ELA.

The research method look at the social phenomenon through inquiry around the rigor in higher-level questioning and the use of hand signals to support connections in learning. The researcher applied a semi-structured interview, an observation checklist, and a random sample of student artifacts as instruments for data collection. The researcher analyzed teachers’ lesson plans for a unit, observed a virtual classroom lesson …

Using Sports Performance Assessment Technologies To Help Narrow Achievement Gaps Of Black Male Adolescent With Other Racial Groups, Patavious R. Sorrell

Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory qualitative collective case study explored how sports performance assessment technologies (SPATs) may support the development of self‑regulatory and motivational processes associated with self‑efficacy among Black male adolescent student‑athletes. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, the study examined the perceptions of eight coach‑teachers in the Southeastern United States who integrated video analysis, data analytics, goal‑setting and tracking applications, wearable devices and gaming platforms, and reflective communication tools into their coaching practices.

Data were analyzed thematically, revealing three major themes: self‑regulation, self‑mastery assessment, and academic transfer. Findings indicated that SPATs were most effective when used as …

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Decline In Reading Scores Among Fourth- And Fifth-Grade Students, Brigetta Foules-Sims

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to explore teachers’ perceptions of the factors contributing to the decline in reading achievement among fourth- and fifth-grade students in a rural elementary school in a southern state. The study explored teachers’ perceptions of the causes of declining reading performance, the instructional challenges they encounter when addressing reading difficulties, and the resources and supports they believe are necessary to improve student outcomes.

Data were collected through semi structured interviews with eight certified fourth- and fifth-grade teachers. Five themes emerged from the data: (a) increasing academic demands reveal foundational reading gaps, (b) …

Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions Of Differentiating Tier 1 Reading Instruction Within A Multi-Tiered System Of Support Framework, Ivonne Ciresi

Theses and Dissertations

This generic qualitative dissertation explored elementary teachers’ perceptions and experiences of implementing Tier 1 differentiated reading instruction within a Multi- Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. Establishing effective systems and supports for comprehensive reading instruction in the Tier 1 classroom is a critical component of MTSS. Given the range of structures required, including instructional routines, resources, and ongoing professional development, it is important to understand how teachers navigate the challenges of differentiating reading instruction. The purpose of this study was to examine how teachers implement differentiation during core reading instruction, the challenges they encounter, and the role of professional learning …

Employee Perceptions On The Role Of Job Demands And Burnout On Employee Engagement In Nonprofit Sector: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Tania P. Sierra

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to explore how nonprofit employees perceive the role of job demands and burnout in shaping employee engagement. The study focused on nonprofit organizations in Southern Arizona and used a qualitative descriptive methodology to center employee voice and provide context-rich insights into workplace well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants representing diverse roles and career stages. The study aimed to inform nonprofit leaders and stakeholders about the relational and structural conditions that influence engagement, resilience, and emotional labor in mission-driven environments.

Thematic analysis revealed six interrelated themes, including role multiplicity, time pressure, emotional labor, and …