Current Search: info:fedora/islandora:entityCModel (x) » FAU (x)
View All Items
Pages
- Title
- BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY OF CERCOPITHECUS LOMAMIENSIS IN THE LOMAMI NATIONAL PARK AND BUFFER ZONE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO.
- Creator
- Korchia, Charlene S. Fournier, Detwiler, Kate M., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
-
In 2012, a new monkey species, Cercopithecus lomamiensis (lesula), was discovered in the Central Congo basin. Lesula is a semi-terrestrial rainforest guenon endemic to the area. Using a systematic grid approach, three terrestrial camera trap surveys (two inside the Lomami National Park; one in the buffer zone) were conducted over three years to capture the cryptic species. The objectives of my study were to expand knowledge on the behavioral ecology of lesula and evaluate lesula’s sensitivity...
Show moreIn 2012, a new monkey species, Cercopithecus lomamiensis (lesula), was discovered in the Central Congo basin. Lesula is a semi-terrestrial rainforest guenon endemic to the area. Using a systematic grid approach, three terrestrial camera trap surveys (two inside the Lomami National Park; one in the buffer zone) were conducted over three years to capture the cryptic species. The objectives of my study were to expand knowledge on the behavioral ecology of lesula and evaluate lesula’s sensitivity to hunting threats. The main findings from my study included: confirmation of terrestriality and diurnality, births clustering during the wet season, social group living of one male and multiple females, and high impact of hunting on group size. By studying the latest added species to the Cercopithecini tribe, my thesis helps to better understand the ecological diversity occurring within this radiation of African primates and contributes to the species’ long-term conservation efforts.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013479
- Subject Headings
- Cercopithecus lomamiensis, Cercopithecus--Behavior--Africa, Congo (Democratic Republic), Behavioral ecology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- In the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes: A Ceramic Analysis of the Santa Cristina Site, Chinandega Nicaragua.
- Creator
- Testa, Taylor C., Brown, Clifford, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Anthropology, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
- Abstract/Description
-
Nicaragua falls on the edge of what is often referred to as Mesoamerica’s “southern periphery.” Only a small amount of archaeological research has been conducted in Nicaragua, and there has been little of it in the northwestern portion of the country. Because of this, there are no local ceramic typologies or sequences which can make the identification and classification of artifacts difficult. The proposed research focuses on investigating the ceramic assemblage from the Santa Cristina...
Show moreNicaragua falls on the edge of what is often referred to as Mesoamerica’s “southern periphery.” Only a small amount of archaeological research has been conducted in Nicaragua, and there has been little of it in the northwestern portion of the country. Because of this, there are no local ceramic typologies or sequences which can make the identification and classification of artifacts difficult. The proposed research focuses on investigating the ceramic assemblage from the Santa Cristina archaeological site located in the Department of Chinandega, in northwest Nicaragua. The goal of this research will be to create a ceramic typology for the site, taking into consideration ceramic wares, groups, types, and varieties that have already been identified in other parts of Central America and defining taxa that have not been previously identified. Establishing the ceramic typology and defining taxa will help establish cultural affiliations as well as chronological markers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013496
- Subject Headings
- Chinandega (Nicaragua), Ceramics--Analysis, Archaeology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- IMPACT OF FLIPPED CLASSROOM MODEL ON STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR UNIVERSITY FITNESS/WELLNESS LEARNERS.
- Creator
- Breitkreuz, Helen Denise, Lieberman, Mary G., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry, College of Education
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this quasi experimental, two group pretest posttest quantitative design study was to explore the influence of content delivery method for a lifetime fitness or wellness course on the impact of student learning outcomes. Also, student satisfaction of the course and instructor were examined. Specifically, two teaching methods of instruction were examined: the flipped classroom model (FCM) and the traditional lecture model (TLM). Cheng, Ritzhaupt, and Antonenko’s (2019) “Effects...
Show moreThe purpose of this quasi experimental, two group pretest posttest quantitative design study was to explore the influence of content delivery method for a lifetime fitness or wellness course on the impact of student learning outcomes. Also, student satisfaction of the course and instructor were examined. Specifically, two teaching methods of instruction were examined: the flipped classroom model (FCM) and the traditional lecture model (TLM). Cheng, Ritzhaupt, and Antonenko’s (2019) “Effects of the Flipped Classroom Instructional Strategy on Students’ Learning Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis,” which looked at 55 publications between 2000 and 2016, found statistically significant results in favor of the flipped classroom instructional strategy on student learning outcomes. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the flipped classroom model would improve undergraduate students’ learning outcomes of understanding of health content knowledge, physical activity level, physical fitness, and course satisfaction for a college-level lifetime fitness or wellness course as opposed to the traditional lecture class normally taught. Pretest and posttest data were collected.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013447
- Subject Headings
- Flipped classes, Health education (Higher), Learning
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- META-LEARNING AND ENSEMBLE METHODS FOR DEEP NEURAL NETWORKS.
- Creator
- Liu, Feng, Dingding, Wang, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Deep Neural Networks have been widely applied in many different applications and achieve significant improvement over classical machine learning techniques. However, training a neural network usually requires large amount of data, which is not guaranteed in some applications such as medical image classification. To address this issue, people propose to implement meta learning and ensemble learning techniques to make deep learning trainers more powerful. This thesis focuses on using deep...
Show moreDeep Neural Networks have been widely applied in many different applications and achieve significant improvement over classical machine learning techniques. However, training a neural network usually requires large amount of data, which is not guaranteed in some applications such as medical image classification. To address this issue, people propose to implement meta learning and ensemble learning techniques to make deep learning trainers more powerful. This thesis focuses on using deep learning equipped with meta learning and ensemble learning to study specific problems. We first propose a new deep learning based method for suggestion mining. The major challenges of suggestion mining include cross domain issue and the issues caused by unstructured and highly imbalanced data structure. To overcome these challenges, we propose to apply Random Multi-model Deep Learning (RMDL) which combines three different deep learning architectures (DNNs, RNNs and CNNs) and automatically selects the optimal hyper parameter to improve the robustness and flexibility of the model. Our experimental results on the SemEval-2019 competition Task 9 data sets demonstrate that our proposed RMDL outperforms most of the existing suggestion mining methods.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013481
- Subject Headings
- Neural networks (Computer science), Deep learning, Neural Networks in Applications, Machine learning--Technique
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- MEATBALL MEMORIES IN THE MODERN KITCHEN: ITALIAN AMERICANS NAVIGATING CULTURAL IDEALS WITHIN THE SOUTH FLORIDA FOOD LANDSCAPE.
- Creator
- Leoce, Daniele, Fadiman, Maria, Florida Atlantic University, Environmental Studies Program, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Many Italians characterize their food culture as respectful of tradition, favoring fresh, regional ingredients, prioritizing commensality and the group identity, and treating food as an aesthetic good. Many describe American food culture as one of speed and convenience, favoring quantity over quality, nurturing independence, and regarding food merely as a material good. Through in-depth interviews with a group of Italian Americans, this research explores the intersection between Italian and...
Show moreMany Italians characterize their food culture as respectful of tradition, favoring fresh, regional ingredients, prioritizing commensality and the group identity, and treating food as an aesthetic good. Many describe American food culture as one of speed and convenience, favoring quantity over quality, nurturing independence, and regarding food merely as a material good. Through in-depth interviews with a group of Italian Americans, this research explores the intersection between Italian and American food cultures, questioning how Italian Americans living in South Florida construct identity given the influence of the modern food system. Participants demonstrate that while a dichotomy exists between Italian cultural ideals and the reality of everyday life in the South Florida food system, many Italian Americans find ways to incorporate traditional culture into their modern lives. The results of this research offer perspective on the spaces where ethnic groups access the cultural value of food in an increasingly modern world.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013503
- Subject Headings
- Food cultures in America, Italian Americans--Food, Florida, Americans--Food
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- INHIBITORY CONTROL PERFORMANCE AS A FUNCTION OF PREADOLESCENT ANXIETY AND RESTING-STATE NEUROPHYSIOLOGY.
- Creator
- Shanok, Nathaniel A., Jones, Nancy Aaron, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Psychology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
-
The aim of this study was to further examine the relationship between anxiety, inhibitory control (IC), and brain functioning (electroencephalogram) in a critical age-range for social and emotional development (8-12-year-olds). Depression was a secondary focus but was included in the analyses given the common anxiety/depression overlap. Additionally, the participants (N = 42) were assigned to 4 weeks of either an emotional training program (Emotional gFocus), a neutral training program ...
Show moreThe aim of this study was to further examine the relationship between anxiety, inhibitory control (IC), and brain functioning (electroencephalogram) in a critical age-range for social and emotional development (8-12-year-olds). Depression was a secondary focus but was included in the analyses given the common anxiety/depression overlap. Additionally, the participants (N = 42) were assigned to 4 weeks of either an emotional training program (Emotional gFocus), a neutral training program (Neutral gFocus), or a waitlisted control and were tested using cognitive, neurophysiological, and mood measures. Hierarchical regression models revealed that IC accuracy scores were significantly and negatively related to anxiety levels as indicated by the Screening For Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED), as well as depression levels (using the Child Depression Inventory (CDI)), controlling for age and gender. Additionally, increased resting-state right lateral frontal alpha asymmetry was predictive of increased anxiety as well as depression levels. To evaluate the intervention effects, a series of Multivariate Analyses of Covariance (MANCOVA) and contrast tests were conducted to determine if group differences existed from pre-to-post for any of the measures of interest. Overall, the emotional and neutral training conditions showed similar reductions in anxiety and depression compared to the waitlist condition. Both the emotional and neutral conditions also facilitated significant improvements in IC accuracy compared to the control. Minimal pre-to-post power and asymmetry changes occurred in frontal and parietal regions; however, a lateral frontal leftward activity shift was found in the emotional training group. These findings further demonstrated a relationship between IC and anxiety and showed preliminary evidence that training IC has the potential to mitigate negative emotional functioning in adolescents. Future research is necessary to determine the importance of emotional training versus neutral as well as whether longer training intervals will be needed to facilitate a long-term impact.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013486
- Subject Headings
- Preadolescents, Preteens, Anxiety, Neurophysiology, Inhibitory control
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- LIVED EXPERIENCES AND LIFE SATISFACTION OF CHILDFREE WOMEN IN LATE LIFE.
- Creator
- Stahnke, Brittany, Howard, Heather, Florida Atlantic University, School of Social Work, College of Social Work and Criminal Justice
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study was to assess overall life satisfaction of older adult women who have not had children. The study explored the following questions: (1) What is the overall sense of life satisfaction of childfree women over 65? (2) What is the lived experience of being a childfree woman in U.S. society? (3) How does being childfree inform women’s overall life satisfaction? This study utilized a phenomenological research design. Fourteen childfree women over the age of 65 participated...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to assess overall life satisfaction of older adult women who have not had children. The study explored the following questions: (1) What is the overall sense of life satisfaction of childfree women over 65? (2) What is the lived experience of being a childfree woman in U.S. society? (3) How does being childfree inform women’s overall life satisfaction? This study utilized a phenomenological research design. Fourteen childfree women over the age of 65 participated in semistructured interviews aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the sense of life satisfaction of childfree women in late life. The study’s purpose was to look at the lived experiences of childfree older women and further understand their abilities to live fulfilled lives despite the absence of child bearing. This research explored the experiences of women without children and hopefully will inspire future research on the topic as well as inform practice regarding the unique experiences and perspectives of childfree women.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013448
- Subject Headings
- Childlessness, Phenomenology, Older women, Well-being
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- MILLENNIAL ALUMNI GIVING: MOTIVATIONS FOR DONATING TO THEIR ALMA MATER.
- Creator
- Albritton, Mary E., Bogotch, Ira, Floyd, Deborah L., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology, College of Education
- Abstract/Description
-
Helping through acts of philanthropy is a cultural norm in the United States. People of all generations give to a variety of causes, including their alma maters. Research shows that millennials had positive experiences at their institutions and want to stay engaged. However, they are more likely to donate to their favorite cause than their alma mater. This study investigates what motivates the millennial generation to give to their undergraduate alma mater. Building on existing work targeted...
Show moreHelping through acts of philanthropy is a cultural norm in the United States. People of all generations give to a variety of causes, including their alma maters. Research shows that millennials had positive experiences at their institutions and want to stay engaged. However, they are more likely to donate to their favorite cause than their alma mater. This study investigates what motivates the millennial generation to give to their undergraduate alma mater. Building on existing work targeted at giving, it asks: To what extent does personal experience affect millennials giving to their alma mater before graduation, during the process of graduation, and after graduation? Based on the review of literature on generational giving, and the theory of planned behavior, a survey was distributed targeting millennials who met the following two criteria: 1) born between 1980–2000, and 2) graduated with an undergraduate degree between 2005 and 2015. A secondary analysis of data was employed to correlate the findings from the close-ended survey and examine the giving trends among millennials and how those trends vary among the other three giving generations: mature/silents, baby boomers, and Generation X.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013444
- Subject Headings
- Millennials (Generation Y), Generation Y, Alumni and alumnae, Philanthropy and education
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- EVALUATING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM PHOTOGRAMMETRY FOR COASTAL FLORIDA EVERGLADES RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT.
- Creator
- Durgan, Sara D., Zhang, Caiyun, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
-
The Florida Everglades ecosystem is experiencing increasing threats from anthropogenic modification of water flow, spread of invasive species, sea level rise (SLR), and more frequent and/or intense hurricanes. Restoration efforts aimed at rehabilitating these ongoing and future disturbances are currently underway through the implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Efficacy of these restoration activities can be further improved with accurate and site-specific...
Show moreThe Florida Everglades ecosystem is experiencing increasing threats from anthropogenic modification of water flow, spread of invasive species, sea level rise (SLR), and more frequent and/or intense hurricanes. Restoration efforts aimed at rehabilitating these ongoing and future disturbances are currently underway through the implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Efficacy of these restoration activities can be further improved with accurate and site-specific information on the current state of the coastal wetland habitats. In order to produce such assessments, digital datasets of the appropriate accuracy and scale are needed. These datasets include orthoimagery to delineate wetland areas and map vegetation cover as well as accurate 3-dimensional (3-D) models to characterize hydrology, physiochemistry, and habitat vulnerability.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013501
- Subject Headings
- Everglades (Fla )--Environmental conditions--Remote sensing, Aerial photogrammetry, Wetland restoration--Florida--Everglades, Image analysis, Aerial photogrammetry--Data processing, Drone aircraft
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- EXPLORING THE FACTORS OF NATURAL SPACE ON WELL-BEING OF URBAN-DWELLING CHILDREN.
- Creator
- Nagata, Misako, Liehr, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
- Abstract/Description
-
Research has suggested positive effects of nature immersion––a state of being or an act of doing in natural space––for urban children who were otherwise at risk of emotional or behavioral problems. However, few studies have systematically investigated natural space qualities that predict child well-being at the clinical level. The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of natural space qualities as factors of urban child well-being. Explanatory mixed-methods were used....
Show moreResearch has suggested positive effects of nature immersion––a state of being or an act of doing in natural space––for urban children who were otherwise at risk of emotional or behavioral problems. However, few studies have systematically investigated natural space qualities that predict child well-being at the clinical level. The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of natural space qualities as factors of urban child well-being. Explanatory mixed-methods were used. Quantitative data (N = 174) included a survey and two parental-reports of child wellbeing. Interviews provided qualitative data (N = 15). Data were analyzed using: Generalized Linear Model and Content Analysis. Both data streams were merged into a point of meta-inference that contributed to parental assessment of enhanced child well-being: 1) Parental valuing of nature connection (p < 0.001) as a soothing and safe resource and 2) Shorter and more frequent nature-child space-time immersion (p < 0.001). Integration of natural spaces into urban environments may be a costeffective and meaningful way to address urban child well-being.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013436
- Subject Headings
- Urban children, City children, Well-being--Children, Nature
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- GENETIC AND NEUROANATOMICAL MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTIONARY SLEEP LOSS IN THE MEXICAN CAVEFISH, ASTYANAX MEXICANUS.
- Creator
- Jaggard, James B., Keene, Alex, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Sleep is a complex behavioral state with ramifications on multiple levels of homeostasis including bodily function, neural activity, and molecular signaling. Sleep is conserved across evolution, though significant variations in sleep duration, architecture, and behavior are found across phyla. Decoding neural processing underlying behavior, including sleep, is a fundamental aim in neuroscience, and understanding how such behavior has evolved remains largely unknown. The encompassing goal of...
Show moreSleep is a complex behavioral state with ramifications on multiple levels of homeostasis including bodily function, neural activity, and molecular signaling. Sleep is conserved across evolution, though significant variations in sleep duration, architecture, and behavior are found across phyla. Decoding neural processing underlying behavior, including sleep, is a fundamental aim in neuroscience, and understanding how such behavior has evolved remains largely unknown. The encompassing goal of this dissertation is to elucidate the genetic and neuronal factors at play in the evolution of sleep loss in the blind Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus. To this end, the work found within will explore peripheral sensory systems regulating distinct mechanisms of sleep loss, demonstrate how evolved changes in specific hypothalamic circuits drive sleep reductions, apply computational techniques to understand whole-brain evolution, and finally, will show how the generation of transgenic tools in a novel model system can be harnessed to assist functional experimental paradigms in relation to evolution and behavior.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013476
- Subject Headings
- Astyanax mexicanus, Astyanax mexicanus--Evolution, Sleep, Fishes--Behavior--Evolution, Fishes--Behavior--Genetic aspects
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- HOTEL.
- Creator
- Kerns, Benjamin, Furman, Andrew, Florida Atlantic University, Department of English, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
- Abstract/Description
-
This thesis is a novel that takes formal cues from works such as Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities and Georges Perec’s Life: A User’s Manual. The work takes two separate forms in its chapters; the first being more traditional narrative chapters that follow a set of characters as they explore the surreal landscape of the titular Hotel, and the second are akin to flash fiction pieces that describe individual rooms in the Hotel. Together the narrative attempts to address issues of class and the...
Show moreThis thesis is a novel that takes formal cues from works such as Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities and Georges Perec’s Life: A User’s Manual. The work takes two separate forms in its chapters; the first being more traditional narrative chapters that follow a set of characters as they explore the surreal landscape of the titular Hotel, and the second are akin to flash fiction pieces that describe individual rooms in the Hotel. Together the narrative attempts to address issues of class and the way that capitalism subsumes people’s identities, as well as the potential of the natural world using leftist politics as a lens for this critique.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013449
- Subject Headings
- Creative writing, Novels, Narratives, Flash fiction
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- GAY CHRISTIAN SPEED DATING.
- Creator
- Donovan, Emily, McKay, Becka, Florida Atlantic University, Department of English, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
- Abstract/Description
-
Journalists are supposed to stay neutral. But, when it comes to reporting on a viral protest against a gay conversion therapy program, young, lesbian reporter Anna Mitchell isn’t so sure she agrees with what’s neutral anymore. Gay Christian Speed Dating takes place in Iowa City, Iowa and follows Anna Mitchell, who has moved in with her parents after getting laid off from her prestigious breaking news job. When performance artist college kids go viral protesting a local gay conversion therapy...
Show moreJournalists are supposed to stay neutral. But, when it comes to reporting on a viral protest against a gay conversion therapy program, young, lesbian reporter Anna Mitchell isn’t so sure she agrees with what’s neutral anymore. Gay Christian Speed Dating takes place in Iowa City, Iowa and follows Anna Mitchell, who has moved in with her parents after getting laid off from her prestigious breaking news job. When performance artist college kids go viral protesting a local gay conversion therapy program, it might be Anna’s one shot to get back in the journalism game. But Anna has conflicts of interest: a crush on the girl who is leading the protest, and, even worse, her own opinions on the subject matter that she can’t seem to keep from spilling. This contemporary new adult novel is 42,000 words in a tone of The Great Believers meets Priestdaddy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013485
- Subject Headings
- Novels, Gay fiction, Creative writing
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Government Procurement and Financial Reporting Quality.
- Creator
- He, Zhijian Chris, Kohlbeck, Mark, Florida Atlantic University, School of Accounting, College of Business
- Abstract/Description
-
Government spending is essential for the US economy, and the amount of capital that flows from the government to US firms has increased substantially in recent years. Despite the economic importance of the corporate-government contracting relationship, we know little about the firm-level financial outcomes associated with government contracts. In this study, I investigate whether the corporate government contracting relationship affects firm-level financial reporting quality. Using a sample...
Show moreGovernment spending is essential for the US economy, and the amount of capital that flows from the government to US firms has increased substantially in recent years. Despite the economic importance of the corporate-government contracting relationship, we know little about the firm-level financial outcomes associated with government contracts. In this study, I investigate whether the corporate government contracting relationship affects firm-level financial reporting quality. Using a sample of 58,988 US publicly-traded firms from 2001 through 2017, I find that federal government contracting firms are associated with a lower level of discretionary accruals, lower probability of internal control material weaknesses, and lower probability of restatement and fraud as compared to non government contractors. However, this association is weaker when industry competition on government contracts are lower, and government switching costs in which the cost to find new suppliers are higher. Collectively, my empirical results suggest that having the government as a customer has a positive impact on the quality of financial reports.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013438
- Subject Headings
- Government purchasing, Financial statements, Government contractors
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Homebound: Exploring Environmental Storytelling in Spatial Virtual Reality to Breakdown Psychological Borders and Build Empathy.
- Creator
- Martinez, Brandon Christopher, Maraffi, Christopher, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
- Abstract/Description
-
The problem of immigration has been around since the dawn of man because humans cannot just stay in one place, especially if that place is not suitable for their lives and their families. It is a reasonable expectation of the human condition to want to feel free and safe because we do not live in a utopian society. There are social injustices, wars, and atrocities that threaten the most basic of human needs and freedoms in many countries across the globe. Homebound, the virtual reality...
Show moreThe problem of immigration has been around since the dawn of man because humans cannot just stay in one place, especially if that place is not suitable for their lives and their families. It is a reasonable expectation of the human condition to want to feel free and safe because we do not live in a utopian society. There are social injustices, wars, and atrocities that threaten the most basic of human needs and freedoms in many countries across the globe. Homebound, the virtual reality experience, which was developed in Unreal, aims to make sense of this crisis and shed light on the lives affected by this social ill. By using rich environments, virtual production and motion capture, to construct a place that captures the realism of the illegal immigration narrative, this manuscript will show how behavioral and gameplay psychology, when paired with environmental storytelling, can be utilized to craft impactful and empathetic, immersive stories and edutainment experiences for the player.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013482
- Subject Headings
- Virtual reality, Immigrant experiences, Empathy, Digital humanities
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Empirical Analysis of the Dissipated Acoustic Energy in Wave Breaking.
- Creator
- Francke, Kristina, Dhanak, Manhar, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
In this research an attempt is made at explaining the physical processes behind energy dissipation during wave breaking, through spectral analysis of the resulting sound. The size of an air bubble can be directly linked to the frequency of the sound that is heard using the simple harmonic solution to the Rayleigh–Plesset equation. It indicates the inverse relationship between frequency and bubble size. And this relationship has been used to identify wave breaking in general [MANASSEH 2006]....
Show moreIn this research an attempt is made at explaining the physical processes behind energy dissipation during wave breaking, through spectral analysis of the resulting sound. The size of an air bubble can be directly linked to the frequency of the sound that is heard using the simple harmonic solution to the Rayleigh–Plesset equation. It indicates the inverse relationship between frequency and bubble size. And this relationship has been used to identify wave breaking in general [MANASSEH 2006]. Now this research goes a step farther and looks at how the frequency spectrum of the sound changes with time, in an effort to understand the general pattern and from that to deduce an empirical equation that describes the breaking down of turbulence during a wave breaking event. Two main processes have been identified, with the second process having three main indicators that are necessary to evidence wave breaking. The first process is a near instantaneous shattering of the initial air bubble into much smaller metastable bubbles of a size that appears to be common for all waves independent of wave height. Then in the second process, the bubbles continue to break down following a recognisable pattern.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013504
- Subject Headings
- Waves, Energy dissipation, Spectral analysis, Fluid dynamics, Acoustic energy
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- FACIAL EMOTION RECOGNITION ABILITY IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.
- Creator
- Brooks, Katy, Jones, Nancy Aaron, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Psychology, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
-
The present study aimed to gain a better understanding of the emotion processing abilities of children between the ages of 4 and 8 with ASD by examining their ability to correctly recognize dynamic displays of emotion. Additionally, we examined whether children with ASD showed emotion specific differences in their ability to accurately identify anger, happiness, sadness, and fear. Participants viewed a continuous display of neutral faces morphing into expressions of emotion. We aimed to...
Show moreThe present study aimed to gain a better understanding of the emotion processing abilities of children between the ages of 4 and 8 with ASD by examining their ability to correctly recognize dynamic displays of emotion. Additionally, we examined whether children with ASD showed emotion specific differences in their ability to accurately identify anger, happiness, sadness, and fear. Participants viewed a continuous display of neutral faces morphing into expressions of emotion. We aimed to measure observed power and asymmetry using EEG data in order to understand the neural activity that underlies the social aspects of ASD. Participants with ASD showed slower processing speed and decreased emotion sensitivity. On tasks that involved the recognition of expressions on the participants’ mothers’ faces, differences were less apparent. These results suggest that children with ASD are capable of recognizing facial displays of emotion after repeated exposure, this should be explored further in future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013463
- Subject Headings
- Children with autism spectrum disorders, Emotion recognition in children, Facial expression
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- HONOR AND CHAOS.
- Creator
- Fedor, Penelope Joelle, Broderick, Amy, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Visual Arts and Art History, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
- Abstract/Description
-
On June 3rd, 2010, I certainly was not aware of what was about to take place. I was in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and at this point in time my unit and I had been in country for five out of the twelve months of our deployment. An ear-splitting boom woke me up, and the smell of iron and blood was so strong it seemed to override my ability to focus on what was really happening. The sounds I heard were lowered and muffled and mostly pain-filled and anguished. Mine was often a voice that joined them....
Show moreOn June 3rd, 2010, I certainly was not aware of what was about to take place. I was in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and at this point in time my unit and I had been in country for five out of the twelve months of our deployment. An ear-splitting boom woke me up, and the smell of iron and blood was so strong it seemed to override my ability to focus on what was really happening. The sounds I heard were lowered and muffled and mostly pain-filled and anguished. Mine was often a voice that joined them. Those cries could also change the course of a life. They are cries that, once heard, can never be erased from memory. I knew my comrades were down in the depths with me. I will never take anything for granted again. Honor and Chaos works across media to transform space and transport viewers. The exhibition incorporates sculptural forms of wire and scrap metal, dark ink drawings interrupted by spray paint, and salvaged plastics to immerse viewers in another place and time.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013502
- Subject Headings
- Arts--Exhibitions, Mixed media sculpture, Installation works (Art)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE MORAL COMFORT QUESTIONNAIRE AMONG HOSPITAL-BASED DIRECT-CARE REGISTERED NURSES.
- Creator
- Bermudez, Natalie, Tappen, Ruth M., Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
- Abstract/Description
-
Moral comfort, an emerging concept in nursing, is defined as an individual’s feelings of ease with decisions and actions related to a moral dilemma. Moral comfort for nurses is the positive outcome of a moral situation or dilemma, while moral distress, a widely explored issue in nursing, is the negative outcome. However, nursing literature on the concept of moral comfort is limited. While several instruments to measure moral distress exist, an instrument to measure moral comfort was not found...
Show moreMoral comfort, an emerging concept in nursing, is defined as an individual’s feelings of ease with decisions and actions related to a moral dilemma. Moral comfort for nurses is the positive outcome of a moral situation or dilemma, while moral distress, a widely explored issue in nursing, is the negative outcome. However, nursing literature on the concept of moral comfort is limited. While several instruments to measure moral distress exist, an instrument to measure moral comfort was not found. The Moral Comfort Questionnaire (MCQ) was theoretically developed. The purpose of this study was psychometric evaluation of this new 35-item instrument. Direct-care hospital-based registered nurses (n = 466) participated from February 2019 to September 2019 in this IRB-approved study. Participants completed demographic information, the MCQ, and the Moral Distress Scale revised (MDSR). Psychometric evaluation included a priori content validation and multiple statistical analyses: Cronbach’s alpha, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, weighted kappa, Bland- Altman analysis (B&A), discriminant validity, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013445
- Subject Headings
- Nurses, Nursing, Nursing--Moral and ethical aspects, Nursing ethics
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- STRATEGIES OF DISCONNECTION: A SHORT STORY COLLECTION.
- Creator
- Graves, Daniel, McKay, Becka, Florida Atlantic University, Department of English, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
- Abstract/Description
-
Strategies of Disconnection is short story collection focusing on memes or rather the intersection of modern internet meme culture, meme theory, and Christianity, capturing the realities of an era of memetic upheaval (in 2016 the search term “Meme” overtook the term “Jesus” in popularity) when the digital and the spiritual seem to overlap, both contending for attention. Memes are culturally analogous to genes, both serving as entities driven toward survival and reproduction. Yet, and entities...
Show moreStrategies of Disconnection is short story collection focusing on memes or rather the intersection of modern internet meme culture, meme theory, and Christianity, capturing the realities of an era of memetic upheaval (in 2016 the search term “Meme” overtook the term “Jesus” in popularity) when the digital and the spiritual seem to overlap, both contending for attention. Memes are culturally analogous to genes, both serving as entities driven toward survival and reproduction. Yet, and entities analogous to genes, memes find themselves contending for survival. These stories inhabit the perspective of memes as characters attempting to acknowledge existence alongside their genetic counterparts: An unnamed creator who falls for Lucy, the first set of hominid bones, an actor who avoids notoriety after having played the role of god, and internet troll Anon, who lives on 4chan.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013469
- Subject Headings
- Short stories, Memes, Memetics
- Format
- Document (PDF)