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Title: Utilizing a Game Theoretical Approach to Prevent Collusion and Incentivize Cooperation in Cybersecurity Contexts.
Creator: Golchubian, Arash, Nojoumian, Mehrdad, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: In this research, a new reputation-based model is utilized to disincentivize collusion of defenders and attackers in Software Defined Networks (SDN), and also, to disincentivize dishonest mining strategies in Blockchain. In the context of SDN, the model uses the reputation values assigned to each entity to disincentivize collusion with an attacker. Our analysis shows that not-colluding actions become Nash Equilibrium using the reputationbased model within a repeated game setting. In the...
Show moreIn this research, a new reputation-based model is utilized to disincentivize collusion of defenders and attackers in Software Defined Networks (SDN), and also, to disincentivize dishonest mining strategies in Blockchain. In the context of SDN, the model uses the reputation values assigned to each entity to disincentivize collusion with an attacker. Our analysis shows that not-colluding actions become Nash Equilibrium using the reputationbased model within a repeated game setting. In the context of Blockchain and mining, we illustrate that by using the same socio-rational model, miners not only are incentivized to conduct honest mining but also disincentivized to commit to any malicious activities against other mining pools. We therefore show that honest mining strategies become Nash Equilibrium in our setting. This thesis is laid out in the following manner. In chapter 2 an introduction to game theory is provided followed by a survey of previous works in game theoretic network security, in chapter 3 a new reputation-based model is introduced to be used within the context of a Software Defined Network (SDN), in chapter 4 a reputation-based solution concept is introduced to force cooperation by each mining entity in Blockchain, and finally, in chapter 5, the concluding remarks and future works are presented.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005950
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Software-defined networks (Computer network technology), Blockchain, Cybersecurity
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Use of an iPhone to Enhance Interpersonal Daily Living Skills in the Community for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Creator: Wahlbrink, Lindsey L., Dukes, Charles, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Exceptional Student Education
Abstract/Description: This study examined the use of an iPhone and List Recorder application to teach three adolescents with autism spectrum disorder to enhance their interpersonal daily living skills in a community setting. Participants were taught to use interpersonal skills to perform an ordering and purchasing task. A multiple probe design across participants was used to demonstrate the effects of the intervention on the participants’ performance. Results indicated an increase in interpersonal skills used in a...
Show moreThis study examined the use of an iPhone and List Recorder application to teach three adolescents with autism spectrum disorder to enhance their interpersonal daily living skills in a community setting. Participants were taught to use interpersonal skills to perform an ordering and purchasing task. A multiple probe design across participants was used to demonstrate the effects of the intervention on the participants’ performance. Results indicated an increase in interpersonal skills used in a community setting. Participants were able to generalize these skills to another community setting. Finally, participants were able to demonstrate these skills once the intervention was removed during follow-up. Implications for future research are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004987, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004977
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Autism spectrum disorders., Adolescents., Life skills., iPhone (Smartphone).
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Time Orientation and the Ability to Envision the Distant Future of Higher Education in a Community College.
Creator: Diaz, Gisela M., Bryan, Valerie, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: Although temporal issues affecting organizations and leaders have been researched, time orientation (preference for one or more of the present, past, and future time frames) and visioning ability of change agents within organizations remain open for additional investigation. This exploratory survey study compared self-reported time orientation (TO) and visioning ability ratings of administrators and faculty at a community college. The research added to the extant literature by contextualizing...
Show moreAlthough temporal issues affecting organizations and leaders have been researched, time orientation (preference for one or more of the present, past, and future time frames) and visioning ability of change agents within organizations remain open for additional investigation. This exploratory survey study compared self-reported time orientation (TO) and visioning ability ratings of administrators and faculty at a community college. The research added to the extant literature by contextualizing the measures of the key constructs and extending the research to a novel setting. Scores for all three time frames were assessed in contrast to studies that emphasize future orientation. In addition, TO measures were obtained using an instrument constructed specifically for organizations (Fortunato & Furey, 2009). An adapted version of a visioning ability by Thoms and Blasko (1999) was constructed to address a specified time depth (the distant future) and domains relevant to higher education. Administrators reported significantly higher ratings than faculty on Future TO and visioning ability measures. Future TO scores for faculty were lower in relation to scores on the other two TO scales, but no within-group TO differences were found for administrators. A multiple regression model indicated that Future TO was the best predictor of visioning ability. Faculty teaching in the Associate of Science areas had higher Present TO scores than those teaching in the Associate of Arts programs. TO and visioning ability did not change as a function of gender, age, culture, and years of experience in higher education. The interpretation of the findings was limited by the lack of benchmarks that allow for meaningful comparisons across organizations, and by a continued need to establish construct and predictive validity for the key measures. The research has implications for hiring decisions, for staff development, and for temporal profiling in organizations interested in envisioning the distant future.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005927
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Education, Higher, Community colleges--Faculty., Community colleges--Administration., Time perspective., Organizational change.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Wicked Decision Maker: A Collective Case Study of Senior Student Affairs Officers Responding to At-risk Student Retention.
Creator: Camp, Aarika C., Watlington, Eliah, Pisapia, John, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this collective case study was to discover the decision-making processes used by senior student affairs officers when making wicked decisions related to the retention of specialized, at-risk student populations. Wicked decisions are complex, resistant to resolutions, lead to other problems, and are essentially unique. In this study, decisions related to retention of Black males; students with mental health issues; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer student...
Show moreThe purpose of this collective case study was to discover the decision-making processes used by senior student affairs officers when making wicked decisions related to the retention of specialized, at-risk student populations. Wicked decisions are complex, resistant to resolutions, lead to other problems, and are essentially unique. In this study, decisions related to retention of Black males; students with mental health issues; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer student retention fall within the wicked problem category and were the focus of this study. These decisions are usually the responsibility of divisions of student affairs in higher education settings and the senior student affairs officer. Hence, the senior student affairs officer is tasked with making responsible and effective decisions that foster the success of all students. This dissertation focused on the decision-making processes, practices, and procedures student affairs officers use to support the retention of select special populations served in higher education.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004985, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004975
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Student affairs administrators., Dropouts--Prevention., Student affairs services--United States--Decision making--Case studies.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Social Construction Of Teachers and the Teaching Profession Among Florida State Legislators from 1984 to 2015.
Creator: Crespo, Janny, Weber, Roberta K., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: Public officials at the state level currently are called upon to create, evaluate, and implement policies that assess the effectiveness of teacher performance and hold teachers accountable for student achievement. Therefore, understanding the social construction of the teaching profession among those public officials is crucial to understanding the impact of the policy agenda on the work of teachers as well as being essential to exercising influence on the policy process itself. This study...
Show morePublic officials at the state level currently are called upon to create, evaluate, and implement policies that assess the effectiveness of teacher performance and hold teachers accountable for student achievement. Therefore, understanding the social construction of the teaching profession among those public officials is crucial to understanding the impact of the policy agenda on the work of teachers as well as being essential to exercising influence on the policy process itself. This study was an analysis of legislation regarding teacher accountability in an effort to provide insight into how the Florida State Legislature socially constructs the teaching profession. This study used a qualitative methodology to place teachers, as a group, in Schneider and Ingram’s (1993) typology of target populations and made use of historical analysis to trace the changes that have occurred in the social construction of teachers during the period from 1984-2015. In doing so, it found teachers are negatively constructed with a positive power component, correspondingly labeled contenders, on Schneider and Ingram’s typology. Ultimately, the effect of the pressures placed upon teachers has been to create projections of ongoing teacher shortages and to discourage potential candidates from pursuing the profession.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005928
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Education and state--Florida., Social constructionism., Teachers--Florida., Florida. Legislature
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Relationship Between Sense of Belonging and Instructor Self-Efficacy Among Online Adjunct Faculty in Higher Education.
Creator: Wojcik, Jillian, Weber, Roberta K., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: Given the increased reliance on adjunct faculty and the increased demand for online courses, the online adjunct faculty member is an important figure to know and understand. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of research on this population, particularly in terms of how their feelings of connection to their colleagues, administration, and their institution affects their beliefs about their online teaching abilities. This non-experimental correlational study investigated the relationship between...
Show moreGiven the increased reliance on adjunct faculty and the increased demand for online courses, the online adjunct faculty member is an important figure to know and understand. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of research on this population, particularly in terms of how their feelings of connection to their colleagues, administration, and their institution affects their beliefs about their online teaching abilities. This non-experimental correlational study investigated the relationship between sense of belonging and instructor self-efficacy among online adjunct faculty in higher education. Additionally, this study sought to determine if there is a predictive element between these two variables. This study utilized the Organizational Sense of Belonging (OSB) subscale and the Sense of Efficacy for Online Teaching Scale (SEOTS) as well as demographic questions in order to collect data on the study variables. Questionnaires were distributed to online adjunct faculty members from six higher education institutions within the states of Florida, Virginia, and Nevada. A total of 122 online adjunct faculty members completed the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive analyses, ANOVA, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient, and regression analysis. Results indicated that sense of belonging and instructor self-efficacy share a significant linear relationship. Additionally, a stronger sense of belonging and a higher instructional self-efficacy were found among participants who participate in universitysponsored faculty development opportunities, who participate in non-academic university events, and who communicate with other online adjunct faculty members through social media. Furthermore, sense of belonging was found to be a significant predictor of selfefficacy, both when controlling for significant variables and when not controlling for variables. Further research is needed to determine causality between sense of belonging and instructor self-efficacy.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004970, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004960
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Multitude Speaks in Style: An Analysis of Vernacular Agency Through Images of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Creator: Swartz, Haley, Trapani, William, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies
Abstract/Description: The unexpected comparison of a Supreme Court Justice with a popular culture icon demonstrates how politics and popular culture become entwined in the contemporary context; moreover, network culture provides a conduit for vernacular discourse about politics, which circulates in the style of popular culture. Through analysis of images of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as created, shared, and circulated in network culture, this project explores the alternative levels of discourse generated in network...
Show moreThe unexpected comparison of a Supreme Court Justice with a popular culture icon demonstrates how politics and popular culture become entwined in the contemporary context; moreover, network culture provides a conduit for vernacular discourse about politics, which circulates in the style of popular culture. Through analysis of images of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as created, shared, and circulated in network culture, this project explores the alternative levels of discourse generated in network culture, examines the ways the public represents politics, and explains the ability of political subjects to affect meaning. The aim of this project is to document a conjunctural moment; as such, analysis of the images in aggregate provides a foundation to raise questions about how American political culture is manifested, attended to, and maintained through network culture and the parlance of popular culture.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004998
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Popular culture--United States., Politics and culture., Ginsburg, Ruth Bader.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Influence of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) on Faculty Leadership.
Creator: Ellis, Althia, Bryan, Valerie, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: The study was born out of a deep concern that there have been missed opportunities to apply cultural intelligence to enrich leadership, instruction, and learning. In particular, direct interaction and observation of students from multicultural backgrounds have revealed the value in adjusting one’s mindset to creating a more inclusive learning environment. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of cultural intelligence on faculty leadership. The problem addressed was the growing...
Show moreThe study was born out of a deep concern that there have been missed opportunities to apply cultural intelligence to enrich leadership, instruction, and learning. In particular, direct interaction and observation of students from multicultural backgrounds have revealed the value in adjusting one’s mindset to creating a more inclusive learning environment. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of cultural intelligence on faculty leadership. The problem addressed was the growing need for faculty to expand their cultural intelligence to enable them to demonstrate exemplary leadership in 21st century classrooms. The study measured the cultural intelligence of faculty using the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS). Faculty members’ leadership was measured using the Leadership Practices Inventory Self (LPI-Self). This quantitative study used associational and survey methods to predict scores and explain associations among variables. Overall, behavioral CQ and cognitive CQ had a greater influence on the following leadership practices: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, and Challenge the Process. For the private university, behavioral CQ had a greater influence on the following leadership practices: Model the Way and Inspiring a Shared Vision. The public university did not show preference for any of the five leadership practices. For the state college, cognitive CQ had a greater influence on all leadership practices, except for Model the Way. The results of this study confirmed that cultural intelligence significantly influenced leadership practices of faculty members. These findings provide important information for faculty development programs, curriculum development, and hiring practices. An urgent requirement for advancing teaching and learning in today’s higher education classrooms is a keen understanding of the underlying values, beliefs, and perceptions of students. These qualities affect students’ understanding and how they express themselves in the classroom. The decision to give instructional leaders leadership training in cultural intelligence is highly recommended. While faculty members showed preference for certain leadership practices, their preferences might be incorporated to develop a blended leadership style that may be more suitable for today’s diverse academic community. The association found between cultural intelligence and leadership practices confirms the value of faculty development in cultural intelligence.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004974, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004964
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Faculty (Education), Leadership., Cultural intelligence.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Impact of Undergraduate Research Participation on Research Self-Efficacy.
Creator: Baker, Tracy N., DeDonno, Michael, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Abstract/Description: Current literature confirms that self-efficacy, academic self-concept, and participation in undergraduate research influence the academic performance and aspirations of students. However, a gap in the literature remains as research has yet to explore whether students who have participated in research have a higher sense of research self-efficacy and academic self-concept than students who have not participated in these activities. In addition, it is unknown whether undergraduate researchers...
Show moreCurrent literature confirms that self-efficacy, academic self-concept, and participation in undergraduate research influence the academic performance and aspirations of students. However, a gap in the literature remains as research has yet to explore whether students who have participated in research have a higher sense of research self-efficacy and academic self-concept than students who have not participated in these activities. In addition, it is unknown whether undergraduate researchers pursuing STEM degrees differ from students pursuing non-STEM degrees, nor if they vary by gender. The purpose of this study was to investigate the research self-efficacy and academic self-concept of undergraduate researchers, compare these beliefs to nonresearchers, and to examine how these measures differ by gender and field of study (i.e. STEM and non-STEM fields) among undergraduate researchers. Additionally, this research identified various factors that predict research self-efficacy and academic selfconcept. This quantitative study was conducted at a public university located in the Southeast region of the United States. Using survey methods participants’ background information, academic self-concept, and research self-efficacy was collected. Participants were students who had participated in undergraduate research as well as students who had not participated in research activities. Both groups completed the same survey. This study gained insight into the research self-efficacy, academic self-concept, field of study, and gender differences among undergraduate researchers and how they compare to non-researchers. Research findings may assist colleges, universities, and offices that promote undergraduate research in recruiting students to participate in research activities. Findings also contribute to literature supporting undergraduate research as an element that contributes to student success in undergraduate education.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004978, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004968
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Undergraduates--Research., Self-efficacy., Academic achievement.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Impact of Motivational Interviewing Training on Rehabilitation Counselors: Assessing Working Alliance and Client Engagement. A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Creator: Torres, Ayse, Frain, Michael, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Counselor Education
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of motivational interviewing (MI) counselor training in a public vocational rehabilitation (VR) setting. Data were collected from a total of 347 participants (67 counselors and 280 clients) in the experimental and comparison groups, during the pre-and-posttests. The counselors in the experimental group received a 4-hour standardized MI training and a 4-week follow up coaching sessions. Results of this study indicated that counselors in the...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to assess the impact of motivational interviewing (MI) counselor training in a public vocational rehabilitation (VR) setting. Data were collected from a total of 347 participants (67 counselors and 280 clients) in the experimental and comparison groups, during the pre-and-posttests. The counselors in the experimental group received a 4-hour standardized MI training and a 4-week follow up coaching sessions. Results of this study indicated that counselors in the experimental group demonstrated significant gains in their MI competence scores compared to the comparison group. The clients of the experimental group’s counselors significantly improved their engagement in VR services and working alliance with their counselors. Also, counselors’ education level and CRC status showed strong correlation with the posttest MI competence total scores. Finally, working alliance was found to be a significant predictor of client engagement. This study established the preparatory knowledge for the relationship between MI counselor training, client engagement, and counselor-client working alliance in a public rehabilitation setting. The results of this study contribute to the rehabilitation literature by providing evidence-based knowledge and tools designed to improve the quality of VR service outcomes, such as employment, for people with disabilities. With the findings of this research, there is evidence available to provide rehabilitation administrators to justify investing time and other resources into training rehabilitation counselors on the use of MI intervention.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004950
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Rehabilitation counselors--Training of, Motivational interviewing., Vocational rehabilitation., Therapeutic alliance.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Estimation Of Ancestry And Sex In Unknown Individuals Through A Comparison Of Methods.
Creator: Thomas, Alexandra N., Ellis, Meredith, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Anthropology
Abstract/Description: When unidentified skeletal remains are found, researchers utilize a number of methods to apportion details for a biological profile. While these practices are used and professed through generations of students, they also require a reevaluation of the methods. This project estimates the ancestry and sex of nine unknown skeletal individuals through two different mechanisms. Modified biological profiles were completed through two different methodologies: anthroscopic traits (Buikstra and...
Show moreWhen unidentified skeletal remains are found, researchers utilize a number of methods to apportion details for a biological profile. While these practices are used and professed through generations of students, they also require a reevaluation of the methods. This project estimates the ancestry and sex of nine unknown skeletal individuals through two different mechanisms. Modified biological profiles were completed through two different methodologies: anthroscopic traits (Buikstra and Ubelaker 1994; White et al. 2012) and geometric morphometrics using 3D-ID (Slice and Ross 2009). The results serve two purposes: (1) to provide ancestry and sex (2) to compare two methodologies through outcomes and repeatability of results. Intra-observer error testing was conducted on both methods. All outputs resulted in low intra-rater reliability, highlighting the repeatability error in one observer’s collection methods. These results conclude and encourage the reevaluation and standardization of the procedures and comparison groups used to assess ancestry and sex.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005919
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Ancestry, Sex determination, Human skeleton--Analysis.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Effect of Participation in the Ready to Learn Program on Kindergarten Students’ Pro-social behavior, Self-regulation, Reading Performance, and Teachers’ Perception of Classroom Climate.
Creator: Kuba, Summer Perhay, Villares, Elizabeth, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Counselor Education
Abstract/Description: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the difference in pro-social behavior, self-regulation, overall reading performance, Lexile levels, and teachers’ perception of classroom climate of kindergarten students who received the Ready to Learn (RTL; Brigman, Lane, & Lane, 2008) classroom guidance program (treatment group: n = 173) and kindergarten students who did not receive the intervention (comparison group: n = 124). The study followed a quasi-experimental, comparison group...
Show moreThe purpose of the current study was to investigate the difference in pro-social behavior, self-regulation, overall reading performance, Lexile levels, and teachers’ perception of classroom climate of kindergarten students who received the Ready to Learn (RTL; Brigman, Lane, & Lane, 2008) classroom guidance program (treatment group: n = 173) and kindergarten students who did not receive the intervention (comparison group: n = 124). The study followed a quasi-experimental, comparison group design in which teachers completed the Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS) and Teacher My Class Inventory-Short Form (TMCI-SF) measures as well as collected reading data from individual students. Descriptive statistics for each of the measures, the findings from the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) on the CBRS and TMCI-SF data, along with the multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) using the i-Ready data, and partial eta squared (ηp2) effect sizes were calculated. The ANCOVA was conducted to determine if differences existed on the participants’ pro-social behavior and self-regulation by condition. The findings revealed a statistically significant difference on the pro-social skills but did not show a statistically significant difference in self-regulation. The MANCOVA revealed statistically significant differences in overall reading performance between the treatment and comparison group; however, did not reveal statistically significant differences on the Lexile levels for the students who participated in the intervention. Finally, the ANCOVA reported a statistically significant difference in the perceived impact of the school counselor by the treatment group kindergarten as compared to the teachers in the comparison group; however, no other differences were found on the TMCI-SF scales. With these results, there is a need for further empirical research to determine the impact of the RTL program on students’ academic and SEL development.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004992
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Kindergarten., Reading to learn., Classroom climate.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Effect of a Heart Failure Nurse Navigator on 30-Day Hospital Readmissions of Older Adults.
Creator: Leavitt, Mary Ann M., Hain, Debra J., Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Abstract/Description: Across the US, 22% of Medicare patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of heart failure (HF) will be readmitted within 30-days of discharge. There is no one costeffective process identified to help patients transition home and maintain their own selfcare. The aim of this study is to compare readmission rates, HF knowledge, self-care, and quality of life for patients who transition home from the hospital under the care of a Heart Failure Nurse Navigator (HFNN) with patients who receive usual...
Show moreAcross the US, 22% of Medicare patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of heart failure (HF) will be readmitted within 30-days of discharge. There is no one costeffective process identified to help patients transition home and maintain their own selfcare. The aim of this study is to compare readmission rates, HF knowledge, self-care, and quality of life for patients who transition home from the hospital under the care of a Heart Failure Nurse Navigator (HFNN) with patients who receive usual care. The HFNN is a home health RN with specialized training in HF care. The HFNN visited intervention group (IG) participants once in the hospital, followed by weekly home visits for one month. Control group (CG) participants received usual care, consisting of discharge teaching by their primary nurse and follow-up with their primary care provider (PCP) or cardiologist. Using a sequential mixed methods research design, this experimental randomized controlled trial measured HF knowledge, HF self-care, and HF quality of life (QOL) at enrollment and one month after discharge. Hospital readmissions and/or ED visits were tracked in both groups. IG participants were interviewed using semi-structured questions, findings of which were analyzed using conventional content analysis. There were fewer all-cause hospital readmissions in the IG (3 of 19) than the CG (6 of 21.) CG participants were 2.2 times more likely to be readmitted than the IG participants. [x(1)=.935, p=.334 O.R.=2.2219]. Due to limited enrollment, these results were underpowered and not statistically significant. There was improvement in HF knowledge (p=.06) and HF self-care maintenance (p=.07), approaching significance. HF self-care maintenance improved in both groups, although the IG was not significantly better (p=.48). There was significant improvement in the IG for HF confidence (p=.002) and HF QOL (p<.001). The qualitative findings revealed two main categories from the IG: (1) personal clarification of patient education, especially related to diet, exercise, and medications and (2) feelings of support, reassurance, and safety. The HFNN may be one role to meet the triple aim of improving patient quality care and health outcomes at a reduced cost, especially in areas where a comprehensive HF management program is not available.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004986, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004976
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Heart failure--Nursing., Hospitalization--economics., Home Health Nursing.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Circular Restricted Four Body Problem is Non-Integrable: A Computer Assisted Proof.
Creator: Kepley, Shane, Kalies, William D., Mireles-James, Jason D., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Abstract/Description: Gravitational N-body problems are central in classical mathematical physics. Studying their long time behavior raises subtle questions about the interplay between regular and irregular motions and the boundary between integrable and chaotic dynamics. Over the last hundred years, concepts from the qualitative theory of dynamical systems such as stable/unstable manifolds, homoclinic and heteroclinic tangles, KAM theory, and whiskered invariant tori, have come to play an increasingly important...
Show moreGravitational N-body problems are central in classical mathematical physics. Studying their long time behavior raises subtle questions about the interplay between regular and irregular motions and the boundary between integrable and chaotic dynamics. Over the last hundred years, concepts from the qualitative theory of dynamical systems such as stable/unstable manifolds, homoclinic and heteroclinic tangles, KAM theory, and whiskered invariant tori, have come to play an increasingly important role in the discussion. In the last fty years the study of numerical methods for computing invariant objects has matured into a thriving sub-discipline. This growth is driven at least in part by the needs of the world's space programs. Recent work on validated numerical methods has begun to unify the computational and analytical perspectives, enriching both aspects of the subject. Many of these results use computer assisted proofs, a tool which has become increasingly popular in recent years. This thesis presents a proof that the circular restricted four body problem is non-integrable. The proof of this result is obtained as an application of more general rigorous numerical methods in nonlinear analysis.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004997
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Mathematical physics., Invariants., Dynamical systems
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Arbëresh Culture: An Ace in the Hole, in the Heart of Calabria.
Creator: Lubonja, Edna, Serra, Ilaria, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Languages, Lingustics and Comparative Literature
Abstract/Description: The Arbëresh of Italy founded their communities in the 1400s when they were forced to flee their homeland, Albania, as the country was conquered and ruled by the Ottoman Empire. For centuries, they kept a close community in the Italian villages preserving their language, culture, rituals and traditions. These elements have defined them as “others” in the Italian community over the centuries, but today, they are better described as Italians who also embrace the Arbëresh culture. This...
Show moreThe Arbëresh of Italy founded their communities in the 1400s when they were forced to flee their homeland, Albania, as the country was conquered and ruled by the Ottoman Empire. For centuries, they kept a close community in the Italian villages preserving their language, culture, rituals and traditions. These elements have defined them as “others” in the Italian community over the centuries, but today, they are better described as Italians who also embrace the Arbëresh culture. This dissertation explores the narratives of Arbëresh authors such as Carmine Abate, Anna Stratigò, and Pino Cacozza, who have preserved glimpses of their culture in their writings, thus creating an oasis that I call “the Arbëresh Utopia.” I situate them in the larger context of Arbëresh history, and in the environment where their stories are located. A recent research conducted through interviews in the Arbëresh towns of Calabria, will add an important “lived” tassel of information, by exploring the Arbëresh culture today in a state of what Michel Foucault calls heterotopia. After many years of living in a closed community, the Arbëresh have learned to live by addition.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004977, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004967
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Calabria (Italy)., Arbëresh language., Heterotopia
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Technology, Textbooks, and Mathematics: Perceptions of Online Math Homework from Traditional High School Students Enrolled in Private Schools.
Creator: Gutierrez, Gisselle, Weber, Roberta K., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: This research study employed both quantitative and qualitative methodology to explore high school students’ perceptions about online math homework and paper math homework. The purpose of this study was threefold: to understand how high school students perceive online math homework, to determine what aspects of online math homework aid and/or hinder student learning, and to improve the student learning experience with online math homework. Through quantitative analysis, the researcher noted...
Show moreThis research study employed both quantitative and qualitative methodology to explore high school students’ perceptions about online math homework and paper math homework. The purpose of this study was threefold: to understand how high school students perceive online math homework, to determine what aspects of online math homework aid and/or hinder student learning, and to improve the student learning experience with online math homework. Through quantitative analysis, the researcher noted that although not all students learned best with online math homework, nearly every student used the online tools provided when assigned online math homework. Through qualitative analysis, the researcher noted that the most commonly mentioned aid for both online math homework and paper math homework was showing your work. The two most commonly mentioned hindrances to learning were guessing or cheating with online math homework and losing your homework with paper math homework. Participants stated that they actually have more opportunities to cheat with online math homework than with paper math homework; these results diverge from the literature, which states that online math homework helps to eliminate cheating. The data suggests that while online resources, such as examples, were a commonly mentioned aid to online math homework, many students indicated that the online resources also prevented them from truly having to think, as they could just follow the online examples step by step. This research study determined that the majority of students did not have a strong inherent like or dislike toward either online or paper math homework. Instead, students often stated that they preferred whichever medium allowed them to earn higher grades or receive more support. Therefore, if students continue to receive the necessary support, they can continue to learn mathematical concepts through the use of both online and paper math homework.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004984, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004974
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Mathematics--education., Mathematics education -- Educational material and media, educational technology -- Computer assisted instruction; e-learning., Homework., High school students.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Teacher Perceptions of Technology Integration Professional Development in a 1:1 Chromebook Environment.
Creator: Yankelevich, Eleonora, Weber, Roberta K., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
Abstract/Description: A variety of computing devices are available in today’s classrooms, but they have not guaranteed the effective integration of technology. Nationally, teachers have ample devices, applications, productivity software, and digital audio and video tools. Despite all this, the literature suggests these tools are not employed to enhance student learning according to best practices. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe and understand perceptions of a technology integration...
Show moreA variety of computing devices are available in today’s classrooms, but they have not guaranteed the effective integration of technology. Nationally, teachers have ample devices, applications, productivity software, and digital audio and video tools. Despite all this, the literature suggests these tools are not employed to enhance student learning according to best practices. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe and understand perceptions of a technology integration professional development (TIPD) experience of elementary teachers at a suburban, independent school. The TIPD was an ongoing, 40-minute class led by a technology specialist, taking place in teachers’ classrooms, engaging teachers and their students in a 1:1 Chromebook environment. Data collected were through classroom observations, teacher written reflections, school documents, and face-to-face interviews. The results of multiple cycles of coding wrought findings in regard to teachers’ perceptions of effective technology integration, technology class as professional development (PD), and technology class as enabling effective technology integration. The findings showed teachers perceived technology integration to be effective if it benefited the skills or productivity of themselves or their students and if it directly related to their curriculum. Teachers required the support of their colleagues, technology specialist, IT department, as well as traditional and alternative forms of PD to overcome internal and external barriers to integration. Five of the seven teachers explicitly conveyed the technology class to be effective TIPD and all seven learned about a technology tool or resource, technical knowledge or skills, or ideas for integration during the technology classes. Findings also showed the technology class enabled reflection, which led to ideas for integration; the class enabled integration when the content was related to or the tools were useful for their subject area; the class provided the collaboration necessary for integration to occur.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004968, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004958
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Elementary school teachers--Training of., Educational technology., Professional development.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Survival by Any Means: Race and Gender, Passing and Performance in Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents.
Creator: Moreno, Micah R., Dagbovie-Mullins, Sika A., Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of English
Abstract/Description: This project focuses on race and gender in the works of author Octavia Butler. The primary texts analyzed are Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents. In these novels, Butler alludes to slavery in antebellum America by drawing strong parallels between the roles race and gender played in the survival of the escaped slaves of America’s past and the role they play in the survival of the main character of Butler’s apocalyptic future. The themes of race and gender frequently intersect and...
Show moreThis project focuses on race and gender in the works of author Octavia Butler. The primary texts analyzed are Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents. In these novels, Butler alludes to slavery in antebellum America by drawing strong parallels between the roles race and gender played in the survival of the escaped slaves of America’s past and the role they play in the survival of the main character of Butler’s apocalyptic future. The themes of race and gender frequently intersect and maintain an important role throughout the novels. I argue that, by reading Butler’s novels within this significant historical context, Butler’s use of passing as a tool for subverting both racial and gendered identity as a means to secure the safety and privilege necessary for survival emerges. Further, the parallels between racial and gender passing serve to expose the performative nature of these identifying characteristics.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004996
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Butler, Octavia E. 1947-2006, Butler, Octavia E.--Criticism and interpretation.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Studies of Alkyne Cycloaddition Reactions Leading to Isoxazolines and Pyrazolines and Synthesis of Urofuranoic Acids to Assess their Effect on Insulin Secretion.
Creator: Nagy, Edith, Lepore, Salvatore D., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract/Description: The present thesis will be largely focused on identifying and understanding the scope and mechanistic details associated with the tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) mediated cyclization of alkynyl hydrazines and (O)-hydroxylamines. Also, the synthesis of 2-(2-carboxyethyl)-4-methyl-5-propylfuran-3-carboxylic acid (CMPF) and its analogs will be discussed along with an analysis of their effects on insulin secretion. Chapter 1 will present the importance of developing isoxazoline and pyrazoline...
Show moreThe present thesis will be largely focused on identifying and understanding the scope and mechanistic details associated with the tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) mediated cyclization of alkynyl hydrazines and (O)-hydroxylamines. Also, the synthesis of 2-(2-carboxyethyl)-4-methyl-5-propylfuran-3-carboxylic acid (CMPF) and its analogs will be discussed along with an analysis of their effects on insulin secretion. Chapter 1 will present the importance of developing isoxazoline and pyrazoline type heterocycles given that they are continually demonstrated to possess a variety of biological activities. Further, the scope of the reaction in terms of functional group tolerability, scalability and mild conditions will be shown. To expand the importance of this work, a route to access non-racemic heterocycles is also noted. With the heterocycles in hand, new methods were developed to generate more complex frameworks in the form of a novel one pot deprotection/functionalization reaction. Chapter 2 will focus on mechanistic investigations of the cyclization. From the initial discovery of the reaction, its actual mechanism was unknown and a main point of interest. What appeared unusual is that a nucleophilic attack occurs on an unactivated triple bond. Given the identity of the products, a reasonable proposal was a 5-endo-dig type cyclization. However, such a pathway would result in the generation of a vinyl anion intermediate which is well known to be of very high energy and it would seem unlikely to occur under mild conditions. Various trapping experiments were used to demonstrate that the vinyl anion forms and a 5-endo-dig-cyclization is the operative mechanism. Chapter 3 analyzes the importance of the tetrabutylammonium fluoride reagent. During optimization studies, it became clear that this base is the ideal reagent to facilitate the cyclization although other bases can also enable the transformation at much slower rates. Addition of non-basic ammonium salt additives to bases such as KF and CsF had a dramatic effect on the rate of the reaction. To determine whether the observed rate differences were merely a phase transfer effect or something more, both empirical and Raman spectroscopy data were collected. Based on this, the first evidence for an ammonium-alkyne cation-pi type interaction was shown. Chapter 4 will summarize the work on the synthesis of 2-(2-carboxyethyl)-4-methyl-5-propylfuran-3-carboxylic acid (CMPF) and its analogs in order to be used in various biological assays. The main goals were to determine a possible structure activity relationship between the substrates and insulin secretion in beta cells and also determine the fate of CMPF in vivo. Several 13C labeled analogs of CMPF were synthesized and successfully used to show for the first time that CMPF in metabolized in vivo in mice.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004988, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004978
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Insulin--Secretion., Alkynes., Cycloaddition Reaction., Pyrazolines.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Stochastic Modeling of Wireless Communications in a Fading Environment via Fox's H-Function.
Creator: Mukasa, Constantine, Aalo, Valentine A., Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Abstract/Description: In wireless communications systems, it is well known that the instantaneous received signal is a random variable that follows a given distribution. The randomness mainly stems from e ects such as multipath fading, shadowing, and interference. The received signal is a relevant metric, such that several distributions have been used in the literature to characterize it. However, as new radio technologies emerge, the known distributions are deemed insu cient to t simulated and measure data....
Show moreIn wireless communications systems, it is well known that the instantaneous received signal is a random variable that follows a given distribution. The randomness mainly stems from e ects such as multipath fading, shadowing, and interference. The received signal is a relevant metric, such that several distributions have been used in the literature to characterize it. However, as new radio technologies emerge, the known distributions are deemed insu cient to t simulated and measure data. Subsequently, as the wireless industry moves onto the fth generation (5G), newer distributions are proposed to well represent the received signal for new wireless technologies, including those operating in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) band. These are mainly application speci c and may not be adequate to model complex 5G devices performance. Therefore, there is a need to unify and generalize the received signal distributions used for performance analysis of wireless systems. Secondly, an explosion of new radio technologies and devices operating in the same limited radio spectrum to collect and share data at alarming rates is expected. Such an explosion coupled with the 5G promise of ubiquitous connectivity and network densi cation, will thrust interference modeling in dense networks to the fore-front. Thus, interference characterization is essential when analyzing such wireless networks. Thirdly, the classical distributions used to model the received signal do not account for the inherent mobility feature for emerging radio technologies, such as avionics systems (e.g. drones), which may make the distributions inadequate as mobility e ects can no longer be ignored. Consequently, in this dissertation, we propose the use of a unifying distribution, the Fox's H-function distribution, with subsume ability to represent several traditional and future distributions, as a statistical tool to evaluate the performance of wireless communications systems. Additionally, two interference models, one with a xed number and the other with a random number of interferers, are considered to derive interference statistics, and further utilize the results to analyze system performance under the e ect of interference. Finally, we extend the classical distributions to include the mobility regime for several wireless network topologies, and perform network analysis. The analytical results are validated using computer Monte Carlo simulations.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005934
Subject Headings: Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Wireless communications systems., Stochastic modeling., H-functions.
Format: Document (PDF)

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